Smoking article for identifying attribute of aerosol-generating element for adaptive power output and associated method

Abstract

To provide a smoking article and a method for making the smoking article.SOLUTION: A smoking article 400 includes: an aerosol-generating element configured to produce aerosol in response to heat; a housing 420 defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating element therein; a heating element engaged with the housing and configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating element; a power source 450 in electrical communication with the heating element and configured to provide electrical energy thereto, the heating element producing heat in response to the electrical energy; an aerosol-generating element identification device 460 configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol-generating element; and a control device 470 in communication with the aerosol-generating element identification device and configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol-generating element to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attribute of the aerosol-generating element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and systems, such as smoking articles, and more particularly to aerosol delivery devices and systems that utilize electrically generated heat for aerosol generation (e.g., smoking articles for generating components of tobacco and other materials in an inhalable form, commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes). Highly preferred components of such articles are made from or derived from tobacco, or these articles may be characterized by incorporating tobacco in other ways for human consumption, and components of tobacco and / or other tobacco-related materials can be vaporized to form an inhalable aerosol for human consumption.

Background Art

[0002] Over the years, many smoking devices have been proposed as improved or alternative products to smoking products that require burning tobacco for use. Many of these devices are said to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, but are designed not to deliver significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products resulting from the burning of tobacco. For this purpose, many smoking products, aroma generators and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile materials or to provide the smoking sensations of cigarettes, cigars or pipes without significantly burning the tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat sources described in the background art of Robinson et al.'s U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320, Griffith, Jr. et al.'s U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 and Sears et al.'s U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781, which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, see, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electric heat sources referred to by trademark name and commercial supplier described in Bless et al.'s U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232, which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and electric heat sources referred to by trademark name and commercial supplier are also described in DePiano et al.'s U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Certain tobacco products, particularly certain products known as electronic cigarettes, which generate heat for aerosol formation using electrical energy, are commercially available worldwide. Representative products that are similar in many attributes to traditional paper-wrapped cigarettes, cigars or pipes are ACCORD(R) by Philip Morris Incorporated, ALPHA(TM) by InnoVapor LLC, JOYE 510(TM) and M4(TM), CIRRUS(TM) and FLING(TM) by White Cloud Cigarettes, BLU(TM) by Lorillard Technologies, Inc., COHITA(TM), COLIBRI(TM), ELITE CLASSIC(TM), MAGNUM(TM), PHANTOM(TM) and SENSE(TM) by EPUFFER(R) International Inc., DUOPRO(TM), STORM(TM) and VAPORKING(R) by Electronic Cigarettes, Inc., EGAR(TM) by Egar Australia, eGo-C(TM) and eGo-T(TM) by Joyetech, ELUSION(TM) by Elusion UK Ltd, EONSMOKE(R) by Eonsmoke LLC, FIN(TM) by FIN Branding Group, LLC, SMOKE(R) by Green Smoke Inc. USA, GREENARETTE(TM) by Greenarette LLC, HALLIGAN(TM), HENDU(TM), JET(TM), MAXXQ(TM), PINK(TM) and PITBULL(TM) by SMOKE STIK(R), HEATBAR(TM) by Philip Morris International, Inc., HYDRO IMPERIAL(TM) and LXE(TM) made by Crown7, LOGIC(TM) and THE CUBAN(TM) by Logic Technology, LUCI(R) by Luciano Smokes Inc., METRO(R) by Nicotek, LLC, NJOY(R) and ONEJOY(TM) by Sottera, Inc., NO. by SS Choice LLC7(TM), PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE(TM) by PremiumEstore LLC, RAPP E-MYSTICK(TM) by Ruyan America, Inc., RED DRAGON(TM) by Red Dragon Products, LLC, RUYAN(R) by Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd., SF(R) by Smoker Friendly International, LLC, GREEN SMART SMOKER(R) by The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd., SMOKE ASSIST(R) by Coastline Products LLC, SMOKING EVERYWHERE(R) by Smoking Everywhere, Inc., V2CIGS(TM) by VMR Products LLC, VAPOR NINE(TM) by VaporNine LLC, VAPOR4LIFE(R) by Vapor 4 Life, Inc., VEPPO(TM) by E-CigaretteDirect, LLC, VUSE(R) by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, Mistic Menthol product by Mistic Ecigs and the Vype product by CN Creative Ltd. are commercially available. Further, other electric aerosol delivery devices, particularly those characterized as so-called electronic cigarettes, are commercially available under the trade names of COOLER VISIONS(TM), DIRECT E-CIG(TM), DRAGONFLY(TM), EMIST(TM), EVERSMOKE(TM), GAMUCCI(R), HYBRID FLAME(TM), KNIGHT STICKS(TM), ROYAL BLUES(TM), SMOKETIP(R), SOUTH BEACH SMOKE(TM).

[0004] In some cases, the heat or heating profile generated by the electrical energy used to heat the aerosol-generating element to form an aerosol is essentially the same regardless of the nature of the aerosol-generating element. Thus, such a configuration may have several limitations, such as, for example, shortening of battery life, heat-related damage (i.e., charring) of the aerosol-generating element and / or reduction of the service life of the aerosol-generating element (i.e., excessive aerosol generation per use).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For this reason, it would be desirable to provide a smoking article with a configuration for modulating the heat provided to the aerosol-generating element of an electric smoking article in relation to the identified attributes of the aerosol-generating element. Also, it would be desirable for a smoking article to include a configuration for identifying the attributes of the aerosol-generating element and controlling the heat output accordingly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A smoking article and related method for identifying the attributes of an aerosol-generating element for an adaptive output are disclosed.

[0008] In some aspects, a smoking article comprises an aerosol-generating element configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating element therein, a heating element operably engaged with the housing and configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating element, a power source in electrical communication with the heating element and configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy and to provide electrical energy thereto, an aerosol-generating element identification device engaged with the housing and configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol-generating element during operation, and a control device in communication with the aerosol-generating element identification device and configured to direct the heating element by modulating the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to heat the aerosol-generating element to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attribute of the aerosol-generating element.

[0009] In some other aspects, a method of manufacturing a smoking article comprises operably engaging a heating element with a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating element therein, the heating element being configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating element such that the aerosol-generating element is configured to generate an aerosol in response thereto, engaging a power source in electrical communication with the heating element, the power source being configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element and the heating element being configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy, engaging the housing with an aerosol-generating element identification device configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol-generating element during operation, and engaging the aerosol-generating element identification device with a control device, the control device being configured to direct the heating element by modulating the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to heat the aerosol-generating element to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attribute of the aerosol-generating element.

[0010] In a further aspect, the smoking article comprises a solid aerosol-forming material configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, a tubular housing defining a cavity configured to receive the solid aerosol-forming material therein, a heating element operably engaged with the tubular housing and configured to provide heat to the solid aerosol-forming material, a power source in electrical communication with the heating element configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy and configured to provide electrical energy thereto, an aerosol-forming element identification device engaged with the housing and configured to identify an attribute of the solid aerosol-forming material during operation, and a control device in communication with the aerosol-forming element identification device and configured to direct the heating element to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to heat the solid aerosol-forming material to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the solid aerosol-forming material.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the smoking article comprises an aerosol-forming liquid configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, and a tubular housing having a first end and a second end longitudinally opposed thereto, the tubular housing including an outer wall defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-forming liquid therein, a heating element configured to provide heat to the aerosol-forming liquid, and a component housing having a longitudinal end operably engaged with one of the first and second ends of the tubular housing, the component housing including a power source in electrical communication with the heating element configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy and configured to provide electrical energy thereto, an aerosol-forming element identification device engaged with the power source and configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol-forming liquid during operation, and a control device configured to direct the heating element to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element to heat the aerosol-forming liquid to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the aerosol-forming liquid.

[0012] Accordingly, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.

[0013] Embodiment 1: A smoking article comprising an aerosol generating element configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol generating element therein, a heating element operably engaged with the housing and configured to provide heat to the aerosol generating element, a power source in electrical communication with the heating element that generates heat in response to electrical energy and configured to provide electrical energy thereto, an aerosol generating element identifier engaged with the housing and configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol generating element during operation, and a control device in communication with the aerosol generating element identifier and configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol generating element to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the aerosol generating element.

[0014] Embodiment 2: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the housing comprises an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

[0015] Embodiment 3: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the heating element comprises a first portion configured to extend around the outer wall and a second portion configured to extend into the cylindrical cavity.

[0016] Embodiment 4: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the control device is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the first portion separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions.

[0017] Embodiment 5: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aerosol generating element identifier comprises an attribute identifier detector configured to detect an attribute identifier of the aerosol generating element.

[0018] Embodiment 6: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode, a QR code, or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating element.

[0019] Embodiment 7: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier during operation, identify the attribute of the aerosol-generating element associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the control device.

[0020] Embodiment 8: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier is provided on the packaging of the aerosol-generating element.

[0021] Embodiment 9: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute of the aerosol-generating element is selected from the group consisting of flavor, heating profile of each component of the aerosol-generating element, maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol-generating element, wattage for controlling the power supply with respect to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the aerosol-generating element, and combinations thereof.

[0022] Embodiment 10: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device comprises a processor configured to execute an algorithm for identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating element during operation.

[0023] Embodiment 11: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device is configured to analyze the aerosol-generating element to determine its components, determine the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power supply according to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0024] Embodiment 12: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to receive a user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol generating element, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power supply according to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the user input.

[0025] Embodiment 13: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol generating element includes an annular tobacco plug configured to be removably received within a cavity of the housing.

[0026] Embodiment 14: A smoking article according to any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol generating element includes an aerosol generating liquid received within a cartridge, and the cartridge is removably engaged with the housing.

[0027] Embodiment 15: A method of manufacturing a smoking article, comprising: operably engaging a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol generating element with a heating element, the heating element being configured to provide heat to the aerosol generating element such that the aerosol generating element generates an aerosol in response thereto; engaging a power supply in electrical communication with the heating element, the power supply being configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element, the heating element generating heat in response to the electrical energy; engaging the housing with an aerosol generating element identification device, the aerosol generating element identification device being configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol generating element during its operation; and engaging the aerosol generating element identification device with a control device, wherein the control device is configured to direct the heating element to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power supply to heat the aerosol generating element to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the aerosol generating element.

[0028] Embodiment 16: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including operably engaging a housing and a heating element, the housing being tubular and having an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

[0029] Embodiment 17: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including operably engaging a first portion of the heating element to extend around the outer wall and a second portion of the heating element to extend within the cylindrical cavity.

[0030] Embodiment 18: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including modulating, by a control device, the electrical energy provided to the first portion of the heating element separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions of the heating element.

[0031] Embodiment 19: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including detecting an attribute identifier for identifying an attribute of an aerosol-generating element using an attribute identification detector of an aerosol-generating element identifier device.

[0032] Embodiment 20: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including identifying an attribute of an aerosol-generating element using a universal product code (UPC) barcode, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device of the attribute identifier.

[0033] Embodiment 21: A method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including using a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner of the attribute identification detector in operation to detect the attribute identifier, identify the attribute of the associated aerosol-generating element, and communicate the identification of the attribute to a control device.

[0034] Method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including providing an attribute identifier on the packaging of the aerosol generating element.

[0035] Method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including executing, by a processor of an aerosol generating element identification device, an algorithm for identifying the attributes of an aerosol generating element during its operation.

[0036] Method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including analyzing, by an aerosol generating element identification device, an aerosol generating element to determine its components, determining a maximum aerosolization temperature between the components, communicating the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to a control device, and modulating, using the control device, the electrical energy provided by a power source to a heating element in accordance with the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0037] Method of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, including receiving, by an aerosol generating element identification device, a user input regarding a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of an aerosol generating element, and modulating, using a control device, the electrical energy provided by a power source to a heating element in accordance with the maximum aerosolization temperature of the user input.

[0038] Embodiment 26: A smoking article comprising a solid aerosol - generating material configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, a tubular housing defining a cavity configured to receive the solid aerosol - generating material therein, a heating element operably engaged with the tubular housing and configured to provide heat to the solid aerosol - generating material, a power source electrically communicating with the heating element that generates heat in response to electrical energy and configured to provide electrical energy thereto, an aerosol - generating element identification device engaged with the housing and configured to identify an attribute of the solid aerosol - generating material during operation, and a control device communicating with the aerosol - generating element identification device and configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source to direct the heating element to heat the solid aerosol - generating material to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the solid aerosol - generating material.

[0039] Embodiment 27: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tubular housing comprises an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

[0040] Embodiment 28: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the heating element comprises a first portion configured to extend around the outer wall and a second portion configured to extend into the cylindrical cavity.

