Aerosol delivery device with multiple aerosol delivery lanes.

Abstract

This disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and related methods of delivering aerosol to a user. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing providing multiple aerosol pathways having a mouth-end opening through which the aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening. An atomizer including a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluidic communication with an aerosol precursor composition is provided in fluidic communication with the first aerosol delivery pathway.A flavor-infused material is positioned within the second aerosol delivery path and adapted to produce a second aerosol through contact between the flavor-infused material and the flowing air.

Description

1 / 57 Aerosol delivery device with multiple aerosol delivery lanes. FUNDAMENTALS Dissemination Field

[001] This disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as electronic cigarettes, and more particularly to aerosol delivery devices, including an atomizer. The atomizer may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor composition, which may be manufactured from or derived from tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, to form an inhalable substance for human consumption. Description of the related technique

[002] Many devices have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking products that require tobacco combustion for use. Many of these devices have been designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, but without delivering considerable amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from burning tobacco. To this end, numerous alternative smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material or attempt to provide the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe without burning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the various smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and alternative heat generation sources disclosed in the prior art described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 7 / 78 2 / 57 by Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 by Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 by Sears et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096782 by Ampolini et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0059780 by Davis et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. See also, for example, the various product embodiments and heating configurations described in the fundamentals sections of U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594 by Counts et al. and 8,079,371 by Robinson et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[003] Many electronic cigarette products comprise an atomizer with a wick / coil design, which includes an electrical resistance heating wire wound around a fibrous wick material. This design has potential disadvantages regarding the delivery of flavorings tailored to alter the sensory characteristics of the aerosol produced by the device. For example, flavoring compounds can be temperature-sensitive and subject to thermal decomposition if heated above a certain temperature, which can negatively impact the sensory experience associated with the aerosol. Consequently, there remains a need in the art for aerosol delivery devices that provide a desirable and consistent sensory experience. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[004] This disclosure refers to an atomizer for aerosol delivery devices configured to produce aerosol and these aerosol delivery devices, in some embodiments, may be referred to as Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 8 / 78 3 / 57 Electronic cigarettes. In one aspect, an aerosol delivery device is provided comprising a housing that provides multiple aerosol delivery pathways having a mouth-end opening through which the aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening.The device further includes a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol precursor composition, an atomizer comprising a heating element (e.g., electrical resistance heating element, inductive heating element, infrared heating element and the like) or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluidic communication with the reservoir and in fluidic communication with the heating element or piezoelectric element, the atomizer adapted to produce a first aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, the atomizer positioned in fluidic communication with the first aerosol delivery path, wherein the atomizer is in fluidic communication with a first air inlet.The device also includes a flavor-infused material positioned within the second aerosol delivery channel and adapted to produce a second aerosol through contact between the flavor-infused material and the flowing air, the flavor-infused material being positioned in fluidic communication with a second air inlet. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 9 / 78 4 / 57

[005] In some embodiments, the housing further defines a mixing area downstream of the first and second aerosol delivery paths and adapted to allow mixing of the first and second aerosols before exiting the mouthpiece opening. The device may also include a heater positioned to heat at least a portion of the flavor-infused material positioned within the second aerosol delivery path. Advantageously, the first aerosol may be respirable and the second aerosol may be non-respirable.

[006] In certain embodiments, the liquid aerosol precursor composition is substantially flavor-free. Examples of flavor-infused material include a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid carrier and a flavor mixed with the liquid carrier, or a substrate and a releasable flavor delivered by the substrate. Examples of flavor-infused materials are in the form of one or more porous monoliths, granules, particles, gels (including aerogels), capsules, and coatings. In one embodiment, the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid carrier and a flavor mixed with the liquid carrier, and an aerosol jet array is positioned within the second aerosol delivery path to form droplets of the flavor-infused material.

[007] The housing may include a plurality of different flavor-infused materials, each flavor-infused material positioned within a separate aerosol delivery pathway and in communication. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 10 / 78 5 / 57 fluidic with a separate air inlet. In certain embodiments, the device may further include a mouth-end cap having first and second openings, the first opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, the first aerosol delivery path, and the second opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein. The mouth-end cap is optionally rotatable, so that a user can move the second opening for fluidic communication with different aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein.

[008] The atomizer may be located within a separate housing upstream from the housing providing multiple aerosol delivery paths, the housing providing multiple aerosol delivery paths being fixed or removablely attached to the separate housing. Alternatively, the atomizer is located within the housing providing multiple aerosol delivery paths. The first aerosol delivery path and the second aerosol delivery path may be in a side-by-side configuration within the housing.

[009] In certain embodiments, the first aerosol delivery path is located centrally within the housing and the second aerosol delivery path is an annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path. For example, the annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path may be divided into a plurality of separate aerosol delivery paths, each Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 11 / 78 6 / 57 containing a different flavor-infused material and in fluidic communication with a separate air inlet. The device may further include a mouth-end cap having first and second openings, the first opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, the first aerosol delivery path and the second opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein. Advantageously, the mouth-end cap is rotatable, so that a user can move the second opening into fluidic communication with different aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein.

[0010] Furthermore, at least one breakable capsule containing an internal payload comprising a flavoring agent may be positioned within the second aerosol delivery route.

[0011] In one embodiment, the device includes a rotating absorbent material in fluidic communication with a flavor-infused material comprising a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavoring mixed with the liquid vehicle, the rotating adsorbent material adapted to produce droplets of the flavor-infused material during rotation.

[0012] Optional additional device components include one or more of: (a) an electrical power source configured to supply electrical current flow to the heating element or piezoelectric element; (b) a controller adapted to control the Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 12 / 78 7 / 57 electric current flow from the electric power source; and (c) a flow sensor in communication with the controller and adapted to detect a pressure drop within the aerosol delivery device or a portion thereof.

[0013] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for delivering multiple aerosols from an aerosol delivery device having at least one mouth-end opening to a user's oral cavity, comprising: (i) forming a first aerosol by flowing air through an atomizer, the atomizer in fluidic communication with an aerosol precursor composition, a first aerosol delivery path leading to a mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device and a first air inlet; (ii) forming a second aerosol by flowing air through a second aerosol delivery path separate from the first aerosol delivery path, the second aerosol delivery path containing a flavoring-infused material and being in fluidic communication with a second air inlet and a mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device;and (iii) pass the first and second aerosols through at least one mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device into the user's oral cavity. Advantageously, the liquid aerosol precursor composition is substantially flavor-free and optionally contains nicotine.

[0014] The invention includes, without limitation, the following embodiments:

[0015] Mode 1: A delivery device of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 13 / 78 8 / 57 aerosol, comprising: a housing providing multiple aerosol delivery pathways having a mouth-end opening through which the aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening; a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol precursor composition;an atomizer comprising a heating element or piezoelectric element and a liquid transport element in fluidic communication with the reservoir and in fluidic communication with the heating element or piezoelectric element, the atomizer adapted to produce a first aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, the atomizer positioned in fluidic communication with the first aerosol delivery path, wherein the atomizer is in fluidic communication with a first air inlet; and a flavoring-infused material positioned within the second aerosol delivery path and adapted to produce a second aerosol by contact between the flavoring-infused material and the flowing air, the flavoring-infused material positioned in fluidic communication with a second air inlet.

[0016] Modality 2: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, in which the liquid aerosol precursor composition is substantially free of flavoring.

[0017] Mode 3: The delivery device of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 14 / 78 9 / 57 aerosol of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid carrier and a flavoring mixed with the liquid carrier, or comprises a substrate and a releaseable flavoring carried by the substrate.

[0018] Modality 4: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the flavor-infused material is in the form of one or more porous monoliths, granules, particles, gels, capsules, and coatings.

[0019] Modality 5: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the housing further defines a downstream mixing area from the first and second aerosol delivery paths and adapted to allow mixing of the first and second aerosols before exiting the mouth end opening.

[0020] Modality 6: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of different flavor-infused materials, each flavor-infused material positioned within a separate aerosol delivery path and in fluid communication with a separate air inlet.

