Patent Description:
A smoking-substitute device is an electronic device that permits the user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an aerosol mist or vapour that is drawn into the lungs through the mouth and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol mist or vapour typically bears nicotine and/or other flavourings without the odour and health risks associated with traditional smoking and tobacco products. In use, the user experiences a similar satisfaction and physical sensation to those experienced from a traditional smoking or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist or vapour of similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using such traditional smoking or tobacco products.

One approach for a smoking substitute device is the so-called "vaping" approach, in which a vaporisable 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. The e-liquid typically includes a base liquid as well as nicotine and/or flavourings. The resulting vapour therefore also typically contains nicotine and/or flavourings. The base liquid may include propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine.

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. The tank 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, that consumable is disposed of. The main body can be reused by connecting it to a new, replacement, 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. In this way 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. The wick is partially immersed in the e-liquid, and conveys e-liquid from the tank to the heating filament. 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. A further exemplary smoking substitute device is described in <CIT>. Additionally, <CIT> proposes a methods and apparatuses to deliver biological altering substances through body cavities including ears, nose, mouth, anus and vagina, utilizing at least osmotic, olfactory and inhaling transfusion of active ingredients including a first reservoir configured to be disposed against sublingual surfaces and hold a first drug.

For a smoking substitute device it is desirable to deliver nicotine into the user's lungs, where it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. As explained above, in the so-called "vaping" approach, "e-liquid" is heated by a heating device to produce an aerosol vapour which is inhaled by a user. Many e-cigarettes also deliver flavour to the user, to enhance the experience. Flavour compounds are contained in the e-liquid that is heated. Heating of the flavour compounds may be undesirable as the flavour compounds are inhaled into the user's lungs. Toxicology restrictions are placed on the amount of flavour that can be contained in the e-liquid. This can result in some e-liquid flavours delivering a weak and underwhelming taste sensation to consumers in the pursuit of safety.

The present technology has been devised in light of the above considerations.

Optionally, the aerosol delivery device further comprises a mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising a mouthpiece aperture forming part of the air flow passage, wherein the support is located in the mouthpiece aperture.

In some embodiments, the support at least partially circumscribes the aerosol generator portion i.e. at least partially circumscribes at outer surface of the aerosol generator portion. Thus the support is an external support.

Advantageously, the support comprises ribs extending radially inwardly from a narrowing section of the air flow passage. The narrowing section of the air flow passage is typically substantially annular.

In some embodiments, the ribs contact and grip an outer surface of the aerosol generator portion. In some embodiments, the ribs may even penetrate the outer surface of the aerosol generator portion.

The ribs may be equally spaced around the circumference of the aerosol generator portion.

Conveniently, the support comprises three ribs (e.g. three equally spaced ribs) extending inwardly from the narrowing section of the air flow passage.

Optionally, the aerosol delivery device comprises a member, the member comprising the aerosol generator portion, wherein the member is configured to transfer the first aerosol precursor to the aerosol generator portion.

Advantageously, the member is formed of a second porous material, the member configured to wick the first aerosol precursor to the aerosol generator portion.

The air flow passage is configured to direct air past the aerosol generator portion to pick up the first aerosol precursor from the aerosol generator portion to form a first aerosol i.e. the aerosol generator portion is a passive aerosol generator portion that generates the first aerosol without the application of heat.

The aerosol delivery device further comprises a storage for storing the first aerosol precursor.

Optionally, the storage comprises a reservoir, the reservoir formed of a first porous material.

The storage comprises a tank configured to store the first aerosol precursor as a free liquid.

Conveniently, the first aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration, and the first aerosol is transmissible within at least one of a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity.

Advantageously, the aerosol delivery device is a consumable for a smoking substitute device.

Conveniently, the aerosol delivery device comprises a second aerosol generator, the second aerosol generator configured to produce a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor, wherein the second aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration.

Optionally, the second aerosol generator is configured to heat the second aerosol precursor to form the second aerosol.

Conveniently, the second aerosol generator is located so as to be upstream of the first aerosol generator in use.

Advantageously, the first aerosol precursor comprises a flavour component.

Conveniently, the second aerosol precursor comprises an active component.

