RU2807631C2 - Smoking product with component for heat transfer (options) - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: tobacco industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to aerosol delivery devices and systems, such as smoking products. The smoking product contains a heat source made with the possibility of heat generation during its ignition, substrate material having opposite the first and the second ends, wherein the heat source is located near the first end of substrate material, and substrate material has a related aerosol precursor composition, a mouthpiece located near the second end of substrate material, and a heat transfer component. In one implementation option, the heat transfer component contains a hollow structure and opposite the first and the second protrusions located at its corresponding ends, wherein the hollow structure passes through the heat source in such a way that the heat source is located between the first and the second opposite protrusions. In another implementation option, the heat transfer component is located in the heat source, penetrates in at least part of substrate material, and contains a cover located between the heat source and substrate material.

EFFECT: provision of a smoking product, which reduces the content of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and/or other harmful products of carbon combustion and/or provides improved heat transfer to aerosol forming components.

29 cl, 11 dwg

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices and systems, such as smoking articles, and more particularly, to aerosol delivery devices and systems that can use combustible carbon-based ignitable sources to produce an aerosol (e.g., smoking articles for purposes producing tobacco components and other materials in a form suitable for inhalation, commonly referred to as heat-not-burn systems or electronic cigarettes). The components of such products are manufactured or derived from tobacco, or the products may otherwise be characterized as comprising tobacco for human consumption and capable of vaporizing tobacco components and/or other tobacco-related materials to produce a respirable aerosol for human consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Over the years, many smoking products have been proposed as an improvement or alternative to smoking products based on combustion of tobacco. Typical alternatives include devices that burn solid or liquid fuel to transfer heat to the tobacco, or that use a chemical reaction to provide such a heat source. Examples include smoking articles described in US Pat. No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The rationale for improvements or alternatives to smoking articles has generally been to provide the experience associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, but without delivering significant amounts of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. To this end, a variety of smoking products, flavor generators and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat volatile material or attempt to provide the sensation of smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes without substantially burning the tobacco. See, for example, various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources disclosed in the prior art as described in US Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al. and US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 by Griffith Jr. et al. and No. 2014/0096781 by Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Also see, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heat generating sources referenced by trademark and trade information in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0220232 by Bless et al. , which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically powered heat generating sources are referenced by trademark and commercial reference in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0245659 by DePiano et al., which is also incorporated in its entirety. this document by reference. Other representative cigarettes or smoking articles that have been described and, in some cases, made commercially available include those described in US Pat. No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; US patents No. 4,922,901, No. 4,947,874 and No. 4,947,875 by Brooks et al.; US Patent No. 5,060,671 by Counts et al.; US Patent No. 5,249,586 by Morgan et al.; US Patent No. 5,388,594 by Counts et al.; US Patent No. 5,666,977 by Higgins et al.; US Patent No. 6,053,176 by Adams et al.; US Patent No. 6,164,287 by White; US Patent No. 6,196,218 by Voges; US Patent No. 6,810,883 by Felter et al.; US Patent No. 6,854,461 by Nichols; US Patent No. 7,832,410 by Hon. US Patent No. 7,513,253 by Kobayashi; US Patent No. 7,726,320 by Robinson et al.; US Patent No. 7,896,006 by Hamano; US Patent No. 6,772,756 by Shayan; publication of US patent application No. 2009/0095311 by Hon; publications of US patent applications No. 2006/0196518, 2009/0126745 and 2009/0188490 by Hon; in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0272379 by Thorens et al.; in US Patent Application Publications No. 2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 by Monsees et al.; in US Patent Application Publications No. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 by Oglesby et al.; in US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0307518 by Wang; in WO 2010/091593 by Hon, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Various methods and methods have been proposed for assembling smoking articles that have a plurality of segmented components arranged in series. See, for example, the various types of assembly techniques and methodologies set forth in US Patent No. 5,469,871 to Banerjee et al., US Patent No. 7,647,932 to Crooks et al., and US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0186757 to Crooks. and etc.; No. 2012/0042885 by Stone et al. and No. 2012/00673620 by Conner et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0005] Representative products that are similar in many attributes to traditional types of cigarettes, cigars or smoking pipes are commercially available as ACCORD® manufactured by Philip Morris Incorporated; ALPHA™, JOYE 510(and M4™, manufactured by InnoVapor LLC; CIRRUS(and FLING™, manufactured by White Cloud Cigarettes; BLU™, manufactured by Fontem Ventures B.V.; COHITA™, COLIBRI™, ELITE CLASSIC™, MAGNUM™, PHANTOM (and SENSE™, manufactured by EPUFFER(International Inc.; DUOPRO™, STORM(and VAPORKING®, manufactured by Electronic Cigarettes, Inc.; EGAR™, manufactured by Egar Australia; eGo-C(and eGo-T™, manufactured by Joyetech; ELUSION™ manufactured by Elusion UK Ltd; EONSMOKE® manufactured by Eonsmoke LLC; FIN™TM manufactured by FIN Branding Group, LLC; SMOKE® manufactured by Green Smoke Inc. USA; GREENARETTE™ manufactured by Greenarette LLC; HALLIGAN™, HENDU™, JET™, MAXXQ™, PINK(and PITBULL™, manufactured by Smoke Stik®; HEATBAR™, manufactured by Philip Morris International, Inc.; HYDRO IMPERIAL(and LXE™, manufactured by Crown7; LOGIC(and THE CUBAN™, manufactured by LOGIC Technology; LUCI®, manufactured by Luciano Smokes Inc.; METRO®, manufactured by Nicotek, LLC; NJOY (and ONEJOY™, manufactured by Sottera, Inc.; NO. 7™, manufactured by SS Choice LLC; PREMIUM ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE™, manufactured by PremiumEstore LLC; RAPP E-MYSTICK™, manufactured by Ruyan America, Inc.; RED DRAGON ™, manufactured by Red Dragon Products, LLC; RUYAN®, manufactured by Ruyan Group (Holdings) Ltd.; SF®, manufactured by Smoker Friendly International, LLC; GREEN SMART SMOKER®, manufactured by The Smart Smoking Electronic Cigarette Company Ltd.; SMOKE ASSIST®, manufactured by Coastline Products LLC; SMOKING EVERYWHERE®, manufactured by Smoking Everywhere, Inc.; V2CIGS™, manufactured by VMR Products LLC; VAPOR NINE™, manufactured by VaporNine LLC; VAPOR4LIFE®, manufactured by Vapor 4 Life, Inc. .; VEPPO™ manufactured by E-CigaretteDirect, LLC; VUSE® manufactured by R. J. Reynolds Vapor Company; Mistic Menthol product manufactured by Mistic Ecigs; and the Vype product manufactured by CN Creative Ltd.; IQOS™, manufactured by Philip Morris International and GLO™, manufactured by British American Tobacco. Still other electrical aerosol delivery devices, and in particular devices that have been characterized as so-called electronic cigarettes, have been marketed under the brand names COOLER VISIONS™; DIRECT E-CIG™; DRAGONFLY™; EMIST™; EVERSMAKE™; GAMUCCI®; HYBRID FLAME™; KNIGHT STICKS™; ROYAL BLUES™; SMOKETIP(and SOUTH BEACH SMOKE™.

[0006] In some cases, traditional types of smoking products, such as those noted above, are complex to assemble due to the many components that must be disassembled and reassembled when consuming the aerosol delivery components provided therein. In some other cases, some smoking articles, particularly those using traditional paper wrapping material, are also susceptible to burning the paper wrapping material covering the ignitable fuel source due to the high temperature reached by the fuel source in the vicinity of the paper wrapping material. This may reduce the enjoyment of the smoking session for some consumers and may mask or undesirably alter the taste qualities delivered to the consumer by the aerosol delivery components of the smoking products. In yet other cases, conventional types of smoking articles may produce relatively significant levels of gases, such as carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide, during use (eg, as carbon combustion products). In yet other cases, conventional types of smoking articles may have poor performance in aerosolizing the aerosol-forming component(s).

[0007] Thus, it is preferred to provide smoking articles that solve one or more technical problems sometimes associated with traditional types of smoking articles. In particular, it is preferred to provide a smoking article that reduces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and/or other harmful carbon combustion products and/or provides improved heat transfer to aerosol-forming components.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a smoking article. The present invention includes, without limitation, the following example implementations.

[0009] Implementation Example 1: A smoking article comprising a heat source configured to generate heat when ignited, a support material having opposite first and second ends, the heat source located proximate the first end of the support material, and the support material having an associated an aerosol precursor composition, a mouthpiece disposed proximate a second end of the support material, and a heat transfer component comprising a hollow structure and including opposing first and second projections disposed at their respective ends, the hollow structure of the heat transfer component extending through the heat source such that that the heat source is located between the first and second opposing protrusions of the heat transfer component, and the hollow structure is configured to allow air to pass therethrough.

[00010] Implementation Example 2: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, tobacco rods and non-tobacco materials.

[00011] Implementation Example 3: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, further comprising a coating configured to constrain the substrate material and at least a portion of the heat source.

[00012] Implementation Example 4: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, further comprising one or more openings located in the support material and configured to facilitate air flow through the smoking article.

[00013] Implementation Example 5: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, further comprising a second support material having opposite first and second ends, the second support material being disposed between the first support material and the mouthpiece.

[00014] Implementation Example 6: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the second support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods.

[00015] Implementation Example 7: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the mouthpiece comprises an intermediate component.

[00016] Implementation Example 8: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the mouthpiece includes a filter.

[00017] Implementation Example 9: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat source comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material.

[00018] Implementation Example 10: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material defines one or more grooves extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end of the extruded carbonaceous material. monolithic carbon material.

[00019] Implementation Example 11: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the backing material comprises a series of overlapping layers of a parent backing sheet.

[00020] Example Implementation 12: A smoking article comprising a heat source configured to generate heat when ignited, a support material having opposite first and second ends, the heat source located proximate the first end of the support material, and the support material having an associated an aerosol precursor composition, a mouthpiece disposed proximate a second end of the support material, and a heat transfer component disposed within the heat source, the heat transfer component extending from the heat source and penetrating at least a portion of the support material and comprising a cap disposed between the heat source and the material substrates.

[00021] Implementation Example 13: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more substantially enclosed structures.

[00022] Implementation Example 14: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein one or more enclosed structures are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper.

[00023] Implementation Example 15: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more substantially solid rods.

[00024] Implementation Example 16: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more substantially solid rods are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper.

[00025] Implementation Example 17: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat transfer component comprises an aluminum mesh.

[00026] Implementation Example 18: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat transfer component also comprises an aluminum disk located at a location along the length of the aluminum mesh.

[00027] Implementation Example 19: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more substantially solid sheets.

[00028] Implementation Example 20: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more substantially solid sheets are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper.

[00029] Implementation Example 21: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods .

[00030] Implementation Example 22: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, further comprising a coating configured to constrain the substrate material and at least a portion of the heat source.