[0021] Modality 7: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, further comprising a mouth end cap having first and second openings, the first opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, the first aerosol delivery route and the second opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, at least one of the delivery routes. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 15 / 78 10 / 57 separate aerosol cans, each containing a flavor-infused material.

[0022] Modality 8: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, in which the mouth end cap is rotatable, so that a user can move the second opening for fluidic communication with different aerosol delivery pathways having a flavor-infused material positioned in them.

[0023] Embodiment 9: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the atomizer is located within a separate housing upstream from the housing providing multiple aerosol paths, the housing providing multiple aerosol paths being fixed or removablely attached to the separate housing.

[0024] Modality 10: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the first aerosol delivery path is centrally located within the housing and the second aerosol delivery path is an annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path.

[0025] Embodiment 11: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path is divided into a plurality of separate aerosol delivery paths, each containing a different flavoring-infused material and in fluidic communication with a separate air inlet, and further comprising a mouth-end cap having first and second openings, the first opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, the first aerosol delivery path and the Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 16 / 78 11 / 57 second downstream opening from, and in fluid communication with, at least one of the separate aerosol delivery pathways having a flavor-infused material positioned in them.

[0026] Modality 12: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the mouth end cap is rotatable so that a user can move the second opening for fluidic communication with different aerosol delivery pathways having a flavor-infused material positioned in them.

[0027] Modality 13: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, further comprising a heater positioned to heat at least a portion of the flavoring-infused material positioned within the second aerosol delivery channel.

[0028] Embodiment 14: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavor mixed with the liquid vehicle, and wherein an aerosol jet array is positioned within the second aerosol delivery path to form droplets from the flavor-infused material.

[0029] Modality 15: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, in which the atomizer is located within the housing providing multiple aerosol pathways.

[0030] Modality 16: The aerosol delivery device of any previous modality, wherein the first aerosol delivery route and the second delivery route of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 17 / 78 12 / 57 aerosol cans are in a side-by-side configuration within the housing.

[0031] Modality 17: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein at least one breakable capsule containing an internal payload comprising a flavoring agent is positioned within the second aerosol delivery route.

[0032] Embodiment 18: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, further comprising a rotating absorbent material in fluidic communication with a flavor-infused material comprising a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavoring mixed with the liquid vehicle, the rotating adsorbent material adapted to produce droplets of the flavor-infused material during rotation.

[0033] Modality 19: The aerosol delivery device of any previous embodiment, wherein the first aerosol is respirable and the second aerosol is non-respirable.

[0034] Modality 20: The aerosol delivery device of any previous modality, further comprising one or more of: (a) an electrical power source configured to supply electric current flow to the heating element or piezoelectric element; (b) a controller adapted to control the flow of electric current from the electric power source; and (c) a flow sensor communicating with the controller and adapted to detect a drop in pressure within the aerosol delivery device or a portion thereof. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 18 / 78 13 / 57

[0035] Modality 21: Method for delivering multiple aerosols from an aerosol delivery device having at least one mouth-end opening to a user's oral cavity, comprising: i. forming a first aerosol by flowing air through an atomizer, the atomizer in fluidic communication with an aerosol precursor composition, a first aerosol delivery pathway leading to a mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device and a first air inlet; ii. forming a second aerosol by flowing air through a second aerosol delivery path separate from the first aerosol delivery path, the second aerosol delivery path containing a flavoring-infused material and being in fluidic communication with a second air inlet and a mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device; and iii. passing the first and second aerosols through at least one mouth-end opening of the aerosol delivery device into the user's oral cavity.

[0036] Modality 22: The method of any previous embodiment, in which the liquid aerosol precursor composition is substantially flavor-free and optionally contains nicotine.

[0037] Embodiment 23: The method of any previous embodiment, wherein the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid carrier and a flavor mixed with the liquid carrier, or comprises a substrate and a releasable flavor carried by the substrate. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 19 / 78 14 / 57

[0038] Modality 24: The method of any previous embodiment, in which the flavoring-infused material is in the form of one or more porous monoliths, granules, particles, gels, capsules, and coatings.

[0039] Modality 25: The method of any previous modality, in which the first aerosol is respirable and the second aerosol is non-respirable.

[0040] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from reading the detailed description that follows, together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The invention includes any combination of two, three, four, or more of the embodiments mentioned above, as well as combinations of any two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically, so that any separable features or elements of the disclosed invention, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, are seen as combinable, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0041] Having thus described the disclosure in the general terms mentioned above, reference will now be made to the attached drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates an aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge and a control body in a configuration assembled according to an embodiment of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 20 / 78 15 / 57 example of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a housing containing multiple aerosol flow paths for the generation and transport of two separate aerosols;

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a housing containing multiple aerosol flow paths for the generation and transport of two separate aerosols;

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of a housing with multiple aerosol delivery lanes removablely attached to the mouth end of an aerosol delivery device;

[0046] Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a housing with multiple aerosol flow paths according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a housing with multiple aerosol flow paths according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an aerosol multi-path housing according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an aerosol multi-flow path housing according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 9 illustrates the presence of plates of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 21 / 78 16 / 57 downstream blockage of the rotating adsorbent material of Figure 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 10 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a multi-way aerosol extrusion housing according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0052] Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a mouth end cap with multiple openings for use with a housing with multiple aerosol flow paths according to the embodiment of Figure 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES

[0053] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail hereafter with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, the disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure meets applicable legal requirements. As used in the descriptive report and the accompanying claims, the singular forms a, an, the include plural variations, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0054] The invention provides an aerosol delivery device comprising a reservoir containing a liquid aerosol precursor composition and an atomizer. The atomizer is configured to produce a first aerosol that can be delivered to the oral cavity of a user of the Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 22 / 78 17 / 57 device. In certain advantageous embodiments, the liquid precursor composition may be substantially flavor-free, such that the flavoring compounds are not subjected to conditions within the atomizer that could lead to decomposition or other chemical modification of the flavoring, which could cause a deleterious impact on the aerosol delivered by the device, such as negative sensory impact. As used herein, substantially flavor-free refers to a liquid aerosol precursor composition having less than about 0.1% by weight of flavoring component(s), more typically less than about 0.05% by weight or less than about 0.01% by weight (or flavor-free compositions), based on the total weight of the precursor composition.

[0055] The aerosol precursor composition may vary. Typically, the aerosol precursor composition is composed of a combination or mixture of several ingredients or components. The selection of specific aerosol precursor components and the relative amounts of these components used may be altered in order to control the overall chemical composition of the conventional aerosol produced by the device. For example, representative generally liquid aerosol precursor compositions may be in the form of liquid solutions, viscous gels, mixtures of miscible components, or liquids incorporating suspended or dispersed components. Typical aerosol precursor compositions are capable of being vaporized by exposure to heat under the conditions experienced during the use of the aerosol generation arrangement(s) that are characteristic of the present disclosure; Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 23 / 78 18 / 57 and therefore are capable of producing vapors and aerosols that can be inhaled.

[0056] For aerosol delivery systems that are characterized as electronic cigarettes, the aerosol precursor composition preferably incorporates tobacco or tobacco-derived components. In one aspect, the tobacco may be supplied as parts or pieces of tobacco, such as finely ground, ground, or powdered tobacco leaf. In another aspect, the tobacco may be supplied in the form of an extract, such as a spray-dried extract incorporating many of the water-soluble components of tobacco. Alternatively, tobacco extracts may be in the form of relatively high nicotine content extracts; these extracts also incorporate small amounts of other extracted tobacco-derived components. In another aspect, tobacco-derived components may be supplied in a relatively pure form, such as certain tobacco-derived flavoring agents.In one aspect, a component that is derived from tobacco, and which can be used in a highly purified or essentially pure form, is nicotine (for example, pharmaceutical-grade nicotine).

