Aerosol delivery device that provides flavor control

Abstract

To provide a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, and an aerosol delivery device having the cartridge.SOLUTION: The cartridge includes: a first reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition; and an atomizer having a liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first reservoir and a heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition transported by the liquid transport element. The cartridge also can include a second reservoir 522, the second reservoir including two or more separate chambers 560, where at least one of the chambers contains a flavorant. A flow of air is configured to pass adjacent to the atomizer to entrain particles of the aerosol precursor composition that are vaporized by the heating element. The flow of air is also configured to pass at least one of the chambers of the second reservoir to entrain the flavorant of the corresponding chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device, and more particularly to an aerosol delivery device including a reservoir and a vaporization assembly that can utilize electrical power to heat an aerosol precursor composition for the production of an aerosol. An aerosol precursor composition that can incorporate materials and / or components that can be manufactured from or derived from tobacco and / or can incorporate tobacco is heated by the vaporization assembly to produce an inhalable substance for human consumption.

Background Art

[0002] Many smoking articles have been proposed over the years as improvements or alternatives to smoking products based on burning tobacco. 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. Examples include the smoking articles described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The goal of improvements or alternatives to smoking products has typically been to provide the sensation associated with smoking tobacco, cigars, or pipes without delivering a significant amount of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. For this purpose, numerous smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile substances or provide the sensation of smoking tobacco, cigars, or pipes 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 by Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 by Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 by Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, see also the various types of smoking products, aerosol delivery devices and electric heat sources referenced by trade names and commercial sources in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 by Bless et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, see also the further types of smoking products, aerosol delivery devices and electric heat sources referenced by trade names and commercial sources listed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 by DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Other representative cigarettes or smoking products described and, in some cases, commercially available are incorporated herein by reference in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 by Gerth et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 by Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 and U.S. Patent No. 4,947,875 by Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 by Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 by Morgan et al., and U.S. Patent No. U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594, 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 by Kobayashi U.S. Patent No. 253, U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 by Hamano, U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 by Shayan, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0095311 by Hon, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 by Hon, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0126745, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0188490, U.S. Patent Publication No. 253 by Thorens et al. This includes the specifications described in Publication No. 2009 / 0272379, Publication No. 2009 / 0260641 and Publication No. 2009 / 0260642 by Monsees et al., Publication No. 2008 / 0149118 and Publication No. 2010 / 0024834 by Oglesby et al., Publication No. 2010 / 0307518 by Wang, and the brochure in International Publication No. 2010 / 091593 by Hon.

[0004] Representative products that share many of the attributes of traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes include ACCORD(R) by Philip Morris Incorporated, ALPHA(TM), JOYE 510(TM), and M4(TM) by InnoVapor LLC, CIRRUS(TM) and FLING(TM) by White Cloud Cigarettes, BLU(TM) by Lorillard Technologies, Inc., COHITA(TM), COLIBRI(TM), ELITE CLASSIC(TM), MAGNUM(TM), PHANTOM(TM), and SENSE(TM) by EPUFFER(R) International Inc., DUOPRO(TM), STORM(TM), and VAPORKING(R) by Electronic Cigarettes, Inc., EGAR(TM) by Egar Australia, eGo-C(TM) and eGo-T(TM) by Joyetech, ELUSION(TM) by Elusion UK Ltd, and Eonsmoke EONSMOKE(R) by LLC, FIN(TM) by FIN Branding Group, LLC, SMOKE(R) by Green Smoke Inc.USA, GREENARETTE(TM) by Greenarette LLC, HALLIGAN(TM), HENDU(TM), JET(TM), MAXXQ(TM), PINK(TM), and PITBULL(TM) by SMOKE STIK(R), HEATBAR(TM) by Philip Morris International, Inc., HYDRO IMPERIAL(TM) and LXE(TM) from Crown7, LOGIC(TM) and THE CUBAN(TM) by LOGIC Technology, LUCI(R) by Luciano Smokes Inc., METRO(R) by Nicotek, LLC, NJOY(R) and ONEJOY(TM) by Sottera, Inc., NO.7(TM) by SS Choice LLC, and PREMIUM ELECTRONIC by PremiumEstore LLC. CIGARETTE(TM), Ruyan America, Inc.It is sold under the names RAPP E-MYSTICK(TM) by Red Dragon Products, LLC as RED DRAGON(TM), Ruyan Group(Holdings)Ltd. as RUYAN(R), Smoker Friendly International, LLC as SF(R), The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd. as GREEN SMART SMOKER(R), Coastline Products LLC as SMOKE ASSIST(R), Smoking Everywhere, Inc. as SMOKING EVERYWHERE(R), VMR Products LLC as V2CIGS(TM), VaporNine LLC as VAPOR NINE(TM), Vapor 4 Life, Inc. as VAPOR4LIFE(R), E-CigaretteDirect, LLC as VEPPO(TM), RJReynolds Vapor Company as VUSE(R), Mistic Menthol products by Mistic Ecigs, and Vype products by CN Creative Ltd. Furthermore, other electric aerosol delivery devices, particularly those characterized as so-called e-cigarettes, are marketed under the brand names COOLER VISIONS™, DIRECT E-CIG™, DRAGONFLY™, EMIST™, EVERSMOKE™, GAMUCCI®, HYBRID FLAME™, KNIGHT STICKS™, ROYAL BLUES™, SMOKETIP®, and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE™. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0255702 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0220232 Specification [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0245659 [Patent Document 7] U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 [Patent Document 8] U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 [Patent Document 10] U.S. Patent No. 4,947,875 [Patent Document 11] U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 [Patent Document 12] U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 [Patent Document 13] U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594 [Patent Document 14] U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 [Patent Document 15] U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 [Patent Document 16] U.S. Patent No. 6,164,287 [Patent Document 17] U.S. Patent No. 6,196,218 [Patent Document 18] U.S. Patent No. 6,810,883 [Patent Document 19] U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 [Patent Document 20] U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 [Patent Document 21] U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253

Patent Document 22

Patent Document 23

Patent Document 24

Patent Document 25

Patent Document 26

Patent Document 27

Patent Document 28

Patent Document 29

Patent Document 30

Patent Document 31

Patent Document 32

Patent Document 33

Patent Document 34

Summary of the Invention

[0007] In various implementations, the disclosure provides cartridges for use in aerosol delivery devices. In one implementation, the cartridge comprises a first reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition, and an atomizer comprising a liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first reservoir and a heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition transported by the liquid transport element. In an exemplary implementation, the cartridge may further comprise a second reservoir, the second reservoir comprising two or more separate chambers, at least one of which contains a flavoring. The cartridge is configured to guide an airflow passing adjacent to the atomizer, encompassing particles of the aerosol precursor composition to be vaporized by the heating element. The cartridge is configured to guide an airflow, passing through at least one of the chambers of the second reservoir, encompassing the flavoring in each chamber.

[0008] In some implementations, the cartridge may further comprise at least one mask on one side of a second reservoir, the mask being configured to allow airflow through it, and the mask and the second reservoir being configured to be movable relative to each other so that the mask selectively and alternatively directs airflow through one or more selected chambers of the second reservoir.

[0009] In some implementations, the chamber of the second reservoir comprises an outer shell defining an inner surface surrounding an inner passage formed by a porous tube, the outer shell containing the flavoring, and the inner passage being configured to allow airflow to pass through the chamber and entrain the flavoring from the inner surface.

[0010] In some implementations, visual markings are provided on the cartridge to specify the chamber of the second reservoir.

[0011] In some implementations, the chamber includes a hopper for staging the flavorings. In one example, the chamber further includes an actuator for selectively releasing the flavorings from the hopper. In one implementation, the flavorings are encapsulated in multiple capsules. In one embodiment, the actuator is configured to break at least one of the capsules to release the flavorings. In one exemplary implementation, the actuator includes a pair of gears. The teeth of the gears can cooperate so that the rotation of the gears is configured to release at least one capsule from the hopper and release the flavorings from the capsules, which are then carried by an airflow. In one example, the actuator is triggered by a mechanical button.

[0012] In some implementations, the cartridge is further equipped with a window to the hopper so that the amount of flavoring remaining in the hopper can be determined.

