# US 2019/0166919 A1 · Receptacle, cartridge, apparatus and methods for generating an inhalable medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0166919 A1 - Document ID: US20190166919A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/322,242 - Filed: 2017-08-08 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-09 - Assignees: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited - Applicants: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited - Inventors: Ugurhan YILMAZ - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190166919A1 ## CPC - A61M 11/042: {electrical} - A24F 40/30: Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges - A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors - A24F 40/485: Valves; Apertures - A61M 15/06: Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - A24F 40/20: Devices using solid inhalable precursors - A61M 2016/0024: {with an on-off output signal, e.g. from a switch} - A61M 2205/3653: by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance - A61M 2205/8206: battery-operated - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) ## Abstract There is provided a receptacle for use with an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the receptacle including a chamber for containing a flavor material, whereby, in use, at least one of a vapor and an aerosol generated by the apparatus can flow through the flavor material to entrain one or more constituents from the flavor material to produce the inhalable medium. The receptacle is configured to maintain an air gap separation between an outlet end of the chamber and flavor material when it is received in the chamber, the outlet end being configured to enable the inhalable medium to flow out of the chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A receptacle for use with an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the receptacle comprising: a chamber for containing a flavor material, whereby, in use, at least one of a vapor or an aerosol generated by the apparatus can flow through the flavor material to entrain one or more constituents from the flavor material to produce the inhalable medium; and wherein the receptacle is configured to maintain an air gap separation between an outlet end of the chamber and the flavor material when the flavor material is received in the chamber, the outlet end being configured to enable the inhalable medium to flow out of the chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising an end cap for capping the outlet end of the chamber, the end cap defining at least one hole to enable the inhalable medium to flow out of the outlet end of the chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the end cap comprises a first section that extends across the outlet end of the chamber and which defines the at least one hole, and the receptacle further comprises at least one second section that extends away from the first section into the chamber to maintain the air gap separation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second section comprises a side wall of the end cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second section comprises one or more members that extend from an inner face of the first section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The receptacle according to claim 5, wherein the one or more members comprises a single cylindrical member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The receptacle according to claim 5, wherein the one or more members comprises a plurality of members that extend from the inner face of the first section, the plurality of members being arranged in an annular relationship on the inner face. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The receptacle according to claim 4, wherein the at least one second section is arranged to abut the flavor material received in the receptacle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the end cap comprises a single hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the end cap comprises a plurality of holes arranged in an annular relationship. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the end cap comprises at least six holes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the first section comprises a disk defining the at least one hole. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The receptacle according to claim 12, wherein the disk has a diameter of between 7 millimeters (mm) and 9 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The receptacle according to claim 12, wherein the disk has a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3) The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second section is separated from an edge of the first section to form a lip at a location where the at least one second section meets the first section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second section has a length of between 1 mm and 5 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the air gap separation between the outlet end of the chamber and the flavor material received in the chamber is between 1 mm and 5 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the chamber and the end cap are provided as separate components which are detachably connected to each other. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the chamber and the end cap are integrally formed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle has at least one retainer for retaining the flavor material within the receptacle in use. ### Claim 21 (depends on 2) The receptacle according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle contains a solid material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The receptacle according to claim 21, wherein the solid material is or comprises tobacco. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a mouthpiece or part of a mouthpiece for the apparatus for generating an inhalable medium. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The receptacle according to claim 1, wherein the air gap has an axial length of between 1 mm and 5 mm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) A cartridge for use with an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the cartridge comprising: a receptacle according to claim 1; and a container for holding a liquid; an arrangement of the receptacle and the container being such that in use liquid exiting the container can flow, in the form of at least one of a vapor or an aerosol, through the flavor material received in the receptacle to thereby entrain one or more constituents from the flavor material to produce the inhalable medium which passes out of the outlet end of the chamber via the air gap separation between the outlet end of the chamber and the flavor material received in the chamber. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, further comprising a heater associated with the container for volatilizing the liquid held in the container in use. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, further comprising a heater associated with the receptacle for heating the flavor material received by the receptacle in use. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the container has one or more apertures to allow at least one of a vapor or an aerosol to exit the container. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, further comprising a wick for wicking the liquid held in the container in use out of the container. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the container and the receptacle are provided as an integral component. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the container and the receptacle are provided as separate components which are detachably connected to each other. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The cartridge according to claim 25, wherein the container holds a liquid. ### Claim 33 (depends on 25) An apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge according to claim 25; and a battery section. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A method of generating an inhalable medium using the apparatus of claim 33, the method comprising: heating liquid drawn from the container to vaporize the liquid; passing the vaporized liquid through the receptacle containing the flavor material and through the flavor material so as to entrain at least flavor from the flavor material; and passing the flavored aerosol through the air gap separation between the outlet end of the chamber and the flavor material received in the chamber.