Smoking article for on-demand delivery of increased quantity of aerosol precursor composition, cartridge, and related method

Abstract

To provide a smoking article for on-demand delivery of an increased quantity of an aerosol precursor composition, a cartridge, and a method.SOLUTION: A cartridge 300 includes a housing 302, and a reservoir 316 disposed within the housing and defining two or more chambers each having an aerosol precursor composition therein. The reservoir is in fluid communication with an aerosol forming arrangement 308 configured to form aerosol from any of the aerosol precursor compositions, with the respective aerosol precursor compositions of the two or more chambers being directed to the aerosol forming arrangement in substantially equal normal quantities. The cartridge further includes an actuator 328 configured to selectively and operably engage any one of the chambers and to direct an increased quantity of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol forming arrangement, the increased quantity being greater than the normal quantity of the aerosol precursor compositions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to smoking articles, and more particularly to smoking articles, cartridges and related methods for the on-demand delivery of increased amounts of aerosol precursor compositions, wherein the on-demand delivery of increased amounts of aerosol precursor compositions is achieved by a user-operated actuator. [Background technology]

[0002] Numerous smoking products have been developed that attempt to provide the smoking sensation of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes without significantly burning tobacco. Many of these products have aerosol precursor compositions that contain flavor generating agents, vapor generating agents, various nicotine contents, etc., so as to deliver a normal amount of aerosol precursor composition to the aerosol-forming structure with each individual puff of the product. For example, see various alternative smoking products, including smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and / or heat sources, as described in the background art of U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith, Jr. et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] However, such smoking products do not necessarily enable consumers of such products to selectively control the incremental amount of one or more aerosol precursor compositions (i.e., flavor loading) delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration. More specifically, it is not necessarily clear that such smoking products allow consumers to selectively control the delivery of incremental amounts of aerosol precursor compositions to the aerosol-forming configuration, where the incremental amount is greater than the normal amount of aerosol precursor composition delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration, for example, based on an individual puff. Smoking articles that allow consumers to selectively control incremental amounts of aerosol precursor compositions may be even more desirable because the aerosol formed thereby has increased properties directly related to the incremental amount of aerosol precursor composition delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration. Such increased properties may include, for example, increased active ingredient (i.e., nicotine) content, increased flavor, increased vapor / aerosol production, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to provide smoking articles, cartridges and related methods for the ad-hoc delivery of increased amounts of aerosol precursor compositions to provide consumers with selectively enhanced properties of the vapor / aerosol produced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] These and other needs are met, in one aspect, by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which provides a smoking article including a control body and a cartridge engaged with the control body. The cartridge includes a housing having a proximal end and an opposite distal end engageable with the control body. A reservoir is disposed within the housing and extends longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing. The reservoir defines two or more chambers, each having an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein, and is in fluid communication with an aerosol-forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from one of the aerosol precursor compositions. The aerosol precursor composition in each of the two or more chambers is directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement in a substantially equal, normal amount. An actuator is configured to engage the housing and selectively and operably engage any one of the two or more chambers defined by the reservoir. The actuator is configured, upon actuation, to direct an incremental amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the incremental amount being greater than the normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cartridge for a smoking article, the cartridge including a housing having a proximal end and an opposite distal end engageable with a control body of the smoking article. A reservoir is disposed within the housing and extends longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing. The reservoir defines two or more chambers, each having an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein, and is in fluid communication with an aerosol-forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from one of the aerosol precursor compositions. The aerosol precursor composition in each of the two or more chambers is directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement in a substantially equal normal amount. An actuator is configured to engage the housing and selectively and operably engage one of the two or more chambers defined by the reservoir. The actuator is configured, upon actuation, to direct an incremental amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the incremental amount being greater than the normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0008] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a smoking article, such method comprising: The method includes engaging a reservoir in fluid communication with an aerosol-forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition. The reservoir is disposed within the housing of the cartridge and defines two or more chambers, each extending longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing. Each of the two or more chambers has an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein and is configured to direct a substantially equal normal amount of each aerosol precursor composition from the two or more chambers to the aerosol-forming arrangement. An actuator is engaged with the housing such that the actuator selectively and operably engages any one of the two or more chambers defined by the reservoir. The actuator is configured to be selectively operable to direct an incremental amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the incremental amount being greater than the normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0009] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.

[0010] Embodiment 1: A smoking article, comprising: a control body; and a cartridge engaged with the control body, the cartridge comprising: a housing having a proximal end and an opposite distal end engageable with the control body; and a reservoir disposed within the housing and extending longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing, the reservoir defining two or more chambers each having an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein and in fluid communication with an aerosol forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from one of the aerosol precursor compositions, the aerosol precursor composition in each of the two or more chambers being directed to the aerosol forming arrangement in substantially equal nominal amounts; an actuator engaged with the housing and configured to selectively and operably engage any one of two or more chambers defined by the reservoir, the actuator configured, upon actuation, to direct an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the increased amount being greater than a normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition; Smoking articles, including:

[0011] Embodiment 2: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the cartridge further comprises a backflow prevention device configured to selectively prevent an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition channeled from a chamber operatively engaged with the actuator from flowing back into other of the two or more chambers of the reservoir.

[0012] Embodiment 3: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the anti-backflow mechanism comprises two or more aligned discs, one of which is rotatable independently relative to the other about a common axis passing therethrough, and the discs are arranged in series relative to each other along the common axis.

[0013] Embodiment 4: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein a first disc and a second disc of two or more discs each define a plurality of feed ports, each feed port corresponding to two or more chambers, and by rotating one of the discs so that the feed ports of the first disc coincide with the feed ports of the second disc, substantially equal normal amounts of each aerosol precursor composition can be supplied from the reservoir through the feed ports to the two or more chambers and directed into an aerosol-forming configuration.

[0014] Embodiment 5: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the supply ports of the first and second discs are arranged equidistantly along a radius starting from a common axis, and the supply ports are substantially equally angularly spaced around the respective first and second discs.