[0013] In various implementations, this disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device. In one implementation, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control body and a cartridge. In various implementations, the cartridge comprises a first reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition, and an atomizer comprising a liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first reservoir and a heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition transported by the liquid transport element. The cartridge in an exemplary implementation may also include a second reservoir, the second reservoir comprising two or more separate chambers, at least one of which contains a flavoring. The cartridge is configured to guide an airflow passing adjacent to the atomizer and entrain particles of the aerosol precursor composition to be vaporized by the heating element. The cartridge is configured to guide an airflow and pass through at least one of the chambers of the second reservoir and entrain the flavoring in each chamber.

[0014] In some implementations, the cartridge further comprises at least one mask on one side of a second reservoir, the mask being configured to allow airflow through the mask, and the mask and the second reservoir being configured to be movable relative to each other so that the mask selectively and alternatively directs airflow through one or more selected chambers of the second reservoir.

[0015] In some implementations of aerosol delivery devices, the second reservoir chamber of the cartridge comprises an outer shell defining an inner surface surrounding an inner passage formed from a porous tube, the outer shell containing the flavoring, and the inner passage being configured to allow airflow to pass through the chamber and entrain the flavoring from the inner surface.

[0016] In some implementations of aerosol delivery devices, a visual marking is provided on at least one of the cartridge and control body to designate the chamber of the second reservoir.

[0017] In some implementations of the aerosol delivery device, the cartridge chamber comprises a hopper for collecting flavorings. In some embodiments, the chamber further comprises an actuator for selectively releasing the flavorings from the hopper. In some embodiments, the flavorings are encapsulated in multiple capsules. In some implementations, the actuator is configured to break at least one of the capsules to release the flavorings. In one implementation, the actuator comprises a pair of gears, the teeth of which cooperate such that the rotation of the gears is configured to release at least one capsule from the hopper and release the flavorings from the capsules, which are then carried by an airflow. In one example, the actuator is activated by a mechanical button.

[0018] In some implementations of aerosol delivery devices, the cartridge has a window to the hopper so that the amount of flavoring remaining in the chamber can be determined.

[0019] It should be understood that the above summary is provided solely for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely examples of some embodiments and should not be construed in any way as to narrow the scope or intent of this disclosure. It should be understood that the scope of this disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments, some of which are described further below in addition to those summarized herein. Furthermore, other features, embodiments, and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description, along with, for example, the accompanying drawings illustrating the principles of the embodiments described.

[0020] The present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments: Embodiment 1: A cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, comprising: a first reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition; an atomizer having a liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first reservoir and a heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition transported by the liquid transport element; and a second reservoir comprising two or more separate chambers, at least one of which contains a flavoring, wherein the cartridge is configured to guide an airflow passing adjacent to the atomizer to enclose particles of the aerosol precursor composition vaporized by the heating element, and the cartridge is configured to guide an airflow, passing through at least one chamber of the second reservoir to enclose the flavoring in each chamber.

[0021] Embodiment 2: A cartridge of any prior embodiment, further comprising at least one mask on one side of a second reservoir, the mask being configured to allow an airflow to pass through the mask, and the mask and the second reservoir being configured to be movable relative to each other so that the mask selectively and alternatively directs an airflow through one or more chambers of the second reservoir.

[0022] Embodiment 3: A cartridge of any prior embodiment, wherein the chamber of the second reservoir comprises an outer shell defining an inner surface surrounding an inner passage, the outer shell containing a flavoring, and the inner passage comprises a porous tube configured to allow airflow through the chamber to entrain the flavoring from the inner surface.

[0023] Embodiment 4: A cartridge of any prior embodiment, wherein a visual marking is provided on the cartridge to designate a second reservoir chamber.

[0024] Embodiment 5: A cartridge of any prior embodiment further comprising a hopper for collecting flavorings.

[0025] Embodiment 6: A cartridge of any prior embodiment further comprising an actuator for selectively releasing flavorings from a hopper.

[0026] Embodiment 7: A cartridge of any prior embodiment in which flavorings are encapsulated in multiple capsules.

[0027] Embodiment 8: A cartridge of any prior embodiment, wherein the actuator is configured to break at least one capsule to release a flavoring.

[0028] Embodiment 9: The actuator comprises a pair of gears, the teeth of which cooperate to configure the rotation of the gears to release at least one capsule from a hopper, and release a flavoring from the capsule, which is then entrained by an airflow, in any of the cartridges of the preceding embodiments.

[0029] Embodiment 10: The actuator is a cartridge of any prior embodiment, activated by a mechanical button.

[0030] Embodiment 11: A cartridge of any prior embodiment, comprising a window to the hopper so that the amount of flavoring remaining in the hopper can be determined.

[0031] Embodiment 12: Aerosol delivery device comprising: a control body; a cartridge comprising: a cartridge comprising: a first reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition; an atomizer comprising a liquid transport element in fluid communication with the first reservoir and a heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition transported by the liquid transport element; and a second reservoir comprising two or more separate chambers, at least one of which contains a flavoring; wherein the cartridge is configured to guide an airflow to pass adjacent to the atomizer to enclose particles of the aerosol precursor composition vaporized by the heating element; and the cartridge is configured to guide an airflow to pass through at least one chamber of the second reservoir to enclose the flavoring of each chamber.

[0032] Embodiment 13: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein the cartridge further comprises at least one mask on one side of a second reservoir, the mask being configured to allow airflow to pass through the mask, and the mask and the second reservoir being configured to be movable relative to each other so that the mask selectively and alternatively directs airflow through one or more chambers of the second reservoir.

[0033] Embodiment 14: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein the chamber of the second reservoir of the cartridge comprises an outer shell defining an inner surface surrounding an inner passage, the outer shell containing a flavoring, and the inner passage comprises a porous tube configured to allow airflow to pass through the chamber and entrain the flavoring from the inner surface.

[0034] Embodiment 15: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein a visual marking is provided on at least one of the cartridge and the control body to designate a chamber for a second reservoir.

[0035] Embodiment 16: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, further comprising a hopper for collecting flavorings.

[0036] Embodiment 17: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, further comprising an actuator for selectively releasing a flavoring from a hopper.

[0037] Embodiment 18: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein flavorings are encapsulated in a plurality of capsules.

[0038] Embodiment 19: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein the actuator is configured to break at least one of the capsules to release a flavoring.

[0039] Embodiment 20: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, comprising a pair of gears, the teeth of which cooperate such that the rotation of the gears releases at least one capsule from a hopper and releases a flavoring from the capsule, the flavoring then being carried by an airflow.

[0040] Embodiment 21: The actuator is activated by a mechanical button in an aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment.

[0041] Embodiment 22: An aerosol delivery device of any prior embodiment, wherein the cartridge has a window to a hopper so that the amount of flavoring remaining in the chamber can be determined.

[0042] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the Disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings briefly illustrated below. The Invention includes any combination of two, three, four, or more of the embodiments described above, and any combination of any two, three, four, or more features or elements described herein, whether such features or elements are expressly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The Disclosure is intended to be read in whole so that in any of its various aspects and embodiments, any separable feature or element of the disclosed Invention should be considered as combinable unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0043] To aid in understanding aspects of this disclosure, accompanying drawings are provided herein, which are not necessarily drawn to a consistent scale and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. The drawings are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0044] [Figure 1] The image shows a side view of an aerosol delivery device comprising an assembled cartridge and control unit, according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the control unit according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the cartridge according to the exemplary implementation configuration of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a flavoring assembly with an exemplary cartridge configuration. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the flavor reservoir in an exemplary implementation configuration of the flavoring assembly. [Figure 7]This diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery device, according to another exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavoring module based on an exemplary cartridge configuration. [Figure 9A] Figure 8 shows one exemplary implementation configuration for operating the flavoring module. [Figure 9B] Figure 8 shows one exemplary implementation configuration for operating the flavoring module. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] This disclosure is described more fully below with reference to its exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described so as to give thoroughness and completeness to this disclosure and to fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In fact, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so as to satisfy the legal requirements to which this disclosure is applicable. Where used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural variations unless otherwise explicitly indicated in context.

