Patent Description:
Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning.

Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. As another example, there are so-called e-cigarette devices. These devices typically contain a liquid which is heated to vaporise the liquid to produce an inhalable vapour or aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and/or flavourings and/or aerosol-generating substances, such as glycerol. The known e-cigarette devices typically do not contain or use tobacco.

<CIT> discloses an atomizing device including a main body, a mouthpiece, a liquid chamber, at least one heating element, and a permeating component. The main body defines an air inlet and an air passage. The air inlet is in communication with the air passage. The mouthpiece is arranged at an end of the main body. The mouthpiece defines an air outlet in communication with the air passage. The liquid chamber is configured for storing tobacco liquid. The at least one heating element is arranged in the air passage. The at least one heating element is configured for heating the tobacco liquid to form aerosol.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a mouthpiece for an apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the mouthpiece defining an aperture extending from a first opening at a mouth end of the mouthpiece to a second opening at an opposing, apparatus end of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece being arranged to receive in the aperture a flavour element for imparting a flavour to a flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece in use, the mouthpiece being arranged such that in use said flavour element received into the aperture protrudes beyond the first opening for receipt into a user's mouth, and protrudes beyond the second opening for contact with a component of said apparatus, wherein the mouthpiece comprises the flavour element received in the aperture.

The apparatus end of the mouthpiece may be arranged to be releasably connectable to said apparatus.

The mouthpiece may comprise, at the second opening, a chamfer for contacting with said component of said apparatus.

The mouthpiece may be arranged to allow said flavour element, when received in the aperture, to be removed from and/or replaced in the aperture.

The flavour element may protrude beyond the first opening and may protrude beyond the second opening.

A cross section of the flavour element may match a cross section of the aperture.

The flavour element may be one or more of: self-supporting, porous, cylindrical, and/or comprise a cylindrical portion.

The flavour element may be or comprise tobacco.

The flavour element may be arranged to define a flow path, for said flow of at least one of an aerosol and a vapour, running from one end of the element to the other.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided apparatus for generating an inhalable medium, the apparatus comprising the mouthpiece according to the first aspect.

The apparatus may comprise: a container for holding a liquid; a heater for volatilising liquid held in the container to generate said flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol in use; and in use the flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol may pass through the flavour element for inhalation by a user.

The flavour element may comprise one or more constituents, and in use the flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol through the flavour element may entrain one or more of the constituents in the flow.

The container for holding liquid may comprise a recess into which the element is received.

Further features and advantages of the technology will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to <FIG>, a schematic of an example apparatus <NUM> for generating an inhalable medium is illustrated. In this example, the apparatus <NUM> is a so called "electronic cigarette" device <NUM>. In broad outline, the device <NUM> volatilises a liquid to form a vapour or an aerosol which passes through a flavour element <NUM> received in a mouthpiece <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> imparts a flavour to the vapour or aerosol passing through the mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by a user.

In this respect, first it may be noted that, in general, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that for example the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. A colloid is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

Returning to <FIG>, the device <NUM> comprises an outer body <NUM> comprising an upper portion <NUM> housing a cartridge <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> housing a battery portion <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> is connected to, but removable from, the battery portion <NUM>. At least the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> may be removed so as to expose the cartridge <NUM>, and hence allow installation, removal and/or replacement of the cartridge <NUM>. The cartridge <NUM> has a liquid container <NUM> for containing liquid <NUM>.

The device <NUM> has a mouthpiece <NUM> (examples of which are described in more detail below) removeably connected to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> has received therein a flavour element <NUM> for imparting a flavour to a flow of aerosol or vapour that passes through the mouthpiece <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise for example tobacco, or other flavoured materials that may be used to create a desired taste or aroma, or other properties, such as nicotine content.

The device <NUM> is arranged so that as the liquid <NUM> is volatilised so as to produce an aerosol of liquid droplets or sufficiently heated to produce a vapour, at least some and preferably all or substantially all of the aerosol or vapour passes through the flavour element <NUM> received in the mouthpiece <NUM> for example so as to entrain constituents of the flavour element <NUM> therein.

The liquid container <NUM> is provided generally centrally of the cartridge <NUM>. The liquid container <NUM> is frustoconical in shape, but may have a different shape, such as conical, cylindrical, etc. The liquid container <NUM> is annular in shape and defines a cylindrical channel (not shown) running through the length of the liquid container <NUM>. The liquid container <NUM> may be formed of rigid, watertight and airtight materials, such as metal, suitable plastics, etc..