[0057] As noted above, highly purified tobacco-derived nicotine (e.g., pharmaceutical-grade nicotine with a purity greater than 98% or greater than 99%) or a derivative thereof may be used in the present invention. Representative nicotine-containing extracts may be provided using the techniques set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In certain embodiments, the products of the invention may include nicotine, under any Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 24 / 78 19 / 57 form, from any source, whether tobacco or synthetic. The nicotinic compounds used in the products of the invention may include nicotine in freebase form, in salt form, as a complex, or as a solvate. See, for example, the discussion of nicotine in freebase form in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004 / 0191322 by Hansson, which is incorporated herein by reference. At least a portion of the nicotinic compound may be employed in the form of a nicotine resin complex, wherein the nicotine is bound to an ion-exchange resin, such as nicotine polacrilex. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,901,248 by Lichtneckert et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. At least a portion of the nicotine may be employed in the form of a salt. Nicotine salts can be supplied using the types of ingredients and techniques set forth in U.S. Patent No. 2,033,909 to Cox et al. and Perfetti, Beitrage Tabakforschung Int., 12, 43-54 (1983).Furthermore, nicotine salts are available from sources such as Pfaltz and Bauer, Inc. and K&K Laboratories, a division of ICN Biochemicals, Inc. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable nicotine salts include tartrate nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine tartrate and nicotine bitartrate), chloride (e.g., nicotine hydrochloride and nicotine dihydrochloride), sulfate, perchlorate, ascorbate, fumarate, citrate, malate, lactate, aspartate, salicylate, tosylate, succinate, pyruvate, and the like; nicotine salt hydrates (e.g., nicotine-zinc chloride monohydrate) and the like. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the nicotinic compound is in the form of a salt with an organic acid moiety, including, but not limited to, levulinic acid, such as... Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 25 / 78 20 / 57 discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011 / 0268809 by Brinkley et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] The aerosol precursor composition may also incorporate so-called aerosol-forming materials. Such materials may, in some cases, have the ability to produce visible (or non-visible) aerosols when vaporized by exposure to heat under those conditions experienced during the normal use of aerosol generation arrangement(s) that are characteristic of the present disclosure. These aerosol-forming materials include various polyols or polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof). Aspects of the present disclosure also incorporate aerosol precursor components that may be characterized as water, saline solution, moisture, or aqueous liquid. During the normal use conditions of certain aerosol generation arrangement(s), the water incorporated in these aerosol generation arrangement(s) may vaporize to produce a component of the generated aerosol.Therefore, for the purposes of this disclosure, the water present in the aerosol precursor composition can be considered an aerosol-forming material.

[0059] Aerosol precursor compositions may also include ingredients that exhibit acidic or basic characteristics (e.g., organic acids, ammonium salts, or organic amines). For example, certain organic acids (e.g., levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid) may be included in an aerosol precursor formulation incorporating nicotine, preferably in amounts up to equimolar (based on Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 26 / 78 21 / 57 in total organic acid content) with nicotine. For example, the aerosol precursor may include about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of succinic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per mole of nicotine, or various permutations and combinations thereof, up to a concentration where the total amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount of nicotine present in the aerosol precursor composition. However, in some aspects of the present disclosure, the aerosol precursor composition is free of any acidic (or basic) features or additives.

[0060] As a non-limiting example, a representative aerosol precursor composition or substance may include glycerin, propylene glycol, water, saline solution, and nicotine, and combinations or mixtures of any or all of these components. For example, in one instance, a representative aerosol precursor composition may include (based on weight) about 70% to about 100% glycerin, and often about 80% to about 90% glycerin; about 5% to about 25% water, often about 10% to about 20% water; and about 0.1% to about 5% nicotine, often about 2% to about 3% nicotine. In a particular non-limiting example, a representative aerosol precursor composition may include about 84% glycerin, about 14% water, and about 2% nicotine. A representative aerosol precursor composition may also include Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 27 / 78 22 / 57 propylene glycol, optional flavoring agents or other additives in varying amounts based on weight. In some cases, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise up to about 100% by weight of any glycerin, water and saline solution, as required or desired.

[0061] Representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulations are also presented and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al., 8,881,737 by Collett et al., and 9,254,002 by Chong et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013 / 0008457 by Zheng et al.; 2015 / 0020823 by Lipowicz et al.; and 2015 / 0020830 by Koller, as well as WO 2014 / 182736 by Bowen et al., disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that can be used include the aerosol precursors incorporated into the VUSE® product by RJ Reynolds Vapor Company, the BLU product from Lorillard Technologies, the MISTIC MENTHOL product from Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product from CN Creative Ltd. Also desirable are the so-called e-cigarette smoke juices available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

[0062] The amount of aerosol precursor incorporated into the aerosol delivery device is such that the device provides acceptable sensory and desirable performance characteristics. For example, it is highly preferred that sufficient quantities of aerosol-forming material (e.g., glycerin and / or propylene glycol) be employed to provide the generation of a conventional aerosol (visible or non-visible) that, in many respects, resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. The amount of aerosol precursor composition Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 28 / 78 The amount of aerosol precursor composition incorporated into the aerosol delivery device (23 / 57) can depend on factors such as the desired number of puffs from the device. Typically, the amount of aerosol precursor composition incorporated into the aerosol delivery device is less than about 2 g, usually less than about 1.5 g, often less than about 1 g, and frequently less than about 0.5 g.

[0063] The aerosol delivery devices of the invention typically provide a separate aerosol delivery pathway for any flavoring components included in the device. The separate aerosol delivery pathway is typically defined by a housing that includes one or more wall structures within the housing that create separate pathways for the first aerosol from the atomizer and a second aerosol that includes one or more flavoring components. The wall structures separating the aerosol pathways are typically non-porous to aerosol, meaning that the walls can be solid structures that do not allow aerosol transport through them.However, in certain embodiments, the wall structure may exhibit some level of permeability or porosity that merely reduces or slows (without completely blocking) aerosol transport between pathways, such as porous ceramic structures, porous glass structures, or fibrous materials (e.g., fiberglass).

[0064] In certain embodiments of the invention, the flavorings are prevented from interacting with the atomizer in a disadvantageous manner. Furthermore, in several embodiments of the invention, the use of two aerosol delivery routes prevents the first aerosol (e.g., the aerosol produced) from... Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 29 / 78 24 / 57 in an atomizer) pass through a flavor-infused material, where condensation of the aerosol may occur before reaching the mouthpiece opening of the device, which may alter the nature and character of the aerosol delivered to the user and cause dirt buildup or clogging of the flavor-infused material.

[0065] Typically, each airway within the housing will be associated with a separate air intake to draw air into the device as needed to form each aerosol. A separate airflow path also helps keep the flavoring components segregated from the atomizer.

[0066] Although several embodiments of the invention relate to devices with two aerosol pathways (i.e., dual pathways), the invention is not limited to devices with only two pathways. Instead, multiple aerosol pathways of varying numbers may be used, particularly when the device is adapted to deliver several different flavorings that are selectable by the user.

[0067] As used herein, the reference to flavoring refers to compounds or components of the device that can be aerosolized and delivered to a user and that convey a sensory experience in terms of taste and / or aroma. Exemplary flavorings include vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruits (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach, and citrus flavors, including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, rosemary, hibiscus, rosehip, yerba mate, guayusa, honeycomb, Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 30 / 78 25 / 57 rooibos, holy herb, bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba, withania somnifera, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, Croton eluteria, cocoa, licorice and flavorings and flavor packaging of the type and character traditionally used for flavoring cigarette, cigar and pipe tobaccos. Syrups, such as high fructose corn syrup, may also be used.

