EP3920727A1

EP3920727A1 - Flavour delivery article for a smoking substitute apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3920727A1
Application number: EP20703248.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Samantha MURRAY; Chris Lord; David Jones; Jonathan MARCHBANK; Tom Sudlow; Ian Stuart; Stephen Jones
Original assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Current assignee: Nerudia Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-07
Filing date: 2020-02-07
Publication date: 2021-12-15
Also published as: WO2020161336A1

Abstract

A flavour delivery article (340) for use with a smoking substitute apparatus, comprising: - a flavourant (344); - wherein the flavour delivery article is configured to release flavourant upon contacting an aerosol generated from the smoking substitute apparatus.

Description

FLA 1 /OUR DELIVERY ARTICLE FOR A SMOKING SUBSTITUTE APPARATUS Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flavour delivery article for use with a smoking substitute apparatus and, in particular, a flavour delivery article that is able to deliver flavour to a user during the use of the smoking substitute apparatus.

Background

The smoking of tobacco is generally considered to expose a smoker to potentially harmful substances. It is generally thought that a significant amount of the potentially harmful substances are generated through the heat caused by the burning and/or combustion of the tobacco and the constituents of the burnt tobacco in the tobacco smoke itself.

Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful byproducts. There have been proposed various smoking substitute systems in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute systems can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute systems include electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol (also referred to as a“vapour”) that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or a flavourant without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute systems are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and with combustible tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute systems has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute systems as desirable lifestyle accessories. There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute systems, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach.

One approach is the so-called“vaping” approach, in which a vaporisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as“e-liquid”, is heated by a heating device (referred to herein as an electronic cigarette or“e-cigarette” device) to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. The e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or a flavourant. The resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or a flavourant. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. A typical e-cigarette device includes a mouthpiece, a power source (typically a battery), a tank for containing e-liquid, as well as a heating device. In use, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats the e-liquid to produce an aerosol (or“vapour”) which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

E-cigarettes can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are“closed system” vaping smoking substitute systems, which typically have a sealed tank and heating element. The tank is prefilled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems include a main body which includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, that consumable is disposed of. The main body can be reused by connecting it to a new, replacement, consumable. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute systems are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.

There are also“open system” vaping smoking substitute systems which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user. In this way the entire device can be used multiple times.

An example vaping smoking substitute system is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e-cigarette is a closed system which includes a main body and a consumable. The main body and consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the main body. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heater, which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick. The wick is partially immersed in the e-liquid, and conveys e-liquid from the tank to the heating filament. The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

An alternative to the“vaping” approach is the so-called Heated Tobacco (“HT”) approach in which tobacco (rather than an e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. HT is also known as "heat not burn" (“HNB”). The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. In the HT approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. the tobacco does not undergo combustion.

The heating, as opposed to burning, of the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HT approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

A typical HT smoking substitute system may include a device and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The device and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating element of the device, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes components in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may also be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the consumable (entrained in the airflow) from the location of vaporisation to an outlet of the consumable (e.g. a mouthpiece), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The aerosol may contain nicotine and/or flavour compounds.

For a smoking substitute device it is desirable to deliver nicotine into the user’s lungs, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. As explained above, in the so-called“vaping” approach, e-liquid is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. Many e-cigarettes also deliver flavour to the user to enhance the experience. In such e-cigarettes, e-liquid is often sold as a flavoured product, e.g. a specific blend of flavour compounds are already homogeneously mixed with the e-liquid during the manufacturing process. As such, the user would have to purchase flavoured consumables that are available on the market, with limited opportunities to personalise the vaping experience according to their preferences. In addition, the flavour compounds that are contained in the e- liquid that is heated to form a flavoured aerosol. However, toxicology restrictions are placed on the amount of flavour that can be contained in the e-liquid, and this can result in some e-liquid flavours delivering a weak and underwhelming taste sensation to consumers in the pursuit of safety. Further, there is a view that providing a flavourant as part of the e-liquid, such that the flavourant is vaporised with the e-liquid, may be disadvantageous.

There may be a need for improved design of smoking substitute systems, in particular in regards to the delivery of flavour to a user.

The present disclosure has been devised in the light of the above considerations.

Summary of the Invention

At its most general, the present invention relates to a flavour delivery article that releases a flavourant in the presence of an aerosol generated from a smoking substitution apparatus. This may allow the flavourant to be released when the user puffs on the smoking substitute apparatus. Therefore, this may allow a user to personalise and/or improve the vaping experience, without needing to add a flavourant to an aerosol former.

According to a first aspect there is provided a flavour delivery article for use with a smoking substitute apparatus, comprising: a flavourant; wherein the flavour delivery article is configured to release flavourant upon contacting an aerosol generated from the smoking substitute apparatus. The aerosol may be generated by heating an aerosol former, e.g. an e-liquid, at the smoking substitution apparatus. The e-liquid may, for example, comprise a base liquid and nicotine. The nicotine may comprise free base nicotine. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.

The e-liquid may be flavourless. That is, the e-liquid may not contain any flavourant and may consist solely of a base liquid of propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine and nicotine. Therefore the aerosol may be flavourless.

The flavour delivery article may be applicable to a user’s oral cavity, and wherein the flavour delivery article may be configured to release flavourant to the user’s oral cavity when the user inhales the aerosol. For example, the flavour delivery article may be inserted and retained in the user’s oral cavity when the user puffs on the smoking substitute apparatus.

The flavourant may be provided in solid, gel or liquid form. It may include menthol, liquorice, chocolate, fruit flavour (including e.g. citrus, cherry etc.), vanilla, spice (e.g. ginger, cinnamon) and tobacco flavour. The flavourant may modify a flavour of saliva and/or aerosol upon contacting or mixing with the saliva and/or aerosol in the user’s oral cavity.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article comprises a barrier for enclosing the flavourant, wherein the barrier is configured to disintegrate upon contacting the aerosol thereby releases the flavourant enclosed therein. In use the flavour delivery article may be received in a user’s oral cavity and may activate upon contacting the aerosol generated by the smoking substitute apparatus. In other words, the barrier may remain intact in the absence of the aerosol. That is, enclosing the flavourant the barrier may inhibit or at least reduce contact between the flavourant and saliva in the user’s oral cavity. For example, the barrier may remain intact, e.g., it may not disintegrate or soften, or at least it does not immediately disintegrate, once the flavour delivery article is received in a user’s oral cavity and in contact with saliva. In other words, the barrier may shield the flavourant from moisture. Such arrangement may prolong the longevity of flavour delivery article because the barrier is not susceptible to moisture during storage. Advantageously, the barrier may allow controlled release of the flavourant by interacting the flavour deliver article with the aerosol in the user’s oral cavity and/or in the passage of a smoking substitute apparatus. For example, it may reduce the likelihood of flavourant consumption by an unauthorised person or minors. The flavourant may only be released when the user puffs on the smoking substitute apparatus to draw out an aerosol.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article is provided as part of a smoking substitute apparatus comprising; a mouthpiece comprising an outlet; a passage for conveying an aerosol generated by an aerosol generator to the outlet, the aerosol generator being positioned in the passage; wherein the flavour delivery article is positioned in the passage between the aerosol generator and the outlet.

