Vapour delivery apparatus

Abstract

A vapour delivery apparatus is configured to deliver a vapour comprising an active ingredient to a user drawing air through the apparatus for inhalation. The apparatus comprises an air passage defined between an air inlet and an outlet, and a vapour generator arranged in the air passage. The vapour generator comprises a substrate loaded with a source of an active ingredient for generation of the vapour. The vapour generator also comprises a constricted air flow region adapted to provide a higher air flow velocity in the constricted air flow region than an air flow velocity in the air passage upstream of the vapour generator for a given air flow rate from the air inlet to the outlet. The constricted air flow region is bounded on at least one side by the substrate to extract vapour from the substrate into the air flow in the constricted air flow region. There is also provided a method of using a vapour delivery apparatus.

1 . A vapour delivery apparatus configured to deliver a vapour comprising an active ingredient to a user drawing air through the apparatus for inhalation, the apparatus comprising:
 an air passage defined between an air inlet and an outlet;   a vapour generator arranged in the air passage, wherein the vapour generator comprises a substrate loaded with a source of an active ingredient for generation of the vapour,   the vapour generator comprising a constricted air flow region adapted to provide a higher air flow velocity in the constricted air flow region than an air flow velocity in the air passage upstream of the vapour generator for a given air flow rate from the air inlet to the outlet,   the constricted air flow region being bounded on at least one side by the substrate to extract vapour from the substrate into the air flow in the constricted air flow region;   wherein the constricted air flow region comprises multiple bores through the substrate, each bore of the multiple bores configured to enable air to travel from the air inlet to the outlet.   
     
     
         2 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises nicotine and/or a flavourant. 
     
     
         3 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises air impermeable walls. 
     
     
         4 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a material of limited air-permeability. 
     
     
         5 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate comprises a liquid permeable material. 
     
     
         6 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the constricted air flow region passes axially through the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises more than one vapour generator. 
     
     
         10 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1  which does not include a source of heat. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a vapour delivery apparatus, the vapour delivery apparatus comprising:
 an air passage defined between an air inlet and an outlet;   a vapour generator arranged in the air passage, wherein the vapour generator comprises a substrate loaded with a source of an active ingredient for generation of the vapour,   the vapour generator comprising a constricted air flow region, the constricted air flow region being bounded on at least one side by the substrate;   wherein the constricted air flow region comprises multiple bores through the substrate,   each bore of the multiple bores configured to enable air to travel from the air inlet to the outlet;   wherein the method comprises the steps of:   the user inhaling at the outlet to generate an air flow, wherein an air flow velocity in the constricted air flow region is higher than the air flow velocity in the air passage upstream of the vapour generator for a given air flow rate from the air inlet to the outlet; and   the user receiving the active ingredient from extraction of a vapour from the substrate into the air flow in the constricted air flow region.   
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the substrate is not actively heated. 
     
     
         13 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the multiple bores are arranged in a hexagonal packing arrangement. 
     
     
         14 . A vapour delivery apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bores have substantially uniform cross sectional area along their length