[00031] Implementation Example 23: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, further comprising a second support material having opposite first and second ends, the second support material being disposed between the first support material and the mouthpiece.

[00032] Implementation Example 24: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the second support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods.

[00033] Implementation Example 25: A smoking article according to any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the mouthpiece comprises an intermediate component.

[00034] Implementation Example 26: A smoking article according to any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the mouthpiece includes a filter.

[00035] Implementation Example 27: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the heat source comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material.

[00036] Implementation Example 28: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material defines one or more grooves extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end of the extruded carbonaceous material. monolithic carbon material.

[00037] Implementation Example 29: The smoking article of any preceding embodiment or any combination of any preceding embodiments, wherein the backing material comprises a series of overlapping layers of a parent backing sheet.

[00038] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosure of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00039] Thus, having described the present invention in the foregoing general terms, reference is made below to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, in which:

[00040] in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00041] in FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 with the outer wrapper removed according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00042] in FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00043] in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat source and heat transfer component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00044] in FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the heat transfer component of the smoking article of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00045] in FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00046] in FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a heat source and a heat transfer component of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00047] in FIG. 8 is a schematic view of various heat transfer components of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00048] in FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention;

[00049] in FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention; And

[00050] in FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[00051] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to examples of its implementations. These exemplary embodiments are described in such a manner that the disclosure will thoroughly, completely and completely convey the scope of the invention to one skilled in the art. In fact, the present invention is embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments given herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to ensure that the present invention complies with applicable legal requirements. In this specification and in the accompanying claims, grammatical construction indicating that an element is in the singular also implies the plural unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise.

[00052] The present invention provides descriptions of articles (and methods for assembling and/or manufacturing them) in which a material is heated (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent) to form an aerosol and/or a respirable substance; wherein such products are most preferably compact enough to be considered portable devices. In preferred aspects, the articles are characterized as smoking articles. As used herein, the term “smoking article” is intended to mean an article and/or device that provides a variety of sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of flavors and aromas, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, rituals of use, visual cues such as , which are provided by means of a visible aerosol, and the like) smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe without actually burning to any significant extent any of the components of the article and/or device. As used herein, the term “smoking article” does not necessarily mean that the article and/or device produces smoke in operation in the sense that the aerosol is not a by-product of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather that the article or device most preferably produces vapor ( including vapors in the form of aerosols which are believed to be visible aerosols and which are believed to be described as smoke-like) resulting from the vaporization or evaporation of certain components, elements and/or the like of an article or device. In preferred aspects, the articles or devices characterized as smoking articles contain tobacco and/or tobacco-derived components.

[00053] The proposed articles and/or devices are also characterized as vapor-generating products, aerosol delivery products, or drug delivery products. Thus, such articles or devices are adapted to deliver one or more substances in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhaled substances are essentially in the form of a vapor (eg, a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhaled substances are in aerosol form (eg, a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For the sake of simplicity, the term “aerosol” as used herein is intended to refer to vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible and whether or not in a form that may be considered "smoke-like".

[00054] In use, the proposed smoking articles are used in various physical activities of a person using a traditional type of smoking article (eg, a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is consumed by lighting a flame and used by inhaling tobacco that is subsequently burned and/or burned). For example, a user of an inventive smoking article holds the article like a traditional smoking article by puffing through one end of the article to inhale the aerosol generated by the article, taking puffs at selected intervals.

[00055] While systems are generally described herein in terms of embodiments associated with smoking products, such as so-called “electronic cigarettes” or “heating tobacco products,” it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be implemented in many different forms and associated with various products. For example, the disclosure herein may be used in conjunction with embodiments of traditional smoking products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), heated but non-burning cigarettes, and associated with packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. this document. Accordingly, it should be understood that the descriptions of the mechanisms, components, features and methods disclosed herein are given in terms of embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices by way of example only and may be implemented and used in various other products and methods.

[00056] The proposed smoking articles generally comprise a number of elements formed or contained in the same type of casing as a casing, outer wrap or wrapping material, housing, component, module, element or the like. The overall design of the shell is variable, and the configuration and format of the shell, which defines the overall size and shape of the smoking article, is also variable. In some aspects, it is desirable that the overall design, size and/or shape of the casing resemble a conventional cigarette or cigar. Typically, the shell, which is shaped like a cigarette or cigar, contains three or more separable components, elements, or the like that interact to form the shell. For example, in some aspects, such a smoking article may comprise three detachable components that include a mouthpiece component, an aerosol delivery component (such as, for example, a support material), and a heat source component. In various aspects, the heat source may be configured to generate heat to aerosolize a support material, which includes, for example, an extruded structure and/or support, a support material associated with an aerosol precursor composition, tobacco and/or tobacco-related material, such as a material that is naturally present in tobacco and that can be directly isolated from tobacco or produced synthetically in solid or liquid form (eg, balls, sheets, pieces, wrappers) or the like. In some embodiments, the extruded structure may contain tobacco products or a composite of tobacco with other materials, such as, for example, ceramic powder. In other embodiments, the porous ceramic beads may be filled with tobacco extract/tobacco slurry. Other embodiments may use non-tobacco products. For example, some embodiments may use e-liquid-filled porous beads/powders (ceramic). Other embodiments may use rods/cylinders made from an extruded suspension of ceramic powder and e-liquid.

[00057] According to specific aspects of the disclosure of the present invention, it is preferred to provide a smoking article that reduces carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide and/or other harmful carbon combustion products and/or provides improved heat transfer to aerosol-forming components. In FIG. 1 and 2 show promising views of such a smoking product. In particular, in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article 100 that includes an outer wrapper material 102, and FIG. 2 shows a smoking article 100 in which the outer wrap 102 and cover 118 (described below) have been removed to reveal other components of the smoking article 100. Referring to FIG. 2 (in addition to the outer wrap 102 and cover 118), the smoking article of the illustrated embodiment includes a heat source 104, a heat transfer component 105, a first respirable substance means 106, a second respirable substance means 108, intermediate component 110 and filter 112. In the illustrated embodiment, intermediate component 110 and filter 112 together include a mouthpiece 114.

[00058] Although the smoking article of the present invention may include various embodiments, as described in more detail below, the use of the smoking article by the consumer will be the same in scope. The foregoing description of use of a smoking article is applicable to the various embodiments described with minor modifications that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The foregoing description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the product of the present invention, but is provided to satisfy all necessary requirements of the disclosure contained herein.

[00059] In various embodiments, the heat source 104 may be configured to generate heat when ignited. In the illustrated embodiment, heat source 104 includes a combustible fuel element that is generally cylindrical in shape and contains combustible carbonaceous material. In other embodiments, the heat source 104 may have a different shape, such as a prism shape having a cubic or hexagonal cross-section. Carbonaceous materials usually have a high carbon content. Preferred carbonaceous materials are preferably composed of carbon, typically having a carbon content of greater than about 60 percent, typically greater than about 70 percent, often greater than about 80 percent, and most often greater than about 90 percent on a dry weight basis.

[00060] In some cases, heat source 104 may include elements other than combustible carbonaceous materials (e.g., tobacco components such as powdered tobaccos or tobacco extracts; flavoring agents; salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium carbonate; heat resistant graphite fibers; iron oxide powder; glass filaments; powdered calcium carbonate; aluminum oxide granules; ammonia sources such as ammonia salts and/or coupling agents such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). Although the specific dimensions of the applicable heat source may vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 104 has a length ranging from about 7 mm to about 20 mm, and in some embodiments may be about 17 mm, and an overall diameter ranging from about 3 mm up to and including approximately 8 mm, and in some implementations may be approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments approximately 7 mm). Although in other embodiments the heat source may be configured in a variety of ways, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 104 is extruded or blended using crushed or powdered carbonaceous material, and the heat source 104 has a density that is greater than about 0.5 g/cm3 , often greater than about 0.7 g/cm3 and most often greater than about 1 g/cm3, on a dry weight basis. See, for example, the types of fuel source components, compositions and designs that are set forth in US Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al. and US Patent No. 7,836,897 to Borschke et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Although in various embodiments the heat source may have a variety of shapes, including, for example, a substantially solid cylindrical shape or a hollow cylindrical (e.g., tubular) shape, the heat source 104 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material that has a generally cylindrical shape. shape, but with a plurality of grooves 116 extending in a longitudinal direction from the first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to the opposite second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 104 104 has a passage 117 formed therein (see FIG. 3). As will be described in more detail below, in various embodiments, passage 117 is configured to accommodate a portion of heat transfer component 105.

[00061] Although in the illustrated embodiment, the grooves 116 of the heat source 104 are substantially equal in width and depth and are substantially uniformly distributed around the circumferential surface of the heat source 104, other embodiments may include as few as two grooves, and still other embodiments may include only one groove. Yet other embodiments may contain no grooves at all. Additional embodiments may include a plurality of grooves, which may be of unequal width and/or depth, and which may be unevenly spaced around the circumferential surface of the heat source. In yet other embodiments, the heat source may include recesses and/or slits extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end thereof. In some embodiments, the heat source may comprise a foamed carbonaceous monolith formed by a foaming process of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,615,184 to Lobovsky, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, some embodiments may provide benefits in terms of reduced time required to ignite the heat source. In some other embodiments, the heat source may be co-extruded with an insulation layer (not shown), thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost. Other fuel cell embodiments include carbon fibers of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., or other heat source embodiments such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0044818 to Takeuchi et al. each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00062] In general, the heat source is located sufficiently close to an aerosol delivery component (e.g., a support material) having one or more atomization components such that the aerosol formed/evaporated by the application of heat from the heat source to the atomization components can be delivered (as well as any flavorings, medications and/or the like which are also provided for delivery to the user) to the user by means of the mouthpiece. Thus, when a heat source heats the support component, an aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the above terms should be considered interchangeable, so that forms of the above term such as "release", "release", "releases" or "released" include forms such as "form" or "generate", "forming" or "generating", "forming" or "generating" and "formed" or "generated". In particular, the respirable substance is released in the form of vapor or aerosol or a mixture thereof. In addition, the selection and arrangement of various elements of smoking articles will be apparent from consideration of commercially available electronic smoking articles, such as those representative products referenced in the Background section of the disclosure of the present invention.

[00063] In FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article 100 of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention. In various embodiments, the outer wrap material 102 (most clearly shown in FIG. 1) is configured to engage at least a portion of the heat source 104 with the first backing material 106, the second backing material 108, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece 114 or other connection thereof. together. Thus, in some aspects, the outer wrap material 102 is configured to define, for example, a coaxial surround of at least a portion of the heat source 104, a first backing material 106 engaged at its first end with the heat source 104, a second backing material 108 brought into contact into engagement with the second end of the first backing material 106 and at least a portion of the mouthpiece 114. The outer wrap material 102 is configured to be held in the wrapped position by any means, including an adhesive, a fastener, or the like, to allow the outer wrap material to 102 remain in the wrapped position. Otherwise, in some other aspects, the outer wrapping material 102 can be made removable as needed. For example, when holding the outer wrap material 102 in the wrapped position, the outer wrap material 102 may be configured to remove from the heat source 104, the first backing material 106 engaged at its first end with the heat source 104, the second backing material 108 being brought into contact with the second end of the first backing material 106 and/or mouthpiece 114.

