IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,641,871
Granted Patent B2
US 11,641,871 · App. 16/247,298 · Granted May 9, 2023

Tobacco-containing smoking article

Inventors: John Howard Robinson (Kernersville, NC); David William Griffith, Jr. (Winston-Salem, NC); Billy Tyrone Conner (Clemmons, NC); Evon Llewellyn Crooks (Mocksville, NC); Dempsey Bailey Brewer, Jr. (East Bend, NC)
Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
A24B3/14A24B13/02A24B15/12A24B15/167A24D1/002A24D1/20A24F40/40A24F40/42H05B3/42A24F40/10A24F40/20H05B2203/021
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,641,871
App. No.
16/247,298
Granted
May 9, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.

Claims (19)

1. An aerosol generating smoking article comprising:

a mouthpiece configured to allow for draw of air through at least a portion of the aerosol generating smoking article;

an electrical resistance heater configured for electrical connection with an electrical power source;

an aerosol-generating material;

a substrate carrier operatively positioned such that the aerosol-generating material can be wicked into contact with the electrical resistance heater for volatilization to produce an aerosol; and

one or more control components configured to detect the draw of air through at least a portion of the aerosol generating smoking article and control passage of an electrical current from the electrical power source to the electrical resistance heater based on a property of the draw of air such that operation of the electrical resistance heater varies based on the property of the draw of air.

2. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components includes a sensor.

3. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components includes a threshold detector.

4. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to control passage of the electrical current from the electrical power source to the electrical resistance heater such that heat generation by the electrical resistance heater is substantially proportional to a period of the draw of air.

5. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to control passage of the electrical current from the electrical power source to the electrical resistance heater such that heat generation by the electrical resistance heater is substantially proportional to a magnitude of the draw of air.

6. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to control passage of the electrical current from the electrical power source to the electrical resistance heater such that heat generation by the electrical resistance heater is substantially proportional to both of a period and a magnitude of the draw of air.

7. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to sense a strength of the draw of air through at least a portion of the aerosol generating smoking article.

8. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 7 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to control an amount of the electrical current that is supplied to the electrical resistance heater so as to substantially correspond to the strength of the draw of air.

9. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

10. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises one or more components derived from tobacco.

11. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating smoking article further includes tobacco.

12. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-generating material is incorporated within a cartridge.

13. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 12 , wherein the cartridge is formed at least partially of a plastic material.

14. The aerosol generating smoking article of claim 1 , wherein the one or more control components is configured to deliver current controlled by a timer to produce a quantity of heat from the electrical resistance heater for a timed period and is further configured to control passage of the electrical current from the electrical power source to the electrical resistance heater such that heat generation by the electrical resistance heater is substantially proportional to a remaining period of the draw of air.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2023
From: ROBINSON, JOHN HOWARD; GRIFFITH, DAVID WILLIAM; CONNER, BILLY TYRONE; CROOKS, EVON LLEWELLYN; BREWER, DEMPSEY BAILEY
To: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
Reel/Frame 062695/0168 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2023
From: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
To: RAI STRATEGIC HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062695/0251 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 15879268 · Jan 24, 2018
Continuation 15286087 · Oct 5, 2016
Continuation 14527287 · Oct 29, 2014
Continuation 13297983 · Nov 16, 2011
Continuation 12763890 · Apr 20, 2010
Continuation 11550634 · Oct 18, 2006
Related Publication 20190142070A1 · May 16, 2019
Cited By (3)
US 12,520,880 US 12,543,787 US 12,550,942