Aerosol delivery device having a rotatable enclosure for a cartridge - Patents.com

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and holder for use with a removable substrate cartridge. In one embodiment, the holder can include a body having a mouth end and a rotating end. The body can define a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge proximate the distal end of the body. The body can further define an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end. The rotating end can be configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover the heat source of an inserted cartridge.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 516,821, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device with Rotatable Enclosure for Cartridge, filed July 19, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and systems, such as smoking articles, and more particularly applies to aerosol delivery devices and systems that utilize a heat source, such as a combustible carbon-based ignition source, for the generation of an aerosol (e.g., smoking articles intended to produce components of tobacco, tobacco extracts, nicotine, synthetic nicotine, non-nicotine flavorings, and other materials in an inhalable form, commonly referred to as non-combustion heating systems or e-cigarettes). Components of such articles may be manufactured or derived from tobacco, or the articles may otherwise be characterized as incorporating tobacco for human consumption, and may vaporize components of tobacco and / or other tobacco-related materials to form an inhalable aerosol for human consumption. [Background technology]

[0003] Many smoking articles have been proposed over the years as improvements or replacements to smoking products based on burning tobacco. Exemplary replacements include devices in which a solid or liquid fuel is burned to transfer heat to the tobacco, or a chemical reaction is used to provide such a heat source. Examples include the smoking articles described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The aim of smoking article improvement or replacement has been to provide the sensation associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, usually without delivering a significant amount of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products.To this end, many smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances, or to provide the sensation of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning significant amounts of tobacco.See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources described in the background art described in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 by Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 by Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electric heat sources referenced by trade name and commercial source in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 to Bless et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electric heat sources referenced by trade name and commercial source are listed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 to DePiano et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Other representative cigarettes or smoking articles that have been described, and in some cases are commercially available, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,901, U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,875 to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 to Counts ... No. 5,388,594 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,176 to Adams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,287 to White, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,218 to Voges, U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,883 to Felter et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,461 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Hon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,832,410 to Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 513,253 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 to Hamano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,756 to Shayan, U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. Nos. 2009 / 0095311 to Hon, 2006 / 0196518 to Hon, 2009 / 0126745 to Hon, and 2009 / 0188490 to Thorens et al. Such techniques include those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0272379, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0260641 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0260642 by Monsees et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0149118 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 by Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 by Wang, and WO 2010 / 091593 by Hon.

[0005] Various schemes and methods have been proposed for assembling smoking articles having multiple serially arranged segmented components, see, for example, the various types of assembly techniques and methods described in U.S. Patent No. 5,469,871 to Barnes et al. and U.S. Patent No. 7,647,932 to Crooks et al., as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0186757 to Crooks et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0042885 to Stone et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 00673620 to Conner et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0006] Certain types of cigarettes using a carbonaceous fuel element are marketed by RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company under the trade names "Premier", "Eclipse" and "Revo". See, for example, these types of cigarettes described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988) and Inhalation Toxicology, 12:5, p.1-58 (2000). Additionally, in Japan, similar cigarettes are marketed by Japan Tobacco Inc. under the trade name "Steam Hot One".

[0007] In some cases, some smoking articles, particularly those using conventional wrapping materials, are also susceptible to scorching of the wrapping material covering the ignitable fuel source due to the high temperatures achieved by the fuel source in close proximity to the wrapping material. This may reduce the enjoyment of the smoking experience for some consumers and may mask or undesirably alter the flavor delivered to the consumer by the aerosol delivery component of the smoking article. In a further example, conventional types of smoking articles may generate relatively significant levels of gases, such as carbon monoxide and / or carbon dioxide, during use (e.g., as a product of carbon combustion). In yet another example, conventional types of smoking articles may suffer from poor performance in aerosolizing aerosol-forming components. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,473 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 [Patent Document 6] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,217 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,901 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,875 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,586 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,977 [Patent Document 15] U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 [Patent Document 16] U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 [Patent Document 22] U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,006 [Patent Document 23] U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 [Patent Document 24] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0095311 [Patent Document 25] US Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 [Patent Document 26] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0126745 [Patent Document 27] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0188490 [Patent Document 28] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0272379 [Patent Document 29] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0260641 [Patent Document 30] US Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0260642 [Patent Document 31] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0149118 [Patent Document 32] US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 [Patent Document 33] US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 [Patent Document 34] International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 [Patent Document 35] U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,871 [Patent Document 36] U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,932 [Patent Document 37] US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0186757 [Patent Document 38] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0042885 [Patent Document 39] US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 00673620 [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco,RJReynolds Tobacco Company Monograph(1988)and Inhalation Toxicology,12:5,p.1-58(2000) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It would therefore be desirable to provide a smoking article that addresses one or more of the technical problems sometimes associated with conventional types of smoking articles, in particular, it would be desirable to provide a smoking article that is easy to use and provides reusable and / or replaceable components.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device and holder for use with a removable and replaceable cartridge. The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Exemplary embodiment 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising: a holder comprising a body having a mouth end and a rotating end; a removable cartridge comprising a heating section including a heat source configured to generate heat; and a substrate section disposed proximate to the heat source, the substrate section comprising a substrate material including an aerosol precursor composition; the body defining a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge proximate a distal end of the body; the body further defining an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end; and the rotating end configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment, and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover the heat source of an inserted cartridge.

[0013] Exemplary embodiment 2: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the rotating end comprises a single end cover.

[0014] Exemplary embodiment 3: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the rotating end comprises first and second opposing end covers.

[0015] Exemplary embodiment 4: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein first and second opposing end covers define respective distal ends and, in an open position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated outwardly away from one another, and, in a use position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated inwardly toward one another.

[0016] Exemplary embodiment 5: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the holder further comprises an actuation mechanism configured to rotate the rotating end.

[0017] Exemplary embodiment 6: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from a use position to an open position.

[0018] Exemplary embodiment 7: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from an open position to a use position.

[0019] Exemplary embodiment 8: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism includes one or more buttons disposed on the body of the device.

[0020] Exemplary embodiment 9: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the mouth end comprises a separate mouthpiece configured for insertion into the body.

[0021] Exemplary embodiment 10: An aerosol delivery device of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the mouth end comprises a separate mouthpiece, the body is configured to be insertable into the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece includes a foldable portion configured to lock the mouthpiece and the body together.

[0022] Exemplary embodiment 11: A holder for use with a removable and replaceable substrate cartridge, comprising a body having a mouth end and a rotating end, the body defining a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge proximate a distal end of the body, the body further defining an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end, the rotating end configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment, and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover a heat source of an inserted cartridge.

[0023] Exemplary embodiment 12: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the rotating end comprises a single end cover.

[0024] Exemplary Embodiment 13: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the rotating end comprises first and second opposing end covers.

[0025] Exemplary embodiment 14: A holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein first and second opposing end covers define respective distal ends and, in an open position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated outwardly away from one another, and, in a use position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated inwardly toward one another.

[0026] Exemplary embodiment 15: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising an actuation mechanism configured to rotate the rotating end.

[0027] Exemplary embodiment 16: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from a use position to an open position.

[0028] Exemplary embodiment 17: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from an open position to a use position.

[0029] Exemplary embodiment 18: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the actuation mechanism includes one or more buttons disposed on the body of the device.