[0041] Embodiment 29: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the control device is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the first portion separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions.

[0042] Embodiment 30: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, comprising an annular tobacco plug configured to be removably received within a cavity of a tubular housing, such that an inner surface of the annular tobacco plug extends around a second portion of a heating element, and a first portion of the heating element extends around an outer surface of the annular tobacco plug within a cylindrical cavity.

[0043] Embodiment 31: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the tubular housing comprises a removal mechanism configured to remove the annular tobacco plug from within the cavity of the tubular housing.

[0044] Embodiment 32: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, comprising an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier for identifying an attribute of a solid aerosol-generating material.

[0045] Embodiment 33: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode, a QR code, or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device for identifying an attribute of the solid aerosol-generating material.

[0046] Embodiment 34: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier during operation, identify an attribute of the associated solid aerosol-generating material, and communicate the identification of the attribute to a control device.

[0047] Embodiment 35: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier is provided on a packaging of the solid aerosol-generating material.

[0048] Embodiment 36: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attributes of the solid aerosol-forming material are selected from the group consisting of flavor, the heating profile of each constituent component of the solid aerosol-forming material, the maximum aerosolization temperature between the constituent components of the solid aerosol-forming material, the wattage for controlling the power supply with respect to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the constituent components of the solid aerosol-forming material, and combinations thereof.

[0049] Embodiment 37: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, comprising a processor configured to execute an algorithm that identifies the attributes of the solid aerosol-forming material during operation.

[0050] Embodiment 38: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device is configured to analyze the solid aerosol-forming material to determine its constituent components, determine the maximum aerosolization temperature between the constituent components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to a control device, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by a power supply in response to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0051] Embodiment 39: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device is configured to receive user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature between the constituent components of the solid aerosol-forming material, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by a power supply in response to the user-input maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0052] Embodiment 40: A smoking article comprising an aerosol-generating liquid configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat, a tubular housing having a first end and a second end opposite in the longitudinal direction, the tubular housing including an outer wall defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol-generating liquid therein, a heating element configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating liquid, and a component housing having a longitudinal end operably engaged with one of the first and second ends of the tubular housing, the component housing being in electrical communication with a heating element configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy and providing electrical energy thereto, a power source, an aerosol-generating element identification device engaged with the power source and configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid during operation, and a control device configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol-generating liquid to an aerosolization temperature related to the identified attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid.

[0053] Embodiment 41: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the heating element includes a resistive coil.

[0054] Embodiment 42: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the control device is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the resistive coil.

[0055] Embodiment 43: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the tubular housing is removable from the component housing.

[0056] Embodiment 44: A smoking article according to any of the preceding embodiments, or any combination of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device includes an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier of the aerosol-generating liquid.

[0057] Embodiment 45: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode, a QR code, or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid.

[0058] Embodiment 46: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier during operation, identify the attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the control device.

[0059] Embodiment 47: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute identifier is provided on the packaging of a cartridge for containing the aerosol-generating liquid, on the packaging of the aerosol-generating liquid, or on a cartridge for receiving the aerosol-generating liquid.

[0060] Embodiment 48: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid is selected from the group consisting of flavor, heating profile of each constituent of the aerosol-generating liquid, maximum aerosolization temperature between constituents of the aerosol-generating liquid, wattage for controlling power relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the constituents of the aerosol-generating liquid, and combinations thereof.

[0061] Embodiment 49: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol-generating element identification device comprises a processor configured to execute an algorithm for identifying an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid during operation.

[0062] Embodiment 50: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol generation element identification device is configured to analyze the aerosol generation liquid to determine its constituent components, determine the maximum aerosolization temperature between the constituent components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source according to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0063] Embodiment 51: A smoking article of any of the foregoing embodiments, or any combination of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aerosol generation element identification device is configured to receive a user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature between the constituent components of the aerosol generation liquid, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power source according to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the user input.

[0064] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements described in the present disclosure or recited in any one or more of the claims, whether or not such features or elements are explicitly combined or recited in the description of a particular embodiment or the claims of the present specification. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole so that any separable feature or element of the present disclosure appears to be combinable as intended, in any of its aspects and embodiments, unless the context of the present disclosure clearly indicates otherwise.

[0065] The present disclosure has been described in the foregoing general terms and reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to its exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described in order to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy the 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.

[0068] The present disclosure provides an article and a product thereof that use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without significantly burning the material) to form an aerosol and / or an inhalable substance. Such an article is most preferably small enough to be considered a "portable" device. In certain highly preferred embodiments, the article is characterized as a smoking article. As used herein, the term "smoking article" refers to an article and / or device that provides many of the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (e.g., form of inhalation and exhalation, type of taste or flavor, sensory stimulating effect, physical feel, form of use, visual stimulation provided by the visible aerosol, etc.) without substantially burning any component of the article or device. The term "smoking article" as used herein does not necessarily mean that the article or device generates smoke in the sense of an aerosol resulting from the combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco during operation. Rather, it means that the article or device produces a vapor (including vapor within an aerosol that can be considered a visible aerosol described as smoky) resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components, elements, etc. of the article and / or device. In a highly preferred embodiment, the article or device characterized as a smoking article incorporates tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components.

[0069] The articles or devices of the present disclosure can also be characterized as vapor-generating articles, aerosol delivery articles, or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices can be configured to provide one or more substances in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance can be in a substantially vapor form (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets in a gas). For clarity, the term "aerosol" as used herein means to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in a form or type suitable for human inhalation, regardless of whether they are visible or can be considered to be in a smoky form.

[0070] The smoking articles of the present disclosure, when in use, are subject to many of the physical actions of an individual when using a conventional smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is used by being ignited by a flame and subsequently smoked by inhaling the tobacco that burns). For example, a user of the smoking article of the present disclosure can hold the article, which greatly resembles a conventional smoking article, suck on one end of the article to inhale the aerosol generated by the article, and puff at selected time intervals.

[0071] The smoking articles of the present disclosure generally include several components provided within a housing. The overall design of the housing is variable, and the form or configuration of the housing that defines the overall size and shape of the smoking article is also variable. Typically, a housing similar in shape to a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single integral shell, or the housing may be formed from two or more separable parts. For example, the smoking article can include a housing that is substantially tubular in shape and can thus resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one aspect, the smoking article can include three outer housing components, bodies or portions that are joined and separable. For example, the smoking article can include a power supply portion that includes a component housing or shell at one end that houses one or more components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and / or various electronic devices, e.g., a controller for controlling the operation of the smoking article), a mouthpiece portion, and a heating / aerosol generation portion therebetween that includes a housing that defines a cavity for housing one or more components (e.g., a heating element for generating an aerosol and a solid tobacco and / or tobacco-related material).

[0072] In another aspect, the smoking article can include three housing components, bodies or parts that are joined and separable. Additionally or alternatively, the smoking article may include additional housing components configured to be received within one or more of the three housing components. For example, the smoking article can include, at one end, a mouthpiece portion including an end cap portion and a housing that houses one or more components (e.g., control components for controlling the operation of the smoking article and / or various electronics), a power source portion between them that includes one or more components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and / or other power source and / or various electronics, such as a component housing or shell that houses a controller for controlling the operation of the smoking article). Additionally or alternatively, the end cap portion and / or the power source portion may be configured to receive therein a heating / aerosol generation portion that includes a body that houses one or more components (e.g., solid tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials for generating an aerosol). Further, considering commercially available electronic smoking articles such as the representative products listed in the background art section of the present disclosure, the designs and configurations of various smoking articles and their components can be understood.

[0073] The smoking article of the present disclosure most preferably includes a power source (e.g., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., a component for actuating, controlling, regulating, and stopping electric power for heating, such as by controlling the flow of current from the power source to other components of the article), a heater or heating element (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or component generally referred to as a “atomizer”), an aerosol generating element (e.g., solid tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials, aerosol generating liquid, etc.), and a mouth end region, portion, or tip that enables the smoking article to be drawn for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined air flow path through the article such that the generated aerosol can be drawn therefrom by suction). The alignment of the components within the article is variable. In certain embodiments, the aerosol generating element is disposed between the mouth end region and the power source. However, other configurations are not excluded. For example, in some embodiments, the power source is disposed between the mouth end region and the aerosol generating element.

[0074] Generally, the heat from the heater component can be used to volatilize the aerosol-forming element (as well as any one or more flavorants, pharmaceuticals, etc. that may also be provided for delivery to the user), and the heater component can be disposed in close proximity to the aerosol-forming element such that an aerosol can be formed for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol-forming element, an aerosol is formed, emitted, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the foregoing terms are interchangeable such that references to release, releasing, releases, or released include form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated. Specifically, the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor, an aerosol, or a mixture thereof. Further, considering commercially available electronic smoking articles such as the representative products listed in the background art section of the present disclosure, the selection of components of various smoking articles can be understood.

[0075] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a smoking article incorporates a battery or other electrical power source to provide a flow of current sufficient to provide the article with various functionalities, such as resistive heating, powering a control system, powering an indicator, etc. The power source can take various forms. Preferably, the power source can provide sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating element to form an aerosol and provide power to the article over a desired duration of use. The power source is preferably sized to fit conveniently within the article such that the article can be easily handled. Further, a preferred power source is sufficiently lightweight so as not to detract from the desired smoking experience.

[0076] Examples of useful power sources include preferably rechargeable lithium ion batteries (e.g., rechargeable lithium manganese dioxide batteries). In particular, lithium polymer batteries can be used to enhance the safety of such batteries. Also, other types of batteries such as N50-AAA CADNICA nickel cadmium batteries may be used. Still another example of a battery that can be used in accordance with the present disclosure is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0028766 to Peckerar et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In certain aspects of the present disclosure, thin film batteries may be used. Any of these batteries or combinations thereof can be used as a power source, but rechargeable batteries are preferred due to cost and disposal considerations associated with disposable batteries. In aspects where a disposable battery is provided, the smoking article can include access for removal and replacement of the battery. Alternatively, in aspects where a rechargeable battery is used, the smoking article can include charging contacts that interact with corresponding contacts of a conventional charging unit that obtains power from a standard 120 volt AC wall outlet or other source, such as an automotive electrical system, or a separate portable power source including a USB connection. For example, a portable charging case can be provided that includes a relatively large battery unit capable of providing multiple charges to a relatively small battery present in the smoking article. The smoking article can further include components for providing a non-contact inductive charging system, whereby the smoking article can be charged without being physically connected to an external power source. Thus, the smoking article can include components for facilitating the transmission of energy from an electromagnetic field to a rechargeable battery within the smoking article.

[0077] In some embodiments, the power source can also include one or more capacitors. For example, the power source may include any number of batteries and / or combinations of capacitors. In some embodiments, the power source may include at least one battery and at least one capacitor. The capacitor can discharge faster than the battery and can be charged between puffs, enabling the battery to discharge to the capacitor at a lower rate than if the battery were used to directly power the heating element. For example, a supercapacitor, i.e., an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC), may be used separately from or in combination with the battery. The supercapacitor, when used alone, may be recharged prior to each use of the smoking article. Accordingly, the present disclosure may also include a charger component that can be attached to the smoking article during the intervals between uses to replenish the supercapacitor.

[0078] The smoking article can further include various power management software, hardware, and / or other electronic control components. For example, such software, hardware, and / or electronic control devices can include functions such as performing charging of the battery, detecting the charge and discharge states of the battery, performing power saving operations, and preventing unintended or over-discharge of the battery.

[0079] "Controller", "control component", "control device" and / or "control unit" according to the present disclosure can include various elements useful in the smoking article. Further, the smoking article according to the present disclosure can include one, two, or more control units that can be combined into a single element or can be present in separate locations within the smoking article, and the individual control units may be utilized to perform various control aspects. For example, the smoking article can include a control device that is integral with or otherwise combined with a battery to control the power discharge from the battery. The smoking article can separately include a control device for controlling other functions of the article, such as adjusting a heating component to provide a specific heating temperature to an aerosol-generating element in combination with an aerosol-generating element identification device. Alternatively, a single controller may be provided that performs multiple control functions or all control functions of the article. Similarly, a sensor used in the article (e.g., a puffing and / or suction sensor) can include a control device that controls the activation of the power discharge from the power source in response to a stimulus. The smoking article can separately include a control device for controlling other functions of the article. Alternatively, a single controller may be provided to or otherwise associated with the sensor to perform multiple control functions or all control functions of the article. Thus, it can be understood that various combinations of controllers can be combined in the smoking article to provide a desired level of control of any function of the article.