The cartridge <NUM> is provided with a heater <NUM> and a wick (not shown) in (thermal) contact with the heater <NUM>. In this example, the heater <NUM> and the wick are provided as a single unit <NUM>, sometimes known as an "atomiser" <NUM>. In this case, where the cartridge <NUM> includes an atomiser <NUM>, such a cartridge <NUM> is often referred to as a "cartomiser" <NUM>. The orientation of the heater <NUM> is shown schematically and for example the heater <NUM> may be a coil having its longitudinal axis perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge <NUM>. The wick (not shown) is in contact with the liquid <NUM>. This may be achieved for example by the wick (not shown) being inserted through a through hole (not shown) in an end wall 122b of the liquid container <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the end wall 122b may be a porous member which allows liquid to pass through from the liquid container <NUM>, and the wick (not shown) may be in contact with the porous end wall 122b. The end wall 122b may be for example in the form of a porous ceramic disk. A porous end wall 122b of this type helps to regulate the flow of liquid onto the wick (not shown). The wick (not shown) is generally absorbent and acts to draw in liquid <NUM> from the liquid container <NUM> by capillary action (shown in <FIG> by arrows A). The wick is preferably non-woven and may be for example a cotton or wool material or the like, or a synthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose, polypropylene or the like, or a ceramic material.

The cartridge <NUM> is (electrically) connected to a battery in the battery portion <NUM> to enable the heater <NUM> to be powered. When the heater <NUM> is powered (which may be instigated for example by the user operating a button (not shown) of the device <NUM> or by a puff detector (not shown) of the overall device <NUM>, as is known per se), liquid <NUM> is drawn (shown in <FIG> by arrows A) in from the liquid container <NUM> by the wick and is heated by the heater <NUM> to volatilise or vaporise the liquid, so as to generate at least one of a vapour and an aerosol. As the user draws on the mouthpiece <NUM>, air is drawn through an air inlet <NUM>. The liquid <NUM> is volatilised or vaporised by the heater <NUM> into air from the air inlet <NUM> thereby to produce a flow of one of a vapour and an aerosol. The flow vapour or aerosol is drawn through a channel (not shown) of the liquid container <NUM>, through the flavour element <NUM> received in the mouthpiece <NUM>, and out from the device <NUM> for inhalation by a user (shown by arrow B in <FIG>). The vapour or aerosol picks up (entrains) flavour (and/or other constituents) from the flavour element <NUM>. One or more constituents of the flavour element is thereby mixed with the flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol. In examples where the flavour element <NUM> contains or includes nicotine, the vapour or aerosol may also contain nicotine entrained from that solid material. A one-way valve (not shown) may be provided, for example at or near an upper end 122a of the liquid container <NUM>, so that the vapour or aerosol can only exit the cartridge <NUM> and cannot back-flow to the heater <NUM> or the electronics (not shown) of the device <NUM>.

The flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise material that may be used to impart a flavour (and/or one or more other constituents) to the aerosol or vapour. In some examples, the one or more constituents of the flavour element may comprise constituents inherent to the material itself. The material may for example consist of or comprise tobacco. As the aerosol or vapour passes through and over the tobacco, the aerosol or vapour entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco that lend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavour to the aerosol or vapour. It will be understood however that materials other than tobacco may be used to impart different flavours (and/or one or more other constituents) to the aerosol or vapour flow. The flavour element <NUM> may comprise constituents added to a material of the flavour element <NUM>.

Nicotine may be provided in the liquid <NUM>. Accordingly, where it is intended that the device <NUM> provides nicotine for the user, the nicotine may be provided in the liquid <NUM>, may be obtained from the flavour element <NUM>, or any combination of these. Likewise, flavourings may be added to the flavour element <NUM> (whether or not the flavour element <NUM> is or includes tobacco) and/or to the liquid <NUM>. A material of the flavour element <NUM> may be a solid material, or be a mixture of solid materials, one or more of each comprising one or more constituents that can be mixed with the flow of vapour or aerosol. It will be appreciated that the flavour element <NUM> may comprise one or more other constituents that are not entrained into the aerosol or vapour passing there through.

The flavour element <NUM> may be porous <NUM>, for example so as allow vapour or aerosol to pass through it. The flavour element <NUM> may be self-supporting, for example the flavour element <NUM> may comprise material wrapped partially or wholly in a wrapper, and/or the flavour element <NUM> may be supported in a resilient housing, for example a plastic housing (not shown). The flavour element <NUM> may be arranged to define a flow path, for a flow of at least one of the aerosol and the vapour, running from one end of the flavour element <NUM> to another. The flavour element <NUM> may be cylindrical, and/or comprise a cylindrical portion, for example so as to be received snuggly in a correspondingly shaped hole in the mouthpiece <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a mouthpiece <NUM> according to a first example, shown for information purposes. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a side view of the mouthpiece <NUM> and upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of a device (<NUM> in <FIG>). In this first example, <FIG> illustrates a section through line P-P in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a plan view of that shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a detail of the section of <FIG> with a flavour element <NUM> and a liquid container <NUM> removed for clarity.

In <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> is connected to a portion <NUM> of an outer body <NUM> of an overall device (<NUM> in <FIG>). The example mouthpiece <NUM>, portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> in <FIG> can be used, for example, in the device <NUM> of <FIG> instead of the mouthpiece <NUM>, upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> respectively. For brevity, features in <FIG> and the functioning thereof that are the same or similar to those features already described with reference to <FIG> are given similar reference numerals to as in <FIG> but increased by <NUM>, and will not be described in detail again.

