Aerosol delivery device and method for heating aerosol-generating materials - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

The aerosol delivery device (6) includes an aerosol generator (52), a controller (34), and a puff detection means (58). The aerosol generator (52) includes an aerosol generator element and is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material (26) upon activation. The aerosol generator (52) is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material (26) at at least two different locations relative to a predetermined location. The puff detection means (58) is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and generate a signal upon detection of the characteristic of the puff, the signal being sent to the controller (34). The controller (34) is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator (52), and control of the aerosol generator (52) by the controller (34) is determined at least in part by a signal received by the controller (34) from the puff detection means (58).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol delivery system, a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, and a method for heating an aerosol-forming material. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigars, burn tobacco to produce tobacco smoke during use. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these tobacco-burning articles by creating products that release compounds without combustion. Examples of such products include heating devices that release compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material when the aerosol-generating material is held at a predetermined position relative to the aerosol delivery device. The device includes an aerosol generator, a controller, and puff detection means. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position. The puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of the puff and generate a signal upon detection of the characteristic of the puff. The signal is sent to a controller. The controller is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator, and control of the aerosol generator by the controller is at least partially determined by a signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

[0004] In one embodiment of the above embodiments, the heating of the aerosol-forming material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location occurs at different times.

[0005] In any of the above embodiments, the heating of the aerosol-forming material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location occurs sequentially.

[0006] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to a predetermined location to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location.

[0007] Movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating means in a predetermined position can have the effect that the aerosol delivery device of the present invention can function in a manner equivalent to a conventional cigarette, in that, in use, the aerosol delivery device can generate aerosol continuously from the start of a user's session to the end of that session, which is similar to lighting a cigarette and letting it burn until the light goes out or there is nothing left to burn.

[0008] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, the aerosol generator elements being in fixed positions relative to one another. In such embodiments, all of the aerosol generator elements move relative to a predetermined position. Each aerosol generator element generates heat when activated.

[0009] In any of the above embodiments, the functions of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller are one or more of the speed at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the timing at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the direction at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the timing at which the aerosol generator is activated, the duration for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile of the aerosol generator when activated.

[0010] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is positioned at a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generating elements, each aerosol generating element is positioned at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of the different aerosol generating elements causes heating of the aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

[0011] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator functions controlled by the controller are one or more of the period between activation of the aerosol generating elements, when activation of the first aerosol generator element occurs, the order in which the aerosol generator elements are activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is activated, and the heating profile of each aerosol generator element when activated.

[0012] In any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board, and the or each aerosol generator element includes at least one individually heatable circuit.

[0013] In any of the above embodiments, the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

[0014] In any of the above embodiments, the at least one aerosol generator element comprises an electrically resistive aerosol generator element.

[0015] In any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises an etched film heater element.

[0016] In any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises a printed heater element.

[0017] In any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least a portion of an induction heater.

[0018] In any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises an induction coil.

[0019] In any of the above embodiments, the at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least one induction coil and at least one susceptor.

[0020] In any of the above embodiments, the device is suitable for use with an aerosol-generating material having a heatable surface that is heated to cause the generation of an aerosol, and the device is configured so that movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol-generating material is parallel or substantially parallel to the heatable surface of the aerosol-generating material.

[0021] In one embodiment of the above embodiments, the heatable surface is planar or substantially planar, and the device is configured such that movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol-generating material is in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the plane of the heatable surface of the aerosol-generating material.

[0022] In other embodiments, the heatable surface is three-dimensional (as opposed to planar, which is two-dimensional), e.g., cylindrical, comprises multiple planes, e.g., an elongated tube having a square cross-section, comprises multiple three-dimensional surfaces joined together, or comprises a mixed shape comprising at least one plane and at least one three-dimensional surface. In such embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to move at least substantially parallel to the heatable surface.

[0023] In any of the above embodiments, the device is configured so that movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol-forming material is single-dimensional or at least substantially single-dimensional, i.e., the movement is linear.

[0024] In any of the above embodiments, the device is configured so that movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol-forming material is two-dimensional or at least substantially two-dimensional, i.e., the movement lies in a plane.

[0025] In any of the above embodiments, the device is configured so that movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol-forming material is three-dimensional.

[0026] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to include a heat-generating surface, the heat-generating surface of the aerosol generator being at least substantially parallel to the heatable surface of the aerosol-generating material.

[0027] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is an induction heater and includes at least one induction coil configured such that the longitudinal axis of the induction coil is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the heatable surface of the aerosol-generating material that is intersected by the longitudinal axis of the induction coil.

[0028] In any of the above embodiments, the characteristic of the puff that is detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period between the start and end of the puff, the period between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air through the puff detector at a determined time during the period of the puff, and the amount of the puff.

[0029] In any of the above embodiments, the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and generate a different signal upon detection of each characteristic of the puff. The signals are sent to the controller. Transmission of the one or more signals to the controller can be by any known signal transmission method, for example by electrical wire.

[0030] In any of the above embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, each puff detection means in communication with the controller.

[0031] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for operation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory, each schedule comprising a set of instructions that the controller follows when causing operation of the aerosol generator.

[0032] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory, each schedule comprising a set of instructions that the controller follows when causing movement of the aerosol generator.

[0033] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puff to one or more predetermined schedules for operation of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

[0034] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puff to one or more predetermined schedules for movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

[0035] In any of the above embodiments, the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was running when it received the signal generated by the puff detection means, such that the controller is responsive to how the user is using the device.

[0036] In any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is operating and / or moving.

[0037] In any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to operation of the device.

[0038] In any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to visually represent a conventional cigarette as it is being burned.

