Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of modified harm smoking products, as it describes a way of reducing the toxicity of the smoke yield from a conventional cigarette while maintaining its taste. In particular, the present invention provides an active cigarette holder which filters the carcinogens from the cigarette and then rebuilds the flavor generated.

Background to the Invention

Much prior art is devoted to reducing the harm profile of conventional cigarettes. Prior to the advent of filtered cigarettes in the 1960s, a cigarette holder would often be used, where said holder would typically incorporate a filter. Thus, the concept of using a cigarette holder to reduce the toxicity of cigarette smoke is already known.

More recently, electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes or personal vaporizers as they are commonly known) are being used to deliver a smoking-like experience but with far fewer toxins than those associated with conventional cigarettes. However, despite the expanding market for e-cigarettes, it is expected that the majority of cigarette smokers will not convert to e-cigarettes as the latter do not provide the full user experience that smokers expect. This user experience includes lighting a cigarette and the intake of real smoke, as opposed to the vapor substitute that e-cigarettes provide. Thus, there is a need for a reduced-harm approach which preserves the user experience of conventional cigarettes while reducing the quantity of toxins in the airflow reaching the consumer.

Summary of the Invention

The primary carcinogens in cigarette smoke include gas phase constituents such as acrolein, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene. These can be effectively filtered from the smoke yield by the use of an activated-carbon filter. However, this type of filter adversely impacts the flavor of the cigarette and is not considered acceptable by many smokers.

The present invention thus provides a holder for a conventional lit cigarette which, when used in combination with such a cigarette, results in a less toxic smoke yield, but with a more acceptable taste. The holder of the present invention is an active one in the sense that, in a preferred embodiment, on detection of a puff, the heating element or vaporizer within is activated in order to generate vapor from a special and novel type of e-liquid. The vapor produced by vaporizing this special e-liquid - when combined with the smoke yield from the cigarette - serves to at least partially restore the flavor of the original cigarette. Thus the use of the cigarette and the holder in combination results in a filtered and modified smoke yield which reduces the quantity of toxins inhaled by the consumer while compensating for the flavor loss due to the carbon filter, as further described below.

Brief description of the Figures

Fig. la shows the yield of a group of toxins removed by a carbon filter as a function of carbon weight;

Fig. lb shows the retention of a number of a number of specific toxins, as removed by just 45mg of carbon in the filter; Fig. 2 show an isometric assembled view of a preferred embodiment of the cigarette holder of the current invention;

Fig. 3 show an isometric exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the cigarette holder of the current invention; and

Fig. 4 shows a planar cut-away view of said embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The term "e-cigarette" refers hereinafter to an electronic cigarette, personal vaporizer (PV) or electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) that is battery- powered vaporizer which simulates the feeling of smoking, but without tobacco combustion. Their use is commonly called "vaping". The user automatically activates the e-cigarette by taking a puff; other devices turn on by pressing a button manually. There are disposable cigalikes which are known as first generation "cigalikes" and there are reusable versions. Instead of cigarette smoke, the user inhales an aerosol, commonly called vapor. E-cigarettes typically have a heating element that atomizes a liquid solution known as e-liquid

incorporated herein as reference).

The term "e-liquid" refers hereinafter to the solution used in e-cigarettes.

The term "activated-carbon filter" refers hereinafter to the filter used in Carbon filtering is a method of filtering that uses a bed of activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities, using chemical absorption.

The term "conventional cigarette" refers hereinafter to any smoking implements including pipes, cigars, bidis, hookahs, vaporizers, and bongs.

The term "vaporizer" refers hereinafter to a device used to vaporize the active ingredients of plant material, commonly cannabis, tobacco, or other herbs or blends and pure chemicals for the purpose of inhalation.