[0030] Exemplary embodiment 19: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the mouth end comprises a separate mouthpiece configured for insertion into the body.

[0031] Exemplary embodiment 20: A holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the mouth end comprises a separate mouthpiece, the body configured to be insertable into the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece includes a foldable portion configured to lock the mouthpiece and the body together.

[0032] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four, or more of the above-described embodiments, as well as any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements described in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The present disclosure, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, is intended to be read as a whole such that any separable features or elements of the disclosed invention are intended to be combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device shown in an open position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device shown in a position of use according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device shown in a position of use according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device shown in an open position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device shown in a position of use according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device shown in a position of use according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a removable and replaceable cartridge according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a removable and replaceable cartridge according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0036] The present disclosure provides a description of an article (and its assembly and / or manufacture) in which a material is heated (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent) to form an aerosol and / or inhalable substance. Such an article is most preferably compact enough to be considered a "handheld" device. In a preferred embodiment, the article is characterized as a smoking article. As used herein, the term "smoking article" is intended to mean an article and / or device that provides many of the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (e.g., the form of inhalation and exhalation, the type of taste or flavor, the organoleptic effect, the physical sensation, the form of use, the visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, etc.) without any of the components of the article and / or device being burned to any substantial extent. As used herein, the term "smoking article" does not necessarily mean that, during operation, the article or device produces smoke in the sense of an aerosol resulting from the by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather that the article or device produces vapor resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components, elements, etc. of the article and / or device (including vapor within an aerosol that is considered to be a visible aerosol that can be considered to be described as smoke-like). In preferred aspects, articles or devices characterized as smoking articles incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components.

[0037] As discussed above, the aerosol-generating components of certain preferred aerosol delivery devices can provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation format, type of taste or flavor, organoleptic effect, physical feel, format of use, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, etc.) of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking used by lighting and burning tobacco (and thus inhaling tobacco smoke) without any significant degree of combustion of any of the components. For example, a user of an aerosol delivery device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure can hold and use the component, draw on one end of the component to inhale the aerosol generated by the component, and smoke or puff on the tobacco for selected time intervals, just as a smoker would use a traditional type of smoking article.

[0038] The article or device of the present disclosure may also be characterized as being a vapor product, an aerosol delivery article, or a drug delivery article. Thus, such an article or device may be adapted to provide one or more substances in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance is substantially in the form of a vapor (e.g., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance is in the form of an aerosol (e.g., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols in a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible and in a form that can be considered as smoke. In some embodiments, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" may be interchangeable. Thus, for simplicity, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" used to describe the present disclosure are understood to be interchangeable unless otherwise specified.

[0039] During use, the smoking articles of the present disclosure are subject to many of the physical actions of an individual when using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is used by lighting it with a flame and then inhaling the burnt and / or combusted tobacco). For example, a user of a smoking article of the present disclosure holds the article as with a traditional type of smoking article, draws on one end of the article to inhale the aerosol produced by the article, and takes a puff for a selected time interval.

[0040] Although the system is generally described herein with respect to embodiments related to smoking articles, such as so-called "tobacco heating products," it should be understood that the features, components, features, and methods can be embodied in many different forms and associated with a variety of articles. For example, the description provided herein can be employed in combination with traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), heated cigarettes, and related package embodiments for any of the products disclosed herein. Thus, it should be understood that the description of the features, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are described with respect to embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only, and may be embodied and used in a variety of other products and methods.

[0041] The smoking article of the present disclosure generally includes several elements that are provided or housed in some type of enclosure, such as a housing, outer wrap or packaging, casing, component, module, member, etc. The overall design of the enclosure is variable, as is the type or configuration of the enclosure that defines the overall size and shape of the smoking article. In some, but not all, embodiments, the overall design, size, and / or shape of the enclosure resembles that of a traditional cigarette or cigar. Typically, an enclosure resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar comprises separable components, members, etc. that are engaged to form the enclosure. For example, such a smoking article may, in some aspects, comprise separable components including a holder and a cartridge that includes an aerosol delivery component (e.g., a substrate material, etc.) and a heat source component. In various aspects, the heat source can generate heat to aerosolize a substrate material, e.g., an extruded structure and / or substrate, a substrate material associated with an aerosol precursor composition, a substrate material including tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials, such as materials naturally found in tobacco, isolated directly from tobacco or synthetically prepared, in solid or liquid form (e.g., beads, sheets, strips, wraps), etc. In some embodiments, the extruded structure may comprise a tobacco product or a composite of tobacco with other materials, e.g., ceramic powder. In other embodiments, the tobacco extract / slurry can be loaded into porous ceramic beads. Other embodiments may use non-tobacco products. In some embodiments, an aerosol precursor composition-loaded porous bead / powder (ceramic) can be used. In other embodiments, a rod / cylinder made from an extruded slurry of ceramic powder and aerosol precursor composition may be used.

[0042] According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, it may be advantageous to provide an aerosol delivery device that is easy to use and provides reusable and / or replaceable components. Figures 1-3 show an exemplary embodiment of such a device. In particular, Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device 100 shown in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device 100 shown in a use position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device 100 shown in a use position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] As shown, the illustrated embodiment of the aerosol delivery device 100 includes a holder 200 and a removable and replaceable cartridge 300 (described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8). In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 200 generally comprises a body 202 having a mouth end 203 and a rotating end 206. While in some embodiments the mouth end of the holder may be integral with the body, in the illustrated embodiment the mouth end of the holder comprises a separate mouthpiece 204, which is configured for insertion into the body 202. However, in other embodiments the body may be configured for insertion into the mouthpiece. In the illustrated embodiment, the mouthpiece 204 is configured to snap into the body 202 (e.g., via one or more snap mechanisms disposed on the mouthpiece 204 and / or the body 202). In other embodiments the mouthpiece may be attached to the body in a variety of other ways, such as, for example, via a threaded connection, a magnetic connection, or an interference fit. In yet other embodiments, the body and mouthpiece may comprise a unitary component such that the mouthpiece comprises a portion of the body. The body 204 of the illustrated embodiment defines a first end 208 and an opposing distal end 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 202 further includes a receiving compartment 212 (see FIG. 3 ) disposed proximate the distal end 210 of the body 202 and configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge 300. The body 202 of the illustrated embodiment further includes an aerosol passage 214 extending from the receiving compartment 212 to the mouthpiece 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the mouthpiece 204 also includes an aerosol passage 216. Thus, when the mouthpiece 204 of the illustrated embodiment is inserted into the body 202, the aerosol passages 214, 216 are substantially aligned.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 200 has a generally rectangular shape, such as a generally cuboid shape. However, in other embodiments, the holder may have a different shape. For example, in some embodiments, the holder may have a generally cylindrical or generally rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the holder may have other handheld shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the holder may have a small box shape, various pod mod shapes, or fob shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 200 (when in the use position) has an overall length in the inclusive range of about 83 mm to about 120 mm, a width in the inclusive range of about 15 mm to about 25 mm, and a height in the inclusive range of about 8 mm to about 13 mm.

[0045] In various embodiments, the holder, or various components or parts thereof (including, for example, the body, the mouthpiece, and / or the rotating end) may be made from a variety of different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from a moldable plastic material, such as, for example, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide (nylon), or polypropylene. However, in other embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from different materials, such as, for example, different plastic materials, metal materials (such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, or bronze), graphite materials, glass materials, ceramic materials, natural materials (such as, but not limited to, wood), composite materials, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from the same material. However, in other embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from different materials.