[0068] The flavoring is typically used in a form that allows the flavoring to volatilize in aerosol or vapor form without significant heating to form the second aerosol, although some heating may be used as needed. In certain embodiments, the flavoring is used in the form of a flavoring-infused material, comprising one or more flavorings combined with a liquid carrier to form a solution or emulsion, or comprising one or more flavorings carried by a substrate. The form of the flavoring-infused material may vary, with examples including porous monoliths, granules, particles, gels, capsules, and coatings. The substrate material may be constructed, for example, from carbon, ceramic, polymer, composite, metal, cellulosic (e.g., microcrystalline cellulose), and similar materials.In certain embodiments, the substrate will be porous (e.g., a porous carbon material) or in the form of a gel or coating that allows the flavoring to be transported to its surface for volatilization. Examples of coating materials that can be combined with a flavoring to produce a flavor-infused coating include gelatin, waxes, and the like. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 31 / 78 26 / 57

[0069] In another embodiment, the flavor-infused material is a polymeric material with a flavor infused therein. Examples of polymeric materials that can be infused with a flavor include polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene) or ethylene vinyl acetate. Flavor-infused materials are commercially available from, for example, ScentSational Technologies, LLC, MOGO Sport, Addmaster (e.g., Scentmaster Fragrance Technology), Mint-X Corporation, Rotuba (e.g., AUROCELL material), and the like. See also U.S. Patent No. 7,811,587 to Katoh et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.Note that when a flavoring is infused into a plastic or polymeric material, the polymeric material may be produced with a flavoring concentration gradient in order to improve flavoring release from a desired surface of the material, or the polymeric material may include a rough or porous surface designed to enhance flavoring release.

[0070] Representative flavoring-infused materials may include grains or other objects produced from a formulation incorporating tobacco (e.g., particulate tobacco), tobacco components, and / or materials otherwise derived from tobacco. In some embodiments, the grains may include or otherwise comprise or be configured as, for example, marbled tobacco grains of varying shapes and sizes; a monolith of bonded grains (e.g., sintered); a porous monolith; a single porous structure; a honeycomb monolith; a single piece of a porous material; grains of Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 32 / 78 27 / 57 extruded tobacco; grains of porous material containing tobacco extract (e.g., calcium carbonate, ceramic or similar); reconstituted tobacco pieces; expanded tobacco pieces; extruded rods of various materials (including hollow cylinders and split rods) containing tobacco flavors; shavings, granules, capsules and / or microcapsules of various materials containing tobacco flavors or other substances, in liquid or other form; and treatments or combinations thereof.

[0071] As noted above, the flavoring-infused material may be in the form of a capsule, such as a breakable capsule containing a fragile shell and an internal load including the flavoring. Any of the illustrated embodiments may include one or more breakable capsules within a housing that is sufficiently flexible to allow the user to squeeze the device and break the capsule to release the flavoring. Several ways of handling breakable capsules and incorporating such capsules into smoking article components and vapor delivery systems have been proposed. For example, various types of capsules suitable for use in smoking articles, smoking article components incorporating breakable capsules, and equipment and techniques associated with the manufacture of such smoking article components are proposed in U.S. Patent No. 7,479,098 by Thomas et al.; 7,833,146 by Deal; 7,984,719 by Dube et al.; 7,972,254 by Stokes et al.; 8,186,359 by Ademe et al.; 8,262,550 to Barnes et al.; 8,353,810 to Garthaffner et al.; 8,381,947 to Garthaffner et al.; 8,459,272 to Karles et al.; 8,739,802 from Fagg; and 8,905,243 to Dixon et al.; and US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0184576 of. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 33 / 78 28 / 57 Prestia et al.; Iliev et al. 2011 / 0053745; Carpenter et al. 2011 / 0271968; Henley et al. 2012 / 0245007; and Novak III et al. 2013 / 0085052, which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, representative cigarette products having filter elements incorporating breakable capsules have been marketed worldwide under brand names such as Marlboro W-Burst 5, Kent iSwitch, Kool Boost, Camel Lights with Menthol Boost, Camel Crush, Camel Silver Menthol, Camel Filters Menthol, and Camel Crush Bold. Furthermore, representative types of vapor delivery systems incorporating breakable capsules have been proposed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014 / 0261486 by Potter, 2015 / 0059780 by Davis; and 2015 / 0335070 by Sears et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] Exemplary capsule types, capsule ingredients, capsule configurations and shapes, capsule sizes, capsule properties, and capsule preparation techniques are presented in U.S. Patent No. 7,984,719 to Dube et al.; 8,470,215 to Zhang and 8,695,609 to Dube; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0053855 to Hartmann et al.; and PCT WO 03 / 009711 to Kim and PCT WO 2014 / 170947 to Iwatani; which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, examples of representative capsule types that are commercially available are shown in U.S. Patent No. 8,695,609 to Dube; which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] In general, as used herein, the term grains should include grains, pellets, or other small, discrete units or pieces that may include (in addition to those herein) Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 34 / 78 29 / 57 disclosed otherwise), for example, carbon pieces, extruded carbon pieces cut into pellets, ceramic grains, marbled or spheronized tobacco pieces and the like, or combinations thereof. For example, granules, pellets or grains may generally be extruded or compressed cylindrical or spherical granules, pellets or grains consisting of a moistened mixture or paste of ground tobacco leaf, fillers (e.g., granular calcium carbonate), flavorings, visible aerosol-forming materials and binders (e.g., carboxymethylcellulose) which are formed, cut or spun into the desired size and shape and then dried to maintain the desired configuration. However, such pellets or grains may comprise any suitable elements, or combination of elements, meeting the preferred aspects as disclosed in this document.For example, some or all of the grains or pellets may comprise heat-sensitive spherical capsules, such that when enclosed in the aerosol-generating element and exposed to heat, the rupture or decomposition thereof causes the release of glycerin, propylene glycol, water, saline solution, tobacco flavor and / or nicotine or other substances or additives. Furthermore, the grains may comprise absorbent ceramic or clay or absorbent silica or carbon to retain and release an aerosol. Additionally, in some respects, the grains / pellets may comprise a heat-conducting material such as, for example, heat-conducting graphite, heat-conducting ceramic, a metal, molten tobacco on a foil, a metal or other suitable material impregnated with appropriate aerosol-generating substances such as. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 35 / 78 30 / 57 glycerin and flavor(s), or a suitable melted foil material, suitably formed into the desired spheres / tablets.

[0074] In a particular example, the grains / packets (particles) may comprise, by weight, between about 15% and about 60% of finely ground tobacco particles (for example, a mixture of Oriental, burley and smoke-cured tobaccos, essentially all Oriental tobacco, essentially all burley tobacco or essentially all smoke-cured tobacco), between about 15% and about 60% of finely ground calcium carbonate particles (or finely ground clay or ceramic particles), between about 10% and about 50% of glycerol (and optionally a smaller amount of flavorings), between about 0.25% and about 15% of a binder (preferably carboxymethylcellulose, guar gum, potassium or ammonium alginate), and between about 15% and about 50% of water.In another example, the grains / tablets (particles) may be composed of about 30% finely ground tobacco particles (e.g., a mixture of Oriental, burley, and smoke-cured tobaccos, essentially all Oriental tobacco, essentially all burley tobacco, or essentially all smoke-cured tobacco), about 30% finely ground calcium carbonate particles (or finely ground clay or ceramic particles), about 15% glycerol (and optionally a smaller amount of flavorings), about 1% of a binder (preferably carboxymethylcellulose, guar gum, potassium or ammonium alginate), and about 25% water. In such examples, the particles may be compressed to retain the glycerol and, after compression, may... Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 36 / 78 31 / 57 form a porous matrix that facilitates the migration of aerosol-generating components to promote efficient aerosol formation. The manner in which the aerosol-forming material is contacted with the substrate material may vary. The aerosol-forming material may be applied to a formed material, may be incorporated into processed materials during the manufacture of those materials, or may be endogenous to that material. Aerosol-forming material, such as glycerin, may be dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous liquid, or other suitable solvent or liquid vehicle, and sprayed onto that substrate material. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005 / 0066986 by Nestor et al. and 2012 / 0067360 by Conner et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.Calcium carbonate or other inorganic filler material assists in creating porosity within the particles and can also function to absorb heat, which may in some cases limit or prevent the burning of aerosol-generating components, in addition to aiding and promoting aerosol formation. See also, for example, the types of materials set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,105,831 by Banerjee et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0173229 by Crooks et al.; 2011 / 0271971 by Conner et al.; and 2012 / 0042885 by Stone et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0075] In one embodiment, flavoring-infused materials, such as those in the form of grains or tablets, can be smoke-treated to impart a smoky flavor or aroma. For example, the grains or tablets can be prepared and then smoked from a combustible source, such as a wood source (for Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 37 / 78 32 / 57 example, selected wood of walnut, maple, oak, apple, cherry or mesquite). The grains or pellets may be treated with smoke for a sufficient time to impart the desired smoky flavor or aroma, with an exemplary time interval being from about 5 to about 45 minutes. The manner in which the grains or pellets are contacted with the smoke may vary, with one example involving heating wood chips in a container until smoke is produced (e.g., heating wood chips to a temperature of about 350–400 °F (177–204 °C)) and placing the grains or pellets to be treated in an enclosed environment with the smoke produced by the wood chips.

