Patent Publication Number: US-2017367400-A1

Title: Tobacco substitute-fluid mixture with thickening agent for use in a water pipe or hookah

Description:
The invention relates to a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture for use in a water pipe or hookah. The invention also relates to the use of such a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture and a method for the production of a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture. 
     In water pipes or hookahs, in most cases aromatized fluids are mixed with tobacco, wherein the aromatic substances of the fluid are released when the mixture is combusted or heated. For this purpose, a fuel, frequently in the form of coal, is combusted above the mixture in order to initiate the combustion or heating of the mixture. The smoke or vapor is then conveyed through holes which are provided in the base of a reservoir to hold the mixture or, respectively in the base of the water pipe head, through an immersion pipe and through a container filled with water, in which the immersion pipe is immersed into the water. In the water, various different substances are filtered out of the smoke or out of the vapor before the smoke or vapor are inhaled. 
     Tobacco substitutes are used in water pipes in order not to have to make use of tobacco, since tobacco is known to contain undesirable contaminants and tobacco consumption is subject to various restrictions under the law. 
     DE 20 2010 009 589 U1 discloses an aromatized or vapor-emitting fluid for use in water pipes, with which the fluid contains more than 50% 1,2-propylene glycol and water. The intention is that this should prevent the occurrence of contaminants upon heating. For this purpose it is proposed that a porous stone be used as an absorbent substance which cannot burn and therefore will not itself release any contaminants. An open-pored inorganic carrier material for this purpose is also disclosed in DE 20 2010 004 671 U1. From WO 2009/010176 A2 a tobacco substitute and a molded body are known, which comprise an air-permeable carrier material in which an active substance or aromatic substance is absorbed and can be conveyed along with the air flowing through it. With porous materials a part of the fluid is also absorbed and retained in the pores by capillary forces. 
     From WO 2013/007373 A1 a water pipe tobacco substitute is known, with which a smooth material as a closed-pore carrier is mixed with an aromatized fluid. The purpose here is to avoid a part of the fluid remaining behind in the pores of a porous carrier material. In order to be nevertheless able to provide adequate quantities of the fluid, it is proposed that a granulation of the smooth material or a structuring of the surface be provided. Due to surface adhesion, with non-porous carriers the surface of the carrier material is wetted. 
     A disadvantage of the previously known prior art is the fact that the granulates or the molded body either absorb only very small quantities of the fluid or can only emit small quantities of the fluid. At the same time, the tobacco substitutes can only be handled inadequately or badly, since either when filling the carrier material with the fluid or when filling the tobacco substitute-fluid mixtures into the reservoir of the water pipe, or when heating the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, a greater effort is required in comparison with the use of normal tobacco as the carrier material. 
     The absorption capacity of the carrier is restricted by its surface, and, as a consequence, it has a certain smoke development or vapor development and smoke intensity or vapor intensity. As the temperature rises, the viscosity of the fluid is reduced, such that the fluid collects in the lower region of the water pipe. Almost all commercially conventional water pipe heads, however, have holes beneath the filling level. A problem arises from this, since the fluid flows unused down the immersion pipe, which is also referred to as the downpipe, and is no longer available for use, i.e. for producing the vapor or smoke. This factor causes an undesirable change or reduction in the intensity of the aerosol in the inhaled vapor or smoke during the smoking time. Since the aromatized fluid represents a major cost factor for the mixture, this is likewise disadvantageous. This problem arises with all applications in which a fluid adheres to and/or is absorbed by a carrier. 
     The object of the invention therefore consists of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the intention is that a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture should be found which is easy to use and easy to produce, but which at the same time as far as possible should not release any contaminants when heated. Preferably, it should be possible to do without a carrier material, in order thereby to minimize or even prevent altogether the loss of the fluid due to the fluid flowing away. 
     The objects of the invention are achieved by a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture for use in a water pipe or hookah, comprising a fluid containing water as well as containing glycerin and/or 1,2-propanediol and comprising at least one thickening agent, which is distributed in the fluid. 
     The thickening agent can also be designated as a binding agent. 
     The glycerin, the 1,2-propanediol, or the mixture of the two substances form, together with the water, preferably between 30% by weight and 70% by weight of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, and particularly preferably between 50% by weight and 60% by weight of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture. 
     With tobacco substitute-fluid mixtures according to the invention it can be provided that the thickening agent is inorganic. 
     Inorganic thickening agents have the advantage that most of them are stable at high temperatures, and also cannot burn off with the formation of volatile hydrocarbons. As a result, the thickening agent does not contribute to the development of smoke, as a result of which the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, with a suitable selection of the fluid, has fewer disadvantageous effects on health, is not classified as a smoking product, and is accordingly not subject to such high taxation, and consumption is not subject to such stringent regulations. 