[0080] The smoking article can also include one or more control devices useful for controlling the flow of electrical energy from a power source to another component of the article, such as a heating element. Specifically, the article can include a control unit that actuates the flow of current from the power source to the heating element. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the smoking article can include a push button that can be coupled to a control circuit for manually controlling the flow of current, and a consumer can use the push button to turn the article on and / or actuate the flow of current to the heating element. A plurality of buttons may be provided for a manual operation to turn the power supply of the article on and off and to activate the heating of a heating element, such as a resistive heating element for aerosol generation, for example. One or more push buttons present may be substantially flush with the outer surface of the smoking article.

[0081] The smoking article can include one or more control devices (i.e., heating actuated by puffing) responsive to the consumer's draw on the article, instead of or in addition to a push button. For example, the article may include a switch (i.e., a puff-actuated switch) sensitive to either a pressure change or an air flow change when the consumer draws on the article. Other suitable current-actuating / de-actuating mechanisms may include a temperature-actuated on / off switch or a lip pressure-actuated switch. Exemplary mechanisms that can provide such puff-actuating capabilities include the Model 163PC01D36 silicon sensor manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Illinois. Using such a sensor, the heating element can be rapidly activated by a change in pressure when the consumer draws on the article. Further, a flow sensing device, such as one using the principle of hot wire anemometry, etc., can be used to sense a change in air flow and then energize the heating element quickly enough. Another puff-actuated switch that can be used is a pressure differential switch such as Model No. MPL-502-V, Range A, manufactured by Micro Pneumatic Logic, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Another suitable puff-actuated mechanism is a pressure-sensitive transducer (e.g., one with an amplifier or gain stage) serially coupled to a comparator for detecting a predetermined threshold pressure. Yet another suitable puff-actuated mechanism is a vane deflected by an air flow, the movement of which is detected by a motion sensing arrangement. Yet another suitable actuating mechanism is a piezoelectric switch. Also useful is the Honeywell MicroSwitch Microbridge Airflow Sensor, part number AWM 2100V, suitably connected and manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Illinois. Additional examples of demand-operated electrical switches that can be used in the heating circuit according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Other suitable differential switches, analog pressure sensors, flow sensors, etc. will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the knowledge of the present disclosure. A pressure sensing tube or other passage providing a fluid connection between the puff actuated switch and the air flow path within the smoking article may be included so that pressure changes during a puff are readily distinguishable by the switch. Additional descriptions of current regulating circuits and other control units including microcontrollers that may be useful in the present smoking article are provided in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., and U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0082] In particular, capacitive sensing components may be incorporated into the device in various ways to enable various types of "power-up" and / or "power-down" for one or more components of the device. Capacitive sensing can include the use of any sensor incorporating a technique based on capacitive coupling, such as, but not limited to, sensors for detecting and / or measuring proximity, position or displacement, humidity, fluid level, pressure or acceleration. Capacitive sensing can result from an electronic component providing surface capacitance, projected capacitance, mutual capacitance or self-capacitance. Capacitive sensors can generally detect those that are conductive or have a dielectric different from air. Capacitive sensors can replace, for example, mechanical buttons (i.e., the push buttons described above) with capacitive alternatives. Thus, one particular use of capacitive sensing according to the present disclosure is a touch capacitive sensor. For example, a touchable portion (i.e., a touch pad) may be present on the smoking article that enables a user to input various commands. Most basically, the touch pad can provide power to the heating element in substantially the same manner as the push button, as already described. In other aspects, capacitive sensing may be applied near the mouth end of the smoking article such that the presence and / or pressure of the lips on the smoking article, or the suction on the article, sends a signal to the device to enable power to be provided to the heating element. In addition to the touch capacitive sensor, motion capacitive sensors, liquid capacitive sensors and accelerometers can be utilized according to the present disclosure to cause various reactions from the smoking article. Furthermore, a photoelectric sensor can also be incorporated into the smoking article of the present invention.

[0083] The sensors utilized in the present smoking article can explicitly signal for the flow of power to the heating element to heat the aerosol-generating element and form an aerosol for inhalation by the user. The sensors can also provide additional functionality. For example, a "wake-up" sensor can be included. Other sensing methods providing similar functionality can also be utilized according to the present disclosure.

[0084] When a consumer sucks on the mouth end of a smoking article, the actuating mechanism can rapidly generate heat such that the flow of current through the heating element is not restricted or interrupted. For rapid heating, it may be useful to include a current regulating component to (i) regulate the flow of current through the heating element to control the heating of the resistive element and the resulting temperature, and (ii) prevent overheating and degradation of the aerosol generating element.

[0085] The current regulation circuit may be a time reference in particular. Specifically, such a circuit includes a mechanism to prevent the interruption of the flow of current through the heating element during the first period of inhalation, and subsequently, a timer device to regulate the flow of current until inhalation is completed. For example, the subsequent regulation may include rapid on-off switching of the current flow (e.g., on the order of about 1 to 50 milliseconds) to maintain the heating element within a desired temperature range. Further, the regulation may include simply preventing the interruption of the current flow until the desired temperature is achieved, and then completely turning off the current flow. The heating element may be reactivated by the consumer initiating another puff on the article (or by manually actuating a push button depending on the particular switch mode used to activate the heater). Alternatively, the subsequent regulation may involve modulating the flow of current through the heating element to maintain the heating element within a desired temperature range. In some embodiments, the heating element may be energized for a duration of about 0.2 seconds to about 5.0 seconds, about 0.3 seconds to about 4.5 seconds, about 0.5 seconds to about 4.0 seconds, about 0.5 seconds to about 3.5 seconds, or about 0.6 seconds to about 3.0 seconds to release a desired amount of inhalable substance. One exemplary time reference current regulation circuit can include a transistor, a timer, a comparator, and a capacitor. Suitable transistors, timers, comparators, and capacitors are commercially available and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Exemplary timers are those available as C-1555C from NEC Electronics and as ICM7555 from General Electric Intersil, Inc., and so-called "555 timers" of various other sizes and configurations. An exemplary comparator is available as LM311 from National Semiconductor. Additional descriptions of such time reference current regulation circuits and other control units that may be useful in the smoking article are provided in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0086] The control unit can be configured to precisely control, in particular, the amount of heat provided to the heating element. In some embodiments, the current regulating component can function to stop the flow of current to the heating element when a defined temperature is achieved. Such a defined temperature can be in a range that is substantially high enough to volatilize the aerosol-generating element and any additional inhalable substances and provide an amount of aerosol corresponding to a typical puff of a conventional cigarette, as described elsewhere herein. The heat required to volatilize an amount of aerosol-generating element sufficient to provide the desired volume for a single puff is variable, but heating to a temperature of about 120°C or more, about 130°C or more, about 140°C or more, or about 160°C can be particularly useful for the heating element. In some embodiments, the heating temperature can be about 180°C or more, about 200°C or more, about 300°C or more, or about 350°C or more to volatilize an appropriate amount of aerosol-generating element. In additional embodiments, the defined temperature for aerosol formation can be about 120°C to about 350°C, about 140°C to about 300°C, or about 150°C to about 250°C. The temperature and duration of heating can be controlled by one or more components housed in the smoking article. For example, the temperature can be controlled by one or more components that can provide a specific desired temperature, such as the aerosol-generating element heating temperature, standby temperature, etc., in response to user input. In some embodiments, the temperature can be controlled by one or more components that can respond to user input such that the user can select a desired aerosol-generating heating temperature based at least on the components of the aerosol-generating element. Similarly, the current regulating component can cycle the current to the resistive heating element off and on to maintain a defined temperature over a defined period when the defined temperature is achieved.

[0087] In some aspects, a smoking article according to the present disclosure, in operation, identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating element (such as the aerosol-generating heating temperature or the heating profile of each component of the aerosol-generating element), and thereby communicates the attribute to a control device for modulation of the electrical energy provided to the heating element, and can include an aerosol-generating element identification device configured to heat the aerosol-generating element to a desired aerosol-generating heating temperature.

[0088] Furthermore, the current regulation component can cyclically switch the current to the heating element on and off to maintain a first temperature lower than the aerosol-forming temperature, and then increase the flow of current in response to the current operation control component to achieve a second temperature higher than the first temperature and being the aerosol-forming temperature. Such control can improve the response time of the article for aerosol formation so that aerosol formation starts almost instantaneously upon initiation of puffing by the consumer. According to some aspects, the first temperature (which can be characterized as a standby temperature) can be only slightly lower than the aerosol-forming temperature defined above. Specifically, the standby temperature can be from about 50°C to about 150°C, from about 70°C to about 140°C, from about 80°C to about 120°C or from about 90°C to about 110°C.

[0089] In addition to the control elements described above, the smoking article may also include one or more indicators or markings. Such indicators or markings may be lights (e.g., light-emitting diodes) that can provide an indication of multiple aspects of the use of the article of the present invention. Further, an LED indicator may be disposed at the distal end of the smoking article to mimic the color change seen when a user lights and smokes a conventional cigarette. Other operational indices are also encompassed by the present disclosure. For example, the visual indicator of operation may also include a change in the color or intensity of light to indicate the progression of the smoking experience. Tactile indicators of operation and acoustic indicators of operation are similarly encompassed by the present disclosure. Further, such a combination of indicators of operation may be used in a single smoking article. According to another aspect, the smoking article may include one or more indicators or markings, such as a display configured to provide information corresponding to the operation of the smoking article, such as the amount of electrical power remaining in the power source, the progression of the smoking experience, an indication corresponding to the activation of the heating element, and the like.

[0090] According to the present disclosure, the smoking article can further include a heating element that heats an aerosol-generating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. In various aspects, the heating element may be formed from a material that provides resistive heating when an electric current is applied. Preferably, the heating element exhibits an electrical resistance that makes the resistive heating element useful for providing a sufficient amount of heat when an electric current flows. The interaction between the heating element and the aerosol-generating element may be by, for example, heat conduction, heat radiation, and / or heat convection.

[0091] Conductive materials useful as resistive heating elements can have low mass, low density, and a moderate resistivity, and can be thermally stable at the temperatures experienced during use. Useful heating elements heat and cool rapidly, providing for efficient use of energy. The rapid heating of the element can be beneficial as it causes the aerosol-forming element in close proximity to volatilize almost instantaneously. Rapid cooling (i.e., to a temperature below the volatilization temperature of the aerosol-forming element / component / composition / material) prevents substantial volatilization (and thus waste) of the aerosol-forming element during periods when aerosol formation is not desired. Such heating elements also allow for relatively precise control of the temperature range experienced by the aerosol-forming element, particularly when time-based current control is used. The useful conductive material is preferably chemically non-reactive with the material being heated (e.g., the aerosol-forming element and / or other inhalable substance material) so as not to adversely affect the flavor or content of the aerosol or vapor generated. Exemplary and non-limiting materials that can be used as the conductive material include carbon, graphite, carbon / graphite composite materials, metals, metal and non-metal carbides, nitrides, silicides, intermetallic compounds, cermets, alloys, and metal foils. In particular, refractory materials can be useful. Various different materials can be mixed to achieve the desired properties of resistivity, mass, and thermal conductivity. In certain embodiments, metals that can be utilized include, for example, nickel, chromium, alloys of nickel and chromium (e.g., nichrome), and steel.Materials that may be useful for providing resistive heating 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., 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., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0092] The heating element may be provided in various forms, such as in the form of a foil, foam, disk, helix, fiber, wire, film, thread, strip, ribbon or cylinder. In some embodiments, the resistive heating element according to the present disclosure can be a conductive substrate such as that described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0093] Advantageously, the resistive heating element may be provided in a form that enables it to be placed in close contact with or in proximity to the aerosol-generating element (i.e., for example, to provide heat to the aerosol-generating element by conduction, radiation or convection). In other embodiments, the resistive heating element may be provided in a form that enables the aerosol-generating element to be placed in proximity to the resistive heating element in order to distribute heat substantially equally for aerosolization of the aerosol-generating element.

[0094] In certain aspects, a smoking article according to the present disclosure can include an aerosol-generating element that can contain tobacco, tobacco components, or tobacco-derived materials (i.e., materials naturally found in tobacco that can be directly separated from tobacco, or materials prepared synthetically). In some aspects, the aerosol-generating element may include a blend of flavorful aromatic tobacco in cut filler form. In another aspect, the aerosol-generating element may include a reconstituted tobacco material as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, the reconstituted tobacco material may include reconstituted tobacco paper as described for types of cigarette tobacco in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may include a sheet-like material containing tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials. In some aspects, the aerosol-generating element may be formed from a roll of reconstituted tobacco material. In another aspect, the aerosol-generating element may be formed from shredded pieces, strips, etc. of reconstituted tobacco material.

