Cleaning Assembly

Abstract

To provide a cleaning assembly for an aerosol provision device.SOLUTION: A cleaning assembly 200 comprises: a shaft 210 defining a longitudinal axis 202; and a cleaning element 220 disposed at an end of the shaft. The cleaning element comprises a proximal portion 222 and a distal portion 224 adjacent to the proximal portion. The proximal portion has a greater cross section in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion. In another example, an aerosol provision device cleaning assembly comprises: a shaft; a first cleaning element disposed at a first end of the shaft; and a second cleaning element disposed at a second end of the shaft. The first cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning assembly, and in particular to a cleaning assembly for cleaning an aerosol delivery device. [Background technology]

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

[0003] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device comprising a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a cleaning element disposed at an end of the shaft, the cleaning element comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion, the proximal portion having a larger cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion.

[0004] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device, the cleaning assembly comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end, a first cleaning element disposed at the first end of the shaft, and a second cleaning element disposed at the second end of the shaft, the first cleaning element being larger than the second cleaning element.

[0005] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising a cleaning assembly according to the first or second aspect of the invention and a rigid outer casing surrounding the cleaning assembly.

[0006] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example aerosol delivery device. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 with the exemplary cleaning assembly of FIG. 4 inserted into a heating chamber. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary aerosol delivery device of FIG. 1 with the exemplary cleaning assembly of FIG. 4 inserted into a tube. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cleaning assembly according to an example. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a system according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Examples of the present disclosure provide for a cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device. In use, dispensing an aerosol can result in residue remaining on the interior surfaces of the aerosol delivery device. It can be desirable to periodically remove at least some of said residue. Cleaning the aerosol delivery device can help maintain the performance of the device.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery device 100. Generally described, device 100 can be used to heat an aerosolizable material (also called a consumable, or article, or consumable, or smoking material) to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of device 100. Figure 1 shows device 100 without an aerosolizable material inserted therein.

[0010] The device 100 of this example includes a housing 102 having an opening 104 at one end. The opening 104 allows aerosol to exit the device 100. In some examples, the opening 104 can receive the aerosolizable material as it is inserted into the heating chamber. However, in other examples, the aerosolizable material can be inserted into the heating chamber by a separate inlet. For example, a rear panel / door of the device 100 can be opened to place the aerosolizable material into the heating chamber. The aerosolizable material can be tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not include nicotine and / or flavorings.

[0011] As used herein, the terms "flavoring agent" and "flavoring agent" refer to materials that may be used, where permitted by local regulations, to produce a desired taste or fragrance in products for adult consumers. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may include a vapor or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin, or diethylene glycol.

[0012] Device 100 in this example includes a cap 106 to selectively cover opening 104 when no aerosolizable material is in place. In Figure 1, cap 106 is shown in an open configuration, but cap 106 can be slid to a closed configuration when device 100 is not in use.

[0013] The device 100 may further comprise a control element 108. In this example, the control element 108 is a button or a switch, which when activated by a user switches the device 100 on.

[0014] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary device 100 of FIG. 1. The device 100 comprises a heating chamber 110 for receiving an aerosolizable material. The device 100 comprises one or more heaters 120 arranged to heat the aerosolizable material received within the heating chamber 110. Thus, upon heating, the aerosolizable material interacts with the heaters 120 to generate an aerosol. The aerosolizable material may be of a predetermined or particular size, for example, configured to be placed within the heating chamber 110 sized to receive the aerosolizable material. In one example, the aerosolizable material is tubular in nature and may be known as a "tobacco stick." The aerosolizable material may also be known as smoking material.

[0015] Device 100 further includes an electronics / power chamber 130, which in this example includes electronics 132 and a power source 134. Electronics 132 may be a controller, such as a microprocessor arrangement, constructed and arranged to control the heating of the aerosolizable material. Electronics 132 may receive signals from control element 108 and, in response, activate heater 120. The electronic elements within device 100 are electrically connected by one or more wires 136, shown as dashed lines.