[0046] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating end is configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover (e.g., substantially completely cover) the heat source of an inserted cartridge. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the rotating end 206 comprises two opposing end covers, a first end cover 206a and a second end cover 206b. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second end covers 206a, 206a each define a respective distal end 218a, 218b. In the open position of the illustrated embodiment, the distal ends 218a, 218b are configured to be rotated outwardly away from each other (see FIG. 1). In this manner, a user can have access to insert and / or remove a cartridge from the receiving compartment 212 of the body 202. In contrast, in the use position (see FIG. 2), the distal ends 218a, 218b of the first and second end covers 206a, 206b are configured to be rotated inwardly and proximate to one another. In this manner, the cartridge 300, and in particular the heat source 308, is substantially covered by the first and second end covers 206a, 206b, e.g., to protect the heat source 308 from accidental contact by a user.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating end 206 (specifically the first and second end covers 206a, 206b) further includes a plurality of openings 220 defined therethrough. In this manner, the openings 220 can provide the heat source 308 of the inserted cartridge 300 with sufficient exposure to air to remain ignited in the use position. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second end covers 206a, 206b comprises a four-sided enclosure (e.g., a partial box-like shape) including side walls, top and bottom walls, and end walls. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the first and second end covers may have other configurations that may or may not include distinct sides and may or may not include one or more openings. In some embodiments, the first and second end covers may comprise rounded portions (e.g., each portion is partially oval or partially spherical).

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, an opening 220 is defined through each of the four sides of the end covers 206a, 206b, although in some embodiments, one or more of the sides of the first and second end covers 206a, 206b may not include an opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 220 has a generally circular shape. However, in other embodiments, the opening may have any shape. Thus, it will be understood that the rotating end may include fewer or additional openings than those illustrated and / or openings of alternative shapes and sizes.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 200 further includes an actuation mechanism 222 configured to rotate the rotating end 206 between an open position and a use position. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism includes first and second actuation buttons 224a, 224b operably connected to the first and second end covers 206a, 206b. In this manner, the actuation buttons 224a, 224b of the illustrated embodiment are configured to rotate the end covers 206a, 206b between an open position and a use position. In particular, the buttons 224a, 224b of the illustrated embodiment are configured to slide longitudinally along the body 202 toward the mouthpiece 204 to actuate the end covers 206a, 206b to the open position. Similarly, the buttons 224a, 224b of the illustrated embodiment are configured to slide longitudinally along the body 202 toward the distal end 210 of the body 202 to actuate the end covers 206a, 206b to the use position. In various embodiments, this actuation can be accomplished in a variety of ways including, for example, via a four-bar linkage, via one or more levers, via a pulley system, via a slider-crank mechanism, via a spring mechanism, via a gear mechanism, via a cam follower mechanism, and / or any combination thereof.

[0050] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the sliding direction of the button may be reversed relative to the open or use position of the end cover (e.g., the button may slide toward the mouthpiece to actuate the end cover to the use position, and the button may slide toward the distal end of the body to actuate the end cover to the open position). Thus, in some embodiments, the button may be configured to slide along a path that is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the body, and in other embodiments, the button may be configured to slide along a path that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device (which may or may not be the same as the path that is generally parallel to the outer surface of the body). In other embodiments, the button may comprise a push button rather than a sliding button. Thus, in some embodiments, the push button may move in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the body, and in other embodiments, the push button may move along a path that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device (which may or may not be the same as the path that is generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the body). In still other embodiments, the push button may move in an oblique direction relative to the outer surface of the body or in an oblique direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the device. In other embodiments, there may be a single button configured to actuate the end cover. In still other embodiments, there need not be a button, but rather another device can effect actuation of the end cover, including, for example, a rotating component (e.g., a rotating thumb knob, etc.). In still other embodiments, the mouthpiece may function as the actuation mechanism, such that actuation of the end cover can be effected by moving the mouthpiece (e.g., by sliding, twisting, and / or rotating). In further embodiments, no actuation mechanism is required, and the end cover may be rotated manually.

[0051] It should be noted that in other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may include a third position, which may be an extinguished position. In this manner, the extinguished position may be configured such that the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to sustain combustion. In some embodiments, the extinguished position may be obtained by further rotating the rotating end. In other embodiments, for example, one or more additional features may be included, such that the extinguished position may be achieved by activating the one or more additional features. In particular, in one embodiment, the device may include an air-impermeable cover mechanism disposed proximate the distal end of the sleeve, which may be mechanically or manually actuable (e.g., by rotating the cover mechanism over the end of the sleeve and / or by sliding the cover mechanism across the end of the sleeve) such that in the extinguished position, the cover mechanism substantially covers the open end of the sleeve and the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to sustain combustion. In another embodiment, the device may include a removable mechanism, such as an end cap, which may be used to achieve the extinguished position. For example, in some embodiments, a separate end cap may be attached to the distal end of the sleeve so that, when attached, the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to sustain combustion. Such an end cap may also be used to cover the sleeve when not in use, for example, to prevent dirt and / or foreign matter from entering the device.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, ignition of the heat source 308 results in aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition associated with the substrate material 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol passage 214 of the body 202 and the aerosol passage 216 of the mouthpiece 204 are configured to receive the generated aerosol in response to suction applied by a user to the mouthpiece 204. Although not illustrated, in some embodiments, the body may include one or more auxiliary air inlet openings extending through the body proximate to the receiving compartment. Additionally or alternatively, other embodiments may include one or more auxiliary air inlet openings extending through the body and / or mouthpiece downstream of the receiving compartment. In this manner, the inhaled air can mix with the generated aerosol before being delivered to the user. In some embodiments, the outer housing of the cartridge may include openings that substantially align with the auxiliary air inlet openings such that air is drawn through the substrate portion. In other embodiments, the outer housing of the cartridge may have sufficient porosity to be drawn through the substrate portion.