Referring now to <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> defines a hole or aperture <NUM> extending from a first opening <NUM> at a first end 202a of the mouthpiece <NUM> to a second opening <NUM> at an opposing end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> has received in the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> a flavour element <NUM> for imparting a flavour to a flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece <NUM> in use. The flavour element <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the flavour element <NUM> as mentioned above with reference to <FIG>. The aperture <NUM> has a first radial dimension d1 towards the first opening <NUM>, and a second, smaller radial dimension d2 towards the second opening <NUM>, thereby to prevent the flavour element <NUM> received in the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> from passing through to the second opening <NUM>. A user may therefore, for example, insert a flavour element <NUM> into the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> only to a certain and/or predefined extent.

The aperture <NUM> is a stepped bore <NUM>, <NUM> comprising a first bore <NUM> having the first radial dimension d1 and a second bore <NUM> having the second radial dimension d2. The step <NUM> of the stepped bore <NUM>, <NUM> prevents the flavour element <NUM> from passing into the second bore <NUM> and hence towards the second opening <NUM>. The step <NUM> of the stepped bore <NUM>, <NUM> also supports the flavour element <NUM> received in the first bore <NUM>.

The cross section of the flavour element <NUM> and the cross section of the at least a portion of the first bore <NUM> (and the first opening <NUM>) may be matched so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. For example, as is shown in <FIG>, the first bore <NUM> is cylindrical so as to receive therein the cylindrical flavour element <NUM>. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be approximately equal to, for example slightly smaller than, the diameter d1 of the first bore <NUM> so as to ensure an easy fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. In other examples, the diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be slightly larger than the diameter d1 of the first bore <NUM>, for example to ensure a tight (snug) fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. In this case, the flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise a resilient and/or deformable material. The flavour element <NUM> may be retained in the mouthpiece <NUM> for example by friction with the walls of the mouthpiece <NUM> defining the first bore <NUM>. The first radial dimension d1 may be, for example in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM> millimetres. The second radial dimension d2 may be, for example, in the range <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres. The first bore <NUM> may be cylindrical, or may taper from the first opening <NUM> to the step <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the first bore may taper from <NUM> millimetres at the first opening <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres at the step <NUM>, for example. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be, for example, in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM>.

In this first example, the first opening <NUM> is at a mouth end 202a of the mouthpiece <NUM>, and the second opening <NUM> is at a device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The flavour element <NUM> extends out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. For example, the length of the first bore <NUM> from the first opening <NUM> to the step <NUM> may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, and the length of the flavour element may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, i.e. leaving <NUM> millimetres of rod extending beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>, for example.

The flavour element <NUM> extending out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> allows, for example, a user to draw on the flavour element <NUM> rather than on the mouthpiece <NUM>. This may improve user experience, for example, because the flavour element <NUM> can be fabricated to have a diameter, for example between <NUM> and <NUM> millimetres (e.g. at or around <NUM> millimetres), more preferable for a user to place in their mouth. This may also improve user experience, for example, because the flavour element <NUM> can be fabricated to be made of or comprise a material more preferable for a user to place in their mouth, for example cellulose acetate and/or paper, for example coated paper. Moreover, this may improve hygiene because the user can dispose of and replace the flavour element <NUM>, i.e. frequently replace (if desired) that part of the device <NUM> which comes into contact with their mouth. This may also make sharing of a single device between multiple users more attractive and/or convenient. Further, the flavour element <NUM> extending out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> allows for the flavour element <NUM> to be easily removed from the mouthpiece <NUM>, for example by a user manually pulling the flavour element <NUM> out of the first opening <NUM>, for example against the friction between the flavour element <NUM> and the walls of the mouthpiece <NUM> defining the first bore <NUM>. A user may do this, for example, when the flavour and/or other constituents of the flavour element <NUM> have expired or deteriorated. A replacement flavour element <NUM> can then be easily inserted, for example by a user holding the flavour element <NUM> and manually pushing it into the first bore <NUM> up until the flavour element abuts the step <NUM>, for example.

The device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connectable to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>). The device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM> has a connecting element <NUM> for connecting with a reciprocal connecting element <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. The connecting element <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> comprises a protrusion <NUM> for snap-fitting against a ledge <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> may be released from the portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> by a user manually squeezing the mouthpiece <NUM> across its width, thereby to disengage the protrusion <NUM> from the ledge <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to lift the mouthpiece <NUM> out and away from the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. It will be appreciated that any other releasable connecting elements and/or mechanism may be used. For example, the mouthpiece <NUM> may be releasably connected to the portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> by friction fit, push fit, screw fit e.g. using reciprocal threads etc. The mouthpiece <NUM> being releasably connectable to the outer body <NUM> allows for example a user to easily access the liquid container <NUM> and/or the second opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> e.g. for cleaning purposes.

It will be appreciated that in some examples, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> are not releasably connectable to one another. For example, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> may be co-moulded pieces that are not separable by a user. For example, the connecting element <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be co-moulded with the connecting element <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. In this case, for example, in order for a user to access the liquid container <NUM>, for example so as to remove and/or replace the liquid container <NUM> from the device (<NUM> in <FIG>), the user removes as one piece the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> from the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the outer body <NUM> of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>).