[0016] The device 100 includes a tube 112 for accessing the interior surface of the device 100. The tube 112 may be at least partially closable by a cap (not shown). The tube 112 allows air to enter the heating chamber 110, in use, from the end of the heating chamber 110 opposite the opening 104. The tube 112 has a smaller diameter than the heating chamber 110, such that a boundary 114 between the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112 acts as a stopper for aerosolizable material inserted into the heating chamber 110 through the opening 104. The boundary 114 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 110.

[0017] As mentioned, in use, the aerosolizable material within the heating chamber 110 is heated to provide an aerosol. The generation of the aerosol may leave a residue on the interior surfaces of the heating chamber 110, the tube 112, and the boundary 114. The accumulation of residue may result in, for example, reduced heat transfer from the heater 120 to the aerosolizable material, an unpleasant taste for the user, incorrect placement of the aerosolizable material within the heating chamber 110, and insufficient air being provided to the heating chamber 110 through the tube 112.

[0018] Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device, such as aerosol delivery device 100 of Figures 1 and 2. In some examples, the cleaning assembly may include a cleaning swab.

[0019] 3 is a side view of a cleaning assembly 200 according to a first example of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly 200 comprises a shaft 210 defining a longitudinal axis 202, and a cleaning element 220 disposed at an end of the shaft 210. The cleaning element 220 comprises a proximal portion 222 and a distal portion 224 adjacent the proximal portion 222. The proximal portion 222 has a larger cross-section perpendicular to the axis 210 than the distal portion 224.

[0020] In this example, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 are substantially cylindrical, with the proximal portion 222 having a larger diameter than the distal portion 224. In other embodiments, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be other than cylindrical, for example, elliptical and / or ridged. The cleaning element 220 is for insertion into a tube to clean the interior surface of the tube, for example, the interior surface of the heating chamber 110 and / or tube 112 of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2. In some examples, the proximal portion 222 and / or the distal portion 224 may have a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the tube to be cleaned by the cleaning element 220.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 are joined at an interface 226. The interface 226 may be on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 202. In other examples, the interface 226 may have a shape corresponding to an interface between two tubes of different diameters to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 200. When the cleaning assembly 200 is inserted into one of the tubes such that the interface 226 contacts the interface between the two tubes, the cleaning element 220 can clean the interface between the two tubes by the interface 226. In some examples, the interface 226 may be on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the distal portion.

[0022] The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be disposed adjacent to each other along the longitudinal axis 202. The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be adjacent. The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be formed from a single material. In some examples, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may be formed from different materials. For example, the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 may exhibit different absorption parameters and / or different hardness, such that each portion 222, 224 may provide different cleaning performance. For example, the proximal portion 222 may be harder than the distal portion 224 and may be able to withstand a force applied in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning assembly 200 against the interface between two tubes to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 200.

[0023] In some examples, the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion 222 and the longitudinal axis of the distal portion 224 are parallel to one another. For example, when the proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 are parallel, the plane of the interface 226 can also be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion 222. In some examples, the longitudinal axes of the proximal portion 222 and / or the distal portion 224 are parallel to the longitudinal axis 202.

[0024] The proximal and distal portions 222, 224 may be coaxially disposed, e.g., as shown in Figure 3, the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 each having the same longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement may allow for more effective cleaning of the canal by rotating the cleaning assembly 200 about the axis 210. This arrangement may also allow the cleaning assembly 200 to be manufactured more simply than a cleaning assembly 200 in which the proximal and distal portions 222, 224 are not coaxial.

[0025] The proximal portion 222, the distal portion 224 and the shaft 210 may be coaxially arranged, for example, the proximal portion 222, the distal portion 224 and the shaft 210 each having a longitudinal axis 202 as shown in Figure 3. Such a configuration may allow the cleaning assembly 200 to be more easily rotated during use.