[0039] In any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the percentage of the aerosol-forming material of the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0040] In any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the percentage of the aerosol-forming material of the consumable that has been aerosolized.

[0041] In any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to visually represent the proportion of aerosol-generating material in the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized and that has been aerosolized. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an article and an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating material.

[0042] In any of the above embodiments, the article further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is activated and / or moving.

[0043] In any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause at least one display element of the article to display data regarding operation of the device.

[0044] In any of the above embodiments, the display element of the article is configured to visually represent a conventional cigarette when the conventional cigarette is being burned.

[0045] In any of the above embodiments, the display element of the article is configured to visually represent the percentage of the aerosol-forming material in the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0046] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising an article and an aerosol delivery device according to the first aspect, the article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

[0047] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating an aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising: an aerosol generator; a controller; and puff detection means. The aerosol-generating material is held at a predetermined position relative to the device. The aerosol generator causes heating of the aerosol-generating material. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position. The puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of the puff and, upon detection of the characteristic of the puff, generate a signal and send the signal to a controller. The controller controls at least one function of the aerosol generator, and a signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the function of the aerosol generator in a predetermined manner.

[0048] In one embodiment of the above embodiments, the heating of the aerosol-forming material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location occurs at different times.

[0049] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator element is physically moved relative to a predetermined location to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location.

[0050] In any of the above embodiments, the functions of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller are one or more of the speed at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the timing at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the direction at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the timing at which the aerosol generator is activated, the duration for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile of the aerosol generator when activated.

[0051] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is positioned at a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generating elements, each aerosol generating element is positioned at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of the different aerosol generating elements causes heating of the aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

[0052] In any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator functions controlled by the controller are one or more of the period between activation of the aerosol generating elements, when activation of the first aerosol generator element occurs, the order in which the aerosol generator elements are activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is activated, and the heating profile of each aerosol generator element when activated.

[0053] In any of the above embodiments, the characteristic of the puff that is detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the period between the start and end of the puff, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air through the puff detector at a determined time within the period of the puff, and the amount of the puff.

[0054] In any of the above embodiments, the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and generate a different signal upon detection of each characteristic of the puff, the signals being sent to the controller.

[0055] In any of the above embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, each puff detection means in communication with the controller.

[0056] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for operation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory, each schedule comprising a set of instructions that the controller follows when causing operation of the aerosol generator.

[0057] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory, each schedule comprising a set of instructions that the controller follows when causing movement of the aerosol generator.

[0058] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puff to one or more predetermined schedules for operation of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

[0059] In any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puff to one or more predetermined schedules for movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

[0060] In any of the above embodiments, the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was running when it received the signal generated by the puff detection means.

[0061] In any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is operating and / or moving.

[0062] In any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to operation of the device.

[0063] In any of the above embodiments, the display element visually represents a conventional cigarette as it is being burned.

[0064] In any of the above embodiments, the display element provides a visual representation of the percentage of the aerosol-forming material in the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0065] The apparatus of the first, second and third aspects of the present disclosure may include one, more than one or all of the above features, as appropriate. The method of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include one, more than one or all of the above features, as appropriate.

[0066] Further features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description of specific examples that proceed with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0067] The invention will now be described and explained, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2]2 is a schematic front perspective view of an embodiment of an article for use with the aerosol generating system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of the article of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the aerosol generation device of the aerosol generation system of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a first schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of an embodiment of an aerosol generator of the aerosol generation system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged detail view of the cross section of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a second schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generation system of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the connections between the various elements of the aerosol generation system of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device of FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] As used herein, an aerosol generator is a device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to thermal energy, thereby releasing one or more volatile components from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to generate the aerosol from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0069] Also, as used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or otherwise energized. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. Aerosol-forming materials may include any plant material, such as any tobacco-containing material, including, for example, one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-forming materials may also include other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine, depending on the product. Aerosol-forming materials may be in the form of, for example, a solid, liquid, gel, or wax. Aerosol-forming materials may also be, for example, a combination or blend of several materials. Aerosol-forming materials may also be known as "smoking materials."

[0070] The aerosol-forming material may include a binder and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-forming material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0071] The aerosol-forming material may include or be an "amorphous solid." An amorphous solid may be a "monolithic solid." In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may contain, for example, about 50%, 60%, or 70% amorphous solid by weight to about 90%, 95%, or 100% amorphous solid by weight.

[0072] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include or be a sheet, optionally shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially free of tobacco.

[0073] Typically, devices are known that heat an aerosol-generating material to volatilize at least one component of the aerosol-generating material to form an inhalable aerosol without burning or combusting the aerosol-generating material. Such devices may also be described as "aerosol-generating devices," "aerosol delivery devices," "non-combustion heating devices," "tobacco heating product devices," "tobacco heating devices," or the like. Similarly, there are so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporize a liquid form of the aerosol-generating material, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol-generating material may be in the form of, or provided as part of, a rod, cartridge, or cassette that can be inserted into the device. A heater for heating and volatilizing the aerosol-generating material may be provided as a "permanent" part of the device.

[0074] The aerosol-generating device can accept an article containing an aerosol-generating material for heating. An "article" in this context is a component that includes or contains the aerosol-generating material when in use, which is heated to volatilize the aerosol-generating material and, optionally, other components. A user can insert the article into the aerosol-delivery device and then heat the article to generate an aerosol, which the user then inhales. The article can be of a predetermined or specific size, for example, configured to be placed within a heating chamber of a device sized to accept the article.

[0075] A conventional cigarette is a cigarette that burns tobacco.