[0095] According to another aspect, a smoking article according to the present disclosure can include an aerosol-generating element that can contain a porous inert material, such as a ceramic material. In another aspect, the aerosol-generating element may include a porous inert material that does not substantially react chemically and / or physically with tobacco-related materials, such as tobacco-derived extracts.

[0096] The tobacco that can be used may include, or be derived from, Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco, and Rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Various representative types of tobacco, types of tobacco processing, and types of tobacco blends are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,836,224 to Lawson et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,056,537 to Brown et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,220,930 to Gentry, U.S. Patent No. 5,360,023 to Blakley et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,701,936 to Shafer et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,730,832 to Dominguez et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,011,096 to Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,017,585 to Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 to Perfetti et al., PCT Publication No. 02 / 37990 pamphlet to Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, p. 11-17 (1997), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0097] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating element may include a tobacco, tobacco component and / or tobacco-derived material that is treated, manufactured, generated and / or processed to incorporate an aerosol forming material (e.g., a humectant such as propylene glycol, glycerin, etc.) and / or at least one flavorant, and a burn retardant (e.g., diammonium phosphate and / or another salt) configured to assist in preventing ignition, pyrolysis, combustion and / or charring of the aerosol generating element by a heating element. Various modes and methods for incorporating tobacco into a smoking article, particularly smoking articles designed so as not to intentionally combust substantially any tobacco within the smoking article, are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0215167 to Crooks et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0098] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the flame retardant / combustion retardant materials and additives that may be included within the aerosol generating element may include organic phosphorus compounds, borax, hydrated alumina, graphite, potassium tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol and polyols. Other materials such as nitrogen phosphonates, ammonium monophosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ammonium ethanol borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea and antimony oxide may be used but are not preferred agents. In each aspect of the flame retardant materials, combustion retardant materials and / or charring retardant materials used in the aerosol generating element and / or other components (regardless of whether alone, or in combination with each other and / or with other materials), the desirable properties are most preferably provided without undesirable off-gassing behavior or melt-type behavior.

[0099] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol generating element can also incorporate types of tobacco additives conventionally used in the manufacture of tobacco products. These additives can include materials of the types used to enhance the flavor and aroma of tobacco used in the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, etc. For example, these additives can include various cigarette casings and / or top layer components. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,419,015 to Wochnowski, U.S. Patent No. 4,054,145 to Berndt et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,887,619 to Burcham, Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,022,416 to Watson, U.S. Patent No. 5,103,842 to Strang et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,711,320 to Martin. These disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Preferred casing materials can include water, sugars and syrups (e.g., sucrose, glucose and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol) and flavorants (e.g., cocoa and licorice). These additional components can also include top layer materials (e.g., flavorant materials such as menthol). See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,449,541 to Mays et al., the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Additional materials that can be added include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,830,028 to Lawson et al. and U.S. Patent No. 8,186,360 to Marshall et al., the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0100] For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generating element can include one or more different components such as an aerosol forming material that includes, for example, a polyhydric alcohol (such as glycerin, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof). Representative types of additional aerosol forming materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., PCT International Publication No. 98 / 57556 to Biggs et al. and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating element can generate a visible aerosol when sufficient heat is applied (and cooled by air if desired), and the aerosol generating element can generate an aerosol that can be considered to be "smoky". In other embodiments, the aerosol generating element can generate an aerosol that may be substantially invisible but can be recognized as being present by other characteristics such as flavor or texture. Thus, the nature of the generated aerosol can vary depending on the specific components of the aerosol generating element. The aerosol generating element can be chemically simpler compared to the chemical nature of the smoke generated by burning tobacco.

[0101] A variety of types of flavorants or materials can be used to modify the sensory or sensory irritating characteristics or properties of the mainstream aerosol of a smoking article. Such flavorants can be provided from sources other than tobacco and can be essentially natural or artificial. Of particular interest are flavorants that are applied to or incorporated into the aerosol generating element and / or the region of the smoking article in which the aerosol is generated. Again, such agents can be supplied directly to the heating cavity proximate to the resistive heating element or provided to the aerosol generating element. Exemplary flavorants include vanilla, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruits (e.g., the flavors of apples, cherries, strawberries, peaches and citrus flavors including limes and lemons), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, patchouli, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa, licorice as well as flavorants and flavor packages of the types and characteristics conventionally used in the flavoring of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobaccos. Also, syrups such as high fructose corn syrup may be used. Flavorants can also include acidic or basic properties (e.g., organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid and pyruvic acid). The flavorants may be combined with the aerosol generating material, if desired. Exemplary plant-derived compositions that can be used are disclosed in both U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012 / 0152265 to Dube et al. and 2012 / 0192880 to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The selection of such additional components is variable based on factors such as the sensory properties desired for the article and the present disclosure is intended to encompass any such additional components that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art of tobacco and tobacco-related products or tobacco-derived products. See Gutcho, Tobacco Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972) and Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] Any of the flavoring agents, flavorings, etc. that may be useful in combination with the tobacco material to affect the sensory properties thereof, including the sensory stimulation properties as already described in this specification, may be combined with the aerosol generating element. In particular, an organic acid may be incorporated into the aerosol generating element to affect the flavor, sensory or sensory stimulation properties of a drug such as nicotine that can be combined with the aerosol generating element. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, lactic acid and pyruvic acid may be included in the aerosol generating element together with nicotine in an amount up to equimolar (based on the total organic acid content) with nicotine. Any combination of organic acids may be used. For example, the aerosol generating element may contain about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine or a combination thereof up to a concentration where the total amount of the organic acids present is equimolar with the total amount of nicotine present in the aerosol generating element. Various additional examples of organic acids used to generate the aerosol generating element are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0344456 to Dull et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0103] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating element may comprise or consist essentially of an extruded structure and / or a substrate that may contain or be composed of tobacco, tobacco-related materials, glycerin, water, and / or a binder material, although certain formulations may exclude the binder material. The binder material may be any binder material commonly used in tobacco formulations, including, for example, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gums (such as guar gum), xanthan, pullulan, and / or alginate. According to some aspects, the binder material included in the aerosol-generating element may be configured to substantially maintain the structural shape and / or integrity of the aerosol-generating element. Various representative binders, binder properties, binder uses, and binder amounts are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,924,887 to Raker et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0104] In another aspect, the aerosol-generating element may include a plurality of microcapsules, beads, granules, etc. having tobacco-related materials. For example, representative microcapsules may have a generally spherical shape and may have an outer cover or shell that includes a liquid central region such as a tobacco-derived extract. In some aspects, the aerosol-generating element may include a plurality of microcapsules formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. In one aspect, the aerosol-generating element may include a binder material configured to substantially maintain the structural shape and / or integrity of the plurality of microcapsules formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape.

[0105] In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating element may be configured as an extruded material, as described in Stone et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0042885, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In yet another embodiment, the aerosol-generating element may include an extruded structure and / or substrate formed from marumerized and / or unmarumerized tobacco. Marumerized tobacco is known, for example, from Banerjee et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,105,831, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Marumerized tobacco may include, in powder form, a tobacco blend of about 20 to about 50 percent (by weight) with glycerol (about 20 to about 30 weight percent), calcium carbonate (generally about 10 to about 60 weight percent, often about 40 to about 60 weight percent), along with a binder and / or flavorant as described herein.

[0106] The aerosol-generating element may take various forms based on the various amounts of materials used therein. For example, a useful aerosol-generating element may include up to about 98 weight percent, up to about 95 weight percent or up to about 90 weight percent of tobacco and / or tobacco material. A useful aerosol-generating element may also include up to about 25 weight percent, about 20 weight percent or about 15 weight percent of water, in particular from about 2 weight percent to about 25 weight percent, from about 5 weight percent to about 20 weight percent or from about 7 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of water. Flavors (which may include agents such as nicotine) may constitute up to about 10 weight percent, up to about 8 weight percent or up to about 5 weight percent of the aerosol-generating element.

[0107] Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol generating element may comprise, consist essentially of, or be configured as an extruded structure and / or substrate that includes tobacco, glycerin, water, and / or binder material, and may be further configured to substantially maintain its structure throughout the aerosol generation process. That is, the aerosol generating element may be configured to substantially maintain its shape throughout the aerosol generation process (i.e., the aerosol generating element does not continuously deform under applied shear stress). The aerosol generating element may contain a liquid and / or may have some moisture content, but the aerosol generating element remains substantially solid throughout the aerosol generation process and substantially maintains its structural integrity throughout the aerosol generation process. Exemplary tobaccos and / or tobacco-related materials suitable for substantially solid aerosol generating elements are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0157052 to Ademe et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0335070 to Sears et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,204,287 to White, and U.S. Patent No. 5,060,676 to Hearn et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0108] Additionally or alternatively, the aerosol generating element may be configured as a liquid that can generate an aerosol when sufficient heat is applied and that has an inclusion generally referred to as "smoke juice", "e-liquid", and "e-juice". Exemplary formulations of aerosol generating liquids that may be used in accordance with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0109] The amount of aerosol - forming elements used within a smoking article is an amount such that the article exhibits acceptable sensory and sensory - stimulating characteristics, as well as desirable performance characteristics. For example, in order to generate a visible mainstream aerosol that resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke in many respects, it is highly preferred that sufficient aerosol - forming materials, such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol, etc., be used within the aerosol - forming elements. Typically, the amount of aerosol - forming material incorporated into the aerosol - forming elements of a smoking article is in the range of about 1.5 g or less, about 1 g or less, or about 0.5 g or less.

[0110] The amount of aerosol - forming elements may depend on factors such as the desired number of puffs per cartridge used by the smoking article. It is desirable that the aerosol - forming elements do not introduce a significantly unacceptable off - flavor, a mouthfeel like a film, or an overall sensory experience that is significantly different from that of a conventional cigarette that generates mainstream smoke by burning tobacco cut - filler. To control the overall chemical composition of the aerosol generated by the aerosol - forming elements of a smoking article, the selection of specific aerosol - forming materials, the amounts of these components used, and the type of tobacco materials used may be varied.

[0111] In a further aspect, heating can be characterized in relation to the amount of aerosol generated. Specifically, a smoking article may be configured to provide the amount of heat required to generate a defined volume of aerosol (e.g., about 0.5 ml to about 100 ml, or any other volume deemed useful for the smoking article, as described separately herein). In some cases, the amount of heat generated may be measured for a 2 - second puff that provides about 35 ml of aerosol at a heater temperature of about 290°C. In some aspects, the article can preferably provide heat at about 1 to about 50 joules per second (J / s), about 2 J / s to about 40 J / s, about 3 J / s to about 35 J / s, or about 5 J / s to about 30 J / s.

[0112] The heating element is preferably electrically connected to a power source of the smoking article, as a result of which electrical energy is provided to the heating element to generate heat, which in turn can aerosolize the aerosol-forming element and any other inhalable substances provided by the smoking article. Such an electrical connection may be permanent (e.g., wired) or removable (e.g., the resistive heating element is provided in a body or part that is attachable to and removable from the power source).

[0113] For example, various materials for use in a smoking article according to the present disclosure, such as a heater, a battery, a capacitor, a switching component, an aerosol generating component, an aerosol forming material, etc., are described above, but the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments only. Rather, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to recognize similar components in the art that may be compatible with any particular component of the present disclosure based on the present disclosure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric sensor that may be associated with the mouthpiece end of a device that detects the movement of a user's lips associated with puffing and subsequently triggers heating, U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling the energy flow to a heating load array in response to a pressure drop through the mouthpiece, U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses a receptacle within a smoking device that includes an identifier that detects non-uniformities in the infrared transmissibility 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 to Fleischhauer et al. describes a defined executable power cycle having a plurality of differential phases, U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al. discloses a photonic-optronic component, U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. discloses means for varying the draw resistance through a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses a particular battery configuration for use in a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer interface means for a smoking device that facilitates charging and enables computer control of the device, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0163063 to Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for a smoking device, and each of the foregoing disclosures is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification.Examples of additional components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles, and additional examples of materials or components that may be used in the articles of the present invention, 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. 6,204,287 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 Publication Nos. 2006 / 0196518 and 2009 / 0188490 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 to Thorens et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 to Monsees et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 to Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 to Wang, and International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 pamphlet to Hon. The various materials disclosed by the foregoing documents may be incorporated into the device in various manners, and all of the foregoing disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0114] As will be described in detail below, the smoking articles according to the present disclosure may take various forms, but the use of the smoking articles by consumers is similar in terms of the scope of application. The above description of the use of the smoking articles can be applied to the various forms described, through minor modifications that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosures provided herein. However, the above description of the use is not intended to limit the use of the articles of the present invention, but is provided to meet all the necessary requirements of the disclosure herein.