Flavourants have commonly only ever been a constituent ingredient of the e-liquid in a smoking substitute apparatus. Heating the flavourants in the e-liquid is now thought to generate potentially harmful toxins. By removing the flavourants from the e-liquid and instead placing them such that they do not pass through the heater, then not only is there an advantage of better flavour delivery in the safer format of an aroma, but there is also increased stability and control in the absence of direct heater contact.

When the flavour delivery article is disposed in the passage, the flavour delivery article may be provided on a substrate in the passage. That is to say, a substrate that is not the passage is provided in the space defined by the passage and the flavour delivery article is on that substrate.

Optionally, the substrate may be held in the passage by an interference fit. For instance, it may be tapered in fit. This prevents the substrate from moving in or falling out of the passage as the smoking substitute apparatus is handled or used. The substrate may be, for example, about 30 mm long, about 10 mm wide and about 5 mm deep. The substrate may protrude from the passage and beyond the outlet such that, when in use, the substrate may directly contact the user’s oral cavity and/or tongue.

Optionally, the substrate is removable and/or replaceable from its position in the passage. It may, for example, be removed by a user through the outlet in the mouthpiece. Where a depleted substrate is removed it may be possible to recharge the substrate with more flavour delivery articles. It may be that a tool is required for the user to remove the substrate from the passage so that the chances of accidental removal of the substrate are further minimised.

Optionally, the passage has one or more grooves or slots that correspond to the shape of the substrate or protrusions of the substrate to hold the substrate in position. For example, four linear grooves may be provided along the length of the passage to receive the tips of a substrate having an X-shaped cross section. The substrate may comprise an adhesive to adhere the substrate to the passage.

Optionally, the substrate may have a uniform cross-section along its length. Alternatively, the cross- section profile may be different along the length of the substrate, such as two or three different profiles. The cross-section profile may be open, such as flat, V-shaped, e-shaped. Alternatively, the cross-section profile may be closed, such as cylindrical, star shaped, square shaped of polygonal.

Optionally, the substrate material comprises one or more materials selected from paper, plastics, ceramics, metals, polymeric film and elastomeric material. For example, the substrate may comprise one or more of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, bagasse, paper foam, bamboo, rice paper, flax seed, pulp paper or cotton cellulose. Advantages of bagasse are that it is curbside recyclable, compostable, utilises a waste stream and requires less chemical processing. Advantages of paper foam are that it is easily moulded, has a low carbon footprint, required less water in production and is lightweight. Advantages of bamboo are that it is a renewable resource and recyclable. Advantages of rice paper are that it is fibrous and strong. Advantages of flax seed are that it is thin but strong and durable. Advantages of pulp paper are that it has a low raw material cost and low energy production cost. Advantages of cotton cellulose are that it is durable, often high in purity, hollow-like and

Optionally, the substrate may be porous, corrugated and/or textured. This increases the surface area available for the vapour to pass over, release and be entrained with the flavourant. Alternatively, when the flavour delivery article is disposed in the passage, the flavour delivery article may be provided directly on the surface of the passage. That is to say, the surface of the passage is the substrate on which the flavour delivery article is provided. Common passage materials include polymers (e.g. polypropylene or polyether ether ketone), ceramic (e.g. glass) or metallic (e.g. stainless steel) surface and so the flavour delivery article may be configured to specifically adhere to these materials.

When the flavour delivery article is provided directly on the surface of the passage, the surface of the passage may be textured. That is to say, the wall of the passage may not be smooth so that adherence of the flavour delivery article to the passage is improved, particularly when the device is being used.

When the flavour delivery article is provided directly on a substrate in, or on the surface of, the passage, a plurality of flavour delivery articles having different flavourants may be positioned thereon. The plurality of different flavour delivery articles may be positioned in a number of‘bands’ or‘zones’ on the substrate or surface of the passage. Alternatively or simultaneously, multiple layers of different flavour delivery articles may be provided on top of each other on the substrate or surface of the passage. This allow for combinations and/or variation over time in the delivery of the flavour during the use of the smoking substitute apparatus.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article may be applied to the substrate or surface of the passage by methods such as spraying, rolling, brushing and dipping.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article comprises one or more of benzyl alcohol, cinnamyl alcohol, 3- methyl benzyl alcohol and b-phenethyl alcohol. Using these compounds as flavourants, flavour enhancers and/or bacteriostatics is advantageous because they each have a boiling point greater than 205°C such that they have a low volatility and survive long term storage before use. The flavour delivery article may comprise other preservatives, such as ethanol.

Optionally, the barrier encapsulates the flavourant. For example, the barrier may be a hydrogel coated onto a surface of the flavourant, or it may be a shell with substantial mechanical strength containing a body of flavourant. Either way, the barrier may fully contains the flavourant and may form a capsule, microcapsule or nanocapsule. The barrier may comprise a flexible and/or elastic wall or it may comprise a rigid wall. The barrier may be configured to disintegrate as it comes into contact with the aerosol. In other words, the barrier may break down in the presence of the aerosol. Advantageously, such arrangement may ensure the flavourant is completely enclosed in the barrier.

Optionally, at least a part of the flavourant is embedded in the barrier. For example, the flavourant may be mixed or blended into a barrier material, and therefore at least a portion of the flavourant may be embedded in the barrier. More specifically, a significant portion of the flavourant may be embedded and be enclosed in the barrier. On the other hand, a small part, or an insignificant part of the flavourant, may be deposited on a surface of the barrier. Advantageously, embedding the flavourant in the barrier may allow the flavourant to gradually release to the user’s oral cavity when the barrier progressively disintegrates. Optionally, the flavour delivery article comprises a porous structure. For example, the porous structure may form a sponge that provides fluid passages for the aerosol. Advantageously, the porous structure may increase a contacting area between the aerosol and the barrier, and thus it may improve the efficiency of flavourant release because the barrier may disintegrate in a more efficient manner.

The flavour delivery article may take any shape or form. For example, the flavour delivery article may be a capsule, or a microcapsule, having a spherical shell for encapsulating the flavourant. It may be a liposome, film former or adsorbent. Alternatively, the flavour delivery article may have a planar form, for example a sheet or a composite sheet, and may form from a planar flavourant sandwiched in between two planar barrier elements. The flavour delivery article may be a cylindrical or polygonal rod. The flavour delivery article may take the form of a block.

Once the barrier disintegrates in the user’s oral cavity and exposing the flavourant to saliva, the flavourant may dissolve in the saliva. Therefore optionally, the flavourant comprises a water soluble flavourant. The flavourant may comprise a freeze-dried flavourant. For example, the flavourant may have a strong hydrophilic properties. Advantageously, this may allow the flavourant to be released from the

disintegrated barrier more readily, thus allowing the flavourant to be promptly delivered to taste receptors at the user’s tongue.