[0076] In the following discussion of the accompanying drawings, where the same element is present in multiple embodiments, the same reference numeral is used throughout for that element, and where similar elements are present, similar reference numerals (the same number plus a multiple of 100) are used.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 1, an aerosol generation system 2 comprises an item (also known as a consumable) 4 and an aerosol generation device 6 .

[0078] 2 and 3, article 4 includes a central cylindrical hollow core 8 and aerosol-generating material 26. Core 8 is formed from a material capable of supporting a coating of aerosol-generating material 26 on its radially outer surface. In some examples, core 8 is formed from a metal or metal alloy sheet material, such as aluminum foil. Aerosol-generating material 26 forms a continuous, uniform coating on the outer surface of core 8. Hollow core 8 defines a hollow passage sized to provide a snug fit over aerosol-generating rod 24 of aerosol-generating device 6, described below.

[0079] The first end 12 of the core 8 resides in a bore that extends at least partially through the frusto-conical first end element 10. The first end 12 of the core 8 is secured in the bore by friction, physical fastening means, and / or adhesive. A mouthpiece 28 extends from the first end 12 in a direction away from the core 8.

[0080] The second end 14 of the core 8 resides in a bore extending through a cylindrical second end element 16. The second end 14 of the core 8 is secured in the bore by friction, physical fastening means, and / or adhesive. The second end of the core 8 is open through an end face 16A of the second end element 16, thereby providing access to the interior of the hollow core 8.

[0081] A cylindrical shell 18 is supported on and extends between the radially outermost portions of the first and second end elements 10, 16. An air passage 20 is defined by the radially outer surface of the aerosol-generating material 26 of the core 8 and the radially inner surface of the shell 18.

[0082] The second end element 16 includes one or more passages (not shown) extending between the surface 16 A of the second end element 16 and the air passage 20 .

[0083] First end element 10 includes one or more passages (not shown) extending between face 10A of first end element 10 and tip 28 extending from face 10B. Thus, at least one air passage is created from end face 16A through end element 16, along air passage 20, through end element 10, into tip 28, and out a hole (not shown) in tip 28.

[0084] The second end element 16 also includes an indexing element (also not shown) configured to engage with an indexing element (also not shown) of the aerosol generating device 6 so that when the item 4 is placed on the aerosol generating rod 24, the item 4 and, as a result, the aerosol generating material 26 is in a predetermined position relative to the aerosol generating device 6.

[0085] 4 to 7, the aerosol generating device 6 comprises a handle 22 and an aerosol generating rod 24. The handle 22 includes a housing 30 defining an interior space. A power source 32, e.g., a rechargeable battery, a control unit 34, and a motor 44 are disposed within the interior space. The housing 30 is provided with an input device 36, which in the illustrated embodiment is a push button. The housing 30 is also provided with a display device 38. The control unit 34, power source 32, motor 44, input device 36, and display 38 are all electrically connected by suitable electrical connection means, e.g., electrical wires.

[0086] The envelope 30 includes a closed end 40 and an opposite end from which the aerosol-generating rod 24 extends.

[0087] The aerosol-generating rod 24 includes a base 48 and a longitudinally extending cylindrical shell 42. The shell 42 is formed from a rigid material that is not a thermal insulator; for example, the shell 42 may be formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0088] Within shell 42 is lead screw 46. A first end of lead screw 46 is engaged with motor 44 such that rotation of motor 44 rotates lead screw 46 about its longitudinal axis. A second end of lead screw 44 forms stop element 54.

[0089] Also within shell 42 is an aerosol generator in the form of heater 52 that is threadably engaged with lead screw 46 and slidingly engaged with slide rail 56. As seen in Figure 6, heater 52 engages lead screw 46 by threaded hole 60 and slide rail 56 by slot 62. This has the effect that as lead screw 46 rotates, slide rail 56 prevents heater 52 from rotating with lead screw 46, and therefore heater 52 moves along with lead screw 46. The direction of movement of heater 52 (towards or away from handle 22) depends on the direction of rotation of motor 44.

[0090] Heater 52 is sized so that an outer surface 64 of the heater is in sliding contact with a radially inner surface 66 of shell 42. This optimizes heat transfer from heater 52 to shell 42.

[0091] The heater 52 is electrically connected to the controller and power supply by suitable connections such as electrical wires.

[0092] In some embodiments, the heater comprises a single heating element (not shown) disposed on the surface 64 of the heater 52. The heater element extends around the heater surface 64 from a location adjacent to one side of the intersection of the slot 62 and the surface 64 to a location adjacent to the other side of the intersection of the slot 62 and the surface 64.

[0093] In other embodiments, the heater comprises two or more heater elements (not shown) disposed on the surface 64 of the heater 52. The heater elements are in fixed positions adjacent one another axially of the lead screw 46. Each heater element extends around the heater surface 64 from a position adjacent one side of the intersection of the slot 62 and the surface 64 to a position adjacent the other side of the intersection of the slot 62 and the surface 64.

[0094] The base 48 of the aerosol-generating rod is configured to engage the end of the outer skin 30 opposite the closed end 40. The base 48 includes one or more ribs or other raised features 50 that are sized and positioned to prevent the surface 16A of the second end element 16 from contacting a main portion of the base 48 when the hollow core 8 of the article 4 slides into the aerosol-generating rod 24. This ensures that one or more of the air passageways discussed above through the second element end 16 are not blocked when the article 4 is engaged with the aerosol-generating rod 24.

[0095] When using the aerosol generation device 6, a user inhales on the mouthpiece 28 and air is drawn through a passageway through the mouthpiece 28, the end elements 10 and 16, and the air passage 20. This creates one or more air flows 68 (shown in FIG. 8 ). The base 48 supports the puff detection means 58. An indexing means (not shown) of the second end element 16 and the aerosol generation device 6 ensures that the puff detection means 58 is within the air flow 68 or that the air flow 68 flows through the puff detection means 58.