[0026] In this example, the cleaning element 220 has an overall length of 15 mm. In other examples, the cleaning element 220 may have an overall length of 5 mm to 30 mm. More particularly, the cleaning element may have an overall length of 15 mm to 20 mm. The length of the cleaning element 220 may depend on the material properties of the cleaning element 220, for example, the absorbency.

[0027] In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a length of 10 mm. In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a length of 4 mm to 20 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222 may have a length of 12 mm to 18 mm. This length of the proximal portion 222 may provide a sufficient surface area for removing residue from the inner surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the proximal portion 222 has a diameter of 8 mm. In other examples, the proximal portion 222 may have a diameter of 2 mm to 15 mm. More specifically, the proximal portion 222 may have a diameter of 3 mm to 6 mm. The proximal portion 222 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a larger tube of the aerosol delivery device to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 200, for example, the diameter of the heating chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] In this example, the distal portion 224 has a length of 5 mm. In other embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a length of 1 mm to 10 mm. More particularly, the distal portion 224 may have a length of 3 mm to 5 mm. This length of the distal portion 224 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the inner surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the distal portion 224 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other embodiments, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter of 1 mm to 10 mm. More particularly, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter of 2 mm to 5 mm. The distal portion 224 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of a smaller tube of the aerosol delivery device to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 200, such that when the proximal portion 222 is fully inserted into the larger tube in use, the distal portion 224 can enter the smaller tube. For example, the distal portion 224 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] In this example, the length of the proximal portion 222 is twice the length of the distal portion 224. In other examples, the length of the proximal portion 222 may be 2 to 10 times longer than the length of the distal portion 224. More specifically, the length of the proximal portion 222 may be 3 to 6 times longer than the length of the distal portion 224.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a side view of a cleaning assembly 300 according to a second example of the present disclosure. The cleaning assembly 300 is substantially similar to the cleaning assembly 200 shown in FIG. 3 and may include any of the disclosed features of the cleaning assembly 200. Corresponding features have corresponding reference numbers in FIG. 4, but with the addition of 100. The cleaning assembly 300 further includes a second cleaning element 330 disposed on an opposite end of the shaft 310 from the cleaning element 320. The second cleaning element 330 may enhance the functionality of the cleaning assembly 300 by being able to clean tubes that are inaccessible by the cleaning element 320.

[0031] The second cleaning element 330 may be substantially cylindrical. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may be a shape other than cylindrical, such as elliptical or ridged. The maximum diameter of the second cleaning element 330 may be substantially equal to the diameter of the distal portion 324. Such a configuration may allow cleaning of tubes having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the proximal portion 322 and a length greater than the reach of the distal portion 324. The second cleaning element 330 may be formed from the same material as the distal portion 324.

[0032] In this example, the second cleaning element 330 has a length of 7 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may have a length of 5 mm to 25 mm. More specifically, the second cleaning element 330 may have a length of 15 mm to 20 mm. This length of the second cleaning element 330 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the inner surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the second cleaning element 330 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other examples, the second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter of 1 mm to 10 mm. More specifically, the second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter of 2 mm to 5 mm. The second cleaning element 330 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the smaller tube of the aerosol delivery device to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 300, for example, the diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] The diameter of the shaft 310 is smaller than the diameter of the second cleaning element 330 such that the second cleaning element 330 can be inserted into a tube of substantially similar diameter as the second cleaning element 330 .

[0034] At least a portion of the cleaning element 220, 320, 330 may be saturated with a cleaning fluid. For example, at least a portion of the cleaning element 220, 320, 330 may be absorbent. The cleaning fluid may be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the interior surface of the tube to be cleaned using the cleaning assembly 200, 300. In one example, the cleaning element 220, 320, 330 may be saturated with ethanol. Ethanol may be beneficial for effective cleaning without leaving any cleaning fluid residue on the tube to be cleaned with the saturated cleaning element 220, 320, 330, which may affect the flavor or other properties of the aerosol after cleaning.