Optionally, the barrier comprises one or more of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, poly-acrylamide, polyacrylic acid, guar gum succinate, kappa-carrageenan, poly(vinyl alcohol). Optionally, the barrier is formed from a hydrogel composite comprising chitosan. For example, the barrier may comprise chitosan with a degree of deacetylation (DDT%) ranging from 75% to 99%. The barrier may comprise chitosan with a degree of deacetylation (DDT%) of any one of 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 99%. Further, the barrier may comprise chitosan at a concentration between 0.1 %w/w and 20%w/w. The barrier may comprise chitosan at a concentration of any one of 0.1 %w/w, 0.5%w/w, 1 %w/w, 2%w/w, 3%w/w, 4%w/w, 5%w/w, 6%w/w, 7%w/w, 8%w/w, 9%w/w, 10%w/w, 1 1 %w/w, 12%w/w, 13%w/w, 14%w/w, 15%w/w, 16%w/w, 17%w/w, 18%w/w, 19%w/w and 20%w/w. The barrier may comprise a polymer or a cyclic oligosaccharide.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article is disposed in the passage, the barrier is configured such that the flavour delivery article releases the flavourant for the use lifetime of a consumable smoking substitute apparatus, such as for a period of 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours. This time may be determined by how long it takes the user to deplete the e-liquid in the reservoir. The barrier should remain intact after manufacture during shipping, storage and the shelf-life before consumer usage to retain all of the flavourant. The use lifetime may begin, for example, 6 to 9 months, or more, after the substrate was produced.

Optionally, the barrier is configured to disintegrate in response to a change in pH value induced by the aerosol. For example, chitosan in a hydrogel composite may swell or shrink depending on the pH value of its surroundings, e.g. the pH of saliva and/or aerosol in the user’s oral cavity. Therefore advantageously, exposing the barrier to the aerosol may increase the alkalinity (e.g. increasing a pH value) of the barrier and thereby it may cause the barrier to disintegrate.

Optionally, the aerosol comprises a freebase nicotine for effecting the change in pH value. More specifically, an increase in pH value in the user’s oral cavity may be caused by freebase nicotine contained in the aerosol. Advantageously, varying the pH with the use of the freebase nicotine may allow the change in pH to be precisely controlled. Advantageously, the freebase nicotine may be precisely dosed in the aerosol former, and therefore the nicotine content in each of the puff may be consistent.

Optionally, wherein the barrier is configured to disintegrate at a pH value at or above 7.5, or to disintegrate at a pH value at or above 7.8. More specifically, below a pH value of 7.5 the barrier may remain intact, e.g. it does not disintegrate instantaneously. Advantageously, this may allow the flavour delivery article to remain stable upon exposing to saliva in a user’s oral cavity. This is because the pH value of saliva is usually at 7.4, and therefore exposing to the saliva is insufficient to cause the barrier to promptly disintegrate.

Optionally, the rate of barrier disintegration increases with pH value. Optionally, the barrier is configured to promptly disintegrate at a pH value at or above 7.8. For example, the aerosol containing freebase nicotine may have a pH value of 7.8, or above 7.8. Therefore, exposing the barrier to an aerosol that contains freebase nicotine causes the barrier to rapidly disintegrate. Advantageously, this may allow the flavourant to be promptly released as the user puffs on the smoking substitute apparatus.

Optionally, the barrier is configured to disintegrate in response to the presence of moisture or a predetermined chemical in the aerosol. By using a specific compound in the barrier that only disintegrates in response to a predetermined chemical in the aerosol it is possible to reduce the likelihood that the flavourant will be released under any other circumstances.

Optionally, the barrier is configured to disintegrate in response to a change in temperature induced by the aerosol. For example, the barrier may break up upon being cooled or heated by the aerosol. Optionally, is configured to disintegrate at a temperature above 37°C, or to disintegrate at a temperature above 40°C. That is, the flavour delivery article may remain stable, e.g. not disintegrating instantaneously, in a user’s oral cavity until it is heated by a stream of aerosol having a temperature exceeding 37°C. For example, the aerosol generated by a heated tobacco apparatus, e.g. a heat not burn apparatus, may be exhausted at a temperature above 40°C, and therefore sufficient to cause the barrier to disintegrate rapidly.

Advantageously, this may allow the flavour delivery article to remain stable at room temperature during storage. The barrier may comprise any one or more of polaxamers, cellulose and xyloglucan.

Optionally, the flavourant comprises a solid flavourant. Optionally, the flavourant comprises a freeze dried flavourant, wherein said freeze dried flavourant is configured to activate upon exposing to moisture. More specifically, when exposed to the saliva in the user’s oral cavity, the freeze dried flavourant may rehydrate and thereby it may form a reconstituted flavourant. Advantageously, this may allow the flavourant to activate only in the presence of moisture, e.g. saliva in the user’s oral cavity. Optionally, the flavourant comprises a liquid flavourant. More specially, the liquid flavourant may be configured to flow or leak out of the disintegrated barrier. Advantageously, this may enable the flavourant to be delivered directly to the user’s taste receptors without the need of rehydration.

Optionally, the flavourant comprises a gaseous flavourant. Optionally, said gaseous flavourant is configured to be absorbed into the saliva to form a reconstituted flavourant. Advantageously, the use of a gaseous flavourant allows the flavourant to be delivered olfactorily, in additional to the taste receptors.

Optionally, the flavourant comprises a mixture of any of solid flavourant, liquid flavourant, and gaseous flavourant. For example, the flavourant may comprise a solid / liquid suspension. Optionally, the solid flavourant, liquid flavourant, and/or gaseous flavourant may each be released at a different rate.

Advantageously, this may allow the profile of flavourant release to be tailored to a user’s needs. For example, the flavourant may comprise a mixture of solid flavourant and a liquid flavourant carrying different flavours. For example, upon barrier disintegration, the liquid flavourant may be promptly released, such that the user may immediately perceive a first flavour. Thereafter, the user may perceive a second flavour which is caused by a more gradual release of a solid flavourant. That is, such

arrangement allows different flavourant to be released sequentially.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article is in the form of any one of a powder, a solid-liquid suspension, a paste and a coating on a substrate soluble or insoluble in saliva. For example, the flavour delivery article may be capsules or microcapsules. Optionally, the flavour delivery article may be a free flowing powder. This may allow the flavour delivery article to be dispensed with a dispenser.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article is coated or adhered onto a substrate. The substrate may be a card formed form an absorbent material such as blotting paper or a non-absorbent material such as plastic. The substrate may be insoluble in saliva such that it does not interfere with the release of flavourant. Alternatively, the substrate may be soluble in saliva in that additional flavourant in the substrate may be released as the substrate dissolves. For example, the substrate may be a candy, such as hard boiled sweets and lollipops, having the flavour delivery article coated on its surface or embedded therein. In use, the additional flavourant may be readily released as the substrate dissolves in the saliva, wherein the flavour delivery article may not activate until it is in contact with the aerosol.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article forms a compressed tablet. That is, flavour delivery article may comprise an aggregate of capsules or microcapsules. The compressed tablet may form from multiple layers of microcapsules and therefore such arrangement may promote sequential release of flavourant. More specifically, the core of compressed tablet may only come into contact with the aerosol and thereby releases the flavourant, once the peripheral layers of microcapsules have been disintegrated or eroded away. Advantageously, this may allow a prolonged release of flavourant, e.g. flavourant is released gradually and sequentially through different layers of the microcapsules. It may also allow sequential release of different flavours from different layers of microcapsules.