[0115] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an exemplary smoking article 100 is shown. In some embodiments, the smoking article 100 generally includes a mouthpiece portion 110, a housing 120 defining a cavity 122 associated with a heating element 130, and a component housing 140 including a power source 150, an aerosol-generating element identification device 160, and a control device 170. In some embodiments, the component housing 140 and the housing 120 are separately formed such that the heating element 130, the power source 150, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160, and / or the control device 170 are individually disposed only in the housing 120 or only in the component housing 140, such that the housing 120 and the component housing 140 are easily separable. In other embodiments, one or more of the heating element 130, the power source 150, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160, and / or the control device 170 are included in an integrally formed housing unit.

[0116] The mouthpiece portion 110 of the smoking article 100, in some examples, defines a mouth engagement end (i.e., the end at which a consumer draws aerosol from the smoking article) and a housing engagement end longitudinally opposite the mouth engagement end. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 110 engages the housing 120 such that the housing engagement end permanently engages (i.e., is integrally formed with) or removably engages the housing 120. When the interior of the mouthpiece portion 110 engages the housing 120, it defines at least one orifice to provide a mouthpiece channel 112 that enters the housing 120 through the mouthpiece portion 110. In some embodiments, a filter material (not shown) can be received within the mouthpiece portion 110.

[0117] In some embodiments, the housing 120 may be configured to operably engage a first mouthpiece engagement end and a second longitudinally opposed component engagement end that is configured to operably engage a tubular housing engagement end of the component housing 140. An inlet defined in either the component housing 140 or the housing 120 enables air to be drawn into the smoking article 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an inlet or orifice 142 is defined in the component housing 140. In this case, upon engagement with the component housing 140, an air flow passage 124 is defined between the cavity 122 of the housing 120 and the interior of the component housing 140. The air flow passage 124 is arranged and configured to be in fluid connection and communication with the interior of the component housing 140 such that air is drawn into the cavity 122 through at least one orifice 142 defined within the component housing 140. Further, the mouthpiece channel 112 is also in fluid communication with the air flow passage 124 through the cavity 122. Thus, air is sequentially drawn through at least one orifice 142, through the interior of the component housing 140, through the air flow passage 124, and into the cavity 122 of the housing 120 in response to suction applied to the suction engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 110.

[0118] In another example, an inlet or orifice (not shown) is defined in the housing 120. This inlet or orifice is in fluid communication with the interior of the housing 120, or the cavity 122, such that air is sequentially drawn through the orifice defined in the housing 120 and into the cavity 122 of the housing 120 in response to suction applied to the suction engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 110.

[0119] Regardless of the placement of the inlet or orifice within the smoking article, the air drawn into the smoking article is configured to be drawn into cavity 122 and interact with aerosol-generating element 180 and / or heating element 130. Within cavity 122 of housing 120, the aerosol generated by aerosol-generating element 180 is mixed with air, and the aerosol / air mixture is transported through mouthpiece channel 112 to the inhalation engagement end of mouthpiece portion 110.

[0120] The aerosol-generating element 180 is configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat. As is known to those skilled in the art, the aerosol-generating element 180 may be composed of two or more components each having a different aerosolization temperature. Thus, identification of the components of the aerosol-generating element 180 may enable optimization of the heating of the aerosol-generating element 180 based on those components. As described above, the components of the aerosol-generating element 180, in some embodiments, include tobacco, tobacco components or tobacco-derived materials (i.e., materials naturally found in tobacco that can be directly separated from tobacco, or synthetically prepared materials). The tobacco used includes or is derived from flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fired tobacco and rusticata tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. In another embodiment, the components of the aerosol-generating element 180 include tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials, and additional flavorants and / or other materials that modify the sensory or sensory-stimulating characteristics or properties of the mainstream aerosol of the smoking article 100. Such flavorants can be provided from sources other than tobacco and are essentially natural or artificial. In some embodiments, the flavorants are applied to or incorporated within the aerosol-generating element 180 and / or the region of the smoking article 100 in which the aerosol is generated (i.e., cavity 122).

[0121] In some embodiments, the flavorant is applied directly to the aerosol generating element 180 and / or the cavity 122, while in other embodiments, the flavorant can be provided by a separate substrate disposed proximate to the aerosol generating element 180 and / or proximate to the cavity 122. Exemplary flavorants include vanilla, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruits (e.g., the flavors of apples, cherries, strawberries, peaches, and citrus fruits including limes and lemons), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, patchouli, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa, licorice, and flavorants and flavor packages of the types and characteristics conventionally used in the flavoring of cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobaccos. Also, syrups such as high fructose corn syrup can be used. The flavorant also includes, in some embodiments, acidic or basic properties (e.g., organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, and pyruvic acid).

[0122] In particular, depending on the type of smoking article (e.g., e-cigarette, "heated (HNB)", etc.), the aerosol generating element 180 can vary in its form, components, composition, delivery method, receptacle, etc. In some examples, the aerosol generating element 180 includes an annular tobacco plug configured to be removably received within the cavity 122 of the housing 120. In this case, the annular tobacco plug is formed as a solid tobacco and / or tobacco-related material and is configured as a hollow cylindrical extrudate as shown in FIG. 3A, which is described in more detail below. In another example, the aerosol generating element 180 includes an aerosol generating liquid received within a cartridge, which is either removably engagable with the housing 120 or, alternatively, refillable and permanently engaged with the housing 120. In this case, the aerosol generating liquid is formed as an e-liquid as shown in FIG. 3B, which is described in more detail below.

[0123] The housing 120 that defines the cavity 122 of the smoking article 100 is configured in some embodiments to receive an aerosol-generating element 180 therein. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the housing 120 has a substantially round cross-section in some embodiments. However, other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. Regardless, the cavity 122 defined by the housing 120 generally depends on the cross-section of the housing 120, such that a tubular housing provides a substantially cylindrical cavity 122 having a substantially round cross-section. Accordingly, the aerosol-generating element 180 (e.g., an annular tobacco plug, an aerosol-generating liquid received in a cylindrical cartridge, etc.) is configured with a diameter or other cross-sectional area that, for example, enables the aerosol-generating element 180 to be received within the cavity 122 and subsequently heated to generate an aerosol.

[0124] In some embodiments, the heating element 130 is operably engaged with the housing 120 and configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating element 180. As shown in FIG. 1B, for example, the heating element 130 is disposed within the cavity 122. However, in other examples, the heating element 130 is provided to the component housing 140 or otherwise to the housing 120 (i.e., surrounding the wall that defines the cavity 122). In some cases, the heating element 130 includes a resistive heating element (e.g., a resistive coil), but other types of heating elements (i.e., induction, microwave, radiation, etc.) are also contemplated as necessary or desired.

[0125] The power source 150 is configured to communicate electrically with the heating element 130 and provide electrical energy thereto in some embodiments. Thus, the heating element 130 is configured to generate heat in response to electrical energy. As shown in FIG. 1B, the power source 150 is included in the component housing 140 together with the control device 170, and these are arranged therein in various orders. The power source 150 includes a rechargeable or replaceable battery or any other type of power storage unit in some embodiments. Otherwise, in some embodiments, the power source 150 includes an induction coil or any other type of generator.

[0126] Although not explicitly shown, it is understood that the smoking article 100, and in particular the component housing 140, may include wiring or other conductor configurations as needed to provide current from the power source 150 to additional components and interconnect the components for proper operation of the necessary functions provided by the smoking article 100. For example, the smoking article 100 may include wiring (not shown) within the component housing 140 and / or the housing 120 as needed to provide current from the power source 150 of the component housing 140 to the heating element 130 disposed within the housing 120. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the smoking article 100 may include wiring or other conductor configurations (not shown) within the component housing 140 and / or the housing 120 as needed to provide current from the power source 150 to any one or a combination of the aerosol generation element identification device 160 and one or more status indicators and / or other indicia disposed on or within any one of the mouthpiece portion 110, the housing 120, and / or the component housing 140.

[0127] In some aspects, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 is configured to engage with the housing 120 and, in operation, identify attributes of the aerosol-generating element 180 selected for use with the smoking article 100. The engagement of the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 includes, for example, engagement with the housing 120, the component housing 140, or the mouthpiece portion 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 is in the same plane as, or substantially in the same plane as, the housing 120. Otherwise, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 projects from the housing 120, the component housing 140, or the mouthpiece portion 110 in a way that does not unduly burden the consumer.

[0128] An exemplary aerosol-generating element identification device 200 is shown in FIG. 2. In some cases, the aerosol-generating element identification device 200 is similar to the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 described above with reference to the aerosol-generating element identification devices of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some aspects, the aerosol-generating element identification device 200 is constituted by at least one hardware processor (e.g., a processor unit) 202 connected to a memory (e.g., a storage device) 204. Generally, the processor 202 can be any part of computer hardware capable of processing information such as, for example, data, computer programs, and / or other suitable electronic information. The processor 202 is composed of a collection of electronic circuits, and a part of the collection of electronic circuits can be packaged as an integrated circuit or a plurality of interconnected integrated circuits (more generally also referred to as "chips"). The processor 202 may be configured to execute a computer program, which may be installed and stored on the processor or, otherwise, stored in a memory (of the same or another device).

[0129] Processor 202 may be some processors, multi-processor cores or some other kind of processor depending on a specific implementation form. Further, processor 202 may be implemented using some heterogeneous processor systems where a main processor exists together with one or more secondary processors on a single chip. As another exemplary example, processor 202 is a symmetric multi-processor system that houses a plurality of processors of the same kind. In yet another example, processor 202 is embodied as or otherwise includes one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. Accordingly, processor 202 can execute a computer program to perform one or more functions, but processors in various examples can perform one or more functions without the aid of a computer program.

[0130] Memory 204 is generally any part of computer hardware that can store information such as, for example, data, computer programs (e.g., computer-readable program code), and / or other suitable information on a temporary basis and / or on a permanent basis. Memory 204 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory and may be fixed or removable. Examples of suitable memory 204 include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drives, flash memory, thumb drives, removable computer disks, optical disks, magnetic tapes, or some combination of the above. Optical disks may include compact disk - read-only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk - read / write (CD-R / W), DVD, and the like. In various examples, memory 204 is referred to as a computer-readable storage medium. Computer-readable storage medium 204 is a non-transitory device that can store information and is distinguishable from computer-readable transmission media such as electronic transitory signals that can carry information from one location to another. The computer-readable media described herein may generally refer to computer-readable storage media or computer-readable transmission media.

[0131] As described above, in order to implement the functions of the smoking article described in this specification, program code instructions (e.g., algorithms) may be stored in the memory 204 and executed by the processor 202. As will be understood, any suitable program code instructions may be loaded from a computer-readable storage medium into a computer or other programmable device so as to create a particular machine to implement the functions specified herein. These program code instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, processor, or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, thereby generating a particular machine or a particular product. Instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium may create a product that implements the functions described herein. The program code instructions may be retrieved from the computer-readable storage medium and loaded into a computer, processor, or other programmable device to configure the computer, processor, or other programmable device to perform operations that are executed on, or by, the computer, processor, or other programmable device.

[0132] The retrieval, loading, and execution of the program code instructions may be performed sequentially such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some exemplary implementations, the retrieval, loading, and / or execution may be performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. The execution of the program code instructions may create a process implemented by the computer such that the instructions executed by the computer, processor, or other programmable device provide operations for implementing the functions described herein.

[0133] The execution of instructions by the processor 202, or the storage of instructions in the computer-readable storage medium 204, aids in the combination of operations for performing the specified functions. Thus, the aerosol generation element identification device 160 described in relation to the smoking article 100 includes a processor 202 and a computer-readable storage medium or memory 204 coupled to the processor 202, and the processor 202 is configured to execute algorithms stored in the memory 204. It will also be understood that one or more functions and combinations of functions may be implemented by a special hardware-based computer system and / or processor for performing a particular function, or by a combination of special hardware and program code instructions.

[0134] Referring back to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some exemplary implementations, the aerosol-generating element identifier 160 includes an attribute identifier detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating element 180. In some examples, the attribute of the aerosol-generating element 180 is encoded (i.e., stored) within the attribute identifier. The attribute identifier includes, for example, a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode, a QR code, or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating element 180. The attributes of the aerosol-generating element 180 stored within the attribute identifier are, in some aspects, selected from the group consisting of components of the aerosol-generating element (e.g., flavor, tobacco-derived nicotine, water, glycerol, propylene glycol), a heating profile for each component of the aerosol-generating element, a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol-generating element, a wattage for controlling power relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol-generating element, and combinations thereof. For example, the attributes of the aerosol-generating element 180 stored within the attribute identifier include components of the aerosol-generating element 180, the components including tobacco-derived nicotine, flavor, and a variety of other ingredients, such as 4.8% nicotine, glycerol, water, propylene glycol, and natural and artificial flavorants. Thus, the attribute identifier that identifies the attribute is provided on the packaging of the aerosol-generating element 180 for detection by the attribute identifier detector.

