Aerosol delivery device comprising a separation substrate

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an aerosol source member and an aerosol delivery device including the aerosol source member. The aerosol source member includes a segmented substrate portion including a first substrate segment and a second substrate segment. The first substrate segment includes a first aerosol-forming agent, and the second substrate segment includes a second aerosol-forming agent different from the first aerosol-forming agent, and the second substrate segment is disposed between the first substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member. The first and second substrate segments are configured such that, when heated by a heating source, the first substrate segment is heated to a first temperature and the second substrate segment is heated to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 850,802, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Including a Segregated Substrate, filed on April 16, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices for generating aerosol precursor compositions in an inhalable form and their use. More particularly, the present disclosure utilizes an electrically generated heat or combustible heat source to heat an aerosol precursor composition, preferably without significant combustion, to provide an inhalable substance in the form of an aerosol for human consumption, and relates to an aerosol source member including a substrate material for aerosol delivery devices and systems such as smoking articles.

[0003] Many smoking articles have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking products based on burning tobacco for use. Some exemplary alternatives include devices in which a solid or liquid fuel is burned to transfer heat to the tobacco or in which a chemical reaction is used to provide such a heat source. Further exemplary alternative forms use electrical energy to heat tobacco and / or other aerosol-generating substrate materials, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Some of the purposes of improving or replacing smoking products have been to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. For this purpose, there are many smoking products, aroma generators, and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances or to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking without significantly burning tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking products, aerosol delivery devices, and heat sources described in the background art of U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 to Sears et al.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Articles that generate the taste and sensation of smoking by electrically heating tobacco, tobacco-derived materials, or other plant-derived materials suffer from inconsistent performance characteristics. For example, some articles are plagued by inconsistent release of flavor or other inhalable materials and insufficient filling of the aerosol precursor composition into the substrate. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a smoking article that can perform this without burning the substrate material and that can provide the sensation of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe with advantageous performance characteristics.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an aerosol source member configured to generate an aerosol for delivery and an aerosol delivery device that includes the aerosol source member. The present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments:

[0008] Exemplary Embodiment 1: An aerosol source member configured to generate an aerosol for delivery, the aerosol source member comprising a segmented substrate portion, the segmented substrate portion comprising a first substrate segment that includes a first aerosol forming agent and a second substrate segment that includes a second aerosol forming agent different from the first aerosol forming agent, the second substrate segment being disposed between the first substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the first substrate segment and the second substrate segment being configured such that when heated by a heat source, the first substrate segment is heated to a first temperature and the second substrate segment is heated to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

[0009] Exemplary Embodiment 2: The aerosol source member according to Exemplary Embodiment 1, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the first substrate segment contains a tobacco-free material and the second substrate segment contains a tobacco material.

[0010] Exemplary Embodiment 3: The aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 2, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first temperature is set to aerosolize the first aerosol-forming agent without substantially decomposing the first aerosol-forming agent, and the second temperature is set to aerosolize the second aerosol-forming agent without substantially decomposing the second aerosol-forming agent.

[0011] Exemplary Embodiment 4: The aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 3, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first temperature is capable of decomposing the second aerosol-forming agent.

[0012] Exemplary Embodiment 5: The aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 4, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first aerosol-forming agent comprises at least one of maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cinnamic acid, phenylacetic acid, levulinic acid, nerolidol, citronellyl phenylacetate, caryophyllene oxide, gamma-nonalactone, isoamyl phenylacetate, phenylethyl isovalerate, heliotropin, nicotine lactate, nicotine levulinate, or nicotine benzoate.

[0013] Exemplary Embodiment 6: The aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 5, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the second aerosol-forming agent comprises at least one of 2-acetylpyrrole, methyl cyclopentenolone, alpha-ionone, geraniol, beta-damascenone, menthol, caryophyllene, caproic acid, phenethyl alcohol, anethole, phenethyl butyrate, alpha-terpineol, ethyl phenylacetate, 3-methylvaleric acid, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, nicotine L-malate, or nicotine mucate.

[0014] Exemplary Embodiment 7: The first aerosol-forming agent is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-6, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, comprising a nanocellulose material impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition.

[0015] Exemplary Embodiment 8: The second aerosol-forming agent is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-7, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, comprising a nanocellulose material impregnated with another aerosol precursor composition.

[0016] Exemplary Embodiment 9: The segmented substrate portion comprises a third substrate segment containing a third aerosol-forming agent, and the third substrate segment is disposed between the second substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, which is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-8, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0017] Exemplary Embodiment 10: The third substrate segment contains a tobacco material, which is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-9, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Exemplary Embodiment 11: The third aerosol-forming agent comprises at least one of 3-acetylpyridine, tetramethylpyrazine, methyl salicylate, linalool, ethyl caproate, gamma-valerolactone, para-tolualdehyde, 2-methylbutyric acid, isovaleric acid, benzaldehyde, limonene, or 2-methylpyrazine, which is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-10, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Exemplary Embodiment 12: Further comprising a heat source disposed adjacent to the first substrate segment, the heat source being integral with the aerosol source member, which is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-11, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Exemplary Embodiment 13: The aerosol source member described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 12, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, where the heat source is a combustible heat source.

[0021] Exemplary Embodiment 14: The aerosol source member described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 13, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a filter disposed proximate to the downstream end of the aerosol source member.

[0022] Exemplary Embodiment 15: The aerosol source member described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 14, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a first barrier disposed between the heat source and the first substrate segment, the first barrier being configured to prevent the first substrate segment from exceeding a first temperature.

[0023] Exemplary Embodiment 16: The aerosol source member described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 15, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a second barrier disposed between the first substrate segment and the second substrate segment, the second barrier being configured to prevent the second substrate segment from exceeding a second temperature.

[0024] Exemplary Embodiment 17: The aerosol source member described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 16, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, where the first temperature is in the range of about 200°C to about 300°C and the second temperature is in the range of about 100°C to about 200°C.

[0025] Exemplary Embodiment 18: The heat source comprises a first heating segment and a second heating segment, the first heating segment being configured to heat a first substrate segment to a first temperature, and the second heating segment being configured to heat a second substrate segment to a second temperature, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 17, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Exemplary Embodiment 19: The first heating segment is disposed along at least a portion of the first substrate segment, and the second heating segment is disposed along at least a portion of the second substrate segment, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 18, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Exemplary Embodiment 20: The first heating segment is disposed around the first substrate segment, and the second heating segment is disposed around the second substrate segment, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 19, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Exemplary Embodiment 21: The first and second heating segments are electrical heating elements, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 20, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0029] Exemplary Embodiment 22: At least one of the first or second heating segments comprises a resistive heating element, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 21, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0030] Exemplary Embodiment 23: At least one of the first or second heating segments comprises an inductive heating element, the aerosol source member according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 22, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Exemplary Embodiment 24: The base member is an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-23, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, defining an aerosol path extending towards the downstream end of the aerosol source member.

[0032] Exemplary Embodiment 25: The heating source comprises a first heating segment configured to heat a first base segment to a first temperature and a second base segment to a second temperature, an aerosol source member as described in any one of Exemplary Embodiments 1-24, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0033] Exemplary Embodiment 26: An aerosol delivery device comprising a control body configured to receive at least a portion of an aerosol source member and a heating source, the aerosol source member comprising a segmented base member having a first base segment containing a first aerosol forming agent and a second base segment containing a second aerosol forming agent different from the first aerosol forming agent, the second base segment being disposed between the first base segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the heating source being configured to heat the first base segment to a first temperature and the second base segment to a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0034] Exemplary Embodiment 27: The control body includes a heating source, the heating source comprising a first heating segment and a second heating segment, the first heating segment being configured to heat the first base segment to a first temperature and the second heating segment being configured to heat the second base segment to a second temperature, an aerosol delivery device as described in Exemplary Embodiment 26, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0035] Exemplary Embodiment 28: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-27, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the control body includes a power source configured to supply energy to the first and second heating segments.

[0036] Exemplary Embodiment 29: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-28, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the control body includes a controller configured to control the energy transmitted to the first and second heating segments.

[0037] Exemplary Embodiment 30: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-29, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first heating segment is disposed along the first substrate segment and the second heating segment is disposed along the second substrate segment.

[0038] Exemplary Embodiment 31: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-30, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first heating segment is disposed around the first substrate segment and the second heating segment is disposed around the second substrate segment.

[0039] Exemplary Embodiment 32: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-31, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein the first and second heating segments are electrical heating elements.

[0040] Exemplary Embodiment 33: The aerosol delivery device according to any one of Exemplary Embodiments 26-32, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiment, wherein at least one of the first or second heating segments includes a resistive heating element.

[0041] Exemplary Embodiment 34: An aerosol delivery device according to any of Exemplary Embodiments 26 - 33, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein at least one of the first or second heating segments comprises an inductive heating element.

[0042] Exemplary Embodiment 35: An aerosol delivery device according to any of Exemplary Embodiments 26 - 34, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the substrate portion defines an aerosol path extending towards the downstream end of the aerosol source member.

[0043] Exemplary Embodiment 36: An aerosol delivery device according to any of Exemplary Embodiments 26 - 35, or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the heat source comprises a first heating segment configured to heat a first substrate segment to a first temperature and a second substrate segment to a second temperature.

[0044] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings 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 any two, three, four, or more features or elements described in the present disclosure, whether or not such features or elements are explicitly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole such that, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, any separable feature or element of the disclosed invention should be considered combinable unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] Having described aspects of the present disclosure in such general terms, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The present disclosure will be more fully described below with reference to its exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described so that the present disclosure is thorough and complete and conveys the full scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," etc. include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, in this specification, quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships, etc. may be referred to, and any one or more of them, unless otherwise specified, may be absolute or approximate to account for possible allowable variations, such as those due to technical tolerances, etc. As used in this specification, "substantially free of" refers to a concentration of a given substance of less than 1% by weight or less than 0.5% by weight or less than 0.1% by weight based on the total weight of the material.