Optionally, the flavour delivery article comprises a solid-liquid suspension. More specifically, the flavour delivery article may comprise one or more flavour delivery articles, or microcapsules, that are suspended in a carrier liquid. The barrier of the flavour delivery article may be insoluble in the carrier liquid. The flavour delivery article may be neutrally buoyant in the carrier liquid. Advantageously, the solid-liquid suspension may allow the flavour delivery articles to be dosed more accurately and/or delivered more effectively into the user’s oral cavity. For example, the suspension may be dispensed into a user’s oral cavity using a spray pump such that each pump stroke dispenses a predetermined amount of suspension in the user’s oral cavity. The suspension may also be dispensed using a dripper that dispenses a predetermined amount of suspension into a user’s oral cavity.

The flavour delivery article may comprise a paste that comprises the one or more flavour delivery articles being suspended in a viscous carrier fluid. More specifically, the flavour delivery article may be in a paste form and does not flow under gravity in room temperature. In use, a user may apply or spread the paste onto a surface of the oral cavity. Advantageously, such arrangement allows the flavour delivery article to adhere onto a surface of the oral cavity, and thereby prolonging the release of flavourant.

The carrier liquid may comprise colorant. The carrier liquid may comprise a flavourant or it may be unflavoured. The carrier liquid may comprise the same flavourant as that enclosed by the barrier, or it may comprise a flavourant that is different to that enclosed by the barrier.

According to a second aspect there is provided a smoking substitute kit, comprising a flavour delivery article and a smoking substitute apparatus, wherein the smoking substitute apparatus is configured to generate an aerosol for contacting the flavour delivery article and thereby causes the release of a flavourant from the flavour delivery article.

According to a third aspect there is provided a dispenser for dispensing the flavour delivery article, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense the flavour delivery article to a user’s oral cavity.

Optionally, the dispenser is configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of flavour delivery article.

According to a further aspect there is provided a method of producing a flavour delivery article for a smoking substitute apparatus, comprising the steps of: preparing a flavourant; and applying the flavourant to the flavour delivery article.

Optionally, the method comprises encapsulating or embedding the flavourant in a barrier.

For example, the method may comprise producing the flavourant and subsequently drying the flavourant to produce a solid flavourant, e.g. a flavour cake. The drying process may comprise a freeze drying process. Advantageously, the use of freeze drying process may reduce or minimise a high temperature the flavourant may otherwise expose to in other drying processes. The freeze drying process may take place in moulds in order to form the solid flavourant of a desired shape, or it can be carried out to produce a free flowing powder flavourant. The method may further comprise forming a barrier by mixing chitosan, along with other excipients, such as xanthan gum, water, and optionally propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. The mixture may be dried to produce a barrier in the form of a barrier gel, or a hydrogel.

The method may further comprise inserting the flavourant into barrier gel in a mould, and thereby encapsulates the flavourant in the barrier. For example, the method may comprise i) layering the gel in a mould; ii) inserting the flavourant; and iii) rolling the gel to form a sphere or a capsule.

The method may further comprise sandwiching the flavourant between layers of barrier gel in a mould, and thereby encapsulates the flavourant in the barrier. Advantageously, this may allow the flavour delivery article to be formed in a planar shape.

The method may further comprise injecting a flavourant in the form of a liquid, a gel, or a paste into the barrier of the flavour delivery article, and thereby encapsulates the flavourant.

The method may further comprise mixing or blending the flavourant with a barrier material, such as chitosan cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The method may further comprise freeze-drying the mixture to from the flavour delivery article. Advantageously, this may form a flavour delivery article with a porous structure.

According to a further aspect there is provided a method of delivering flavour to a user of a smoking substitute apparatus, the method comprising: applying a flavour delivery article to a user’s oral cavity; inhaling, by the user, an aerosol generated by a smoking substitute apparatus; wherein the flavour delivery article is configured to release flavourant upon contacting the aerosol generated by the smoking substitute apparatus.

Alternatively, the application step may involve applying a flavour delivery article to the surface of the passage (e.g. on the surface of a wall of the passage) or on a substrate disposed in the passage.

The smoking substitute apparatus may be in the form of a consumable. The consumable may be configured for engagement with a main body (i.e. so as to form a closed smoking substitute system). For example, the consumable may comprise components of the system that are disposable, and the main body may comprise non-disposable or non-consumable components (e.g. power supply, controller, sensor, etc.) that facilitate the delivery of aerosol by the consumable. In such an embodiment, the aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) may be replenished by replacing a used consumable with an unused consumable.

Alternatively, the smoking substitute apparatus may be a non-consumable apparatus (e.g. that is in the form of an open smoking substitute system). In such embodiments an aerosol former (e.g. e-liquid) of the system may be replenished by re-filling e.g. a reservoir of the smoking substitute apparatus with the aerosol former (rather than replacing a consumable component of the apparatus). In light of this, it should be appreciated that some of the features described herein as being part of the smoking substitute apparatus may alternatively form part of a main body for engagement with the smoking substitute apparatus (i.e. when the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a

consumable).

Where the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the main body and the consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. For example, the consumable may be at least partially received in a recess of the main body, such that there is an interference fit between the main body and the consumable. Alternatively, the main body and the consumable may be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting.

Thus, the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise one or more engagement portions for engaging with a main body. In this way, one end of the smoking substitute apparatus may be coupled with the main body, whilst an opposing end of the smoking substitute apparatus may define a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute system.

The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a reservoir configured to store an aerosol former, such as an e-liquid. The e-liquid may, for example, comprise a base liquid and e.g. nicotine. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. The e-liquid may be flavourless. That is, the e- liquid may not contain any flavourant and may consist solely of a base liquid of propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine and nicotine.

The reservoir may be in the form of a tank. At least a portion of the tank may be translucent. For example, the tank may comprise a window to allow a user to visually assess the quantity of e-liquid in the tank. A housing of the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a corresponding aperture (or slot) or window that may be aligned with a translucent portion (e.g. window) of the tank. The reservoir may be referred to as a“clearomizer” if it includes a window, or a“cartomizer” if it does not.

The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a passage for fluid flow therethrough. The passage may extend through (at least a portion of) the smoking substitute apparatus, between openings that may define an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The outlet may be at a mouthpiece of the smoking substitute apparatus. In this respect, a user may draw fluid (e.g. air) into and through the passage by inhaling at the outlet (i.e. using the mouthpiece). The passage may be at least partially defined by the tank. The tank may substantially (or fully) define the passage. In this respect, the tank may surround the passage. The flavour delivery article may be disposed in the passage, for example on the surface of the passage (e.g. on the surface of a wall of the passage) or on a substrate that is disposed in the passage.

The smoking substitute apparatus may comprise an aerosol generator. The aerosol generator may comprise a wick. The aerosol generator may further comprise a heater. The wick may comprise a porous material. A portion of the wick may be exposed to fluid flow in the passage. The wick may also comprise one or more portions in contact with liquid stored in the reservoir. For example, opposing ends of the wick may protrude into the reservoir and a central portion (between the ends) may extend across the passage so as to be exposed to fluid flow in the passage. Thus, fluid may be drawn (e.g. by capillary action) along the wick, from the reservoir to the exposed portion of the wick.

The heater may comprise a heating element, which may be in the form of a filament wound about the wick (e.g. the filament may extend helically about the wick). The filament may be wound about the exposed portion of the wick. The heating element may be electrically connected (or connectable) to a power source. Thus, in operation, the power source may supply electricity to (i.e. apply a voltage across) the heating element so as to heat the heating element. This may cause liquid stored in the wick (i.e. drawn from the tank) to be heated so as to form a vapour and become entrained in fluid flowing through the passage. This vapour may subsequently cool to form an aerosol in the passage.