The mouthpiece <NUM>, at the opening <NUM> at the device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM>, comprises a chamfer <NUM> for contacting the liquid container <NUM>. The chamfer <NUM> extends all the way around the circumference of the second opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. A rim <NUM> (i.e. an apex or corner <NUM>) at the upper end 222a of the liquid container <NUM> may press against the chamfer <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> in use thereby to form a seal between the liquid container <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>. This allows all or substantially all of the vapour or aerosol exiting a channel (not shown) in the liquid container <NUM> at the upper end 222a of the liquid container <NUM> in use to flow into the aperture <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> and thereafter through the flavour element <NUM>. The opening <NUM> at the device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM> is circular so as that a seal may be easily and reliably formed between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the circular rim <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the mouthpiece <NUM> may not comprise such a chamfer <NUM>. For example, a face (not shown) of the mouthpiece <NUM> at the device end 202b opening <NUM> may contact flush with a face of the liquid container <NUM> (i.e. in a head on arrangement) thereby to form a seal between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid container <NUM>. In another example, the mouthpiece <NUM>, at the opening <NUM> at the device end 202b of the mouthpiece <NUM>, may comprise alternatively or additionally a protruding circumferential wall or lip that contacts the liquid container <NUM>, for example contacts an inner face of a corresponding protruding circumferential wall or lip at the rim <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>.

The upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> comprises one or more second connecting elements <NUM> for releasably connecting the upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. The second connecting elements <NUM> may be, for example, protrusions of the upper portion <NUM> for receipt into a reciprocal recesses in the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. It will be appreciated that any releasable connecting elements or mechanism may be used instead, for example, friction fit, push fit, screw fit e.g. using reciprocal threads etc..

In use, when the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> and liquid container <NUM> are connected to the rest of the device (e.g. as shown schematically for device <NUM> in <FIG>), when a user draws on the flavour element <NUM>, air is drawn in through an air inlet (<NUM> in <FIG>). A heater (<NUM> in <FIG>) volatilises liquid <NUM> held in the liquid container <NUM> into the inlet air to generate a flow of vapour or aerosol. The flow passes through the channel (not shown) in the liquid container out of the upper end 222a of the liquid container <NUM>, through the second bore <NUM>, through the flavour element <NUM>, and exits from an upper end 234a of the flavour element <NUM> for inhalation by the user. Where the flavour element <NUM> comprises one or more constituents, the flow of vapour or an aerosol through the flavour element <NUM> entrains one or more of the constituents in the flow.

<FIG> illustrate a mouthpiece <NUM> according to a second example, shown for information purposes. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a side view of the mouthpiece <NUM> and upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of a device (<NUM> in <FIG>), <FIG> illustrates a section through line Q-Q in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a plan view of that shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a detail of the section of <FIG> with a flavour element <NUM> and a liquid container <NUM> removed for clarity.

In <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> is connected to an upper portion <NUM> of an outer body <NUM> of an overall device (<NUM> in <FIG>). The example mouthpiece <NUM>, portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> in <FIG> can be used, for example, in the device <NUM> of <FIG> instead of the mouthpiece <NUM>, portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> respectively. For brevity, features in <FIG> and the functioning thereof that are the same or similar to those features already described with reference to <FIG> are given similar reference numerals to as in <FIG> but increased by <NUM>, and will not be described in detail again.

Referring now to <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> defines a hole or aperture <NUM> extending from a first opening <NUM> at a first end 302b of the mouthpiece <NUM> to a second opening <NUM> at an opposing end 302a of the mouthpiece <NUM>. In this second example, the first opening <NUM> is at a device end 302b of the mouthpiece <NUM>, and the second opening <NUM> is at a mouth end 302a of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> has received in the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> a flavour element <NUM> for imparting a flavour to a flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece <NUM> in use. The flavour element <NUM> may be similar to or the same as the flavour element <NUM> and/or <NUM> described above. The aperture <NUM> has a first radial dimension d1' towards the first opening <NUM>, and a second, smaller radial dimension d2' towards the second opening <NUM>, thereby to prevent the flavour element <NUM> received in the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> from passing through to the second opening <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> may therefore be held within the device (<NUM> in <FIG>) by the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The aperture <NUM> comprises a stepped bore <NUM>,<NUM> comprising a first bore <NUM> having the first radial dimension d1' and a second bore <NUM> having the second radial dimension d2'. The step <NUM> of the stepped bore <NUM>, <NUM> prevents the flavour element <NUM> from passing into the second bore <NUM> and hence towards the second opening <NUM>. The cross section of the flavour element <NUM> and the cross section of at least a portion of the first bore <NUM> (and the first opening <NUM>) may be matched so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. For example, as is shown in <FIG>, the first bore <NUM> (and the first opening <NUM>) is cylindrical so as to receive therein the cylindrical flavour element <NUM>. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be approximately equal to, for example slightly smaller than, the diameter d1' of the first bore <NUM> so as to ensure an easy fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. In other examples, the diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be slightly larger than the diameter d1' of the first bore <NUM>, for example to ensure a tight (snug) fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the first bore <NUM>. In this case, the flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise a resilient and/or deformable material. The flavour element <NUM> may be retained in the mouthpiece <NUM>, for example, by friction. The first radial dimension d1' may be, for example in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM> millimetres. The second radial dimension d2' may be, for example, in the range <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres. The first bore <NUM> may be cylindrical, or may taper slightly from the first opening <NUM> to the step <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the first bore may taper from <NUM> millimetres at the first opening <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres at the step <NUM>, for example. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM> millimetres.