[0046] This disclosure provides a description of an aerosol delivery device. An aerosol delivery device can use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, and such an article can be compact enough to be considered a “handheld” device. An aerosol delivery device can provide some or all of the sensations of smoking a tobacco, cigar, or pipe (e.g., manner of inhalation and exhalation, type of taste or flavor, sensory stimulation effect, physical sensation, method of use, visual stimulation such as that provided by a visible aerosol) without significant combustion of any component of the article or device. An aerosol delivery device may not produce smoke in the sense of an aerosol resulting from the combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather the article or device may produce vapor (including vapor in an aerosol that can be considered a visible aerosol that can be considered as a smoke-like substance) resulting from the volatilization or vaporization of certain components of the article or device, although in other implementations the aerosol may not be visible. In some implementations, an aerosol delivery device may incorporate tobacco and / or tobacco-derived components. Therefore, aerosol delivery devices can be characterized as electronic smoking products such as e-cigarettes or "e-cigarettes."

[0047] In this specification, the systems are generally described in terms of implementations related to aerosol delivery devices such as so-called "electronic cigarettes," but it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods can be embodied in many different forms and associated with various articles. For example, the descriptions provided herein can be adopted in combination with implementations of relevant packages for any of the conventional smoking products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), non-combustible heated tobacco, and any of the products disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the descriptions of mechanisms, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are described only as examples in relation to embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices and may be embodied and used in various other products and methods.

[0048] The aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure can also be characterized as vapor products or drug delivery articles. Such articles or devices can therefore be configured to deliver one or more substances (e.g., flavorings and / or pharmacopoeias) in an inhalable form or state. For example, the inhalable substance may be substantially in the form of a 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 suspended mass of fine solid particles or droplets in a gas). For brevity, the term “aerosol” as used herein means including vapors, gases, and aerosols in a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether visible and in a form that can be perceived as smoke.

[0049] During use, the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may be exposed to many of the physical actions performed by an individual when using conventional types of smoking products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, or pipes used by lighting and inhaling the tobacco). For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure may hold the item as with conventional types of smoking products, inhale one end of the item to inhale the aerosol produced by the item, and smoke the cigarette at selected time intervals.

[0050] The aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure generally include a number of components housed within an outer shell or body. The overall design of the outer shell or body can vary, and the form or configuration of the outer body, which can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device, can vary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be formed from a single, unified shell, or the elongated body can be formed from two or more separable parts. For example, an aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated shell or body. The elongated shell or body can be substantially tubular in shape, thus resembling the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. However, various other shapes and configurations can be used in other embodiments (e.g., rectangular or fob-shaped).

[0051] In one implementation configuration, all components of the aerosol delivery device are housed within a single outer body or shell. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more joined and separable shells. For example, an aerosol delivery device may have a control body at one end, comprising a shell containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and various electronic devices for controlling the operation of the articles thereof), and at the other end, detachably mounted, a shell containing disposable components (e.g., a disposable flavoring cartridge). More specific forms, configurations, and arrangements of components within a single-shell type unit or a multi-piece separable-shell type unit will become apparent in light of further disclosures provided herein. Furthermore, considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices will help to understand the design and component arrangements of various aerosol delivery devices.

[0052] The aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure may comprise several combinations of a power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control component (means for operating, controlling, regulating and / or stopping power for heating, such as by controlling the current from the power source to other components of the aerosol delivery device), a heater or heating component (e.g., an electrical resistor or inductive heating element or component that may be commonly referred to as part of an "atomizer"), and an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., a liquid that can generate an aerosol by applying sufficient heat, such as components commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid," and "e-juice"), and a mouth-end region or tip that allows inhalation to the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflow path through an article such that the generated aerosol can be drawn out from the mouth-end region or tip when inhaled).

[0053] The arrangement of components within the aerosol delivery device of this disclosure may vary. In certain implementations, the aerosol precursor composition may be placed near the end of the aerosol delivery device, which can be configured to be positioned near the user's mouth to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. However, other configurations are not excluded. Generally, the heating element may be placed close enough to the aerosol precursor composition so that heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol precursor (which itself may contain one or more flavorings, drugs, or other additives) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. Note that the terms above are interchangeable, so that the references to release, releasing, releases, or released include form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or generated. Specifically, inhalable substances are released in the form of vapors, aerosols, or mixtures thereof, and such terms are also used interchangeably herein unless otherwise specified.

[0054] As described above, the aerosol delivery device can incorporate a battery and / or other power source (e.g., a capacitor) to supply sufficient current to provide various functions to the aerosol delivery device, such as powering a heater, a control system, and an indicator. The power source can take various implementation forms. In one example, the power source can supply sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating element to provide aerosol formation and to power the aerosol delivery device through use for a desired duration. The power source can be sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the power source is lightweight enough not to impair the desired smoking experience.

[0055] More specific forms, configurations, and arrangements of components within the aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure will become apparent in light of the further disclosures provided below. Furthermore, considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices will help to understand the various selections of aerosol delivery device components. Furthermore, the arrangement of components within aerosol delivery devices can also be understood by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Components of commercially available products, methods of operating commercially available products, materials contained in commercially available products, and / or other attributes of commercially available products, as well as examples of commercially available products that may be included in the devices of the manufacturers, designers, and / or assignees of the components of this disclosure, and related technologies that can be used in the aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 222,615 filed July 28, 2016 by Watson et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0056] One exemplary implementation of the aerosol delivery device 100 is shown in Figure 1. In particular, Figure 1 shows the aerosol delivery device 100 including a control body 200 and a cartridge 300. The control body 200 and the cartridge 300 can be permanently or detachably aligned in a functional relationship. Various mechanisms can connect the cartridge 300 to the control body 200 to provide screw engagement, press-fit engagement, interlocking fit, magnetic engagement, etc. When the cartridge 300 and the control body 200 are in an assembled configuration, the aerosol delivery device 100 can be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular, or substantially cylindrical in some implementations. However, as described above, various other configurations such as rectangular or fob-shaped can be used in other implementations. Furthermore, although the aerosol delivery device is generally described herein as being similar in size and shape to conventional smoking products, other implementations may use different configurations and larger capacity reservoirs, sometimes referred to as "tanks".

[0057] In certain implementations, one or both of the cartridge 300 and the control unit 200 may be referred to as disposable or reusable. For example, the control unit 200 may have a replaceable or rechargeable battery and / or capacitor and can therefore be combined with any type of charging technology, including connection to a wall charger, connection to a car charger (i.e., a cigarette lighter receptacle), connection to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or connector (e.g., USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, USB Type-C), connection to a photovoltaic cell (sometimes called a solar cell) or solar panel of a solar cell, or wireless charger, including a charger using inductive wireless charging (e.g., wireless charging compliant with the Qi wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC)), or a radio frequency (RF) based charger. An example of an inductive wireless charging system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0112196 by Sur et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Furthermore, in some implementations, the cartridge 300 may comprise a disposable cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 by Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, the cartridge 300 may contain a limited amount of aerosol precursor composition to provide many of the sensations of smoking a particular amount of a conventional type of smoking product (e.g., the manner of inhalation and exhalation, the type of taste or flavor, the sensory stimulation effect, etc.). In some embodiments, the cartridge 300 may contain a specific amount of aerosol precursor composition equivalent to the amount of a conventional type of smoking product that would be consumed to obtain the smoking sensation of a typical amount of a conventional type of smoking product (e.g., a typical pack of cigarettes—i.e., 20 cigarettes).

[0058] Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the control body 200 of an aerosol delivery device 100 (see Figure 1) in an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, the control body 200 may comprise a coupler 202, an outer body 204, a sealing member 206, an adhesive member 208 (e.g., KAPTON(R) tape), a flow sensor 210 (e.g., a puff sensor or pressure switch), a control component 212, a spacer 214, a power supply 216 (e.g., a rechargeable capacitor and / or battery), a circuit board with at least one indicator 218, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which can communicate with the consumer regarding the status of the battery, flavoring, liquid, and / or combination thereof using different types of sensors (pressure, resistance, humidity, etc.), a connector circuit 220, and an end cap 222. An example of a power supply is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 by Peckerar et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in whole.