[0096] When the aerosol generating device is in use, the puff detection means 58 is configured to detect at least one characteristic of a user's puff, including, but not limited to, the start of a puff, the end of a puff, the duration between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the duration between the start and end of a puff, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from a puff, the velocity of air passing through the puff detector at a determined time during the puff, and the volume of the puff.

[0097] The puff detection means 58 is also configured to generate a signal when a puff characteristic is detected and send the signal to the controller 34 .

[0098] When the puff detection means 58 is configured to detect two or more different puff characteristics, it is configured to generate a different signal for each characteristic, and the puff detection means 58 sends the signals as the different puff characteristics are detected to the controller 34. The signal or signals from the puff detector are sent to the controller via electrical wires (not shown).

[0099] In some embodiments not shown, there are multiple puff detection means, each located somewhere within the airflow 68 .

[0100] The controller 34 is configured to control one or more functions of the heater 52. The one or more functions of the heater 52 controlled by the controller 34 may be, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0101] The speed of movement of heater 52 relative to aerosol-generating material 26. In the illustrated embodiment, this is controlled by controlling the rotational speed of lead screw 46.

[0102] The period during which heater 52 moves relative to aerosol-generating material 26. This is controlled by controlling the means for moving the heater. In the illustrated embodiment, this is controlled by controlling the activation and deactivation of motor 44.

[0103] The direction of movement of heater 52 relative to the aerosol-generating material. In the illustrated embodiment, this is controlled by controlling the direction of rotation of lead screw 46.

[0104] Activating and deactivating the heater 52. This is the application of power to the heater 52 and the deactivation of power to the heater.

[0105] When to activate the heater 52 relative to the detection of the puff characteristic. This is when the heater 52 is activated and deactivated relative to the time a puff is detected.

[0106] The period during which the heater 52 is activated.

[0107] The heating profile of the heater when it is activated. While the heater is activated, the amount of power supplied to the heater can be varied over time to vary the heater temperature.

[0108] If there is more than one heater 52 , one or more of the functions of each heater 52 may be individually controlled by the controller 34 .

[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, control of the heater 52 by the controller 34 is determined at least in part by one or more signals 76 received by the controller 34 from the puff detection means 58 .

[0110] The controller 34 includes a memory 70. The memory 70 stores one or more schedules or sets of instructions 84 for operating the heater 52 and one or more schedules or sets of instructions 82 for moving the heater 52.

[0111] Each schedule 84 for operation of the heater 52 causes the controller 34 to send a signal 78 to the heater 52 regarding operation of the heater 52 and / or control the supply of power from the power supply 32 (not shown in FIG. 9) to the heater 52.

[0112] Each schedule 82 for movement of heater 52 causes controller 34 to send a signal 80 to motor 44 regarding operation of motor 44 and / or control the supply of power from power supply 32 to motor 44 .

[0113] The schedules 82, 84 are indexed by tables 72, 74, respectively. The tables 72, 74 are stored in the memory 70.

[0114] Table 72 associates each characteristic of the detected puff with a particular predetermined schedule 82 for heater movement. Once a particular predetermined schedule 82 is selected based on the characteristic of the detected puff, controller 34 executes the selected schedule 82.

[0115] Table 74 associates each characteristic of the detected puff with a particular predetermined schedule 84 for heater operation. Once a particular predetermined schedule 84 is selected based on the characteristic of the detected puff, controller 34 executes the selected schedule 84.

[0116] If, while the controller 34 is executing a schedule 82, 84, a further characteristic of the puff is detected by the puff detection means 58 and a signal 76 is sent to the controller 34, the controller 34 is configured to cease execution of the currently executing schedule 82, 84 and execute a new schedule 82, 84 determined by the new signal 78.

[0117] The controller 34 is further configured to send one or more signals 86 to the display device 38. The signals 86 activate the display device 38. The controller 34 can send the signals 86 when the heater 52 is activating and / or moving. The signals 86 may relate to the operation of the aerosol-generating system 2. Additionally or alternatively, the signals 86 may be a visual representation of a conventional cigarette as it is burning or the percentage of aerosol-generating material 26 in the article 4 that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0118] In use, a user places an item 4 on the aerosol generating rod 24, and the item 4 and an indexing element (not shown) on the aerosol delivery device 6 engage with each other to ensure that the item is properly positioned relative to the aerosol delivery device 6. The user then presses a button on the input device 36 to send a start signal 88 to the controller 34. Upon receiving the start signal 88, the controller 34 either enters a standby mode awaiting a signal 76 from the puff detection means 58, or wakes up according to an activation schedule. Once the signal 76 from the puff detection means 58 is received by the controller 34, the controller 34 wakes up according to one or more of the schedules 82, 84, as discussed above.

[0119] 10 and 11, in an alternative embodiment, the aerosol generating device 106 comprises a handle 122 and an aerosol generating rod 124. The handle 122 includes a housing 130 defining an interior space. A power source 132, e.g., a rechargeable battery, and a control unit 134 are disposed within the interior space. The housing 130 is provided with an input device 136, which in the illustrated embodiment is a push button. The housing 130 is also provided with a display device 138. The control unit 134, power source 132, input device 136, and display 138 are all electrically connected by suitable electrical connection means, e.g., electrical wires.

[0120] The outer shell 130 includes a closed end 140 and an opposite end from which the aerosol-generating rod 124 extends.

