Patent Description:
Combustion of organic material such as tobacco is known to produce tar and other potentially harmful by-products. There have been proposed various smoking substitute devices in order to avoid the smoking of tobacco.

Such smoking substitute devices can form part of nicotine replacement therapies aimed at people who wish to stop smoking and overcome a dependence on nicotine.

Smoking substitute devices, which may also be known as electronic nicotine delivery systems, may comprise electronic systems that permit a user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol, also referred to as a "vapour", which is drawn into the lungs through the mouth (inhaled) and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol typically bears nicotine and/or flavourings without, or with fewer of, the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking.

In general, smoking substitute devices are intended to provide a substitute for the rituals of smoking, whilst providing the user with a similar experience and satisfaction to those experienced with traditional smoking and tobacco products.

The popularity and use of smoking substitute devices has grown rapidly in the past few years. Although originally marketed as an aid to assist habitual smokers wishing to quit tobacco smoking, consumers are increasingly viewing smoking substitute devices as desirable lifestyle accessories. Some smoking substitute devices are designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end. Other smoking substitute devices do not generally resemble a cigarette (for example, the smoking substitute device may have a generally box-like form).

There are a number of different categories of smoking substitute devices, each utilising a different smoking substitute approach. A smoking substitute approach corresponds to the manner in which the substitute system operates for a user.

One approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vapourisable liquid, typically referred to (and referred to herein) as "e-liquid", is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. An e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin.

Vaping smoking substitute devices can be configured in a variety of ways. For example, there are "closed system" vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a sealed tank and heating element which is pre-filled with e-liquid and is not intended to be refilled by an end user. One subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices include a main body which includes the power source, wherein the main body is configured to be physically and electrically coupled to a consumable including the tank and the heating element. In this way, when the tank of a consumable has been emptied, the main body can be reused by connecting it to a new consumable. Another subset of closed system vaping smoking substitute devices are completely disposable, and intended for one-use only.

There are also "open system" vaping smoking substitute devices which typically have a tank that is configured to be refilled by a user, so the device can be used multiple times.

An example vaping smoking substitute device is the myblu™ e-cigarette. The myblu™ e-cigarette is a closed system device which includes a main body and a consumable. The main body and consumable are physically and electrically coupled together by pushing the consumable into the main body. The main body includes a rechargeable battery. The consumable includes a mouthpiece, a sealed tank which contains e-liquid, as well as a heating device, which for this device is a heating filament coiled around a portion of a wick which is partially immersed in the e-liquid. The device is activated when a microprocessor on board the main body detects a user inhaling through the mouthpiece. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to the heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another example vaping smoking substitute device is the blu PRO™ e-cigarette. The blu PRO™ e-cigarette is an open system device which includes a main body, a (refillable) tank, and a mouthpiece. The main body and tank are physically and electrically coupled together by screwing one to the other. The mouthpiece and refillable tank are physically coupled together by screwing one into the other, and detaching the mouthpiece from the refillable tank allows the tank to be refilled with e-liquid. The device is activated by a button on the main body. When the device is activated, electrical energy is supplied from the power source to a heating device, which heats e-liquid from the tank to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece.

Another approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called "heat not burn" ("HNB") approach in which tobacco (rather than e-liquid) is heated or warmed to release vapour. The tobacco may be leaf tobacco or reconstituted tobacco. The vapour may contain nicotine and/or flavourings. In the HNB approach the intention is that the tobacco is heated but not burned, i.e. does not undergo combustion.

A typical HNB smoking substitute device may include a main body and a consumable. The consumable may include the tobacco material. The main body and consumable may be configured to be physically coupled together. In use, heat may be imparted to the tobacco material by a heating device that is typically located in the main body, wherein airflow through the tobacco material causes moisture in the tobacco material to be released as vapour. A vapour may be formed from a carrier in the tobacco material (this carrier may for example include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin) and additionally volatile compounds released from the tobacco. The released vapour may be entrained in the airflow drawn through the tobacco.

As the vapour passes through the smoking substitute device (entrained in the airflow) from an inlet to a mouthpiece (outlet), the vapour cools and condenses to form an aerosol (also referred to as a vapour) for inhalation by the user.

In HNB smoking substitute devices, heating as opposed to burning the tobacco material is believed to cause fewer, or smaller quantities, of the more harmful compounds ordinarily produced during smoking. Consequently, the HNB approach may reduce the odour and/or health risks that can arise through the burning, combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco.