[0076] In some respects, the grains / tablets of flavoring-infused material may originate from a tobacco material melted into a foil / paper laminate. More particularly, the tobacco material may comprise, for example, a paste that includes reconstituted tobacco, glycerin, and a binding material. Such a tobacco material is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al. and U.S. Patent Application No. 2010 / 0186757 to Crooks et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, the paste may incorporate granular inorganic material (i.e., calcium carbonate). The paste is molded into a paper element of a foil laminate, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,678,013 to Crooks et al. and U.S. Patent No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference, and the assembled cast sheet product is then dried, for example, by the application of heat (i.e., by air). Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 38 / 78 33 / 57 heated, microwave drying, etc.). The paper element may have, for example, a particular porosity or texture to promote intimate contact and interaction with the pulp, for example, over direct contact between the pulp and the sheet. However, the exemplary aspect presented here does not preclude melting the tobacco material (i.e., pulp) directly onto a sheet of metal or other suitable thin-film heat conductor. After this laminate is melted, the dried melted sheet (i.e., the sheet / paper / tobacco material) may be shredded, cubed, or otherwise separated into a plurality of melted sheet portion elements, wherein each of these elements preferably includes a portion of the tobacco material (i.e., the substrate) intimately interacting with a portion of the paper element which, in turn, is in intimate contact with a portion of the sheet element of the paper sheet laminate.Other examples of flavoring-infused materials can be found, for example, in document US2016 / 0073695 by Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] The aerosol precursor composition that forms the first aerosol and the flavor-infused material composition that forms the second aerosol are advantageously selected to complement each other to produce a desirable sensory experience. In certain embodiments, for example, the nicotine content of the aerosol precursor composition and the flavor-infused material are selected so that one or both of the aerosol precursor compositions and the flavor-infused material may contain nicotine or a nicotinic compound or may be substantially visualized or Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 39 / 78 34 / 57 completely free of nicotine or a nicotinic compound. In other words, all the nicotine content may be within the flavored material or all the nicotine content may be in the aerosol precursor composition or both compositions may include nicotine in some form.

[0078] Furthermore, the first and second aerosols may be configured such that the first aerosol produced by the atomizer is respirable and the second aerosol comprising the flavoring agent is non-respirable. As used herein, respirable refers to an aerosol that produces particles of sufficient size to penetrate beyond the terminal bronchioles in the lung and enter the gas exchange region. Respirable particles are typically less than about 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter. As used herein, non-respirable particles are those that can be inhaled into the mouth but cannot penetrate the gas exchange region of the lungs. Non-respirable particles are typically between about 10 μm and about 100 μm in aerodynamic diameter.In this way, the first aerosol can deliver components that are beneficial to the lungs, while the flavor-infused material can deliver flavorings that only enter the user's oral cavity and / or throat in order to impart the desired sensory characteristics.

[0079] This disclosure provides descriptions of aerosol delivery devices. Aerosol delivery devices may use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without burning the material to a significant degree) to form an inhalable substance; Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 40 / 78 35 / 57 preferably these articles being sufficiently compact to be considered portable devices. An aerosol delivery device may provide some or all of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, usage rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe, without any substantial degree of combustion of any component of that article or device.The aerosol delivery device may not produce smoke in the sense of aerosol resulting from byproducts of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather the article or device preferentially produces vapors (including vapors within aerosols that may be considered visible aerosols that may be considered smoke-type) resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components of the article or device, although in other embodiments the aerosol may not be visible. In highly preferred embodiments, aerosol delivery devices may incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components. As such, the aerosol delivery device may be characterized in certain embodiments as an electronic smoking article, such as an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette.

[0080] The aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure may also be characterized as vapor-producing items or drug delivery items. Thus, these articles or devices may be adapted so as to deliver one or more substances (e.g., flavors and / or active pharmaceutical ingredients). Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 41 / 78 36 / 57 in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalable substances may be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term aerosol, as used herein, shall include vapors, gases, aerosols, and combinations thereof in a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether visible or not, and in a form that may or may not be considered smoke-like.

[0081] In use, the aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure may be subject to many of the physical actions employed by an individual in the use of a traditional type of smoking article (for example, a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example, the user of an aerosol delivery device of this disclosure may hold such article like a traditional type of smoking article, suck on one end of such article to inhale aerosol produced by such article, inhale at selected time intervals, etc.

[0082] The invention will now be described by reference to various figures. The aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally include several components provided within an outer casing or body. The overall design of the outer casing or body may vary, and the shape or configuration of the outer body may define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 42 / 78 37 / 57 vary. Typically, an elongated body similar in shape to a cigarette or cigar can be formed from a single unitary casing; or the elongated body can be formed from two or more separable parts. For example, an aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated casing or body that may have a substantially tubular shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. However, various other shapes and configurations may be employed in other embodiments (e.g., rectangular or chain-shaped).

[0083] In one embodiment, all components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within an outer body or casing. Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more casings that are joined together and are separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device may have at one end a control body comprising a casing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and various electronic components to control the operation of that article), and at the other end and removablely attached thereto a casing containing a disposable portion (e.g., a cartridge containing disposable flavor). More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components within the single-casing unit type or within a multi-piece separable-casing unit type will become apparent in light of the further disclosure provided in this document.Furthermore, various aerosol delivery device designs and component arrangements can be appreciated by considering electronic aerosol delivery devices. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 43 / 78 38 / 57 available on the market.

[0084] The aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure preferably comprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating and / or stopping the power for heat generation, such as by controlling the flow of electric current from the power source to other components of the aerosol delivery device), a heater or heat-generating component (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or component commonly referred to as part of an atomizer), and an aerosol precursor composition, as discussed otherwise herein (e.g., generally a liquid capable of producing an aerosol upon the application of sufficient heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as smoke juice, e-liquid and e-juice),and a mouth-end region or tip to allow suction of the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflow path through the article such that the generated aerosol can be removed from it by suction). Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device of the invention may use a piezoelectric element to form the first aerosol instead of a heating element, as disclosed herein. See, for example, the piezoelectric element disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2006 / 0196518 by Hon; 2013 / 0319404 by Feriani et al.; and 2016 / 0366946 by Murison et al., each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0085] The alignment of the components within the Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 44 / 78 39 / 57 The aerosol delivery device of this disclosure may vary. In specific embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may be located near one end of the aerosol delivery device, which may be configured to be positioned close to a user's mouth so as to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. Other configurations, however, are not excluded. Generally, the heating element may be positioned sufficiently close to the aerosol precursor composition so that the heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorings, medications, or similar substances that may also be supplied for delivery to a user) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer.It should be noted that the preceding terms should be interchangeable, so that reference to release, release, releases or released includes form or generate, form or generate, forms or generates and formed or generated. Specifically, an inhalable substance is released in the form of vapor or aerosol or a mixture thereof, wherein these terms are also used interchangeably herein, except where otherwise specified.

[0086] As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may incorporate a battery or other electrical power source (e.g., a capacitor) to provide sufficient current flow to provide various functionalities to the aerosol delivery device, such as Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 45 / 78 40 / 57 Power supply for a heater, power supply for control systems, power supply for indicators, and the like. The power source can take various forms. Preferably, the power source is capable of supplying sufficient energy to rapidly heat the heating element to provide aerosol formation and power the aerosol delivery device through use for a desired period of time. The power source is preferably sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. Furthermore, a preferred power source is sufficiently lightweight so as not to impair a desirable smoking experience.