[00064] As shown in the drawing, in addition to the outer wrap material 102, the illustrated embodiment also includes a cover 118 that is configured to enclose the first backing material 106 and at least a portion of the heat source 104. Although in other embodiments the cover 118 may limit only a portion of the length of the first backing material 106, in some implementations the cover 118 may also limit the second backing material 108. In some embodiments, the outer wrap material 102 may include a coating 118. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer wrap material 102 and the coating 118 may be separate materials that are provided together (e.g., bonded, fused, or otherwise bonded together to form a layered material). material). In other embodiments, the outer wrap 102 and the cover 118 may be the same material. In either case, the cover 118 may be configured to thermally control the conduction of heat generated by the ignited heat source 104 radially outward from the cover 118. Thus, in some embodiments, the cover 118 may be made of a metal foil material, a graphene material, a graphite material, or another thermally conductive material based on carbon and/or aluminum material, and in some embodiments may contain a layered material. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 118 is made of an aluminum laminate. In some embodiments, depending on the material of the outer wrap 102 and/or cover 118, a thin layer of insulation may be provided radially outside the cover 118. Thus, in some aspects, the cover 118 may advantageously provide a method for interaction between two or more separate components of the smoking article. 100 (such as, for example, heat source 104 and first substrate material 106), as well as promoting heat transfer along its axis while limiting thermal conduction in a radial outward direction.

[00065] As also shown in FIG. 3, the outer wrap material 102 (and optionally the cover 118 and the first backing material 106) may also include one or more holes 120 formed therein that allow air to flow through the mouthpiece 114 when drawing a puff. In some embodiments, the size and the number of these openings may be set such that a majority of the drawn-in airflow passes through these openings (and in some embodiments a higher airflow velocity) and a smaller portion of the airflow passes through the hollow structure (and in some embodiments a lower air flow) described below. Thus, air flow through the hollow structure may be provided only or primarily to promote heat transfer. In some embodiments, openings 120 may be located between the distal end of the heat transfer component 105 and the first substrate material 106. In some embodiments, openings 120 may be formed in the outer wrap material 102 (and in some embodiments, cover 118) in a region proximal to the first backing material 106, and one or more separate cooling holes 121 may be formed in the outer wrap material 102 (and in in some embodiments, cover 118) in a region proximal to filter 112. In some embodiments, a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced openings 120 are formed in the outer wrapping material 102 and cover 118 in a region proximate the first backing material 106, and a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced individual cooling openings 121 formed in the outer wrapping material 102 in the area near the mouthpiece 114 (eg, near the filter 112). Although in various embodiments a plurality of holes may be formed in the outer wrap 102 (and cover 118) in a variety of ways, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of holes 120 and a plurality of individual cooling holes 121 are formed by laser perforation.

[00066] In FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the heat source 104 and the heat transfer component 105 of the smoking article 100 of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention. In FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the heat transfer component 105 of the smoking article 100 of FIG. 1 according to one example implementation of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 4 shows that the heat transfer component 105 includes a hollow structure 122 with a first protrusion 124 proximate one end thereof and a second protrusion 126 proximate a second end thereof. As shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the heat source 105 is located between the first protrusion 124 and the second protrusion 126 such that the hollow structure 122 of the heat transfer component 105 (see FIG. 5) extends through the heat source 104 and, in particular, through the passage 117 of the heat source 104 . Although in the illustrated embodiment the hollow structure is shown in the form of a hollow pipe, in other embodiments the hollow structure may have any other, non-cylindrical hollow shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow structure 122, the first protrusion 124, and the second protrusion 126 of the heat transfer component 105 are made of aluminum. However, in other embodiments, any one of these parts or any combination of these parts may be made of another thermally conductive material, including, for example, stainless steel, brass, copper, silver, gold, bronze, graphite, ceramic (for example, oxide aluminum, beryllium, boron nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide and the like) and/or combinations thereof. Moreover, any one of these parts or any combination of these parts may be made of one or more than one material (eg, one conductive material) and coated with other materials (eg, another conductive material).

[00067] In the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion 124 and the second protrusion 126 are attached to the hollow structure 122 near its respective ends using laser welding and/or brazing/soft soldering. However, in other embodiments, other attachment and/or construction methods may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the heat transfer component 105 may be configured as a single piece. In other embodiments, one or more adhesives and/or other mechanical fastening means (eg, press fit or threaded engagement) may be used. In some embodiments, the thickness of the projections 124, 126 may range from about 0.05 mm to about 1 mm inclusive, and in some embodiments may be approximately 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm, and the internal diameter of the hollow structure 122 may range from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, inclusive, and in some implementations may range from about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm, and the wall thickness of the hollow structure 122 may range from about 0.05 mm to about 1 mm inclusive, and in some embodiments may be approximately 0.1 mm - 0.2 mm. It should be noted that while the protrusions of the illustrated embodiment have a substantially circular profile, in other embodiments one or both protrusions may have other shapes, including, for example, substantially oval profiles and/or substantially polygonal profiles, such as, for example, triangular , rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and other profiles.

[00068] In one embodiment, the diameter (in other embodiments, the overall size) of the first protrusion 124 may be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the heat source; however, in other embodiments (such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3), the diameter of the first projection 122 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the heat source 104. As will be described below, such a configuration may promote air circulation in the grooves of the heat source 104. In yet other embodiments, the diameter of the first protrusion 122 may be larger than the outer diameter of the heat source 104. In other embodiments, the diameter of the first projection 124 may be from 1/3 to 4/3 the diameter of the heat source 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the first projection 124 may be approximately 3/4 times the diameter of the heat source 104. Although the diameter of the second protrusion 126 may vary in some embodiments, in the embodiment shown, the diameter of the second protrusion 126 is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the heat source 104 . Additionally, in various embodiments, the length of the hollow structure 122 may be at least the same as the length of the heat source 104, and in some embodiments may extend into the first substrate material 106 (see, for example, FIG. 11), and also in some other embodiments, may also extend into the second substrate material 108.

[00069] In various embodiments, the hollow structure 122 of the heat transfer component may be open at its ends such that air can flow through the hollow structure 122. Thus, when a user takes a puff through the mouthpiece 114 of the smoking article 100, air may flow through the component 105 for heat transfer. Thus, air moving through the hollow structure 122 may be present in addition to the air entering the smoking article 100 through openings 120 formed in the outer wrap material 102 (and, if necessary, in the cover 118) in the vicinity of the first backing material 106 and the mouthpiece. 114. Thus, in addition to the heat transfer functions provided by the design of the heat transfer component 105, the heat transfer component 105 facilitates the transfer of heat from the heat source 104 to the first substrate material 106 through conduction (and/or subsequent substrate materials such as, for example, second substrate material 108), the passage of air through the hollow structure 122 of the heat transfer component 105 during a puff on the smoking article 100 further facilitates the transfer of heat from the heat source 104 to the first substrate material 106 (and/or subsequent substrate materials) via convection. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the hollow structure 122 connecting the first and second protrusions 124, 126 need not be hollow, and thus a solid connecting piece (e.g., a solid cylinder) may be used to connect the first and second protrusions 124 , 126. In such embodiments, air will not pass through the heat transfer component.

[00070] In the illustrated embodiment, the smoking article 100 also includes a first backing material 106 having opposing first and second ends, the first end being located proximate the heat transfer component 105. Although various embodiments may include only one backing material, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 108 is located proximate the second end of the first backing material 106. In other embodiments, additional support materials may be included. In various embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise tobacco or a tobacco-related material with an associated aerosol precursor composition. Other possible compositions, components and/or additives for use in the support material (and/or support materials) are described in more detail below. It should be noted that the following discussion should apply to any support material used in the smoking articles described herein (such as, for example, the first support material 106 and/or the second support material 108, individually or together).

[00071] In some embodiments, the support material may contain a mixture of flavored and aromatic tobaccos in the form of cut filler. In another embodiment, the support material may comprise reconstituted tobacco material, such as described in US Patent No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., US Patent No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and US Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The additional reconstituted tobacco material may comprise reconstituted tobacco packaging paper described for the type of cigarette described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco. R. J. Reynolds (1988), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise sheet material containing tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials. Thus, in some embodiments, the backing material may be formed from a wound roll of reconstituted tobacco material. In another embodiment, the support material may be formed from pieces, strips of reconstituted tobacco material and/or the like. In another embodiment, the tobacco sheet may comprise overlapping layers (eg, a gathered web), which may or may not include thermally conductive components. Examples of backing portions that include a series of overlapping layers (eg, a collected web) of a base backing sheet formed by a fibrous filler material, an aerosol-forming material, and a plurality of thermally conductive constituents are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/905,320, filed Feb. 26 2018 entitled Heat Conducting Substrate For Electrically Heated Aerosol Delivery Device, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[00072] In some embodiments, the support material may comprise a plurality of microcapsules, beads, granules, and/or the like containing tobacco-related material. For example, a representative microcapsule may have a generally spherical shape and may have an outer coating or shell that contains a central region containing tobacco extract liquid and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise a plurality of microcapsules, each of which has a hollow cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise a binder material configured to maintain the structural shape and/or integrity of a plurality of microcapsules having a hollow cylindrical shape.

[00073] Useful tobacco in one or more support materials may include (or may be derived from) tobaccos such as fire-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Eastern tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire-cured tobacco, and shag, and also other rare or special tobaccos, or mixtures thereof. Various representative types of tobacco, processed types of tobacco and types of tobacco mixtures are shown in US Patent No. 4,836,224 by Lawson et al.; in US patent No. 4,924,888 by Perfetti et al.; in US patent No. 5,056,537 by Brown et al.; in US patent No. 5,159,942 by Brinkley et al.; in US Patent No. 5,220,930 by Gentry; in US patent No. 5,360,023 by Blakley et al.; in US patent No. 6,701,936 by Shafer et al.; in US patent No. 6,730,832 by Dominguez et al.; in US patent No. 7,011,096 by Li et al.; in US patent No. 7,017,585 by Li et al.; in US Patent No. 7,025,066 by Lawson et al.; in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0255965 by Perfetti et al.; in PCT Application Publication WO 02/37990 by Bereman and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[00074] In yet other embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention, the support material may be in the form of an extruded structure that includes or consists essentially of tobacco, tobacco-related material, glycerin, water and/or a binder material, although some compositions may not contain binding material. In various embodiments, suitable binder materials may contain alginates such as ammonium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, potassium alginate and sodium alginate. Alginates, and in particular high viscosity alginates, can be used in combination with controlled levels of free calcium ions. Other suitable binders include hydroxypropyl cellulose, such as Klucel H, available from Aqualon Co.; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose such as Methocel K4MS available from The Dow Chemical Co.; hydroxyethylcellulose such as Natrosol 250 MRCS manufactured by Aqualon Co.; microcrystalline cellulose such as Avicel manufactured by FMC; methylcellulose such as Methocel A4M available from The Dow Chemical Co.; and sodium carboxymethylcellulose such as CMC 7HF and CMC 7H4F available from Hercules Inc. Still other possible binders include starches (eg, corn starch), guar gum, carrageenan, locust bean gum, pectins, and xanthan gum. In some embodiments, combinations or mixtures of two or more binder materials may be used. Other examples of binder materials are described, for example, in US Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al., and US Patent No. 4,924,887 to Raker et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may be provided as part of a binder material (eg, propylene glycol alginate). Additionally, in some embodiments, the binder material may comprise nanocellulose derived from tobacco or other biomass.