Optionally, the active component is nicotine.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a smoking substitute system comprising a smoking substitute device <NUM>. In this example, the substitute smoking system comprises a cartomiser <NUM> and a flavour pod <NUM>. The cartomiser <NUM> may engage with the smoking substitute device <NUM> via a push-fit engagement, a screw-thread engagement, or a bayonet fit, for example. A cartomiser may also be referred to as a "pod". The smoking substitute system may be an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

The flavour pod <NUM> is configured to engage with the cartomiser <NUM> and thus with the substitute smoking device <NUM>. The flavour pod <NUM> may engage with the cartomiser <NUM> via a push-fit engagement, a screw-thread engagement, or a bayonet fit, for example. <FIG> illustrates the cartomiser <NUM> engaged with the substitute smoking device <NUM>, and the flavour pod <NUM> engaged with the cartomiser <NUM>. As will be appreciated, in this example, the cartomiser <NUM> and the flavour pod <NUM> are distinct elements. Each of the cartomiser <NUM> and the flavour pod may be an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

As will be appreciated from the following description, the cartomiser <NUM> and the flavour pod <NUM> may alternatively be combined into a single component that implements the functionality of the cartomiser <NUM><NUM> and flavour pod <NUM>. Such a single component may also be an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure.

In other examples, the cartomiser may be absent, with only a flavour pod <NUM> present.

A "consumable" component may mean that the component is intended to be used once until exhausted, and then disposed of as waste or returned to a manufacturer for reprocessing.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a smoking substitute system comprising a smoking substitute device <NUM> and a consumable <NUM>. The consumable <NUM> combines the functionality of the cartomiser <NUM> and the flavour pod <NUM>. In <FIG>, the consumable <NUM> and the smoking substitute device <NUM> are shown separated from one another. In <FIG>, the consumable <NUM> and the smoking substitute device <NUM> are engaged with each other.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a consumable <NUM> engaged with a smoking substitute device <NUM> via a push-fit engagement. The consumable <NUM> may be considered to have two portions - a cartomiser portion <NUM> and a flavour pod portion <NUM>, both of which are located within a single component (as in <FIG>).

The consumable <NUM> includes an upstream airflow inlet <NUM> and a downstream airflow outlet <NUM>. In other examples a plurality of inlets and/or outlets are included. Between and fluidly connecting the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> there is an airflow passage <NUM>. The outlet <NUM> is located at the mouthpiece <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, and is formed by a mouthpiece aperture.

As above, the consumable <NUM> includes a flavour pod portion <NUM>. The flavour pod portion <NUM> is configured to generate a first (flavour) aerosol for output from the outlet <NUM> of the mouthpiece <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>. The flavour pod portion <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> includes a member <NUM>. The member <NUM> acts as a passive aerosol generator (i.e. an aerosol generator which does not use heat to form the aerosol, also referred to as a "first aerosol generator" in this example), and is formed of a porous material. The member <NUM> comprises a supporting portion <NUM>, which is located inside a housing, and an aerosol generator portion <NUM>, which is located in the airflow passage <NUM>. In this example, the aerosol generator portion <NUM> is a porous nib.

A first storage <NUM> (in this example a tank) for storing a first aerosol precursor (i.e. a flavour liquid) is fluidly connected to the member <NUM>. The porous nature of the member <NUM> means that flavour liquid from the first storage <NUM> is drawn into the member <NUM>. As the first aerosol precursor in the member <NUM> is depleted in use, further flavour liquid is drawn from the first storage <NUM> into the member <NUM> via a wicking action.

As described above, the aerosol generator portion <NUM> is located within the airflow passage <NUM> through the consumable <NUM>. The aerosol generator portion <NUM> therefore constricts or narrows the airflow passage <NUM>. The aerosol generator portion <NUM> occupies some of the area of the airflow passage, resulting in constriction of the airflow passage <NUM>. The airflow passage <NUM> is narrowest adjacent to the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. Since the constriction results in increase air velocity and corresponding reduction in air pressure at the aerosol generator portion <NUM>, the constriction is a Venturi aperture <NUM>.

The cartomiser portion <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> includes a second storage <NUM> (in this example a tank) for storing a second aerosol precursor (i.e. e-liquid, which may contain nicotine). Extending into the second storage <NUM> is a wick <NUM>. The wick <NUM> is formed from a porous wicking material (e.g. a polymer) that draws second aerosol precursor from the second storage <NUM> into a central region of the wick <NUM> that is located outside the e-liquid storage tank <NUM>.