[0053] In some embodiments, the body and / or mouthpiece may include a filter configured to receive the aerosol in response to drawing applied to the holder. In various embodiments, the filter may be provided as a circular disk, in some aspects, radially and / or longitudinally disposed proximate the end of the holder opposite the receiving end (e.g., proximate the mouthpiece). In this way, when drawing on the holder, the filter can receive the aerosol flowing through the holder of the aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, the filter may comprise separate segments. For example, some embodiments may include a segment that provides filtering, a segment that provides resistance to drawing, a hollow segment that provides space for the aerosol to cool, other filter segments, and any one or any combination of the above. Preferably, elements of the substrate material do not undergo pyrolysis (e.g., charring, scorching, or burning) to a significant extent, and the aerosolized components are entrained in the air drawn through the smoking article, including the filter (if present), into the user's mouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may include a filter that may also provide flavor additives. In some embodiments, the filter may include one or more filter segments that may be replaceable. For example, in some embodiments, one or more filter segments may be interchangeable to customize the user's experience with the device, including, for example, filter segments providing different resistance to draw and / or different flavors.Some examples of flavoring materials and / or ingredients configured to add flavorings can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 408,942, filed May 10, 2019, entitled Flavor Article for an Aerosol Delivery Device, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 935,105, filed March 26, 2018, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 353,556, filed March 14, 2019, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0054] Figures 4-6 show another exemplary embodiment of an aerosol device configured to receive a removable and replaceable cartridge. In particular, Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device 400 shown in an open position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an aerosol delivery device 400 shown in a use position according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device 400 shown in a use position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] As shown, the aerosol delivery device 400 of the illustrated embodiment includes a holder 500 and a removable and replaceable cartridge 300 (described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8). In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 500 generally comprises a body 502 having a mouth end 503 and a rotating end 506. While in some embodiments the mouth end of the holder may be integral with the body, in the illustrated embodiment the mouth end of the holder comprises a separate mouthpiece 504 including a mouth end 504a located proximate a first end of the mouthpiece 504 and a foldable portion 504b located proximate a distal end of the mouthpiece 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 502 is configured for insertion into the mouthpiece 504. However, in other embodiments the mouthpiece may be configured for insertion into the body. In still other embodiments the body and mouthpiece may comprise an integral component such that the mouthpiece comprises a portion of the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 502 defines a first end 508 and an opposing distal end 510. The body 502 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a receiving compartment 512 (see FIG. 3 ) disposed proximate the distal end 510 of the body 502 and configured to receive at least a portion of the cartridge 300. The body 502 of the illustrated embodiment further includes an aerosol passage 514 extending from the receiving compartment 512 to the mouthpiece 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the mouthpiece 504 also includes an aerosol passage 516. Thus, when the body 502 is inserted into the mouthpiece 504, the aerosol passages 514, 516 substantially align.

[0056] As described above, the mouthpiece 504 includes a foldable portion 504b. In the illustrated embodiment, the foldable portion 504b is configured to have two positions: an unlocked position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4, and a locked position, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the unlocked position, the foldable portion 504b is configured to extend outwardly and away from the mouth end 504a such that the distal end of the mouthpiece 504 has a larger open area than when the foldable portion 504b is in the closed position. In the locked position, the foldable portion 504b is configured to fold around a portion of the circumference of the inserted body 502 and, in some embodiments, to temporarily attach the mouthpiece 504 to the body 504. In various embodiments, the foldable portion can achieve the two positions in a variety of different ways, for example, via one or more bistable spring mechanisms included in or provided with the foldable portion, the bistable spring mechanisms being configured to have two equilibrium positions, one corresponding to an unlocked position and the other corresponding to a locked position. In this manner, upon a force applied by the user to the foldable portion 504b of the illustrated embodiment (e.g., by lifting the foldable portion 504b away from the longitudinal centerline of the mouthpiece 504), the foldable portion 504b can be pushed into the unlocked position, thus allowing the body 502 to be inserted into the mouthpiece 504. When another force is applied by the user to the foldable portion 504b (e.g., by pushing the foldable portion 504b towards the longitudinal centerline of the mouthpiece 504), the foldable portion 504b can be pushed into the locked position. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece and / or the body may include additional mechanisms to facilitate temporarily securing the mouthpiece and the body together. For example, in some embodiments, the inner surface of the foldable portion (or the outer surface of the body) may include one or more protrusions and the outer surface of the body (or the inner surface of the foldable portion) may include one or more corresponding detent features. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, the foldable portion and the body may be temporarily secured via one or more magnets.It should be noted that in some embodiments, the mouthpiece need not include a foldable portion, and the mouthpiece and body may be joined in other ways, such as those described above with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1-3. As noted above, in yet other embodiments, the mouthpiece and body may comprise an integral component.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 500 has a generally rectangular shape, such as a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, in other embodiments, the holder may have a different shape. For example, in some embodiments, the holder may have a generally cylindrical or generally rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the holder may have other handheld shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the holder may have a small box shape, various pod mod shapes, or fob shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the holder 500 (when in the use position) has an overall length in the inclusive range of about 83 mm to about 120 mm, a width in the inclusive range of about 15 mm to about 25 mm, and a height in the inclusive range of about 8 mm to about 13 mm.

[0058] In various embodiments, the holder, or various components or parts thereof (including, for example, the body, the mouthpiece, and / or the rotating end) may be made from a variety of different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from a moldable plastic material, such as, for example, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide (nylon), or polypropylene. However, in other embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from different materials, such as, for example, different plastic materials, metal materials (such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, or bronze), graphite materials, glass materials, ceramic materials, natural materials (such as, but not limited to, wood), composite materials, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from the same material. However, in other embodiments, the holder (or one or more parts or components thereof) may be made from different materials.

[0059] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating end is configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment, and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover (e.g., substantially completely cover) the heat source of an inserted cartridge. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the rotating end 506 comprises a single end cover 506a that is pivotable about a hinge mechanism 507 between the end cover 506a and the body 502. In the open position of the illustrated embodiment, the end cover 506a is configured to be rotated outwardly away from the distal end 510 of the body (see FIG. 1). In this manner, a user may have access to insert and / or remove a cartridge from the receiving compartment 512 of the body 502. In contrast, in the use position (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the end cover 506a is configured to be rotated relative to the distal end 510 of the body 502. In this manner, cartridge 300, and in particular heat source 308, is substantially covered by end cover 506a, for example to protect heat source 308 from accidental contact by a user.

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating end 506 (particularly the end cover 506a) further includes a number of openings 520 defined therethrough. In this manner, the openings 520 can provide the heat source 308 of the inserted cartridge 300 with sufficient exposure to air to remain ignited in the use position. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cover 506a has a substantially flat, rounded rectangular overall shape. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the end cover may have other configurations. For example, in some embodiments, the end cover may be substantially non-flat and / or have a non-rectangular overall shape.

[0061] When in the use position, the end cover 506a of the illustrated embodiment is configured to cover the heat source 308 of the inserted cartridge 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 520 is defined through a majority of the surface area of ​​the end cover 506a, although in some embodiments the end cover 506a may include no openings or may include fewer or more openings. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 520 has a generally circular shape. However, in other embodiments, the opening may have any shape. Thus, it will be understood that the rotating end may include fewer or additional openings than those illustrated and / or openings of alternative shapes and sizes.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating end 506 is configured to be rotated into and / or out of the open and use positions via manual actuation by a user. In this manner, a user of the illustrated embodiment can contact the rotating end 506 and flip the end cover 506a downwards (to the open position) or upwards (to the use position). In other embodiments, the rotating end may include one or more mechanisms (e.g., one or more prongs and / or other thumb or finger mechanisms, etc.) configured to assist a user in manually actuating the rotating end. In other embodiments, the holder may include one or more other actuation mechanisms configured to rotate the rotating end into and / or out of the open and use positions. In various embodiments, a variety of different actuation mechanisms may be used that may or may not include one or more actuation buttons. Reference is made to the description of the actuation mechanisms above, which will not be repeated here.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, ignition of the heat source 308 results in aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition associated with the substrate material 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol passage 514 of the body 502 and the aerosol passage 516 of the mouthpiece 504 are configured to receive the generated aerosol in response to suction applied by a user to the mouthpiece 504. Although not illustrated, in some embodiments, the body may include one or more auxiliary air inlet openings extending through the body proximate to the receiving compartment. Additionally or alternatively, other embodiments may include one or more auxiliary air inlet openings extending through the body and / or mouthpiece downstream of the receiving compartment. In this manner, the inhaled air may mix with the generated aerosol before being delivered to the user. In some embodiments, the outer housing of the cartridge may include openings that substantially align with the auxiliary air inlet openings such that air is drawn through the substrate portion. In other embodiments, the outer housing of the cartridge may be sufficiently porous to be drawn through the substrate portion.