An example of the HNB approach is the IQOS® smoking substitute device from Philip Morris Ltd. The IQOS® smoking substitute device uses a consumable, including reconstituted tobacco located in a wrapper. The consumable includes a holder incorporating a mouthpiece. The consumable may be inserted into a main body that includes a heating device. The heating device has a thermally conductive heating knife which penetrates the reconstituted tobacco of the consumable, when the consumable is inserted into the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element (in this case a heating knife), which, in turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be drawn through the mouthpiece by the user through inhalation.

A second example of the HNB approach is the device known as "Glo"® from British American Tobacco p. Glo® comprises a relatively thin consumable. The consumable includes leaf tobacco which is heated by a heating device located in a main body. When the consumable is placed in the main body, the tobacco is surrounded by a heating element of the heating device. Activation of the heating device heats the heating element, which, in turn, heats the tobacco in the consumable. The heating of the tobacco causes it to release nicotine vapour and flavourings which may be drawn through the consumable by the user through inhalation. The tobacco, when heated by the heating device, is configured to produce vapour when heated rather than when burned (as in a smoking apparatus, e.g. a cigarette). The tobacco may contain high levels of aerosol formers (carrier), such as vegetable glycerine ("VG") or propylene glycol ("PG"). Patent application <CIT> provides an aerosol generating system for heating a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. It discloses that the system includes an impactor for disrupting airflow in the aerosol-forming chamber so as to collect liquid droplets. Patent application <CIT> discloses an aerosol generating system including in use a volume of air passing through each of a number of respective passageways, for example airflow bypasses the heating element. Patent application <CIT> relates to an atomizer which includes a housing and a mouthpiece assembly. The mouthpiece assembly defines an air passage and a backflow chamber. Patent application <CIT> relates to an electronic cigarette atomizer.

The present inventor(s) have observed that in previous devices, droplets of unvapourised liquid are drawn into a mouthpiece of the consumable and may enter the mouth of, be ingested by, or be inhaled by a user of the device.

At its broadest, aspects of the invention are concerned with a consumable for a smoking substitute device, the consumable comprising: a tank, for storing vapourisable liquid; a heater assembly, the heater assembly having an inlet and two or more outlets; and a connector, which is connected to the heater assembly, and which provides at least two airflow paths, each extending from a respective outlet of the heater assembly to an inlet of an airway tube.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a consumable for a smoking substitute device, in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Advantageously, such a connector reduces the likelihood of unvapourised droplets liquid being drawn in to the mouthpiece. The reduction in cross-section allows the meniscus effect of the liquid to retard or halt the flow of liquid through the connector, and so help prevent the unvapourised liquid from entering the user's mouth (whereupon it may be ingested or inhaled).

In a second aspect, the invention provides a smoking substitute device including the consumable as set out with respect to the first aspect.

Optional features of the invention will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect of the invention.

Cross-section may referred to cross-sectional area and/or cross-sectional diameter (e.g. the shortest distance joining two opposing sides of the airflow path). The heater assembly may be a coil and wick heater assembly. The connector may be configured such that there is no direct line of sight between the heater assembly and the airway tube.

The consumable may include one or more fixed baffles, which at least partially defines the airflow paths. The baffle may be provided by a surface of the connector, which may be proximal to the heater assembly. Further baffles may be introduced into alternative parts of the consumable, for example in the airway tube.

Each airflow path may include at least two turns.

The heater assembly may define at least two airflow paths, each of which may start from the inlet and extend to a respective one of said outlets.

Each airflow path through the connector may narrow in a direction from the heater assembly to the airway tube.

The consumable may further comprise a mouthpiece connected to the air way tube at a point distal to the connector.

The airflow path through the connector may be tortuous.

The connector is at least partially formed by a seal, sealing the heater assembly to the airway tube. The seal is such that vapourisable liquid contained within the tank cannot seep into airway tube. The seal is such that air may flow from an interior portion of the heater assembly into an interior portion of the airway tube. The connector or seal may be at least partially formed of silicone.

A portion of the airway tube proximal to the heater assembly may have a cross-sectional area of more than <NUM><NUM>.

The airway tube may have a cross-sectional area of no more than <NUM><NUM>.

The airway tube may have an internal diameter of more than <NUM>.

The airway tube may have an internal diameter of no more than <NUM>.

The cross-sectional area of the airway tube may be substantially constant along its length.

The internal diameter of the airway tube may be at least <NUM>% of a width of the tank.

The tank may have a width, as measured in the same direction as the internal diameter of the airway tube, of at least <NUM> and no more than <NUM>.

The consumable may further comprise a filter, disposed between the tank and an outlet of the mouthpiece, which is configured to be impermeable to unvapourised liquid and permeable to vapourised liquid.

