A vapor generating device and a method for generating vapor

Abstract

The invention relates to a vapor generating device (10) for generating a vapor from a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises nicotine or a salt thereof, a method for generating vapor and an electronic delivery system for providing nicotine to a user. Vapor generating device (10) comprises a base plate (11) supporting an electric heater (20), said electric heater (20) having an interior space arranged to receive a liquid conveying elongated wick (24), and a plurality of apertures (28) extending from interior space to an exterior surface, said apertures (28) transmitting liquid released from wick (24) to electric heater (20). The invention also relates to a method to use the vapor generating device (10) to inhale nicotine aerosol.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A vapor generating device for generating a vapor from a liquid, comprising:
 (a) a base plate;   (b) an electric heater supported by the base plate, the electric heater being formed with an interior space;   (c) a hollow tube with an interior void defining a central bore, the hollow tube being received in the interior space of the electric heater;   (c) an elongate wick extending from the base plate inside the central bore of the hollow tube;   wherein, the electric heater has a plurality of apertures extending from the interior space to an exterior surface of the electric heater; and   wherein the liquid comprises nicotine or a salt thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The vapor generating device of claim  13 , wherein the hollow tube is formed with at least one opening extending from the central bore of the hollow tube to an exterior surface of the hollow tube. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor generating device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one opening of the hollow tube is circular with a diameter of 1 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor generating device of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one opening of the hollow tube has an area between 0.7 mm 2  and 1 mm 2 . 
     
     
         18 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , wherein the hollow tube is rigid. 
     
     
         19 . The vapor generating device of  claim 18 , wherein the hollow tube is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , wherein the hollow tube is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polysulphone (PSU) and polyetherimide (PEI). 
     
     
         21 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , wherein the elongate wick is porous. 
     
     
         22 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , further including at least one electric connector engaging the electric heater and extending through the base plate. 
     
     
         23 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , further comprising a power supply operatively connected to the electric heater and to a control unit. 
     
     
         24 . The vapor generating device of  claim 23 , wherein the control unit is arranged to activate the electric heater during a predetermined time period. 
     
     
         25 . The vapor generating device of  claim 14 , further including a housing, the housing enclosing the vapor generating device. 
     
     
         26 . The vapor generating device of  claim 25 , further comprising a disposable cartridge with a mouthpiece, the disposable cartridge being attached to and partly inserted into the housing. 
     
     
         27 . The vapor generating device of  claim 26 , wherein the liquid is contained in a reservoir supported inside the disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         28 . The vapor generating device of  claim 26 , wherein the disposable cartridge includes a port configured to receive the hollow tube therethrough at the time the disposable cartridge is inserted into the housing. 
     
     
         29 . The vapor generating device of  claim 25 , wherein an open volume in the housing at the heater forms a vaporizing chamber. 
     
     
         30 . The vapor generating device of  claim 29 , wherein the housing is provided with at least one air inlet connecting the vaporizing chamber with an exterior of the housing. 
     
     
         31 . The vapor generating device of  claim 29 , wherein the mouthpiece includes at least one channel or outlet conduit extending from the mouthpiece to the vaporizing chamber.