[0035] The proximal 222, 322 and distal 224, 324 portions of the cleaning assemblies 200, 300 allow for more effective and / or complete cleaning of aerosol delivery devices having tubes of different diameters. For example, both the proximal 222, 322 and distal 224, 324 portions can simultaneously clean tubes of different diameters.

[0036] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the heating chamber 110. It will be appreciated that the cleaning assembly 200 can alternatively be inserted into the heating chamber 110. In use, the proximal portion 322 contacts the inner surface of the heating chamber 110 and the distal portion 324 contacts the inner surface of the tube 112, thus simultaneously cleaning the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112. It will be apparent that if the cleaning assembly 200 is inserted further into the heating chamber 110 compared to the position of the cleaning assembly 200 shown in FIG. 5, the interface 326 will contact the interface 114 between the heating chamber 110 and the tube 112. This allows the interface 114 to be cleaned, for example, by rotating the cleaning assembly 200 when the interface 326 and the interface 114 are in contact.

[0037] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the cleaning assembly 300 inserted into the tube 112. In use, the second cleaning element 320 contacts the inner surface of the tube 112. If the distal portion 324 does not reach the entire length of the tube 112, the user may be able to clean along the entire length of the tube 112 with the second cleaning element 320. It will be appreciated that the distal portion 224 of the cleaning assembly 200 may instead be inserted into the tube 112 only the length of the distal portion 224. In some examples, the distal portions 224, 324 may have a sufficient length to clean the entire length of the tube 112.

[0038] 7 is a side view of a cleaning assembly 400 according to another example. The cleaning assembly 400 includes a shaft 410 having a first end 412 and a second end 414. The shaft 410 may be substantially cylindrical. The first cleaning element 420 may be disposed at the first end 412 of the shaft 410 and may include a first substantially cylindrical portion 422. The second cleaning element 430 may be disposed at the second end 414 of the shaft 410 and may include a second substantially cylindrical portion 432. In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a larger diameter than the second cylindrical portion 432.

[0039] The cleaning assembly 400 provides a single assembly for cleaning two different sized cavities. For example, with reference to the aerosol delivery device 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the heating chamber 110, and the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tube 112.

[0040] In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a length of 15 mm. In other examples, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a length of 5 mm to 30 mm. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a length of 15 mm to 20 mm. This length of the first cylindrical portion 422 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the inner surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the first cylindrical portion 422 has a diameter of 8 mm. In other examples, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter of 2 mm to 15 mm. More specifically, the first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter of 3 mm to 6 mm. The first cylindrical portion 422 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the larger tube of the aerosol delivery device to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 400, for example, the diameter of the heating chamber 110 shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] In this example, the second cylindrical portion 432 has a length of 10 mm. In other examples, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a length of 5 mm to 30 mm. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a length of 15 mm to 20 mm. This length of the second cylindrical portion 432 may provide a sufficient surface area to remove residue from the inner surface of the tube to be cleaned. In this example, the second cylindrical portion 432 has a diameter of 4 mm. In other examples, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter of 1 mm to 10 mm. More specifically, the second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter of 2 mm to 5 mm. The second cylindrical portion 432 may have a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the smaller tube of the aerosol delivery device to be cleaned by the cleaning assembly 400, for example, the diameter of the tube 112 shown in FIG. 2.

[0042] The diameter of shaft 410 is smaller than the diameter of second cylindrical portion 432 such that second cylindrical portion 432 can be inserted into a tube of substantially similar diameter as second cylindrical portion 432 .

[0043] The first and / or second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be saturated with a cleaning fluid. For example, the first and / or second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be absorbent. The cleaning fluid may be any fluid suitable for removing residue from the interior surface of a tube to be cleaned using the cleaning assembly 400. In one example, the cleaning elements 420, 430 may be saturated with ethanol. Ethanol may be beneficial for effective cleaning without leaving any cleaning fluid residue on the tube to be cleaned with the saturated cleaning elements 420, 430, which may affect the flavor or other properties of the aerosol after cleaning.