     In this case, it can be provided that the thickening agent is at least a layered silicate or SiO 2  particles or Al 2 O 3  particles or metal oxide particles or kaolin, or a mixture of these substances. The SiO 2  particles are preferably hydrated. 
     These substances are particularly suitable, since the viscosity of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture can be readily adjusted or can be increased with these substances, while at the same time they are chemically inert and stable at high temperatures. These substances, moreover, in particular kaolin, are easily and economically available. 
     According to a preferred further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the thickening agent has an average particle size of less than 10 μm, preferably an average particle size of less than 5 μm, and particularly preferably an average particle size of less than 2 μm. 
     As average particle size, a spherically equivalent particle diameter can be assumed with substances such as layered silicates. The tobacco substitute-fluid mixtures produced with these particle sizes can be designated as crèmes or slurries, and preferably exhibit a homogeneous consistency, which allows them to be filled easily and conveniently into containers and water pipe heads. 
     For enjoyment-enhancing application, it can also be provided that an aromatic substance is contained in the fluid. Additionally or alternatively, it can also be provided that a psychoactive substance is contained in the fluid, preferably nicotine and/or caffeine as a psychoactive substance is contained in the fluid. 
     As a result, a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture is obtained which is pleasant to consume and has the effects desired by consumers. 
     Preferred tobacco substitute-fluid mixtures can be characterized according to the invention in that the thickening agent is chemically inert in respect of the fluid. It can likewise be provided, additionally or alternatively, that the thickening agent is heat-resistant at temperatures at least up to 100° C., preferably heat-resistant at temperatures at least up to 200° C., and particularly preferably heat-resistant at temperatures at least up to 400° C. 
     It is therefore ensured that the thickening agent does not disadvantageously influence the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, and the smoke behavior or vapor behavior of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture is not negatively influenced. 
     With a further embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture has at 200° C. a viscosity of at least 0.1 N m s −2 , preferably of at least 1 N m s −2 , particularly preferably of at least 10 N m s −2 , and most particularly preferably at least 100 N m s −2 . 
     With these minimum viscosity values it can be ensured that the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture will not, within a few minutes, for example within 10 minutes, undesirably flow off through the hole in normal water pipe heads, and therefore no longer be available for use. 
     With the invention it is also proposed that the fluid forms a slurry with the thickening agent. Moreover, it can be provided, additionally or alternatively, that the thickening agent is dispersed in the fluid. 
     As a result, a creamy consistency of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture can be attained which is easy to handle and easy to use. 
     The objects on which the present invention is based are also achieved by the use of a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture according to the invention in a water pipe or hookah. 
     Finally, the objects on which the invention is based are also achieved by a method for producing a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture, with which a fluid is mixed with a thickening agent, such that it forms a mixture with the thickening agent. The method according to the invention produces, in particular and preferred, a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture according to the invention, which is provided with the properties referred to heretofore. 
     The invention is based on the surprising finding that it is possible, by the use of a thickening agent, to adjust the consistency or viscosity respectively of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture in such a way that the fluid no longer runs out of the water pipe head and is therefore no longer available for consumption, without the need for a carrier material to be used, which is a hindrance in use and during manufacture. At the same time, with the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture according to the invention it is also possible to do without smoking or burning carrier materials, such that the advantages of modern tobacco substitutes are retained. 
     It has surprisingly transpired that the use of a carrier does not necessarily incur as a precondition the emission of a vaporous fluid (or the desired vapors). A change in the physical properties of the fluid and the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture respectively already strongly counteracts the disadvantage of the loss of the fluid in such a way that the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture according to the invention exhibits an adequate viscosity such that, on heating, it does not simply flow away through the holes in the water pipe head. This change can be incurred by the thickening agent or the binding agent respectively. The thickening agent used is preferably chemically inert, as well as heat-resistant. Layered silicates as inorganic thickening agent are particularly well-suited for this purpose. The crème which is formed as a result can be introduced into the reservoir of a water pipe and used as a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture. Due to the higher viscosity of the crème in comparison with untreated fluid, an outflow is substantially reduced or minimized even at higher temperatures, such that the product is of higher yield than all products based on surface adhesion. The intensity and density of the vaporous fluid which is produced can thereby be substantially increased, without the thickening agent carbonizing and/or burning. 
    