[0059] With respect to the flow sensor 210, typical current regulating 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 by Gerth et al., U.S. Patents No. 4,922,901, 4,947,874, and 4,947,875 by Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 by McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 by Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 by Nguyen et al., and U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 by Pan, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. See also the control scheme described in U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 by Ampolini et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0060] In one implementation configuration, the indicator 218 may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes. The indicator 218 can communicate with the control component 212 via the connector circuit 220 and may light up, for example, while the user is inhaling the cartridge coupled to the coupler 202, as detected by the flow sensor 210. The end cap 222 may be adapted to visualize the illumination provided beneath it by the indicator 218. Thus, the indicator 218 can light up during use of the aerosol delivery device 100 to simulate the lighting of the smoking end. However, in other implementation configurations, the indicator 218 may be provided in various numbers and may take on different shapes, and may even be an opening in the outer body (for example, for sound emission when such an indicator is present).

[0061] Further components may be utilized in the aerosol delivery devices of this disclosure. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 by Sprinkel et al. discloses an indicator of smoking products; 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 initiate heating of the heating device after detecting user lip activity related to smoking; 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 across the mouthpiece; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 by Harris et al. discloses a receptacle in a smoking device including a discriminator for detecting non-uniformity of infrared transmittance of an inserted component and a controller that performs 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 viable power cycle having several different phases; and U.S. Patent No. 5, U.S. Patent No. 934,289 discloses photonic-optronic components; U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 by Counts et al. discloses means for changing suction resistance via a smoking device; U.S. Patent No. 6,803,545 by Blake et al. discloses specific battery configurations for use in a smoking device; U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 by Griffen et al. disclose 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. disclose an identification system for a smoking device; and Flick's International Publication No. 2010 / 003480 discloses a fluid flow sensing system indicating puffs in an aerosol generation system. All of the aforementioned disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Further examples of components related to electronic aerosol delivery articles and disclosed materials or components that may be used in these articles are found in 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, and U.S. Patent No. 8,1 U.S. Patent No. 56,944 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 Nos. 8,915,254 and 8,925,555 by Monsees et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 by DePiano et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0196518 by Hon. This includes the detailed specifications 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 incorporated herein by reference in whole. Various materials disclosed in the aforementioned documents can be incorporated into the apparatus in various embodiments, and all of the aforementioned disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in whole.

[0062] Figure 3 shows a cartridge 300 of the aerosol delivery device 100 (see Figure 1) in a disassembled configuration. As shown, the cartridge 300 may comprise, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a base 302, control component terminals 304, electronic component 306, flow director 308, atomizer 310, reservoir 312 (e.g., liquid tank or reservoir substrate), outer body 314, mouthpiece 316, label 318, and first and second heating terminals 320, 321. Markings 330 may be affixed to the label 318 or outer body 314 to provide the user with an indicator of an internal component or function, such as a flavoring reservoir, as described below.

[0063] In some implementations, the first and second heating terminals 320, 321 can be embedded in or otherwise coupled to the flow director 308. For example, the first and second heating terminals 320, 321 can be insert-molded into the flow director 308. Thus, the flow director 308 and the first and second heating terminals are collectively referred to herein as the flow director assembly 322. Further descriptions relating to the first and second heating terminals 320, 321 and the flow director 308 are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0335071 by Brinkley et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0064] The atomizer 310 in the illustrated configuration may include a liquid transport element 324 and a heating element 326. The cartridge may further include a base transport plug that engages with the base and / or a mouthpiece transport plug that engages with the mouthpiece to protect the base and mouthpiece and prevent contaminants from entering therein before use, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 by Depiano et al., which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] The base 302 can be coupled to a first end of the outer body 314, and the mouthpiece 316 can be coupled to an opposing second end of the outer body to substantially or completely enclose other components of the cartridge 300 therein. For example, the control component terminals 304, electronic components 306, flow director 308, atomizer 310, and reservoir 312 can be substantially or completely held within the outer body 314. A label 318 may surround the outer body 314 and, optionally, the base 302 at least partially and include information such as a product identifier on the outer body 314. The base 302 can be configured to engage with a coupler 202 of the control body 200 (see, for example, Figure 2). In some implementations, the base 302 may have an anti-rotation feature that substantially prevents relative rotation between the cartridge and the control body, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0261495 by Novak et al., which is incorporated entirely herein by reference.

[0066] Reservoir 312 can be configured to hold the aerosol precursor composition. Several representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulations are also described and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 by Collett et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,254,002 by Chong et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013 / 0008457 by Zheng et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0020823 by Lipowicz et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0020830 by Koller, and in International Publication 2014 / 182736 by Bowen et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other usable aerosol precursors include those incorporated into RJReynolds Vapor Company's VUSE(R) product, Lorillard Technologies' BLU product, Mistic Ecigs' MISTIC MENTHOL product, and CN Creative Ltd.'s VYPE product. So-called "smoke juice" for e-cigarettes, available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC, is also desirable. Forms of foaming material implementation can be used with aerosol precursors, as exemplified in Hunt et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0055494, incorporated herein by reference.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 Pater 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 incorporated herein by reference. Further descriptions of the implementation of the aerosol precursor composition, including a description of tobacco or tobacco-derived components contained in the aerosol precursor composition, are provided in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 216,582 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 216,590, filed on 21 July 2016, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0067] The reservoir 312 may include multiple layers of nonwoven fibers formed in the shape of a tube surrounding the inside of the outer body 314 of the cartridge 300. Thus, for example, a liquid component can be held sorbently by the reservoir 312. The reservoir 312 is fluidly connected to the liquid transport element 324. Thus, the liquid transport element 324 may be configured to transport the liquid from the reservoir 312 to the heating element 326 via capillary action or other liquid transport mechanisms. The reservoir 312 is not limited to an absorbent reservoir substrate type. The reservoir 312 may include a housing or tank that holds the aerosol precursor in a free-flowing liquid form. The reservoir 312 may or may not be refillable.

[0068] As shown in the figure, the liquid transport element 324 can be in direct contact with the heating element 326. As further shown in Figure 3, the heating element 326 may include wires defining a plurality of coils wound around the liquid transport element 324. According to some embodiments, the heating element 326 can be formed by winding wires around the liquid transport element 324, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,210,738 by Ward et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Furthermore, in some implementations, the wires can define a variable coil spacing, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,277,770 by DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The heating element 326 can be formed using various implementations of a material configured to generate heat when an electric current flows through it. Examples of materials that can form wire coils include Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al)2), graphite and graphite-based materials, and ceramics (e.g., ceramics with positive or negative temperature coefficients).

[0069] However, various other mounting methods can be employed to form the heating element 326, and various other mounting forms of heating elements can be used in the atomizer 310. For example, a stamped heating element can be used in the atomizer, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0270729 by DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition to the above, additional representative heating elements and materials for use in atomizers are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 by Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,093,894 by Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,224,498 by Deevi et al., and Sprinkel This is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,228,460 by Jr. et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,322,075 by Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,353,813 by Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,468,936 by Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,498,850 by Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,659,656 by Das, U.S. Patent No. 5,498,855 by Deevi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,530,225 by Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,665,262 by Hajaligol, U.S. Patent No. 5,573,692 by Das et al., and U.S. Patent No. 5,591,368 by Fleischhauer et al., and their disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, chemical heating may be used in other implementation forms. Various further examples of heaters and materials used to form heaters are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 by Collett et al., incorporated herein by reference as described above.

[0070] Various heater components can be used in this aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, one or more microheaters or similar solid-state heaters can be used. Microheaters and atomizers incorporating microheaters suitable for use in the currently disclosed device are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 by Collett et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0071] The first heating terminal 320 and the second heating terminal 321 (e.g., negative and positive heating terminals) engage with opposing ends of the heating element 326 and are configured to form an electrical connection with the control body 200 when the cartridge 300 is connected thereto (see, for example, Figure 2). Furthermore, when the control body 200 is coupled to the cartridge 300, the electronic component 306 can form an electrical connection with the control body via the control component terminal 304. Thus, the control body 200 can use the electronic control component 212 (see Figure 2) to determine whether the cartridge 300 is genuine and / or whether it performs other functions. Furthermore, various examples of electronic control components and the functions performed by them are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0096781 by Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0072] During use, the user can inhale through the mouthpiece 316 of the cartridge 300 of the aerosol delivery device 100 (see Figure 1). This can draw in air through the control body 200 (see, for example, Figure 2) or the opening of the cartridge 300. For example, in one implementation, an opening can be defined between the coupler 202 and the outer body 204 of the control body 200, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 by DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety (see, for example, Figure 2). However, in other implementations, the airflow may be received through other parts of the aerosol delivery device 100. As described above, in some implementations, the cartridge 300 may include a flow director 308. The flow director 308 may be configured to direct the airflow received from the control body 200 to the heating element 326 of the atomizer 310.