[00075] In some embodiments, the support material may be in the form of an extruded material, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0042885 to Stone et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another embodiment, the support material may comprise an extruded structure and/or a support formed from marumarized and/or unmarumarized tobacco. Marumarized tobacco is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,105,831 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Marumarized tobacco comprises from about 20 to about 50 percent (by weight) of a tobacco blend in powder form with glycerin (from about 20 to about 30 wt.%), calcium carbonate (typically from about 10 to about 60 wt.%, often from about 40 to about 60 wt.%) together with the binders and/or flavoring agents described herein. In various embodiments, the extruded material may have one or more longitudinal holes.

[00076] In various embodiments, the substrate material may take various forms depending on the varying amounts of materials used therein. For example, a sample of the support material may contain up to approximately 98 wt. %, up to approximately 95 wt. % or up to approximately 90 wt. % of tobacco and/or tobacco-related material. The support material sample may also contain up to approximately 25 wt. %, approximately 20 wt. % or approximately 15 wt. % water, in particular from about 2 wt. % to approximately 25 wt. %, from about 5 wt. % to approximately 20 wt. % or from about 7 wt. % to approximately 15 wt. % water. Flavorings and the like (which include medications such as nicotine) may contain up to about 10 wt. %, up to approximately 8 wt. % or up to approximately 5 wt. % aerosol delivery component.

[00077] Additionally or alternatively, the support material may be in the form of an extruded structure and/or support that may include or substantially consist of tobacco, glycerin, water and/or a binder material and is further configured to essentially retain its structure during aerosol production. Thus, the support material may be configured to substantially maintain its shape (ie, the support material is not continuously deformed by the applied shear stress) throughout the aerosol generation process. Although such an exemplary support material may contain liquids and/or have some moisture content, the support may remain substantially solid and may maintain substantially structural integrity throughout the aerosol generation process. Exemplary tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials suitable as a substantially solid support material are described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0157052 by Ademe et al.; publication of US patent application No. 2015/0335070 by Sears et al.; US Patent No. 6,204,287 by White; and US Patent No. 5,060,676 to Hearn et al., which are accordingly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[00078] In some embodiments, the amount of support material used in a smoking article may be such that the article has acceptable sensory, sensory, and performance properties. For example, in some embodiments, an aerosol precursor composition, such as, for example, glycerin and/or propylene glycol, may be used in the support material to produce a visible base aerosol that is in many ways reminiscent of tobacco smoke. For example, the amount of the aerosol precursor composition contained in the support material of the smoking article may be about 3.5 g or less, about 3 g or less, about 2.5 g or less, about 2 g or less, about 1.5 g or less, about 1 g or less, or about 0.5 g or less.

[00079] In another embodiment, a smoking article of the invention may include a support material comprising a porous inert material, such as, for example, a ceramic material. For example, some embodiments may use ceramics of different shapes and geometries (eg, balls, rods, tubes, etc.) that have different pore morphologies. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ceramic may be loaded with non-tobacco materials, such as e-liquids. In another embodiment, the support material may include a porous inert material that does not substantially chemically and/or physically react with tobacco-related material, such as, for example, a tobacco extract. Additionally, extruded tobacco, such as described above , may be porous. For example, in some embodiments, the extruded tobacco material may have an inert gas, such as, for example, nitrogen, which acts as a blowing agent during the extrusion process.

[00080] As discussed above, in various embodiments, one or more support materials may contain tobacco, a tobacco component, and/or a tobacco-derived material that may be purified, processed, extracted, and/or processed to include an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., humectants, such as, for example, propylene glycol, glycerin and/or the like) and/or at least one flavoring agent, as well as a flame/flame retardant (for example, diammonium phosphate and/or other salt) configured to prevent ignition, pyrolysis , combustion and/or burning of the substrate material by a heat source. Various methods of incorporating tobacco into smoking articles and, in particular, smoking articles that are designed to not specifically burn substantially all of the tobacco in the smoking articles are described in US Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al.; US Patent No. 7,647,932 by Cantrell et al.; US Patent No. 8,079,371 by Robinson et al.; US Patent No. 7,290,549 by Banerjee et al.; and US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[00081] As discussed above, in some embodiments, flame retardant/combustion retardant materials and other additives may be included in one or more support materials and may include organophosphates, borax, aluminum hydroxide, graphite, potassium tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol, and polyols . Other substances are suitable, such as phosphonic acid nitrogen salts, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ethanol ammonium borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea and antimony oxides, but are not preferred substances. In each aspect of the non-flammable, fire-resistant and/or burn-resistant materials used in the support material and/or other components (whether alone or in combination with each other and/or with other materials), the desired properties are most preferably provided without undesirable outgassing or melting.

[00082] In accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention, the support material also includes tobacco additives that are commonly used in the manufacture of tobacco products. These additives may include materials of the types that are used to improve the flavor and aroma of tobacco in the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, pipes and the like. For example, these additives may include various cigarette coatings and/or topcoat components. See, for example, US Patent No. 3,419,015 by Wochnowski; US Patent No. 4,054,145 by Berndt et al.; US Patent No. 4,887,619 by Burcham, Jr. and etc.; US Patent No. 5,022,416 to Watson; US Patent No. 5,103,842 by Strang et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,711,320 to Martin, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Preferred coating materials may include water, sugars and syrups (eg, sucrose, glucose, and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (eg, glycerin or propylene glycol), and flavoring agents (eg, cocoa and licorice). These added components may also include top layer materials (eg, flavoring materials such as menthol). See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,449,541 to Mays et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, the materials described in US Patent No. 4,830,028 to Lawson et al. and US Patent No. 8,186,360 to Marshall et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, may be added.

[00083] As discussed above, in various embodiments, one or more support materials may have an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may contain one or more different components, such as a polyhydric alcohol (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof). Representative additional types of aerosol precursor compositions are listed in US Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., in US Patent No. 5,101,839 by Jakob et al., in PCT WO 98/57556 by Biggs et al., and in the monograph Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco (Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco). biological studies of new prototype cigarettes that heat tobacco instead of burning it) from the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1988), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some aspects, the support material may produce a visible aerosol when sufficiently heated (and, if necessary, cooled by air), and the support material may produce an aerosol that is considered "smoke-like." In other aspects, the support material may produce an aerosol that is essentially invisible but can be recognized as present by other characteristics such as odor or texture. Thus, the nature of the resulting aerosol may vary depending on the specific components of the aerosol delivery component. The support material may be chemically simple compared to the chemical nature of the smoke produced by burning tobacco.

[00084] A variety of flavoring agents or materials may be suitable for use that alter the sensory or organoleptic character or nature of the underlying aerosol of the smoking article. In some embodiments, such flavoring agents are derived from source materials other than tobacco and may be natural or artificial in nature. For example, certain flavoring agents may be applied to or incorporated into the support material and/or the aerosol-generating areas of the smoking article. In some embodiments, such substances may be supplied directly to the heating cavity or area adjacent to the heat source, or they may be provided by a support material. Examples of flavoring agents may include, for example, vanillin, ethylvanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruit (for example, apple, cherry, strawberry, peach and citrus flavors including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint , wintergreen, nutmeg, cloves, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarrolle, cocoa, licorice and flavorings and additives of the type and nature traditionally used for flavoring cigarette, cigar tobacco and pipe tobacco. In addition, syrups such as high fructose corn syrup may also be suitable for use.

[00085] Flavoring agents may also include substances with acidic or basic characteristics (eg, organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid and pyruvic acid). In some embodiments, flavoring agents may be configured to be combined with elements of the support material if desired. Examples of plant-derived compositions that may be useful are described in US Patent No. 9,107,453 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0152265 to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any of the materials, eg, flavorings, coatings, and the like, that may be suitable in combination with the tobacco material to modify its sensory properties, including organoleptic properties, such as those already described herein, may be combined with the support material. Organic acids, in particular, can be included in the support material to change the aroma, feel or organoleptic properties of medicinal products, such as nicotine, which can be combined with the support material. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, lactic acid and pyruvic acid can be included in the nicotine support material in amounts up to equimolar (based on total organic acid content) to nicotine. Any combination of organic acids may be suitable. For example, in some embodiments, the support material may include from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per one mole of nicotine, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine, or a combination thereof, up to a concentration at which the total amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount of nicotine present in the support material. Various additional examples of organic acids used to prepare the support material are described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0344456 to Dull et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[00086] The selection of such additional components may vary depending on factors such as sensory characteristics that are desired for the smoking article, and the present invention covers any such additional components that are readily apparent to those skilled in the tobacco art and related to or derived from tobacco. tobacco products. See: Gutcho, Tobacco Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972), and Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[00087] In other embodiments, the first support material may comprise other materials having a variety of inherent characteristics or properties. For example, the backing material may comprise plasticized material or regenerated cellulose in the form of rayon. As another example, viscose (commercially available as VISIL®), which is a regenerated cellulose product including silica, may be suitable. Some carbon fibers may include at least 95 percent carbon or more. Likewise, natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton may be suitable and may be infused with silica particles or otherwise treated with silica, carbon or metal particles to improve flame retardant properties and minimize off-gassing, in particular any unwanted off-gas components that may have a negative impact on taste (and in particular, minimizing the likelihood of any toxic off-gas products). Cotton can be treated, for example, with boric acid or various organophosphorus compounds to provide the desired flame retardant properties by dipping, spraying, or other methods known in the art. These fibers can also be treated (by infusion coating or both, such as by dipping, spraying or vapor deposition) with organic or metal nanoparticles to impart the desired flame retardant property without the undesirable off-gassing or melting process.