[0121] The aerosol-generating rod 124 includes a base 148 and a longitudinally extending aerosol generator 143. The aerosol generator 143 is formed from an internal support element (not shown) upon which are supported a plurality of aerosol generator elements in the form of heaters 152 (not all of the heaters 152 are labeled for clarity).

[0122] Each of the heaters 152 is electrically connected to the control unit 134 and the power supply 132 by suitable connection means, such as electrical wires.

[0123] Similar to the previously described embodiment (shown in Figures 4-9 above), the base 148 of the aerosol-generating rod 124 is configured to engage the end of the outer skin 130 opposite the closed end 140. The base 148 includes one or more ribs or other raised features 150 that are sized and positioned to prevent the surface 16A of the second end element 16 of the article 4 from contacting a major portion of the base 148 when the hollow core 8 of the article 4 slides onto the aerosol-generating rod 124. This ensures that the air passageway(s) discussed above through the second element end 16 are not blocked when the article 4 is engaged with the aerosol-generating rod 124.

[0124] When using the aerosol generation device 106, a user inhales on the mouthpiece 28 and air is drawn through a passageway through the mouthpiece 28, the end elements 10 and 16, and the air passage 20. This results in one or more air flows equivalent to those shown in Figure 8. As with the previously described embodiments, the base 148 supports puff detection means (not shown in Figures 10 and 11) which function as previously described.

[0125] The controller 134 is configured to control one or more functions of the aerosol generator 143. The one or more functions of the aerosol generator 143 controlled by the controller 134 may be, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0126] Activation periods of different heaters 152. In embodiments in which the controller or control unit 134 activates adjacent heaters 152 sequentially, this has the effect of mimicking the combustion of a traditional cigarette in that the controller heats the aerosol-forming material of the article 4 from one end to the other, and the heating can be made faster or slower by the control unit 134.

[0127] The time at which activation of the first heater 152 is initiated. In some embodiments, the time is the period from when the control unit receives a signal from the puff detector to when activation of the first heater 152 is initiated.

[0128] The order in which heaters 152 are activated. In some embodiments, heaters 152 are activated from one end of the aerosol generator 143 to the other. In other embodiments, activation of heaters 152 occurs in a different order.

[0129] When to activate and deactivate each heater 152. This involves supplying power to each heater 152 and deactivating power to that heater.

[0130] The heating profile of each heater 152 when activated. While the heaters 152 are activated, the amount of power supplied to one or more of the heaters 152 can be varied over time to vary the heater temperature.

[0131] If there is more than one heater 152 that is operated simultaneously, one or more of the functions of the individual heaters 152 may be individually controlled by the controller 134 .

[0132] Control of the heater 152 by the controller 134 and use of the device 102 incorporating such a heater are as described above in connection with the embodiments shown in Figures 4-9. In alternative, not shown, embodiments, the heater can take any shape or form suitable for movement and / or heat transfer to the aerosol-generating material. In certain embodiments, the heater may comprise a hollow tube. A hollow tube may be particularly suitable for housing an article within the tube and allowing for effective transfer of heat from the heater to the aerosol-generating material. In other embodiments, the heater may comprise a plate that can provide a substantially flat heat transfer surface. A flat or plate-like heater may be particularly suitable for transferring heat to a flat or thin article on which the aerosol-generating material is provided as a layer of material. For example, the heater may move across a moving surface above a flat article to transfer heat to different portions of the aerosol-generating material on the article.

[0133] In certain examples, the heater may comprise a homogeneous or substantially homogeneous material. In certain examples, the heater may comprise a mixture of materials. In certain examples, the heater may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of an electrically conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetically conductive material.

[0134] In certain instances, the heater may be made from a metallic material, for example, the heater element may include a metal or metal alloy.

[0135] In certain examples, the heater may include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper, and bronze.

[0136] In certain examples, the heater may include a ceramic. In some examples, the heater may be made from a mixture of metallic and non-metallic materials. For example, the heater may be made from a metallic material embedded in a ceramic material. The ceramic material may be any suitable ceramic material, such as, but not limited to, at least one of alumina, zirconia, yttria, calcium carbonate, and calcium sulfate.

[0137] In use, the heating system can heat, i.e., increase the temperature of, the heater. Heating of the heater can be accomplished by any suitable heating device. In certain examples, the heater may be maintained at a constant temperature as the heater is moved relative to the receptacle or housing. In certain examples, the temperature of the heater may be changed as the heater is moved relative to the receptacle or housing. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the heater may be changed when at least one portion of the heating system is positioned such that it can transfer heat to one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material. In certain examples, the heating system can increase the temperature of the heater to a predetermined temperature before the heater begins to move. In certain examples, the heating system may be activated to increase the temperature of the heater in response to a user drawing air through the device or by another means, such as a switch.

[0138] In certain embodiments, a temperature sensor and / or heat transfer sensor may be provided in the aerosol delivery device to monitor the temperature of the aerosol-forming material of the article and / or the heat transferred to the aerosol-forming material of the article. For example, a temperature sensor monitor may be installed inside the receptacle. In certain embodiments, multiple temperature sensors and / or heat transfer sensors may be provided to monitor the temperature and / or the heat transferred to multiple portions of the aerosol-forming material, each corresponding to a respective portion of the multiple portions of the aerosol-forming material of the article.

[0139] In certain embodiments, the heater of the heating system may comprise an electric resistance heater. The heating system may comprise circuitry for connecting the heater to a power source. In use, an electric current from the power source may pass through the electric resistance heater, causing Joule heating of the heater. The electric resistance heater may be made of any suitable material that forms an electrical conductor, for example, a metallic material. In use, when an electric current is activated to pass through the electric resistance heater, one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material may be heatable by the electric resistance heater.