[0064] In some embodiments, the body and / or mouthpiece may include a filter configured to receive the aerosol in response to drawing applied to the holder. In various embodiments, the filter may be provided as a circular disk, in some aspects, radially and / or longitudinally disposed proximate the end of the holder opposite the receiving end (e.g., proximate the mouthpiece). In this way, when drawing on the holder, the filter can receive the aerosol flowing through the holder of the aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, the filter may comprise separate segments. For example, some embodiments may include a segment that provides filtering, a segment that provides resistance to drawing, a hollow segment that provides space for the aerosol to cool, other filter segments, and any one or any combination of the above. Preferably, the elements of the substrate material do not undergo pyrolysis (e.g., charring, scorching, or burning) to a significant extent, and the aerosolized components are entrained in the air drawn through the smoking article, including the filter (if present), into the user's mouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may include a filter that may also provide flavor additives. In some embodiments, the filter may include one or more filter segments that may be replaceable. For example, in some embodiments, one or more filter segments may be interchangeable to customize the user's experience with the device, including, for example, filter segments providing different resistance to draw and / or different flavors.Some examples of flavoring materials and / or ingredients configured to add flavorings can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 408,942, filed May 10, 2019, entitled Flavor Article for an Aerosol Delivery Device, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 935,105, filed March 26, 2018, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 353,556, filed March 14, 2019, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a removable and replaceable cartridge 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Other examples of cartridge configurations that may be applicable to the present disclosure may be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 515,637, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device with Consumable Cartridge, filed July 18, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 300 defines a first end 302 and a distal end 304. The cartridge 300 of the illustrated embodiment further includes a heating portion 306 comprising a heat source 308, a substrate portion 310 comprising a substrate material 316 (see FIG. 8), and an outer housing 312 configured to surround at least a portion of the heat source 308 and the substrate material 316. It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 300 has a generally cylindrical overall shape, but in various other embodiments, the cartridge or any of its components may have different shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge (and / or any of its components) may have a generally rectangular shape, such as a generally cuboid shape, in other embodiments, the cartridge (and / or any of its components) may have other handheld shapes.

[0066] In some embodiments, a barrier may be present between the heat source and the substrate material. In some embodiments, such a barrier may comprise a disk that may include one or more openings. In some embodiments, the barrier may be comprised of a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, and bronze, etc.), or a graphite material, or a ceramic material, or a plastic material, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a heat transfer component, which may or may not include a barrier, may be present between the heat source and the substrate material. Some examples of heat transfer components are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 923,735, entitled Smoking Article with Heat Transfer Component, filed March 16, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the barrier and / or heat transfer component may prevent or inhibit combustion gases from being drawn through the substrate material (and / or through the air passages through which the aerosols are drawn).

[0067] In various embodiments, the heat source may be configured to generate heat upon ignition thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 308 has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a combustible fuel element incorporating a combustible carbonaceous material. In other embodiments, the heat source may have a different shape, for example, a prismatic shape having a cubic or hexagonal cross section. The carbonaceous material generally has a high carbon content. Preferred carbonaceous materials are composed primarily of carbon and / or typically have a carbon content of greater than about 60%, generally greater than about 70%, often greater than about 80%, and frequently greater than about 90% on a dry weight basis.

[0068] In some cases, the heat source may incorporate elements other than combustible carbonaceous materials (e.g., tobacco components such as powdered tobacco or tobacco extracts, flavorings, salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium carbonate, heat stable graphite hollow cylindrical (e.g., tube) fibers, iron oxide powder, glass filaments, powdered calcium carbonate, alumina granules, ammonia sources such as ammonia salts, and / or binders such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). In other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a plurality of ignitable objects, such as, for example, a plurality of ignitable beads. It is noted that in other embodiments, the heat source may differ in composition or relative content from those described above. For example, in some embodiments, different forms of carbon, such as graphite or graphene, may be used as the heat source. In other embodiments, the heat source may have increased levels of activated carbon, carbon of different porosity, different amounts of carbon, blends of any of the aforementioned components, and the like. In still other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a non-carbon heat source, such as, for example, a combustible liquefied gas configured to generate heat upon ignition thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the liquefied gas may include one or more of petroleum gas (LPG or LP gas), propane, propylene, butylene, butane, isobutene, methylpropane, or n-butane. In yet other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a chemical reaction-based heat source, where ignition of the heat source involves the interaction of two or more individual components. For example, a chemical reaction-based heat source may include a metal agent and an activating solution, where contact between the metal agent and the activating solution activates the heat source. Some examples of chemical-based heat sources can be found in U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Combinations of heat sources are also possible.

[0069] The specific dimensions of the applicable heat source can vary, but in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 308 has a length in the inclusive range of about 5 mm to about 20 mm, and in some embodiments, can be about 12 mm, and an overall diameter in the inclusive range of about 3 mm to about 8 mm, and in some embodiments, can be about 4.8 mm (in some embodiments, about 7 mm).

[0070] In other embodiments, the heat source may be constructed in a variety of ways, but in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 308 is extruded or composited using crushed or powdered carbonaceous material, with a mass of approximately 0.5 g / cm on a dry weight basis. 3 More than 0.7 g / cm 3 Frequently exceeding approx. 1 g / cm 3 See, for example, the types of fuel source components, formulations and designs described in U.S. Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al. and U.S. Patent No. 7,836,897 to Borschke et al., which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0071] While in various embodiments the heat source may have a variety of configurations including, for example, a generally solid cylindrical shape or a hollow cylindrical (e.g., tube) shape, the heat source 308 in the illustrated embodiment comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material having a generally cylindrical shape including a plurality of internal passages 314 extending longitudinally from a first end of the heat source 308 to an opposite second end of the heat source 308. In the illustrated embodiment, there are approximately thirteen internal passages 314 including a single central internal passage 314a, six peripheral internal passages 314b spaced apart from the central internal passage 314a and having a size (e.g., diameter) similar to that of the central internal passage 314a, and six peripheral internal passages 314c spaced apart from an outer surface of the heat source 308 and having a diameter smaller than that of the central internal passage 314a. It should be noted that in other embodiments, there need not be a plurality of internal passages and / or the plurality of internal passages can take other configurations and / or sizes. For example, in some embodiments there may be as few as two internal passages, while still other embodiments may include as few as one internal passage. Still other embodiments may include no internal passages at all. Additional embodiments may include multiple internal passages that may be of unequal diameters and / or shapes, may be unevenly spaced apart, and / or may be disposed within the heat source.