[0087] More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery device of this disclosure will become apparent in light of the additional disclosure provided below. Furthermore, the selection of various components of the aerosol delivery device can be appreciated by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Additionally, the arrangement of components within the aerosol delivery device can also be appreciated by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Examples of commercially available products, for which their components, methods of operation, materials included therein, and / or other attributes thereof may be included in the devices of this disclosure, have been marketed as ACCORD® by Philip Morris Incorporated; ALPHA™, JOYE 510™, and M4™ by InnoVapor LLC; CIRRUS™ and FLING™ by White Cloud Cigarettes; BLU™ by Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 46 / 78 41 / 57 Lorillard Technologies, Inc.; COHITA™, COLIBRI™, ELITE CLASSIC™, MAGNUM™, PHANTOM™ e SENSE™ da Epuffer® International Inc.; DuoPro™, Storm™ e VAPORKING® da Electronic Cigarettes, Inc.; EGAR™ da Egar Australia; eGoC™ e eGo-T™ da Joyetech; ELUSION™ da Elusion UK Ltd; EONSMOKE® da Eonsmoke LLC; FIN™ da FIN Branding Group, LLC; SMOKE® da Green Smoke Inc. EUA; GREENARETTE™ da Greenarette LLC; HALLIGAN™, HENDU™, JET™, MAXXQ™, PINK™ e PITBULL™ da Smoke Stik®;HEATBAR™ da Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO IMPERIAL™ e LXE™ da Crown7; LOGIC™ e THE CUBAN™ da LOGIC Technology; LUCI® da Luciano Smokes Inc.; METRO® da Nicotek, LLC; NJOY® e ONEJOY™ da Sottera, Inc.; NO. 7™ da SS Choice LLC; PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE™ da PremiumEstore LLC; RAPP E-MYSTICK™ da Ruyan America, Inc.; RED DRAGON™ da Red Dragon Products, LLC; RUYAN® da Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd.; SF® da Smoker Friendly International, LLC; GREEN SMART SMART® da The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd.; SMOKE ASSIST® from Coastline Products LLC; SMOKING EVERYWHERE® from Smoking Everywhere, Inc.; V2CIGS™ from VMR Products LLC; VAPOR NINE™ from VaporNine LLC; VAPOR4LIFE® from Vapor 4 Life, Inc.; VEPPO™ from E-CigaretteDirect, LLC; AVIGO, VUSE, VUSE CONNECT, VUSE FOB, VUSE HYBRID, ALTO, ALTO+, MODO, CIRO, FOX+ FOG and SOLO+ from RJ Reynolds Vapor Company; MISTO MENTHOL from Mistic Ecigs; and VYPE from CN Creative Ltd. However, other electric aerosol delivery devices, and in particular those that have been characterized as so-called electronic cigarettes, have been marketed under the trade names COOLER VISIONS™; DIRECT E-CIG™; DRAGONFLY™; EMIST™; EVERSMOKE™; GAMUCCI®; HYBRID FLAME™; KNIGHT STICKS™; Royal Blues™; SMOKETIP®; SOUTH BEACH SMOKE™. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 47 / 78 42 / 57

[0088] Additional manufacturers, designers and / or assignees of related components and technologies that may be employed in the aerosol delivery device of this disclosure include Shenzhen Jieshibo Technology of Shenzhen, China; Shenzhen First Union Technology of Shenzhen City, China; Safe Cig of Los Angeles, CA; Janty Asia Company of the Philippines; Joyetech Changzhou Electronics of Shenzhen, China; SIS Resources; B2B International Holdings of Dover, DE; Evolv LLC of OH; Montrade of Bologna, Italy; Shenzhen Bauway Technology of Shenzhen, China; Global Vapor Trademarks Inc. of Pompano Beach, FL; Vapor Corp. of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Nemtra GMBH of Raschau-Markersbach, Germany; Perrigo L. Co. of Allegan, MI; Needs Co., Ltd.; Smokefree Innotec of Las Vegas, NV; McNeil AB of Helsingborg, Sweden; Chong Corp; Alexza Pharmaceuticals of Mountain View, CA; BLEC, LLC of Charlotte, NC; Gaitrend Sarl of Rohrbachlès-Bitche, France; FeelLife Bioscience International of Shenzhen, China; Vishay Electronic BMGH from Selb, Germany; Shenzhen Smaco Technology Ltd. of Shenzhen, China; Vapor Systems International of Boca Raton, FL; Exonoid Medical Devices from Israel; Shenzhen Nowotech Electronics from Shenzhen, China; Minilogic Device Corporation, Hong Kong, China; Shenzhen Kontle Electronics, of Shenzhen, China, and Fuma International, LLC, of ​​Medina, OH, 21st Century Smoke of Beloit, WI, and Kimree Holdings (HK) Co. Limited, of Hong Kong, China.

[0089] An exemplary embodiment of a typical aerosol delivery device, i.e., electronic cigarette, 20 is provided in Figure 1. An electronic cigarette 20 includes a Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 48 / 78 43 / 57 first end 36, which is the nozzle for consumer use, and a second end 37, which optionally includes an LED 26. As illustrated, a control body 21 may be formed from a control body housing 22 which may include, for example, a control component 23, a flow sensor 24, a battery 25 and an LED 26. A cartridge 27 may be formed from a cartridge housing 28 enclosing the reservoir housing 29 which is in fluidic communication with a liquid transport element 30 adapted to absorb or otherwise transport an aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to a heater 31. An opening 32 may be present in the cartridge housing 28 to allow the formed aerosol to exit from the cartridge 27.These components are representative of the components that may be present in a cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of cartridge components covered by this disclosure. The cartridge 27 may be adapted to engage the control body 21 by means of a press-fit coupling between the control body projection 33 and the cartridge receptacle 34. Various other mechanisms may connect the cartridge 27 to the control body 21, such as a threaded coupling, an interference fit, a magnetic coupling, or the like. This coupling may facilitate a stable connection between the control body 27 and the cartridge 21, as well as establish an electrical connection between the battery 25 and the control component 23 in the control body and the heater 30 in the cartridge. The cartridge 27 may also include one or more electronic components 35, which may include an IC, a memory component, a sensor, or the like. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 49 / 78 44 / 57 electronic component 35 can be adapted to communicate with control component 23. For examples of additional aerosol delivery devices, see Chang's U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0144145; and Collett's U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0090] In specific embodiments, one or both cartridge 27 and control body 21 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, control body 21 may have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and / or capacitor and therefore may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including a typical AC electrical outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer, such as via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. Furthermore, in some embodiments, cartridge 27 may comprise a single-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0091] Examples of electrical power sources are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0028766 by Peckerar et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. With respect to flow sensor 24, representative current regulation components and other current control components, including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices, are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 by Gerth et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875, all Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 50 / 78 Brooks et al. U.S. Patent No. 45 / 57, McCafferty et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148, Fleischhauer et al. U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560, Nguyen et al. U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314, and Pan U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Reference is also made to the control schemes described in Ampolini et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0270727, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0092] Still other components may be used in the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 by Sprinkel et al. discloses indicators for smoking items; U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 by Sprinkel, Jr. discloses piezoelectric sensors that can be associated with the mouth end of a device to detect user lip activity associated with taking a puff and then trigger heating of a heating device; U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 by McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling the energy flow to a heating load array in response to pressure drop across a mouthpiece; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 by Harris et al.discloses receptacles in a smoke device that includes an identifier that detects a non-uniformity in the infrared transmissivity of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when the component is inserted into the receptacle; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 by Fleischhauer et al. describes an executable power cycle defined with multiple differential phases; U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 by Watkins et al. discloses photonic-optronic components; U.S. Patent. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 51 / 78 46 / 57 U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. discloses means for altering frictional resistance through a smoking device; U.S. Patent No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses specific battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer interface means for smoking devices to facilitate charging and enable computer control of the device; U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses identification systems for smoking devices; and WO 2010 / 003480 to Flick discloses a fluid flow detection system indicative of a puff in an aerosol generation system; all foregoing disclosures being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Other examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosure materials or components that may be used in this article include U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 to White; U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 to Voges; U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Patent Nos. 8,156,944 and 8,375,957 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 52 / 78 47 / 57 et al.; US Patent Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 by Monsees et al.; and US Patent No. 9,220,302 by DePiano et al.; US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006 / 0196518 and 2009 / 0188490 by Hon; US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 by Oglesby et al.; US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 by Wang; US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 by Sears et al.; US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 by Novak et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0335071 by Brinkley et al.; WO 2010 / 091593 by Hon; and WO 2013 / 089551 by Foo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A variety of the materials disclosed by the foregoing documents may be incorporated into the present devices in various embodiments, and all foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0093] The liquid transport element 30 can particularly be a wick that utilizes capillary action in transporting liquids. A wick for use according to the invention can thus be any material that provides sufficient capillary action to transport one or more components of the aerosol precursor composition to the aerosolization zone. Non-limiting examples include natural and synthetic fibers such as cotton, cellulose, polyesters, polyamides, polylactic acids, glass fibers, combinations thereof and the like. Other exemplary materials that can be used in wicks include metals, ceramics and carbonized materials (for example, a foam or monolith formed from a carbonaceous material that has been calcined to eliminate non-carbon components from the material). The Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 53 / 78 48 / 57 Wicks can also be coated with materials that alter the capillary action of the fibers, and the fibers used in wick formation can have a particular cross-sectional shape and can be grooved so as to alter the capillary action of the fibers. For example, temperature-adaptive polymers can be used. Such adaptive polymers can be coated with fibers or used in other ways, and these polymers are effective in providing altered liquid transport characteristics based on surrounding conditions. Temperature-adaptive polymers, in particular, can exhibit low transport at reduced temperatures and can exhibit increased transport at elevated temperatures. An example is a material known as Adaptive from HeiQ®. The fibers used in wick formation can be supplied individually, bundled, as a woven fabric (including knits and braids) or as a nonwoven fabric. The porosity of the wick material can also be controlled to alter the capillary action of the wick, including controlling the average pore size and total porosity. Separate wicks can also have different lengths. The term wick is also intended to encompass capillary tubes, and any combination of elements that provides the desired capillary action can be used.