[0073] A sensor within the aerosol delivery device 100 (for example, a flow sensor 210 in the control unit 200; see Figure 2) can detect a puff. When a puff is detected, the control unit 200 can direct current to the heating element 326 via a circuit including a first heating terminal 320 and a second heating terminal 321. Thus, the heating element 326 can vaporize the aerosol precursor composition that has been guided from the reservoir 312 to the aerosolization zone by the liquid transport element 324. Thus, the mouthpiece 326 can allow air and entrained vapors (i.e., components of the aerosol precursor composition in an inhalable form) to pass from the cartridge 300 to the consumer who inhales the mouthpiece 326.

[0074] Further details regarding components that may be included in cartridge 300 are provided, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014 / 0261495 by DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further details regarding components that may be included in cartridge 300 and related to those components are provided, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0335071 by Brinkley et al., filed on 23 May 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0075] Various components of the aerosol delivery apparatus described herein can be selected from components described and commercially available in the art. For example, see the reservoir and heater system for controllable delivery of multiple aerosolizable materials in an e-smoking product disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0000638 by Sebastian et al., which is incorporated entirely herein by reference.

[0076] In another implementation, the cartridge can be substantially entirely formed from one or more carbon materials, which can offer advantages in terms of biodegradability and the absence of wires. In this regard, the heating element may include carbon foam, the reservoir may include carbonized cloth, and graphite may be used to form electrical connections with power and control components. Exemplary embodiments of carbon-based cartridges are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013 / 0255702 by Griffith et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0077] However, in some implementations, it may be desirable to provide aerosol delivery devices, particularly cartridges for use in aerosol delivery devices, in alternative configurations. In this regard, Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge 500 for use in an aerosol delivery device according to a first exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise described and / or illustrated, components of an aerosol delivery device, in particular a control body for use with the illustrated cartridge, may be substantially similar to or identical to the corresponding components described above.

[0078] As shown in Figures 4-6 and as described in more detail below, the cartridge 500 of the shown configuration includes the following components: a mouthpiece 504, a primary reservoir 508, an atomizer 510 (including a liquid transport element 512 and a heating element 514), a flavoring reservoir 522, and a flavoring assembly 520 including a flavoring selector in the form of a mask 524 providing an airflow controller, as well as a cartridge base 530 configured to provide mechanical and electrical connections between the cartridge and the control body. As can be understood from the above description, the cartridge 500 of Figures 4-6 can be configured to releasably engage the control body with the cartridge base 530 to form an aerosol delivery device. In various configurations, the control body may be similar to or identical to the control body 200 described above (see Figure 2), and therefore its description will not be repeated. However, it should be noted that in other configurations, the control body may differ from that described above. Furthermore, in some implementations, the control body of the aerosol delivery device may have a shape different from those described above, such as a handheld fob-shaped control body.

[0079] In various implementations, the primary reservoir 508 can be a tank-type reservoir constructed from one or more of various materials, including, for example, metallic materials, glass materials, ceramic materials, and / or plastic materials such as acrylic materials (e.g., polymethlamethacrylate, polyethylene, polyester, etc.). In some implementations, the primary reservoir 508 may include a translucent or transparent material so that the user can see the amount of aerosol precursor composition remaining in the primary reservoir 508. In one implementation, the primary reservoir 508 is constructed from polycarbonate, polypropylene, or Tritan™. In some embodiments, the primary reservoir 508 is in the form of a tank for free-flowing the liquid aerosol precursor composition. In alternative embodiments, the primary reservoir 508 may include a porous material for holding the aerosol precursor composition, as described above with respect to reservoir 312 (Figure 3).

[0080] The corresponding connectors (Figure 2) on the cartridge base 530 of the cartridge 500 and the control body 200 are configured so that the cartridge base and the control body do not easily move relative to each other when mounted together. It should be noted that such a relationship can be formed using appropriate connecting means as described above. For example, in some mounting configurations, the cartridge base and the control body can be connected using screw connections, magnetic connections, snap connections, and / or bayonet connections, the cartridge base (or control body) may include one or more pins, and the control body (or cartridge base) may include one or more corresponding L-shaped slots.

[0081] As described above, one embodiment of the cartridge base 530 can provide an electrical connection to the power supply 216 of the control unit 200 (Figure 2) so that current can be selectively supplied to the atomizer 510, more specifically to the heating element 514.

[0082] In various implementations, the liquid transport element 512 may include a porous monolith. For example, in the illustrated implementation, the liquid transport element 512 may include a ceramic material so that the aerosol precursor composition delivered to the liquid transport element 512 can be absorbed into the liquid transport element 512 for aerosolization. In another example, the transport element 512 may be formed from silica fibers, cotton, mesh, other porous metals, or other cellulose-based materials. In one embodiment, a ceramic liquid transport element with a precise shape may be manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing techniques. The liquid transport element 512 may be fixed directly to a hole formed on the primary reservoir 508. Alternatively, a further sponge-like disc, such as a porous pad made from a superabsorbent polymer, ceramic, etc., may provide an interfacial connection between the liquid transport element 512 and the primary reservoir 508. In various implementations, the heating element 514 may be wrapped around the liquid transport element 512 or wound in a spiral, as shown. In some implementations, the wires of the heating element 514 may include titanium, Kanthal (FeCrAl), nichrome, nickel, stainless steel, molybdenum disilicate (MoSi2), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicate (Mo(Si,Al)2), graphite and graphite-based materials, ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics), tungsten, and tungsten-based alloys, or other suitable materials as described elsewhere herein. Tungsten and tungsten-based alloys may be useful in that these materials can specify a coefficient of thermal expansion suitable for use in many ceramics that can be used in the liquid transport element 512.

[0083] As mentioned above, according to several implementations, the atomizer 510 can be formed by winding wire around a liquid transport element, as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,210,738 by Ward et al., whose entirety is incorporated herein by reference. However, various other methods can be used to form the atomizer 510, and various other implementations of the heating element can be used in the atomizer. For example, a metal mesh can be arranged around a cylindrical wick, or a ribbon-like metal mesh can be arranged around a ribbon-shaped or sheet-shaped wick. For example, the heating element can be configured to heat an aerosol precursor composition placed within the liquid transport element via radiant heating, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0020193, filed December 3, 2015, whose entirety is incorporated herein by reference. In another implementation, the heating element 514 may be configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition via induction heating, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0127722, filed November 6, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Various heater components can be used in this aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, one or more microheaters or similar solid-state heaters can be used. Microheaters and atomizers incorporating microheaters suitable for use in the currently disclosed device are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 by Collett et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0084] Although not illustrated in this manner, in some implementations, the wire of the heating element 514 can be at least partially embedded in the liquid transport element 512. In this regard, in the case of a ceramic liquid transport element 512, the wire of the heating element 514 can be embedded in the liquid transport element 512 before the liquid transport element 512 is fired in a high-temperature oven known as a kiln. For example, the wire can be wound around a long portion of the base material on which the ceramic is formed before the material is fired. Examples of such base materials used to form the ceramic within the liquid transport element 512 include clay, oxides, non-oxides, and composite materials. Thereafter, the wire can be at least partially embedded in the base material while being wound around it. The base material and wire can then be fired in the kiln. A saw or other cutting device can then divide the product into individual atomizers of the desired length. In another embodiment, the heating element can be at least partially placed in a wick after the ceramic firing, and the heating element is located within a channel of ceramic formed using additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology.

[0085] In the illustrated implementation, the atomizer chamber 540 is formed around the atomizer 510. The atomizer chamber 540 is in fluid communication with an aerosol channel 546 that passes through the primary reservoir 508 and terminates at an opening 548 that passes through the mouthpiece 504 of the cartridge 500.