[0135] More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, an attribute identifier (i.e., an exemplary QR code) is provided on an exemplary packaging. In particular, in FIG. 3A, a schematic diagram generally designated by reference numeral 300A shows a packaging 302A. The packaging 302A is any type of packaging sufficient to contain a solid aerosol-generating material 180A, such as an aerosol-generating material like a ring-shaped tobacco plug. An attribute identifier 304A is provided, for example, on the packaging 302A of the solid aerosol-generating material 180A as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0136] Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram generally designated by reference numeral 300B. In Figure 3B, a packaging 302B is provided, which in some embodiments is any type of packaging for a tubular housing or cartridge 306 for containing an aerosol-generating liquid 180B, such as an e-liquid, an aerosol-generating material. An attribute identifier 304B is provided on the packaging 302B of the cartridge 306 of the aerosol-generating liquid 180B, as shown in Figure 3B. In Figure 3C, a schematic diagram generally designated by reference numeral 300C is provided. In Figure 3C, the cartridge 306 of Figure 3B is shown. Compared with Figure 3B, in Figure 3C, an attribute identifier 304C corresponding to the attribute identifier 304B provided on the packaging of the cartridge 306 is also provided on the cartridge 306 itself. In other embodiments (not shown), the cartridge 306 shown in Figures 3B and 3C is configured to be refillable to receive the aerosol-generating liquid 180B therein. The cartridge 306 is configured to receive the aerosol-generating liquid 180B from a refill container containing its own attribute identifier. Thus, the cartridge 306 is refillable to receive different aerosol-generating liquids 180B from different refill containers, and the refill containers provide identifiable information regarding the aerosol-generating liquid 180B contained therein.

[0137] Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an aerosol-generating element identifier 160 in the form of an attribute identifier detector is configured to detect, for example, an attribute identifier (e.g., 304A - 304C, FIGS. 3A - 3C) during its operation, identify the attributes of the associated aerosol-generating element 180, and communicate the identification of the attributes to a control device 170, and includes a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner. In some embodiments, the attribute identifier detector is operable upon recognizing an attribute identifier (e.g., automatic optical recognition of a QR code). Otherwise, an operating mechanism coupled to the attribute identifier detector and / or the smoking article 100 itself enables the aerosol-generating element identifier 160 to detect the attribute identifier. Thus, in some embodiments, the control device 170 communicates with the aerosol-generating element identifier 160 to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power source 150 according to the identified attributes, and direct the heating element 130 to heat the aerosol-generating element 180 to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attributes of the aerosol-generating element 180.

[0138] In some embodiments, the component housing 140 includes additional wiring or other conductive configurations as needed to provide current from the power source 150 to the control device 170 and provide electrical connections between the control device 170 and the heating element 130 and / or the aerosol-generating element identifier 160, enabling the control device 170 to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power source 150. In certain embodiments, the smoking article 100 includes an electrical circuit, and the control device 170 associated with the electrical circuit delivers, controls, or otherwise modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power source 150 according to the identified attributes, and direct the heating element 130 to heat the aerosol-generating element 180 to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attributes of the aerosol-generating element 180.

[0139] More specifically, the electrical circuit associated with the control device 170 includes appropriate wiring or other suitable conductors that electrically connect the control device 170 and the aerosol generation element identifier 160. Thus, by identifying the attributes of the aerosol generation element by the aerosol generation element identifier 160, the identified attributes can be transmitted to the control device 170, enabling the control device 170 to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130.

[0140] In some exemplary implementations, the aerosol generation element identifier 160 does not include an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier on the package of the aerosol generation element 180. Rather, referring again to the exemplary aerosol generation element identifier 160, the processor 202 of the aerosol generation element identifier 160, 200 is configured in some examples to execute an algorithm stored in the memory 204, and this algorithm causes the aerosol generation element identifier 160 to identify the attributes of the aerosol generation element 180 during its operation. For example, the execution of the algorithm causes an elemental analysis of the aerosol generation element 180 as directed by the aerosol generation element identifier 160. In such cases, the elemental analysis includes spectroscopy, chemical analysis, spectrometry, X-rays, or combinations thereof to identify the attributes of the aerosol generation element 180. Devices associated with such elemental analysis (e.g., probes, X-ray tubes, etc.) communicate with the processor 202 of the aerosol generation element identifier 160 in some embodiments to perform the elemental analysis. Attributes that can be identified by elemental analysis include, for example, the components of the aerosol generation element 180 (e.g., flavor, nicotine), the heating profile of each component of the aerosol generation element 180, the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol generation element 180, the wattage for controlling the power supply relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol generation element 180, and combinations thereof.

[0141] In some embodiments, the processor 202 of the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 is configured to execute an algorithm stored in the memory 204 during operation of an operating mechanism (not shown) associated with the smoking article 100 and / or the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 itself. Otherwise, when the reception of the aerosol-generating element 180 within the cavity 122 is indicated by a sensor, for example, the processor 202 is activated to start execution of an algorithm stored in the memory 204. Other ways of activating the processor 202 to start execution of the algorithm are also contemplated herein. Regardless, the attributes identified from the executed algorithm are configured to be stored by the memory 204 for further analysis and / or comparison in some embodiments.

[0142] In other examples, the processor 202 is configured to execute an algorithm stored in the memory 204 that causes the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 to determine a maximum aerosolization temperature among the components identified by the aerosol-generating element 180. Using the identified attributes of the components, the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 can compare the aerosolization temperatures among the components of the aerosol-generating element 180 and determine the maximum aerosolization temperature among the components.

[0143] In yet another example, the processor 202 is configured to execute an algorithm stored in the memory 204, and this algorithm causes the aerosol generation element identification device 160 to communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device 170. Thus, in this case, the control device 170 is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power supply 150 according to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature. To minimize the possibility of overheating of the aerosol generation element 180, it is desirable to enable modulation of the heat output to the aerosol generation element 180 based on the maximum aerosolization temperature, thereby improving the user experience regarding any configured flavor. Further, modulating the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power supply 150 results in optimization of the power consumption and extension of the overall lifespan of the power supply 150.

[0144] In a further exemplary implementation, the aerosol generation element identification device 160 is configured to receive user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol generation element 180. Thus, the control device 170 is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power supply 150 according to the user-input maximum aerosolization temperature.

[0145] In such an implementation, rather than using an algorithm or an attribute identification detector to detect an attribute identifier on the package of the aerosol generation element 180, the aerosol generation element identification device 160 is configured with a user interface 206 that enables the user to input the attributes of the aerosol generation element 180 into the aerosol generation element identification device 160.

[0146] More specifically, referring again to FIG. 2, in some examples, the processor 202 is connected to one or more interfaces 206 for displaying, transmitting, and / or receiving information. In some embodiments, the interface 206 includes a communication interface (e.g., a communication unit) and / or one or more user interfaces. The communication interface is configured to transmit and / or receive information, such as between other circuits (i.e., the control unit 170) within the smoking article. The communication interface electrically communicates with the control unit 170 via appropriate circuitry and / or other connections to transmit the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device 170, as well as any other information (e.g., wattage) to the control device 170.

[0147] The user interface includes, in some embodiments, a display 208 and / or one or more user input interfaces (e.g., an input / output unit). The display 208 of the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 is configured to present or otherwise display information to the user, and suitable examples thereof include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode display (LED), a plasma display panel (PDP), and the like. In some embodiments, the display 208 and the user input interface are the same (e.g., a touch screen), such that the user can operate the aerosol-generating element identification device 160 by entering the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol-generating element 180 on the display 208.

[0148] Accordingly, the smoking article 100 is configured to provide the consumer with a smoking or smokelike sensation. More specifically, the smoking article 100 identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating element (e.g., the maximum aerosolization temperature among the components of the aerosol-generating element 180), and subsequently, in response to the identified attribute, modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element 130 by the power source 150 to direct the heating element 130 to heat the aerosol-generating element 180 to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attribute of the aerosol-generating element 180, reducing the likelihood of combustion of the components of the aerosol-generating element 180, and thereby is configured to be operated by an operating mechanism (not shown) that provides the consumer with a satisfactory sensory experience by promoting a satisfactory experience for the user. In some embodiments, the operating mechanism is a push button, a puff sensor, a flow sensor, or other mechanism activated by the consumer. For example, if the operating mechanism is a push button, the push button is coupled to a control circuit for manually controlling the flow of current, and the consumer uses the push button to turn on the smoking article 100 and / or activate the flow of current to the heating element 130. In this case, one or more buttons are provided for the manual operation of turning the power supply of the smoking article 100 on and off, which sends a signal to activate the control device 170 to direct power from the power source 150 to the heating element 130.

[0149] A control device 170 that communicates with the aerosol generation element identification device 160 is configured to modulate the electrical energy or power conducted from the power supply 150 to the heating element 130 based on and in response to the identified attributes of the aerosol generation element 180. Accordingly, the heating element 130 generates heat provided to the aerosol generation element 180 within the cavity 122, and this heat is modulated based on the attributes of the aerosol generation element 180. The aerosol generation element 180 then generates and provides an aerosol in response to the heat, where the aerosol is suitable for inhalation by a consumer. In another example, the actuating mechanism is a flow sensor (not shown), and as a result, the smoking article 100 operates only upon application of suction (i.e., when used by a consumer who sucks on the mouthpiece portion 110). In such a case, the flow sensor is configured to detect a puff or suction on the article by the consumer and then transmit a signal that actuates the control device 170.

[0150] Referring now to FIGS. 4A - 4B, a smoking article 400 is shown. The smoking article 400 includes components similar to those of the smoking article 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. For the sake of brevity, the substantially similar components will not be described in detail again.

[0151] In some aspects, the smoking article 400 generally includes a mouthpiece portion 410, a tubular housing 420 that defines a cavity 422 associated with a heating element 430, and a component housing 440 that includes a power supply 450, an aerosol generation element identification device 460, and a control device 470. A solid aerosol generation material 480 is configured to be received within the cavity 422 of the tubular housing 420.

[0152] In some exemplary embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 410 engages the housing 420 such that the housing engagement end either permanently engages (i.e., is integrally formed with) the housing 420 or removably engages the housing 420. When the mouthpiece portion 410 removably engages the housing 420, as shown in FIG. 4B, a plurality of threads are provided on each of the housing engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 410 and the mouthpiece engagement end of the housing 420, such that the mouthpiece portion 410 can be threadedly received in the mouthpiece engagement end of the housing 420. Thus, when the mouthpiece portion 410 is removed from the housing 420, the interior of the cavity 422 defined by the housing 420 is accessible for receiving the solid aerosol-generating material 480 therein. Other engagement mechanisms for engaging the housing 420 and the mouthpiece portion 410 are also contemplated herein.

[0153] In some embodiments, when the mouthpiece portion 410 engages the housing 420, the interior of the mouthpiece portion 410 defines at least one orifice therethrough to provide a mouthpiece channel 412 that enters the housing 420 through the mouthpiece portion 410. In some embodiments, a filter material 414 can be received within the mouthpiece channel 412. In some embodiments, the filter material 414 is cellulose acetate or, alternatively, includes an absorbent or adsorbent that can reduce a predetermined level of particles generated from the heating of the solid aerosol-generating material 480.

[0154] In some aspects, the tubular housing 420 is configured to operably engage with the tubular housing engagement end of the component housing 440. An inlet defined in either the component housing 440 or the housing 420 enables drawing air into the smoking article 400. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, an inlet or orifice 442 is defined in the component housing 440. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the component engagement end of the housing 420 is longitudinally opposed to the mouthpiece engagement end of the housing 420. When engaged with the component housing 440, an air flow path 424 is sometimes defined between the cavity 422 of the housing 420 and the interior of the component housing 440. In some cases, the air flow path 424 is arranged and configured to be in fluid connection and communication with the interior of the component housing 440 such that air is drawn into the cavity 422 through at least one orifice 442 defined within the component housing 440. Further, the mouthpiece channel 412 is also in fluid communication with the air flow path 424 through the cavity 422. Thus, air is sequentially drawn through at least one orifice 442, through the interior of the component housing 440, through the air flow path 424, and into the cavity 422 of the housing 420 in response to suction against the inlet engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 410.