[0094] Additional representative heating elements and materials for use therein are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,228,460 to Sprinkel Jr., et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al.; Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 54 / 78 49 / 57 U.S. Patent No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,498,850 to Das; U.S. Patent No. 5,659,656 to Das; U.S. Patent No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol; U.S. Patent No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol; U.S. Patent No. 5,573,692 to Das et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, chemical heating may be employed in other embodiments. Several additional examples of heaters and materials employed to form heaters are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, as noted above.

[0095] Various components of an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure may be selected from components described in the art and commercially available. Reference is made, for example, to the reservoir and heater system for controllable delivery of various aerosolizable materials in an electronic smoking article disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 by Sebastian et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An example embodiment of a carbon-based cartridge is provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 by Griffith Jr. et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0096] The remaining figures describe housing embodiments that provide multiple aerosol delivery pathways, as provided by the invention. Some of these housing designs can be implemented as Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 55 / 78 50 / 57 downstream housings fixed or removablely attached to a cartridge of the type shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, some of the housing embodiments illustrated in this document may serve as a substitute for the cartridge component of Figure 1. Note that, for the sake of brevity, the following housing embodiments are not shown in exhaustive detail, but focus on the specific aspects associated with the multiple aerosol delivery pathways provided by the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the housing embodiments described below may include any of the cartridge components seen in Figure 1 or otherwise disclosed herein.

[0097] The embodiment of Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a housing 50 that may serve as an extension at the mouth end of an aerosol delivery device, such as a fixed or removable extension attached to the cartridge 27 of Figure 1. As shown, the housing 50 is positioned downstream of a conventional atomizer 52, which may be, for example, an atomizer as described in reference to Figure 1, which produces a first aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition as described herein. The first aerosol travels through a central passage 54 within the housing 50 defined by the walls within the housing to an opening in the mouth end cap 56. The cross-sectional shape of the central passage 54 is not intended to be limiting and may be, for example, round, oval, rectangular, and the like. One or more air inlets 58 supply air to the atomizer 52 for the formation of the first aerosol.Accommodation 50 provides a second aerosol delivery route. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, p. 56 / 78 51 / 57 through an annular space defined in the housing containing a flavor-infused material, such as a grain bed or flavor particles 62. The housing 50 includes one or more secondary air inlets 64 that allow ambient air to enter the housing, interact with the grain bed or flavor particles 62, and produce a second aerosol, which is also delivered to the opening in the mouth end cap 56; optionally, a screen or mesh 68 may be placed in the air inlet 64 to retain the grains / flavor particles 62 within the annular chamber and regulate the amount of air allowed to enter the housing. As shown, the housing 50 may provide an optional mixing space 70 for the first and second aerosols to mix before exiting the housing through the opening in the mouth end cap 56.

[0098] Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 2, wherein the flavor-infused material is in the form of a coating 74 on the inner walls within the housing 50, instead of grains or particles. Without departing from the invention, note that more than one flavoring can be provided by the embodiment of either Figure 2 or Figure 3 through the use of combinations of grains / particles with different flavorings infused therein or through the use of coating materials with different flavorings infused therein. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 3, the annular space containing the flavor-infused material may include a first coating material containing a first flavoring in a fraction of the circumference of the housing 50, a second coating material containing a second flavoring in Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 57 / 78 52 / 57 a second fraction of the circumference of the housing, and so on. The walls on which the coating 74 is placed may be roughened or textured to increase the surface area for the transfer of fragrance in aerosol form.

[0099] As indicated above, the housing containing the multiple aerosol channels can be removablely attached to the mouth end of an aerosol delivery device, such as a device as described in Figure 1. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 4, wherein a removable housing 80 having air inlets 82 is connected to the mouth end of the aerosol delivery device 84 having air inlets 86. The internal design of the removable housing 80 can be any of the embodiments presented here, such as the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The connection between the housing 80 and the aerosol delivery device 84 can be formed using various techniques known in the art, such as friction fitting, press fitting, threaded coupling, magnetic coupling, adhesive and the like.

[00100] The two aerosol delivery paths can be separated using an inner wall that separates the two paths in a side-by-side arrangement, instead of a radially separated design as set out in Figures 2 and 3. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, a housing 90 may include an inner wall 92 (which may be aerosol impermeable or semi-permeable) separating a first aerosol path 94 from a second aerosol path 96. Separate air inlets 98, 100 are used to allow air to enter the housing 90, each aerosol path 94, 96 being Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pages 58 / 78 53 / 57 associated with at least one air inlet. One way can produce an aerosol using an atomizer 102 as described herein and one way can produce an aerosol using a flavoring-infused material 104 as described herein. In the embodiment of Figure 5, similar to Figures 2 and 3, both generated aerosols are delivered through the same opening in a mouth end cap 56.

[00101] In another embodiment shown in Figure 6, a housing 110 may include two parallel aerosol delivery paths that deliver aerosol using different heating techniques. One aerosol delivery path 116 includes an atomizer 112. The other aerosol delivery path 120 includes a flavoring-infused material 114 in the vicinity of a heater 118. The heater 118 may vary in design, and may include, for example, a flat plate configuration, a coil heater, a needle or blade heater, and the like. The flavor-infused material 114 can be operationally positioned adjacent to or otherwise close to (e.g., surrounding) the heater 118. Alternatively, the flavor-infused material 114 can be downstream from the heater 118, so that the heater preheats the air entering the housing 110 before contact with the flavor-infused material.The flavor-infused material 114 can take a variety of forms, such as a flavor-containing sol-gel material adhered to the heater 118, a flavor-infused coating applied to the heater, a solid or gel flavor-infused material packaged in the chamber around the heater, and the like. A flavor-infused liquid can also be sprayed onto it. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 59 / 78 54 / 57 heater 118, which may exhibit a rough or porous surface to retain the liquid in the heater. Both heaters may be operationally connected to a power source and controller, as discussed in connection with Figure 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the two aerosol paths 116, 120 may exit the mouth end of the housing 110 through separate openings 122, 124. Note that a heater may be incorporated into the aerosol delivery path comprising the flavoring-infused material in other illustrated embodiments as well, such as the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3.