[0072] Some embodiments may alternatively or additionally include one or more peripheral grooves extending longitudinally from a first end of the heat source to an opposite second end, while in other embodiments the grooves need not extend the entire length of the heat source. In some embodiments such grooves may be substantially equal in width and depth and may be substantially equally distributed around the circumference of the heat source. In such embodiments, there may be as few as two grooves, and yet other embodiments may include as few as one groove. Still other embodiments may not include any grooves at all. Additional embodiments may include multiple grooves, which may be of unequal width and / or depth and may be unevenly spaced around the circumference of the heat source. In still other embodiments, the heat source may include flutes and / or slits extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to its opposite second end. In some embodiments, the heat source can include a foamed carbon monolith formed from a foaming process of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,615,184 to Lobovsky, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Some embodiments can therefore provide advantages in terms of reducing the time it takes to ignite the heat source. In some other embodiments, the heat source can be co-extruded with an insulating layer (not shown), thereby reducing manufacturing time and costs. Other embodiments of the fuel element include carbon fibers of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., or other heat source embodiments such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0044818 to Takeuchi et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Further examples of heat sources, including debossed heat source systems, methods, and smoking articles including such heat sources are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 902,665, filed Feb. 22, 2018, entitled System for Debossing a Heat Generation Member, a Smoking Article Including the Debossed Heat Generation Member, and a Related Method, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0073] In general, the heat source is positioned sufficiently close to the aerosol delivery component (e.g., substrate portion) having one or more aerosolizable components such that the aerosol formed / volatilized by the application of heat from the heat source to the aerosolizable components (as well as any flavorings, drugs, etc. similarly provided for delivery to the user) is deliverable to the user through the mouthpiece. That is, when the heat source heats the substrate component, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that references to release, releasing, releases, or released are meant to be interchangeable, including 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 or aerosol or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, the selection of the various smoking article components is understood in view of commercially available electronic smoking articles, such as the representative products listed in the Background section of this disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cartridge 300 of FIG. 7. As shown, the substrate material 316 of the illustrated embodiment has first and second ends located opposite one another, and the heat source 308 is disposed adjacent to the first end of the substrate material 316. While the dimensions of the various components of the cartridge may vary for the needs of a particular application, in the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 300 may have an overall length in the inclusive range of about 10 mm to about 50 mm and a diameter in the inclusive range of about 2 mm to about 20 mm. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 312 may have a thickness in the inclusive range of about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the substrate material 116 may have a length in the inclusive range of about 5 mm to 30 mm and a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the overall cartridge, for example, a diameter in the inclusive range of about 2.9 mm to about 9.9 mm, to accommodate the thickness of the housing 112.

[0075] In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate portion 310 includes a substrate material 316 having a single segment, but in other embodiments, the substrate portion may include one or more additional substrate material segments. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may further include a second substrate material segment (not shown) having first and second ends located opposite each other. In various embodiments, one or more of the substrate materials may include tobacco or tobacco-related materials with which the aerosol precursor composition is associated. In other embodiments, non-tobacco materials, such as cellulose pulp materials, may be used. In other embodiments, the non-tobacco substrate material may not be a plant-derived material. Other possible compositions, ingredients, and / or additives for use in the substrate material (and / or substrate materials) are described in more detail below. It should be noted that the following description is applicable to any substrate material that may be used in the smoking articles described herein (e.g., such as the substrate materials of the illustrated embodiments).

[0076] In one embodiment, for example, the substrate material may comprise a blend of flavorful, aromatic tobaccos in cut filler form. In another embodiment, the substrate material may comprise reconstituted tobacco materials as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Additionally, the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise reconstituted tobacco paper for cigarettes of the type described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise a sheet-like material comprising tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials. Thus, in some embodiments, the substrate material may be formed from a wound roll of reconstituted tobacco material. In another embodiment, the substrate material may be formed from strips, pieces, etc. of reconstituted tobacco material. In another embodiment, the tobacco sheet may comprise an overlapping layer (e.g., a gathered web) that may or may not include a heat-conducting component. An example of a substrate portion comprising a series of overlapping layers (e.g., a gathered web) of a fibrous filler, an aerosol-forming material, and an initial substrate sheet formed by a plurality of heat-conducting components is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 905,320, filed February 26, 2018, entitled "Heat Conducting Substrate for Electrically Heated Aerosol Delivery Device," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0077] In some embodiments, the substrate material may include a plurality of microcapsules, beads, granules, etc., having tobacco-related materials. For example, a representative microcapsule may be generally spherical in shape and may have an outer cover or shell that includes a liquid central region of tobacco-derived extract and / or the like. In some embodiments, one or more of the substrate materials may contain a plurality of microcapsules, each formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, one or more of the substrate materials may include a binder material configured to maintain the structural shape and / or integrity of the plurality of microcapsules formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0078] The tobacco used in the one or more substrate materials may include or be derived from such tobaccos as flue-cured, burley, oriental, Maryland, dark, dark fire, and rustica, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Various representative tobacco types, processed types, and tobacco blend types are described in U.S. Patents 4,836,224 to Lawson et al., 4,924,888 to Perfetti et al., 5,056,537 to Brown et al., 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., 5,220,930 to Gentry, 5,360,023 to Blakley et al., 6,701,936 to Shafer et al., 7,131,936 to Domin, and 8,141 to Wilson et al. No. 6,730,832 to Guez et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,096 to Li et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,585 to Li et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 to Perfetti et al., WO 02 / 37990 to Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17 (1997), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0079] In yet other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate material may include an extruded structure that comprises or consists essentially of tobacco, tobacco-related materials, glycerin, water, and / or binder materials, although certain formulations may exclude binder materials. In various embodiments, suitable binder materials may contain alginates such as ammonium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, potassium alginate, and sodium alginate. Alginates, particularly high viscosity alginates, may be used in combination with controlled levels of free calcium ions. Other suitable binder materials include hydroxypropyl cellulose, such as Klucel H from Aqualon Co., hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, such as Methocel K4MS from The Dow Chemical Co., hydroxyethyl cellulose, such as Natrosol 250 MRCS from Aqualon Co., microcrystalline cellulose, such as Avicel from FMC, methylcellulose, such as Methocel A4M from The Dow Chemical Co., and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, such as CMC 7HF and CMC 7H4F from Hercules Inc. Still other possible binder materials include starch (e.g., corn flour), guar gum, carrageenan, locust bean gum, pectin, and xanthan gum. In some embodiments, a combination or blend of two or more binder materials can be used. Other examples of binder materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,887 to Raker et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, an aerosol-forming material may be provided as part of the binder material (e.g., propylene glycol alginate). Additionally, in some embodiments, the binder material may comprise nanocellulose derived from tobacco or other biomass.

[0080] In some embodiments, the substrate material may comprise an extruded material, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0042885 to Stone et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another embodiment, the substrate material may comprise an extruded structure and / or substrate formed from marmalized and / or unmarmalized tobacco. Marmalized tobacco is known, for example, from U.S. Patent No. 5,105,831 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Marmalized tobacco comprises about 20 to about 50 percent (by weight) of a tobacco blend in powder form, glycerol (about 20 to about 30 percent by weight), calcium carbonate (generally about 10 to about 60 percent by weight, and most often about 40 to about 60 percent by weight), along with a binder and / or flavoring agent as described herein. In various embodiments, the extruded material may have one or more longitudinal openings.

[0081] In various embodiments, the substrate material may take on various configurations based on the various amounts of materials utilized therein. For example, the sample substrate material may include up to about 98% by weight, up to about 95% by weight, or up to about 90% by weight of tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials. The sample substrate material may also contain up to about 25% by weight, about 20% by weight, or about 15% by weight of water, particularly about 2% by weight to about 25% by weight, about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight, or about 7% by weight to about 15% by weight of water. Flavoring agents and the like (including, for example, agents such as nicotine) may constitute up to about 10% by weight, up to about 8% by weight, or up to about 5% by weight of the aerosol delivery components.