[0015] Embodiment 6: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first disk defines an enhancement port radially equidistant to the supply ports and angularly spaced from each supply port, such that when the first disk is rotated so that the enhancement port is aligned with one of the supply ports of the second disk associated with one of the chambers, the first disk blocks the other supply port of the second disk, preventing backflow of an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition from one of the chambers to the other chamber.

[0016] Embodiment 7: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first and second discs each define three supply ports, the three supply ports being spaced apart at an angle of approximately 120 degrees from one another, and the first disc defines an enhancement port between two of the supply ports such that the enhancement port is positioned approximately 60 degrees from each of two of the supply ports.

[0017] Embodiment 8: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator includes a flexible valve in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the valve is configured to respond to actuation of the valve by reducing its volume to supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0018] Embodiment 9: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator is in communication with a pumping device, the pumping device is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the pumping device is configured to pressurize the chamber or the aerosol precursor composition therein in response to actuation of the pumping device by the actuator, and to supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0019] Embodiment 10: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator is in communication with the piston member, the piston member is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the piston member is configured to, in response to actuation of the piston member by the actuator, reduce the volume of the chamber and supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0020] Embodiment 11: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the control body includes a control component, a flow sensor, and a battery, and the aerosol-forming arrangement includes a resistive heating element in electrical communication with the battery and configured to generate heat in response thereto, and wherein the aerosol precursor composition is directed into the aerosol-forming arrangement to generate an aerosol upon interaction with the heat generated by the heating element.

[0021] Embodiment 12: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, comprising a transport element configured to direct the aerosol precursor composition to interact with heat generated by the heating element, and a sorption element operably engaged between the one or more chambers and the transport element, the sorption element configured to sorb and receive the aerosol precursor composition and supply the aerosol precursor composition to the transport element.

[0022] Embodiment 13: A smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein the cartridge defines a flow tube having a proximal end forming a mouthpiece element, the flow tube extending between the two or more chambers to a distal end in fluid communication with the aerosol-forming arrangement and directing the aerosol therefrom through the mouthpiece element in response to suction applied to the mouthpiece element.

[0023] Embodiment 14: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment, wherein each of the two or more chambers contains a different flavor, a different proportion of active ingredient, or an aerosol precursor composition of different composition.

[0024] Embodiment 15: A cartridge for a smoking article, comprising: a housing having a proximal end and an opposite distal end engageable with a control body of a smoking article; a reservoir disposed within the housing and extending longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing, the reservoir defining two or more chambers each having an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein and in fluid communication with an aerosol forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from one of the aerosol precursor compositions, the aerosol precursor composition in each of the two or more chambers being directed to the aerosol forming arrangement in substantially equal nominal amounts; an actuator engaged with the housing and configured to selectively and operably engage any one of two or more chambers defined by the reservoir, the actuator configured, upon actuation, to direct an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the increased amount being greater than a normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition; Including, cartridge.

[0025] Embodiment 16: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, comprising a backflow prevention device configured to selectively prevent an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition channeled from a chamber operatively engaged with the actuator from flowing back into other of the two or more chambers of the reservoir.

[0026] Embodiment 17: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the backflow prevention mechanism includes two or more aligned disks, one of which is independently rotatable relative to the other about a common axis passing therethrough, and the disks are arranged in series relative to each other along the common axis.

[0027] Embodiment 18: A cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein a first disk and a second disk of the two or more disks each define a plurality of feed ports, each feed port corresponding to two or more chambers, and wherein rotating one of the disks so that the feed ports of the first disk are aligned with the feed ports of the second disk enables substantially equal regular amounts of each aerosol precursor composition of the two or more chambers to be fed from the reservoir through the feed ports and directed into the aerosol-forming configuration.

[0028] Embodiment 19: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the supply ports of the first and second disks are positioned equidistant along a radius starting from a common axis, and the supply ports are substantially equally angularly spaced around each of the first and second disks.

[0029] Embodiment 20: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first disk defines an augmentation port radially equidistant from the feed ports and angularly spaced from each feed port such that when the first disk is rotated such that the augmentation port is aligned with one of the feed ports of the second disk associated with one of the chambers, the first disk blocks the other feed port of the second disk, preventing backflow of an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition from one of the chambers to the other chamber.

[0030] Embodiment 21: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first and second disks each define three supply ports, the three supply ports being spaced apart at an angle of approximately 120 degrees from one another, and the first disk defines an augmentation port between two of the supply ports such that the augmentation port is positioned approximately 60 degrees from each of two of the supply ports.

[0031] Embodiment 22: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator includes a flexible valve in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the valve is configured to respond to actuation of the valve by decreasing its volume to supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0032] Embodiment 23: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator is in communication with a pumping device, the pumping device is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the pumping device is configured to pressurize the chamber or the aerosol precursor composition therein in response to actuation of the pumping device by the actuator to supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol forming arrangement.

[0033] Embodiment 24: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the actuator is in communication with the piston member, the piston member is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, and the chamber in fluid communication with the piston member is configured to, in response to actuation of the piston member by the actuator, decrease the volume of the chamber and supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition in the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0034] Embodiment 25: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the aerosol-forming arrangement includes a resistive heating element in electrical communication with the battery and configured to generate heat in response thereto, and wherein the aerosol precursor composition is directed into the aerosol-forming arrangement, which generates the aerosol upon interaction with the heat generated by the heating element.

[0035] Embodiment 26: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the aerosol-forming configuration includes a transport element configured to direct the aerosol precursor composition to interact with heat generated by the heating element, and a sorption element operably engaged between the one or more chambers and the transport element, the sorption element configured to sorb and receive the aerosol precursor composition and supply the aerosol precursor composition to the transport element.

[0036] Embodiment 27: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein the housing defines a flow tube having a proximal end forming a mouthpiece element, the flow tube extending between the two or more chambers to a distal end in fluid communication with the aerosol-forming arrangement and directing the aerosol therefrom through the mouthpiece element in response to suction applied to the mouthpiece element.

[0037] Embodiment 28: The cartridge of any preceding embodiment, wherein each of the two or more chambers contains a different flavor, a different percentage of active ingredient, or an aerosol precursor composition of different composition.