The cigarette holder of the present invention comprises a large-volume cigarette filter which is suitable for extracting the bulk of the major gas phase toxins and carcinogens from the smoke yield generated by the burning cigarette. The retention of these toxins on the carbon particles is primarily a function of the weight of carbon present, as reported in the article "The effect of different smoking regimes on the performance of different weights and activities of carbon in cigarette filters", presented at the CORESTA Congress in Shanghai, 2 to 6 November, 2008; Fig. la; hereby incorporated herein. This article shows how, by increasing the amount of carbon used in the filter, an ever larger proportion of the toxins can be filtered out of the smoke yield, with consistently good results being achieved over a range of smoking regimens when 150mg or more of carbon is used. For example, Fig. lb, extracted from said article, shows the retention of the 12 compounds: acetaldehyde, 1, 3-butadiene, propionaldehyde, acrolein, acetone, acrylonitrile, isoprene, butyraldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, crotonaldehyde, benzene and toluene; expressed as a function of the carbon weight used. The filtering capacity can be further analyzed in terms of individual toxins. For example Fig lb (taken from the same article) shows the retention of a number of a number of specific toxins that would be removed by just 45g of carbon on the filter. By way of comparison, in a preferred embodiment of the holder device of the present invention, 300mg of carbon is used in its filter component. In a further preferred embodiment, lOOOmg of activated carbon may be used in said filter.

It is important to understand that active carbon filters do not merely serve to remove toxins. They also have a negative impact on the taste of the resulting, post-filtration, smoke yield; this negative taste impact being widely referred to as an "off-taste". Said off-taste is one of the reasons that the use of such filters is not more widespread.

In the prior art, one means of disguising this off-taste is to impregnate the filter with a strong flavor such as menthol. However, such an approach is only capable of concealing the flavor for a few puffs and is thus unsuitable for a re -usable device suitable for holding and filtering a number of cigarettes in turn whilst maintaining a constant flavor. Additionally, such an approach lacks the sophistication required to go some way toward re-building the flavor. As described below, the holder device of the present invention provides an efficient, consistent and comprehensive solution to the limitations of the prior art. More specifically, the holder of the present invention incorporates a specially tailored e-liquid which, when vaporized, produces a vapor which, on combination with the smoke yield, serves to compensate for the adverse flavor effect of the activated-carbon filter. In this way, the combined output of the active cigarette holder of the present invention, as inhaled from the mouthpiece, is close to the original flavor of the cigarette while preferably also maintaining the same nicotine level. Advantageously, this invention enables consumers to maintain a user experience close to that of conventional cigarettes while significantly reducing exposure to harmful toxins.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the holder of the present is shaped somewhat like a traditional cigarette holder/filter.

A preferred embodiment of the cigarette holder of the present invention is detailed below with reference to the following figures.

A preferred embodiment of the cigarette holder of the current invention is provided in the assembled isometric view shown Figure 2, in which a conventional cigarette 10 is inserted into the adaptor comprising a cavity 12 at the distal end of the holder, and the mouthpiece 14 is inserted into the consumer's mouth. The conventional cigarette is then lit at its distal end 16; such that puffing at the mouthpiece 14 causes the smoke yield generated by the combustion of said cigarette to be drawn into the holder, where it is filtered and modified as described below.

Referring now to Figure 3, the internal structure of a preferred embodiment of the holder device is shown in the exploded isometric view provided. The cigarette 10 is sealed into the device using an O-Ring 18. The smoke yield emerging from the cigarette 10 is filtered via a high-capacity carbon filter 20. In a preferred embodiment, the "actiTube Slim" filter (actiTube, 14a Hochstr., Berlin 13357, Germany) is used, as it contains approximately 300mg of activated carbon. Said filter 20 serves to filter out toxins and carcinogens as described above. Additionally, as is clear from the figure, considerable room exists to add a larger filter with yet more activated-carbon, for the case where even more efficient removal of carcinogens is required. The filter may further incorporate a particle filtration section, if required.

