Smoke-free cigarette

• US 9,046,278 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2009
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olig AG
• Original Assignee: Olig AG
• Inventors: Kller, Marcel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crispino, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAYES, DIONNE WALLS
• Application Number:
  US12/864,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20110290266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,164 Days
• Field of Search: 131/270, 131/273, 131/194, 128/202.21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/10 Devices with chemical heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 42/80 Manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: F24V 30/00 Apparatus or devices using heat produced by exothermal chemical reactions other than combustion

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smoke-free cigarette with a thermal unit for the autarkical generation of heat and a nicotine reservoir in which nicotine or a nicotine-containing compound is contained, wherein the thermal unit comprises a crystallizable medium which releases heat during its crystallization.

Claims

1. A smoke-free cigarette with a thermal unit for the autaskieal generation of heat and a nicotine reservoir in which nicotine or a nicotine-containing compound is contained, wherein the thermal unit comprises a crystallizable medium which releases heat during its crystallization, and the smoke-free cigarette comprises an outer envelope including an outer layer, a desorption barrier and a stabilizing layer, wherein

the outer layer has the optical properties of a conventional cigarette,

the desorption barrier is configured such that it prevents or restricts the desorption of nicotine and/or flavoring agents,

the stabilizing layer is configured such that it provides the cigarette with a mechanical stability sufficient for its utilization,

the desorption barrier is arranged letween the outer layer and the stabilizing layer,

the outer layer is made of paper or includes paper,

the desorption barrier is made of metal or includes metal, and

the stabilizing layer is made of a plastic material or includes a plastic material.

2. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the thermal unit heats up to a temperature between 40°

C. and 70°

C., advantageously to a temperature between 45°

C. and 55°

C.

3. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the thermal unit continuously emits heat for a period between 3 and 15 minutes, advantageously between 5 and 10 minutes.

4. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the crystallizable medium is a supersaturated metastable solution.

5. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the crystallizable medium includes a liquid containing salt hydrate or consists of the same.

6. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 5, wherein the salt hydrate is sodium acetate trihydrate and/or Glauber'"'"'s salt and/or magnesium nitrate hexahydrate.

7. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, Wherein the smoke-free cigarette is configured in one part,

8. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 7, wherein the cigarette includes a mouthpiece, in particular in the form of a filter, and the outer envelope surrounds the nicotine reservoir, the thermal unit and the mouthpiece, wherein the outer envelope advantageously mechanically connects the mouthpiece with the nicotine reservoir and the thermal unit.

9. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the smoke-free cigarette in its entirety is configured as a disposable article.

10. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the smoke-free cigarette includes an outer envelope which surrounds the nicotine reservoir and the thermal unit.

11. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette furthermore includes a trigger mechanism to be actuated by a user, which initiates the crystallization.

12. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 11, with the thermal unit for the autarkical generation of heat and with the nicotine reservoir in which nicotine or the nicotine-containing compound is contained, wherein the trigger mechanism is provided, by which the thermal unit is activated upon actuation of the trigger mechanism, and the trigger mechanism is configured such that the trigger mechanism or part thereof can he activated upon application of a compressive force.

13. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 11, comprising the thermal unit for the autarkical generation of heat and the nicotine reservoir in which nicotine or the nicotine-containing compound is contained, wherein the trigger mechanism is provided, by which the thermal unit is activated upon actuation of the trigger mechanism, and the trigger mechanism is configured such that the trigger mechanism or part thereof penetrates into the thermal unit upon activation.

14. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 11, wherein the trigger mechanism is arranged in the interior of the cigarette such that it can be activated by applying pressure on one or more of the outer surfaces of the cigarette.

15. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 11, wherein the trigger mechanism includes one or more injection elements, in particular injection pins or needles, which penetrate into the thermal unit upon actuation of the trigger mechanism.

16. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein in peripheral direction the thermal unit is partly or completely surrounded by the nicotine-containing reservoir and/or that the thermal unit comprises a rear side facing the user and a front side facing away from the user and that the rear side and/or the front side adjoins a tobacco element or is at least partly surrounded by the same.

17. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the nicotine reservoir is arranged such that it can be heated by the thermal unit.

18. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the thermal unit is present in a hollow cylindrically configured space in whose interior the nicotine reservoir is disposed or the thermal unit and the nicotine reservoir are directly or indirectly arranged one behind the other in longitudinal direction of the cigarette.

19. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the thermal unit is arranged such that a stream of air generated by a user can be heated by the thermal unit.

20. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette includes a filter which effects a limitation of the air volume flow generated by a user.

21. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette includes a sheath surrounding the thermal unit.

22. The smoke-free cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the cigarette includes a closure element, in particular a cap.

23. The smoke-free cigarette of claim 1, wherein the desorption barrier is made of aluminum.