[0048] Some embodiments of the aerosol source member according to the present disclosure use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance (e.g., an electrically heated tobacco product). Other embodiments of the aerosol source member according to the present disclosure use an ignitable heat source to heat a material to form an inhalable substance (e.g., a carbon heated tobacco product). The material may be heated without burning it to a significant extent. The components of such a system have a form of an article that is compact enough to be regarded as a handheld device. That is, the use of the components of the aerosol delivery device does not result in the generation of smoke in the sense that the aerosol mainly results from by-products of tobacco combustion or pyrolysis, but rather, the use of those systems results in the generation of vapors resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of specific components incorporated therein. In some exemplary embodiments, the components of the aerosol delivery device can be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes incorporate tobacco and / or components derived from tobacco, and thus can deliver tobacco-derived components in aerosol form.

[0049] In some embodiments, the heat source may be configured to generate heat upon ignition thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the heat source may contain a combustible fuel element incorporating a combustible carbonaceous material. In other embodiments, the heat source may incorporate elements other than the combustible carbonaceous material (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 ammonium salts, and / or binders such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). In other embodiments, the heat source may contain a plurality of ignitable objects such as, for example, a plurality of ignitable beads. In other embodiments, the heat source may have a composition or relative content different from those described above. For example, in some embodiments, different forms of carbon such as graphite or graphene can be used as the heat source. In other embodiments, the heat source may have a high level of activated carbon, different carbon porosities, different amounts of carbon, blends of any of the above-described components, etc. In yet 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 can 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 chemically-reactive based heat source, and the ignition of the heat source includes the interaction of two or more individual components. For example, the chemically-reactive based heat source may contain a metal agent and an activating solution, and the heat source is activated when the metal agent contacts the activating solution. Some examples of chemically-based heat sources can be found in U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Combinations of heat sources are also possible.

[0050] The aerosol generating components of certain aerosol delivery devices and / or aerosol source members can provide many of the sensations of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of taste or flavor, sensory stimulation effects, physical feel, usage rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol) without any significant combustion of any of its components by igniting and burning the tobacco (and thus by inhaling the tobacco smoke). For example, a user of an aerosol delivery device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can hold and use the component as a smoker would use a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of the component to inhale the aerosol generated by the component, and puff or draw on the tobacco at selected time intervals.

[0051] The systems are generally described herein with respect to embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices and / or aerosol source members such as so-called "electronic cigarettes" or "tobacco heating products", but it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and associated with a variety of articles. For example, the descriptions provided herein can be employed in combination with embodiments of related packages for any of conventional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), non-combustible heated cigarettes, and the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the descriptions of the mechanisms, 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 many other various products and methods.

[0052] The aerosol delivery device and / or aerosol source member of the present disclosure may also be characterized as a vapor generating article or a drug delivery article. Thus, such an article or device may be configured to provide one or more substances (e.g., a flavorant and / or a pharmaceutical active ingredient) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in the form of vapor (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substance may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or droplets in a gas). For the sake of brevity, the term "aerosol" as used herein means a form or type of vapor, gas, and aerosol suitable for human inhalation, whether visible and whether in a form that can be regarded as smoke. The physical form of the inhalable substance is not necessarily limited by the nature of the device of the present invention, but can depend on the nature of the medium and the inhalable substance itself as to whether it exists in a vapor state or an aerosol state. In some embodiments, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" may be interchangeable. Thus, for the sake of simplicity, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" used to describe aspects of the present disclosure are understood to be interchangeable unless otherwise specified.

[0053] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may comprise several combinations of a power source (e.g., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating, and stopping power for heating, such as by controlling the flow of current from the power source to other components of an article (e.g., a microprocessor, individually or as part of a microcontroller)), a heating source (e.g., an electrical resistance heating element or other component and / or an induction coil or other related component and / or one or more radiant heating elements), and an aerosol source member including a substrate portion capable of generating an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat. It should be noted that it is possible to physically combine one or more of the above components. For example, in certain embodiments, a conductive ink is used such that a conductive heater trace can be printed on the surface of the substrate material (e.g., a nanocellulose substrate film) described herein so that the heater trace can be powered by a power source and used as a resistance heating element. Examples of conductive inks include graphene ink and inks containing various metals such as silver, gold, palladium, platinum, and alloys or other combinations thereof (e.g., silver-palladium or silver-platinum ink), and the ink can be printed on the surface using a process such as gravure printing, flexographic printing, offset printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, or other suitable printing methods.

[0054] In various embodiments, some of these components may be provided within an outer body or shell, which in some embodiments may be referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body or shell may be varied, and the form or configuration of the outer body that may define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device may be varied. Other configurations are possible, but in some embodiments, an elongated body that resembles the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single integral housing, or the elongated housing may be formed from two or more separable bodies. For example, the aerosol delivery device may be of a generally tubular shape and thus may include an elongated shell or body that is similar in shape to a conventional cigarette or cigar. In an embodiment, all components of the aerosol delivery device are housed within one housing or body. In other embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may include two or more housings that are joined and separable. For example, the aerosol delivery device may have a control body that includes a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., an accumulator such as a rechargeable battery and / or a rechargeable supercapacitor, as well as various electronics for controlling the operation of the article) at one end, and at the other end and removably connectably, an outer body or shell (e.g., a disposable fragrance-containing aerosol source member) that includes a disposable portion.

[0055] In other embodiments, the aerosol source member of the present disclosure may generally include a combustible heat source configured to heat a base material. At least a portion of the base material and / or the heat source may be covered by an outer wrap or packaging, casing, component, module, member, etc. The overall design of the enclosure is variable, and the form or configuration of the enclosure that defines the overall size and shape of the aerosol source member is also variable. Other configurations are possible, but the overall design, size, and / or shape of these embodiments may resemble those of conventional cigarettes or cigars. In various aspects, the heat source can generate heat to aerosolize a base material containing tobacco and / or tobacco-related materials, such as materials naturally found in tobacco that are directly isolated from tobacco or synthetically prepared tobacco, in, for example, a base material related to an aerosol precursor composition, an extrusion structure and / or base, a solid or liquid form (e.g., beads, sheets, flakes, wraps).

[0056] The aerosol delivery device and / or aerosol source member according to the present disclosure may take various embodiments, as will be described in detail below, but the use by consumers of the aerosol delivery device and / or aerosol source member is similar in scope. The foregoing description of the use of the aerosol delivery device and / or aerosol source member is applicable to various embodiments, which are described with minor modifications that will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the further disclosure provided herein. However, the description of the use is not intended to limit the use of the articles of the present disclosure and is provided to meet all the necessary requirements of the disclosure herein.

[0057] The more specific form, configuration, and arrangement of the various base materials, aerosol source members, and components within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of the further disclosure provided below. Further, considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, the selection of the various aerosol delivery device components will be understood. Further, the arrangement of the components within the aerosol delivery device will also be understood considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.

[0058] In this regard, FIG. 1 shows an aerosol delivery device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol delivery device 100 includes a control body 102 and an aerosol source member 104. In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 104 and the control body 102 may be permanently or removably aligned in a functional relationship. In this regard, FIG. 1 shows the aerosol delivery device 100 in a coupled configuration, while FIG. 2 shows the aerosol delivery device 100 in a separated configuration. Various mechanisms may connect the aerosol source member 104 to the control body 102, resulting in screw engagement, press fit engagement, interference fit, slip fit, magnetic engagement, and the like.

[0059] In various embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 100 according to the present disclosure may have various overall shapes including, but not limited to, an overall shape that can be defined as being substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical. The device 100 may have a substantially circular cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., elliptical, square, triangular, etc.) are also encompassed by the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 or the aerosol source member 104 (and / or any sub-components) may have a substantially rectangular shape such as a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. In other embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 or the aerosol source member 104 (and / or any sub-components) may have other handheld shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the control body 102 can have a small box shape, various pod mod shapes, or a fob shape. Thus, such language describing the physical shape of the article can also be applied to its individual components including the control body 102 and the aerosol source member 104.

[0060] The alignment of components within the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may vary across various embodiments. In some embodiments, the substrate portion may be disposed proximate to the heat source to facilitate aerosol delivery to the user. However, other configurations are not excluded. Generally, the heat source is such that heat from the heat source volatilizes the substrate portion (and, in some embodiments, one or more fragrances, medicaments, etc. that may also be provided for delivery to the user) and is disposed sufficiently close to the substrate portion to form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heat source heats the substrate portion, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the references to release, releasing, releases, or released are meant to be interchangeable with form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated, such that the terms include each other. Specifically, the inhalable substances are released in the form of vapor, aerosol, or a mixture thereof, and such terms are also used interchangeably herein unless otherwise specified.

[0061] As described above, the aerosol delivery devices 100 of various embodiments may incorporate a battery and / or other power source to supply sufficient current to provide various functions to the aerosol delivery device, such as power supply to a heating source, power supply to a control system, power supply to an indicator, etc. As will be described in more detail below, the power source may take various forms. The power source may be able to rapidly activate a heating source to provide aerosol formation and deliver sufficient power to supply the aerosol delivery device with power throughout a desired duration of use. In some embodiments, the power source is sized to conveniently fit within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. Examples of useful power sources include lithium ion batteries (e.g., rechargeable lithium-manganese dioxide batteries) that can be rechargeable. In particular, lithium polymer batteries can be used because such batteries can enhance safety. Other types of batteries (e.g., N50-AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium batteries) may be used. Further, the power source may be sufficiently lightweight so as not to detract from the desired smoking experience. Examples of some power sources are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112191 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0062] In certain embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 and the aerosol source member 104 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control body 102 can have a replaceable battery or rechargeable battery, a solid-state battery, a thin-film solid-state battery, a rechargeable supercapacitor, etc., and thus can be connected to a wall charger, connected to an automotive charger (e.g., a cigarette lighter receptacle), and connected to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or connector (e.g., USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, USB Type-C), connected to a photovoltaic cell (sometimes called a solar cell) or a solar panel of a solar cell, a charger using inductive wireless charging (e.g., including wireless charging compliant with the Qi wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)), or a wireless charger such as a radio frequency (RF)-based charger, and may be combined with any type of charging technology. An example of an inductive wireless charging system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112196 by Sur, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, in some embodiments, the control body 102 and / or the aerosol source member 104 may comprise a disposable device. Disposable components for use with the control body are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 by Chang, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0063] In further embodiments, the power source may also comprise a capacitor. The capacitor can discharge faster than a battery and can be charged during puffs, so the battery can discharge to the capacitor at a lower rate than when used to directly supply power to the heating source. For example, a supercapacitor (e.g., an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC)) may be used separately from or in combination with the battery. When used alone, the supercapacitor may be recharged before use of the article. Thus, the device may also include a charger component that can be attached to the smoking article during use to recharge the supercapacitor.