The smoking substitute apparatus (or main body engaged with the smoking substitute apparatus) may comprise a power source. The power source may be electrically connected (or connectable) to a heater of the smoking substitute apparatus (e.g. when engaged with the main body). The power source may be a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery). A connector in the form of e.g. a USB port may be provided for recharging this battery.

When the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the smoking substitute apparatus may comprise an electrical interface for interfacing with a corresponding electrical interface of the main body. One or both of the electrical interfaces may include one or more electrical contacts. Thus, when the main body is engaged with the consumable, the electrical interface may be configured to transfer electrical power from the power source to a heater of the consumable.

The electrical interface may also be used to identify the smoking substitute apparatus (in the form of a consumable) from a list of known types. For example, the consumable may have a certain concentration of nicotine and the electrical interface may be used to identify this. The electrical interface may additionally or alternatively be used to identify when a consumable is connected to the main body.

Again, where the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the main body may comprise an interface, which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable engaged with the main body. In this respect, the consumable may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.

The smoking substitute apparatus or main body may comprise a controller, which may include a microprocessor. The controller may be configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater of the smoking substitute apparatus (e.g. via the electrical contacts). A memory may be provided and may be operatively connected to the controller. The memory may include non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the controller to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

The main body or smoking substitute apparatus may comprise a wireless interface, which may be configured to communicate wirelessly with another device, for example a mobile device, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. The wireless interface may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote server.

A puff sensor may be provided that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation from a user). The puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal to the controller that is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor. That is, the controller may control power supply to the heater of the consumable in response to a puff detection by the sensor. The control may be in the form of activation of the heater in response to a detected puff. That is, the smoking substitute apparatus may be configured to be activated when a puff is detected by the puff sensor. When the smoking substitute apparatus is in the form of a consumable, the puff sensor may form part of the consumable or the main body.

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

Summary of the Figures

So that the invention may be understood, and so that further aspects and features thereof may be appreciated, embodiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1A is a front view of a smoking substitute system, according to a first embodiment, in an engaged position;

Figure 1 B is a front view of smoking substitute system of the first embodiment in a disengaged position;

Figure 1 C is a section view of a smoking substitute apparatus of the first embodiment;

Figure 2A is a front view of a second embodiment of a smoking substitute system with a consumable of the system engaged with a device of the system;

Figure 2B is a front view of the second embodiment of the smoking substitute system with the consumable of the system disengaged from the device;

Figure 2C is a schematic of the consumable of the second embodiment of the substitute smoking system; and

Figure 3A is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a capsule, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3B is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a composite sheet, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a tablet, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a substrate product, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a solid/liquid suspension, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a flavour delivery article, in the form of a porous flavour delivery article, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 shows cross-sectional views of possible flavour delivery article carrying substrate shape profiles.

Figure 9 is sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus having a thin, flat substrate (e.g. 1 mm thick) that is situated in the passage above the vaporiser engine.

Figures 10A to 10E are perspective views of five flavour delivery article carrying substrate shapes.

Figure 1 1 is a side view of a smoking substitute apparatus having a substrate that protrudes from the passage of the smoking substitute apparatus (i.e. it is not fully contained within the smoking substitute apparatus) and through the outlet.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus having a flavour delivery article on a cylindrical substrate in the passage.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus having a flavour delivery article applied directly to the surface of the passage, such as at the positions indicated by the arrows and therebetween.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Figures 1A and 1 B illustrate a smoking substitute system in the form of an e-cigarette system 101 . The system 101 comprises an e-cigarette device defining a main body 102 of the system 101 , and an smoking substitute apparatus in the form of an e-cigarette consumable (or“pod”) 103. The smoking substitute apparatus is a smoking substitute apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment the consumable 103

(smoking substitute apparatus) is removable from the main body (e-cigarette device), so as to be a replaceable component of the system 101 . In other words, the e-cigarette system 101 is a closed system.

As is apparent from Figures 1A and 1 B, the consumable 103 is configured to engage the main body 102. Figure 1 A shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in an engaged state, whilst Figure 1 B shows the main body 102 and the consumable 103 in a disengaged state. When engaged, a portion of the consumable 103 is received in a cavity of the main body 102 and is retained in the engaged position by way of a snap-engagement mechanism. In other embodiments, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may be engaged by screwing one into (or onto) the other, through a bayonet fitting, or by way of an interference fit.

The system 101 is configured to vaporise an aerosol-former, which in the illustrated embodiment, is in the form of a nicotine-based e-liquid 104. The e-liquid 104 comprises nicotine and a base liquid including propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. In the present embodiment, the e-liquid 104 is flavourless (and does not include any added flavourant). That is, if the e-liquid 104 were to be inhaled (i.e. in aerosol form) by a user, it would not have a particularly perceptible flavour or taste.

As is more apparent from Figure 1 C, this e-liquid 104 is stored within a reservoir in the form of a tank 105 that forms part of the consumable 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the consumable 103 is a“singleuse” consumable 103. That is, upon exhausting the e-liquid 104 in the tank 105, the intention is that the user disposes of the entire consumable 103. In other embodiments, the e-liquid (i.e. aerosol former) may be the only part of the system that is truly“single-use”. That is, the tank may be refillable with e-liquid or the e-liquid may be stored in a non-consumable component of the system. For example, the e-liquid may be stored in a tank located in the main body or stored in another component that is itself not single-use (e.g. a refillable cartomizer).

The tank 105 surrounds, and thus defines a portion of, a passage 106 that extends between an inlet 107 and an outlet 108 at opposing ends of the consumable 103. In this respect, the passage comprises an upstream end at the end of the consumable 103 that engages with the main body 102, and a downstream end at an opposing end of the consumable 103 that comprises a mouthpiece 109 of the system 101 .

When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, a user can inhale (i.e. take a puff) via the mouthpiece 109 so as to draw air through the passage 106, and so as to form an airflow (indicated by arrows) in a direction from the inlet 107 to the outlet 108 of the passage 106. Although not illustrated, the passage 106 may be partially defined by a tube (e.g. a metal tube) extending through the consumable 103. The passage 106 is in fluid communication with a gap defined between the consumable 103 and the main body 102 (when engaged) such that air outside of the system 101 is drawn into the passage 106 (during an inhale).

The smoking substitute system 101 is configured to vaporise the e-liquid 104 for inhalation by a user. To provide this, the consumable 103 comprises a heater having of a porous wick 1 10 and a resistive heating element in the form of a heating filament 1 1 1 that is helically wound around a portion of the porous wick 1 10. The porous wick 1 10 extends across the passage 106 (i.e. transverse to a longitudinal axis of the passagel 06) and opposing ends of the wick 1 10 extend into the tank 105 (so as to be submerged in the e-liquid 104). In this way, e-liquid 104 contained in the tank 105 is conveyed from the opposing ends of the porous wick 1 10 to a central portion of the porous wick 1 10 so as to be exposed to the airflow in the passage 106 (i.e. caused by a user inhaling).