The flavour element <NUM> extends out (protrudes) beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. For example, this allows a user, when the mouthpiece <NUM> is disconnected from the upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, to easily manually remove and/or replace the flavour element <NUM> in the first bore <NUM> (through the first opening <NUM>) of the mouthpiece <NUM>. For example, the length of the first bore <NUM> from the first opening <NUM> to the step <NUM> may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, and the length of the flavour element may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, i.e. leaving around <NUM> millimetres of rod extending beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>, for example. In examples where the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> are not releasably connectable to one another, the user may remove as one piece the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> from the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the outer body <NUM> of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>), thereby to expose the flavour element <NUM> to allow a user to easily remove and/or replace the flavour element <NUM>.

The liquid container <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> in the upper end 222a of the liquid container <NUM> into which a lower portion 334b of the flavour element <NUM> is received. The flavour element <NUM> extends out (protrudes) from the recess <NUM>, out beyond the liquid container <NUM>, so as to also be received in the first bore <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> when the mouth piece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> are connected together. The cross section of the flavour element <NUM> and the cross section of the recess <NUM> may be matched so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. For example, as is shown in <FIG>, the recess <NUM> is cylindrical so as to receive therein the cylindrical flavour element <NUM>. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be approximately equal to, for example slightly smaller than, the diameter of the recess <NUM> so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. In other examples, the diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be slightly larger than the diameter of the recess <NUM>, for example to ensure a tight (snug) fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. In this case, the flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise a resilient and/or deformable material.

Similarly to as described above for the first example, the device end 302b of the mouthpiece <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connectable to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of the device for example via connecting element <NUM> for connecting with a reciprocal connecting element <NUM> of the portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. As above, the connecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> or connecting mechanism may comprise any releasable connection, for example, by snap fit, friction fit, push fit, screw fit e.g. using reciprocal threads etc..

The mouthpiece <NUM> being releasably connectable to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> allows a user for example to easily access the flavour element <NUM> that may be received in one of the bore <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> and the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM> when the mouthpiece <NUM> is removed from the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. For example, a user may manually pull the flavour element <NUM> out of the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> (or the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>), for example against the friction between the flavour element <NUM> and the walls of the mouthpiece <NUM> defining the first bore <NUM> (or the walls of the liquid container <NUM> defining the recess <NUM>). A user may do this, for example, when the flavour and/or other constituents of the flavour element <NUM> have expired or deteriorated. A replacement flavour element <NUM> can then be easily inserted, for example by a user holding an upper end 334a of the flavour element and pushing the lower end 334b of the flavour element <NUM> it into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>. The user may then lower the mouthpiece <NUM> over the upper end 334a of the flavour element <NUM> so that the flavour element <NUM> is received into the first bore <NUM> (through the first opening <NUM>) of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The user may then connect the mouthpiece <NUM> to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, at which point the upper end 334a of the flavour element <NUM> will be abutting or near abutting the step <NUM> of the stepped bore <NUM>,<NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> is therefore held securely in position between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid container <NUM>.

As above, it will be appreciated that in some examples, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> are not releasably connectable to one another. For example, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> may be co-moulded pieces that are not separable by a user. For example, the connecting element <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be co-moulded with the connecting element <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. In this case, for example, in order for a user to access the flavour element <NUM>, for example so as to remove and/or replace the flavour element <NUM> from the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>, the user removes as one piece the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> from the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the outer body <NUM> of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>). A user may then, for example, manually pull the flavour element <NUM> out of the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>, for example, when the flavour and/or other constituents of the flavour element <NUM> have expired or deteriorated, or the user wants to change the flavour of the aerosol or vapour produced. A replacement flavour element <NUM> can then be easily inserted, for example by a user holding an upper end 334a of the flavour element and pushing the lower end 334b of the flavour element <NUM> it into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM>. The user may then lower the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, as one piece, over the upper end 334a of the flavour element <NUM> so that the flavour element <NUM> is received into the first bore <NUM> (through the first opening <NUM>) of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The user may then connect the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> to the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the outer body, at which point the upper end 334a of the flavour element <NUM> will be abutting or near abutting the step <NUM> of the stepped bore <NUM>, <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> is therefore held securely in position between the mouthpiece <NUM> and the liquid container <NUM>.

In either case, the flavour element <NUM> extending into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM> and into the first bore <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> allows for the flavour element <NUM> to be relatively long for example, and hence have the potential to impart more flavour and/or other constituents into the vapour or aerosol in use, but without the need to extend the length of the overall device (<NUM> in <FIG>).