[0082] Additionally or alternatively, the substrate material may include an extruded structure and / or a substrate that includes or consists essentially of tobacco, glycerin, water, and / or binder materials, and is further configured to substantially maintain its structure throughout the aerosol generation process. That is, the substrate material may be configured to substantially maintain its shape throughout the aerosol generation process (e.g., the substrate material does not continually deform under applied shear stress). Although such exemplary substrate materials may include liquid and / or some moisture content, the substrate may remain substantially solid throughout the aerosol generation process and may substantially maintain structural integrity throughout the aerosol generation process. Examples of tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials suitable for substantially solid substrate materials 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., which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0083] In some embodiments, the amount of substrate material used in a smoking article may be such that the article exhibits acceptable sensory and organoleptic properties, as well as desirable performance properties. For example, in some embodiments, an aerosol precursor composition, such as glycerin and / or propylene glycol, may be used in the substrate material to provide visible mainstream aerosol production that resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke in many respects. For example, the amount of aerosol precursor composition incorporated into the substrate material of a smoking article may range from about 3.5 grams or less, about 3 grams or less, about 2.5 grams or less, about 2 grams or less, about 1.5 grams or less, about 1 gram or less, or about 0.5 grams or less.

[0084] According to another embodiment, a smoking article according to the present disclosure may include a substrate material comprising a porous inert material, such as, for example, a ceramic material. For example, in some embodiments, ceramics of various shapes and geometries (e.g., beads, rods, tubes, etc.) may be used, which have various pore morphologies. Furthermore, in some embodiments, non-tobacco materials, such as aerosol precursor compositions, may be loaded into the ceramic. In another embodiment, the substrate material may include a porous inert material that is substantially chemically and / or physically unreactive with tobacco-related materials, such as, for example, tobacco-derived extracts. Furthermore, the extruded tobacco, as described above, may be porous. For example, in some embodiments, the extruded tobacco material may have an inert gas, such as, for example, nitrogen, acting as a foaming agent during the extrusion process.

[0085] As discussed above, in various embodiments, one or more of the substrate materials may include tobacco, tobacco components, and / or tobacco-derived materials that have been processed, manufactured, produced, and / or treated to incorporate an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a humectant, such as propylene glycol, glycerin, and / or the like) and / or at least one flavoring agent, as well as a flame retardant (e.g., diammonium phosphate and / or another salt) configured to help prevent ignition, pyrolysis, combustion, and / or charring of the substrate material by a heat source. Various methods and methods for incorporating tobacco into smoking articles, particularly smoking articles designed not to intentionally combust substantially all of the tobacco within those smoking articles, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. 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 entireties.

[0086] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, flame retardant / flame retardant materials and other additives may be included in one or more of the substrate materials and may include organophosphorus compounds, borax, hydrated alumina, graphite, potassium tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol and polyols. Others such as nitrogen-containing phosphonates, monoammonium phosphates, ammonium polyphosphates, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ethanolammonium borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea, and antimony oxide are also suitable but are not preferred agents. In each aspect of the flame retardant, flame retardant, and / or char retardant materials used in the substrate materials and / or other components (alone or in combination with each other and / or other materials), the desired properties are most preferably provided without undesirable outgassing or melting type behavior.

[0087] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate material may also incorporate tobacco additives of the type traditionally used in the manufacture of tobacco products. These additives may include the types of materials used to enhance the flavor and aroma of tobacco used in the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and the like. For example, these additives may include various cigarette casing 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, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Preferred casing materials may contain water, sugars and syrups (e.g., sucrose, glucose, and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol), and flavorings (e.g., cocoa and licorice). These added ingredients may also include top layer materials (e.g., flavoring materials such as menthol). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,541 to Mays et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further materials that may be added include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,028 to Lawson et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,186,360 to Marshall et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0088] In some embodiments, the substrate material may comprise a liquid comprising an aerosol precursor composition and / or a gel comprising an aerosol precursor composition. Some examples of liquid compositions can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 171,920, filed October 26, 2018, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device with Visible Indicator, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0089] As mentioned above, in various embodiments, one or more of the substrate materials may have an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include one or more different components, such as a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof). Additional representative types of aerosol precursor compositions are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., WO 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 substrate material is capable of generating a visible aerosol when sufficient heat is applied to it (and optionally cooled with air), and the substrate material is capable of generating a "smoke-like" aerosol. In other aspects, the substrate material can generate an aerosol that is substantially invisible, but whose presence is recognized by other characteristics such as flavorings or texture. Thus, the nature of the aerosol generated can vary depending on the particular components of the aerosol delivery component. The aerosol can be chemically simple relative to the chemistry of smoke generated by burning tobacco.

[0090] In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may incorporate nicotine, which may be present in a variety of concentrations. The source of nicotine may be varied, and the nicotine incorporated in the aerosol precursor composition may be derived from a single source or a combination of two or more sources. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include nicotine derived from tobacco. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include nicotine derived from other organic plant sources, such as non-tobacco plant sources including, for example, plants of the Solanaceae family. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include synthetic nicotine. In some embodiments, the nicotine incorporated in the aerosol precursor composition may be derived from non-tobacco plant sources, such as other members of the Solanaceae family. The aerosol precursor composition may additionally or alternatively contain other active ingredients, including, but not limited to, botanicals (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca, and tisanes), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and / or pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins, such as B6, B12, and C, and cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)).

[0091] A wide variety of types of flavorings or materials that change the sensory or organoleptic characteristics or properties of the mainstream aerosol of a smoking article may be suitable for use. In some embodiments, such flavorings may be provided from sources other than tobacco and may be natural or artificial in nature. For example, some flavorings may be applied to or incorporated into the substrate material and / or those regions of the smoking article where the aerosol is generated. In some embodiments, such agents may be provided directly to the heating cavity or region closest to the heat source or may be provided together with the substrate material. Exemplary flavorings may include, for example, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruit (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach, citrus flavors, including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa, licorice, as well as flavors and flavor packages of the type and characteristics traditionally used in cigarette, cigar, and pipe tobacco flavorings. Syrups such as high fructose corn syrup may also be suitable for use.