[00102] In another embodiment shown in Figure 7, a housing 130 may include two parallel aerosol delivery paths that deliver aerosol using different techniques. One aerosol delivery path 132 includes an atomizer 134. The other aerosol delivery path 136 includes a flavoring-infused liquid 140 in fluidic communication with a print head 142 (i.e., an aerosol jet array), such as a bubble jet, piezo-activated jet, or other aerosol-forming print head device. Both aerosol-forming devices may be operationally connected to a power source and controller, as discussed in connection with Figure 1. Examples of thermal printing aerosol-forming devices are presented, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0114409 by Brammer et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.A print head 142 is particularly useful for producing an aerosol that is non-respiratory. In this way, the aerosol produced in the aerosol delivery path 136 remains in the... Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pages 60 / 78 55 / 57 oral cavity and throat region and provides a desirable sensory experience to the user. The aerosol produced in the aerosol delivery route 132 can be adapted to produce respirable particles that enter the user's lungs.

[00103] In yet another embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, a housing 150 provides two aerosol delivery pathways 152, 154, including a first pathway 152 which includes an atomizer 156 adapted to produce a first aerosol 182 as described herein and a second pathway 154 which includes a rotating absorbent material 160 (e.g., a cylindrical sponge-like material) positioned on a shaft 162 which is connected to a small electric motor 164. A substrate 166 containing flavor-infused material in liquid form is in fluidic communication with the rotating absorbent material 160 so that the flavor-infused material can be transferred to the rotating absorbent material. The rotating absorbent material 160 rotates, causing aerosol droplets 170 to form and then exit the mouth end 180 of the device due to centrifugal force. The two aerosols, 170 and 182, may combine in the user's oral cavity.The aerosol droplets 170 produced in this manner will tend to be non-respirable, whereas the aerosol 170 produced in the atomizer 156 is typically respirable. Both aerosol forming devices can be operationally connected to a power source and controller, as discussed in connection with Figure 1. The electric motor 164 can be activated by a flow sensor as set forth in this document or the activation of the rotating adsorbent material 160 can be. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pp. 61 / 78 56 / 57 performed without an electric motor incorporating a mechanical device, such as a lever or wheel that can be manipulated by the user (not shown).

[00104] Figure 9 illustrates an upstream view of the rotating absorbent material 160 with two blocking plates 190 positioned downstream to capture aerosol droplets 170 that rotate outward from the rotating absorbent material in a direction other than a mouth end opening of the device. These droplets deposit on the surface of the blocking plates 190 and return to the rotating absorbent material 160 or to the substrate 166 when the device is positioned so that gravity causes the deposited droplets to move upstream inside the device.

[00105] Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment where a housing 198 includes multiple aerosol delivery paths containing flavoring-infused materials provided in the outer segments, 200, 202, 204, surrounding a central aerosol delivery path 206 positioned to deliver an aerosol from an upstream atomizer 210. Each outer segment may contain a different flavoring and may include a separate air inlet 214, and each segment has a porous end so that the aerosol generated therein can exit the mouth end of the device. The outer segments are separated from each other by walls 212, which may be non-porous or semi-permeable.

[00106] The embodiment of Figure 10 can be augmented with a rotating mouth end cap 216 set forth in Figure 11, which includes a central opening. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pages 62 / 78 57 / 57 220 to receive the aerosol from the central aerosol delivery channel 206 and an external opening 222, which can be rotated to allow fluidic communication with either one or two (if placed on the wall 212) of the external segments so that a user-selected flavoring (or combination of flavorings) is delivered to the oral cavity. Optionally, the mouth end cap 216 may include a locking mechanism 230 to prevent rotation after a flavor selection, such as a slide-activated latch that creates friction between the mouth end cap 216 and another housing component 198 of Figure 10. Various other locking mechanisms may be used, such as a magnetic latch, an interference latch, and the like.Alternatively, the mouth end cap 216 may be removable and non-rotational when affixed to the housing 198, so the user must remove the cap to change the position of the external opening 222 and then replace the cap on the device.

[00107] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will be remembered by a person skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teachings set forth in the preceding descriptions and accompanying drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and other embodiments should be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pages 63 / 78

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Aerosol delivery device (20) comprising: a housing (50) providing multiple aerosol delivery pathways having a mouth-end opening through which the aerosol can be inhaled by a user, the housing defining a first aerosol delivery pathway (54) in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening and a second aerosol delivery pathway (60) separate from the first aerosol delivery pathway and in fluidic communication with the mouth-end opening; a reservoir (29) containing a liquid aerosol precursor composition;an atomizer (52) comprising a heating element or piezoelectric element (31) and a liquid transport element (30) in fluidic communication with the reservoir and in fluidic communication with the heating element or piezoelectric element, the atomizer adapted to produce a first aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition, the atomizer positioned in fluidic communication with the first aerosol delivery path, wherein the atomizer is in fluidic communication with a first air inlet (58);a flavor-infused material positioned within the second aerosol delivery path and adapted to produce a second aerosol by contact between the flavor-infused material and the flowing air, the flavor-infused material positioned in fluidic communication with a second air inlet (64), CHARACTERIZED in that the housing comprises a Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 64 / 78 2 / 5 plurality of different flavor-infused materials, each flavor-infused material positioned within a separate aerosol delivery path and in fluidic communication with a separate air inlet;and a mouth end cap (56) having first and second openings, the first opening downstream from, and in fluidic communication with, the first aerosol delivery path and the second opening downstream and in fluidic communication with at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein, and wherein the mouth end cap is rotatable so that a user can move the second opening into fluidic communication with different aerosol delivery paths having a flavor-infused material positioned therein.

2. Aerosol delivery device, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the liquid aerosol precursor composition is flavor-free.

3. Aerosol delivery device, according to claim 1 or 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavor mixed with the liquid vehicle, or comprises a substrate (166) and a releasable flavor carried by the substrate and, optionally, wherein the flavor-infused material is in the form of one or more porous monoliths, granules, particles (62), gels, capsules and coatings (74).

4. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED by Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 65 / 78 3 / 5 in that the atomizer is located within a separate housing upstream from the housing providing multiple aerosol paths, the housing providing multiple aerosol paths being fixed or removablely attached to the separate housing.

5. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the first aerosol delivery path is centrally located within the housing and the second aerosol delivery path is an annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path, in particular in that the annular region surrounding the first aerosol delivery path is divided into separate aerosol delivery paths (94, 96), each containing a different flavoring-infused material and in fluid communication with a separate air inlet (98, 100).

6. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a heater (118) positioned to heat at least a portion of the flavoring-infused material positioned within at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths.

7. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the flavor-infused material comprises a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavoring mixed with the liquid vehicle, and wherein an array of aerosol jets is positioned within at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths to form droplets of the flavor-infused material.

8. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED in that the atomizer is located within the housing providing multiple aerosol delivery paths and, optionally, in that the first aerosol delivery path and at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths are in a side-by-side configuration within the housing.

9. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one breakable capsule containing an internal payload comprising a flavoring agent is positioned within at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths.

10. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a rotating absorbent material (160) in fluidic communication with a flavoring-infused material comprising a liquid solution or emulsion comprising a liquid vehicle and a flavoring mixed with the liquid vehicle within at least one of the separate aerosol delivery paths, the rotating adsorbent material adapted to produce droplets of the flavoring-infused material during rotation.

11. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the first aerosol is respirable and the second aerosol is non-respirable.

12. Aerosol delivery device, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, CHARACTERIZED by Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, page 67 / 78 5 / 5, in fact that it further comprises one or more of the following: (a) an electrical power source (25) configured to supply electrical current flow to the heating element or piezoelectric element; (b) a controller (23) adapted to control the electrical current flow from the electrical power source; and (c) a flow sensor (24) communicating with the controller and adapted to detect a pressure drop within the aerosol delivery device or a portion thereof.

13. Aerosol delivery device, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the liquid aerosol precursor composition is flavor-free and contains nicotine. Petition 870250035446, dated 02 / 05 / 2025, pp. 68 / 78

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