[0038] Embodiment 29: A method of manufacturing a smoking article, comprising engaging a reservoir in fluid communication with an aerosol-forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition, wherein the reservoir is disposed within a housing of the cartridge and defines two or more chambers each extending longitudinally from a first end disposed toward a proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward a distal end of the housing, each of the two or more chambers having an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein, the reservoir being configured to direct the aerosol precursor composition of each of the two or more chambers in substantially equal nominal amounts to the aerosol-forming arrangement; engaging an actuator with the housing such that the actuator selectively and operably engages any one of two or more chambers defined by the reservoir, the actuator being operably configured to direct an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming configuration, the increased amount being greater than a normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition; A manufacturing method comprising:

[0039] Embodiment 30: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising engaging a proximal end or a distal end of the cartridge housing with the control body.

[0040] Embodiment 31: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising engaging a backflow prevention device within the housing between the reservoir and the aerosol-forming arrangement, the backflow prevention device being configured to selectively prevent an increasing amount of the aerosol precursor composition directed from a chamber operably engaged with the actuator from flowing back into other of the two or more chambers of the reservoir.

[0041] Embodiment 32: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the backflow prevention device comprises engaging two or more disks aligned along a common axis passing through and arranged in series relative to one another between the reservoir and the aerosol-forming arrangement, wherein one of the disks is independently rotatable relative to the other.

[0042] Embodiment 33: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the two or more disks comprises aligning the first and second disks in series relative to one another along their common axis such that one of the first and second disks is rotatable relative to the other of the first and second disks, each of the first and second disks defining a plurality of feed ports, each feed port corresponding to one of the two or more chambers, and rotating one of the disks so that the feed ports of the first disk are aligned with the feed ports of the second disk enables substantially equal regular amounts of each aerosol precursor composition to be fed from the reservoir through the feed ports and directed into the aerosol-forming configuration.

[0043] Embodiment 34: The method of any preceding embodiment, including forming supply ports in each of the first and second disks such that the supply ports are equidistantly spaced along radii beginning from a common axis and such that the supply ports are substantially equally angularly spaced around the respective first and second disks.

[0044] Embodiment 35: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising forming boost ports in the first disk, the boost ports being radially equidistant relative to the feed ports and angularly spaced apart from each feed port such that when the first disk is rotated such that the boost port is aligned with one of the feed ports of the second disk associated with one of the chambers, the first disk blocks the other feed port of the second disk, preventing backflow of an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition from one of the chambers to the other of the chambers.

[0045] Embodiment 36: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising: forming three supply ports in each of the first and second disks such that the three supply ports are spaced apart at an angle of approximately 120 degrees from one another; and forming boost ports in the first disk between two of the supply ports such that the boost ports are positioned approximately 60 degrees from each of two of the supply ports.

[0046] Embodiment 37: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the actuator comprises engaging a flexible valve with the housing and fluidly connecting the flexible valve to one of the two or more chambers, whereby actuation of the valve reduces a volume of one of the two or more chambers to supply an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0047] Embodiment 38: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the actuator comprises engaging the actuator to communicate with a pumping device that is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, whereby actuation of the pumping device by the actuator pressurizes the one of the two or more chambers or the aerosol precursor composition therein to supply an incremental amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0048] Embodiment 39: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the actuator comprises engaging the actuator to communicate with a piston member that is in fluid communication with one of the two or more chambers, whereby actuation of the piston member by the actuator reduces a volume of one of the two or more chambers to supply an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition from the chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0049] Embodiment 40: The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein engaging the cartridge housing with the control body comprises engaging a control body including a control component, a flow sensor, and a battery; and wherein the aerosol-forming arrangement comprises a resistive heating element, whereby the resistive heating element is in electrical communication with the battery and generates heat in response thereto; and wherein the aerosol-forming arrangement generates an aerosol upon interaction of the aerosol precursor composition directed thereto with the heat generated by the heating element.

[0050] Embodiment 41: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising operably engaging a sorption element between a transport element disposed within the housing and the one or more chambers, wherein the transport element is configured to direct the aerosol precursor composition to interact with heat generated by the heating element, and the sorption element is configured to sorb and receive the aerosol precursor composition and supply the aerosol precursor composition to the transport element.

[0051] Embodiment 42: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising engaging a flow tube having a proximal end forming a mouthpiece element between two or more chambers of the housing so that its distal end is in fluid communication with the aerosol-forming configuration, the flow tube being configured to direct an aerosol from the aerosol-forming configuration through the mouthpiece element in response to suction applied to the mouthpiece element.

[0052] Embodiment 43: The method of any preceding embodiment, comprising introducing into each of the two or more chambers aerosol precursor compositions of different flavors, different proportions of active ingredients, or different compositions.

[0053] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly depicted below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements described in this disclosure or recited in any one or more of the claims, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined or otherwise recited in the description of a particular embodiment or in the claims herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, appear as intended to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

[0054] The present disclosure having been described in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0055] [Figure 1] 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a smoking article having a cartridge and control body for ad-hoc delivery of increased amounts of aerosol precursor composition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 shows a perspective view of a cartridge for a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cartridge including three chambers defined by reservoirs; [Figure 3A] 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a cartridge for a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cartridge including a flexible valve; [Figure 3B] 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a cartridge for a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cartridge including a pump device; [Figure 3B] 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a cartridge for a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cartridge including a piston mechanism; [Figure 4] 1 shows a perspective view of two aligned discs that are independently rotatable within a cartridge of a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5A] 5 illustrates a top view of a first aligned disk of the two or more aligned disks of FIG. 4. [Figure 5B] 5 illustrates a top view of a second aligned disk of the two or more aligned disks of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 shows a method flow diagram of a method of manufacturing a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0057] The present disclosure provides a description of an aerosol delivery device that uses electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without significantly burning the material) to form an inhalable substance (e.g., an aerosol). Most preferably, such a device is small enough to be considered a "handheld" device. In certain preferred embodiments, the aerosol delivery device can be characterized as a smoking article. As used herein, the term "smoking article" is intended to mean an article or device that provides some or all of the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (e.g., the manner of inhalation and exhalation, the type of taste or flavor, the organoleptic effect, the physical feel, the manner of use, the visual stimulation such as that provided by a visible aerosol (e.g., vapor), etc.) without substantially burning any component of the article or device. As used herein, the term "smoking article" does not necessarily mean that, during operation, the article or device produces smoke in the sense of an aerosol resulting from the by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather that the article or device produces vapors (e.g., including vapors within an aerosol that may be considered a visible aerosol that may be considered or described as smoky) due to the volatilization or vaporization of certain components of the article or device. In some preferred embodiments, articles or devices characterized as smoking articles incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components.