[0064] In the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure, additional components may be utilized. For example, the aerosol delivery device may include a flow sensor (e.g., a puff actuation switch) that is sensitive to either a pressure change or an air flow change when a consumer inhales on an article. Other possible current actuation / deactivation mechanisms may include a temperature actuation on / off switch or a lip pressure actuation switch. Examples of mechanisms that can provide such a puff actuation function include the Model 163PC01D36 silicon sensor manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of Honeywell, Inc. of Freeport, Illinois. Representative flow sensors, current regulation components, and other current control components including various microcontrollers, sensors, and switches for aerosol delivery devices are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874, and U.S. Patent No. 4,947,875, U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Also, see the control scheme described in U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0065] In another example, the aerosol delivery device may include a first conductive surface configured to contact a first body part of a user holding the device, and a second conductive surface that is conductively insulated from the first conductive surface and is configured to contact a second body part of the user. Thus, when the aerosol delivery device detects a change in conductivity between the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface, the vaporizer is activated to vaporize the substance, and as a result, the vapor can be inhaled by the user holding the unit. The first body part and the second body part may be the lips or a part of the hand. The two conductive surfaces may also be used to charge a battery included in the personal vaporizer unit. The two conductive surfaces may also form, or be part of, a connector that can be used to output data stored in the memory. See U.S. Patent No. 9,861,773 to Terry et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0066] Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 by Sprinkel et al. discloses an indicator for a smoking article, U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 by Sprinkel, Jr. discloses a piezoelectric sensor that can be associated with the mouth end of a device to trigger heating of a heating device after detecting the user's lip activity related to inhalation acquisition, U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 by McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling the flow of energy to a heating load array in response to a pressure drop through a mouthpiece, U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 by Harris et al. discloses a receptacle within a smoking device that includes an identifier for detecting non-uniformity in the infrared transmittance of an inserted component and a controller that executes a detection routine when the component is inserted into the receptacle, U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 by Fleischhauer et al. describes a defined executable power cycle having multiple differential phases, U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 by Watkins et al. discloses a photonic - optoelectronic component, U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 by Counts et al. discloses means for changing the draw resistance through a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 6,803,545 by Blake et al. discloses a specific battery configuration for use in a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 by Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use in a smoking device, U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 by Fernando et al. discloses computer interface means for a smoking device to facilitate charging and enable computer control of the device, U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 by Fernando et al. discloses an identification system for a smoking device, and International Publication No. WO 2010 / 003480 by Flick discloses a fluid flow sensing system that indicates the puff of an aerosol generating system. All of the foregoing disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0067] Additional examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosure materials or components that can be used in the present device include U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 by Gerth et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 by Morgan et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 by Higgins et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 by Adams et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 by White, U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 by Voges, U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 by Felter et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 by Nichols, U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 by Hon, U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 by Kobayashi, U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 by Hamano, U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 by Shayan, U.S. Patent No. 8,156,944 by Hon and U.S. Patent No. 8,375,957, U.S. Patent No. 8,794,231 by Thorens et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,851,083 by Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,915,254 by Monsees et al. and U.S. Patent No. 8,925,555, U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 by DePiano et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 by Hon and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0188490, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 by Oglesby et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 by Wang, International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 by Hon, and International Publication No. 2013 / 089551 by Foo, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0099877 by Worm et al., filed on October 13, 2015, discloses capsules that can be included in an aerosol delivery device and a fob-shaped configuration for an aerosol delivery device, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.The various materials disclosed by the foregoing documents can be incorporated into the present apparatus in various embodiments, and all of the foregoing disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol source member 104 includes a heating portion 106 configured to be inserted into the control body 102 and a mouth portion 108 through which a user sucks to generate an aerosol. At least a part of the heating portion 106 may include a base material portion 110. As will be described in more detail below, in various embodiments, the base material portion 110 may contain a cellulose material (such as a nanocellulose material) impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition (such as an aerosol forming agent). In various embodiments, the aerosol source member 104 or a part thereof may be wrapped with an outer overlapping material 112. In various embodiments, the mouth portion 108 of the aerosol source member 104 may include a filter 114 that can be made of, for example, a cellulose acetate or polypropylene material. The filter 114 may additionally or alternatively include strands of tobacco-containing material as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the filter 114 can increase the structural integrity of the mouth portion 108 of the aerosol source member 104 and / or provide a filtering ability as needed and / or provide a resistance to suction. In some embodiments, the filter 114 may comprise individual segments. For example, some embodiments may include a segment that provides filtration, a segment that provides suction resistance, a hollow segment that provides a space for the aerosol to cool, a segment that provides an improvement in structural integrity, other filter segments, and any one or any combination of the foregoing.

[0069] In some embodiments, the material of the outer overlap material 112 may comprise a material that resists heat transfer, which may include other fibrous materials such as paper or cellulose materials. The outer overlap material may also include at least one filler material embedded or dispersed within the fibrous material. In various embodiments, the filler material may be in the form of water-insoluble particles. Further, the filler material may incorporate an inorganic component. In various embodiments, the outer overlap may be formed from a plurality of layers such as the underlying bulk layer and an overlying layer such as a typical wrapper for a cigarette. Such materials may include lightweight "fluffy fibers" such as, for example, linen, hemp, sisal, rice straw, and / or esparto. The outer overlap may also include materials commonly used in conventional cigarette filter elements such as cellulose acetate. Further, the excess length of the outer overlap at the mouth 108 of the aerosol source member may function to simply separate the substrate portion 110 from the consumer's mouth, or to provide space for placement of the filter material, or to affect the draw of the article or the flow characteristics of the vapor or aerosol exiting the device during draw, as described below. Further description of the construction of the outer overlap material that can be used in the present disclosure can be found in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0070] In various embodiments, other components may be present between the base portion 110 and the mouth portion 108 of the aerosol source member 104. For example, in some embodiments, one or any combination of the following may be disposed between the base portion 110 and the mouth portion 108 of the aerosol source member 104: a void; a hollow tube structure; a phase change material for cooling air; a flavor release medium; ion exchange fibers capable of selective chemisorption; aerogel particles as a filter medium; and other suitable materials. Some examples of possible phase change materials include salts such as AgNO3, AlCl3, TaCl3, InCl3, SnCl2, AlI3, and TiI4; metals or metal alloys such as selenium, tin, indium, tin-zinc, indium-zinc, indium-bismuth; and organic compounds such as D-mannitol, succinic acid, p-nitrobenzoic acid, hydroquinone, adipic acid, but are not limited thereto. Other examples are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,430,106 to Potter et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0071] As described in more detail below, the present disclosure is configured to be used with a conductive and / or inductive heat source to heat a base material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the conductive heat source may comprise a heating assembly having a resistive heat source. The resistive heat source can be configured to generate heat when an electric current flows therethrough. Conductive materials useful as resistive heat sources can have low mass, low density, and moderate resistivity and be thermally stable at the temperatures experienced during use. Useful heat sources provide efficient use of energy for rapid heating and cooling. Rapid heating of the member can be beneficial to provide near-instantaneous volatilization of the aerosol precursor material proximate thereto. Rapid cooling prevents substantial volatilization (and thus waste) of the aerosol precursor material during periods when aerosol formation is not desired. Such heat sources can also enable relatively accurate control of the temperature range experienced by the aerosol precursor material, particularly when time-based current control is used. Useful conductive materials may be chemically non-reactive with the materials being heated (e.g., aerosol precursor materials and other inhalable substance materials) so as not to adversely affect the flavor or content of the aerosol or vapor produced. Some examples of non-limiting materials that can be used as conductive materials include carbon, graphite, carbon / graphite composites, metals, ceramics such as metal and non-metal carbides, nitrides, oxides, silicides, intermetallic compounds, cermets, metal alloys, and metal foils. In particular, refractory materials may be useful. Various different materials can be mixed to achieve the desired properties of resistivity, mass, and thermal conductivity. In certain embodiments, available metals include, for example, nickel, chromium, alloys of nickel and chromium (e.g., nichrome), and steel.Materials that may be useful for providing resistive heating are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,228,460 to Sprinkel Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,353,813 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,498,850 to Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,659,656 to Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,530,225 to Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,692 to Das et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0072] In various embodiments, the heating source may be provided in various forms such as in the form of a foil, foam, mesh, hollow ball, half ball, disk, spiral, fiber, wire, film, thread, strip, ribbon, or cylinder. Such heating sources often contain a metallic material and are configured to generate heat as a result of the electrical resistance associated with passing an electric current therethrough. Such resistive heating sources may be disposed proximate to and / or in direct contact with the substrate portion 110. For example, in one embodiment, the heating source may comprise a cylinder or other heating device disposed within the control body 102, the cylinder being composed of one or more conductive materials including, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, platinum, gold, silver, iron, steel, brass, bronze, carbon (e.g., graphite), or any combination thereof. In various embodiments, the heating source may also be coated with any of these or other conductive materials. The heating source may be disposed adjacent to the engagement end of the control body 102 and may be configured to substantially surround a portion of the heating portion 106 of the aerosol source member 104 that includes the substrate portion 110. In this way, the heating source may be disposed adjacent to the substrate portion 110 of the aerosol source member 104 when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body 102. In other examples, when the aerosol source member is inserted into the control body 102, at least a portion of the heating source may penetrate at least a portion of the aerosol source member (e.g., one or more prongs and / or spikes passing through the aerosol source member). In some embodiments, the heating source may comprise a cylinder, although in other embodiments, the heating source may take various forms, and in some embodiments, it may be in direct contact with and / or penetrate the substrate portion 110. As noted above, in addition to being configured for use with a conductive heating source, the present disclosure can also be configured for use with an inductive heating source to heat the substrate portion to form an aerosol. In various embodiments, the inductive heating source may comprise a resonant transformer, which may comprise a resonant transmitter and a resonant receiver (e.g., a susceptor). In some embodiments, the resonant transmitter and the resonant receiver may be disposed within the control body 102.In other embodiments, the resonance receiver or a part thereof may be disposed within the aerosol source member 104. For example, in some embodiments, the control body 102 may include a resonance transmitter having, for example, a foil material, a coil, a cylinder, or other structures configured to generate a vibrating magnetic field, and a resonance receiver that may include one or more prongs extending into or surrounded by the substrate portion 110.