[0140] In certain embodiments, the heating system may include a radiant heating system. In one example, the radiant heating system may include a heat lamp that radiates heat energy to the heater. For example, the radiant heating system may include an infrared light source directed toward the heater. For example, the radiant heating system may include a radiant heat source such as an LED or a laser.

[0141] In certain embodiments, the heating system may include a heater that heats by conduction, e.g., a heat source may be placed in contact with the heater and activated during use of the aerosol delivery system.

[0142] In certain embodiments, the heating system may comprise an induction heating system. The heating system may use induction heating to cause a temperature increase in at least one heater. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device may comprise the entire induction heating system. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device may comprise some of the components of the induction heating system. In certain embodiments, the article may comprise a portion of the induction heating system, such as at least one component of the induction heating system. Thus, in some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device and the article may comprise components of the heating system.

[0143] Induction heating is the process of heating a conductive object by electromagnetic induction. This process involves penetrating a varying magnetic field into the conductive object to cause heating. This process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. When the conductive object is then used to heat another element, the conductive object may be referred to as a "susceptor." The susceptor material may be formed from any suitable susceptor material, such as those identified above, for example, at least one of iron, iron alloys such as stainless steel, mild steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminum, gold, and copper, or any combination thereof.

[0144] In certain embodiments, at least one heater may be a "susceptor" in that it may be heated by induction heating, thereby heating the aerosol-forming material of the article. Heating of the aerosol-forming material may be primarily by conduction or radiation of heat from the heater to the aerosol-forming material, for example.

[0145] Configuring the heater as a susceptor can, in certain instances, effectively heat the aerosol-forming material, which may be substantially non-conductive. Additionally, configuring the heater as a susceptor can allow for control of the thermal pattern of heat directed toward the aerosol-forming material of the article.

[0146] An induction heating system may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. The varying current in the electromagnet generates a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a conductive object appropriately positioned relative to the electromagnet and generates eddy currents within the object. The object has an electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and therefore, by causing eddy currents to flow against this resistance, the object is heated by Joule heating, also known as ohmic or resistive heating. It has been found that when the conductive object is in the form of a closed circuit, the magnetic coupling between the object and the electromagnet in use is stronger, resulting in increased or improved Joule heating.

[0147] Magnetic hysteresis heating is the process by which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by the penetration of a varying magnetic field into the object. Magnetic materials can be thought of as containing many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such a material, the magnetic dipoles align along the magnetic field. Thus, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field generated by an electromagnet, penetrates a magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes in response to the applied varying magnetic field. This reorientation of the magnetic dipoles generates heat within the magnetic material.

[0148] When an object is both conductive and magnetic, penetrating a changing magnetic field into the object can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Furthermore, the use of magnetic materials can enhance the magnetic field, thereby enhancing Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating. If the heater includes a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt, heat can also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the heater, i.e., when the orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material changes as a result of aligning with the changing magnetic field.

[0149] In each of the above processes, heat is generated within the object itself rather than by thermal conduction from an external heat source, and thus rapid temperature rise and more uniform heat distribution within the object can be achieved, particularly by appropriately selecting the object's material and geometry and the magnitude and orientation of the varying magnetic field relative to the object. Thus, compared to, for example, conduction heating, induction heating can enable more rapid heating of the heater (susceptor) because heat is generated within the heater. Furthermore, induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection between the varying magnetic field source and the object, thereby increasing design freedom, control of the heating profile, and reducing costs. Therefore, no physical contact is required between the heater and the remaining components of the induction heating system, thereby allowing greater flexibility in the design, application, and reliability of the aerosol delivery system.

[0150] In certain embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include a selector operable to select one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article for heating by the heating system from among the multiple portions of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the receptacle.

[0151] In certain embodiments, the selector may be operable to select one or more portions of the plurality of portions of the receptacle that correspond to one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article when the article is received in the receptacle. In this manner, the desired one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article selected for heating by the heating system when the article is received in the receptacle can be indirectly selected by selecting one or more portions of the receptacle that geometrically correspond to one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the receptacle. Thus, in certain embodiments, this selection can be based on a known geometric relationship between the article and the receptacle of the device.

[0152] In certain examples, the selector may be used by a user to select a particular portion of the article's aerosol-generating material for heating by the heating system. For example, the user may desire to inhale an aerosol having a particular flavor and therefore select a particular portion of the article's aerosol-generating material for heating. In other examples, the user may desire to inhale an aerosol having a particular flavor intensity and therefore select a particular portion of the article's aerosol-generating material for heating.

[0153] In certain examples, the selector can be manually operated by a user to select particular portions of the aerosol-forming material of the article for heating, or to select particular portions of the aerosol-forming material for heating in a particular order. For example, a switch may be provided on the device to allow the user to operate the selector.

[0154] In other examples, the selector can operate in a predetermined manner when the article is received in the receptacle, and optionally at the direction of a user. For example, the selector may be activated to select specific portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating in a specific order when the article is received in the receptacle. In some embodiments, the article may include an identifier that is operable to communicate the type or model of the article to the non-combustible aerosol delivery device when the article is received in the receptacle. The identifier may communicate information to the non-combustible aerosol delivery device indicating how or in what order specific portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. In other embodiments, a user may communicate information to the non-combustible aerosol delivery device, for example, through a user interface, indicating how or in what order specific portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. In still other embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device may be pre-loaded with information indicating how or in what order specific portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. For example, this information may be entered into the non-combustible aerosol delivery device when manufactured or when ordered by a product supplier.

[0155] A method for heating an aerosol-generating material can be provided. In certain embodiments, the method may be performed in any of the aerosol delivery systems described herein. In certain embodiments, the method may include heating the aerosol-generating material in any of the articles described herein.