[0086] Figure 5 shows details of the flavoring assembly 520 by exploded perspective view. In the illustrated embodiment, the flavoring assembly 520 is located upstream of the atomizer chamber 540. In other embodiments, the flavoring assembly 520 may be located downstream of the atomizer chamber 540. The flavoring assembly 520 includes a flavoring reservoir 522 and a mask 524. The flavoring reservoir 522 may include a housing 556 and a lid 558. The housing 556 and lid 558 may be made of a polymer (such as acetate, PE, PP, silicone, polyester, polyurethane), or a ceramic (e.g., alumina), or a metal (e.g., aluminum). The housing 556 may be provided in the form of a tray configured to be removable from the cartridge 500. The flavoring reservoir 522 and mask 524 can form a module that can be easily assembled as part of the cartridge 500, or they can provide a replaceable part of the cartridge.

[0087] In the illustrated embodiment, the flavor reservoir 522 is divided into four separate chambers or flavor sections 560. The disclosure is not limited to four flavor sections 560, but may have fewer or more flavor sections. Each of the flavor sections 560 is configured to collect a flavor that can be selectively added to the aerosol exiting the opening 548 of the mouthpiece 504. Each flavor section 560 can contain a flavor, but one of the flavor sections 560 of the flavor reservoir 522 may be intentionally left empty to allow the user to receive an aerosol containing only the aerosol precursor composition in the primary reservoir 508. The empty flavor section 560 may be referred to as a bypass section of the flavor reservoir 522.

[0088] Each flavoring section 560 can constitute its own reservoir. In one example, a user could construct their own combination of flavoring sections 560, including the possibility of selecting each flavoring section to contain the same flavoring.

[0089] In some implementations, the flavoring section 560 may include a section of a flavoring reservoir 522 containing the flavoring. The flavoring can be provided as a liquid, solid, or gel, and these may be in the form of separate beads or particles. In other implementations, the flavoring section 560 may include a substrate or other material in which the flavoring is absorbed or otherwise contained. For example, in some implementations, the flavoring section 560 may include carbon materials, ceramics, polymers, composite materials, metals, cellulose, and the like.

[0090] As shown in Figure 6, the flavoring section 560 may include an outer shell 562 formed by a housing 556 that defines an inner surface surrounding an inner passage 566. The outer shell 562 is configured to contain the flavoring. The inner passage 566 is configured to allow drawn air to pass through the flavoring section 560 and enclose the flavoring from the inner surface. The inner surface may be defined by a wick 570, particularly a tubular wick, which provides an interface connection between the inner passage 566 and the contents of the outer shell 562. The wick 570 may be a nanoporous tube, microporous tube and / or macroporous tube made of a polymer (such as polyethylene or polyester fiber) or ceramic (such as alumina, silica, or zirconia) that absorbs flavoring, such as liquid flavoring, from within the outer shell 562 and transports the liquid flavoring to the fluid contact area with the inner passage 566 via capillary action. In the inner passage 566, the air that has been drawn in once can pass through the inner passage, thereby entraining flavoring particles. The material of the wick 570 is not particularly limited and may include any material suitable for the fluid transfer element 324 (Figure 3), as described above.

[0091] In various implementations, the aerosol precursor composition held in the primary reservoir 508 may include an unflavored aerosol precursor composition, but flavored aerosol precursor compositions (i.e., aerosol precursor compositions containing one or more flavorings) are also conceivable. The flavoring section 560 may contain one or more flavorings and may itself be provided in the form of a composition containing the aerosol precursor component. As used herein, the reference to “flavoring” refers to a compound or component that can be aerosolized and delivered to the user and that provides a sensory experience in terms of taste and / or aroma. Exemplary flavorings include, but are not limited to, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruit (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach, and citrus flavorings including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, rosemary, hibiscus, rosehip, yellow mate, guayusa, honeybush, rooibos, yellow santa, bacopa monnieri, ginkgo leaf, ashwagandha, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa, licorice, and flavorings and flavoring packages of types and characteristics traditionally used in flavoring tobacco, cigars, and pipe tobacco. Syrups such as high-fructose corn syrup may also be used. Appropriate exemplary plant-derived compositions are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,107,453 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0152265, both by Dube et al., and their disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The selection of such further components is variable based on factors such as the desired sensory characteristics of the smoking product, and this disclosure is intended to encompass such further components that are readily apparent to those skilled 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). These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Note that references to flavorings should not be limited to a single flavoring as described above, but may actually represent a combination of one or more flavorings.

[0092] Returning to Figure 5, the mask 524 can be formed from a polymer, ceramic, or metal. The mask 524 acts as an airflow controller for directing the airflow, which can be associated with user inhalation at the mouthpiece 504 (Figure 4) via an internal passage 566 of one or more flavor sections 560, so that the flavor is accompanied by the airflow before reaching the atomizer chamber 540 (Figure 4). In one implementation, the airflow begins at the opening of the cartridge 300 between the base 530 and the mask 524 and reaches the inlet 574 of the mask. In another implementation, the airflow path can begin at the opening of the coupler 202 of the control body 200 (Figure 2). The airflow can then exit the mask 524 through the outlet 578 (Figure 4). In the illustrated example, the inlet 574 and outlet are directly opposite each other on opposite faces of the disc-shaped mask 524. In another embodiment not shown, the inlet can be located in the center of the first side of the disc-shaped mask. The outlet can be located on the opposite side of the mask, offset from the center. Those skilled in the art will understand that the resulting mask 524 can be substantially hollow or otherwise provide a passage from the inlet 574 to the outlet. The arrangement of the inlet 574 and outlet of the mask 524 is not particularly limited, as long as at least one inlet 574 can receive the airflow, regardless of the position of the mask 524 relative to the fluid reservoir 522. Furthermore, the arrangement of the outlet is configured to allow the airflow to pass through or selectively guide through one or more desired flavoring sections 560.

[0093] In another implementation, the mask 524 can be positioned downstream of the flavor reservoir 522. In this implementation, the mask can act only to allow airflow to exit the desired flavor section 560, rather than directly flowing into it.

[0094] In another embodiment not shown, a second mask may be placed between the flavor reservoir 522 and the atomizer chamber 540. The second mask may be rotated together with the mask 525 to help prevent the unintended release of flavor particles from the flavor section 560 into the atomizer chamber 540.

[0095] In another example not shown, the mask 524 may be ring-shaped and surround the cartridge 500. Airflow can be initiated at the inlet 574 of the mask 524, and the outlet 578 of the mask 524 may be selectively positioned with respect to a number of openings into the cartridge body, each opening facilitating the passage of airflow to and through one selected inner passage 566 of the flavoring section 560.

[0096] In various implementations, the mask 524 can be configured to be rotatably mounted relative to the flavor reservoir 522. During operation (see Figure 4), the cartridge 500 is detachably mounted to the control body 200 via a cartridge base 530. The mask 524 is assembled with the cartridge 500 to be adjustable, for example, rotatable relative to the flavor reservoir 522, to selectively direct the airflow F through a desired flavor section 560 or bypass section of the flavor reservoir. Thus, the consumer can selectively align the outlet 578 of the mask 524 with a selected flavor section 560 by adjusting the mask to the appropriate position relative to the flavor reservoir 522. In one example, the flavor reservoir 522 is fixed to the cartridge 500, and the mask 524 can be fixed relative to the control body 200 or rotatable relative to the control body 200. Therefore, the mask 524 can be rotated independently, or the selection of the flavoring section 560 can be done by rotating the control body 200 relative to the cartridge 500.

[0097] In various implementations, the cartridge 500 and / or control body may include one or more indicators to assist the consumer in determining the rotational position. For example, in some implementations, the cartridge 500 and / or control body may include visual indicators, such as multiple markings 330 (Figure 3), to indicate the location of the various flavor sections of the flavor reservoir 522. Alternatively, or additionally, the cartridge 500 and / or control body may include one or more audible or tactile indicators, such as a series of return stops (in some implementations, sounds may also be included), to indicate the location of the various flavor sections. Return stops may be provided, for example, to ensure proper alignment between the outlet 578 of the mask 524 and the flavor section 560. If there are four flavor sections 560, the markings 330 and return stops may be arranged at equal intervals of 90 degrees around the circumference of the cartridge 300 to provide a predetermined degree of rotation for each flavor section. It should be noted that in some implementations, one or more of the components described above may be moved relative to other components without affecting the operation of the device.

