EP2227973B1 - Smoke-free cigarette - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a smoke-free Zagarette.

Smoke-free cigarettes are known in many different embodiments.

For example, the US 5,331,981 A1 a smoke-free cigarette with a container containing a flavor solution and a vehicle adsorption zone. The cigarette is activated by crushing the container and absorbing the exiting solution in the adsorption zone on the carrier. Consumer-sucked air passes through the adsorption zone and is thereby enriched with the flavors.

Other known smoke-free cigarettes have a nicotine-containing reservoir from which the nicotine is released by desorption upon exposure to heat and then supplied to the user with a draft through the smoke-free cigarette. Furthermore, flavoring agents can be provided which are desorbed from a matrix when the cigarette is used and then also supplied to the user with the draft.

The present invention has the object of developing a smoke-free cigarette to the effect that the unwanted volatilization of nicotine and / or flavorants is prevented, thus giving the smokeless cigarette a particularly good shelf life over a longer period.

This object is achieved by a smoke-free cigarette with the features of claim 1.

Thereafter, it is envisaged that the smoke-free cigarette comprises a multi-layered outer shell, of which the outer layer consists of paper, of which another layer of metal and of which another layer is made of a plastic material.

The paper layer may be a layer having the optical properties of a conventional cigarette, the metal layer may be a layer which prevents or at least substantially impedes desorption, and the plastic layer may be a layer act, which gives the smoke-free cigarette the required mechanical stability.

The outer layer of paper serves to configure the haptic, optical and tactile properties of a conventional cigarette. The directly or indirectly inwardly following metal layer, preferably aluminum layer forms the desorption barrier for nicotine and flavorings. Preferably, it also serves to regulate the heat during the active phase, that is, during the use phase of the smokeless cigarette.

The further and inner layer relative to the metal layer is a plastic layer. On the one hand, it provides the necessary overall stability and, preferably, tension control and aroma resistance.

The overall arrangement, that is, the multi-layer outer shell can be made single-layered or as a composite material.

The desorption barrier is disposed between the outer layer and the stabilizing layer, that is, the metal layer is disposed between the outermost layer and the plastic material layer. The desorption barrier forms a "middle layer" which is located between the outer layer and the inner layer.

The layers of the multilayer outer shell can adjoin one another directly. In principle, however, the invention also includes that one or more further intermediate layers are arranged between the individual layers. However, it is preferred if the said layers of the outer shell directly adjoin one another. Furthermore provided is preferably, but not mandatory, if the outer shell consists only of these three layers.

As stated, the metal is preferably aluminum. The desorption barrier is thus preferably formed by an aluminum layer or by a layer which comprises at least aluminum.

The desorption barrier may be in the form of a film, preferably in the form of a metal foil and particularly preferably in the form of an aluminum foil.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one layer, preferably several or all layers of the outer shell in the form of a cigarette is cylindrical.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the layers of the outer shell all extend over the same length or over different lengths of the cigarette. For example, it is conceivable that the smoke-free cigarette has a mouthpiece, and that the desorption barrier and / or the stabilization layer extend as far as the mouthpiece and the outer layer also around the mouthpiece. It is conceivable that the outer layer that surrounds the mouthpiece has the same color as a conventional cigarette in the region of the filter. Preferably, the mouthpiece is arranged so that the user picks up the nicotine and / or the flavorings with a warmed draft of air through the mouthpiece. It is thus conceivable, for example, that the mouthpiece Room adjoins, in which a nicotine reservoir and / or a reservoir for flavoring and / or a self-sufficient heating unit is arranged.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the thickness of the layers of the outer shell is identical.

However, the invention also includes that one layer has a smaller thickness than the other two layers or that one layer has a greater thickness than the other two layers.

Thus, for example, it is conceivable that the desorption barrier, which can be embodied as a foil, has a smaller thickness than at least one or else both of the other two layers.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the stabilization layer has a greater thickness than at least one or both of the other layers.

As stated, it is provided that the outer shell surrounds a space in which a self-sufficient heat generating unit and nicotine and flavorings are arranged. The nicotine or the flavoring substances are arranged on a matrix, preferably on tobacco or else on another suitable matrix material. They are desorbed there when the cigarette is used. For desorption, a heat source in the form of a self-sufficient heat unit, that is, as a heat source that requires no energy from the outside.

It is preferably provided that the self-sufficient heating unit comprises a medium which can be converted into the crystalline state at ambient temperature. Suitable examples include sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium sulfate or sodium sulfate compounds, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, etc. This autarkic Heat unit can be activated by a trigger mechanism, that is to be brought to crystallization, which is actuated by a user.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the multilayer outer shell has been manufactured in the form of a composite material or that the layers of the outer shell are produced individually and then possibly joined together by the use of connecting means.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

The single figure shows a longitudinal section through a three-layer outer shell of a smokeless cigarette.