A heater <NUM> is a configured to heat the central region of the wick <NUM>. The heater <NUM> includes a resistive heating filament that is coiled around the central region of the wick <NUM>. The wick <NUM>, the heater <NUM> and the e-liquid storage tank <NUM> together act as an active aerosol generator (i.e. an aerosol generator which uses heat to form the aerosol, referred to as a "second aerosol generator" in this example).

As described above, the first and second aerosol generators are both at least partially located within the airflow passage <NUM>, with the first aerosol generator downstream (with respect to air flow in use) of the second aerosol generator.

So that the consumable <NUM> may be supplied with electrical power for activation of the heater <NUM>, the consumable <NUM> includes a pair of consumable electrical contacts <NUM>. The consumable electrical contacts <NUM> are configured for electrical connection to a corresponding pair of electrical supply contacts <NUM> in the smoking substitute device <NUM>. The consumable electrical contacts <NUM> are electrically connected to the electrical supply contacts <NUM> when the consumable <NUM> is engaged with the smoking substitute device <NUM>. The smoking substitute device <NUM> includes an electrical power source (not shown), for example a battery.

In use, a user draws (or "sucks", or "pulls") on the mouthpiece <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, which causes a drop in air pressure at the outlet <NUM>, thereby generating air flow through the inlet <NUM>, along the airflow passage <NUM>, out of the outlet <NUM> and into the user's mouth.

When the heater <NUM> is activated (by passing an electric current through the heating filament in response to the user drawing on the mouthpiece <NUM>) the e-liquid located in the wick <NUM> adjacent to the heating filament is heated and vaporised to form a vapour. The vapour condenses to form the second aerosol within the airflow passage <NUM>. Accordingly, the second aerosol is entrained in an airflow along the airflow flow passage <NUM> to the outlet <NUM> and ultimately out from the mouthpiece <NUM> for inhalation by the user when the user <NUM> draws on the mouthpiece <NUM>.

The substitute smoking device <NUM> supplies electrical current to the consumable electrical contacts <NUM>. This causes an electric current flow through the heating filament of the heater <NUM> and the heating filament heats up. As described, the heating of the heating filament causes vaporisation of the e-liquid in the wick <NUM> to form the second aerosol.

As the air flows up through the airflow passage <NUM>, it encounters the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. The constriction of the airflow passage <NUM> caused by the aerosol generator portion <NUM> results in an increase in air velocity and corresponding decrease in air pressure in the airflow in the vicinity of the porous surface <NUM> of the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. The corresponding low pressure region causes the generation of the first (flavour) aerosol from the porous surface <NUM> of the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. The first (flavour) aerosol is entrained into the airflow and ultimately is output from the outlet <NUM> of the consumable <NUM> and thus from the mouthpiece <NUM> into the user's mouth.

The first aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration. The first aerosol is formed of particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter that is greater than or equal to <NUM> microns, in particular, greater than <NUM> microns, more particularly greater than <NUM> microns, yet more particularly greater than <NUM> microns, and even more particularly greater than <NUM> microns.

The first aerosol is sized for transmission within at least one of a mammalian oral cavity and a mammalian nasal cavity. The first aerosol is formed by particles having a maximum mass median aerodynamic diameter that is less than <NUM> microns, in particular less than <NUM> microns, yet more particularly less than <NUM> microns. Such a range of mass median aerodynamic diameter will produce aerosols which are sufficiently small to be entrained in an airflow caused by a user drawing air through the flavour element and to enter and extend through the oral and or nasal cavity to activate the taste and/or olfactory receptors.

The second aerosol generated is sized for pulmonary penetration (i.e. to deliver an active ingredient such as nicotine to the user's lungs). The second aerosol is formed of particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than or equal to <NUM> microns, preferably less than <NUM> microns, more preferably less than <NUM> microns, yet more preferably less than <NUM> micron. Such sized aerosols tend to penetrate into a human user's pulmonary system, with smaller aerosols generally penetrating the lungs more easily. The second aerosol may also be referred to as a vapour.

The size of aerosol formed without heating is typically smaller than that formed by condensation of a vapour.