The filter may be positioned in or adjacent to the mouthpiece.

The consumable may further include an air inlet, disposed at an opposite end of the consumable to the mouthpiece, and the air inlet, heater assembly, and mouthpiece may define a path for airflow through the consumable in that order.

The filter may be formed from a fabric, so as to be permeable to vapourised liquid but impermeable to unvapourised liquid.

The filter may be formed from a mesh so as to be permeable to vapourised liquid but impermeable to unvapourised liquid.

The filter may be a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane.

<FIG> shows an example smoking substitute device <NUM>. In this example, the smoking substitute device <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a consumable <NUM>. The consumable <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a "pod".

In this example, the smoking substitute device <NUM> is a closed system vaping device, wherein the consumable <NUM> includes a sealed tank <NUM> and is intended for one-use only.

<FIG> shows the smoking substitute device <NUM> with the main body <NUM> physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the main body <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM> without the consumable <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the consumable <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM> without the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> and the consumable <NUM> are configured to be physically coupled together, in this example by pushing the consumable <NUM> into an aperture in a top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. In other examples, the main body <NUM> and the consumable could be physically coupled together by screwing one onto the other, or through a bayonet fitting, for example. An optional light <NUM>, e.g. an LED located behind a small translucent cover, is located a bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The light <NUM> may be configured to illuminate when the smoking substitute device <NUM> is activated.

The consumable <NUM> includes a mouthpiece (not shown) at a top end <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, as well as one or more air inlets (not shown in <FIG>) so that air can be drawn into the smoking substitute device <NUM> when a user inhales through the mouthpiece. At a bottom end <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, there is located a tank <NUM> that contains e-liquid. The tank <NUM> may be a translucent body, for example.

The tank <NUM> preferably includes a window <NUM>, so that the amount of e-liquid in the tank <NUM> can be visually assessed. The main body <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> so that the window <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> can be seen whilst the rest of the tank <NUM> is obscured from view when the consumable <NUM> is inserted into the aperture in the top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> may be referred to as a "clearomizer" if it includes a window <NUM>, or a "cartomizer" if it does not.

The consumable <NUM> may identify itself to the main body <NUM>, via an electrical interface, RFID chip, or barcode.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the main body <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic view of the consumable <NUM> of the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the main body <NUM> includes a power source <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a wireless interface <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, and, optionally, one or more additional components <NUM>.

The power source <NUM> is preferably a battery, more preferably a rechargeable battery.

The control unit <NUM> may include a microprocessor, for example.

The memory <NUM> is preferably includes non-volatile memory. The memory may include instructions which, when implemented, cause the control unit <NUM> to perform certain tasks or steps of a method.

The wireless interface <NUM> is preferably configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device <NUM>, e.g. via Bluetooth®. To this end, the wireless interface <NUM> could include a Bluetooth® antenna. Other wireless communication interfaces, e.g. WiFi®, are also possible. As discussed above, the wireless interface <NUM> may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the remote server <NUM>.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> may be located in, and preferably at the bottom of, the aperture in the top end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. When the main body <NUM> is physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>, the electrical interface <NUM> may be configured to pass electrical power from the power source <NUM> to (e.g. a heating device of) the consumable <NUM> when the smoking substitute device <NUM> is activated, e.g. via the electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> (discussed below). When the main body <NUM> is not physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>, the electrical interface may be configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM>. The electrical interface <NUM> may also be used to identify the consumable <NUM> from a list of known consumables. For example, the consumable may be a particular flavour and/or have a certain concentration of nicotine. This can be identified to the control unit <NUM> of the main body <NUM> when the consumable is connected to the main body. Additionally, or alternatively, there may be a separate communication interface provided in the main body <NUM> and a corresponding communication interface in the consumable <NUM> such that, when connected, the consumable can identify itself to the main body <NUM>.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include the optional light <NUM> discussed above.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may, if the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, include a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM>. This may be located at the bottom end <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. Alternatively, the electrical interface <NUM> discussed above is configured to act as a charging port configured to receive power from the charging station <NUM> such that a separate charging port is not required.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may, if the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery, include a battery charging control circuit, for controlling the charging of the rechargeable battery. However, a battery charging control circuit could equally be located in the charging station <NUM> (if present).

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include an airflow sensor for detecting airflow in the smoking substitute device <NUM>, e.g. caused by a user inhaling through a mouthpiece <NUM> (discussed below) of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. The smoking substitute device <NUM> may be configured to be activated when airflow is detected by the airflow sensor. This optional sensor could alternatively be included in the consumable <NUM> (though this is less preferred where the consumable <NUM> is intended to be disposed of after use, as in this example). The airflow sensor can be used to determine, for example, how heavily a user draws on the mouthpiece or how many times a user draws on the mouthpiece in a particular time period.