[0073] According to some exemplary embodiments, for example, a change in the current conducted from a power source to the resonance transmitter by a control component can generate an alternating electromagnetic field passing through the resonance receiver, thereby generating eddy currents within the resonance receiver. The alternating electromagnetic field may be generated by conducting an alternating current to the resonance transmitter. In some embodiments, the control component may include an inverter or an inverter circuit configured to convert the direct current supplied by the power source into an alternating current supplied to the resonance transmitter.

[0074] Eddy currents flowing through the material defining the resonance receiver can heat the resonance receiver by the Joule effect, and the amount of heat generated is proportional to the square of the current × the electrical resistance of the material of the resonance receiver. In embodiments of the resonance receiver containing ferromagnetic materials, heat may be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses. Several factors including, but not limited to, the proximity to the resonance transmitter, the magnetic field distribution, the electrical resistivity of the material of the resonance receiver, the saturation magnetic flux density of the material, the skin effect or depth, hysteresis losses, magnetic susceptibility, permeability, and dipole moment contribute to the temperature rise of the resonance receiver.

[0075] In this regard, in some embodiments, both the resonant receiver and the resonant transmitter may include a conductive material. By way of example, the resonant transmitter and / or the resonant receiver may contain various conductive materials, such as metals like copper and aluminum, alloys of conductive materials (e.g., diamagnetic, paramagnetic, or ferromagnetic materials), or other materials such as ceramics or glass in which one or more conductive materials are embedded. In another embodiment, the resonant receiver may contain conductive particles. In some embodiments, the resonant receiver may be coated with or otherwise include a thermally conductive passivation layer (e.g., a thin layer of glass).

[0076] In some embodiments, the resonant transmitter may include a helical coil configured to surround a cavity in which a base member of the aerosol source member, particularly the aerosol source member, is received. In some embodiments, the helical coil may be disposed between the outer wall of the device and the receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the coil winding may have a circular cross-sectional shape, but in other embodiments, the coil winding may have various other cross-sectional shapes including, but not limited to, elliptical, rectangular, L-shaped, T-shaped, triangular, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, a pin may extend into a portion of the receiving cavity, and the pin may include a resonant transmitter, such as by including a coil structure around or within the pin. In various embodiments, the aerosol source member may be received within the receiving cavity, and one or more components of the aerosol source member may function as a resonant receiver. Other possible resonant transformer components, including the resonant transmitter and the resonant receiver, are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0124979, entitled Induction Heated Aerosol Delivery Device, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0077] As described above, in various embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may contain a cellulose material (e.g., a nanocellulose material) that is at least partially formed from cellulose fibers (e.g., nanocellulose) impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition. As used herein, the nanocellulose material refers to a cellulose material having at least one average particle size dimension in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm. Larger cellulose material sizes can be used, but there is a high likelihood of a decrease in the filling amount of the aerosol precursor. As a non-limiting example, suitable nanocellulose materials may be fiber materials prepared from any of a variety of cellulose-containing materials such as wood (e.g., eucalyptus trees), grass (e.g., bamboo), cotton, tobacco, algae, and other plant-based materials, and the fibers are further purified such that nanofibrillated cellulose fibers are produced. In various embodiments, the nanocellulose material can include one or more tobacco-derived nanocellulose fibers and / or non-tobacco-derived nanocellulose fibers, optionally in combination with one or more additional cellulose materials such as tobacco-derived cellulose pulp and / or wood pulp-based cellulose fibers. In some embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may further contain a hydrophobic additive component, a combustion retardant material, a flavor, and conductive fibers or particles for heat conduction / induction, or any combination thereof. Further, in various embodiments, the form of the substrate portion 110 may include gels, flakes, films, suspensions, extrudates, shavings, capsules, and / or particles (including pellets, beads, strips, or any desired particle shape of various sizes), and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may not contain tobacco. In various other embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may further contain one or more of non-tobacco-derived nicotine and flavors. In certain embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may further contain one or more pharmaceuticals. In some embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may further contain one or more non-tobacco plants.

[0078] The pharmaceutical agent can be any known agent suitable for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic use. These can include, for example, synthetic organic compounds, proteins and peptides, polysaccharides and other sugars, lipids, inorganic compounds, and nucleic acid sequences having therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic activity.

[0079] In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may incorporate nicotine, which can be present at various concentrations. The source of nicotine can be varied, and the nicotine incorporated into 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 contain tobacco-derived nicotine. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may contain 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 contain synthetic nicotine. In some embodiments, the nicotine incorporated into 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, plant components (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca, and chisan), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and / or pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and medicinal components (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, and C, and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)). It should be noted that the aerosol precursor composition may contain any of the foregoing components, derivatives, or combinations.

[0080] As used herein, the terms "plant material" or "botanical" refer to any plant material or fungus-derived material, which includes the plant material in its natural form and plant material derived from natural plant material such as extracts or isolates from plant material or processed plant material (e.g., heat treatment, fermentation, or other processing processes that can change the chemical properties of the material). For the purposes of the present disclosure, "plant material" includes, but is not limited to, "herb material" that refers to seed-producing plants that do not develop persistent woody tissue and whose pharmaceutical or sensory properties (e.g., tea or tisane) are often evaluated. References to plant material as "non-tobacco" are intended to exclude tobacco materials (i.e., those that do not include Nicotiana species). The plant material used in the present invention can include, but is not limited to, any of the compounds and sources described herein, including mixtures thereof. This type of specific plant material may be referred to as a dietary supplement, a nutritional supplement, a "phytochemical" or a "functional food".

[0081] Exemplary plant materials many of which are related to antioxidant properties include, but are not limited to, acai berry, purple mangosteen, allspice, annatto seeds, apricot oil, basil, bergamot, wild bergamot, black pepper, blueberry, blackcurrant seed oil, bilberry, cacao, calamus root, catnip, cat's claw, cayenne pepper, chaga mushroom, chervil, cinnamon, dark chocolate, potato skin, grape seeds, ginseng, ginkgo, English daisy, saw palmetto, green tea, black tea, black cohosh, capsaicin, chamomile, clove, cocoa powder, cranberry, dandelion, grapefruit, honeybush, echinacea, garlic, gotu kola, nasturtium, stinging nettle, ginger, hydrastis, hawthorn, hibiscus flower, stevia, horse chestnut, lavender, licorice, lemon balm, thistle, mint (peppermint), oolong tea, beet root, orange, oregano, papaya, pennyroyal, peppermint, purple perilla, rooibos (red or green), rose hip, rosemary, sage, clary sage, celery, Dutch mint, spirulina, sumac bark, sorghum bran high tannin, sorghum grain high tannin, sumac bran, shepherd's purse leaves and roots, goji berry, guayusa, thyme, turmeric, uva ursi, valerian, wild yam root, wintergreen, yacon root, yellow dock, yerba mate, yerba santa, bacopa monnieri, ashwagandha, lion's mane, and marigold.

[0082] In certain embodiments, the nanocellulose material is mixed with the reconstituted tobacco material using, for example, various casting and papermaking techniques known in the art. The reconstituted tobacco material can include, in addition to the nanocellulose material, wood pulp, tobacco fibers, plant components, or other cellulose components. In some embodiments, the addition of the nanocellulose material to the reconstituted tobacco material can help enhance both the absorbency and the mechanical strength of the resulting material. The reconstituted tobacco material, and methods of providing such materials, are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,674,519 to Keritsis et al., 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., 4,941,484 to Clapp et al., 4,972,854 to Kiernan et al., 4,987,906 to Young et al., 5,025,814 to Raker, 5,099,864 to Young et al., 5,143,097 to Sohn et al., 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al., 5,322,076 to Brinkley et al., 5,339,838 to Young et al., 5,377,698 to Litzinger et al., 5,501,237 to Young et al., and 6,216,707 to Kumar, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0083] In certain embodiments, the tobacco-derived nanocellulose material can be formed by receiving tobacco pulp in a diluted form such that the tobacco pulp suspension has a consistency of less than 5% and mechanically fibrillating the tobacco pulp suspension to produce the tobacco-derived nanocellulose material. The method of producing tobacco pulp generally comprises heating the tobacco material in a strong base to separate undesirable components such as hemicellulose and lignin present in the tobacco raw material from the cellulose, and filtering the resulting mixture to obtain the desired cellulose material containing a minimal amount of impurities. The resulting tobacco pulp can be further modified to produce a number of nanocellulose materials such as cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and cellulose microfibrils (CMF) that differ from each other primarily based on the method of isolation from the tobacco pulp. The nanocellulose materials described herein typically include materials in which the particles (either unbound or as aggregates or part of aggregates) within a given particle distribution exhibit at least one average particle size dimension in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm. The average particle size can be determined by examining a selected number of particle images using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and averaging the results. Materials and methods that may be useful in providing tobacco-derived nanocellulose are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,196,778 to Sebastian et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material and conventional wood pulp-based cellulose fibers can be used in combination to form a substrate material.