[0058] The products or devices of the present disclosure can also be characterized as vapor-producing articles, aerosol delivery articles, or drug delivery articles. Accordingly, such articles or devices can be configured to provide one or more substances (e.g., flavors and / or active pharmaceutical ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance can be substantially in vapor form (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance can be in aerosol form (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For clarity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in any form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible and whether or not in a form that can be considered smoky.

[0059] When in use, smoking articles of the present disclosure are subjected to many of the physical actions employed by an individual when using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is used by lighting tobacco and inhaling. For example, a consumer of a smoking article of the present disclosure can hold the article as with a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of the article to inhale the aerosol produced by the article, take puffs at selected time intervals, etc.

[0060] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a smoking article, generally designated 100. The smoking article 100 includes a control body, generally designated 200, and a cartridge, generally designated 300, that engages the control body 200. For example, the control body 200 is permanently or removably aligned in functional relationship with the cartridge 300 by threaded engagement, press fit engagement, interference fit, magnetic engagement, etc.

[0061] In certain embodiments, one or both of the control body 200 and the cartridge 300 are referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control body 200 has a replaceable power source (e.g., a battery) or is rechargeable and therefore can be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a typical electrical outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighter socket), and connection to a computer via a USB cable or the like. In another example, the cartridge 300 is replaceable and disposable or refillable for reuse. In the illustrated embodiment, the control body 200 includes a housing 202 that substantially encloses the control body 200 therein.

[0062] In one embodiment, the control body 200 includes a control component 204, a flow sensor 206, and a power source 208 that are variably aligned and in communication with one another. In some embodiments, the power source 208 includes a battery or other power source for providing a sufficient flow of electrical current to support various functions of the smoking article 100, such as resistive heating, powering the control components (e.g., the control component 204), and powering the indicators. Preferably, the power source 208 is sized to fit conveniently within the article 100 so that the article 100 is easily handled. Furthermore, preferred power sources 208 are sufficiently lightweight so as not to detract from the desired smoking experience. In some embodiments, the indicators are provided in various numbers, take various forms, and / or are associated with openings in the control body 200 (i.e., to emit a sound when such an indicator is present). Additional components of the control body 200 include, but are not limited to, an air intake 212, a receptacle 210 that enables electrical connection with its aerosol forming configuration (e.g., 308), such as a resistive heating element (described below), when the cartridge 300 is attached to the control body 200, and / or multiple indicators at the distal end of the control body 200.

[0063] The cartridge 300 comprises a housing 302 having a mouthpiece 304 with an opening 306 that allows the passage of air and entrained vapour or aerosol (i.e., components of the aerosol precursor composition that are inhalable (i.e., in aerosol form)) from the cartridge 300 to the consumer during inhalation of the smoking article 100. In certain embodiments, the smoking article 100 is substantially rod-shaped or substantially tubular-shaped or substantially cylindrical-shaped.

[0064] Cartridge 300 further includes an aerosol-forming configuration, generally designated 308. In some embodiments, aerosol-forming configuration 308 is an atomizer (i.e., a resistive heating element 310 having a wire coil in electrical communication with battery 208 and configured to generate heat in response thereto), and an aerosol precursor composition transport element 312. In one embodiment, the aerosol precursor composition transport element includes a wick configured to direct the aerosol precursor composition to interact with the heat generated by heating element 310 to generate an aerosol upon interaction with the heat.

[0065] The wire coil may be formed using various embodiments of materials configured to generate heat upon application of an electric current. Examples of materials for forming the wire coil include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)), and ceramics (e.g., positive temperature coefficient ceramics). The aerosol precursor composition transport element 312 is also formed from various materials configured to transport liquids. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition transport element 312 comprises cotton and / or glass fiber. Conductive heater terminals (e.g., positive and negative terminals) on either end of the heating element 310 are configured to direct the flow of electric current through the heating element 310. The heater terminals are also configured to attach to appropriate wiring or circuitry (not shown) to form an electrical connection between the heating element 310 and the battery 208 when the cartridge 300 is connected to the control body 200. Specifically, in some embodiments, a plug 314 is disposed at a distal mounting end of the housing 302. When the cartridge 300 is connected to the control body 200, the plug 314 engages the receptacle 210 to form an electrical connection therebetween such that electrical current controllably flows from the battery 208 through the receptacle 210 and plug 314 to the heating element 310. In some examples, the housing 302 of the cartridge 300 is continuous beyond the distal end of the housing 302 such that the distal end of the cartridge 300 is substantially closed by the plug 314 protruding therefrom.

[0066] A reservoir, generally designated 316, is disposed within housing 302 and extends longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of housing 302 to a second end disposed toward the distal end of housing 302. Reservoir 316 is configured to define two or more chambers 318A-C, each having an aerosol precursor composition 320A-C disposed therein. In some embodiments, for example, two or more chambers 318A-C are defined via a partition within housing 302, the partition separating one chamber from another. More specifically, partitions 322A-C extending longitudinally from the first end of the reservoir to the second end of the reservoir sufficiently separate each chamber 318A-C from one another within reservoir 316. In this manner, reservoir 316 is divided into two chambers, three chambers, four chambers, etc., based on the amount of aerosol precursor composition desired to be individually contained within cartridge 300.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, three partitions 322A-C define three individual chambers 318A-C within the reservoir, each chamber 318A-C receiving an individual aerosol precursor 320A-C therein. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, reservoir 316 is configured to accommodate up to three aerosol precursor compositions within defined chambers 318A-C. First chamber 318A contains first aerosol precursor composition 320A and is defined by first and second partitions 322A and 322B. Second chamber 318B contains second aerosol precursor composition 320B and is defined by second and third partitions 322B and 322C. The third chamber 318C contains a third aerosol precursor composition 320C and is defined by the first partition 322A and the third partition 322C between the first partition 322A and the third partition 322C.