[0156] A method for heating an aerosol-generating material includes receiving an article comprising an aerosol-generating material in a receptacle of a non-combustible aerosol delivery device, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device including a heating system; selecting one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating by the heating system; moving at least a portion of the heating system relative to the receptacle or housing to a position where the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material are heatable by the heating system; and heating the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol delivery device may include a housing, and the method may instead include moving at least a portion of the heating system relative to the housing to a position where the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material are heatable by the heating system. In certain embodiments, any of the movements relative to the receptacle as described herein may instead be movements of a heater relative to the housing. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the heating system may include a heater as described herein. For example, at least a portion of the heating system may include a heater such as a susceptor as described herein.

[0157] In certain embodiments, the method may include moving at least a portion of the heating system relative to the receiver to a position where a second portion of the aerosol-generating material can be heated by the heating system. In some examples, the method may include heating the second portion of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In certain embodiments, the method may include, for example, following the movement to a position where the second portion of the aerosol-generating material can be heated by the heating system, reselecting one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating by the heating system, moving at least a portion of the heating system relative to the receiver to a position where the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material can be heated by the heating system, and reheating the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In this manner, the amount of heat transferred to the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material can be controlled to maintain the temperature of the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material at a desired temperature, while simultaneously controlling the amount of heat transferred to the second portion of the aerosol-generating material to maintain the temperature of the second portion of the aerosol-generating material at a second desired temperature. Furthermore, in this manner, at least a portion of the heating system may be repeatedly moved to different locations proximate different portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article to maintain the respective desired temperatures of all of the different portions of the aerosol-generating material. For example, in one example where the article is in the shape of an elongated rod, at least a portion of the heating system may be repeatedly moved back and forth along the length of the rod to transfer heat to the different portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article and thereby maintain the respective desired particular temperatures of those different portions.

[0158] Statements 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material when the aerosol-generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator; a controller; and puff detection means; an aerosol generator comprising an aerosol generator element configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material upon actuation; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of the puff and generate a signal upon detection of the characteristic of the puff, the signal being sent to the controller; a controller configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator; An aerosol delivery device wherein control of the aerosol generator by the controller is determined at least in part by a signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

[0159] 2. The aerosol delivery device of statement 1, wherein heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location occurs at different times.

[0160] 3. An aerosol delivery device according to statement 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to a predetermined position to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined position.

[0161] 4. The aerosol delivery device of statement 3, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, the aerosol generator elements being in fixed positions relative to each other.

[0162] 5. The aerosol delivery device of statement 3 or 4, wherein the functions of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller are one or more of the following: the speed at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the timing at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the direction at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the activation of the aerosol generator; the timing at which the aerosol generator operates; the duration for which the aerosol generator is activated; and the heating profile of the aerosol generator when activated.

[0163] 6. An aerosol delivery device as described in statement 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol generator is positioned at a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element being positioned at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of the different aerosol generating elements causes heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

[0164] 7. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board and at least one aerosol generator element is formed from at least one individually heatable circuit.

[0165] 8. The aerosol delivery device of statement 7, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

[0166] 9. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 8, wherein at least one aerosol generator element comprises an electrical resistance heater element.

[0167] 10. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 1-9, wherein at least one aerosol generator element comprises one of an etched film heater element and a printed heater element.

[0168] 11. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 1 to 10, wherein at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least a portion of an induction heater.

[0169] 12. An aerosol delivery device as described in any one of statements 1 to 11, wherein the characteristic of the puff detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period between the start and end of the puff, the period between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air through the puff detector at a determined time within the period of the puff, and the amount of the puff.

[0170] 13. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 12, wherein the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and generate a different signal upon detection of each characteristic of the puff, the signals being sent to the controller.

[0171] 14. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 13, comprising a plurality of puff detection means, each puff detection means being in communication with the controller.

[0172] 15. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 1 to 14, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for operation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

[0173] 16. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 1 to 15, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

[0174] 17. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 16, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puffs to one or more predetermined schedules for operation of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule relating to the detected characteristics of the puffs.

[0175] 18. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 17, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puffs to one or more predetermined schedules for movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule relating to the detected characteristics of the puffs.

[0176] 19. The aerosol delivery device of statement 17 or 18, wherein the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was running when it received the signal generated by the puff detection means.

[0177] 20. An aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 19, further comprising at least one display element, wherein the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is operating and / or moving.

[0178] 21. The aerosol delivery device of statement 20, wherein the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data regarding operation of the aerosol delivery device.

[0179] 22. The aerosol delivery device of statement 20 or 21, wherein the display element is configured to visually represent a conventional cigarette as the conventional cigarette is being burned.

[0180] 23. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 20-22, wherein the display element is configured to visually represent the proportion of the consumable aerosol-generating material that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0181] 24. An aerosol delivery system comprising an article and an aerosol delivery device according to any one of statements 1 to 23, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating material.

[0182] 25. A method of generating an aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-delivery device comprising an aerosol generator, a controller, and puff detection means; an aerosol-generating material is held at a predetermined position relative to the aerosol delivery device; the aerosol generator causes heating of the aerosol-generating material; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of the puff; Upon detecting the characteristic of the puff, the puff detection means generates a signal and sends the signal to the controller; a controller controlling at least one function of the aerosol generator; A method wherein a signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the function of the aerosol generator in a predetermined manner.

[0183] 26. The method of statement 25, wherein the heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location occurs at different times.

[0184] 27. The method of statements 25 or 26, wherein the aerosol generator element is physically moved relative to a predetermined location to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location.