[0084] In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material has an apparent viscosity in the range of 5,000 to 40,000 mPa·s, 20,000 to 35,000 mPa·s, or 20,000 to 30,000 mPa·s at a consistency of 1.5%. The apparent viscosity is measured at a fixed viscosity of 1.5% using a Brookfield rheometer RVDV-III at 10 rpm using a vane spindle.

[0085] In some embodiments, the tensile strength of the nanocellulose-based substrate material is greater than 120 Mpa, or greater than 130 Mpa, or greater than 140 Mpa (e.g., in the range of 140 - 180 Mpa or 150 - 170 Mpa). In some embodiments, the strain of the nanocellulose-based substrate material is at least 11% or at least 12%, e.g., in the range of 10% - 15% or 11% - 14%. In some embodiments, the tensile modulus of the nanocellulose-based substrate material is at least 4 Gpa, e.g., in the range of 4 - 6 Gpa. The tensile properties can be measured using the modified SCN P 38:80 Paper and board - Determination of tensile strength - procedure, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety; "Hydrophobization of cellophane and cellulose nanofibrils films by supercritical state carbon dioxide impregnation with walnut oil" by Vartiainen et al., Biorefinery, vol. 31 no. (4) 2016. The crosshead speed during the test is 2 mm / min, the sample width is 15 mm, and the gauge length is 20 mm.

[0086] In some embodiments, the oxygen permeability of the nanocellulose-based substrate material is less than 0.2 cc×mm / m 2 ×day at a temperature of 23°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 0%, or less than 0.1 cc×mm / m 2 ×day, or less than 0.05 cc×mm / m 2 ×day, and less than 20 cc×mm / m 2 ×day at a temperature of 23°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 80%, or less than 10 cc×mm / m 2 ×day, or less than 5 cc×mm / m 2It is less than × days. The oxygen permeability can be measured using ASTM D3985; "Hydrophobization of cellophane and cellulose nanofibrils films by supercritical state carbon dioxide impregnation with walnut oil" by Vartiainen et al., Biorefinery, vol. 31 no. (4) 2016.

[0087] In some embodiments, the substrate part 110 is filled with an aerosol precursor composition. In various embodiments, the filling of the substrate part 110 is achieved by impregnating the nanocellulose material with the aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is impregnated with the aerosol precursor composition with a loading of at least 20 wt%, at least 25 wt%, or at least 30 wt%, at least 35 wt%, at least 40 wt%, at least 45 wt%, or at least 50 wt% based on the total weight of the impregnated material. Exemplary ranges of the aerosol precursor material include 20 wt% to 60 wt%, such as 25 wt% to 50 wt% or 30 wt% to 45 wt% based on the total weight of the impregnated material. Methods for filling the substrate part with the aerosol precursor composition are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,974,334 by Dooly et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0313283 by Collett et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0279673 by Sebastian et al., and the disclosures of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0088] Nanocellulose materials are inherently hydrophilic (although such materials can be made inherently hydrophobic when using certain manufacturing processes), and thus exhibit a high degree of absorption of hydrophilic aerosol precursor materials such as glycerin. In certain embodiments, the hydrophobicity of the nanocellulose base material can be enhanced to improve the chemical compatibility of the base material with the hydrophobic components of aerosol precursor materials such as menthol. Enhancement of the hydrophobicity of the nanocellulose material surface typically involves either physical interaction / adsorption of hydrophobic molecules onto the surface, or grafting of hydrophobic molecules onto the surface via chemical bonding, or a combination of such techniques. Examples of agents that can be physically adsorbed or otherwise associated with the nanocellulose surface include poly-DADMAC (polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride), cetrimonium bromide, and perfluoro-octadecanoic acid. Examples of chemical modification / grafting agents include acetic anhydride, hexamethyldisilazane, and hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Methylation and silylation are examples of grafting techniques that can enhance the hydrophobicity of the surface. See also the additives described in Missoum et al., Nanofibrillated Cellulose surface Modifications: A Review, Materials, 2013, 6, 1745-1766; Dufresne et al., Nanocellulose: a new ageless bio nanomaterial, Materials Today, 16(6), 2013, 220-227; Peng et al., Chemistry and applications of nanocrystalline cellulose and its derivatives: A nanotechnology perspective, Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 9999, 2011, 1-16; and Wang and Piao, From hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity: a critical review - part II: hydrophobic conversion, Wood and Fiber Science, 43(1), 2011, 41-46.

[0089] As described above, in various embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may include an additive component that increases the hydrophobicity of the substrate. In various embodiments, the additive component of the substrate portion 110 is added to the nanocellulose material before the nanocellulose material is impregnated, and the additive component chemically or physically modifies the nanocellulose material to make the nanocellulose material more hydrophobic, and further enables the nanocellulose material to receive an increased loading of a hydrophobic aerosol precursor material such as menthol. Examples of suitable hydrophobic aerosol precursor compositions for loading into the nanocellulose material include fragrances selected from the group consisting of esters, terpenes (including cyclic terpenes), aromatic compounds, and lactones. Additional examples of suitable hydrophobic aerosol precursor compositions include, but are not limited to, methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, pentyl pentanoate, citral, nerol, limonene, citronella, menthol, carvone, eugenol, anisole, benzaldehyde, masoia lactone, sotolon, jasmine lactone, gamma-decalactone, geraniol, and delta-decalactone. The hydrophobic component can also be an essential oil (e.g., peppermint oil, orange oil, etc.) or other plant extract, absolute or oleoresin (e.g., kola, ginger, etc.).

[0090] In certain other embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may be divided into various sub-portions. In some embodiments, one or more of the sub-portions may include an additive component (hereinafter referred to as the "treated portion") that increases the hydrophobicity of the sub-portion, and one or more of the sub-portions may not include a hydrophobic additive component (hereinafter referred to as the "untreated sub-portion"). Advantageously, this allows for one or more untreated sub-portions containing hydrophilic nanocellulose material and one or more treated sub-portions containing hydrophobic nanocellulose material. In some embodiments, the untreated sub-portions may be disposed closer to the heat source compared to the treated sub-portions to facilitate more heat to the untreated sub-portions. In certain other embodiments, the substrate portion 110 may comprise a segmented configuration of treated and untreated sub-portions such that the sub-portions are closely disposed in an end-to-end configuration. Such a configuration allows for a gradient substrate where the hydrophobicity of each sub-portion increases as the sub-portion is closer to being further away from the heat source. Generally, sub-portions with a higher hydrophobicity concentration require less heat to release the aerosol precursor composition within the sub-portion. In various embodiments, the treated and untreated sub-portions may be shredded and dispersed with each other such that the substrate portion 110 contains an admixture of the treated and untreated sub-portions in a shredded form.

[0091] As described above, the base portion 110 can also include a flame retardant material. An example of such a material is ammonium phosphate. In some embodiments, other flame retardant / combustion inhibiting materials and additives may be included within the base portion 110, and may include organic phosphorus compounds, borax, hydrated alumina, graphite, potassium, silica, tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol, and polyols. Other materials such as nitrogen-containing phosphonates, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ammonium ethanol borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea, and antimony oxide may also be used. In each aspect of the flame retardant, combustion retardant, and / or scorch retardant materials used in the base material and / or other components (alone or in combination with each other and / or with other materials), the desired properties are independent of and resistant to undesirable gas evolution or melting type behavior. Various methods and means for incorporating the tobacco into smoking articles, particularly smoking articles designed so as not to intentionally combust substantially all of the tobacco within those smoking articles, are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0215167 to Crooks et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0092] As described above, the substrate portion 110 may be impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may contain glycerin, propylene glycol, or medium-chain triglycerides. The aerosol-forming material includes polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, and triethylene glycol) and / or water, as well as any other material that produces a visible aerosol, and any combination thereof. Representative types of aerosol-forming materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., International Publication No. 98 / 57556 to Biggs et al., and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Monograph (1988), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulations are also characterized as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0020823 to Lipowicz et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0020830 to Koller, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367386 to McElvany et al., and International Publication No. 2014 / 182736 to Bowen et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.Other aerosol precursors that can be used include those incorporated in the VUSE(R) product by R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, the BLU(TM) product by Fontem Ventures B.V., the MISTIC MENTHOL product by Mistic Ecigs, the MARK TEN product by Nu Mark LLC, the JUUL product by Juul Labs, Inc., and the VYPE product by British American Tobacco. The so-called "smoke juice" for electronic cigarettes available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC is also desirable. Yet another exemplary aerosol precursor composition is sold under the trade names of BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY’S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. Embodiments of the foaming material can be used with the aerosol precursor composition and are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494 by Hunt et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Furthermore, the use of foaming materials is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,639,368 by Niazi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,178,878 by Wehling et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,223,264 by Wehling et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,974,590 by Pather et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,381,667 by Bergquist et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,424,541 by Crawford et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,627,828 by Strickland et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,307,787 by Sun et al., as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0018539 by Brinkley et al., and International Publication No. 97 / 06786 by Johnson et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additional descriptions of embodiments of aerosol precursor compositions, including descriptions of tobacco or components derived from tobacco contained therein, are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0020722 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0020723 by Davis et al., respectively, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0093] As described above, the substrate portion 110 may also contain a flavor. As used herein, reference to "flavor" refers to a compound or component that can be aerosolized and delivered to the user and provides a sensory experience with respect to taste and / or aroma. Some exemplary flavorings include, but are not limited to, vanilla, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruits (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach, and citrus flavorings including lime and lemon), kaede, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, rosemary, hibiscus, rose hip, yerba mate, guayusa, honeybush, rooibos, yerba santa, bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba, withania somnifera, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa, licorice, and flavors and flavor packages of the types and characteristics traditionally used in tobacco, cigar, and pipe tobacco flavorings. Syrups such as high fructose corn syrup can also be used. Some exemplary plant-derived compositions are disclosed in both U.S. Patent No. 9,107,453 to Dube et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0152265 to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The selection of such additional components is variable based on factors such as the sensory characteristics desired in the smoking article, their affinity for the substrate material, their solubility, and other physicochemical properties. The present disclosure is intended to encompass any such additional components that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art of tobacco and tobacco-related or tobacco-derived products. See, for example, Gutcho, Tobacco Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972) and Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972). The disclosures of these are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Note that the reference to a fragrance should not be limited to a single fragrance as described above, and in fact, may represent a combination of one or more fragrances.