The helical filament 1 1 1 is wound about this exposed central portion of the porous wick 1 10 and is electrically connected to an electrical interface in the form of electrical contacts 1 12 mounted at the end of the consumable that is proximate the main body 102 (when engaged). When the consumable 103 is engaged with the main body 102, the electrical contacts 1 12 contact corresponding electrical contacts (not shown) of the main body 102. The main body electrical contacts are electrically connected to a power source (not shown) of the main body 102, such that (in the engaged position) the filament 1 1 1 is electrically connected to the power source. In this way, power can be supplied by the main body 102 to the filament 1 1 1 in order to heat the filament 1 1 1 . This heat is transferred from the filament 1 1 1 to the porous wick 1 10 which causes e-liquid 104 conveyed by the porous wick 1 10 to increase in temperature to a point at which it vaporises. The vaporised e-liquid becomes entrained in the airflow and, between the vaporisation point at the filament 1 1 1 and the outlet 108 of the passage 106, condenses to form an aerosol. This aerosol is then inhaled, via the mouthpiece 109, by a user of the system 101 .

The power source of the main body 102 may be in the form of a battery (e.g. a rechargeable battery).

The main body 102 may comprise a connector in the form of e.g. a USB port for recharging this battery. The main body 102 may also comprise a controller that controls the supply of power from the power source to the main body electrical contacts (and thus to the filament 1 1 1 ). That, is the controller may be configured to control a voltage applied across the main body electrical contacts, and thus the voltage applied across the filament 1 1 1 . In this way, the filament 1 1 1 may only be heated under certain conditions (e.g. during a puff and/or only when the system is in an active state). In this respect, the main body 102 may include a puff sensor (not shown) that is configured to detect a puff (i.e. inhalation). The puff sensor may be operatively connected to the controller so as to be able to provide a signal, to the controller, which is indicative of a puff state (i.e. puffing or not puffing). The puff sensor may, for example, be in the form of a pressure sensor or an acoustic sensor.

Although not shown, the main body 102 and consumable 103 may comprise a further interface which may, for example, be in the form of an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader. This interface may be able to identify a characteristic (e.g. a type) of a consumable 103 engaged with the main body 102. In this respect, the consumable 103 may include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the interface.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a smoking substitute system the form of a heated tobacco (HT) system 201 . The system 201 comprises an HT device 202 and an aerosol-forming article in the form of a HT consumable 203.

The consumable 203 is configured to engage the device 202 by way of an interference fit. Figure 2A shows the device 202 and the consumable 203 in an engaged state, and Figure 2B shows the device 202 and the consumable 203 in a disengaged state.

Returning now to the device 201 , Figure 2C illustrates a detailed view of the end of the device 201 that is configured to engage with the consumable 203. The cap of the device 202 includes an opening to an internal cavity defined by the cap. The opening and the cavity are formed so as to receive at least a portion of the consumable 203. During engagement of the consumable 203 with the device 202, a portion of the consumable 203 is received through the opening and into the cavity. After engagement, the downstream end of the consumable 203 protrudes from the opening and thus also protrudes from the device 202. The opening includes laterally disposed notches. When a consumable 203 is received in the opening, these notches remain open and could, for example, be used for retaining a cover in order to cover the end of the device 202.

The consumable 203 generally resembles a cigarette. In this respect, the consumable 203 has a generally cylindrical form with a diameter of approximately 7 mm and an axial length of approximately 70 mm. The consumable 203 comprises an outer wrapping layer 213 defining a passage 206 extending between openings at opposing ends of the consumable 203. Thus, the passage comprises an upstream end (and opening) 207 at the end of the consumable 203 that engages with the device 202, and a downstream end (and opening) 208 at an opposing end of the consumable 203 that projects from the device 202 (when engaged) and defines a mouth end 209 of the system 201 . When the consumable 203 is engaged with the device 202, a user can inhale (i.e. take a puff) via the mouth end 209 so as to draw air through the passage 206, and so as to form an airstream in a direction from the upstream end 207 to the downstream end 208 of the passage 206.

The consumable 203 comprises an aerosol former in the form of an aerosol-forming substrate 204 (see Figure 2C) that is disposed at the upstream end 207 of the passage 206. The consumable 203 further comprises an upstream filter 214 adjacent the aerosol-forming substrate 204, a terminal filter 215 at the downstream end 208, and a spacer 216 interposed between the terminal 215 and upstream 214 filters.

The aerosol forming substrate 204 comprises tobacco material that may, for example, include any suitable parts of the tobacco plant (e.g. leaves, stems, roots, bark, seeds and flowers). In order to generate an aerosol, the aerosol forming substrate 204 comprises at least one volatile compound that is intended to be vaporised/aerosolised and that may provide the user with a recreational and/or medicinal effect when inhaled. The aerosol-forming substrate 204 may further comprise one or more additives. For example, such additives may be in the form of humectants (e.g. propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine), flavourants, fillers, aqueous/non-aqueous solvents and/or binders.

The device comprises a heating element 21 1 that projects into the aerosol-forming substrate 204 when the consumable 203 is engaged with the device 202. This heating element 21 1 is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown) of the device 202 and, when activated, heats the aerosol-forming substrate 204 such that vapour is released from the aerosol-forming substrate 204. When a user inhales via the mouth end 209, air is drawn through the heated aerosol-forming substrate 204 and the vapour becomes entrained in the resultant airflow. As the vapour flows from the aerosol-forming substrate 204 to the downstream end 208 of the passage 206 (through the filters 214, 215 and the spacer 216), it condenses into an aerosol and the aerosol is inhaled by the user.

As is apparent from Figure 2C, when engaged, the consumable 203 is received in a cavity 217 formed in a housing 218 of the device 202. Whilst not shown in the figures, the housing 218 accommodates (in addition to the abovementioned power supply) a controller for controlling power supply to the heating element 21 1 . Control of the heating element 21 1 may be performed in response to a user input (e.g. via a button 219 disposed on the housing 218) and/or a signal received from a puff sensor (configured to indicate a puff state).

Figure 3A is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flavour delivery article as shown in Figure 3A is a capsule, or a microcapsule 340. The capsule 340 comprises a barrier or shell 342 for encapsulating a flavourant 344. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavourant 344 is a freeze dried flavourant. The freeze dried flavourant 344 having hydrophilic properties and therefore it readily forms a reconstituted flavourant 344 upon contacting water, e.g. saliva in a user’s oral cavity. The flavourant 344 is shielded from the environment by the barrier 342. More specifically, the barrier 342 forms an impermeable barrier to stop moisture ingress, as well as the release of flavourant 344. That is, the barrier 342 is insoluble in water or saliva. Thus, the capsule 340 remains stable once it is received in the user’s oral cavity.

The capsule 340 is spherical and may have a particle size ranging from 1 mm to 20mm. In this example, a single capsule 340 with a 5mm diameter is sufficient to provide the required flavourant release over a vaping session. In some other embodiments, a plurality of microcapsules 340, having a particle size of or less than 1 mm, may be required to provide the same flavourant release. For example, the plurality of microcapsules 340 may resemble a free flowing powder, and the user may control the flavour release by varying the number of microcapsules to apply to his/her oral cavity.

In some embodiment, a single application of the capsule 340 to a user’s oral cavity is sufficient to provide flavourant release over a vaping session. In some other embodiments, a plurality of applications of capsule 340 to a user’s oral cavity may be required throughout a vaping session. For example, the user may require a plurality of doses of capsule 340 through the vaping session.