[0098] An electrical connection between the control body 200 (Figure 1) and the atomizer 510 (Figure 5), including an electrical connector provided via both ends of the heating element 514, for example via the mask 524, allows the control body 200 to direct current to the atomizer 510 when activated by the user (e.g., via a button) and / or when a puff of the aerosol delivery device is detected. A puff can be detected by a change in the electrical resistance of a material that can be folded or bent by the airflow F inhaled by the consumer. When the user inhales the mouthpiece 504 of the cartridge 500, the airflow F (see Figure 4) can be directed from the environment through one or more air intakes in the cartridge base 530. The airflow F inhaled through the air intakes can then be drawn through one or more inner passages 566 of one or more flavor sections 560 of the flavor reservoir 522, as facilitated by the mask 524.

[0099] Simultaneously, a flow sensor (see, for example, Figure 2) can detect inhalation. This allows the control unit 200 to heat the atomizer 510 by conducting an electric current through the heating element 514. Once the atomizer 510 is heated, the aerosol precursor composition from the primary reservoir 508 can be vaporized in the atomizer 510 either directly or via heating of the liquid transport element 512. Thus, the resulting vapor or aerosol A is generated in the atomizer chamber 540 and mixed with the accompanying flavoring collected by the airflow F passing through the inner passage 566 of the selected flavoring section 560, and then can travel through the aerosol channel 546 to the user through the opening 548 of the mouthpiece 504.

[0100] The use of the cartridge 500 associated with the control unit 200 (Figure 2) can be characterized by a method of forming an aerosol for the user to drink by one or more of the following steps: A cartridge is provided comprising a primary reservoir 508 containing an aerosol precursor composition, a mask 524, and a flavor reservoir 522 containing a plurality of flavor sections 560. This method may also include adjusting the mask 524 relative to the flavor reservoir 522 to select one or more flavor sections 560. In some implementations, adjusting the mask may include aligning the outlet 578 of the mask 524 with the inner passage 566 of the selected flavor section 560 of the flavor reservoir 522. This method may further comprise directing an airflow F through the selected flavor section 560 to the atomizer chamber 540. The flavor is carried in the airflow F as the suction passes through the inner passage 566. This method further includes adding particles of the aerosol precursor composition from the primary reservoir 508, vaporized by the atomizer 510, to the airflow F. Vaporizing the aerosol precursor composition may include directing an electric current from the control body 200 to the atomizer 510 to aerosolize the aerosol precursor composition. In various implementations, aerosolizing the aerosol precursor composition may include heating a heater coil 514 that heats a liquid transport element 512 containing the aerosol precursor composition to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition.

[0101] Returning to another embodiment of the cartridge, Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge 700 for use in an aerosol delivery device, according to a second exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 7–9 and described in more detail below, the cartridge 700 of the illustrated implementation includes the following components: a mouthpiece 704, a primary reservoir 708, an atomizer 710 (including a liquid transport element 712 and a heating element 714), a cartridge base 718, and one or more flavoring modules 720. The flavoring modules 720 can be considered to provide similar functionality to the flavoring section 560 of cartridge 500 (Figure 4), and multiple flavoring modules 720 can be combined to form a flavoring reservoir that selectively incorporates flavoring into the aerosol drawn from the mouthpiece 704. The illustrated embodiment in Figure 7 shows two flavoring modules 720, but it should be understood that additional modules may be possible.

[0102] As can be understood from the above description, the cartridge 700 in Figures 7 to 9 can be configured to releasably engage the control body 200 (Figure 2) with the cartridge base 718 in order to form an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the control body may be similar to or identical to the control body 200 described above (see Figure 2), and therefore its description will not be repeated. However, it should be noted that in other implementations, the control body may differ from that described above. Furthermore, in some implementations, the control body of the aerosol delivery device may have a different shape from that described above, for example, a handheld fob-shaped control body.

[0103] In principle, cartridge 700 follows the same basic operation as cartridge 500 (Figure 4). Specifically, the aerosol precursor composition collected in the primary reservoir 708 is drawn up to the vicinity of the heating element 714 by the liquid transport element 712. When the heating element is activated, the particles of the aerosol precursor are vaporized in the atomizer chamber 724, and the particles are mixed with the air drawn into cartridge 700 and atomizer chamber 724. Furthermore, as with cartridge 500, the air D drawn in through cartridge 700 is also intended to selectively entrain flavor T from the flavor reservoir or flavor addition module 720, especially if the flavor particles are not undergoing heat-induced vaporization from atomizer 710. The flavor addition module 720 can be positioned upstream of atomizer chamber 724, as shown in Figure 7, to receive the airflow before entraining the aerosol precursor. Alternatively, the flavoring module 720 may be positioned downstream of the atomizer chamber to encounter an airflow already containing aerosol precursor particles. Figure 8 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the flavoring module 720 in an implementation of this embodiment. The flavoring module 720 may include a housing 730 with an air inlet 732 and an air outlet 734, providing a chamber through which an airflow can pass. In other embodiments, the airflow may pass adjacent to the selected flavoring module 720 instead of passing through the module itself, and flavorings from the module may be released from that module. In the illustrated embodiment, the air outlet 734 may lead to the atomizer chamber 724. In another embodiment not shown, the air inlet 732 may be configured to communicate with an aerosol channel 738 that runs from the atomizer chamber 724 through the primary reservoir 708 and terminates at the air inlet 732. The air outlet 734 can communicate with the opening 740 of the mouthpiece 704, through which the consumer receives an aerosol containing air D, particles of the aerosol precursor composition, and optionally particles of flavoring T.

[0104] The flavoring module 720 provides the function of a flavoring reservoir by concentrating flavorings that can be selectively added to the airflow D passing through the cartridge 700. The illustrated implementation of the flavoring module 720 can be very well suited for use with flavorings provided in encapsulated form, for example, flavorings microencapsulated in a burstable shell.

[0105] Typical embodiments of microcapsules have an outer cover, shell, or coating enclosing a core region of liquid or solid, and in certain embodiments, the microcapsules may be substantially spherical. The core region, or "payload," such as a flavoring, is typically released when the outer shell undergoes some kind of physical destruction, breakage, or other loss of physical integrity (e.g., by dispersion, softening, crushing, or application of pressure).

[0106] Exemplary ways and methods for providing encapsulated materials such as microencapsulated flavorings are described in Gutcho, Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques (1976) and Gutcho, Microcapsules and Other Capsules Advances Since 1975 (1979). Exemplary types of microcapsules may have a diameter of less than 100 microns and may have an outer shell that is often gelatin-based, cyclodextrin-based, etc. Microcapsules are commercially available, and exemplary types of microcapsule technology are those described in Kondo, Microcapsule Processing and Technology (1979), Iwamoto et al., AAPS Pharm.Sci.Tech.2002 3(3):article 25, and U.S. Patent No. 3,550,598 by McGlumphy and U.S. Patent No. 6,117,455 by Takada et al.

[0107] Larger, more suitable capsules are commercially available from Mane Aromatic Flavors in Nice, France, as a gelatin-encapsulated mixture of medium-chain triglycerides and flavorings.

[0108] The outer shell of the capsule can be constructed from polymers or food-grade gelatin derived from bovine, fish, or porcine stocks. A wide variety of gelatin can be used, and the selection of gelatin for the outer surface of the capsule is considered a matter of design choice to those skilled in the art. See Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, (4th Ed.) 12, 406-416 (1994), incorporated herein by reference. The type of gelatin used to construct the outer shell of the capsule provides the capsule with the ability to be exposed for a relatively long period of time to triacetin (a common plasticizer used in tobacco filter manufacturing) or 1,2-propylene glycol (a common tobacco casing component) without experiencing undesirable interactions (e.g., dissolution of the gelatin therein). Since the gelatin used in some embodiments may dissolve in water over long periods of time, it is desirable to use a substantially anhydrous payload (or a payload with very little water) with a capsule having a gelatin outer coating.

[0109] In one embodiment, the payload is a mixture of flavorings and a diluent. The diluent can be a triglyceride such as a medium-chain triglyceride, more specifically, a food-grade mixture of medium-chain triglycerides. See, for example, Radzuan et al., Porim Bulletin, 39, 33-38 (1999). Examples of flavorings for the payload are described above.