As a brief aside, it will be appreciated that the mass median aerodynamic diameter is a statistical measurement of the size of the particles/droplets in an aerosol. That is, the mass median aerodynamic diameter quantifies the size of the droplets that together form the aerosol. The mass median aerodynamic diameter may be defined as the diameter at which <NUM>% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are larger than the mass median aerodynamic diameter and <NUM>% of the particles/droplets by mass in the aerosol are smaller than the mass median aerodynamic diameter. The "size of the aerosol", as may be used herein, refers to the size of the particles/droplets that are comprised in the particular aerosol.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, there is shown a flavour pod portion <NUM> of a consumable, the consumable providing an aerosol delivery device in accordance with the invention. For clarity, many reference numerals are omitted from <FIG>. The consumable further comprises a cartomiser portion (not shown in <FIG>) having all of the features of the cartomiser portion <NUM> described above with respect to <FIG>. However, in other examples, the consumable does not comprise the cartomiser portion, and provides only flavour to the user.

The flavour pod portion <NUM> comprises an upstream (i.e. upstream with respect to flow of air in use) inlet <NUM> and a downstream (i.e. downstream with respect to flow of air in use) outlet <NUM>. Between and fluidly connecting the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> the flavour pod portion <NUM> comprises an airflow passage <NUM>. The airflow passage <NUM> comprises a first airflow branch <NUM> and a second airflow branch <NUM>, each of the first airflow branch <NUM> and the second airflow branch <NUM> fluidly connecting the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. In other examples the airflow passage <NUM> may have an annular shape. The outlet <NUM> is located at the mouthpiece <NUM> of the consumable <NUM>, and is also referred to as a mouthpiece aperture <NUM>.

The flavour pod portion <NUM> comprises a storage <NUM>, which stores a first aerosol precursor. The storage <NUM> comprises a reservoir <NUM> located within a chamber <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> is formed of a first porous material.

The flavour pod portion <NUM> comprises a member <NUM>, which comprises an aerosol generator portion <NUM> and a supporting portion <NUM>. The aerosol generator portion <NUM> is located at a downstream end (an upper end in <FIG>) of the member <NUM>, while the supporting portion <NUM> makes up the rest of the member <NUM>. The supporting portion <NUM> is elongate and substantially cylindrical. The aerosol generator portion <NUM> is bulb-shaped, and comprises a portion which is wider than the supporting portion <NUM>. The aerosol generator portion <NUM> tapers to a tip at a downstream end of the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

The member <NUM> extends into and through the storage <NUM>. The member <NUM> is in contact with the reservoir <NUM>. More specifically, the supporting portion <NUM> extends into and through the storage <NUM> and is in contact with the reservoir <NUM>. The member <NUM> is located in a substantially central position within the reservoir <NUM> and is substantially parallel to a central axis of the consumable. The member <NUM> is formed of a second porous material.

The first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the member <NUM>. Additionally, the first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> are located on opposite sides of the reservoir <NUM>. The first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> branch in a radial outward direction (with respect to the central axis of the consumable <NUM>) downstream of the inlet <NUM> to reach the opposite sides of the reservoir <NUM>.

The aerosol generator portion <NUM> is located in the airflow passage <NUM> downstream of the first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> turn in a radially inward direction to merge at the member <NUM>, at a point upstream of the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

The aerosol generator portion <NUM> is located in a narrowing section <NUM> of the airflow passage <NUM>. The narrowing section <NUM> is downstream of the point at which the first and second airflow branches <NUM><NUM> merge, but upstream of the mouthpiece aperture <NUM>. The mouthpiece aperture <NUM> flares outwardly in the downstream direction, such that a width of the mouthpiece aperture <NUM> increases in the downstream direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at most <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion (i.e. at the narrowing section <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>, and excluding the support described below with respect to <FIG>). This is the area of the annular portion at which the aerosol generator portion is positioned, downstream of the point at which the first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> merge. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at most <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at most <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at most <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at most <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion.

The air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at least <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion (again at the narrowing section <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>). More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at least <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at least <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of at least <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion. More specifically, the air flow passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area of substantially <NUM><NUM> at the aerosol generator portion.