[0185] 28. The method of statement 27, wherein the functions of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller are one or more of the following: the speed at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the timing at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the direction at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; the activation of the aerosol generator; the timing at which the aerosol generator is activated; the duration for which the aerosol generator is activated; and the heating profile of the aerosol generator when activated.

[0186] 29. The method of statement 25 or 26, wherein the aerosol generator is disposed at a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element being disposed at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of the different aerosol generating elements causes heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

[0187] 30. The method of statement 29, wherein the aerosol generator functions controlled by the controller are one or more of the period between activation of the aerosol generating elements, when activation of the first aerosol generator element occurs, the sequence in which the aerosol generator elements are activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is activated, and the heating profile of each aerosol generator element when activated.

[0188] 31. A method according to any one of statements 25 to 30, wherein the characteristic of the puff detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period between the start and end of the puff, the period between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air through the puff detector at a determined time within the period of the puff, and the volume of the puff.

[0189] 32. The method of any one of statements 25 to 31, wherein the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff, and the puff detection means generates a different signal upon detection of each characteristic of the puff, and the signals are sent to the controller.

[0190] 33 The method of any one of statements 25 to 32, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for operation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

[0191] 34. The method of any one of statements 25 to 33, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

[0192] 35. The method of any one of statements 25-34, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puffs to one or more predetermined schedules for operation of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule relating to the detected characteristics of the puffs.

[0193] 36. The method of any one of statements 25-35, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of the puffs to one or more predetermined schedules for movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puffs.

[0194] 37. The method of statement 35 or 36, wherein the predetermined schedule overwrites any schedule that the controller was running when it received the signal generated by the puff detection means.

[0195] 38. The method of any one of statements 25 to 37, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is operating and / or moving.

[0196] 39. The method of statement 38, wherein the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data regarding the operation of the aerosol delivery device.

[0197] 40. The method of statements 38 or 39, wherein the display element visually represents a conventional cigarette when the conventional cigarette is being burned.

[0198] 41. The aerosol delivery device of any one of statements 38-40, wherein the display element visually represents the proportion of the consumable aerosol-generating material that has not yet been aerosolized.

[0199] The above description is meant to be illustrative only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Still other modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

[0200] Various aspects of the disclosed aerosol delivery device, aerosol delivery system, and aerosol generation method in various embodiments may be used alone, in combination, or in various configurations not specifically discussed in the above embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details and configurations of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. While specific embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the embodiments described in the examples, but should be accorded the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material when the aerosol-generating material is held at a predetermined position relative to the aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator; a controller; and puff detection means; the aerosol generator comprises an aerosol generator element configured to cause heating of an aerosol-generating material upon activation; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and generate a signal upon detection of the characteristic of the puff, the signal being sent to the controller; the controller is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator; An aerosol delivery device wherein the control of the aerosol generator by the controller is determined at least in part by the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

2. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the heating of the aerosol-forming material at the at least two different locations occurs at different times relative to the predetermined location.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol-generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, the aerosol generator elements being in fixed positions relative to one another.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the functions of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller are one or more of: a speed at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; a timing at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; a direction at which the aerosol generator moves relative to the aerosol-generating material; an activation of the aerosol generator; a timing at which the aerosol generator operates; a duration for which the aerosol generator is operated; and a heating profile of the aerosol generator when activated.

6. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generator is positioned at a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element being positioned at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of different aerosol generating elements causes the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

7. 7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board and at least one aerosol generator element is formed from at least one individually heatable circuit.

8. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

9. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the at least one aerosol generator element comprises one of an electrical resistance heater element, an etched film heater element, a printed heater element, and an induction heater.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the puff that is detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the duration between the start and end of the puff, the duration between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air passing through a puff detector at a determined time within the duration of the puff, and the volume of the puff.

11. 11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and generate a different signal upon detection of each characteristic of the puff, the signals being sent to the controller.

12. 12. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a plurality of puff detection means, each puff detection means in communication with the controller.

13. 13. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for the operation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

14. 14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a memory, and wherein one or more schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

15. 15. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the operation of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

16. 16. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relating one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller executes the predetermined schedule related to the detected characteristics of the puff.

17. 17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was running when it received the signal generated by the puff detection means.

18. 18. The aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising at least one display element, wherein the controller is configured to activate the at least one display element when the aerosol generator is operating and / or moving.

19. 20. The aerosol delivery device of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data regarding operation of the aerosol delivery device.

20. 20. The aerosol delivery device of claim 18 or 19, wherein the display element is configured to visually represent a conventional cigarette as it is being burned.

21. 21. The aerosol delivery device of claim 18, wherein the display element is configured to visually represent the proportion of the aerosol-generating material of the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

22. An aerosol delivery system comprising an article and the aerosol delivery device of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the article comprises an aerosol-generating material.

23. 1. A method of generating an aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-delivery device comprising: an aerosol generator; a controller; and puff detection means; the aerosol-forming material is held at a predetermined position relative to the aerosol delivery device; the aerosol generator causes heating of an aerosol-forming material; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of the aerosol-generating material at at least two different locations relative to the predetermined location; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff; upon detecting said characteristic of said puff, said puff detection means generates a signal and sends said signal to said controller; the controller controls at least one function of the aerosol generator; The method wherein the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the function of the aerosol generator in a predetermined manner.

24. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the heating of the aerosol-forming material at the at least two different locations occurs at different times relative to the predetermined location.

25. 25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the characteristic of the puff detected is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period between the start and end of the puff, the period between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period, the drop in air pressure in the puff detection means resulting from the puff, the velocity of air passing through the puff detector at a determined time within the period of the puff, and the amount of the puff.

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