As in the first example, the mouthpiece <NUM> may comprise, at the opening <NUM> at the device end 302b of the mouthpiece <NUM>, a chamfer <NUM> for contacting a rim <NUM> at the upper end 322a of the liquid container <NUM>, thereby to form a seal between the liquid container <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As in the first example, the upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> comprises one or more second connecting elements <NUM> for releasably connecting the portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>.

In use, when the portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> and liquid container <NUM> is connected to the rest of the overall device (e.g. as shown schematically for device <NUM> in <FIG>), when a user draws on the mouth end 302a of the mouthpiece <NUM>, air is drawn in through an air inlet (<NUM> in <FIG>). A heater (<NUM> in <FIG>) volatilises liquid <NUM> held in the liquid container <NUM> into the inlet air to generate a flow of vapour or aerosol. The flow passes out of a channel (not shown) in the liquid container <NUM>, out into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container, through the flavour element <NUM> so as to exit at the upper end of the flavour element 334a, out into the second bore <NUM> of the mouthpiece and out of the second opening <NUM> at the mouth end 302a of the mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by the user. Where the flavour element <NUM> comprises one or more constituents, the flow of vapour or an aerosol through the flavour element <NUM> entrains one or more of the constituents in the flow.

<FIG> illustrate a mouthpiece <NUM> according to a third example. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a side view of the mouthpiece <NUM> and upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of a device (<NUM> in <FIG>), <FIG> illustrates a section through line R-R in <FIG>, <FIG> illustrates a plan view of that shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a detail of the section of <FIG> with a flavour element <NUM> and a liquid container <NUM> removed for clarity.

In <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> is connected to an upper portion <NUM> of an outer body <NUM> of an overall device (<NUM> in <FIG>). The example mouthpiece <NUM>, upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> in <FIG> can be used, for example, in apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> instead of the mouthpiece <NUM>, upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>, and liquid container <NUM> respectively. For brevity, features in <FIG> and the functioning thereof that are the same or similar to those features already described with reference to <FIG> are given similar reference numerals to as in <FIG> but increased by <NUM>, and will not be described in detail again.

Referring now to <FIG>, the mouthpiece <NUM> defines a hole or aperture <NUM> extending from a first opening <NUM> at a mouth end 402a of the mouthpiece <NUM> to a second opening <NUM> at an opposing, device end 402b of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The mouthpiece <NUM> has received in the aperture <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> a flavour element <NUM> for imparting a flavour to a flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece <NUM> in use. The flavour element <NUM> may be similar to or the same as the flavour element <NUM> of the second example or the flavour element <NUM> of the first example described above. In this third example, the flavour element <NUM> extends out (protrudes) beyond the first opening <NUM> for receipt into a user's mouth, and extends out (protrudes) beyond the second opening <NUM> for contact with the liquid container <NUM> (example of a component of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>)). For example, the length of the flavour element may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, and the length of the aperture <NUM> from the first opening <NUM> to the second opening <NUM> may be at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example.

The cross section of the flavour element <NUM> and the cross section of the aperture <NUM> may be matched so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the aperture <NUM>. For example, as is shown in <FIG>, the aperture <NUM> is cylindrical so as to receive therein the cylindrical flavour element <NUM>. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be approximately equal to, for example slightly smaller than, the diameter of the aperture <NUM> so as to ensure an easy fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the aperture <NUM>. In other examples, the diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be slightly larger than the diameter of the aperture <NUM>, for example to ensure a tight (snug) fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the aperture <NUM>. In this case, the flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise a resilient and/or deformable material. The flavour element <NUM> may be retained in the aperture <NUM> by friction.

Similarly to as described in the second example, the liquid container <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> in the upper end 422a of the liquid container <NUM> into which a lower portion 434b of the flavour element <NUM> is received. The flavour element <NUM> extends out (protrudes) beyond the recess <NUM> so as to also be received in the aperture <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>. The cross section of the flavour element <NUM> and the cross section of the recess <NUM> may be matched so as to allow easy receipt of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. For example, as is shown in <FIG>, the recess <NUM> is cylindrical so as to receive therein the cylindrical flavour element <NUM>. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be approximately equal to, for example slightly smaller than, the diameter of the recess <NUM> so as to ensure an easy fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. In other examples, the diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be slightly larger than the diameter of the recess <NUM>, for example to ensure a tight (snug) fit of the flavour element <NUM> into the recess <NUM>. In this case, the flavour element <NUM> may be or comprise a resilient and/or deformable material. The flavour element <NUM> may be retained in the recess <NUM> by friction for example. For example, the diameter of the aperture <NUM> may be in the range <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM> millimetres. The aperture <NUM> may be cylindrical, or may taper slightly from the first opening <NUM> to the second opening <NUM>. For example, the diameter of the aperture <NUM> may taper from <NUM> millimetres at the first opening <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres at the second opening <NUM>, for example. The diameter of the flavour element <NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> millimetres, for example at or around <NUM> millimetres, for example <NUM> millimetres.

