AEROSOL GENERATOR INCLUDING MULTI-COMPONENT WICK

• US 20110309157A1
• Filed: 01/18/2011
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Philip Morris USA Incorporated (Altria Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yang, Zuyin, Wrenn, Susan E., Wrenn, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,555,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 239/6
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2077 using an electrical resistance as heat source A01M1/2083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/035 emanating multiple odours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/037 comprising a wick
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/041 using heaters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0003 with means for dispensing more than one drug
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0021 Mouthpieces therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated

Abstract

An aerosol generator includes a composite conduit to transport multiple liquids to a heating element at flow rates such that the liquids arrive at the heating element in desirable concentrations. The heating element volatilizes the liquids to form volatilized fluid, which mixes with ambient air to form an aerosol with desirable concentrations of the multiple liquids.

Claims

1. An aerosol generator comprising:

a composite conduit to transport multiple liquids to a heating element at flow rates such that the liquids arrive at the heating element in desirable concentrations,

wherein the heating element is operable to volatilize the multiple liquids to form volatilized fluid, which mixes with ambient air to form an aerosol with desirable concentrations of the multiple liquids.

2. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the composite conduit comprises:

a first wick operable to transport a first liquid and a second wick operable to transport a second liquid to a heating element at flow rates such that the first and second liquids arrive at the heating element in desirable concentrations.

3. The aerosol generator of claim 2, wherein the first and second wicks are different lengths.

4. The aerosol generator of claim 2, wherein the composite conduit further comprises a capillary tube operable to transport a third liquid to the heating element, wherein the heating element is operable to volatilize the third liquid.

5. The aerosol generator of claim 2, wherein the first and second wicks are arranged in a concentric pattern or interwoven pattern.

6. The aerosol generator of claim 2, further comprising a third wick operable to transport a third liquid to the heating element.

7. The aerosol generator of claim 6, wherein

the multiple liquids comprise a combination of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and neutral liquids;

the first wick is of a material having an affinity to the hydrophilic liquid;

the second wick is of a material having an affinity to the hydrophobic liquid;

the third wick is of a material having an affinity to the neutral liquid.

8. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the liquids comprise first and second liquids that are immiscible in each other and are located in a single liquid supply.

9. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the liquids comprise at least one hydrophobic liquid and at least one hydrophilic liquid.

10. The aerosol generator of claim 1, wherein the liquids comprise a flavor system and an aerosol former.

11. The aerosol generator of claim 10, wherein the flavor system comprises one or more essential oils.

12. The aerosol generator of claim 10, wherein the aerosol former comprises a material selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, and mixtures thereof.

13. A method of generating an aerosol comprising:

transporting first and second liquids through first and second wicks from at least one liquid supply to a heating element at rates such that the liquids are present at the heating element in desirable concentrations; and

volatilizing the liquids at the heating element to form volatilized fluid, which mixes with ambient air to form an aerosol with desirable concentrations of the liquids.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second wicks are different lengths.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising transporting a third liquid through a capillary tube from the at least one liquid supply to the heating element.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second wicks are arranged in a concentric pattern around the capillary tube.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquids comprise first and second liquids that are immiscible in each other and are located in a single liquid supply.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquids comprise at least one hydrophobic liquid and at least one hydrophilic liquid.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the liquids comprise a flavor system and aerosol former.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the flavor system comprises one or more essential oils.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the aerosol former comprises a material selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, glycerol, and mixtures thereof.

22. The method of claim 13, further comprising a third wick operable to transport a third liquid to the heating element.