This isometric view also shows the battery/controller 22 used, which, in this embodiment, is the "X-TC" 90 mAh rechargeable battery (Shenzhen Joecig Technology Co, Ltd, Shenzhen, China) and closed inside the holder device by a cap 24. This battery serves to power the vaporizer 26 used, which, in this embodiment, is the X-TC 2.6 ohm extended range "Clearomizer" product (Shenzhen Joecig Technology Co, Ltd, Shenzhen, China) and closed inside the holder device by a cap 36. In this embodiment the battery/controller 22 is activated by low pressure within the holder device resulting from the consumer inhaling at the mouthpiece 14. The battery connectors 30 are connected to the vaporizer connectors 28 via the wires 32 shown underneath the panel 34. In this preferred embodiment, this wiring arrangement enables existing off-the-shelf battery and vaporizer components parts which - in an e-cigarette - are connected end-to-end, to be used in a parallel arrangement. This parallel arrangement enables the holder to be a shorter device than it would be otherwise.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the flow paths through the holder device of the present invention are described according to the layout of the preferred embodiment shown. Taking a puff at the mouthpiece 14 causes low pressure within the conduit 40 which serves to suck in the smoke yield from the cigarette 10 via the filter 20; while at the same time activating the batter/controller 22. Said battery/controller 22 causes the vaporization of the e-liquid inside the vaporizer 26, such that vapor from said vaporizer is also drawn into the conduit 40, as controlled by regulator 42. In a further preferred embodiment, the regulator is a pre-set flow-limiting section, set to ensure that only a defined proportion of the vapor generated is mixed into the airflow in the conduit. To the extent that external airflow is required to go through the vaporizer 26 to be added to the vapor said vaporizer produces, the inlet screw 38 shown within the cap 36 may be used to adjust this inflow. In a further preferred embodiment, one of the two contacts between the battery and the vaporizer can be transferred via the body of the holder in order to simplify the wiring. In a further preferred embodiment, the controller can be an acoustic one, which provides power to the vaporizer when it detects the acoustic signature associated with a puff. In this case, the battery would not need to be in fluid connection to the rest of the device and could be a sealed unit. Whereas the battery/controller used in the preferred embodiment is designed for extraction and replacement via a removable cap 24; in a further preferred embodiment, said battery could be implemented as a permanent component of the device, which is charged and recharged via an external electronic connector.

In a further preferred embodiment, the filter 20 may be attached to the mouthpiece 14, such that this combined assembly may be removed and replaced together when it has become fouled. This approach provides a convenient means to replace the filter together with the mouthpiece, as both become fouled after repeated use. In a preferred embodiment, the user instructions for the holder device of the present invention suggest the replacement of this filter-plus-mouthpiece assembly every 20 cigarettes; so as to coordinate this activity with the start of each new pack of cigarettes.

Note that the vaporizer 26 used in the preferred embodiment is an off-the-shelf pre-filled "cartomizer" containing both the vaporizing (or "atomizing") coil and the e-liquid; where this complete unit can be replaced via the removable cap 36. In a further preferred embodiment the e-liquid may be located in a separate component or reservoir in fluid connection (typically by means of "wicking") with the vaporizer, where said reservoir can be implemented as a refillable reservoir as is known in the art. The function of the vaporizer is to vaporize the e-liquid, thereby producing a vapor which is drawn towards the conduit 40 due to low pressure (i.e. puffing) at the mouthpiece 14.

Standard e-liquids as known in the art typically contain a mixture of solvents, nicotine, and flavorings; in an attempt to mimic the taste and effect of a cigarette. As opposed to the typical composition of such e-liquids, the composition of the e-liquid component of the present invention has a different purpose: It is specially designed in order to counteract the "off flavor associated with activated-carbon filters, thereby compensating for the flavor damage caused by the filter. Thus, when this vapor is mixed together with the smoke yield emerging from the filter, the combination of the two provides the consumer with a more palatable taste.

As stated above, the filtering of the cigarette smoke by the filter 20 damages the flavor of the smoke yield, making it less palatable. This damage or "off-taste" typically expresses itself in three factors:

a) A loss in humidity, which makes the smoke seem harsh to the consumer;

b) An increase in the pH of the post-filter smoke yield; and

c) A loss of some taste components due to the fact that the smoke, with all of its flavor components, has been adversely affected by the carbon filter.