    
     
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained hereinafter on the basis of a schematically represented FIGURE, but without thereby restricting the invention. In this situation the single FIGURE shows a schematically greatly enlarged representation of a tobacco substitute-fluid mixture according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. 
     
    
    
     The tobacco substitute-fluid mixture includes a fluid  1  in which particles  2  of a thickening agent  2  or, respectively, two or more different thickening agents  2  are distributed. The thickening agent  2  consists of different inorganic layer silicates with an average grain size of less than 2 μm. The fluid consists of a mixture of 5% by weight water, 70% by weight glycerin, and 20% by weight 1,2-propanediol. Additionally included in the fluid are some 5% by weight aromatic agents  4  and caffeine  6  and/or nicotine  6 , which are likewise distributed in the fluid. 
     The tobacco substitute-fluid mixture includes such a concentration of particles  2  of the thickening agent  2  that it has a viscosity of at least 10 N m s −2  at a temperature of 200° C. Preferably, the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture has a viscosity of 10 N m s −2  to 100 N m s −2 . The tobacco substitute-fluid mixture is produced in that 75% by weight glycerin, containing water, and 25% by weight 1,2-propanediol, including the aromatic agents  4  and/or the psychoactive substances such as caffeine  6  or nicotine  6 , are mixed. Next, the aromatic agents  4  and the caffeine  6  and/or the nicotine  6  are mixed in. After this, kaolin is mixed into the fluid  1  produced in this way, which includes the particles  2  of the layer silicate. As an alternative, other mixtures of layer silicates or hydrated SiO 2  particles with an average grain size of less than 5 μm can be added as particles. 
     The particles  2  of the inorganic thickening agent  2  are then intensively mixed with the fluid  1 , in order to attain a uniform distribution of the particles  2  in the fluid  1 , or, respectively, in order to attain a dispersion of the particles  2  in the fluid  1 . 
     In this case, the water from the fluid  1  is in stored in the particles  2  of the layer silicate or is absorbed and bound by the layer silicates. In particular, in this case it is in the “book side borders” of the particles  2  of the layer silicates of the kaolin that the fluid or the water, the glycerin, and/or the 1,2-propanediol are stored. As a result, the viscosity of the tobacco substitute-fluid mixture is increased. For an adequate viscosity it can already be sufficient if 30% by weight kaolin is mixed with 70% by weight of the fluid  1 . 
     The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, as well as in the claims, FIGURES, and exemplary embodiments, can be essential both individually as well as in any desired combination for the realization of the invention in its different embodiments. 
     REFERENCE NUMBER LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  Fluid 
               2  Particles of the thickening agent/thickening agent 
               4  Aromatic substances 
               6  Nicotine/caffeine