In the illustrated embodiment, the barrier 342 is formed of a hydrogel composite comprising chitosan. The chitosan contained in the hydrogel composite causes the barrier to disintegrate, leak or break down, when it is exposed to an alkaline environment. For example, the barrier containing chitosan may gradually disintegrate when the pH value of the oral cavity exceeds 7.5. Furthermore, said chitosan component may cause the barrier 342 to disintegrate more rapidly upon exposing to highly alkaline environment. For example, when puffing on the smoking substitute apparatus, the aerosol containing free base nicotine increases the alkalinity of the oral cavity to a level at or above pH 7.8. At such alkaline environment, the chitosan in the barrier 342 disintegrates or breaks down rapidly, and thereby exposing and releasing the flavourant to the saliva in the oral cavity.

The chitosan contained in the hydrogel may be provided with a degree of deacetylation (DDT%) ranging from 75% to 99%. In this example, the hydrogel comprises chitosan with a degree of deacetylation (DDT%) of 85%.

Furthermore, the hydrogel may comprise chitosan at a concentration between 0.1 %w/w and 20%w/w. In this example, the hydrogel comprises chitosan at a concentration of 10%w/w. For example, when the barrier 342 is breached as it contacts the aerosol, the saliva may ingress or leach into the barrier 342, and thereby dissolves the freeze dried flavourant 344 stored therein. The dissolved flavourant 344 may then be released from the capsule 340 and to the user’s taste receptors in the oral cavity.

Therefore, the presence of an aerosol enables the rapid release of flavourant 344 from the capsule 340. On the other hand, in the absence of an aerosol the capsule 340 may remain stable, or at least the capsule 340 does not rapidly disintegrate, when it is received in the user’s oral cavity.

The capsule 340 in this example is produced by first preparing the flavourant before freeze drying the flavourant in a mould. This produces a solid spherical flavourant 344 block.

The barrier 342, on the other hand, may be produced by mixing chitosan, along with other excipients, such as xanthan gum, water, and optionally propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine. The mixture is dried to produce a barrier gel, or a hydrogel.

Subsequently, the spherical flavourant 344 is inserted into barrier gel 342 in a mould, and thereby encapsulates the flavourant in the barrier. For example, the method includes i) layering the barrier gel 342 in a mould; ii) inserting the spherical flavourant 344; and (iii) rolling the barrier gel 342 to form a capsule 340.

Figure 3B is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article according to another embodiment of the present invention. The flavour delivery article as shown in Figure 3B is a composite sheet 350. Similar to the capsule 340 as shown in Figure 3A, the composite sheet 350 comprises a barrier 352 for encapsulating a planar shaped flavourant 354. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavourant 354 is a freeze dried flavourant. The freeze dried flavourant 354 having hydrophilic properties and therefore it readily forms a reconstituted flavourant 354 upon contacting water, e.g. saliva in a user’s oral cavity. The flavourant 354 is shielded from the environment by the barrier 352. More specifically, the barrier 352 forms an impermeable barrier to stop moisture ingress, as well as the release of flavourant. That is, the barrier 352 is insoluble in water or saliva. The use of composite sheet 350 is beneficial because of its large surface area. For example, a single composite sheet 350 covers a significant portion of a user’s tongue and therefore allows flavourant to uniformly released across the many taste receptors thereat.

The composite sheet 350 may be formed in a similar manner to the capsule 340. In this case, the flavourant is freeze-dried in a planar mould, which forms a planar shaped flavourant 354. The flavourant 354 is then sandwiched in between two layers of barrier gel 352 to form the composite sheet 350.

Using the capsule 340 as an example, the flavour delivery article can be applied directly to a user’s oral cavity. For example, the user may manually place one or more of the capsules 340 into his/her oral cavity, or the user may use a suitable dispenser (not shown) for dispensing a predetermined number or volume of capsules. The use of dispenser allows a precise quantity of capsules 340 to be dispensed, thereby allowing a repeatable vaping experience. The dispenser may be an adjustable dispenser which allows the user to vary the quantity of capsules to dispense. Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavour delivery article may take the form of a tablet 460. Said tablet 460 may be formed by compressing a plurality of capsules 440, or adhering them together. Each of the tablets contains a predetermined quantity of capsules 440 and therefore the amount of flavourant contained in each of the tablet can be precisely controlled. The use of tablet allows flavourant to be released in a gradual manner. That is, the flavourant contained at the core of tablet 462 would not be released to the oral cavity until the capsules 440 at the peripheral layer 464 of the tablet 460 has disintegrated or break away from the tablet 460.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article 560 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the capsules 540 are coated, or adhered, onto a substrate 562. The substrate 562 may be a cardboard or a blotting paper that is insoluble in saliva. In use, the substrate 562 may be placed in the user’s oral cavity and thereby allowing the capsules 540 to contact the aerosol and release the flavourant stored therein. The substrate 562 may be removed from the user’s oral cavity after use.

Alternatively, the substrate 562 may be soluble in saliva and thereby gradually releases the capsules 540 to the user’s oral cavity as the substrate 562 dissolves. The soluble substrate 560 may be a candy, such as hard boiled sweets and lollipops, having the capsules 540 coated onto the surface or within the substrate. The soluble substrate 562 may comprise an additional flavourant different to the flavourant contained in the capsules 540, such that the additional flavourant in the substrate 562 may be released as the substrate 562 dissolves. This may allow sequential release of different flavouring, since the additional flavourant may be readily released as the substrate 562 dissolves in the saliva, wherein the capsules 540 may not activate until it is in contact with the aerosol.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article 660 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the capsule 640 may be suspended in a carrier liquid 662, e.g., water, to form a solid-liquid suspension 660. That is, with the aid of the carrier liquid 662, the flavour delivery article 660 may be able to flow and therefore such arrangement allows said flavour delivery article 660 to be dispensed more easily. For example, the flavour delivery article suspension may be applied to a user’s oral cavity using a spray pump (not shown), wherein each pump stroke delivers a predetermined quantity of capsules 640. Alternatively, the flavour delivery article may be applied to a user’s oral cavity using a dropper or a syringe (not shown), wherein the user may specify the quantity of capsules 640 by varying the dose of flavour delivery article suspension.

In some other embodiments, the carrier liquid 662 applied in the solid-liquid suspension 660 may be a viscous fluid and the suspension may take the form of a paste. In use, the user may apply the paste 660 directly in the oral cavity, e.g. on the tongue or the teeth. The paste may allow the particle to temporarily adhere to the user’s oral cavity, and thereby prolonging the duration of flavourant release.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of a flavour delivery article 760 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavour delivery article is in the form of a porous structure formed from a barrier material 742, e.g. a chitosan hydrogel. In this embodiment, the flavourant 744 is embedded in the barrier material 742 and is releasable from said barrier material 742 when the flavour delivery article 760 comes into contact with a nicotine containing aerosol. That is, the barrier material 742 is configured to disintegrate or erode away when it contacts the aerosol and thereby releasing the flavourant 744. In this embodiment, the porous structure comprises a plurality of voids 746 in the barrier material, wherein the majority of voids 746 are in fluid communication with the atmosphere. This allows aerosol to flow to or to penetrate into the core portion of the flavour delivery article 760 and thereby increases the contacting area between the barrier material 742 and the aerosol, thus allowing a more efficient release of the flavourant 744.