The additional components <NUM> of the main body <NUM> may include an actuator, e.g. a button. The smoking substitute device <NUM> may be configured to be activated when the actuator is actuated. This provides an alternative to the airflow sensor noted, as a mechanism for activating the smoking substitute device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the consumable <NUM> includes the tank <NUM>, an electrical interface <NUM>, a heating device <NUM>, one or more air inlets <NUM>, a mouthpiece <NUM>, and, optionally, one or more additional components <NUM>.

The electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> may include one or more electrical contacts. The electrical interface <NUM> of the main body <NUM> and an electrical interface <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> are preferably configured to contact each other and therefore electrically couple the main body <NUM> to the consumable <NUM> when the main body <NUM> is physically coupled to the consumable <NUM>. In this way, electrical energy (e.g. in the form of an electrical current) is able to be supplied from the power source <NUM> in the main body <NUM> to the heating device <NUM> in the consumable <NUM>.

The heating device <NUM> is preferably configured to heat e-liquid contained in the tank <NUM>, e.g. using electrical energy supplied from the power source <NUM>. In one example, the heating device <NUM> may include a heating filament and a wick, wherein a first portion of the wick extends into the tank <NUM> in order to draw e-liquid out from the tank <NUM>, and wherein the heating filament coils around a second portion of the wick located outside the tank <NUM>. In this example, the heating filament is configured to heat up e-liquid drawn out of the tank <NUM> by the wick to produce an aerosol vapour.

The one or more air inlets <NUM> are preferably configured to allow air to be drawn into the smoking substitute device <NUM>, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

In use, a user activates the smoking substitute device <NUM>, e.g. through actuating an actuator included in the main body <NUM> or by inhaling through the mouthpiece <NUM> as described above. Upon activation, the control unit <NUM> may supply electrical energy from the power source <NUM> to the heating device <NUM> (via electrical interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>), which may cause the heating device <NUM> to heat e-liquid drawn from the tank <NUM> to produce a vapour which is inhaled by a user through the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As an example of one of the one or more additional components <NUM>, an interface for obtaining an identifier of the consumable may be provided. As discussed above, this interface may be, for example, an RFID reader, a barcode or QR code reader, or an electronic interface which is able to identify the consumable to the main body. The consumable may, therefore include any one or more of an RFID chip, a barcode or QR code, or memory within which is an identifier and which can be interrogated via the electronic interface in the main body.

Of course, a skilled reader would readily appreciate that the smoking substitute device <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> shows just one example implementation of a smoking substitute device, and that other forms of smoking substitute device could be used.

By way of example, a HNB smoking substitute device including a main body and a consumable could be used, instead of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. One such HNB smoking substitute device is the IQOS® smoking substitute device discussed above.

As another example, an open system vaping device which includes a main body, a refillable tank, and a mouthpiece could be used, instead of the smoking substitute device <NUM>. One such open system vaping device is the blu PRO™ e-cigarette discussed above.

As another example, an entirely disposable (one use) smoking substitute device could be used as the smoking substitute device.

<FIG> shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a consumable <NUM> as discussed previously. Broadly, the consumable is formed of a tank <NUM> formed by tank housing <NUM>, a heater assembly <NUM>, an airway tube <NUM>, and a mouthpiece <NUM>. The consumable includes an air inlet <NUM>, which allows air to flow into the heater assembly, through the airway tube <NUM>, to the mouthpiece <NUM>. The airway tube <NUM> is sealed to the heater assembly <NUM> via connector <NUM>.

In this example, the heater assembly is a coil and wick assembly. As such, a coil is present within the heater assembly with a wick passing therethrough. The wick is then exposed to a liquid filled volume of the tank <NUM>, so that vapourisable liquid contained therein is wicked into an interior of the heater assembly. Thus, in use, the coil is heated via an electrical current and vapourisable liquid within the wick is vapourised. This heating is generally triggered by the user drawing from the mouthpiece, causing an airflow past the coil.

The airway tube <NUM> in this example, which may be referred to as a chimney, has an internal diameter, ID, of around <NUM>. This gives a cross-sectional area of around <NUM><NUM>. Such a cross-sectional area has been found to limit the air velocity for any given flow rate, such that it is less likely that droplets of unvapoursed liquid will be drawn into the airway tube and through to the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As can be seen in this example, the cross-sectional area of the airway tube is substantially constant along most or all of its length. There is a slight increase in the cross-sectional area towards an upper end of the airway tube, near to the mouthpiece <NUM>. However the cross-sectional area at this point in the airway tube has a limited impact on the air velocity within the heater assembly <NUM>.