Similarly to as described in the first example, the flavour element <NUM> extending out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> allows, for example, a user to draw on the flavour element <NUM> rather than the mouthpiece <NUM>. This allows, for example, a user to draw on the flavour element <NUM> alone. This may improve user experience, for example, because the flavour element <NUM> can have a diameter and/or be made of a material more preferable for a user to place in their mouth. Moreover, this may improve hygiene characteristics of the device (<NUM> in <FIG>) because the user can dispose of and replace the flavour element <NUM>, i.e. frequently replace (if desired) that part of the device <NUM> which comes into contact with their mouth. Further, the flavour element <NUM> extending out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> allows for the flavour element <NUM> to be easily removed from the mouthpiece <NUM>, for example by a user manually pulling the flavour element <NUM> out of the recess <NUM> and the aperture <NUM> by the first opening <NUM>, for example against the friction between the flavour element <NUM> and the walls of the mouthpiece <NUM> defining the aperture <NUM> and/or the walls of the liquid container <NUM> defining the recess <NUM>. A user may do this, for example, when the flavour and/or constituents of the flavour element <NUM> have expired or deteriorated. A replacement flavour element <NUM> can then be easily inserted, for example by a user holding the flavour element <NUM> and pushing it through the first opening <NUM>, through the aperture <NUM>, and into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM> up until the flavour element <NUM> contacts the liquid container <NUM>. The flavour element <NUM> extending out (protruding) beyond the second opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container <NUM> (and out beyond the first opening <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM>) allows for the flavour element <NUM> to be relatively long, and hence have the potential to impart more flavour and/or other constituents into the vapour or aerosol in use, but without the need to extend the length of the overall device (<NUM> in <FIG>).

As in the first and second examples, the device end 402b of the mouthpiece <NUM> is arranged to be releasably connectable to the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> of the device for example via connecting element <NUM> for connecting with a reciprocal connecting element <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>. As above, the connecting elements <NUM>, <NUM> and/or connecting mechanism may comprise any releasable connection, for example, by snap fit, friction fit, push fit, screw fit e.g. using reciprocal threads etc. As above, it will be appreciated that in some examples, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> are not releasably connectable to one another. For example, the mouthpiece <NUM> and the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> may be co-moulded pieces that are not separable by a user. For example, the connecting element <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> may be co-moulded with the connecting element <NUM> of the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM>.

As in the first and second examples, the mouthpiece <NUM> may comprise, at the opening <NUM> at the device end 402b of the mouthpiece <NUM>, a chamfer <NUM> for contacting a rim <NUM> at the upper end 422a of the liquid container <NUM>, thereby to form a seal between the liquid container <NUM> and the mouthpiece <NUM>.

As in the first and second examples, the upper portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> comprises one or more second connecting elements <NUM> for releasably connecting the portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to the lower portion (<NUM> in <FIG>) of the housing <NUM>.

In use, when the upper portion <NUM> of the outer body <NUM> and liquid container <NUM> is connected to the rest of the device (e.g. as shown schematically for device <NUM> in <FIG>), when a user draws on the flavour element <NUM>, air is drawn in through an air inlet (<NUM> in <FIG>). A heater (<NUM> in <FIG>) volatilises liquid <NUM> held in the liquid container <NUM> into the inlet air to generate a flow of vapour or aerosol. The flow passes out of a channel (not shown) in the liquid container <NUM>, out into the recess <NUM> of the liquid container, through the flavour element <NUM>, and exits from an upper end 434a of the flavour element 434a for inhalation by the user. Where the flavour element <NUM> comprises one or more constituents, the flow of vapour or an aerosol through the flavour element <NUM> entrains one or more of the constituents in the flow.

In the above examples, the liquid container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> was annular in shape and defined a cylindrical channel (not shown in the figures) running through the length of the liquid container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in other examples, the liquid container may not be annular in shape, and/or the cartridge <NUM> may comprise an outer shell that defines an annular channel between the liquid container and the outer shell through which vapour or aerosol may pass.

Although the examples above referred to use of a cartridge <NUM>, it will be readily appreciated that there are many configurations of so called e-cigarettes (some of which not having cartridges as such, but rather, for example, refillable liquid containers integral to the device <NUM>) and that the above examples may also be applied to these or other configurations.

Although the above examples referred to the flavour element being cylindrical or having a cylindrical portion to be received into a cylindrical hole aperture or bore of the mouthpiece and/or of the recess of the liquid container, it will be appreciated that the flavour element may have any shaped cross section (e.g. oval, square, polygonal), and the aperture of the mouthpiece, or a portion thereof, and/or the recess of the liquid container, or a portion thereof, may correspondingly have any shaped cross section.

Although in the above examples, the mouthpiece comprised, at an opening of a aperture at the device end of the mouthpiece, a chamfer for contacting the liquid container, this need not necessarily be the case. In other examples, the mouthpiece may not comprise such a chamfer. For example, a face of the mouthpiece at the device end opening may contact flush with a face of the liquid container (i.e. in a head on arrangement) thereby to form a seal between the mouthpiece and the liquid container. In another example, the mouthpiece, at the opening of the aperture at the device end of the mouthpiece, may comprise alternatively or additionally a protruding circumferential wall or lip that contacts the liquid container, for example contacts an inner face of a corresponding protruding circumferential wall or lip at the rim of the liquid container. In yet other examples, there may be no such seal between the liquid container and the mouthpiece. For example, in the first and third examples described above where the user can draw on the flavour element rather than the mouthpiece itself, there may be alternatively or additionally a seal between the flavour element and the liquid container.