[0094] As described above, the substrate portion 110 may also include conductive fibers or particles for heating by heat conduction or induction. In some embodiments, the conductive fibers or conductive particles may be arranged in a substantially linear and parallel pattern. In some embodiments, the conductive fibers or conductive particles may have a substantially random arrangement. In some embodiments, the conductive fibers or particles may be composed of one or more of an aluminum material, a stainless steel material, a copper material, a carbon material, and a graphite material. In some embodiments, one or more conductive fibers or particles having different Curie temperatures may be included in the substrate material to facilitate heating by induction at various temperatures.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the substrate portion 110 of the inserted supply source member 104 is segmented into a plurality of substrate segments associated with a plurality of heating segments of the heating source of the control body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating source of the control body 102 includes a first heating segment 132, a second heating segment 134, and a third heating segment 136. As shown, the substrate portion 110 includes a first substrate segment 142 associated with the first heating segment 132, a second substrate segment 144 associated with the second heating segment 134, and a third substrate segment 146 associated with the third heating segment 136. In some embodiments, the heating source may include less than three or more than three heating segments, and the heating portion 106 may include less than three or more than three respective substrate segments. In some embodiments, the heating source may include more or fewer heating segments than each substrate segment of the heating portion 106. In some embodiments, the aerosol source member 104 may include an aerosol path 116 that passes through the substrate segments 142, 144, 146. The aerosol path 116 may be disposed around the central longitudinal axis of the aerosol source member 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating segments 132, 134, 136 of the heating source are disposed downstream from the distal end of the control body 102, the first heating segment 132 is distal to the second heating segment 134, and the second heating segment 134 is distal to the third heating segment 136. In this configuration, the second heating segment 134 is disposed between the first heating segment and the third heating segments 132, 136. Similarly, the substrate segments 142, 144, 146 are arranged such that the second substrate segment 144 is downstream of the first substrate segment 142 and the third substrate segment 146 is downstream of the second substrate segment 146. In this configuration, the second substrate segment 144 is located between the first substrate segment and the third substrate segments 142, 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the downstream end of the aerosol source member 104 comprises the mouth end of the aerosol source member 104 that includes the filter 114.However, it should be noted that in other implementations, the downstream end of the aerosol source member may not have a mouth end and / or may not include a filter.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the heating source has a plurality of heating segments (e.g., two or more heating segments), but in other embodiments, the heating source may have one heating segment that heats a plurality of substrate segments (e.g., two or more substrate segments) to different temperatures. For example, a heating source having one heating segment may generate a temperature gradient across the plurality of substrate segments (e.g., based on proximity or distance from the heating source) such that the plurality of substrate segments are heated to different temperatures. Further, it should be noted that the illustrated embodiment shows an aerosol source member extending outside the control body, but the present invention should not be so limited. In other embodiments, for example, the aerosol source member may be fully received and / or concealed within the control body. In particular, in some embodiments, the source member may be fully housed within a receiving compartment or chamber of the control body. Further, in some embodiments, there may be a mouthpiece, but other embodiments need not include a mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may be a separate component (and in some embodiments, may be reusable). Further, in some embodiments, the source member may include a substrate portion and may not include a filter or other segment or portion.

[0097] Referring again to FIG. 3, when the heating segments 132, 134, 136 of the illustrated embodiment are activated, the first heating segment 132 is configured to heat the first substrate segment 142 to a first temperature, the second heating segment 134 is configured to heat the second substrate segment 144 to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and the third heating segment 136 is configured to heat the third substrate segment 146 to a third temperature lower than the second temperature. In this configuration, the temperature within the heating section 106 decreases from its tip towards the downstream end. The first heating segment 132 may terminate before the downstream end of the first substrate segment 142 and the distal end of the second substrate segment 144 such that the first temperature is limited to the first substrate segment 142 and the second substrate segment 144 is prevented from exceeding a desired temperature (e.g., the second temperature). Similarly, the second heating segment 134 may terminate before the downstream end of the second substrate segment 142 and the distal end of the third substrate segment 146 such that the third substrate segment 146 does not exceed the third temperature. The heating segments 132, 134, 136 may be an induction heating source or a conductive heating source. In some embodiments, the heating segments 132, 134, 136 are disposed along the substrate segments 142, 144, 146. Additionally or alternatively, the heating segments 132, 134, 136 are disposed within the substrate segments 142, 144, 146.

[0098] The first temperature may be in the range of 240°C to 350°C (for example, 300°C), the second temperature may be in the range of 180°C to 250°C (for example, 200°C), and the third temperature may be in the range of 80°C to 225°C (for example, 100°C). In some embodiments, the first, second, and third temperatures enable the formation of vapor of the aerosol-forming agent disposed within each of the substrate segments 142, 144, 146 while reducing or avoiding the formation of unwanted by-products such as off-flavors that may result from overheating of the substrate and / or overheating of some of the substrate materials and / or the aerosol-forming agent, which may result in the generation of harmful and potentially harmful components (HPHC) as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The first substrate segment 142 may include a first aerosol-forming agent 152 having a high boiling point and / or a low volatility index. The first aerosol-forming agent 152 may include nicotine and, in some embodiments, flavor elements that require high temperatures to form vapor. The first aerosol-forming agent 152 may be in the form of beads filled within the first substrate segment 142 and / or may be suspended in a heat-resistant cellulose, fibrous, non-fibrous, or inert substrate. The first temperature may be determined to heat the first aerosol-forming agent 152 without burning the first aerosol-forming agent 152 and / or the substrate in which the first aerosol-forming agent 152 is suspended. The first temperature may be determined to enable the flavor profile of the aerosol formed from the first aerosol-forming agent 152. The first aerosol-forming agent 152 can be suspended in glycerol to form vapor when the glycerol is heated to the first temperature. The first aerosol-forming agent 152 may include, but is not limited to, maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cinnamic acid, phenylacetic acid, levulinic acid, nerolidol, citronellyl phenylacetate, carvophyllene oxide, gamma-nonalactone, isoamyl phenylacetate, phenylethyl isovalerate, heliotropin, or combinations thereof.

[0099] The second substrate segment 144 may include a second aerosol-forming agent 154 having a lower boiling point and / or a higher volatility index than the first aerosol-forming agent 152. The second aerosol-forming agent 154 may include a flavor element configured to enhance an aerosol drawn downstream through the aerosol source member 104. In an embodiment, the second aerosol-forming agent 154 may include tobacco. The second aerosol-forming agent 154 may be in the form of beads filled within the second substrate segment 144 and / or may be suspended in a heat-resistant cellulose, fibrous, non-fibrous, or inert substrate similar to the first aerosol-forming agent 152. The second temperature may be determined to heat the second aerosol-forming agent 154 without burning the second aerosol-forming agent 154 and / or the substrate in which the second aerosol-forming agent 154 is suspended. The second temperature may be determined to enable a flavor profile of an aerosol formed from the second aerosol-forming agent 154. The second aerosol-forming agent 154 may be suspended in propylene glycol. The second aerosol-forming agent may also include glycerol or may be suspended in glycerol to facilitate flavor mixing. The second aerosol-forming agent 154 may include, but is not limited to, 2-acetylpyrrole, methylcyclopentenolone, α-ionone, geraniol, β-damascenone, menthol, caryophyllene, caproic acid, phenethyl alcohol, anethole, phenethyl butyrate, α-terpineol, ethyl phenylacetate, 3-methylvaleric acid, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, or combinations thereof.

[0100] The third base material segment 146 may include a third aerosol forming agent 156 having a lower boiling point and / or a higher volatility index than the first and second aerosol forming agents 152, 154. The third aerosol forming agent 156 may include a flavor element and / or tobacco configured to enhance the aerosol drawn downstream through the aerosol source member 104. The third aerosol forming agent 156 may be in the form of beads filled within the third base material segment 146 and / or may be suspended in a heat-resistant cellulose, fibrous, non-fibrous, or inert base material similar to the first aerosol forming agent 154. In an embodiment, the third aerosol forming agent 156 includes tobacco formed in a rod and / or filled within the third base material segment 146. The third temperature may be determined to heat the third aerosol forming agent 156 without burning the third aerosol forming agent 156 and / or the base material in which the third aerosol forming agent 156 is suspended. The third temperature may be determined to enable the flavor profile of the aerosol formed from the third aerosol forming agent 156. The third aerosol forming agent 156 may include, but is not limited to, 3-acetylpyridine, tetramethylpyrazine, methyl salicylate, linalool, ethyl caproate, gamma-valerolactone, para-tolualdehyde, 2-methylbutyric acid, isovaleric acid, benzaldehyde, limonene, 2-methylpyrazine, or combinations thereof.

[0101] As described above, in some embodiments, the third aerosol forming agent 156 may include tobacco. The third base material segment 146 can have a maximum temperature lower than the temperature at which the tobacco within the third aerosol forming agent 156 decomposes (e.g., 100 °C). In some embodiments, the second base material segment 144 may have a maximum temperature lower than the temperature at which the tobacco within the second base material segment decomposes (e.g., 150 °C). Specifically, Oriental and / or flue-cured tobacco can be included in the second aerosol forming agent 154, and Burley tobacco can be made more suitable for inclusion in the third aerosol forming agent 156.

[0102] In an embodiment, the nicotine salt may be included in one or more of the aerosol formers 152, 154, 156. The boiling point and / or volatility of the nicotine salt may depend on the vapor pressure of the acid used to form the salt, such that a particular nicotine salt may be more suitable for a particular one of the substrate segments 142, 144, 146. For example, nicotine lactate, nicotine levulinate, or nicotine benzoate may be suitable for the first aerosol former 152 in the first substrate segment 142, and nicotine L-malate or nicotine succinate may be suitable for the second aerosol former 154 in the second substrate segment 144.