[0068] In some embodiments, aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C, also referred to as vapor precursor compositions, each comprise one or more distinct components. For example, in one embodiment, aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C each comprise a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof), water, nicotine, natural and artificial flavors, menthol, or mixtures thereof. Representative types of additional aerosol precursor compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., PCT Publication No. WO 98 / 57556 to Biggs et al., and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco (1988) by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0069] In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C disposed within each relative chamber 318A-C are different aerosol precursor compositions. For example, in such a case, the first aerosol precursor composition 320A includes a chocolate flavor, the second aerosol precursor composition 320B includes a vanilla flavor, and the third aerosol precursor composition 320C includes a strawberry flavor. In another example, the first aerosol precursor composition 320A includes a 3.6% active ingredient (i.e., nicotine) aerosol precursor composition, the second aerosol precursor composition 320B includes a 1.1% active ingredient aerosol precursor composition, and the third aerosol precursor composition 320C includes a 0.4% active ingredient aerosol precursor composition. In yet a further example, the first aerosol precursor composition 320A includes a vegetable glycerin (VG)-based nicotine composition, the second aerosol precursor composition 320B includes a propylene glycol (PG)-based nicotine composition, and the third aerosol precursor composition 320C includes a nicotine-free peppermint flavor.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1, each chamber 318A-C is in fluid communication with an aerosol-forming configuration 308 configured to form an aerosol from one of aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C. In some embodiments, the fluid communication between the aerosol-forming configuration 308 and the chambers 318A-C includes an aerosol precursor composition transport element 312, which is configured to direct the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C to interact with heat generated by the heating element 310. One such example is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen therein, the cartridge 300 includes a sorption element 324 comprising a nonwoven fiber layer formed in the shape of a circular disk disposed around a portion of the interior of the housing 302 of the cartridge 300 (i.e., around a second end of the reservoir disposed toward the distal end of the housing 302). The sorption element 324 is operably engaged between one or more chambers 318A-C and the aerosol precursor composition transport element 312 (the wick in this embodiment), thereby supplying the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C to the transport element 312 (i.e., the sorption element 324, wetted by the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C, contacts the wick, which receives and directs the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C along toward the heating element 310). That is, for example, once received by the sorption element 324, the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C are transported by the aerosol precursor composition transport element 312 to the aerosolization zone 326 of the cartridge 300 via capillary action. As shown, the aerosol precursor composition transport element 312 is in direct contact with the heating element 310, and thus the aerosolization zone 326 is defined at or around the contact between the wick and the heating element 310.

[0071] In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C of the two or more chambers 318A-C are introduced into the aerosol-forming configuration 308 in substantially equal amounts. More specifically, in one embodiment, the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C are introduced into the aerosol-forming configuration 308 in substantially equal proportions, amounts, flow rates, etc., such that the aerosol generated in the aerosol-forming configuration contains equal portions of each aerosol precursor composition 320A-C. For example, the generated aerosol contains about 33% of the first aerosol precursor composition 320A, about 33% of the second aerosol precursor composition 320B, and about 33% of the third aerosol precursor composition 320C. However, one skilled in the art will understand that in other embodiments, the normal amounts of the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C are not substantially equal but are configured to be different. For example, the aerosol produced may include about 30% first aerosol precursor composition 320A, about 35% second aerosol precursor composition 320B, and about 35% third aerosol precursor composition 320C. Thus, the typical amount of each aerosol precursor composition 320A-C delivered may vary as needed or desired.

[0072] However, if a consumer desires to increase the amount of one or more particular aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C so that the aerosol generated in the aerosol-forming configuration 308 contains an increased proportion of one or more of the aerosol precursor compositions (i.e., an additional charge of one of the aerosol precursor compositions), an actuator, generally designated 328, is used to direct an increased amount of one of the desired aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C from the corresponding chamber 318A-C into the aerosol-forming configuration 308. More specifically, in one aspect, the actuator 328 engages the housing 302 and is configured to selectively and operably engage any one of the two or more chambers 318A-C. As illustrated in one general exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the actuator 328 includes a single actuator disposed at a first end of the reservoir 316 and engageable with and independently operable to each of the two or more chambers 318A-C. However, as disclosed herein, other aspects of the present disclosure also contemplate dedicated actuators engageable with and operable to each individual chamber 318A-C.

[0073] 3A-3C, there are shown exemplary embodiments of actuator 328. However, these are not limiting examples, and one skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of actuator is contemplated that is in fluid communication with one of two or more chambers 318A-C and configured to decrease the volume or increase the pressure of any one of those chambers 318A-C that has an actuator engaged therewith.

[0074] FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a cartridge 300A for a smoking article (e.g., smoking article 100). As shown in FIG. 1, cartridge 300A includes first and second chambers 318A and 318B, each receiving one of aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B therein. Although not shown in this figure for this embodiment, cartridge 300A may include additional chambers for containing additional aerosol precursor compositions. FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment in which first and second chambers 318A and 318B each have an individual actuator 328A associated therewith. In this case, each actuator 328A is independently actuable. However, in other embodiments, a single actuator 328A engages both first and second chambers 318A and 318B. Regardless, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, each actuator 328A includes a flexible valve 330 comprising a resilient material that can be deformed by a consumer to decrease the volume and thereby force air into the interior of cartridge 300A, specifically into a respective one of chambers 318A-B, or increase the pressure inside cartridge 300A, specifically into a respective one of chambers 318A-B.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 3A , in one embodiment, each chamber 318A-B includes a single valve actuator 330 operably engaged therewith. Thus, the chamber 318A-B in fluid communication with the valve 330 is configured to deliver an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition 320A-B from the corresponding chamber 318A-B to the aerosol-forming configuration 308 in response to actuation (i.e., depression) of the valve 330 by decreasing its volume. Notably, if there is more than one chamber in the cartridge 300A, a consumer may simultaneously depress multiple flexible valves 330, each in fluid communication with a respective chamber 318A-B, to increase the amount of multiple aerosol precursor compositions. To return the flexible valves 330 to their original shape, orifices 332 are defined within the valves or elsewhere between the valves and the respective chambers, thereby allowing ambient air to return to the interior of the chambers or valve actuators 330, allowing the valve actuators 330 to return to their initial shape after actuation (i.e., depression). In this embodiment, incremental amounts of one or more aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B delivered by actuation of valve actuator 330 result in the production of an aerosol exhibiting characteristics for the incremental amounts of the selected aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B.

