IP Library Granted Patent US 9,974,334
Granted Patent B2
US 9,974,334 · App. 14/158,264 · Granted May 22, 2018

Electronic smoking article with improved storage of aerosol precursor compositions

Inventors: Grady Lance Dooly (Winston-Salem, NC); Stephen Benson Sears (Siler City, NC); Karen V. Williams (Cary, NC); Gary M. Dull (Lewisville, NC); Steven L. Worm (Raleigh, NC); Wesley Steven Jones (Lexington, NC); Steven Lee Alderman (Lewisville, NC); Paul A. Brinkley (Winston-Salem, NC); Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr. (Clemmons, NC)
Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
A24F47/008B65B5/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,974,334
App. No.
14/158,264
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic smoking articles exhibiting improved moisture control of a reservoir contained therein. The reservoir can be formed of fibrous materials, such as cellulose acetate fiber, thermoplastic fiber, non-thermoplastic fiber, or a combination thereof. The disclosure further provides methods for forming electronic smoking articles and methods of packaging electronic smoking articles (including cartridges thereof) so as to improve moisture control of the reservoir.

Claims (16)

1. An electronic smoking article comprising:

a housing;

a reservoir within the housing, the reservoir being formed of a woven or nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of about 120 gsm or greater; and

an aerosol precursor fluid held by the reservoir, the aerosol precursor fluid including water in an amount that is greater than about 0.1% and less than about 15% by weight;

wherein the reservoir has a saturation capacity of about 800% to about 2,000% by weight relative to the aerosol precursor fluid.

2. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is substantially shaped as a cylinder having a hollow interior portion.

3. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the woven or nonwoven fabric comprises cellulose acetate.

4. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the weight of aerosol precursor fluid held by the reservoir relative to the saturation capacity of the reservoir is no greater than about 80%.

5. The electronic smoking article of claim 4 , wherein the weight of aerosol precursor fluid held by the reservoir relative to the saturation capacity of the reservoir is no greater than about 60%.

6. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , further comprising an atomizer.

7. The electronic smoking article of claim 6 , wherein the atomizer comprises:

a continuous, elongated wick having two opposing ends;

a heater in connection with the wick and positioned at about a midpoint thereof; and

electrically conducting terminals in electrical connection with the heater.

8. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the woven or nonwoven fabric has a wall thickness of about 1 mm to about 4 mm.

9. The electronic smoking article of claim 1 , further comprising a second housing that includes a power source, the second housing being removably attached to the housing comprising the reservoir.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2016
From: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
To: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 038325/0639 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2014
From: DOOLY, GRADY LANCE; SEARS, STEPHEN BENSON; WILLIAMS, KAREN V.; DULL, GARY M.; WORM, STEVEN L.; JONES, WESLEY STEVEN; ALDERMAN, STEVEN LEE; BRINKLEY, PAUL A.; FLINCHUM, JACK GRAY, JR.
To: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
Reel/Frame 032232/0522 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150201674A1 · Jul 23, 2015