[0103] Segmenting the heating portion 106 of the aerosol source member 104 in some embodiments enables the formation of vapor from each of the aerosol formers 152, 154, 156 while reducing the potential formation of undesirable by-products during vapor formation. Further, segmenting the heating portion 106 can enable more complete vapor formation of each of the aerosol formers 152, 154, 156 as compared to a non-segmented heating portion 106. Further, segmenting the heating portion 106 can enable a combination of high-boiling point and / or low-volatility aerosol formers with low-boiling point and / or high-volatility aerosol formers in a single supply member 104. Segmenting the heating portion 106 can also improve the flavor profile of the aerosol as compared to a non-segmented heating portion.

[0104] The first, second, or third aerosol-forming agent 152, 154, 156 may include a series of overlapping layers of a composite substrate sheet having a nanocellulose material. The layers of the nanocellulose material may be formed by any suitable method such as the wet-laying method and the dry-laying method (e.g., the carding method or the air-laying method). The resulting layer of nanocellulose fibers can be in the form of a film or a sheet. If desired, additive components such as additive components that enable a cellulose-based fiber sheet to be chemically modified can be used, typically to increase hydrophobicity. In various embodiments, the nanocellulose film or sheet may be impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition and / or additional fragrance to form the first, second, or third aerosol-forming agent 152, 154, 156. The nanocellulose sheet or film may be formed without using a polymer binder as is typically required when forming a cohesive sheet material. In certain embodiments, the nanocellulose material can act alone as a binder in a sheet or film of nanocellulose. Thus, in certain embodiments, the sheet material comprising the nanocellulose material is formed using a casting or papermaking process, and the sheet material incorporates one or more aerosol-forming materials and optionally one or more fragrances. However, the sheet material may substantially or completely not contain a polymer binder (e.g., less than 1 wt%, or less than 0.5 wt%, or less than 0.1 wt% polymer binder based on the total weight of the sheet). In other embodiments, the sheet material can include a polymer binder to supplement the binding properties of the nanocellulose material. For further details of suitable nanocellulose materials, reference can be made to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 294,098, filed on March 6, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] In some embodiments, the aerosol source member 104 and the control body 102 can generally be provided integrally as a complete smoking article or drug delivery article, but the components may be provided separately. For example, the present disclosure also includes a disposable unit for use with a reusable smoking article or a reusable drug delivery article. In certain embodiments, such a disposable unit (which can be an aerosol source member as shown in the accompanying figures) has a heating end configured to engage a reusable smoking article or pharmaceutical delivery article, an opposite mouthpiece configured to allow passage of the substance inhalable by the consumer, and a generally tubular body having a wall defining an inner space with an outer surface and an inner surface. Various embodiments of the aerosol source member (or cartridge) are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0106] Although some of the figures described herein show the control body and the aerosol source member in an operational relationship, it is understood that the control body and the aerosol source member may exist as separate devices. Accordingly, any discussion provided herein with respect to the combined components should also be understood to apply to the control body and the aerosol source member as individual and distinct components.

[0107] Referring now to FIG. 4, another aerosol source member 204 according to the present disclosure is provided. As described above, in other embodiments, the heating source may be a non-carbon heating source, but in the illustrated embodiment, the aerosol source member 204 is a carbon-heated tobacco product and includes a carbon heating source 232, a segmented heating section 206, and a filter 214 from the distal end to the downstream end. The aerosol source member 204 may be used with or without a holder. The heating section 206 is similar to the heating section 106 detailed above, and like elements include like labels with the leading "1" replaced by a leading "2". Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, like elements are not detailed herein.

[0108] In use, the carbon heating source 232 is ignited and burned to generate heat. The heating part 206 is heated by the heat generated by the carbon heating source 232, and forms an aerosol from the aerosol forming agent disposed within the heating part 206. As described herein, the heating source 232 is a carbon heating source. However, other heating sources that can supply heat to the heating part 206 in a manner similar to the heating source 232 may also be used.

[0109] Referring further to FIG. 5, in some exemplary embodiments, the heating part 206 may be separated from the heating source 232 by a first barrier 262 disposed between the first substrate segment 242 and the heating source 232. The first barrier 262 is configured to provide a thermal barrier between the heating source 232 and the first substrate segment 242 to maintain the temperature within the first substrate segment 242 below a predetermined first maximum temperature (e.g., 300 °C). For example, the heating source 232 may burn at 700 °C, and the first barrier 262 may provide a thermal barrier between the heating source 232 and the first substrate segment 242 such that the first substrate segment 242 is at 300 °C or less. The first barrier 262 may be fire-resistant or flame-retardant to prevent ignition of the first barrier 262 and thus the substrate segment 206.

[0110] The heating part 206 may include a second barrier 264 disposed between the first substrate segment 242 and the second substrate segment 244. The second barrier 264 is configured to provide a thermal barrier between the first substrate segment 242 and the second substrate segment 244 to maintain the temperature within the second substrate segment 244 below a predetermined second maximum temperature (e.g., 200 °C).

[0111] The heating unit 206 may include a third barrier 266 disposed between the second substrate segment 244 and the third substrate segment 246. The third barrier 266 is configured to provide a thermal barrier between the second substrate segment 244 and the third substrate segment 246 to maintain the temperature within the third substrate segment 246 below a predetermined third maximum temperature (e.g., 100 °C).

[0112] One or more of the barriers 262, 264, 266 may be embodied as a metal disk (e.g., an aluminum disk) and may include one or more openings to allow air to pass through. In some embodiments, the barriers 262, 264, 266 are formed of metal, silica fiber, silica aerogel, pyrogel, ceramic insulator, cellulose fiber containing silica, refractory fiber, carbon fiber and foam, various phase change materials, or combinations thereof. For example, during use, the user can draw air through the filter 214 to draw an aerosol containing a desired flavor and / or a desired amount of nicotine through the first, second, and third aerosol formers 252, 254, 256 disposed inside each of the first, second, and third substrate segments 242, 244, 246, downstream from or adjacent to the heat source so that air is drawn through the first, second, and third substrate segments 242, 244, 246. The barriers 262, 264, 266 prevent the temperature within each substrate segment 242, 244, 246 from exceeding a predetermined temperature as the inhaled air passing through forms vapor within the first, second, and third aerosol formers 252, 254, 256 to produce a desired aerosol having a desired flavor and other characteristics. Further, preventing the temperature within each substrate segment 242, 244, 246 from exceeding a predetermined temperature prevents the respective aerosol formers 252, 254, 256 from degrading or breaking. However, it will be understood that in some embodiments, one or more of the barriers 262, 264, and 266 may be omitted.

[0113] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4, the aerosol source member 204 may include an outer wrap 212 for engaging at least a portion of the heating source 232 with at least a portion of the substrate portion 206 and the filter 214, or otherwise joining them together. In various embodiments, the outer wrap 212 is configured to be held in the wrap position in any manner including via adhesives, fasteners, etc. to enable the outer wrap 212 to remain in the wrap position. Otherwise, in some other aspects, the outer wrap 212 may be configured to be removable as desired. For example, when the outer wrap 212 is held in the wrap position, the outer wrap 212 can be removed from the heating source 232, the substrate portion 206, and / or the filter 214.

[0114] In some embodiments, in addition to the outer wrap 212, the aerosol delivery device may also include a liner configured to circumscribe at least a portion of the substrate portion 206 and the heat source 232. The liner can circumscribe only a portion of the length of the substrate portion 206, and in some embodiments, the liner can circumscribe substantially the entire length of the substrate portion 206. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer wrap 212 and the liner may be separate materials provided together (e.g., bonded, fused, or joined in some other way together as a laminate). In other embodiments, the outer wrap 212 and the liner may be the same material. In either case, the liner may be configured to thermally condition the conduction of heat generated by the ignited heat source 232 radially outside the liner. Thus, in some embodiments, the liner may be composed of a metal foil material, an alloy material, a ceramic material, or other thermally conductive amorphous carbon-based material, and / or an aluminum material, and in some embodiments, may comprise a laminate. In some embodiments, depending on the material of the outer wrap 212 and / or the liner, a thin layer of insulator may be provided radially outside the liner. Thus, in some ways, the liner advantageously provides a way to engage two or more separate components of the aerosol source member 204 (e.g., the heat source 232, the substrate portion 206, and / or a portion of the filter 214, etc.), while facilitating axial heat transfer along it, but may also provide a way to limit radial heat conduction.

[0115] In various embodiments, ignition of the heat source 232 results in aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition associated with the substrate portion 206. The elements of the substrate portion 206 may not undergo thermal decomposition (e.g., carbonization, charring, or combustion) to a significant extent, and the aerosolized components are entrained in the air drawn into the user's mouth through the aerosol source member 204 including the filter 214. In various embodiments, the filter 214 is configured to receive the generated aerosol in response to suction applied to the filter 214 by the user. In some embodiments, the filter 214 may be fixedly engaged with the substrate portion 206. For example, adhesives, joining, welding, etc. may be suitable for fixedly engaging the filter 214 with the substrate portion 206. In one example, the filter 214 is ultrasonically welded and sealed to the end of the substrate portion 206. In some embodiments, the aerosol source member 204 may include an intermediate portion disposed between the filter 214 and the substrate portion 206. The intermediate portion can allow the aerosol to collect and / or reinforce the filter 214 and / or the substrate portion 206.

