Simulated cigarette

Abstract

A simulated cigarette device containing a pressurised reservoir of inhalable composition and an outlet valve controlling the output of the inhalable composition. A capillary plug extends from the vicinity of the outlet to fill a substantial portion of the reservoir and is configured to wick the inhalable composition towards the outlet valve.

1 . A simulated cigarette device comprising a housing; a pressurised reservoir of inhalable composition within the housing; an outlet for the inhalable composition from the reservoir and out of the housing; an outlet valve controlling the flow of inhalable composition through the outlet; and a capillary plug extending from the vicinity of the outlet valve into the reservoir, filling a substantial portion of the reservoir and being configured to wick the inhalable composition towards the outlet valve. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug occupies at least 50%, preferably at least 60% and more preferably at least 70% of the volume of the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug extends for at least 70% and more preferably at least 80% of the length of the reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 10%, more preferably at least 20% of the volume of the reservoir is not occupied by the wicking material. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising and a refill valve at the end opposite to the outlet and a gap between the refill valve and the end of the plug to allow an unobstructed space for the refill liquid to enter the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug does not occupy the full cross-section of the reservoir for a substantial proportion of the length of the reservoir to allow a liquid flow path within the reservoir alongside the porous plug. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to claim  1 , wherein the capillary uptake of the plug is such that the composition at the distal end of the plug is drawn towards the outlet valve for a distance of at least 25 mm, and more preferably at least 30 mm when the simulated cigarette is held in a position with the outlet end uppermost. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug has a pore size which decreases towards the outlet valve. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the decreasing pore size is achieved by compressing the plug in the vicinity of the outlet valve. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein in a transverse plane across the plug, the pore size is smaller in the central region and larger at the peripheral region. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pore radii are between 100 and 500 microns, preferably 100-300 and most preferably 100-150 microns. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the permeability (m 2 ) of the plug is preferably between e −3  and e −25 , more preferably e −10  and e −15 , and most preferably between e −10  and e −12 .