[00088] Again with reference to FIG. 1 and 2, in the smoking article 100 of the illustrated embodiment, the first support material 106 contains a plurality of tobacco balls formed into a substantially cylindrical portion. Although, as noted above, in various embodiments the size and shape of the first backing material may vary, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first backing material 106 may have a length ranging from about 5 mm to about 15 mm, inclusive, and an overall diameter ranging from from about 3 mm to about 8 mm inclusive, in the illustrated embodiment, the first backing material 106 has a length of approximately 10 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm). In the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 108 includes a plurality of tobacco rods molded into a substantially cylindrical portion. Likewise, although the size and shape of the second backing material 108 may vary in different embodiments, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 108 may have a length ranging from about 5 mm to about 25 mm, inclusive, and an overall diameter ranging from about 3 mm. mm to approximately 8 mm inclusive, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 108 has a length of approximately 10 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm).

[00089] In some embodiments, the first and second substrate materials 106, 108 may comprise centrally defined longitudinally extending axes between each of the respective opposite first and second ends, and the cross-section of the first and second substrate materials 106, 108 may, in some embodiments, be symmetrical about the specified axis. For example, in some embodiments, the cross sections of the first backing material 106 and the second backing material 108 may be substantially circular such that the first and second backing materials 106, 108 form substantially cylindrical shapes extending between their opposing first and second ends. For example, in other embodiments, the first and second support materials 106, 108 may form substantially non-circular cross sections such that the first support material 106 and/or the second support material 108 may form a substantially non-cylindrical shape between their opposing first and second ends. In other words, in other examples, the first substrate material 106 and/or the second substrate material 108 may form an asymmetrical cross-section about an axis. In various embodiments, each end of the first and second substrate materials 106, 108 may be axially aligned with adjacent members. For example, the first end of the second backing material 108 may be configured to coaxially align with the second end of the first material 106 as they interact.

[00090] The smoking article of the illustrated embodiment also includes an intermediate component 110 and at least one filter 112. It should be noted that in various embodiments, the intermediate component 110 or the filter 112, alone or together, may be considered a mouthpiece 114 of the smoking article 100. Although in While various implementations need not include either an intermediate component or a filter, in the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 110 comprises a substantially rigid member that is substantially inflexible along its longitudinal axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 110 comprises a hollow tubular structure and is included to add structural integrity to the smoking article 100 and provide cooling to the resulting aerosol. In some embodiments, the intermediate component 110 may be used as an aerosol collection container. In the illustrated embodiment, a filter 112 is included to filter the aerosol generated by the support materials 106 and/or 108 prior to inhalation by the user. In various embodiments, such a tube may be made from a variety of materials and may contain one or more adhesives. Examples of materials include, but are not limited to, paper, paper layers, paperboard, plastic, corrugated cardboard and/or composite materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 110 includes a hollow cylindrical element made of paper or plastic (such as, for example, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or other polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polyester, silicone and the like, or ceramics (for example, silicon carbide , aluminum oxide and the like) or other acetate fibers), and the filter is a compacted rod or cylindrical disc made of a gas-permeable material (such as, for example, cellulose acetate or fibers such as paper or rayon, or polyester fibers). The filter 112 may additionally or alternatively contain strands of tobacco-containing material, as described in US Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In various embodiments, the size and shape of the intermediate component 110 and/or filter 112 may vary, for example, the length of the intermediate component 110 may range from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, inclusive, the diameter of the intermediate component 110 may range from about 3 mm to about 8 mm inclusive, the length of the filter 112 can range from about 10 mm to about 20 mm inclusive, and the diameter of the filter 112 can range from about 3 mm to about 8 mm inclusive. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 110 has a length of approximately 20 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm), and the filter 112 has a length of approximately 15 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, implementation approximately 7 mm).

[00091] In various embodiments, the mouthpiece 114 (e.g., the intermediate component 110 and/or the filter 112) is configured to receive generated aerosol therethrough in response to a user drawing on the mouthpiece 114. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 114 may be tightly brought into contact with a substrate material (such as the substrate material 108). For example, an adhesive, glue, welding, or the like may be suitable to firmly engage the mouthpiece 114 with the backing material 108. In another example, the mouthpiece 114 is ultrasonically welded to the backing material 108 and sealed thereto.

[00092] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mouthpiece 114 may include a filter 112 configured to receive an aerosol therethrough in response to a puff applied through the mouthpiece 114. In various embodiments, the filter 112 is provided in some aspects as a circular protrusion radially and/or in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate component 108 located proximate the second end. Thus, when puffing through the mouthpiece 114, the filter 112 receives the aerosol flowing through the intermediate component 110 of the smoking article 100.

[00093] In various embodiments, ignition of the heat source 104 results in aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition associated with the first substrate material 106 and the second substrate material 108. Preferably, the elements of the first substrate material 106 and the second substrate material 108 do not undergo thermal decomposition (e.g., charring, scorching, or burning) to any significant extent, and the aerosolized components are entrained in air that is drawn through the smoking article 100, including the filter 112. into the user's mouth.

[00094] In FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 6 shows a smoking article 200 that includes an outer wrap 202, a heat source 204, a heat transfer component 205, a first respirable means 206, a second respirable means 208, a filter 212 that may include mouthpiece 214.

[00095] In various embodiments, the heat source 204 may be configured to generate heat when ignited. In the illustrated embodiment, heat source 204 includes a combustible fuel element that is generally cylindrical in shape and contains combustible carbonaceous material. Carbonaceous materials usually have a high carbon content. Preferred carbonaceous materials are preferably composed of carbon, typically having a carbon content of greater than about 60 percent, typically greater than about 70 percent, often greater than about 80 percent, and most often greater than about 90 percent on a dry weight basis.

[00096] In some cases, heat source 204 may include elements other than combustible carbonaceous materials (e.g., tobacco components such as powdered tobaccos or tobacco extracts; flavoring agents; salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium carbonate; heat resistant graphite fibers; iron oxide powder; glass filaments; powdered calcium carbonate; aluminum oxide granules; ammonia sources such as ammonia salts and/or coupling agents such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). Although the specific dimensions of the applicable heat source may vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 204 has a length ranging from about 7 mm to about 20 mm, inclusive, and in some embodiments may be approximately 17 mm, and an overall diameter ranging from about 3 mm up to and including approximately 8 mm, and in some implementations may be approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments approximately 7 mm). Although in other embodiments the heat source may be configured in various ways, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat source 204 is extruded or blended using crushed or powdered carbonaceous material, and the heat source 104 has a density that is greater than about 0.5 g/cm3 , often greater than about 0.7 g/cm3 and most often greater than about 1 g/cm3, on a dry weight basis. See, for example, the types of fuel source components, compositions and designs that are set forth in US Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al. and US Patent No. 7,836,897 to Borschke et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[00097] Although in various embodiments the heat source may have various shapes, including, for example, a substantially solid cylindrical shape or a hollow cylindrical (e.g., tubular) shape, the heat source 204 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material forming a plurality of grooves (not visible in FIG. 6) extending in a longitudinal direction from the first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to the opposite second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. Although in the illustrated embodiment the grooves are substantially equal in width and depth and are substantially evenly distributed around the circumferential surface of the heat source 204, other embodiments may include a single groove. Other embodiments may include a plurality of grooves, which may have unequal width and/or depth, and which may be unevenly spaced around the circumferential surface of the heat source. In yet other embodiments, the heat source may include recesses and/or slits extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end thereof. In some embodiments, the heat source may comprise a foamed carbonaceous monolith formed by a foaming process of the type disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,615,184 to Lobovsky, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, some embodiments may provide benefits in terms of reduced time required to ignite the heat source. In another embodiment, the heat source may be co-extruded with an insulation layer (not shown), thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost. Other fuel cell embodiments include carbon fibers of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., or other heat source embodiments such as those described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0044818 to Takeuchi et al. each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00098] In general, the heat source is located sufficiently close to the support material having one or more aerosolizable components so that the aerosol formed/evaporated by the application of heat from the heat source to the support material (as well as one or more flavors, medications, and the like, which are also provided for delivery to the user) to the user by means of a mouthpiece. Thus, when a heat source heats the support material, an aerosol is formed, released or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the above terms should be considered interchangeable, so that forms of the above term such as "release", "release", "releases" or "released" include forms such as "form" or "generate", "forming" or "generating", "forming" or "generating" and "formed" or "generated". In particular, the inhalable substance is released in the form of vapor or aerosol, or a mixture thereof. In addition, the selection and arrangement of various elements of smoking articles will be apparent when considering commercially available electronic smoking articles, such as those representative products referenced in the Background section of the disclosure of the present invention.

[00099] In the illustrated embodiment, heat transfer component 205 includes a hollow cylindrical tube, one or both ends of which are closed, and which extends through a portion of the heat source 204 and penetrates into a portion of the first substrate material 206 . It should be noted that in other embodiments, the heat transfer component may comprise a solid rod (such as heat transfer component 275 shown in FIG. 7). In various embodiments, the heat transfer component may pass through any portion of the heat source 204 and may penetrate any portion of the substrate material. In some embodiments, the heat transfer component 205 may also extend into a portion of the second substrate material 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer component 205 extends substantially the entire length of the heat source 204 and penetrates substantially the entire length of the first substrate material 206.

[000100] In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer component 205 is made of a copper material coated with an aluminum material. However, in other embodiments, the heat transfer component may be made of other heat conductive materials, including, for example, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, silver, gold, bronze, graphite, coated or uncoated ceramic, and/or their combinations. Moreover, any one of these parts or any combination of these parts may be made of one material (eg, one conductive material) and coated with another material (eg, another conductive material). In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer component has a diameter ranging from about 1 mm to about 3 mm inclusive, an internal diameter ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm inclusive, and a length ranging from about 10 mm to about 35 mm inclusive. Thus, the heat transfer component 205 facilitates the transfer of heat from the heat source 204 to the first substrate material 206 (and in some embodiments, additional substrate materials).

[000101] In the illustrated embodiment, the smoking article 200 also includes a first backing material 206 having opposing first and second ends, the first end being located proximate the heat transfer component 205. Although various embodiments may include only one backing material, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 208 is located proximate the second end of the first backing material 206. In other embodiments, additional support materials may be included. In various embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise tobacco or a tobacco-related material with an associated aerosol precursor composition. Other possible compositions, components and/or additives for use in the first support material, second support material and/or any other support materials are described in more detail below.

[000102] In some embodiments, the support material may contain a mixture of flavored and aromatic tobaccos in the form of cut filler. In another embodiment, the support material may comprise reconstituted tobacco material, such as described in US Patent No. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al., US Patent No. 4,889,143 to Pryor et al., and US Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The additional reconstituted tobacco material may comprise reconstituted tobacco packaging paper described for the type of cigarette described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco. R. J. Reynolds (1988), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise sheet material containing tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials. Thus, in some embodiments, the backing material may be formed from a wound roll of reconstituted tobacco material. In another embodiment, the support material may be formed from pieces, strips of reconstituted tobacco material and/or the like.