The liquid <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is preferably a liquid that is volatilisable at reasonable temperatures, preferably in the range of <NUM>-<NUM> or more particularly around <NUM>-<NUM>, as that helps to keep down the power consumption of the apparatus with which the cartridge is used. Suitable materials include those conventionally used in e-cigarette devices, including for example propylene glycol and glycerol (also known as glycerine). Also as described in relation to the examples above, the flavour element may be or comprise a material that may be used to impart a flavour (or other constituent) to the aerosol or vapour produced from the liquid as the aerosol or vapour passes through the flavour element. For example, the material may comprise constituents that impart cooling sensations, heating sensations, neutriceutical benefits, stimulating benefits or produce or induce any other sensation or benefit in the user. The material may for example consist of or comprise tobacco. As the aerosol or vapour passes through and over the tobacco material, the aerosol or vapour entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco material that lend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting the flavour to the aerosol or vapour as it passes to the mouthpiece. Materials other than tobacco may be used to impart different flavours to the aerosol or vapour stream. For example, materials other than tobacco may be blended with tobacco, or blends of other materials such as, for example, vanilla pods, star anise, mint leaves, other herbs, and the like. For example, flavourants could be included in the material or in the liquid or both. In the example where flavourants are included in both the flavour element and the liquid, the generated vapour or aerosol may be flavoured with a first flavour, and the flavour element may impart a second flavour to the vapour or aerosol passing there through. The first flavour and the second flavour may be the same, in which case the flavour element may act so as to enhance the flavour of the vapour or aerosol passing there through. The first flavour and the second flavour may be different, in which case the flavour element may act so as to alter the flavour of the vapour or aerosol passing there through. The user may therefore easily customise the flavour of the vapour or aerosol exiting the device for inhalation.

In any of the examples described above, an apparatus controller may control operation of the apparatus as a whole. The controller for example may cause the heater to be powered as and when required and switch off the heater when heating is not required. Operation of the heater may be controlled so that the liquid and/or material of the flavour element is heated to an optimum temperature. Particular considerations include ensuring that the flavour element does not burn, ensuring that adequate vaporisation of the liquid is achieved, ensuring that the vaporised liquid or aerosol is at an appropriate temperature to liberate compounds from the flavour element, and ensuring that the vapour or aerosol that reaches the user is at a comfortable and safe temperature. A puff detector, a device which is known per se, may be provided to signal to the controller when the heater needs to be energised. Alternatively or additionally, the user may control the apparatus via controls or an interface external to the overall apparatus (not shown), for example via radio control signals, or Bluetooth or the like from a separate control device, such as a smartphone or the like.

In use, the material of the flavour element may be heated by vapour or aerosol with a temperature higher than the temperature of the material. It will be appreciated that any temperature above ambient temperature of the material and/or above the ambient temperature of the device as a whole will improve release of constituents from the solid material.

In use, the liquid may be heated to a temperature of between around <NUM>-<NUM> or more particularly around <NUM> to <NUM>. Suitable liquid materials <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> include materials that provide volatilised components upon heating, typically in the form of an aerosol. Suitable materials that the flavour element may be or comprise include any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco per se, different varieties of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, pelletised tobacco, extruded tobacco, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, ground tobacco, tobacco extract, homogenised tobacco or tobacco substitutes. In the case of tobacco, the material may be in the form of a rod of tobacco, a pod or plug of tobacco, loose tobacco, agglomerates, etc., and may be in relatively dry form or in relatively moist form for example. The tobacco may have been modified, for example chemically modified, for example had its pH modified so as to promote the release of selected constituents of the tobacco such as nicotine. Suitable solid materials may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. A tobacco rod may be formed using a wrapping material.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" may refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, solid, or powder. For example, a liquid, oil, or other such fluid flavourant may be impregnated in a porous solid material so as to impart flavour and/or other properties to that porous solid material. As such, the liquid or oil is a constituent of the material in which it is impregnated.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the technology.

Claim 1:
A mouthpiece (<NUM>) for an apparatus (<NUM>) for generating an inhalable medium, the mouthpiece (<NUM>) defining an aperture (<NUM>) extending from a first opening (<NUM>) at a mouth end (402a) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>) to a second opening (<NUM>) at an opposing, apparatus end (402b) of the mouthpiece (<NUM>), the mouthpiece (<NUM>) being arranged to receive in the aperture (<NUM>) a flavour element (<NUM>) for imparting a flavour to a flow of at least one of a vapour and an aerosol that passes through the mouthpiece (<NUM>) in use, the mouthpiece (<NUM>) being arranged such that in use said flavour element (<NUM>) received into the aperture (<NUM>) protrudes beyond the first opening (<NUM>) for receipt into a user's mouth, and protrudes beyond the second opening (<NUM>) for contact with a component (<NUM>) of said apparatus (<NUM>), wherein the mouthpiece comprises the flavour element (<NUM>) received in the aperture (<NUM>).