The vapor created by vaporization of the e-liquid component of the present invention compensates for this taste damage by using at least some of the following strategies: a) Re-humidification using Humidifying Agent(s): The loss of humidity is compensated for by providing a humidifying agent as a modulator. Humidity modulators are for example propylene glycol (propane- 1 ,2-diol) and/or vegetable glycerin (propane- 1, 2, 3-triol). Due to their humidifying characteristics, they convey the sensation of re-hydrating the smoke yield. Further humidifying agents involve the use of a solvent as an agonist which causes a homogenous mixture due to its binding ability. For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the humidity of the smoke yield, this humidity can be restored by having the e-liquid contain these humidifying agents and/or combinations thereof.

b) Use of pH Adjustment Agent(s): The activated carbon itself can act as an ion exchange type media and that can contribute to a rise in the pH of the smoke yield. This pH increase causes a flavor change, and this can be compensated for by providing a food-grade certified acid which decreases the pH to the former level on one hand, and serves to mask the pH change on the other hand. Thus, for those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to increase the pH, this can be restored by, for example, having the liquid incorporate citric acid (2-hydroxypropane-l ,2,3-trioic acid), ascorbic acid ((5i?)-[(15)-l,2-Dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-on e) and/or combinations thereof. Conversely, in the case that the filter causes a drop in the pH, the e-liquid may for example use a sodium hydroxide solution to raise the pH. c) Use of Taste Modification Agent(s): The loss of taste components can be compensated for by either adding specific flavor components from the flavor substance classes 1-34 as listed in Table 1 below, by masking the flavor loss using flavors from the group of complementary flavoring components in Table 2 below; or by a combination of these two approaches (i.e. addition and masking).

Flavors often have a variety of components. Most of these components are usually not responsible for the main or head note of the flavoring. Many act only for rounding off and complementary components. Accordingly, the main taste modification applied as part of the present invention is to add to the special e-liquid the flavor which best compensates for the flavor/note diminished by the filter. This in turn depends on the type of cigarette being used, for example:

1. For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the vanilla flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with Vanilla as one of the top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 23; for example Vanillin (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), Ethyl vanillin (3-Ethoxy-4- hydroxybenzaldehyde), and/or combinations thereof.

2. For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the caramel flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with caramel as one of the top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 23, 24; for example Vanillin (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine, and/or combinations thereof.

3. For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the nutty flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with nuts as one of the top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 30, 24, 8; for example Methylcyclopentenolone (3-Methylcyclopentan-l,2-dione), Acetylpyrazine (2- Acetylpyrazine), 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine, beta-Damascenone (1 -(2,6,6-

Trimethylcyclohexa-l,3-dienyl)but-2-en-l-one) and/or combinations thereof.

For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the spicy notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with spicy top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 30, 24, 25, 8; for example Methylcyclopentenolone (3-Methylcyclopentan-l,2-dione), Acetylpyrazine (2- Acetylpyrazine), 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine, beta-Damascenone (1 -(2,6,6- Trimethylcyclohexa-l,3-dienyl)but-2-en-l-one) and/or combinations thereof.

For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the roasted flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with roasted top flavors ), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 24; for example Acetylpyrazine (2-Acetylpyrazine), 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine and/or combinations thereof. For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the earthy flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with earthy top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 28; for example Indole (Benzopyrrole; 1-Benzazole; 1-BenzoPyrrole; 2,3-Benzopyrrole). For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the floral flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with floral top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 23, 8; for example 4- Methoxybenzaldehyde (p-Anisaldehyde; Aubepine; Anisic aldehyde; Aubepine liquid), alpha-Ionone (4-(2,6,6-Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-l-yl)-3-buten-2-one) and/or combinations thereof.

For those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the fruity flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with fruity top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 1, 8; for example Ethyl butyrate (Ethyl n-butanoate; Butyric ether; Ethyl butanoate), alpha-Ionone (4-(2,6,6- Trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-l-yl)-3-buten-2-one) and/or combinations thereof.

And for those cigarettes where the filter is perceived to reduce the exotic flavors/notes (e.g. tobacco cigarettes with exotic top flavors), these notes can be restored by having the liquid incorporate chemical classes including class 20; for example 3-Mercaptohexan-l-ol (3-Thiohexanol; 3-Thiohexan-l-ol).

In practice, a specific cigarette will have a number of top notes diminished by the filter, and this a combination of flavors such as those listed above can be used to repair the flavor damage. For example, the Moods Filter Cigarillos from the Dannemann Group cigarette has both nutty and vanilla top notes, and thus the combination of flavors as listed in (3) and (1) above will be applied.