[0110] The amounts of flavoring and diluent within the capsule may vary. In some cases, the diluent can be completely eliminated, and the entire payload can consist of flavoring. Alternatively, the payload can consist almost entirely of diluent, containing only a very small amount of relatively strong flavoring. For example, in one embodiment using a capsule with a diameter of approximately 3.5 mm, the weight of the liquid payload (e.g., flavoring and diluent) can range from approximately 15 mg to approximately 25 mg, or from approximately 20 mg to approximately 22 mg. An example composition of a mixture of flavoring and diluent, based on the total weight of the payload, would be in the range of approximately 5 percent to approximately 25 percent by weight of flavoring, possibly in the range of approximately 10 to approximately 15 percent, with the remainder being diluent.

[0111] As shown in the illustrated implementation, the flavor capsules 746 can be assembled in a portion of a flavoring module 720, which may be called a hopper 750. The hopper 750 may be defined by baffles 754 that are angled to guide the movement of the capsules 746 toward one or more outlets 756. The baffles 754 may be formed from a porous material such as porous polyethylene, polyester fiber, or porous ceramic, whose pores are small enough to hold the capsules 746. The pores of the baffles 754 can also minimize restriction of airflow from the inlet 732 to the outlet 734.

[0112] Each flavoring module 720 may include an actuator 760. Alternatively, a single actuator 760 may operably communicate with multiple flavoring modules 720. The actuator 760 may be provided to selectively release flavoring from the hopper 750. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 760 releases the capsule 746 from the hopper 750. The actuator 760 then releases the flavoring by applying pressure to rupture the coating of the capsule 746. In one implementation, the actuator 760 comprises one or more pairs of gears 766. As indicated by the arrows in Figure 8, when the pair of gears 766 rotate in opposite directions, one or more capsules 746 can be drawn into the area between the gears or fall. The teeth 770 of the gears 766 then act together to apply a crushing force to the capsule 746, releasing its payload which can then be absorbed by the porous baffle 754.

[0113] The capsules 746 and their payloads can be designed to adapt to the integration of the intended flavor intensity and flavor duration into the airflow. For example, a flavoring module can be configured such that releasing the payload of one capsule with a single use of actuator 760 provides enough flavor to enhance multiple inhalations of the aerosol delivery device, such as multiple inhalations associated with conventional cigarettes. In other implementations, the capsules 746 can be configured to allow the user to operate actuator 760 to release a small amount of flavor before or during inhalation in the device. Those skilled in the art will understand that the user may be able to increase the intensity of the flavor integrated into the aerosol by activating actuator 760 multiple times to release the payloads of multiple capsules 746. Similarly, the design of actuator 760 and capsules 746 can be configured such that each operation of the actuator releases a desired amount of payload from a capsule.

[0114] The flavoring module 720 may be further designed with one or more repositories 776 configured to receive and retain the outer coating material of the capsule 746 after the flavoring has been released. The boundaries of the repositories 776 may be defined, at least in part, by porous walls 780. Similar to the baffles 754, the walls 780 may be designed with pores that are too small to allow the passage of the capsule coating material. However, the pores of the walls 780 would be large enough to allow the passage of airflow as well as the passage of flavoring particles intended to be accompanied by the airflow D passing through the flavoring module 720. The porous walls 780 may also function as a secondary structure for absorbing flavoring released by the capsule 746 that would otherwise bypass the baffles 754.

[0115] Returning to Figures 9A and 9B, one exemplary implementation for causing the rotation of gear 766 is shown. A mechanical button 782 may extend from the flavoring module 720 (Figure 8) to a user-accessible position. The button 782 may be mechanically coupled to at least one of the gears 766 such that pressing the button causes the gear to rotate. Figure 9A shows the initial position of the system, and Figure 9B shows the depressed position of the system. By driving one gear 766 of a pair of gears, the other gear of the pair can be rotated in the opposite direction as a result of the engagement between their respective teeth 770. If multiple pairs of gears 766 are provided as part of the actuator 760, the pairs may be operably coupled by additional gears, drive belts, or other known motion transmission elements or multiple elements.

[0116] The button 782 can be mechanically connected to at least one gear 766 via a drive rod 784 configured to convert the linear motion of the button 782 into the rotational motion of the gear 766. The drive rod 784 can be terminated at a plunger 786. A spring 788 may be provided to act on the plunger 786 and help return the button 782 to its initial position.

[0117] Returning to Figure 7, in one embodiment, the air D can be configured to pass simultaneously through each of the flavoring modules 720, primarily containing the flavoring last released by the actuator 760, accompanied by the air D. However, this method may result in undesirable residual flavoring when the user switches modules. In another embodiment, an airflow controller 789 can be used to direct the airflow to pass through or to pass through only the desired flavoring modules 720. The airflow controller 789 can be provided in the form of a flap or gate that can be controlled by various actuators such as mechanical buttons. In yet another embodiment, the airflow controller 789 can take the form of a mask, such as a rotatable mask as described above with respect to Figures 4-6.

[0118] As shown in Figure 7, the body and cartridge 700 of the flavoring module 720 can be formed from a material that is at least partially transparent or translucent in at least the area corresponding to the hopper 750, for example, by providing a window 790 in the hopper so that the amount of capsules 746 remaining in the hopper can be determined.

[0119] The foregoing description of the use of the apparatus can be applied to the various implementations described herein through minor modifications that may be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of further disclosures provided herein. However, the foregoing description of use is not intended to limit the use of the articles and is provided to satisfy all necessary requirements of the disclosure.

[0120] Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications and other implementations of this disclosure have the benefit of teaching shown in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Certain terms are used herein, but they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limitation.

Claims

1. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery device, the cartridge is The cartridge housing including the mouthpiece, A reservoir for storing aerosol precursor compositions, An atomizer for vaporizing an aerosol precursor composition to form vapor, A first chamber that at least partially surrounds the atomizer, Flavorings and, The system is equipped with a second chamber separate from the first chamber, where the flavorings are stored. It can be combined with a cartridge housing, A cartridge that is removable from the cartridge housing.

2. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is in fluid communication with an aerosol channel.

3. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the aerosol channel passes through the reservoir.

4. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the second chamber is positioned upstream of the first chamber with respect to the aerosol channel.

5. The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the second chamber is located downstream of the first chamber with respect to the aerosol channel.

6. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring comprises one or more flavorings stored in a plurality of chambers, including a second chamber and at least one further chamber.

7. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the multiple chambers are selectively positionable relative to the cartridge housing such that one or more flavorings can be received at one time through the opening from only one of the multiple chambers.

8. The cartridge according to claim 6, wherein multiple chambers are positionable relative to the cartridge housing such that one or more flavorings are not receivable through the mouthpiece.

9. The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the cartridge is configured such that vapor formed by the atomizer can be received through the opening, but one or more flavorings cannot be received through the opening.

10. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber is configured to receive an airflow.

11. The cartridge according to claim 10, further comprising an airflow controller configured to control the airflow through a second chamber.

12. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the airflow controller is selectively positionable to allow the airflow to pass through a second chamber.

13. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the airflow controller is configured as a flap or a gate.

14. The cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the flap or gate is controlled by an actuator.

15. The cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the actuation device is a mechanical button.

16. The cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the airflow controller is a movable mask.

17. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the flavoring is carried by the airflow received by the second chamber and passing through the second chamber.

18. The cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the flavoring is carried along by the airflow without undergoing heat-induced vaporization.

19. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the second chamber comprises an air inlet and an air outlet.

20. The cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the air outlet is in communication with the opening at the mouth end of the cartridge.

21. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber is defined by a housing separate from the cartridge housing.

22. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring is in solid form.

23. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring is in the form of a gel.

24. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring is in the form of beads or particles.

25. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring is absorbed by the base material or other materials, or otherwise contained within it.

26. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer comprises a liquid transport element configured to transport a liquid aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir.

27. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the atomizer further comprises a heating element configured to receive a liquid aerosol precursor composition from a liquid transport element, the heating element configured to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition to form vapor.

28. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the aerosol precursor composition does not contain any flavoring substances.

29. The cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a base configured to be releasably engaged with a control body of an aerosol delivery device.

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