[000103] In some embodiments, the support material may comprise a plurality of microcapsules, beads, granules, and/or the like containing tobacco-related material. For example, a representative microcapsule may have a generally spherical shape and may have an outer coating or shell that contains a central region containing tobacco extract liquid and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise a plurality of microcapsules, each of which has a hollow cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, one or more support materials may comprise a binder material configured to maintain the structural shape and/or integrity of a plurality of microcapsules having a hollow cylindrical shape.

[000104] Useful tobacco in one or more support materials may include (or may be derived from) tobaccos such as fire-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, Eastern tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire-cured tobacco, and shag, and also other rare or special tobaccos, or mixtures thereof. Various representative types of tobacco, processed types of tobacco and types of tobacco mixtures are shown in US Patent No. 4,836,224 by Lawson et al.; in US patent No. 4,924,888 by Perfetti et al.; in US patent No. 5,056,537 by Brown et al.; in US patent No. 5,159,942 by Brinkley et al.; in US Patent No. 5,220,930 by Gentry; in US patent No. 5,360,023 by Blakley et al.; in US patent No. 6,701,936 by Shafer et al.; in US patent No. 6,730,832 by Dominguez et al.; in US patent No. 7,011,096 by Li et al.; in US patent No. 7,017,585 by Li et al.; in US Patent No. 7,025,066 by Lawson et al.; in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0255965 by Perfetti et al.; in PCT Application Publication WO 02/37990 by Bereman and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11-17, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[000105] In yet other aspects of the disclosure of the present invention, the support material can be made in the form of an extruded structure that includes or consists essentially of tobacco, tobacco-related material, glycerin, water and/or a binder material, although some compositions do not contain a binder material. The binder material may be any binder material typically used for tobacco formulations, including, for example, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), gum (eg, guar gum), xanthan, pullulan, and/or alginate. In some aspects, the binder material included in the support material may be configured to substantially maintain the structural shape and/or integrity of the support material. Various representative binders, binder properties, binder methods, and binder amounts are set forth in US Pat. No. 4,924,887 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[000106] In some embodiments, the support material may be in the form of an extruded material, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0042885 to Stone et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another embodiment, the support material may comprise an extruded structure and/or a support formed from marumarized and/or unmarumarized tobacco. Marumarized tobacco is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,105,831 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Marumarized tobacco comprises from about 20 to about 50 percent (by weight) of a tobacco blend in powder form with glycerin (from about 20 to about 30 weight percent), calcium carbonate (typically from about 10 to about 60 weight percent, often from about 40 to about 60 wt.%) together with the binders and/or flavoring agents described herein.

[000107] In various embodiments, the substrate material may take various forms depending on the varying amounts of materials used therein. For example, a sample of the support material may contain up to approximately 98 wt. %, up to approximately 95 wt. % or up to approximately 90 wt. % of tobacco and/or tobacco-related material. The support material sample may also contain up to approximately 25 wt. %, approximately 20 wt. % or approximately 15 wt. % water, in particular from about 2 wt. % to approximately 25 wt. %, from about 5 wt. % to approximately 20 wt. % or from about 7 wt. % to approximately 15 wt. % water. Flavorings and the like (which include medications such as nicotine) may contain up to about 10 wt. %, up to approximately 8 wt. % or up to approximately 5 wt. % aerosol delivery component.

[000108] Additionally or alternatively, the support material may be in the form of an extruded structure and/or support, which may include or substantially consist of tobacco, glycerin, water and/or a binder material and, in addition, is also configured to essentially retain its structure during aerosol production. Thus, the support material may be configured to substantially maintain its shape (ie, the support material is not continuously deformed by the applied shear stress) throughout the aerosol generation process. Although such an exemplary support material may contain liquids and/or have some moisture content, the support may remain substantially solid and may maintain substantially structural integrity throughout the aerosol generation process. Exemplary tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials suitable as a substantially solid support material are described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0157052 by Ademe et al.; publication of US patent application No. 2015/0335070 by Sears et al.; US Patent No. 6,204,287 by White; and US Patent No. 5,060,676 to Hearn et al., which are accordingly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[000109] In some embodiments, the amount of support material used in a smoking article may be such that the article has acceptable sensory, sensory, and performance properties. For example, in some embodiments, a sufficient amount of an aerosol precursor composition, such as, for example, glycerin and/or propylene glycol, may be used in the support material to produce a visible base aerosol that in many respects resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. For example, the amount of the aerosol precursor composition contained in the support material of the smoking article may be about 3.5 g or less, about 3 g or less, about 2.5 g or less, about 2 g or less, about 1.5 g or less, about 1 g or less, or about 0.5 g or less.

[000110] According to another embodiment, the proposed smoking article includes a support material comprising a porous inert material, such as, for example, a ceramic material. In another aspect, the aerosol delivery component includes a porous inert material that does not substantially chemically and/or physically react with tobacco-related material, such as, for example, a tobacco-derived extract.

[000111] As discussed above, in various embodiments, one or more support materials may contain tobacco, a tobacco component, and/or a tobacco-derived material that may be purified, processed, extracted, and/or processed to include an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., humectants, such as, for example, propylene glycol, glycerin and/or the like) and/or at least one flavoring agent, as well as a combustion retardant (for example, diammonium phosphate and/or other salt) configured to prevent ignition, pyrolysis, combustion and/or burning out the aerosol delivery component by the heat source. Various methods of incorporating tobacco into smoking articles and, in particular, smoking articles that are designed so as not to specifically burn substantially all of the tobacco in the smoking articles are described in US Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al.; US Patent No. 7,647,932 by Cantrell et al.; US Patent No. 8,079,371 by Robinson et al.; US Patent No. 7,290,549 by Banerjee et al.; and US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[000112] In some embodiments, flame/burn retardant materials and other additives may be included in one or more support materials and may include organophosphates, borax, aluminum hydroxide, graphite, potassium tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol, and polyols. Other substances are suitable, such as phosphonic acid nitrogen salts, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ethanol ammonium borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea and antimony oxides, but are not preferred substances. In each aspect of the non-flammable, fire-resistant and/or burn-resistant materials used in the aerosol delivery component, and/or other components (whether alone or in combination with each other and/or with other materials), the desired properties are most preferably provided without undesirable gas evolution or melting.

[000113] In accordance with other embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention, the support material also includes tobacco additives that are commonly used in the manufacture of tobacco products. These additives may include materials of the types that are used to improve the flavor and aroma of tobacco in the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, pipes and the like. For example, these additives may contain various cigarette coatings and/or topcoats. See, for example, US Patent No. 3,419,015 by Wochnowski; US Patent No. 4,054,145 by Berndt et al.; US Patent No. 4,887,619 by Burcham, Jr. and etc.; US Patent No. 5,022,416 to Watson; US Patent No. 5,103,842 by Strang et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,711,320 to Martin, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Preferred coating materials may include water, sugars and syrups (eg, sucrose, glucose, and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (eg, glycerin or propylene glycol), and flavoring agents (eg, cocoa and licorice). These added components may also include top layer materials (eg, flavoring materials such as menthol). See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,449,541 to Mays et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, the materials described in US Patent No. 4,830,028 to Lawson et al. and US Patent No. 8,186,360 to Marshall et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, may be added.

[000114] As noted above, in various embodiments, one or more support materials may have an aerosol precursor composition associated with them. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may contain one or more different components, such as a polyhydric alcohol (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof). Representative additional types of aerosol precursor compositions are listed in US Pat. No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr. et al., in US Patent No. 5,101,839 by Jakob et al., in PCT WO 98/57556 by Biggs et al., and in the monograph Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco (Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco). biological studies of new prototype cigarettes that heat tobacco instead of burning it) from the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1988), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some aspects, the aerosol delivery component may produce a visible aerosol when sufficiently heated (and, if necessary, cooled by air), and the aerosol delivery component may produce an aerosol that is considered "smoke-like." In other aspects, the aerosol delivery component may produce an aerosol that is substantially invisible but can be recognized as present by other characteristics such as aroma or texture. Thus, the nature of the resulting aerosol may vary depending on the specific components of the aerosol delivery component. the aerosol delivery component may be chemically simple compared to the chemical nature of the smoke produced by burning tobacco.

[000115] A variety of flavoring agents or materials may be suitable for use that alter the sensory or organoleptic character or nature of the underlying aerosol of the smoking article. In some embodiments, such flavoring agents are derived from source materials other than tobacco and may be natural or artificial in nature. For example, certain flavoring agents may be applied to or incorporated into the support material and/or the aerosol-generating areas of the smoking article. In some embodiments, such substances may be supplied directly to the heating cavity or area adjacent to the heat source, or they may be provided by a support material. Examples of flavoring agents may include, for example, vanillin, ethylvanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruit (for example, apple, cherry, strawberry, peach and citrus flavors including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint , wintergreen, nutmeg, cloves, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarrolle, cocoa, licorice and flavorings and additives of the type and nature traditionally used for flavoring cigarette, cigar tobacco and pipe tobacco. In addition, syrups such as high fructose corn syrup may also be suitable for use.

[000116] Flavoring agents may also include substances with acidic or basic characteristics (eg, organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid and pyruvic acid). In some embodiments, flavoring agents may be configured to be combined with elements of the support material if desired. Examples of plant-derived compositions that may be useful are described in US Patent No. 9,107,453 and US Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0152265 to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Any of the materials, eg, flavorings, coatings, and the like, that may be suitable in combination with the tobacco material to modify its sensory properties, including organoleptic properties, such as those already described herein, may be combined with the support material. Organic acids, in particular, can be included in the support material to change the aroma, feel or organoleptic properties of medicinal products, such as nicotine, which can be combined with the support material. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, lactic acid and pyruvic acid can be included in the nicotine support material in amounts up to equimolar (based on total organic acid content) to nicotine. Any combination of organic acids may be suitable. For example, in some embodiments, the support material may include from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per one mole of nicotine, from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine, or a combination thereof, up to a concentration at which the total amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount of nicotine present in the support material. Various additional examples of organic acids used to prepare an aerosol delivery component are described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0344456 to Dull et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[000117] The selection of such additional components may vary depending on factors such as sensory characteristics that are desired for the smoking article, and the present invention covers any such additional components that are readily apparent to those skilled in the tobacco art and related to or derived from tobacco. tobacco products. See: Gutcho, Tobacco Flavoring Substances and Methods, Noyes Data Corp. (1972), and Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products (1972), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[000118] In other embodiments, the first substrate material 206 may comprise other materials having a variety of inherent characteristics or properties. For example, the first backing material 206 may comprise plasticized material or regenerated cellulose in the form of rayon. As another example, viscose (commercially available as VISIL®), which is a regenerated cellulose product including silica, may be suitable. Some carbon fibers may include at least 95 percent carbon or more. Likewise, natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton may be suitable and may be infused with silica particles or otherwise treated with silica, carbon or metal particles to improve flame retardant properties and minimize off-gassing, in particular any unwanted off-gas components that may have a negative impact on taste (and in particular, minimizing the likelihood of any toxic off-gas products). Cotton can be treated, for example, with boric acid or various organophosphorus compounds to provide the desired flame retardant properties by dipping, spraying, or other methods known in the art. These fibers can also be treated (by infusion coating or both, such as by dipping, spraying or vapor deposition) with organic or metal nanoparticles to impart the desired flame retardant property without the undesirable off-gassing or melting process.