As shown, the outer shell consists of three layers of material. The outer paper layer 1 serves to configure the haptic, optical and tactile properties of a conventional cigarette.

On the inside, this paper layer 1 is adjoined by an aluminum layer 2, which forms the desorption barrier for nicotine and flavors / aromas present in the space surrounded by the outer shell.

During the use phase of the smokeless cigarette, d. H. during the heat development by the self-sufficient heat unit, the aluminum layer serves at the same time the heat regulation.

Inwardly, the aluminum layer 2 is followed by a plastic or plastic layer 3. This consists of a plastic layer and provides on the one hand for the necessary overall stability of the smokeless cigarette, for train regulation and for flavor stability.

As can be seen from the figure, thus, three layers may be provided to form the entire outer shell.

However, the invention also encompasses that between two or all of the illustrated layers there are intermediate layers which have certain functional properties, such as, for example, the adhesion of the layers to one another, etc.

However, it is preferred if the outer shell consists only of the three layers shown. A major advantage of the arrangement shown is that a smokeless cigarette is provided which is storable over a longer period, since the desorption of nicotine or flavorants is largely hindered or completely prevented without having to give up the usual feel of conventional cigarettes.

The paper layer may form the outermost layer of the multilayer outer shell. In principle, however, the invention also includes that a further layer, such as a coating or the like, is applied to this layer. Similarly, the inner layer, that is, the plastic layer 3 may form the innermost layer of the multilayer outer shell. However, it is also encompassed by the invention that adjoins the inner layer, a further layer, such as an inner coating.

In the drawing, the three layers 1, 2, 3 of the outer shell are shown with identical or largely identical thickness. However, the invention also includes the case that different thicknesses can be provided. That's the way it works for example, be sufficient. To provide the desorption barrier in the form of a comparatively thin aluminum foil, which may be the thinnest layer of the three illustrated layers.

The outer shell shown in longitudinal section in the figure has the form of a hollow cylindrical body in the interior of which there is a matrix on which nicotine and flavorings are located. Furthermore, there is a self-sufficient heating unit in the interior, preferably in the form of a crystallizable medium. This self-sufficient thermal unit can be activated, for example, by pressure on the outer shell shown from the outside by the user. This leads to crystallization and thus heat dissipation. This heat release, on the one hand, heats a draft of air which is drawn through the interior of the smokeless cigarette and possibly a mouthpiece. The heating further results in facilitating the desorption of nicotine and / or flavor from the aforementioned matrix.

Preferably, the self-sufficient heating unit is designed so that it gives off heat over a typical useful life of a conventional cigarette.

The structure of the self-sufficient thermal unit and said matrix may be formed such that the matrix extends around the autonomous heating unit. In principle, however, the invention also encompasses the fact that the self-sufficient heating unit extends around said matrix.

Other arrangements of matrix and heating unit are conceivable and encompassed by the invention.

The term "cigarette" is to be interpreted broadly and includes, in addition to the actual cigarette, for example, cigars, cigarillos, etc.

Claims (12)

1. A smoke-free cigarette having an outer skin which has a plurality of layers (1, 2, 3) and which surrounds an inner space in which a matrix is located on which nicotine and flavorings are located,
   characterized in that
   an autonomous heating unit is located in the inner space and its heat emission facilitates the desorption of nicotine and flavorings by the matrix; and in that the outer layer (1) of the outer skin consists of paper, a further layer (2) consists of metal and the innermost layer (3) consists of a plastic material.
2. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the layers (1, 2, 3) are directly adjacent one another.
3. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that intermediate layers are provided arranged between the layers (1, 2, 3).
4. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal is aluminum.
5. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer (2) is formed from metal in the form of a metal foil and in particular in the form of an aluminum foil.
6. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one layer (1, 2, 3), preferably all the layers, of the outer skin are cylindrical; and/or in that the layers (1, 2, 3) of the outer skin all extend over the same length or over different lengths of the cigarette.
7. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the smoke-free cigarette has a mouthpiece; and in that the layer (2) of metal and/or the layer (3) of a plastic material extends/extend up to the mouthpiece and the layer (1) of paper extends around the mouthpiece.
8. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the layers of the outer skin is identical.
9. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a layer (1, 2, 3) has a smaller thickness than the two other layers; or in that one layer has a larger thickness than the other two layers.
10. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the layer (2) of metal has a smaller thickness than at least one of the other two layers (1, 3).
11. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with claim 9 or claim 10, or characterized in that the layer (3) of a plastic material has a larger thickness than at least one of the other two layers (1, 2).
12. A smoke-free cigarette in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layers (1, 2, 3) of the outer skin are present as single layers or in the form of a composite material.

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