[0076] 3A , in one embodiment, one or more amounts of a first aerosol precursor composition 320A are selectively directed to the aerosol-forming configuration 308 in a relatively greater amount than a second aerosol precursor composition 320B. Thus, the generated aerosol comprises characteristics associated with the relatively greater amount of the first aerosol precursor composition 320A. For example, if the first aerosol precursor composition 320A includes a strawberry flavor and the second aerosol precursor composition 320B includes a chocolate flavor, by increasing the amount of the first aerosol precursor composition 320A delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration 308, the aerosol generated thereby will have a more pronounced strawberry flavor, as opposed to equal chocolate and strawberry flavors.

[0077] FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of a cartridge 300B for a smoking article (e.g., smoking article 100). As shown in FIG. 1, cartridge 300B includes first and second chambers 318A and 318B, each receiving an aerosol precursor composition 320A-B therein. While not shown in this figure, cartridge 300B may include additional chambers for containing additional aerosol precursor compositions. Each of first and second chambers 318A and 318B engages an actuator 328B. In this embodiment, actuator 328B comprises a pumping device, such as a microelectromechanical (MEM) pumping device, having a button actuator 334 electrically, thermally, pneumatically, etc., connected to a pumping structure (not shown) of pumping device 328B. 3B , each chamber 318A-B is in fluid communication with a respective button actuator 334, which is configured to operate independently or simultaneously or substantially simultaneously to increase the amount of the multiple aerosol precursor compositions delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration 308. In some non-limiting examples, the pumping device 328B includes a piezoelectric micropump, an electrostatic micropump, a thermopneumatic micropump, an electromagnetic micropump, a bimetallic micropump, an ionically conductive polymer film (ICPF) micropump, a phase-change micropump, a shape memory alloy (SMA) pump, or the like. Thus, the chambers 318A-B in fluid communication with the pumping device 328B are configured to pressurize the chambers 318A-B or the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B therein and supply incremental amounts of the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B from the chambers 318A-B to the aerosol-forming configuration 308 in response to actuation (i.e., depression) of the button actuator 334 associated with the pumping device 328B.

[0078] 3B, one or more amounts of both a first aerosol precursor composition 320A and a second aerosol precursor composition 320B are selectively directed to the aerosol-forming configuration 308. Thus, the generated aerosol precursor composition includes properties of both the first aerosol precursor composition 320A and the second aerosol precursor composition 320B. For example, if the first aerosol precursor composition 320A includes a composition containing 1.1% of an active ingredient (i.e., nicotine) and the second aerosol precursor composition 320B includes a composition containing 2.4% of that active ingredient, then normally equal amounts of the first and second aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B delivered to the aerosol-forming configuration 308 will generate an aerosol containing 1.75% of the active ingredient, based on the average active ingredient content of each composition delivered thereto. By increasing the amounts of first aerosol precursor composition 320A and second aerosol precursor composition 320B by substantially equal amounts, the generated aerosol retains a 1.75% active ingredient composition based on the average active ingredient content of each composition delivered thereto. Specifically, by increasing the amount of first aerosol precursor composition 320A delivered, the generated aerosol contains 1.53% active ingredient, whereas by increasing the amount of second aerosol precursor composition delivered, the generated aerosol contains 1.96% active ingredient. In some cases, this may be advantageous for consumers who wish to adjust their overall active ingredient consumption, which may be done gradually by starting with a typical 1.75% nicotine-based composition and selectively increasing or decreasing the desired percentage to a composition.

[0079] FIG. 3C illustrates a cartridge 300C for a smoking article (e.g., smoking article 100). As shown in FIG. 1, cartridge 300C includes first and second chambers 318A and 318B, each receiving an aerosol precursor composition 320A-B therein. Although not shown in this figure, cartridge 300C may include additional chambers for containing additional aerosol precursor compositions. Each of first and second chambers 318A and 318B engages an actuator 328C. In this embodiment, actuator 328C includes a piston or plunger member 336 in fluid communication with one of two or more chambers 318A-B. As shown in FIG. 3C, each chamber 318A-B is in fluid communication with a respective piston member 336. Piston member 336 is actuated by a consumer pressing or depressing the top of the piston to move piston 336 downward toward the second end of reservoir 316. Each piston member 336 is configured to operate independently or to operate together simultaneously or substantially simultaneously to increase the amount of the plurality of aerosol precursor compositions delivered to the aerosol-forming arrangement 308. Thus, the chambers 318A-B in fluid communication with the piston members 336 are configured to decrease the volume of the chambers 318A-B in response to actuation (i.e., depression) of the upper surfaces of the piston members by the actuator, thereby delivering an increased amount of the aerosol precursor compositions 320A-B therein to the aerosol-forming arrangement 308.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3C , one or more amounts of second aerosol precursor composition 320B are selectively directed to aerosol-forming configuration 308. Thus, the generated aerosol contains a predominant characteristic of second aerosol precursor composition 320B. For example, first aerosol precursor composition 320A contains a PG-based composition, and second aerosol precursor composition 320B contains a VG-based composition. In this example, by increasing the amount of second aerosol precursor composition 320B delivered to aerosol-forming configuration 308 relative to the first aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol generated thereby becomes predominantly a VG-based aerosol (e.g., a 30PG:70VG aerosol). To increase the PG content of the generated aerosol, a consumer presses the upper surface of piston member 336 engaged with first chamber 318A, directing an increased amount of the PG-based composition into aerosol-forming configuration 308, thereby causing the generated aerosol to become predominantly a PG-based aerosol (e.g., a 60PG:40VG aerosol).

