Method, composition and apparatus for functionalization of aerosols from non combustible smoking articles

Abstract

An apparatus and method for delivering an aerosol-forming composition and a separate functional composition for generating a functionalized aerosol vapor which emulates the organoleptic characteristics and properties of mainstream smoke experienced by smoking traditional tobacco-based smoking articles. The apparatus comprises an aerosol-forming liquid which is adapted to deliver aerosol-forming liquid to a heating device and a downstream chamber or zone containing an functional composition comprising one or more organoleptic components such as a taste, fragrance and/or nicotine delivery components. The method comprises generating an aerosol from an aerosol forming liquid and functionalizing the aerosol by subjecting the aerosol to a matrix for the purpose of transferring, delivering or imparting one or more organoleptic properties.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An e-cigarette comprising:
 a cartomizer; and   a battery;   wherein the cartomizer comprises a glycol and water solution and an insert configured to deliver a flavor to an aerosol created by the cartomizer.   
     
     
         2 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flavor is configured to be delivered by a fragrance formulation operatively associated with a porous matrix of embedded fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The e-cigarette of  claim 2  wherein the fragrance formulation can be electrically activated. 
     
     
         4 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flavor is configured to be delivered by a fragrance formulation operatively associated with at least one screen. 
     
     
         5 . The e-cigarette of  claim 4  wherein the fragrance formulation is configured to activated by the glycol and water solution. 
     
     
         6 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a diffusible disk comprising a functionalized formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The e-cigarette of  claim 6  wherein the functionalized formulation comprises a hygroscopic matrix that is configured to erode during inhalation. 
     
     
         8 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the flavor is configured to be delivered by a plaited flavor coated insert. 
     
     
         9 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert is a 3-Dimensional flavor coated insert. 
     
     
         10 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises an erodible fragrance/nicotine matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a tube bundle. 
     
     
         12 . The e-cigarette of  claim 11  wherein the flavor is configured to be released from the tube bundle by differential pressure activation. 
     
     
         13 . The e-cigarette of  claim 11  wherein the flavor is configured to be released from the tube bundle by temperature activation. 
     
     
         14 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a honeycomb cell structure. 
     
     
         15 . The e-cigarette of  claim 14  wherein the honeycomb cell structure comprises a plurality of honeycomb cells and a plurality of fragrance pods and wherein the plurality of honeycomb cells are configured to have varying releasing rates. 
     
     
         16 . The e-cigarette of  claim 1  wherein the insert comprises a fragrance, a vapor pressure modifier, a preservative, and an excipient. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming an aerosol vapor comprising:
 generating an aerosol from an aerosol forming liquid with a cartomizer in an e-cigarette; and   functionalizing the aerosol by subjecting the aerosol to a matrix for the purpose of transferring one or more organoleptic properties to the aerosol.   
     
     
         18 . The method of forming an aerosol of  claim 17  wherein generating an aerosol further comprises providing an optimal aerosol particulate size distribution for the desired transferred organoleptic properties. 
     
     
         19 . The method of forming an aerosol of  claim 17  wherein the aerosol forming liquid comprises an excipient for activating chemical reactions during the functionalizing step. 
     
     
         20 . The method of forming an aerosol of  claim 19  wherein the excipient comprises a water solution.