[000119] The smoking article 200 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a heat transfer cover 207 that is configured to cover the end of the heat source 204 proximate the first substrate material 106 . In some embodiments, the cover 207 may be pressed against the end of the heat source 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer cover 207 includes an end portion 207A that covers substantially the entire end of the heat source 204 proximate the first substrate material 206, and a rim portion 207B that extends upward and circumferentially around at least a portion of the length of the heat source 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim portion 207B of the heat transfer cover 207 extends approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the heat source 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer cover 207 is made of the same material as the heat transfer component 205. However, in other embodiments, the heat transfer component 505 and/or the heat transfer cover 507 may be made of a different material, as described herein. Additionally, in various embodiments, the heat transfer component 205 and/or the heat transfer cover 207 may be made of one material (eg, a thermally conductive material) and coated with a different material (eg, another conductive material).

[000120] In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer component 205 passes through a portion of the heat source 204 and penetrates a portion of the first substrate material 206 and, in particular, substantially the entire length of the first substrate material 206. However, in other embodiments, the heat transfer component 205 may extend through any portion of the heat source 204 and may extend through any portion of the first substrate material, and in some embodiments may further extend into a portion of the second substrate material.

[000121] As discussed above, in some embodiments, smoking article 200 may further comprise a second backing material 208 having opposing first and second ends. In various embodiments, the second backing material 208 may include centrally defined longitudinally extending axes between each of the respective opposite first and second ends. Similar to the first backing material 206, the cross-section of the second backing material 208 may, in some embodiments, be symmetrical about said axis. For example, in some embodiments, the cross sections of the first backing material 206 and the second backing material 208 may be substantially circular such that the first and second backing materials 206, 208 form substantially cylindrical shapes extending between their opposing first and second ends. For example, in other embodiments, the first and second support materials 206, 208 may form substantially non-circular cross sections such that the first support material 206 and/or the second support material 208 may form a substantially non-cylindrical shape between their opposing first and second ends. In other words, in other examples, the first substrate material 206 and/or the second substrate material 208 may form an asymmetric cross-section about an axis. In various embodiments, each end of the first and second substrate materials 206, 208 may be axially aligned with adjacent members. For example, the first end of the second backing material 208 may be configured to coaxially align with the second end of the first material 206 as they interact.

[000122] In various embodiments, ignition of the heat source 204 results in aerosolization of the aerosol precursor composition associated with each of the first substrate material 206 and the second substrate material 208. Preferably, the elements of the first substrate material 206 and the second substrate material 208 do not undergo thermal decomposition (e.g., charring, scorching, or burning) to any significant extent, and the aerosolized components are entrained in air that is drawn through the smoking article 200, including the filter 212. into the user's mouth.

[000123] Again with reference to FIG. 6, the outer wrap material 202 is configured to engage at least a portion of the heat source 204 with the first backing material 206, the second backing material 208, and at least a portion of the mouthpiece 214 or otherwise connecting them to each other. Thus, in some aspects, the outer wrap material 202 is configured to define, for example, a coaxial surround of at least a portion of the heat source 204, a first backing material 206 brought into contact at its first end with the heat source 204, a second backing material 208 brought into contact into engagement with the second end of the first backing material 206 and at least a portion of the mouthpiece 214. The outer wrap material 202 is configured to be held in the wrapped position by any means, including an adhesive, a fastener, or the like, to allow the outer wrap material to 202 remain in the wrapped position. Otherwise, in some other aspects, the outer wrapping material 202 may be made removable as needed. For example, when holding the outer wrap material 202 in the wrapped position, the outer wrap material 202 may be configured to remove from the heat source 204, the first backing material 206 engaged at its first end with the heat source 204, the second backing material 208 being brought into contact with the second end of the first backing material 206 and the mouthpiece portion 214. In this example, the adhesive, fastener, and the like are removed, and the outer wrapping material 202 is not limited around them.

[000124] As shown in the drawing, in addition to the outer wrap material 202, the illustrated embodiment also includes a cover 218 that is configured to enclose the first backing material 206 and at least a portion of the heat source 204. In some embodiments, the cover 218 may also define a second backing material 208. In some embodiments, the outer wrap material 202 may include a coating 218. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer wrap material 202 and the coating 218 may be separate materials that are provided together (e.g., bonded, fused, or otherwise bonded together to form a layered material). material). In other cases, the outer wrap 202 and the cover 218 may be the same material. In either case, the cover 218 may be configured to thermally control the conduction of heat generated by the ignited heat source 204 radially outward from the cover 218. Thus, in some embodiments, the cover 218 may be made of a foil material, a graphene material, a graphite material, and/or or an aluminum material, and in either case the material may be a laminated material. In the embodiments shown, the coating is made of aluminum laminate. In some embodiments, depending on the material of the outer wrap 202 and/or cover 218, a thin layer of insulation may be provided radially outside the cover 218. Thus, in some aspects, the cover 218 may advantageously provide a method for interaction between two or more separate components of a smoking article. 200 (such as, for example, heat source 204 and first substrate material 206), as well as promoting heat transfer along its axis while limiting thermal conduction in a radial outward direction.

[000125] As also shown in FIG. 6, the outer wrap material 202 (and optionally the cover 218 and the first backing material 206) may also include one or more holes 220 formed therein that allow air to flow through the mouthpiece 214 when drawing a puff. In some embodiments, the holes 220 may be located between the distal end of the heat transfer component 205 and the first substrate material 206. In some embodiments, holes 220 may be formed in the outer wrap material 202 (and in some embodiments cover 218) in a region proximal to the first backing material 206, and separate cooling holes 221 may be formed in the outer wrap material 202 (and in some embodiments cover 218) in a region proximal to filter 212. In some embodiments, a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced individual cooling holes 220 are formed in the outer wrapping material 202 and cover 218 in a region proximate the first backing material 206, and a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced individual cooling holes 221 are formed in the outer wrapping material 202 in the area near the mouthpiece 214 (eg, in the illustrated embodiment, near the filter 212). Although in various embodiments holes may be formed in the outer wrap 202 (and cover 218) in a variety of ways, in the illustrated embodiment the plurality of holes 120 are formed by laser perforation.

[000126] In the smoking article 200 of the illustrated embodiment, the first support material 206 includes a plurality of tobacco balls formed into a substantially cylindrical portion. Although, as noted above, in various embodiments, the size and shape of the first backing material may vary, for example, the first backing material 206 may have a length ranging from about 5 mm to about 15 mm, inclusive, and an overall diameter ranging from about 3 mm to approximately 8 mm inclusive, in the illustrated embodiment, the first support material has a length of approximately 10 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm). In the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 208 includes a plurality of tobacco rods molded into a substantially cylindrical portion. Likewise, although the size and shape of the second backing material 108 may vary in different embodiments, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 208 may have a length ranging from about 5 mm to about 25 mm, inclusive, and an overall diameter ranging from about 3 mm. mm to approximately 8 mm inclusive, in the illustrated embodiment, the second backing material 208 has a length of approximately 30 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm).

[000127] The smoking article of the illustrated embodiment also includes a filter 212. It should be noted that in various embodiments, the smoking article may also include an intermediate component, such as the intermediate component described above. In various embodiments, the filter 212, alone or together with another component, may be considered a mouthpiece 214 of the smoking article 200. It should be noted that in various embodiments, it is not necessary to include either an intermediate component or a filter. However, in the illustrated embodiment, a filter 212 is included to filter the aerosol generated by the support materials 206 and/or 208 prior to inhalation by the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter is a compacted rod or cylindrical disc made of a gas-permeable material (such as, for example, cellulose acetate or fibers such as paper or rayon, or polyester fibers). The filter 112 may additionally or alternatively contain strands of tobacco-containing material, as described in US Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although the size and shape of the filter 212 may vary in various embodiments, for example, the length of the intermediate component 110 may range from about 10 mm to about 30 mm, inclusive, the diameter of the intermediate component 110 may range from about 3 mm to about 8 mm, inclusive , the length of the filter 112 may range from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, inclusive, and the diameter of the filter 112 may range from about 3 mm to about 8 mm, inclusive. In the illustrated embodiment, filter 112 has a length of approximately 15 mm and a diameter of approximately 4.8 mm (and in some embodiments, approximately 7 mm).

[000128] In various embodiments, the mouthpiece 214 (e.g., filter 212) is configured to receive a generated aerosol therethrough in response to a user's puff on the mouthpiece 214. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 214 may be tightly engaged with the substrate material (such as the substrate material 208). For example, an adhesive, glue, welding, or the like may be suitable to firmly engage the mouthpiece 214 with the backing material 208. In another example, the mouthpiece 214 is ultrasonically welded to the backing material 208 and sealed thereto.

[000129] As discussed above, in some embodiments, the mouthpiece 214 may include a filter 212 configured to receive an aerosol therethrough in response to a puff applied through the mouthpiece 214. In various embodiments, the filter 212 is provided in some aspects as a circular protrusion radially and/or longitudinally located proximate the second end of the second substrate material 208. Thus, when a puff is taken through the mouthpiece 214, the filter 212 receives the aerosol flowing through the intermediate component 210 of the smoking article 200.

[000130] In FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat source and a heat transfer component of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 7 shows a heat source 504 and a heat transfer component 505, which include a heat transfer cover 507. In various embodiments, the heat source 504 of the illustrated embodiment may be the same as the heat sources described above, and thus reference is made to various embodiments of the heat sources described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, heat transfer component 505 includes a solid cylinder that extends through heat source 504. As noted above, in other embodiments, the heat transfer component may have other geometric configurations, including, for example, a pipe, rod, sheet, or mesh. In the illustrated embodiments, heat transfer component 505 may be made of aluminum, however, as also noted above, in other embodiments, heat transfer component 505 may be made of other thermal conductive materials, including, for example, stainless steel, brass, copper , silver, gold, bronze, graphite and their combinations.

[000131] The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 also includes a heat transfer cover 507 that is configured to cover the end of the heat source 504 adjacent the substrate material. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer cap 507 includes an end portion 507A that covers substantially the entire end of the heat source 504 proximate the substrate material, and a rim portion 507B that extends upward and circumferentially around at least a portion of the length of the heat source 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim portion 507B of the heat transfer cover 507 extends from about 1/3 to about 1/2 the length of the heat source 504. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer cover 507 is made of the same material (eg, aluminum) as the heat transfer component 505. However, in other embodiments, the heat transfer component 505 and/or the heat transfer cover 507 may be made of a different material, as described above. Additionally, in various embodiments, heat transfer component 505 and/or heat transfer cover 507 may be made of one material (eg, a thermally conductive material) and coated with another material (eg, another conductive material).

