Aerosol delivery device

• US 10,426,200 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2018
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Original Assignee: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC. (British American Tobacco PLC)
• Inventors: DePiano, John, Smith, David, Novak, III, Charles Jacob, Silveira, Frank S., Alderman, Steven Lee, Dooly, Grady Lance, Ampolini, Frederic Philippe, Nestor, Timothy Brian, Guenther, Jr., Quentin Paul, Sears, Stephen Benson, Wolber, John William, Laine, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Yaary, Eric
• Application Number:
  US16/020,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20180303168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/42 Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/46 Shape or structure of electric heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/70 Manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/016 Heaters using particular connecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/017 Manufacturing methods or apparatus for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/021 Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/022 Heaters specially adapted for heating gaseous material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/04 Waterproof or air-tight seals for heaters
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/44 heating conductor arranged within rods or tubes of insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.

Claims

1. A smoking article comprising:

a control body comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and including one or more control components that actuate or regulate flow of an electrical current from an electrical power source, the control body having a substantially quadrilateral-shaped cross-section; and

a cartridge body comprising;

a base defining a connector end configured to engage the control body via press-fit engagement,

a mouth end opposing the base, the mouth end defining an opening of the cartridge body configured to receive suction,

a reservoir configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition, the reservoir defining a cavity extending therethrough from a first reservoir end to a second reservoir end, wherein the first reservoir end is positioned proximate the base and the second reservoir end is positioned proximate the opening of the mouth end, and

an atomizer comprising;

a liquid transport element extending between a first liquid transport element end and a second liquid transport element end,

a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element at a position between the first liquid transport element end and the second liquid transport element end, and

a plurality of heater terminals extending from the heating element through the base defining the connector end so as to be exposed about connecting ends for direct contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the control body;

wherein the liquid transport element is configured to transport the aerosol precursor composition to the heating element from the reservoir for aerosolization thereof upon suction applied to the opening of the mouth end;

wherein the one or more control components are configured to regulate flow of the electrical current based on a resistance associated with the heating element; and

wherein when the connector end of the base is brought into press-fit engagement with the control body, the electrical contacts of the control body engage the contact surfaces of the base so as to electrically couple the heating element with the electrical power source.

2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the one or more control components are configured to permit uninterrupted current flow through the heating element for up to a defined period during application of suction to the opening of the mouth end of the smoking article.

3. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the one or more control components are configured to cut off flow of electrical current from the electrical power source in response to a predefined condition of the electrical power source.

4. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a resistive heating element.

5. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the control body includes one or more indicators of active use of the article.

6. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the cavity includes an opening adjacent to the first reservoir end adapted for exit of aerosol therefrom.

7. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the electrical power source is rechargeable via a USB connection.

8. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the one or more control components are configured to:

determine engagement of the cartridge body with the control body; and

perform a function in response to engagement of the cartridge body with the control body.

9. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein the one or more control components are configured to determine a property of the cartridge body in response to engagement of the cartridge body with the control body.

10. The smoking article of claim 8, wherein the one or more control components are configured to cause illumination of an indicator light in response to engagement of the cartridge body with the control body.

11. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a wire defining a plurality of coils wound about the liquid transport element extending between a first wire end and a second wire end.

12. The smoking article of claim 11, wherein the heater terminals directly contact the wire proximate the first wire end and the second wire end.

13. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the control body defines a cavity such that the plurality of electrical contacts are exposed within the cavity,

and wherein the cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge body including the base.

14. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body further comprises an air intake positioned between the plurality of contact surfaces.

15. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the mouth end comprises a mouthpiece engaged with the shell.

22. A kit comprising packaging containing at least:

a control body according to claim 1;

at least one cartridge body according to claim 1; and

a charging unit configured to engage the control body.

29. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the connecting ends of the plurality of heater terminals are substantially flattened.

16. The smoking article of 15, wherein the mouthpiece is retained in engagement with the shell via engagement of corresponding protrusions and indentations.

17. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery device, the cartridge comprising:

a shell;

a base positioned at a first end of the shell and defining a connector end configured to engage a control body of the aerosol delivery device via press-fit engagement, the control body comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and including one or more control components that actuate or regulate flow of an electrical current from an electrical power source and having a substantially quadrilateral-shaped cross-section;

a mouthpiece engaged with a second end of the shell opposing the first end, the mouthpiece defining at least one opening of the cartridge configured to receive suction,

a reservoir at least partially defined by an interior of the shell and holding an aerosol precursor composition, the reservoir defining a cavity extending therethrough from a first reservoir end to a second reservoir end, wherein the first reservoir end is positioned proximate the base and the second reservoir end is fluidly coupled with the opening of the mouthpiece, and

an atomizer comprising;

a liquid transport element extending between a first liquid transport element end and a second liquid transport element end,

a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element at a position between the first liquid transport element end and the second liquid transport element end, and

a plurality of heater terminals extending from the heating element through the base defining the connector end so as to be exposed about connecting ends for direct contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the control body;

wherein the liquid transport element is configured to transport the aerosol precursor composition to the heating element from the reservoir for aerosolization thereof,

wherein the cavity is arranged such that aerosol formed via aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition can flow through the cavity toward the second reservoir end and through the opening defined by the mouthpiece;

wherein a flow of the electrical current is configured to be regulated by the one or more control components based on a resistance associated with the heating element; and

wherein when the connector end of the base is brought into press-fit engagement with the control body, the electrical contacts of the control body engage the contact surfaces of the base so as to electrically couple the heating element with the electrical power source.

18. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein the base comprises an air intake positioned between the heater terminals, wherein upon application of suction to the at least one opening in the mouthpiece, air is drawn into the air intake, through the atomizer and the cavity, and out the at least one opening defined in the mouthpiece.

19. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein the mouthpiece is retained in engagement with the shell via engagement of corresponding protrusions and indentations.

20. The cartridge of claim 17, further comprising a cartridge base plug configured to engage the base of the cartridge.

21. The cartridge of claim 17, further comprising a mouth plug configured to cover the at least one opening in the mouthpiece.

30. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein the connecting ends of the plurality of heater terminals are substantially flattened.

23. A smoking article comprising:

a control body comprising a plurality of electrical contacts and including one or more control components that actuate or regulate flow of an electrical current from an electrical power source; and

a cartridge body comprising;

a base defining a connector end configured to engage the control body via press-fit engagement,

a mouth end opposing the base, the mouth end defining an opening of the cartridge body configured to receive suction,

a reservoir configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition, the reservoir defining a cavity extending therethrough from a first reservoir end to a second reservoir end, wherein the first reservoir end is positioned proximate the base and the second reservoir end is positioned proximate the opening of the mouth end, and

an atomizer comprising;

a liquid transport element extending between a first liquid transport element end and a second liquid transport element end,

a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element at a position between the first liquid transport element end and the second liquid transport element end, and

a plurality of heater terminals extending from the heating element through the base defining the connector end so as to be exposed about connecting ends for direct contact with the plurality of electrical contacts of the control body;

wherein the liquid transport element is configured to transport the aerosol precursor composition to the heating element from the reservoir for aerosolization thereof upon suction applied to the opening of the mouth end;

wherein the one or more control components are configured to regulate flow of the electrical current based on a resistance associated with the heating element; and

wherein when the connector end of the base is brought into press-fit engagement with the control body, the electrical contacts of the control body engage the contact surfaces of the base so as to electrically couple the heating element with the electrical power source.

24. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the control body comprises at least one substantially planar surface.

25. The smoking article of claim 24, wherein the at least one substantially planar surface of the control body is defined towards an engagement end of the control body, the engagement end of the control body engaging the connector end of the base of the cartridge body via press-fit engagement.

26. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the heating element comprises a wire defining a plurality of coils wound about the liquid transport element extending between a first wire end and a second wire end.

27. The smoking article of claim 26, wherein the heater terminals directly contact the wire proximate the first wire end and the second wire end.

28. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the connecting ends of the plurality of heater terminals are substantially flattened.