[0044] 7, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 are cylindrical. In other examples, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 may be elliptical and / or ridged, for example. In some examples, the first and second cleaning elements 420, 430 may include other portions in addition to the first and second cylindrical portions 422, 432, respectively. In these other examples, the first cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element.

[0045] In the example shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 has an overall length of 90mm. In other examples, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall length of 50mm to 150mm. More particularly, the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may have an overall length of 80mm to 110mm. The length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 may be sufficient to allow a user to clean the entire length of the tube or tubes to be cleaned while still grasping the uninserted portion of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 to perform the cleaning motion.

[0046] An example of the present disclosure provides a system 500 as shown in Figure 8. The system 500 includes a cleaning assembly according to an example of the present disclosure and a rigid outer casing 510 surrounding the cleaning assembly. In the example shown in Figure 8, the rigid outer casing 510 surrounds the cleaning assembly 200 as described with reference to Figure 3. In other embodiments, the rigid outer casing may surround any of the cleaning assemblies 200, 300, 400 according to the present disclosure.

[0047] The outer casing 510 protects the cleaning assembly 200 prior to use. The outer casing 510 can help prevent the cleaning elements 220 from being crushed prior to use, so that the shape of the cleaning elements 220 is maintained for cleaning the inner surface of a tube. The outer casing 510 can prevent the cleaning elements 220 from being contaminated by foreign matter prior to use, and thus can prevent undesirable substances from being transferred to the inner surface of a tube during use of the cleaning assembly 200. The outer casing 510 can help retain any volatile cleaning fluid that is saturated with the cleaning elements 220.

[0048] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may only partially surround the cleaning assembly 200. For example, the outer casing 510 may surround the cleaning elements 220, but not the entire shaft 210, and may form a seal around the shaft 210 to surround the cleaning elements 220.

[0049] The rigid outer casing 510 may be substantially tubular, which may help reduce the amount of material required to enclose the substantially circular cross-section of the cleaning assembly 200. The tubular casing 510 allows for a compact design that is relatively easy to manufacture.

[0050] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 is integrally formed and includes weakened portions 512 to facilitate breaking the casing 510 to access the cleaning assembly 200. In the example shown in Figure 8, the weakened portions 512 are reduced thickness portions of the casing 510. For example, the weakened portions 512 may include crevices, grooves, perforations, or other features that aid a user in accessing the cleaning assembly 200 enclosed by the outer casing 510.

[0051] In some examples, the weakened portion 512 is located away from the cleaning elements 220 of the cleaning assembly 200. Such a configuration may help avoid damaging the cleaning elements 220 when the casing 510 is opened. If the cleaning assembly has more than one cleaning element, the weakened portion 512 may be located away from all of the cleaning elements or at least one of the cleaning elements. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the weakened portion 512 is located approximately midway along the axis 210.

[0052] In some examples, the rigid outer casing 510 has an inner diameter D sized to engage the maximum radial dimension of the cleaning elements 220 of the cleaning assembly 200. In the example of Figure 7, the inner diameter D of the casing 510 is sized to engage the proximal portion 222 of the cleaning element 220. Such a configuration may help reduce the overall size of the casing 510 and provide a secure retention of the cleaning assembly 200, and may help reduce evaporation of any volatile cleaning fluid impregnated with the cleaning elements 200 within the interior cavity 514 of the outer casing.

[0053] In this example, the rigid outer casing 510 has an overall length of 110 mm. In other examples, the rigid outer casing 510 may have an overall length of between 55 mm and 155 mm. More particularly, the rigid outer casing 510 may have an overall length of between 85 mm and 115 mm. The length of the rigid outer casing 510 may depend on the length of the cleaning assembly 200, 300, 400 that it surrounds and / or the thickness of the casing 510.