[000132] In the illustrated embodiment, the heat transfer component 505 passes through a portion of the heat source 504 and penetrates a portion of the first substrate material (see above). In various embodiments, the heat transfer component 505 may pass through any portion of the heat source 504 and may penetrate any portion of the substrate material. In some embodiments, the heat transfer component may also extend into a portion of the second substrate material.

[000133] In FIG. 8 shows schematic views of various heat transfer components of a smoking article according to certain other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 8 shows a heat transfer component 275 according to one embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention, as well as a heat transfer component 305 according to another embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention, and a heat transfer component 405 according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In various embodiments, each of the illustrated heat transfer components 275, 305, 405 is configured to facilitate heat transfer from a heat source to one or more downstream substrate materials.

[000134] The heat transfer component 275 of the disclosure of the present invention includes a solid cylindrical tube or rod 275A made of copper material that includes a coating 275B containing aluminum material, although it should be noted that in other embodiments the cylindrical rod 275A and the coating 275B may be fabricated from other materials, as indicated above. Heat transfer component 305 is characterized in that it includes a sheet 305A made of copper material that includes a cover 305B containing aluminum material, although it should be noted that in other embodiments the sheet 305A and cover 305B may be made of other materials, as indicated higher. For example, in some embodiments, the coating 305B may comprise multilayer sheets of aluminum on a copper base sheet. Although not shown in the drawings, in various embodiments, heat transfer components 275 and 305 may also include a heat transfer cover as described above. In yet other embodiments, heat transfer component 275 and/or sheet 305A may be made of aluminum material and may not be coated.

[000135] The heat transfer component 405 is characterized in that it includes a mesh 405A containing aluminum material, which includes an extension 405B located along its length, which also contains aluminum material. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the mesh 405A and/or extension 405B may be made of a different material, as described above. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the mesh 405A has a substantially cylindrical shape (such as, for example, having a circular cross-section), in various other embodiments, the mesh 405A may have other geometric configurations (such as, for example, substantially square, substantially rectangular, or substantially triangular cross section). Likewise, although in the illustrated embodiment the mesh 405B is disk-shaped, in various other embodiments the extension 405B may have a different shape (such as, for example, a substantially square or substantially triangular shape). Additionally, although in various embodiments the heat transfer component 405 may be configured such that the extension 405B has any location along the heat source 204 and/or the substrate material 206, in the embodiment shown, the extension 405B is configured to be located between the heat source 204 and substrate material 206.

[000136] In FIG. 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 700 according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 9 shows a smoking article 700 that includes a heat source 704, a heat transfer component 705, a first inhalable agent 706, a second inhalable agent 708, an intermediate component 710, and a filter 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 710 and the filter 712 together contain a mouthpiece 714. The smoking article 700 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a passage 717 that is formed through the heat source 704 and through which the hollow structure of the heat transfer component 705 passes. As shown in the drawing, in addition to the outer wrap material 702, the illustrated embodiment also includes a cover 718 that is configured to enclose the first backing material 706 and at least a portion of the heat source 704. As also shown in the drawing, the outer wrap material 702 (and, if necessary, the cover 718 and the first backing material 706) may also include one or more holes 720 formed therein that allow air to flow through the mouthpiece 714 when drawing a puff. or more separate cooling holes 721 may also be formed in the outer wrapping material 702 in the area near the filter 712.

[000137] In many respects, the embodiment of FIG. 9 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and thus reference is made to the above description of the various possible components of the smoking article. One way in which the embodiment of FIG. 9 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 is that the first substrate material 706 has an extruded hollow shape that includes a passage 707 formed therethrough. Although in the illustrated embodiment the diameter of the first substrate material passage 707 is substantially the same as the passage 717 formed through the heat source 704, it should be noted that in various other embodiments the diameter of the passage 707 may differ. Thus, in some embodiments, the diameter of the first substrate material passage 707 may be smaller than the diameter of the passage 717 formed through the heat source 704, and in other embodiments, the diameter of the first substrate material passage 707 may be greater than the diameter of the passage 717 formed through the heat source 704.

[000138] In FIG. 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 800 according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 10 shows a smoking article 800 that includes a heat source 804, a heat transfer component 805, a first inhalable agent 806, an intermediate component 810, and a filter 812. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 810 and the filter 812 together comprise a mouthpiece 814 The smoking article 800 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a passage 817 that is formed through the heat source 804 and through which the hollow structure of the heat transfer component 805 extends. As shown in the drawing, in addition to the outer wrapping material 802, the illustrated embodiment also includes a cover 818 that is configured to enclose the first backing material 806 and at least a portion of the heat source 804. As also shown in the drawing, the outer wrap material 802 (and, if necessary, the cover 818 and the first backing material 806) may also include one or more holes 820 formed therein that allow air to flow through the mouthpiece 814 when drawing a puff. or more separate cooling holes 821 may also be formed in the outer wrapping material 702 in the area near the filter 812.

[000139] In many respects, the embodiment of FIG. 10 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and thus reference is made to the above description of the various possible components of the smoking article. One embodiment of FIG. 10 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 in that the first substrate material 806 has an extruded hollow shape that includes a passage 807 formed therethrough. Although in the illustrated embodiment the diameter of the first substrate material passage 807 is substantially the same as the passage 817 formed through the heat source 804, it should be noted that in various other embodiments the diameter of the passage 807 may differ. Thus, in some embodiments, the diameter of the first substrate material passage 807 may be smaller than the diameter of the passage 817 formed through the heat source 804, and in other embodiments, the diameter of the first substrate material passage 807 may be greater than the diameter of the passage 817 formed through the heat source 804.

[000140] Another embodiment of FIG. 10 is different from that shown in FIG. 3, in that the embodiment of FIG. 10 does not include a second backing material. Thus, in some embodiments, the length of the first substrate material 806 and/or the length of the intermediate component 810 may be greater if it is preferable to provide the smoking article with the same overall length. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the intermediate component 810 has been increased to compensate for the lack of a second backing material.

[000141] In FIG. 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a smoking article 900 according to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, in FIG. 11 shows a smoking article 900 that includes a heat source 904, a heat transfer component 905, a first inhalable agent 906, a second inhalable agent 908, an intermediate component 910, and a filter 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate component 910 and the filter 912 together contain a mouthpiece 914. The smoking article 900 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a passage 917 that is formed through the heat source 904 and through which the hollow structure of the heat transfer component 905 passes. As shown in the drawing, in addition to the outer wrap material 902, the illustrated embodiment also includes a cover 918 that is configured to enclose the first backing material 906 and at least a portion of the heat source 904. As also shown in the drawing, the outer wrap material 902 (and, if necessary, the cover 918 and the first backing material 906) may also include one or more holes 920 formed therein that allow air to flow through the mouthpiece 914 when drawing a puff. or more separate cooling holes 921 may also be formed in the outer wrap material in the area near the filter 712.

[000142] In many respects, the embodiment of FIG. 11 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and thus reference is made to the above description of the various possible components of the smoking article. One way in which the embodiment of FIG. 11 is different from that shown in FIG. 3 is that the hollow structure of component 905 extends beyond the distal protrusion and into at least a portion of the first substrate material 906. In other embodiments, the hollow structure of the heat transfer component 905 may extend through the first substrate material 906 and into the second substrate material 908.

[000143] Although the smoking article of the present invention may include various embodiments, as discussed in more detail herein, consumer use of the smoking article will be the same in scope. The foregoing description of use of a smoking article is applicable to the various embodiments described with minor modifications that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The foregoing description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the product in accordance with the present invention, but is provided to satisfy all necessary requirements of the disclosure contained herein.

[000144] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates using the disclosures set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (36)

1. Smoking product containing: a heat source configured to generate heat when ignited; a support material having opposite first and second ends, wherein a heat source is located proximate the first end of the support material, and the support material has an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith; a mouthpiece located proximate the second end of the support material, and a heat transfer component comprising a hollow structure and including opposing first and second projections located at their respective ends, wherein the hollow structure of the heat transfer component extends through the heat source such that the heat source is located between the first and second opposing protrusions of the heat transfer component, and the hollow structure is configured to allow air to pass therethrough. 2. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, tobacco rods, and non-tobacco materials. 3. The smoking article of claim 1, further comprising a coating configured to restrict the substrate material and at least a portion of the heat source. 4. The smoking article of claim 1, further comprising one or more openings located in the support material and configured to facilitate air flow through the smoking article. 5. The smoking article of claim 1, further comprising a second backing material having opposite first and second ends, the second backing material being disposed between the first backing material and the mouthpiece. 6. The smoking article of claim 5, wherein the second support material comprises at least one of tobacco pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods. 7. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece contains an intermediate component. 8. The smoking article according to claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece contains a filter. 9. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. 10. The smoking article of claim 9, wherein the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material defines one or more grooves extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. 11. The smoking article of claim 1, wherein the backing material comprises a series of overlapping layers of a parent backing sheet. 12. Smoking product containing: a heat source configured to generate heat when ignited; a support material having opposite first and second ends, wherein a heat source is located proximate the first end of the support material, and the support material has an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith; a mouthpiece located proximate a second end of the substrate material, and a heat transfer component located within the heat source, wherein the heat transfer component extends from the heat source and penetrates at least a portion of the substrate material and includes a cover located between the heat source and the substrate material. 13. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more enclosed structures. 14. The smoking article of claim 13, wherein the one or more enclosed structures are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper. 15. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more solid rods. 16. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the one or more solid rods are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper. 17. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the heat transfer component comprises an aluminum mesh. 18. The smoking article of claim 17, wherein the heat transfer component further comprises an aluminum disk located at a location along the length of the aluminum mesh. 19. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the heat transfer component comprises one or more continuous sheets. 20. The smoking article of claim 19, wherein the one or more continuous sheets are made of at least one of aluminum and aluminum-coated copper. 21. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods. 22. The smoking article of claim 12, further comprising a coating configured to enclose the substrate material and at least a portion of the heat source. 23. The smoking article of claim 12, further comprising a second backing material having opposite first and second ends, the second backing material being disposed between the first backing material and the mouthpiece. 24. The smoking article of claim 23, wherein the second support material comprises at least one of the following: tobacco-containing pellets, tobacco pieces, tobacco strips, reconstituted tobacco material pieces, or tobacco rods. 25. The smoking article according to claim 12, wherein the mouthpiece contains an intermediate component. 26. The smoking article according to claim 12, wherein the mouthpiece includes a filter. 27. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the heat source comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. 28. The smoking article of claim 27, wherein the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material defines one or more grooves extending longitudinally from a first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to an opposing second end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material. 29. The smoking article of claim 12, wherein the backing material comprises a series of overlapping layers of a parent backing sheet.