Smoking substitute apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a smoking substitute apparatus that has an airflow path for conveying aerosol from the aerosol generator (also referred to herein as the vaporizer) to the user. This runs through an aerosol delivery conduit or chimney. The apparatus is configured such that, by a certain position of the aerosol delivery conduit, that is, at a certain point in the flow path from the aerosol generator to the user, an aerosol with the desired particle size is formed and stable. At a point at or after that in the flow path to the user, auxiliary airflow enters the aerosol delivery conduit and merges with the main airflow.

1 . A smoking substitute apparatus comprising:
 at least one main air inlet;   an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol from an aerosol precursor for inhalation by a user;   an outlet formed at a mouthpiece;   an aerosol delivery conduit extending downstream from the aerosol generator to the outlet, the aerosol delivery conduit comprising a side wall;   at least one air flow path between the main air inlet and the outlet and along the aerosol delivery conduit for conveying the aerosol to the user, the side wall of the aerosol delivery conduit surrounding the air flow path;   wherein, in operation, the aerosol generator heats the aerosol precursor to form vaporised aerosol precursor, the vaporised aerosol precursor being transported in the air flow and condensing to form aerosol droplets for flow along the aerosol delivery conduit to the outlet,   wherein the air flow path and the aerosol generator are configured to control the air flow characteristics at the aerosol generator to provide an aerosol with predetermined particle size characteristics at a first position along the air flow path in the aerosol delivery conduit,   the apparatus further comprising at least one auxiliary air inlet into the aerosol delivery conduit at or downstream of the first position, the auxiliary air inlet being formed through the side wall of the aerosol delivery conduit,   characterized in that the smoking substitute apparatus further comprises a housing surrounding the aerosol delivery conduit and defining a reservoir for holding the aerosol precursor;   and wherein the apparatus further comprises a support member connected to the aerosol delivery conduit and the housing and that extends across the reservoir from the side wall of the aerosol delivery conduit to the housing.   
     
     
         2 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein multiple such auxiliary air inlets are provided. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member defines an interior space which connects an auxiliary air inlet to one or more holes in the housing. 
     
     
         5 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member is surrounded by the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member is located at or downstream of the first position. 
     
     
         7 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein multiple such support members are provided. 
     
     
         8 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the user is able to adjust the level of air flow possible through the at least one auxiliary air inlet. 
     
     
         9 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is adjustable between a first configuration permitting a first airflow amount through the at least one auxiliary air inlet and a second configuration permitting a second airflow amount through the at least one auxiliary air inlet; and wherein the first airflow amount is larger than the second airflow. 
     
     
         10 . A smoking substitute apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is adjustable between a first configuration, in which the at least one auxiliary air inlet is open to the exterior of the apparatus a first amount; and a second configuration in which the at least one auxiliary air inlet is open to the exterior of the apparatus a second amount; and wherein the first amount is larger than the second amount.