[0116] Tobacco materials that may be useful in the present disclosure can be modified and include, for example, flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco or Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire-cured tobacco and rusticated tobacco, as well as other rare or special tobaccos, or blends thereof. The tobacco materials can also include so-called "blended" forms and processed forms such as processed tobacco systems (e.g., cut roll or cut puff systems), volume-expanded tobacco (e.g., puff tobacco such as dry ice-expanded tobacco (DIET) that can be in cut filler form), reconstituted tobacco (e.g., reconstituted tobacco manufactured using a papermaking type or cast sheet type process), and the like. Various representative types of tobacco, processed types of tobacco, and types of tobacco blends are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,836,224 by Lawson et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,924,888 by Perfetti et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,056,537 by Brown et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,159,942 by Brinkley et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,220,930 by Gentry, U.S. Patent No. 5,360,023 by Blakley et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,701,936 by Shafer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,011,096 by Li et al., and U.S. Patent No. 7,017,585 by Li et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,025,066 by Lawson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004 / 0255965 by Perfetti et al., International Publication No. 02 / 37990 by Bereman, and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, p. 11-17 (1997), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Further examples of tobacco compositions that may be useful are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the comminuted tobacco material may contain a flavorful and aromatic blend of tobacco.In another embodiment, the tobacco material may contain a reconstituted tobacco material as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Further, the reconstituted tobacco material can include a reconstituted tobacco sheet for a cigarette 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 content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0117] In various embodiments, the heat source 232 may be configured to generate heat upon ignition. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 232 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a combustible fuel element incorporating a combustible carbonaceous material. In other embodiments, the heat source 232 may have a different shape, for example, a prismatic shape having a triangular, cubic, or hexagonal cross-section. The carbonaceous material generally has a high carbon content. The carbonaceous material may consist primarily of carbon and / or typically have a carbon content of more than 60%, generally more than 70%, often more than 80%, and frequently more than 90% on a dry weight basis.

[0118] In some cases, the heating source 232 may incorporate elements other than the combustible carbonaceous material (e.g., tobacco components such as powdered tobacco or tobacco extracts, flavorants, salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium carbonate, thermally stable graphite fibers, iron oxide powder, glass filaments, powdered calcium carbonate, alumina granules, ammonia sources such as ammonium salts, and / or binders such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). The specific dimensions of the applicable heating source may vary, but in some embodiments, the heating source 232 has an overall length in the inclusive range of about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and in some embodiments, may be about 17 mm, and has an overall diameter in the inclusive range of about 3 mm to about 8 mm, and in some embodiments, may be about 4.8 mm (about 7 mm in some embodiments). In other embodiments, the heating source may be constructed in various ways, but in the illustrated embodiment, the heating source 232 is extruded or compounded using a pulverized or powdered carbonaceous material and has a bulk density of more than 0.5 g / cm 3 exceeding, often more than 0.7 g / cm 3 exceeding, frequently 1 g / cm 3It has a density exceeding, for example, that 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 hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. See the types of fuel source components, formulations, and designs described therein. In various embodiments, the heating source may have various forms, including, for example, a substantially solid cylindrical shape or a hollow cylindrical (e.g., tube) shape. However, the heating source 232 in the illustrated embodiment has a generally cylindrical shape and includes an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material having a plurality of grooves (not shown) extending longitudinally from a second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposite second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device, particularly the heating source, may include a heat transfer component. In various embodiments, the heat transfer component may be proximate to the heating source, and in some embodiments, the heat transfer component may be disposed within or within the heating source. Some examples of heat transfer components are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 923,735, filed on March 16, 2018, entitled Smoking Article with Heat Transfer Component, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0119] Generally, the heat source is arranged close enough to an aerosol delivery component (e.g., a substrate part) having one or more aerosolizable components such that an aerosol formed / volatilized by the application of heat from the heat source to the aerosolizable components (as well as any flavoring, medicament, etc. similarly provided for delivery to the user) can be delivered to the user via a mouthpiece. That is, when the heat source heats the substrate part, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the references to release, releasing, releases, or released are meant to be interchangeable with form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated, such that the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or an aerosol or a mixture thereof. Further, the selection of the various aerosol delivery device elements is understood in view of commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices such as the representative products listed in the background art section of the present disclosure.

[0120] In another aspect, the present disclosure can be directed to kits that provide various components as described herein. For example, the kit may comprise a control body having one or more aerosol source members. The kit may further comprise a control body having one or more charging components. The kit may further comprise a control body having one or more batteries. The kit may further comprise a control body having one or more aerosol source members and one or more charging components and / or one or more batteries. In a further embodiment, the kit may comprise a plurality of aerosol source members. The kit may further comprise a plurality of aerosol source members as well as one or more batteries and / or one or more charging components. In the above embodiments, the aerosol source member or the control body may comprise a heating source including them. The kit may further comprise one or more holders and one or more aerosol source members having an ignitable heat source. The kit of the present invention may further include a case (or other packaging, transportation, or storage component) that houses one or more of the additional kit components. The case can be a reusable rigid or soft container. Further, the case can be merely a box or other package structure.

[0121] Those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will envision many modifications and other embodiments having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be 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. An aerosol source member configured to generate an aerosol for delivery, the aerosol source member comprising: a segmented substrate portion, the segmented substrate portion comprising: a first substrate segment containing a first aerosol former; and a second substrate segment containing a second aerosol former different from the first aerosol former, the second substrate segment being disposed between the first substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the first substrate segment and the second substrate segment being configured such that when heated by a heat source, the first substrate segment is heated to a first temperature and the second substrate segment is heated to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, further comprising a third substrate segment containing a third aerosol former, the third substrate segment being disposed between the second substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the third aerosol former being different from the first aerosol former and the second aerosol former, and the third substrate segment being configured such that when heated by a heat source, the third substrate segment is heated to a third temperature lower than the second temperature, The aerosol source member.

2. The aerosol source member according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate segment contains a tobacco-free material and the second substrate segment contains a tobacco material.

3. The first temperature is set to aerosolize the first aerosol former without substantially decomposing the first aerosol former, the second temperature is set to aerosolize the second aerosol former without substantially decomposing the second aerosol former, and / or The first temperature is capable of decomposing the second aerosol former, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

4. The first aerosol forming agent contains at least one of maltol, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cinnamic acid, phenylacetic acid, levulinic acid, nerolidol, citronellyl phenylacetate, caryophyllene oxide, gamma-nonalactone, isoamyl phenylacetate, phenylethyl isovalerate, heliotropin, nicotine lactate, nicotine levulinate, or nicotine benzoate, and / or, The second aerosol forming agent contains at least one of 2-acetylpyrrole, methylcyclopentenolone, alpha-ionone, geraniol, beta-damasce, menthol, caryophyllene, caproic acid, phenethyl alcohol, anethole, phenethyl butyrate, alpha-terpineol, ethyl phenylacetate, 3-methylvaleric acid, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, nicotine L-malate, or nicotine mucate, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

5. The first aerosol forming agent contains a nanocellulose material impregnated with an aerosol precursor composition, and / or, The second aerosol forming agent contains a nanocellulose material impregnated with another aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

6. The third base material segment contains a tobacco material, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

7. The third aerosol forming agent contains at least one of 3-acetylpyridine, tetramethylpyrazine, methyl salicylate, linalool, ethyl caproate, gamma-valerolactone, para-tolualdehyde, 2-methylbutyric acid, isovaleric acid, benzaldehyde, limonene, or 2-methylpyrazine, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

8. It further includes a heating source disposed adjacent to the first base material segment, the heating source is integral with the aerosol source member, and optionally, The heating source is a combustible heating source, and / or, optionally, The aerosol source member according to claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed proximate to the downstream end of the aerosol source member.

9. A first barrier disposed between the heat source and the first substrate segment, the first barrier configured to prevent the first substrate segment from exceeding a first temperature, and, optionally, A second barrier disposed between the first substrate segment and the second substrate segment, the second barrier configured to prevent the second substrate segment from exceeding a second temperature, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

10. The first temperature is in the range of about 200°C to about 300°C, and the second temperature is in the range of about 100°C to about 200°C, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

11. The heat source comprises a first heating segment and a second heating segment, the first heating segment configured to heat the first substrate segment to the first temperature, and the second heating segment configured to heat the second substrate segment to the second temperature, the aerosol source member according to claim 1.

12. An aerosol delivery device, A control body configured to house at least a portion of the aerosol source member, A heat source, comprising, The aerosol source member comprises a segmented substrate portion, the segmented substrate portion comprising a first substrate segment containing a first aerosol-forming agent and a second substrate segment containing a second aerosol-forming agent different from the first aerosol-forming agent, the second substrate segment being disposed between the first substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the heating source being configured to heat the first substrate segment to a first temperature and the second substrate segment to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, further comprising a third substrate segment containing a third aerosol-forming agent, the third substrate segment being disposed between the second substrate segment and the downstream end of the aerosol source member, the third aerosol-forming agent being different from the first aerosol-forming agent and the second aerosol-forming agent, and the third substrate segment being configured to be heated by the heating source to a third temperature lower than the second temperature, an aerosol delivery device.

13. The heating source comprises a first heating segment and a second heating segment, the first heating segment being configured to heat the first substrate segment to a first temperature, and the second heating segment being configured to heat the second substrate segment to a second temperature, and, optionally, The control body includes a power source configured to supply energy to the first heating segment and the second heating segment, the aerosol delivery device according to claim 12.

14. The control body includes a controller configured to control the energy transmitted to the first and second heating segments, the aerosol delivery device according to claim 12.

15. The first heating segment is disposed along at least a portion of the first substrate segment, and the second heating segment is disposed along at least a portion of the second substrate segment, the aerosol source member according to claim 11, or the aerosol delivery device according to claim 13.

16. The first heating segment is disposed around the first substrate segment, and the second heating segment is disposed around the second substrate segment, the aerosol source member according to claim 11, or the aerosol delivery device according to claim 13.

17. The first and second heating segments are electrical heating elements, the aerosol source member according to claim 11, or the aerosol delivery device according to claim 13.

18. At least one of the first or second heating segments comprises a resistive heating element, and / or, At least one of the first or second heating segments comprises an inductive heating element, the aerosol source member according to claim 11, or the aerosol delivery device according to claim 13.

19. The substrate portion defines an aerosol path extending towards the downstream end of the aerosol source member, and / or, The heat source comprises a first heating segment, the first heating segment being configured to heat the first substrate segment to a first temperature and the second substrate segment to a second temperature, the aerosol source member according to claim 1, or the aerosol delivery device according to claim 12.

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