[0081] In some aspects, cartridge 300 includes a backflow prevention device 338. FIG. 1 provides an exemplary embodiment of backflow prevention device 338, where backflow prevention device 338 is configured to selectively prevent incremental amounts of aerosol precursor composition 320A-C, directed from a chamber operatively engaged with actuator 328, from flowing back into other of two or more chambers 318A-C. Referring to FIG. 4, one embodiment of backflow prevention device 338 includes two or more aligned disks 338A-B. One of the two or more aligned disks 338A-B is independently rotatable relative to the other about a common axis passing therethrough, and disks 338A-B are also arranged in series relative to one another along the common axis. The common axis is an axis centered relative to, and sometimes coincides with, the longitudinal axis of article 100. In some embodiments, flow tube 340 has a distal end in fluid communication with aerosol-forming configuration 308 and a proximal end forming mouthpiece element 304, and is configured to direct aerosol from aerosol-forming configuration 308 in response to suction applied to mouthpiece element 304. To this end, flow tube 340 defines a common axis or is aligned or substantially aligned with a common axis, and two or more aligned discs 338-B are independently rotatable relative to one another around flow tube 340 (i.e., flow tube 340 defines an axis of rotation).

[0082] Two or more aligned discs 338A-B are disposed within housing 302 of cartridge 300 and are positioned relative to (i.e., between) the second end of reservoir 316 and aerosol-forming arrangement 308. In some embodiments, for example, first aligned disc 338A is disposed between the second end of reservoir 316 and second aligned disc 338B, which is disposed between first aligned disc 338A and sorption element 324. In some aspects, two or more aligned discs 338A-B are formed from a material similar to that of sorption element 324 or any other material that is suitable and sufficient to prevent backflow of aerosol precursor compositions 320A-C into reservoir 316.

[0083] 5A-5B show top views of the first and second disks 338A-B. In FIG. 5A, the first aligned disk 338A is shown. The plane of the first aligned disk 338A defines an opening 342A centered relative to the plane. The first aligned disk 338A includes dimensions that allow the disk 338A to independently rotate around the flow tube 340 (i.e., the flow tube 340 passes through the opening 342A). Additionally, the plane of the first disk 338A defines a plurality of feed ports 344A spaced equidistantly along a radius originating from a common axis. In some embodiments, the feed ports 344A are substantially equally angularly spaced around each first disk 338A. The plane of the first disk 338A also defines an augmentation port 346. The augmentation port 346 is radially spaced equidistant from the plurality of supply ports 344A and angularly spaced from each of the supply ports 344A. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, three supply ports 344A are angularly spaced about 120 degrees from each other, and the augmentation port 346 is positioned about 60 degrees from each of two of the supply ports 344A.

[0084] FIG. 5B illustrates a second aligned disk 338B. The plane of the second aligned disk 338B defines an opening 342B that is centered relative to the plane of the first aligned disk 338B. The second aligned disk 338B includes dimensions that allow the disk 338B to independently rotate around the flow tube 340 (i.e., the flow tube 340 passes through the opening 342B). Additionally, the plane of the second disk 338B defines a plurality of supply ports 344B that are equidistantly spaced along a radius originating from a common axis, with the supply ports 344B being substantially equally angularly spaced around each second disk 338B. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, three supply ports 344B are angularly spaced from one another by approximately 120 degrees.

[0085] Thus, the feed port 344A disposed on the first aligned disk 338A and the feed port 344B disposed on the second aligned disk are configured to align with the chambers 318A-C. More specifically, in the first embodiment, one of the disks 338A-B is rotatable such that the feed port 344A of the first disk 338A is aligned with the feed port 344B of the second disk 338B, thereby allowing substantially equal nominal amounts of each aerosol precursor composition 320A-C of the two or more chambers 318A-C to be fed from the reservoir 316 through the feed ports 344A-B and directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement 308.

[0086] In a second embodiment, one of the disks 338A-B is rotatable so that the boost port 346 aligns with one of the supply ports 344B of the second disk 338B associated with one of the chambers 318A-C. In this manner, the disks 338A-B are configured to block the other supply port 344B of the second disk 338B, preventing the outflow of aerosol precursor composition from the corresponding chamber or preventing the backflow of an increased amount of aerosol precursor composition 320A-C from one of the chambers 318A-C having an boost port aligned with the supply port to the other chamber 318A-C. In some embodiments, each of the supply ports 344A-B and boost port 346 is approximately 1 / 16 inch in diameter. The number of supply ports 344A-B is variable depending on the number of chambers defined by the reservoir 316. For example, in the embodiment described herein, cartridge 300 includes three chambers 318A-C (see FIGS. 5A-5B) such that there are three supply ports 344A-B, each defined by a respective disk 338A-B. In another example, if there are four chambers, there are four supply ports 344A-B, each defined by a respective disk 338A-B.

[0087] Thus, when the smoking article 100 is being used, and after a certain amount of a particular aerosol precursor composition 320A-C has been delivered to the aerosol-forming arrangement 308, the consumer draws on the article 100, which in turn activates the heating element 310 (e.g., via a puff sensor), causing the ingredients for the aerosol precursor composition 320A-C to be vaporized / aerosolized in the aerosolization zone 326. When the mouthpiece element 306 of the article 100 is drawn on, ambient air enters the air inlet 212 and passes through the central opening of the receptacle 210 and the central opening of the plug 314. In the cartridge 300, the drawn-in air passes through the flow tube 340 and mixes with the vapor formed in the aerosolization zone 326 to form an aerosol. The aerosol is then drawn away from the aerosolization zone 326, passes through the flow tube 340, and exits through the opening 306 of the mouthpiece element 304 of the article 100 for ingestion by the consumer.