[0155] In another example, an inlet or orifice (not shown) is defined in the housing 420. This inlet or orifice is in fluid communication with the interior of the housing 420, or the cavity 422, such that air is sequentially drawn through the orifice defined in the housing 420 and into the cavity 422 of the housing 420 in response to suction against the inlet engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 410.

[0156] Regardless of the placement of the inlet or orifice within the smoking article, air drawn into the smoking article is configured to be drawn into cavity 422 and interact with aerosol-generating element 480 and / or heating element 430. Within cavity 422 of housing 420, aerosol generated by heated aerosol-generating element 480 is mixed with air, and the aerosol / air mixture is transported through mouthpiece channel 412 to the mouthpiece engagement end of mouthpiece portion 410.

[0157] In some embodiments, solid aerosol-generating material 480 is configured to be removable from within cavity 422 of tubular housing 420. For example, when solid aerosol-generating material 480 is "used up" and no more aerosol can be generated therefrom, it is advantageous to remove solid aerosol-generating material 480 and replace it with another solid aerosol-generating material 480. To do so, in some exemplary implementations, tubular housing 420 includes a removal mechanism 444 configured to remove solid aerosol-generating material 480 (e.g., an annular tobacco plug) from within cavity 422 of tubular housing 420. Removal mechanism 444 includes, for example, a biasing mechanism or any other type of mechanism that applies pressure along the longitudinal axis of solid aerosol-generating material 480 to push solid aerosol-generating material 480 toward the opening of cavity 422 to remove solid aerosol-generating material 480 when the engagement of the mouthpiece portion 410 from the tubular housing 420 is released.

[0158] In some aspects, the heating element 430 is operably engaged with the tubular housing 420 and configured to provide heat to the solid aerosol-forming material 480 to aerosolize the material. If the tubular housing 420 includes an outer wall 426 that defines a cavity 422, the heating element 430 includes a first portion 432 configured to extend around the outer wall 426 and a second portion 434 configured to extend into the cavity 422 defined by the outer wall 426. More particularly, in some aspects, the first portion 432 is configured with a diameter greater than the diameter of the second portion 434. In some exemplary implementations, an insulating sleeve 428 is provided around the outer periphery of the outer wall 426 to provide enhanced insulating properties to the smoking article 400.

[0159] Accordingly, in these examples, the solid aerosol-forming material 480 includes an annular tobacco plug (e.g., 180A, FIG. 3A) configured to be removably received within the cavity 422 of the tubular housing 420 such that the inner surface of the annular tobacco plug extends around the second portion 434 of the heating element 430 and the first portion 432 of the heating element 430 extends around the outer surface of the annular tobacco plug within the cylindrical cavity 422. Thus, the solid aerosol-forming material 480 is configured to be removably and replaceably received by the cavity 422 of the tubular housing 420 when the engagement between the mouthpiece portion 410 and the tubular housing 420 is disengaged.

[0160] In some aspects, the heating element 430 is in electrical communication with a power source 450. The power source 450 is configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element 430 such that the heating element 430 generates heat in response to the electrical energy in some exemplary implementations. The power source 450 includes a rechargeable or replaceable battery in some aspects.

[0161] In some embodiments, the power source 450 includes wiring that provides power to an aerosol-generating element identifier 460 that is engaged with or engagable with the mouthpiece portion 410, the tubular housing 420, or the component housing 440. As shown in FIG. 4A, the aerosol-generating element identifier 460 engages with the component housing 440, but the aerosol-generating element identifier 460 is configured to be provided on any of the mouthpiece portion 410, the tubular housing 420, or the tubular housing 440.

[0162] Similar to the aerosol-generating element identifier 160 described above, the aerosol-generating element identifier 460 is configured to identify attributes of the solid aerosol-generating material 480 during its operation. The attributes of the solid aerosol-generating material 480 are, in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of flavor, the heating profile of each component of the solid aerosol-generating material 480, the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the solid aerosol-generating material 480, the wattage for controlling the power source 430 relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the solid aerosol-generating material 480, and combinations thereof.

[0163] In some exemplary implementations, the aerosol-generating element identifier 460 includes an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the solid aerosol-generating material 480 (e.g., FIG. 3A). In such embodiments, the attribute identifier includes a UPC barcode, a QR code, or an RFID device that identifies an attribute of the solid aerosol-generating material 480. To detect the attribute identifier, the attribute identification detector includes, for example, a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier during its operation, identify the attribute of the solid aerosol-generating material 480 associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the control device 470. For example, the attribute identification detector 460 is configured to detect an attribute identifier on a package containing a new annular tobacco plug (e.g., FIG. 3A).

[0164] In other exemplary implementations, the aerosol-generating element identification device 460 includes a processor (e.g., 202) configured to execute an algorithm that identifies attributes of the solid aerosol-generating material 480 during its operation. For example, the processor of the aerosol-generating element identification device 460 executes an algorithm stored in a memory (e.g., 204) to cause the aerosol-generating element identification device 460 to analyze the solid aerosol-generating material 480, determine its components, determine the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device 470.

[0165] Thus, the control device 470 communicates with the aerosol-generating element identification device 460 and modulates the electrical energy provided to the heating element 430 by the power source 450 according to the identified attributes, and guides the heating element 430 to heat the solid aerosol-generating material 480 to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature in response to receiving the determined maximum aerosolization temperature from the aerosol-generating element identification device 460.

[0166] In another exemplary implementation, the aerosol-generating element identification device 460 is configured to receive user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the solid aerosol-generating material 480. For example, as described above, the user interface (e.g., 206) and / or the display (e.g., 208) are configured to receive user input regarding the attributes of the aerosol-generating element 480, such as the aerosolization temperature of the components of the solid aerosol-generating material 480. The aerosol-generating element identification device 460 is configured to analyze the user input and identify which is the aerosolization temperature input in some manners. Thus, the aerosolization temperature is then transmitted to the control device 470, whereby the control device 470 is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element 430 by the power source 450 according to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the user input.

[0167] In some embodiments where the heating element 430 includes a first portion 432 and a second portion 434, the control device 470 is configured to independently modulate the electrical energy provided to each portion 432, 434. More specifically, the control device 470 modulates the electrical energy provided to the first portion 432 separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion 434 of the heating element 430 to provide individual control of the first and second portions 432, 434. Thus, the first portion 432 can be heated to a higher temperature, a lower temperature, or a substantially the same temperature compared to the second portion 434. Detailed information regarding the independent control of the individual heating portions of the heating element can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0360785 to Bless et al.

[0168] Referring now to FIG. 5, a smoking article 500 is shown. The smoking article 500 includes components similar to those of the smoking article 100 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. For the sake of brevity, substantially similar components will not be described in detail again.

[0169] In some embodiments, the smoking article 500 generally includes a mouthpiece portion 510, a tubular housing 520 that defines a cavity 522 associated with a heating element 530, and a component housing 540 that includes a power source 550, an aerosol-generating element identification device 560, and a control device 570. An aerosol-generating liquid 580 is configured to be received within the cavity 522 of the tubular housing 520.

[0170] In some exemplary embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 510 engages the housing 520 such that the housing engagement end either permanently engages (i.e., is integrally formed with) the housing 520 or removably engages the housing 520. As shown in FIG. 5, the mouthpiece portion 510 is integrally formed with and engages the housing 520 such that the two are non-removably engaged with each other. The interior of the mouthpiece portion 510 defines at least one orifice therethrough to provide a mouthpiece channel 512 that enters the housing 520 through the mouthpiece portion 510. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece channel 512 is defined through a tubular passage 514. A filtering material (not shown) can be received within the mouthpiece channel 512 and / or within the mouthpiece portion 510.

[0171] In some embodiments, the tubular housing 520 is configured to have a first end and a second end that is longitudinally opposed. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 510 is at the first end and there is an engagement mechanism at the second end that is longitudinally opposed and operably engages the longitudinal end of the component housing 540. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the mouthpiece portion 510 is at the second end that is longitudinally opposed and there is an engagement mechanism at the first end that operably engages the longitudinal end of the component housing 540.

[0172] When the housing 520 engages with the component housing 540, in some cases, an air flow path 524 is defined between the cavity 522 of the housing 520 and the interior of the component housing 540. In some cases, the air flow path 524 is fluidly connected and in communication with a central passage 544 defined at the engagement interface between the component housing 540 and the tubular housing 520, and is arranged and configured such that air is drawn into the cavity 522 through at least one orifice 542 defined within the component housing 540. Further, the mouthpiece channel 512 is also in fluid communication with the air flow path 524 through the cavity 522. Thus, in response to suction at the suction engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 510, air is sequentially drawn through at least one orifice 542, through the interior of the component housing 540, through the air flow path 524, and into the cavity 522 of the housing 520. Within the cavity 522 of the housing 520, aerosol generated from the aerosol-forming liquid 580 is mixed with the air, and the aerosol / air mixture is transported through the mouthpiece channel 512 to the suction engagement end of the mouthpiece portion 510.

[0173] The heating element 530 engaged with the tubular housing 520 is configured to provide heat to the aerosol-forming liquid 580. In some aspects, the heating element 530 is configured as a resistive heating element such as a resistive coil. In such aspects, the resistive heating element 530 includes terminals 532 (e.g., positive and negative terminals) at both ends thereof to facilitate the flow of current through the heating element 530, and appropriate wiring (not shown) is attached to form an electrical connection between the heating element 530 and a power source 550 when the tubular housing 520 is operably engaged with the component housing 540.

[0174] Engagement or disengagement of the component housing 540 and the tubular housing 520 can be achieved via an engagement mechanism 546 disposed at a longitudinal end of the component housing and a corresponding engagement mechanism 528 disposed at a first or second end of the tubular housing. The engagement mechanisms 546, 528 provide an operable engagement between the component housing 540 and the tubular housing 520, thereby enabling the two to be easily removed from each other, for example, to remove and replace the tubular housing 520. Detailed information regarding the engagement mechanism can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al.

[0175] In some embodiments, the cavity 522 of the tubular housing 520 is non-refillable. Thus, after the consumer has consumed the aerosol-generating liquid 580, the tubular housing 520 is removable and disposable from the component housing 540, and another tubular housing 520 containing an amount of the aerosol-generating liquid 580 can be reattached to the longitudinal end of the component housing 540. Accordingly, the tubular housing 520 with the mouthpiece portion 510 is configured as a replaceable cartridge (e.g., 306, FIGS. 3B, 3C). In other embodiments, the cavity 522 of the tubular housing 520 is refillable. Thus, after the consumer has consumed the aerosol-generating liquid 580, the tubular housing 520 can remain operably engaged with the component housing 540 or be removed from the component housing 540 for refilling. Accordingly, the tubular housing 520 that houses the mouthpiece portion 510 therein is configured as a refillable cartridge.

[0176] In some embodiments, the heating element 530 is operably engaged with the tubular housing 520 and configured to provide heat to the aerosol-forming liquid 580 to aerosolize the liquid. To do so, the heating element 530 is in electrical communication with a power source 550 in some embodiments. The power source 550 is configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element 530 such that the heating element 530 generates heat in response to the electrical energy in some exemplary implementations. The power source 550 includes a rechargeable or replaceable battery in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the power source 550 includes wiring that provides power to an aerosol-forming element identification device 560 that is engaged with or engagable with the mouthpiece portion 510, the tubular housing 520, or the component housing 540. As shown in FIG. 5, the aerosol-forming element identification device 560 engages with the component housing 540, but the aerosol-forming element identification device 560 is configured to be provided on any of the mouthpiece portion 510, the tubular housing 520, or the component housing 540.

[0177] Similar to the aerosol-forming element identification device 160 described above, the aerosol-forming element identification device 560 is configured to identify attributes of the aerosol-forming liquid 580 during its operation. The attributes of the aerosol-forming liquid 580 are selected from the group consisting of flavor, the heating profile of each component of the aerosol-forming liquid 580, the maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol-forming liquid 580, the wattage for controlling the power source 530 relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the aerosol-forming liquid 580, and combinations thereof in some embodiments.

[0178] In some exemplary implementations, the aerosol-generating element identifier device 560 includes an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid 580 (e.g., FIGS. 3B, 3C). In such an aspect, the attribute identifier includes a UPC barcode, a QR code, or an RFID device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid 580. To detect the attribute identifier, the attribute identification detector includes, for example, a camera, a wireless transceiver, or a scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier during its operation, identify the attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid 580 associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the control device 570. For example, if the smoking article 500 requires a non-refillable cartridge, the attribute identification detector is configured to detect an attribute identifier provided on the packaging of a new tubular housing or cartridge that contains the aerosol-generating liquid 580 (e.g., FIG. 3B), or alternatively, the attribute identifier is provided on the new tubular housing or cartridge itself that contains the aerosol-generating liquid 580 (e.g., FIG. 3C). In another example where the smoking article 500 requires refilling of a refillable tubular cartridge, the attribute identification detector is configured to detect an attribute identifier on the package that contains the refill aerosol-generating liquid 580.