[0092] Flavoring agents may also include acidic or basic properties (e.g., organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, pyruvic acid, and benzoic acid). In some embodiments, flavoring agents may be optionally combinable with the substrate material components. Exemplary plant-derived compositions that may be suitable are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,107,453 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0152265, both to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any material, such as flavorings, casings, etc., that may be useful in combination with the tobacco material to affect its sensory properties, including sensory properties as described herein, may be combined with the substrate material. Organic acids, in particular, may be incorporated into the substrate material and may affect the flavor, sensory, or sensory properties of agents such as nicotine that may be capable of being combined with the substrate material. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, and benzoic acid may be included in the substrate material containing nicotine in amounts up to equimolar with nicotine (based on total organic acid content). Any combination of organic acids may be suitable. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate material may include about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per mole of nicotine, about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine, or combinations thereof, up to a concentration where the total amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount of nicotine present in the substrate material. Various additional examples of organic acids used to make substrate materials are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0344456 by Dull et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0093] The selection of such additional components is variable based on factors such as the sensory characteristics desired in the smoking article, and the present disclosure is intended to encompass such additional components that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art of tobacco and tobacco-related or tobacco-derived products. See, e.g., Gutcho, Tobacco Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972) and Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0094] In other embodiments, the substrate material may include other materials with various inherent characteristics or properties. For example, the substrate material may include plasticized materials in the form of rayon or regenerated cellulose. As another example, viscose (commercially available as VISIL®), a regenerated cellulose product incorporating silica, may be suitable. Some carbon fibers may contain at least 95% or more carbon. Similarly, natural cellulose fibers such as cotton may be suitable and may be infused or treated with silica, carbon, or metal particles to enhance flame retardancy and minimize the generation of outgassing, particularly undesirable outgassing components that may have adverse effects on flavor (particularly minimizing the possibility of any toxic outgassing products). Cotton may be treated, for example, with boric acid or various organic phosphate compounds to provide the desired flame retardant properties by dipping, spraying, or other techniques known in the art. These fibers may also be treated (e.g., coated, infused, or both) with organic or metallic nanoparticles to impart the desired properties of flame retardancy without undesirable outgassing or melting type behavior.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate material 316 may include a longitudinally extending axis defined centrally between opposed first and second ends, and the cross-section of the substrate material 316 may be symmetrical about the axis in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the substrate material may be generally circular such that the substrate material defines a generally cylindrical shape extending between its opposed first and second ends. However, in other embodiments, the substrate material may define a generally non-circular cross-section such that the substrate material may define a generally non-cylindrical shape between its opposed first and second ends. Otherwise, in other instances, the substrate material may include an asymmetric cross-section about the axis. In various embodiments, each end of the substrate material may be axially aligned with an adjacent element.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer housing 312 of the cartridge 300 in the illustrated embodiment is configured to circumscribe at least a portion of the substrate portion 310, including the substrate material 316. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 312 is also configured to circumscribe at least a portion of the heat source 308. In some embodiments, the outer housing can enclose the entire heat source. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing comprises a rigid material. For example, the outer housing 312 in the illustrated embodiment is constructed from an aluminum material. However, in other embodiments, the outer housing may be constructed from other materials, including other metallic materials (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, and bronze, etc.), or graphite materials, or ceramic materials, or plastic materials, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heat source and / or at least a portion of the substrate material may be circumscribed by a paper-foil laminate. Some examples of laminates that may be applicable to the present disclosure can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 174,846, entitled Smoking Article Cartridge, filed October 30, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 312 is configured as a tube structure that substantially encloses the substrate material 316. However, as noted above, in other embodiments, the outer housing may have other shapes. While the shape of the outer housing may vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 312 comprises a tube structure having an open end and a closed end. The illustrated embodiment of the outer housing 312 also includes one or more end openings 318 located at the closed end of the outer housing 112 that are configured to allow the aerosolized vapor (alternatively referred to herein as "vapor" or "aerosol") to pass therethrough. The end openings 318 in the illustrated embodiment are in the form of a pair of elongated rounded slots. However, in other embodiments, the end openings may have any form that allows the passage of the aerosol. Thus, it will be understood that the end openings 118 may comprise fewer or additional openings than those illustrated and / or openings of alternative shapes and sizes.

[0098] As described above, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotating end is configured to move between an open position and a use position. In various embodiments, the open position of the rotating end is configured to allow a user to insert and remove a cartridge from the body. To move from the open position to the use position (or vice versa), the rotating end is rotated manually or via an actuation mechanism. In the use position, the cartridge is substantially protected while providing the heat source with sufficient exposure to air to remain ignited. In this manner, the present disclosure provides a convenient and easy-to-use holder that can be used with one or more removable and replaceable cartridges.

[0099] In various embodiments, the present disclosure can be directed to a kit providing various components as described herein. For example, the kit can include a holder having one or more cartridges. In another embodiment, the kit can include multiple holders. In a further embodiment, the kit can include multiple cartridges. In yet another embodiment, the kit can include multiple holders and multiple cartridges. The kit of the present invention can further include a case (or other packaging, carrying, or storage component) that houses one or more of the additional kit components. The case can be a reusable rigid or flexible container. Additionally, the case can simply be a box or other packaging structure. In some embodiments, a brush or other cleaning accessory can be included in the kit. The cleaning accessory can be configured to be inserted into the receiving chamber of the holder, or in other embodiments, can be inserted into a separate opening that allows the user to remove debris from the receiving chamber.

[0100] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a holder having a body with a mouth end and a rotating end; a removable cartridge including a heating portion and a substrate portion, the substrate portion comprising a substrate material that includes an aerosol precursor composition; Equipped with An aerosol delivery device, wherein the body defines a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of a cartridge proximate a distal end of the body, the body further defines an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end, and the rotatable end is configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotatable end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotatable end is rotated inward to cover a heating portion of an inserted cartridge, the rotatable end comprising first and second opposing end covers.

2. 1. A holder for use with a removable and replaceable substrate cartridge, comprising: a body having a mouth end; A rotating end portion; Equipped with A holder, the body defining a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of a cartridge proximate a distal end of the body, the body further defining an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end, the rotating end configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover a heating portion of an inserted cartridge, the rotating end comprising first and second opposing end covers.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or the holder of claim 2, wherein the first and second opposing end covers define respective distal ends and, in an open position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated outwardly away from each other, and, in a use position, the distal ends of the first and second end covers are configured to be rotated inwardly toward each other.

4. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or the holder of claim 2, further comprising an actuation mechanism configured to rotate the rotating end.

5. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 or the holder of claim 4, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from a use position to an open position.

6. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 or the holder of claim 4, wherein the actuation mechanism is configured to rotate the rotating end from an open position to a use position.

7. 5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 or the holder of claim 4, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises one or more buttons disposed on the body of the device.

8. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 or the holder of claim 2, wherein the mouth end comprises a separate mouthpiece configured for insertion into the body.

9. An aerosol delivery device as described in claim 1, or a holder as described in claim 2, wherein the mouth end has a separate mouthpiece, the body is configured to be insertable into the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece includes a foldable portion configured to lock the mouthpiece and the body together.

10. 1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: a holder having a body with a mouth end and a rotating end; a removable cartridge including a heating portion and a substrate portion, the substrate portion comprising a substrate material that includes an aerosol precursor composition; Equipped with An aerosol delivery device, wherein the body defines a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of a cartridge proximate a distal end of the body, the body further defines an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end, the rotating end configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover a heating portion of an inserted cartridge, the mouth end having a separate mouthpiece, the body configured to be insertable into the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece including a foldable portion configured to lock the mouthpiece and the body together.

11. 1. A holder for use with a removable and replaceable substrate cartridge, comprising: a body having a mouth end; A rotating end portion; Equipped with A holder, wherein the body defines a receiving compartment configured to receive at least a portion of a cartridge proximate a distal end of the body, the body further defines an aerosol passage extending from the receiving compartment through the mouth end, the rotating end configured to rotate between an open position in which the rotating end is rotated outward to provide access to the receiving compartment and a use position in which the rotating end is rotated inward to cover a heating portion of an inserted cartridge, the mouth end comprising a separate mouthpiece, the body configured to be insertable into the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece including a foldable portion configured to lock the mouthpiece and the body together.

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