[0088] It will be understood that smoking articles of the type disclosed herein may include various combinations of components useful in forming smoking articles. See, for example, the smoking articles disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith, Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition to the above, exemplary 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. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,093,894 ...224,498 to Sprinkel et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 to Sprinkel et al., No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,850 to Das, U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,656 to Das, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,692 to Das et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Additionally, a disposable cartridge for use with electronic smoking articles is disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0089] The various components of smoking articles according to the present disclosure may be selected from those described in the art and commercially available. An example of a battery that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0028766, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0090] An exemplary mechanism for providing puff activation capability includes the Model 163PC01D36 silicon sensor manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc. of Freeport, Illinois. Additional examples of demand-operated electrical switches that can be used in heating circuits according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Additional descriptions of current regulation circuits and other control components, including microcontrollers, that can be used in the present smoking articles are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0091] Additional components may be used in the smoking articles of the present disclosure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric sensor associated with the mouth end of the device that detects a user's lip movements associated with a puff and the responsive application of trigger heat; U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling energy flow to a heat load array in response to a drop in pressure through the mouthpiece; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses a receptacle in a smoking device that includes an identifier that detects non-uniformity in the infrared transparency of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when a component is inserted into the receptacle; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al. describes defined, executable power cycles having multiple differential phases; and U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al. describes a photonic-optical (photonic-optical) sensor. No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses certain battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Pat. 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. Pat. No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for smoking devices; and WO 2010 / 003480 to Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system to indicate a puff with an aerosol generating system, all of the foregoing disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Additional examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and additional examples disclosing materials or components usable in the articles of the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 7,513,253 to Hamano, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon ...832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. No. 896,006 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,944 to Hon, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2006 / 0196518 to Hon, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009 / 0188490 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,957 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,915,254 to Monsees et al. and 8,925,555 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010 / 0024834 to Oglesby et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,851,083 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang, and WO 2010 / 091593 to Hon. The various materials disclosed by the aforementioned documents may be incorporated into the present device in various combinations and various embodiments, the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0092] 6 shows a method flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing a smoking article (e.g., smoking article 100), generally designated 400. In a first step 402, a reservoir (e.g., reservoir 316) is fluidly engaged with an aerosol-forming arrangement (e.g., arrangement 308) and configured to form an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., compositions 320A-C). The reservoir is disposed within a housing (e.g., housing 302) of a cartridge (e.g., cartridge 300) and defines two or more chambers (e.g., chambers 318A-C), each extending longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing. Each of the two or more chambers has an aerosol precursor composition disposed therein and is configured to direct a substantially equal, nominal amount of each aerosol precursor composition of the two or more chambers into the aerosol-forming arrangement.

[0093] In step 404, an actuator (e.g., actuator 328) engages the housing such that the actuator selectively and operably engages any one of two or more chambers defined by the reservoir. The actuator is operably configured to direct an increased amount of the aerosol precursor composition from the chamber engaged therewith to the aerosol-forming arrangement, the increased amount being greater than the normal amount of the aerosol precursor composition.

[0094] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A smoking article, A control body; a cartridge engaged with a control body; wherein the cartridge comprises: a housing having a proximal end and an opposite distal end engageable with the control body; A reservoir, a first chamber containing a first aerosol precursor composition; a second chamber containing a second aerosol precursor composition; a reservoir, an aerosol-forming arrangement configured to form an aerosol from either or both of the first and second aerosol precursor compositions; and an actuator engaged with the housing and configured to selectively and operatively direct a quantity of one or both of the first aerosol precursor composition from the first chamber and the second aerosol precursor composition from the second chamber to the aerosol-forming arrangement; Smoking articles, including:

2. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the first aerosol precursor composition and the second aerosol precursor composition each comprise one or more compositions.

3. 2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is disposed within the housing, and the first chamber and the second chamber each extend longitudinally from a first end disposed toward the proximal end of the housing to a second end disposed toward the distal end of the housing.

4. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the amount of the first aerosol precursor composition is greater than the amount of the second aerosol precursor composition directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

5. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the amount of the first aerosol precursor composition is less than the amount of the second aerosol precursor composition directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement.

6. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the amount of the first aerosol precursor composition is substantially equal to the amount of the second aerosol precursor composition introduced into the aerosol-forming arrangement.

7. a first member disposed between the first and second chambers and the aerosol-forming arrangement, the first member defining one or more delivery ports configured to be selectively aligned with one or more of the first and second chambers; 2. The smoking article of claim 1, further comprising: a second member disposed between the first member and the aerosol-forming arrangement, aligned with the first member, and defining one or more feed ports, wherein the first member is independently rotatable relative to the second member about a common axis passing therethrough, and the first member and the second member are arranged in series relative to each other along the common axis, such that first and second aerosol precursor compositions disposed in respective ones of the first and second chambers can be fed therefrom through one or more selectively aligned feed ports in the second member to the aerosol-forming arrangement, selectively preventing backflow.

8. 2. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a first disc and the second member comprises a second disc.

9. 10. A smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol-forming arrangement comprises at least one atomizer.

10. 10. The smoking article of claim 9, wherein at least one atomizer comprises a ceramic material.

11. 2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the control body includes a control component, a flow sensor, and a battery, the aerosol-forming arrangement is in electrical communication with the battery, and one or both of the first and second aerosol precursor compositions are directed to the aerosol-forming arrangement to generate an aerosol.

12. 12. A smoking article according to claim 11, comprising a transport element configured to direct one or both of the first and second aerosol precursor compositions to interact with the aerosol-forming arrangement.

13. 2. A smoking article as described in claim 1, wherein the cartridge defines a flow tube having a proximal end forming a mouthpiece element, the flow tube extending between the first and second chambers to a distal end in fluid communication with the aerosol-forming arrangement and directing the aerosol therefrom through the mouthpiece element in response to suction applied to the mouthpiece element.

14. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the first and second aerosol precursor compositions differ in one or more of flavor, active ingredient ratio, or composition.

15. 10. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes at least a third chamber containing a third aerosol precursor composition.

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