Pressurised refill canister with an outlet valve

Abstract

A pressurised refill canister containing a reservoir of composition including a propellant, and a non-metered refill outlet valve comprising a stem displaceable from a first position to a dispensing position against the action of a resilient member. The stem comprises a blind bore open at an outlet end and closed at the opposite end and a lateral bore in the side wall of the stem leading to the blind bore. The refill outlet valve further comprises an annular seal which surrounds the stem whereby, in the first position, the lateral bore is not in communication with the inside of the canister, and in the dispensing position, the lateral bore is arranged to move inside the canister with respect to the seal to open a flow path from the inside of the canister via the lateral bore and along the blind bore to the outlet end.

1 . A pressurised refill canister for a simulated cigarette, the refill canister comprising a reservoir of composition including a solvent, a propellant, and a non-metered refill outlet valve comprising a stem displaceable from a first position to which it is biased by a first resilient member having a spring force of at least 10 N when no external force is applied to a dispensing position against the action of the first resilient member, the stem comprising a blind bore open at an outlet end to provide an outlet from the canister in the direction of the blind bore and closed at the opposite end and a lateral bore in the side wall of the stem leading to the blind bore, the refill outlet valve further comprising an annular seal which surrounds the stem whereby, in the first position, the lateral bore is not in communication with the inside of the canister, and in the dispensing position, the lateral bore is arranged to move inside the canister with respect to the seal to open a flow path from the inside of the canister via the lateral bore and along the blind bore to the outlet end. 
     
     
         2 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem is slidable through annular seal. 
     
     
         3 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the first resilient member exerts a force on the stem of at least 5 N, and preferably at least 10 N when in the uncompressed state. 
     
     
         4 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the radially outermost edge of the stem at the outlet end is rounded. 
     
     
         5 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet end of the stem is permanently closed. 
     
     
         6 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem has a maximum outer diameter of greater than 3 mm and, wherein, at the outlet end of the stem, at least part of the wall of the stem extends inwardly from the outside diameter for at least 50% of the radius. 
     
     
         7 . A canister according to  claim 6 , wherein the wall of the stem at the outlet end has a thickness which extends for at least 50% of the radius. 
     
     
         8 . A canister according to  claim 6 , wherein the stem has an annular end cap which defines its dimensions at the outlet end. 
     
     
         9 . A canister according to  claim 6 , wherein the stem has a localized feature at the outlet end. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A pressurised refill canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a monohydric alcohol. 
     
     
         12 . A canister according to  claim 11 , wherein the solvent further comprises a glycol and/or glycol ether. 
     
     
         13 . A canister according to  claim 12 , wherein the ratio of monohydric alcohol: glycol or glycol ether by weight is from 6:1 to 1:1. 
     
     
         14 . A canister according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises from 0.1 to 2% w/w propylene glycol, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         15 . A canister according to  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprises from 0.5 to 1.5% w/w ethanol, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         16 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the propellant is a hydrofluorocarbon. 
     
     
         17 . A canister according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from 0.001% w/w to 0.45% w/w and preferably 0.026% w/w to 0.084% w/w nicotine or pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or salt thereof, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         18 . A canister to  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the stem is greater than 3 mm.