[0179] In other exemplary implementations, the aerosol-generating element identifier device 560 includes a processor (e.g., 202) configured to execute an algorithm that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid 580 during its operation. For example, the processor of the aerosol-generating element identifier device 560 executes an algorithm stored in a memory (e.g., 204) to cause the aerosol-generating element identifier device 560 to analyze the aerosol-generating liquid 580, determine its components, determine the maximum aerosolization temperature between the components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the control device 570.

[0180] In this way, the control device 570 communicates with the aerosol generation element identification device 560 and, in response to the identified attributes, modulates the electrical energy provided by the power supply 550 to the heating element 530 (e.g., a resistive coil) so as to direct the heating element 530 to heat the aerosol generation liquid 580 up to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature in response to receiving the determined maximum aerosolization temperature from the aerosol generation element identification device 560.

[0181] In another exemplary implementation, the aerosol generation element identification device 560 is configured to receive user input regarding the maximum aerosolization temperature among the components of the aerosol generation liquid 580. For example, as described above, the user interface (e.g., 206) and / or the display (e.g., 208) are configured to receive user input regarding the attributes of the aerosol generation liquid 580, such as the aerosolization temperature of the components of the aerosol generation liquid 580. The aerosol generation element identification device 560 is configured in some aspects to analyze the user input and identify which is the aerosolization temperature input. In this way, the aerosolization temperature is then transmitted to the control device 570, whereby the control device 570 is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided by the power supply 550 to the heating element 530 in response to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the user input.

[0182] Referring now to FIG. 6, a method flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a smoking article, generally designated 600, is provided. The smoking article manufactured by method 600 may be the smoking article 100, 400, 500 or substantially similar.

[0183] In step 602, a heating element is operably engaged with a housing that defines a cavity configured to receive an aerosol generation element therein, and the heating element is configured to provide heat to the aerosol generation element such that the aerosol generation element generates an aerosol in response thereto.

[0184] In step 604, the power supply is in electrical communication with the heating element, the power supply is configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element, and the heating element generates heat in response to the electrical energy.

[0185] In step 606, the aerosol-generating element identification device engages with the housing, and the aerosol-generating element identification device is configured to identify the attributes of the aerosol-generating element during its operation.

[0186] In step 608, the control device engages with the aerosol-generating element identification device, and the control device is configured to direct the heating element to modulate the electrical energy provided to the heating element by the power supply according to the identified attributes, so as to heat the aerosol-generating element to the aerosolization temperature related to the identified attributes of the aerosol-generating element.

[0187] Having the benefits of the teachings shown in the above description and the related drawings, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Therefore, it is to be understood 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 used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A smoking article comprising: an aerosol generating element configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat; a housing defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol generation element therein; a heating element operably engaged with the housing and configured to provide heat to the aerosol generation element; a power source in electrical communication with and configured to provide electrical energy to a heating element that generates heat in response to the electrical energy; an aerosol generation element identification device configured to engage the housing and, upon activation, to identify an attribute of the aerosol generation element; A smoking article comprising: a control device configured to communicate with the aerosol generating element identification device and to modulate electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol generating element to an aerosolization temperature associated with an identified attribute of the aerosol generating element.

2. The article of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

3. The article of claim 2 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion configured to extend around the exterior wall and a second portion configured to extend into the cylindrical cavity.

4. 4. The article of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the first portion separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions.

5. The article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating element identification device comprises an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating element.

6. The article of claim 5 , wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating element.

7. The article of claim 5 , wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, wireless transceiver or scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier upon activation, identify an attribute of an associated aerosol generation element, and communicate the identification of the attribute to a controller.

8. The article of claim 5 , wherein the attribute identifier is provided on packaging of the aerosol generating element.

9. 2. The article of claim 1, wherein the attributes of the aerosol generating element are selected from the group consisting of flavor, a heating profile of each component of the aerosol generating element, a maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol generating element, a wattage for controlling the power source to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the aerosol generating element, and combinations thereof.

10. The article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating element identification device comprises a processor configured to execute an algorithm that, upon operation, identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating element.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to analyze the aerosol generating element to determine its constituent components, determine a maximum aerosolization temperature among the constituent components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the controller, and the controller modulates the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

12. The article of claim 10, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to receive user input regarding a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol generating element, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the user-inputted maximum aerosolization temperature.

13. 10. The article of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generating element comprises an annular tobacco plug configured to be removably received within the cavity of the housing.

14. The article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating element comprises an aerosol-generating liquid received in a cartridge, the cartridge removably engaging with the housing.

15. A method for producing a smoking article, comprising: operatively engaging a heating element with a housing defining a cavity configured to receive the aerosol generation element therein, the heating element configured to provide heat to the aerosol generation element such that the aerosol generation element generates an aerosol in response; engaging a power source in electrical communication with the heating element, the power source configured to provide electrical energy to the heating element, the heating element generating heat in response to the electrical energy; engaging an aerosol generation element identification device with the housing, the aerosol generation element identification device configured to identify an attribute of the aerosol generation element upon activation of the aerosol generation element identification device; A method for manufacturing a smoking article, comprising engaging an aerosol generating element identification device with a control device, the control device being configured to modulate electrical energy provided to the heating element by a power source to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol generating element to an aerosolization temperature associated with an identified attribute of the aerosol generating element.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein operably engaging the heating element with the housing comprises operably engaging the heating element with a tubular housing having an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein operably engaging the heating element with the tubular housing includes operably engaging a first portion of the heating element to extend around the outer wall and a second portion of the heating element to extend into the cylindrical cavity.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, comprising modulating, by a controller, the electrical energy provided to a first portion separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to a second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions of the heating element.

19. The method of claim 15, comprising detecting an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating element using an attribute identification detector of the aerosol generating element identification device.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, comprising identifying an attribute of the aerosol generating element using an attribute identifier, a Uniform Product Code (UPC) bar code, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

21. 20. The method of claim 19, comprising using a camera, wireless transceiver or scanner of the attribute identification detector during operation to detect the attribute identifier to identify the attribute of the associated aerosol generating element and to communicate the identification of the attribute to the control device.

22. 20. The method of claim 19, comprising providing an attribute identifier on packaging of the aerosol generating element.

23. 16. The method of claim 15, comprising executing, by a processor of the aerosol generating element identification device, an algorithm that identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating element during operation of the aerosol generating element identification device.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising: analyzing the aerosol generating element to determine its constituent components by an aerosol generating element identification device; determining a maximum aerosolization temperature among the constituent components; communicating the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to a controller; and modulating, using the controller, the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

25. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising receiving user input regarding a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol generating element at the aerosol generating element identification device, and modulating, using a control device, the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the user-inputted maximum aerosolization temperature.

26. A smoking article comprising: a solid aerosol-generating material configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat; a tubular housing defining a cavity configured to receive a solid aerosol-forming material therein; a heating element operatively engaged with the tubular housing and configured to provide heat to the solid aerosol-forming material; a power source in electrical communication with and configured to provide electrical energy to a heating element that generates heat in response to the electrical energy; an aerosol generating element identifier configured to engage the housing and, upon activation, to identify an attribute of the solid aerosol generating material; a controller in communication with the aerosol generating element identification device and configured to modulate electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element to direct the heating element to heat the solid aerosol generating material to an aerosolization temperature associated with the identified attribute of the solid aerosol generating material; A smoking article comprising:

27. 27. The article of claim 26, wherein the tubular housing comprises an outer wall defining a cylindrical cavity.

28. 30. The article of claim 27, wherein the heating element comprises a first portion configured to extend around the exterior wall and a second portion configured to extend into the cylindrical cavity.

29. 30. The article of claim 28, wherein the controller is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the first portion separately and individually from the electrical energy provided to the second portion of the heating element to provide individual control of the first and second portions.

30. 30. The article of claim 28, wherein the solid aerosol-generating material comprises an annular tobacco plug configured to be removably received within the cavity of the tubular housing such that an inner surface of the annular tobacco plug extends around the second portion of the heating element and a first portion of the heating element extends around an outer surface of the annular tobacco plug within the cylindrical cavity.

31. 31. The article of claim 30, wherein the tubular housing comprises a removal mechanism configured to remove the annular tobacco plug from within the cavity of the tubular housing.

32. 27. The article of claim 26, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device comprises an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the solid aerosol generating material.

33. 33. The article of claim 32, wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Uniform Product Code (UPC) bar code, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the solid aerosol-forming material.

34. The article of claim 32 , wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, wireless transceiver or scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier upon activation, identify an attribute of the solid aerosol generating material associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the controller.

35. 33. The article of claim 32, wherein the attribute identifier is provided on packaging of the solid aerosol-forming material.

36. 27. The article of claim 26, wherein the attribute of the solid aerosol-generating material is selected from the group consisting of flavor, a heating profile of each component of the solid aerosol-generating material, a maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the solid aerosol-generating material, a wattage for controlling the power source relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the solid aerosol-generating material, and combinations thereof.

37. 27. The article of claim 26, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device comprises a processor configured to execute an algorithm that, upon operation, identifies an attribute of the solid aerosol generating material.

38. 38. The article of claim 37, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to analyze the solid aerosol generating material to determine its constituent components, determine a maximum aerosolization temperature among the constituent components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the controller, and the controller modulates electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

39. 40. The article of claim 38, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to receive user input regarding a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the solid aerosol generating material, and the control device modulates electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the user-inputted maximum aerosolization temperature.

40. A smoking article comprising: an aerosol-generating liquid configured to generate an aerosol in response to heat; a tubular housing having a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end, the tubular housing including an outer wall defining a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating liquid therein; a heating element configured to provide heat to the aerosol-generating liquid; a component housing having a longitudinal end operatively engaged with one of the first and second ends of the tubular housing, the component housing comprising: a power source in electrical communication with and configured to provide electrical energy to a heating element that generates heat in response to the electrical energy; an aerosol generation element identification device configured to engage the power source and, upon activation, identify an attribute of the aerosol generation liquid; and a control device configured to modulate electrical energy provided to the heating element to direct the heating element to heat the aerosol-generating liquid to an aerosolization temperature associated with an identified attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid.

41. 41. The article of claim 40, wherein the heating element comprises a resistive coil.

42. 42. The article of claim 41, wherein the controller is configured to modulate the electrical energy provided to the resistive coil.

43. 41. The article of claim 40, wherein the tubular housing is removable from the component housing.

44. The article of claim 40 , wherein the aerosol generation element identification device comprises an attribute identification detector configured to detect an attribute identifier that identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating liquid.

45. 33. The article of claim 32, wherein the attribute identifier comprises a Uniform Product Code (UPC) bar code, a QR code, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that identifies an attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid.

46. The article of claim 32 , wherein the attribute identification detector comprises a camera, wireless transceiver or scanner configured to detect the attribute identifier upon activation, identify an attribute of the aerosol generating liquid associated therewith, and communicate the identification of the attribute to the controller.

47. 33. The article of claim 32, wherein the attribute identifier is provided on packaging of a cartridge for containing the aerosol-generating liquid, on packaging of the aerosol-generating liquid, or on a cartridge that receives the aerosol-generating liquid.

48. 41. The article of claim 40, wherein the attribute of the aerosol-generating liquid is selected from the group consisting of flavor, a heating profile for each component of the aerosol-generating liquid, a maximum aerosolization temperature between the components of the aerosol-generating liquid, a wattage for controlling the power source relative to the maximum aerosolization temperature of the components of the aerosol-generating liquid, and combinations thereof.

49. 41. The article of claim 40, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device comprises a processor configured to execute an algorithm that, upon operation, identifies an attribute of the aerosol generating liquid.

50. 38. The article of claim 37, wherein the aerosol generating element identification device is configured to analyze the aerosol generating liquid to determine its constituent components, determine a maximum aerosolization temperature among the constituent components, and communicate the determined maximum aerosolization temperature to the controller, and the controller modulates the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the determined maximum aerosolization temperature.

51. The article of claim 50, wherein the aerosol generation element identification device is configured to receive user input regarding a maximum aerosolization temperature between components of the aerosol generation liquid, and the control device modulates the electrical energy provided by the power source to the heating element in response to the user-inputted maximum aerosolization temperature.

Images