Located, in this example within the mouthpiece <NUM>, is a filter <NUM>. The filter in this example is a fabric which is permeable to gas or vapourised liquid whilst impermeable to liquid or unvapourised liquid. The filter covers the mouthpiece airway tube 314a and 314b, so that liquid or unvapourised liquid cannot pass therethrough. The filter is generally tubular, so that it sits snugly within the mouthpiece <NUM>. Whilst the filter in this example is within the mouthpiece, it will be appreciated that it could, instead, be located within the airway tube <NUM> or at any position between the heater assembly <NUM> and the mouthpiece outlets 314a 314b. The filter in this example is made from cotton or another fibre.

The mouthpiece in this example is a plastic moulding providing an outer casing and two apertures 170a, 170b for corresponding clips 308a, 308b of the tank <NUM>. The mouthpiece outlets 314a and 314b are provided as apertures through the plastic moulding. The clips of the tank engage the corresponding apertures so to retain the mouthpiece adjacent to the tank. The interior of the mouthpiece <NUM> between the apertures 310a and 310b and mouthpiece outlets 314a 314b is generally defined as a mouthpiece chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the consumable <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is shown in greater detail, as well as the airflow paths <NUM> and <NUM> through the connector and heater assembly.

The connector <NUM>, in this example a seal sealing the airway tube <NUM> to the heater assembly <NUM> whilst allowing airflow therebetween, provides two conduits through which air can pass. The conduits are generally defined by a respective outlet <NUM> of the heater assembly and the inlet <NUM> to the airway tube <NUM>. Along the conduit, between the heater assembly and the airway tube, is a neck or narrow portion <NUM> and <NUM> which has a reduced cross-section with respect to the outlet <NUM> of the heater assembly. In this example, the cross-sectional area and the shortest cross-sectional diameter of the neck or narrow portion is smaller than the corresponding area and diameter of the outlets <NUM>.

Airflow through the consumables is indicated by the arrows <NUM> and <NUM>. Air enters the consumable via inlet <NUM>, and passes through the heater assembly <NUM>. The heater assembly in this example is a coil and wick assembly, and so the air flow passes through the wick material. The airflow bifurcates, and exits the heater assembly through each outlet <NUM>, whereupon at least two airflows enters the connector <NUM>. The conduits in the connector include one or more turns, defined at least in part by a baffle and exterior wall. The airflow passes through the connector, and into the airway tube <NUM>. As discussed in relation to <FIG>, the airflow then enters the mouthpiece <NUM> before inhalation.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the connector <NUM>. More clearly seen in this view is the baffle <NUM>, which interrupts the flow of air between the heater assembly and the airway tube. Also shown in this view are first and second connector inlets <NUM> and <NUM>, which abut and are fluidly connected to the outlets <NUM> of the heater assembly. An inner wall of outer shell <NUM> and baffle <NUM> define the conduits through which air flows. When installed, the airway tube is inserted into an end of the connector which is opposite to the baffle <NUM> and the heater assembly is connected to the end of the connector opposite to the airway tube.

Claim 1:
A consumable (<NUM>) for a smoking substitute device (<NUM>), the consumable comprising:
a tank (<NUM>), for storing vapourisable liquid;
a heater assembly (<NUM>), the heater assembly having an inlet (<NUM>) and two or more outlets (<NUM>); and
a connector (<NUM>), which is connected to the heater assembly, and which provides at least two airflow paths (<NUM>, <NUM>), each extending from a respective outlet of the heater assembly to an inlet (<NUM>) of an airway tube (<NUM>);
wherein each airflow path has a first cross-section, located proximal to the respective outlet of the heater assembly (<NUM>), and a second cross-section, located proximal to the airway tube, and wherein the first cross-section is larger than the second cross-section such that each airflow path through the connector (<NUM>) narrows in a direction from the heater assembly (<NUM>) to the airway tube (<NUM>); and wherein the consumable includes a fixed baffle, which at least partially defines the airflow paths;
characterised in that:
the airway tube (<NUM>) is inserted into a first end of the connector (<NUM>), the first end being opposite to the baffle, and the heater assembly (<NUM>) is connected to a second end of the connector (<NUM>), the second end being opposite to the airway tube (<NUM>); and,
the connector (<NUM>) seals the heater assembly (<NUM>) to the airway tube such that vaporisable liquid stored in the tank cannot seep into the airway tube, and such that air may flow from an interior portion of the heater assembly into an interior portion of the airway tube.