In this example, the areas of the air flow passage <NUM> described here relate to the narrowest area through which air flows past the aerosol generator portion. However, since there is little variation in the width of the aerosol generator portion <NUM> in the narrowing section <NUM>, this area is substantially constant throughout the narrowing section <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the aerosol generator portion <NUM> has an atomising area <NUM> of more than <NUM><NUM>. The atomising area may be defined as the surface area of the portion from which substantial first aerosol is generated, which in this example is the surface area of the part of the aerosol generator portion which is located in the narrowing section <NUM>. The atomising area may be defined as the surface area from which <NUM>% of the first aerosol is generated.

More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is at least <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is at least <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is at least <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is at least <NUM><NUM>.

The atomising area <NUM> is not more than <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is not more than <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is not more than <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is not more than <NUM><NUM>. More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is not more than <NUM><NUM>.

More specifically, the atomising area <NUM> is substantially <NUM><NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the flavour pod portion <NUM> further comprises a support <NUM>. The support <NUM> comprises ribs <NUM> extending inwardly from the narrowing section <NUM>. The support <NUM> comprises three ribs <NUM> extending inwardly from the narrowing section <NUM> of the air flow passage <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> are substantially equi-spaced around the narrowing section <NUM>. Apart from the support <NUM>, the narrowing section <NUM> has a generally annular shape.

The ribs <NUM> contact the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> pierce an outer surface of the aerosol generator portion <NUM> to thereby grip the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

In use, when a user draws on the mouthpiece <NUM>, air flow is generated through the air flow passage <NUM>. Air (comprising the second aerosol from the cartomiser portion as explained above with respect to <FIG>) flows through the inlet <NUM> before the air flow splits to flow through the first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM>. Further downstream, the first and second airflow branches <NUM>, <NUM> provide inward airflow towards the member <NUM> and the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

As air flows past the aerosol generator portion in the narrowing section <NUM>, the velocity of the air increases, resulting in a drop in air pressure. This means that the air picks up the first aerosol precursor from the aerosol generator portion <NUM> to form the first aerosol. The first aerosol has the particle size and other properties described above with respect to <FIG>.

The air picks up more than <NUM> total particle mass (TPM) of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up more than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up more than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up more than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up more than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event.

The air picks up less than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up less than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up less than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up less than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event. More specifically, the air picks up less than <NUM> TPM of first aerosol per delivery event.

First aerosol of the TPM values described above may be picked up when the aerosol generator portion <NUM> is saturated, which may be when the storage <NUM> is full. A delivery event may refer to a typical single draw on the mouthpiece <NUM> by a user.

In a delivery event, the user may inhale on the mouthpiece <NUM> such that a flow rate of between <NUM> and <NUM> litres/minute is effected in the airflow passage <NUM>. The user may inhale on the mouthpiece <NUM> such that a flow rate of substantially <NUM> litres/minute is effected in the airflow passage <NUM>. Such a flow rate may result in a velocity of substantially <NUM>/s in the narrowing section <NUM>.

The delivery event may have a duration (i.e. the period for which the user inhales on the mouthpiece <NUM>) of between <NUM> and <NUM> seconds. The delivery event may have a duration of between <NUM> and <NUM> seconds, and in some examples substantially <NUM> seconds.

As the first aerosol precursor is picked up by the air, the member <NUM> transfers further first aerosol precursor from the storage <NUM> to the aerosol generator portion <NUM>. More specifically, the member <NUM> wicks the first aerosol precursor from the storage <NUM> to the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

In other examples, the storage <NUM> comprises a tank containing the first aerosol precursor as free liquid, rather than the reservoir <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>. In such examples, the member <NUM> still extends into the tank to transfer first aerosol precursor from the tank to the aerosol generator portion <NUM>.

The support <NUM> maintains the aerosol generator portion <NUM> in a substantially central position in the narrowing section <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An aerosol delivery device (<NUM>) comprising:
an aerosol generator portion (<NUM>) configured to receive a first aerosol precursor, wherein the aerosol generator portion (<NUM>) is a passive aerosol generator portion (<NUM>);
an air flow passage (<NUM>) configured to direct air past the aerosol generator portion (<NUM>) to pick up the first aerosol precursor from the aerosol generator portion (<NUM>) to form a first aerosol; and
a support (<NUM>) for maintaining the aerosol generator portion (<NUM>) in a substantially central position in the air flow passage (<NUM>);
characterised in that the device further comprises a storage (<NUM>) for storing the first aerosol precursor wherein the storage (<NUM>) comprises a tank configured to store the first aerosol precursor as a free liquid.