[0054] The above embodiments should be understood as illustrative examples of the present invention. Further embodiments of the present invention are contemplated. It should be understood that any feature described with respect to any one embodiment may be used alone or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or in any combination of any other of the embodiments. Moreover, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0055] The following provisions are included in this specification: [Clause 1] a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a cleaning element disposed at an end of said shaft; 1. A cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: the cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion; A cleaning assembly wherein the proximal portion has a larger cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion. [Clause 2] 2. The cleaning assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are arranged coaxially. [Clause 3] 3. The cleaning assembly of claim 2, wherein the proximal portion, the distal portion and the shaft are coaxially arranged. [Article 4] The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are joined at an interface, the interface lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. [Article 5] 5. The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the cleaning elements have a length of between 5mm and 30mm. [Article 6] 6. The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 1-5, comprising a second cleaning element disposed on an opposite end of the shaft to the cleaning element. [Article 7] The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein at least one of the proximal portion, the distal portion, and the second cleaning element is substantially cylindrical. [Article 8] 8. The cleaning assembly of clause 7, wherein the distal portion and the second cleaning element are both substantially cylindrical and have substantially equal diameters. [Article 9] The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 6 to 8, wherein the second cleaning element has a length of between 5mm and 25mm. [Article 10] 10. The cleaning assembly of any one of clauses 1-9, wherein the length of the proximal portion is 2-10 times longer than the length of the distal portion. [Article 11] 11. The cleaning assembly of claim 10, wherein the length of the proximal portion is between 4 mm and 20 mm. [Article 12] 11. The cleaning assembly of claim 10, wherein the length of the distal portion is between 1 mm and 10 mm. [Article 13] a shaft having a first end and a second end; a first cleaning element disposed at the first end of the shaft; a second cleaning element disposed at the second end of the shaft; and 1. A cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: A cleaning assembly, wherein the first cleaning element is larger than the second cleaning element. [Article 14] Clause 14. The cleaning assembly of clause 13, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a length of between 5mm and 30mm. [Article 15] 15. A cleaning assembly as claimed in any one of clauses 1 to 14, having an overall length of between 50mm and 150mm.

Claims

1. a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a cleaning element disposed at an end of said shaft; 1. A cleaning assembly for an aerosol delivery device, comprising: the cleaning element comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion; the proximal portion has a larger cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft than the distal portion; A cleaning assembly, wherein the proximal and distal portions of the cleaning element have absorbency for absorbing cleaning fluid, the proximal portion having a different degree of absorbency than the distal portion.

2. The cleaning assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning fluid is saturated with at least a portion of the cleaning element.

3. The cleaning assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning fluid is ethanol.

4. The cleaning assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proximal and distal portions are coaxially arranged.

5. The cleaning assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the proximal and distal portions are joined at an interface, the interface lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6. A cleaning assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning element has a length of between 5mm and 30mm.

7. A cleaning assembly according to any preceding claim comprising a second cleaning element disposed on an opposite end of the shaft to the cleaning element.

8. The cleaning assembly of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the proximal portion, the distal portion, and the second cleaning element are substantially cylindrical.

9. A cleaning assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the proximal portion is between 2 and 10 times longer than the length of the distal portion.

10. A cleaning assembly according to any preceding claim, having an overall length of between 50mm and 150mm.

11. A cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an aerosol delivery device, The system, wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are configured to clean inner surfaces of tubes of different diameters of the aerosol delivery device.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion are configured to simultaneously clean the different diameter tubes.

13. A cleaning assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10; an outer casing; The outer casing retains a volatile cleaning fluid impregnated in the cleaning element.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the outer casing is rigid.

15. 15. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the outer casing is tubular.

16. 16. The system of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the outer casing surrounds the cleaning element but does not surround the entire shaft.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the outer casing forms a seal about the shaft.

18. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the outer casing is integrally formed and includes a weakened portion to facilitate breaking the outer casing to access the cleaning assembly.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the weakened portion comprises at least one of a reduced thickness, a cleft, a groove, and a perforation.

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