The porous flavour delivery article 760 may be formed by mixing or blending the flavourant 744 with a barrier material 742, such as chitosan cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The mixture is then freeze-dried to from the porous flavour delivery article 760. Since the porous flavour delivery article 760 is formed by blending flavourant 744 with the barrier material 742, a small portion, or insignificant portion of flavourant may be disposed onto the surface of the porous flavour delivery article 760.

Alternatively, the barrier 342, 352, 742 in any one of the flavour delivery article 340, 350, 460, 560, 660 and 760 shown in Figures 3 to 7 is configured to disintegrate in response to a change in temperature induced by the aerosol. For example, the barrier 342, 352, 742 may disintegrate at a temperature above 40°C. That is, the flavour delivery article may remain stable, e.g. not disintegrating instantaneously, in a user’s oral cavity until it is heated by a stream of aerosol having a temperature exceeding 40°C. For example, the aerosol generated by a heated tobacco apparatus, e.g. a heat not burn apparatus, may be exhausted at a temperature above 40°C, and therefore sufficient to cause the barrier 342, 352, 742 to disintegrate rapidly. The barrier 342, 352, 742 in these cases may comprise any one or more of polaxamers, cellulose and xyloglucan.

Figure 8 shows cross-sectional views of possible flavourant carrying substrate shape profiles. Shown on the left hand side are open profile options and shown on the right hand side are solid or hollow profile options. The left hand side from top to bottom shows flat 800, bent 802, S-curved 804, U-shaped 806, X- shaped 808, semicircle shaped 810 and Z-shaped 812 cross-section profiles. The right hand side from top to bottom shows rectangular 814, square 816, circle 818, oval 820, hexagonal 822 and star-shaped 824 cross-section profiles.

Figure 9 is sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus 901 having a thin, flat substrate 962 (e.g. 1 mm thick) that is situated in the passage 906 above the aerosol generator. The flat substrate is positioned along the length of the cylindrical passage between the aerosol generator and the outlet. In this manner, the aerosol vapour that is generate will pass along both the largest sides of the flat substrate to maximise release and entrainment of the flavourant from the substrate.

Figures 10A to 10E show perspective views of five flavour delivery article carrying substrate shapes. Figure 10A shows a cylindrical tube with a 2 mm internal diameter, 0.7mm wall thickness, 32 mm length and 201 mm² internal surface area. Figure 10B shows a cylindrical tube with a 2.7 mm internal diameter, 0.35 mm wall thickness, 32 mm length and 271 mm² internal surface area. Figure 10C shows an e- shaped tube with a 0.35 mm wall thickness, 32 mm length and an internal surface area of 436 mm². Figure 10D shows a flat card that is 3.4 mm wide, 0.7 mm thick, 32 mm long with a surface area of 218 mm². Figure 10E shows a V-shaped substrate with 2.9 mm long outside length of the legs, 0.7 mm wall thickness, 32 mm length and 298 mm² surface area.

Figure 1 1 is a side view of a smoking substitute apparatus 1 101 having a substrate 1 162 comprising a flavour delivery article 1 160, wherein the substrate 1 162 protrudes from the passage 1 106 of the smoking substitute apparatus (i.e. it is not fully contained within the smoking substitute apparatus) and through the outlet 1 108. The substrate 1 162 may therefore directly contact the user’s oral cavity and/or tongue to enhance the flavour experience.

Figure 12 is a sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus 1201 having a flavour delivery article 1260 on a cylindrical substrate 1262 that is positioned along the length of the substantially cylindrical passage 1206 between the aerosol generator 1210 and the outlet 1208. The cylindrical substrate 1262 is sized such that it contacts the surface of the passage 1206 and so aerosol passes only across the internal surface of the substrate 1262.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of a smoking substitute apparatus 1301 having a flavour delivery article 1362 applied directly to the surface of the passage 1306, such as at the positions indicated by the arrows and therebetween.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words“have”,“comprise”, and“include”, and variations such as“having”,“comprises”,“comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from“about” one particular value, and/or to“about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term“about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means, for example, +/- 10%.

The words "preferred" and "preferably" are used herein refer to embodiments of the invention that may provide certain benefits under some circumstances. It is to be appreciated, however, that other embodiments may also be preferred under the same or different circumstances. The recitation of one or more preferred embodiments therefore does not mean or imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

Claims

1 . A flavour delivery article for use with a smoking substitute apparatus, comprising:

a flavourant;

wherein the flavour delivery article is configured to release flavourant upon contacting an aerosol generated from the smoking substitute apparatus.

2. The flavour delivery article of claim 1 , the flavour deliver article comprises a barrier for enclosing the flavourant, wherein the barrier is configured to disintegrate upon contacting the aerosol thereby releases the flavourant enclosed therein.

3. The flavour delivery article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flavour delivery article is provided as part of a smoking substitute apparatus comprising;

a mouthpiece comprising an outlet;

a passage for conveying an aerosol generated by an aerosol generator to the outlet, the aerosol generator being positioned in the passage; wherein

the flavour delivery article is positioned in the passage between the aerosol generator and the outlet.

4. The flavour delivery article of claim 3, wherein the flavour delivery article is provided on a

substrate in the passage.

5. The flavour delivery article of claim 3, wherein the flavour delivery article is provided directly on the surface of the passage.

6. The flavour delivery article of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier encapsulates the flavourant.

7. The flavour delivery article of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least a portion of the flavourant is embedded in the barrier.

8. The flavour delivery article of claim 7, wherein the flavour delivery article comprises a porous structure.

9. The flavour delivery article of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the barrier comprises one or more of chitosan, hyaluronic acid, dextran, poly-acrylamide, polyacrylic acid, guar gum succinate, kappa-carrageenan, poly(vinyl alcohol).

10. The flavour delivery article of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the barrier is configured to

disintegrate in response to either;

(a) a change in pH value induced by the aerosol; or

(b) a change in temperature induced by the aerosol.

1 1 . The flavour delivery article of claim 10, wherein the barrier is configured to disintegrate in

response to either; (a) a change in pH value induced by the aerosol at a pH value at or above 7.5, or to disintegrate at a pH value at or above 7.8; or

(b) a change in temperature induced by the aerosol at a temperature above 37°C, or to disintegrate at a temperature above 40°C.

12. The flavour delivery article of claim 10 or claim 1 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to

disintegrate in response to a change in pH value induced by the aerosol and the aerosol comprises a freebase nicotine for effecting the change in pH value.

13. A smoking substitute kit comprising a flavour delivery article of any one of the claims 1 to 12 and a smoking substitute apparatus, wherein the smoking substitute apparatus is configured to generate an aerosol for contacting the flavour delivery article and thereby causes the release of a flavourant from the flavour delivery article.

14. A method of delivering flavour to a user of a smoking substitute apparatus, the method

comprising:

applying a flavour delivery article of any one of the claims 1 to 12 to a user’s oral cavity; inhaling, by the user, an aerosol generated by a smoking substitute apparatus;

wherein the flavour delivery article is configured to release flavourant upon contacting the aerosol generated by the smoking substitute apparatus.

15. A method of producing a flavour delivery article for a smoking substitute apparatus, comprising the steps of:

i) preparing a flavourant; and

ii) applying the flavourant to the flavour delivery article.