As mentioned above, masking of the flavor loss by use of complementary flavors such as those in Table 2 below can, for example, proceed as follows. For example, complementary Vanillin (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde), Ethyl vanillin (3-Ethoxy- 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde), and/or combinations thereof are useful in masking the loss of vanilla top flavor notes; and complementary Methylcyclopentenolone (3- Methylcyclopentan-l,2-dione), Acetylpyrazine (2-Acetylpyrazine), 2,3,5- Trimethylpyrazine, beta-Damascenone ( 1 -(2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohexa- 1 ,3-dienyl)but-2- en-l-one) and/or combinations thereof are useful in masking nutty top flavor notes.

In addition to the modification of the flavor of the smoke yield in order to compensate for the effect of the filter, the e-liquid may further incorporate elements designed to add to the satisfaction level of the smoker. First and foremost this includes the potential addition of nicotine to at least compensate for the dilution of the nicotine per puff due to the dilution caused by mixing the smoke yield with vapor. Similarly, flavors and/or specific active substances from herbs and spices (such as capsaicin, piperin, aframomum melegueta, etc.) - which are capable of mimicking nicotine and/or of enhancing the effect of the nicotine - may be incorporated. Note especially that where the dilution of the smoke is deliberately increased for the purpose of smoking cessation, the enhancement of the nicotine delivered may become very important, and further tobacco-like flavors may also need to be added in order to create a palatable product. Additional taste additions may include those known to be popular in the cigarette field, such as menthol. Advantageously, the combined airflow inhaled by the consumer - comprising both smoke from the cigarette and the special compensating vapor as described above - can maintain much of the taste and/or nicotine level with which the consumer is familiar, thereby helping the consumer use the device of the present invention to reduce his/her intake of harmful smoke constituents.

As is known in the art, indicator lights on the device can show when the e-liquid in the vaporizer or cartomizer is running low, and/or when the battery needs to be replaced or re-charged in situ.

Table 1 - Classes/ of Flavoring Substances

component.

Primary alicyclic saturated and unsaturated

alcohols/aldehydes/acids/acetals/esters with esters containing alicyclic alcohols. Esters/acetals may contain aliphatic acyclic or alicylic acids or alcohol component.

Secondary alicyclic saturated and unsaturated alcohols/ketones/ketals/esters with ketals containing alicyclic alcohols or ketones and esters containing secondary alicyclic alcohols. Esters may contain aliphatic acyclic or alicyclic acid component.

Primary aliphatic saturated or unsaturated

alcohols/aldehydes/acids/acetals/esters with a second primary, secondary or tertiary oxygenated functional group including aliphatic lactones.

Secondary aliphatic saturated or unsaturated alcohols/ketones/ketals/esters with a second secondary or tertiary oxygenated functional group.

Alicyclic and aromatic lactones.

Maltol derivatives and ketodioxane derivatives.

Furanones and tetrahydrofurfuryl derivatives.

Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms.

Phenyl ethyl alcohols, phenylacetic acids, related esters, phenoxyacetic acids and related esters.

Aliphatic and alicyclic ethers.

Propenylhydroxybenzenes. Allylhydroxybenzenes.

Capsaicin related substances and related amides.

Aliphatic and aromatic mono- and di- thiols and mono-, di-, tri-, and polysulfides with or without additional oxygenated functional groups.

Aromatic ketones, secondary alcohols and related esters.

Aryl-substituted primary alcohol/aldehyde/acid/ester/acetal derivatives, including unsaturated ones.

Benzyl alcohols/aldehydes/acids/esters/acetals. Benzyl and benzoate esters included. May also contain aliphatic acyclic or alicyclic ester or acetal component.

Pyrazine derivatives.

Phenol derivatives containing ring-alkyl, ring-alkoxy, and side-chains with an oxygenated functional group.

Aromatic ethers including anisole derivatives.

Anthranilate derivatives.

Pyridine, pyrrole, and quinoline derivatives.

Thiazoles, thiophene, thiazoline and thienyl derivatives.

Miscellaneous substances.

Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.

Epoxides.

Aliphatic and aromatic amines.

- Groups of Complementary Flavoring Components