Granted Patent B2

US 12,471,639 · App. 18/081,239 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Inventors: Jared Aller (Winston-Salem, NC); Karen H. Cleckley (Kernersville, NC); Thaddeus Jackson (Summerfield, NC); Vic Pramono (Campbell, CA); Christina Tapp (Walnut Creek, CA); Bill Webb (San Francisco, CA); Chris Harsacky (San Francisco, CA)

Assignee: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY

A24F42/60A24D1/22

Abstract

Claims (27)

1 . A holder for use with a removable substrate cartridge, the holder comprising:

a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the main body further including a receiving chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a removable substrate cartridge, and an aerosol passageway that extends from the receiving chamber through the main body;

an inner sleeve configured to move relative to the main body, the inner sleeve defining an outer surface and a proximal end and a distal end; and

an actuating element configured to move the inner sleeve to and from a retracted position and a use position;

wherein in the retracted position the outer surface of the inner sleeve is substantially not visible and the distal end of the inner sleeve is substantially aligned with the distal end of the main body, and wherein in the use position, the distal end of the inner sleeve extends outward and beyond the distal end of the main body so that it protects an end of an inserted removable substrate cartridge,

wherein the inner sleeve is spaced from and out of contact with the removable substrate cartridge, and wherein the inner sleeve is configured to slide relative to the main body to and from the retracted position and the use position.

2 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the actuating element comprises a rotating portion of the main body.

3 . The holder of claim 2 , wherein the main body comprises a mouthend portion and a consumable end portion, and wherein the rotating portion comprises the mouthend portion and/or the consumable end portion.

4 . The holder of claim 2 , wherein the main body comprises a mouthend portion, a consumable end portion, and an intermediate portion, and wherein the rotating portion comprises the intermediate portion.

5 . The holder of claim 4 , wherein the intermediate portion includes an outwardly extending flange, and wherein the flange of the intermediate portion is configured to be actuated via a user's finger.

6 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the actuating element comprises a slider button configured to slide the inner sleeve to and from the retracted and use positions.

7 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inner sleeve is substantially solid.

8 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the inner sleeve includes one or more openings extending therethrough.

9 . The holder of claim 1 , wherein the outer sleeve includes a plurality of substantially circular openings extending therethrough.

10 . The holder of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of substantially circular openings have substantially the same diameter.

11 . A holder for use with a removable substrate cartridge, the holder comprising:

a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end;

a receiving member located within the main body and defining a receiving chamber configured to receive at least a portion of a removable substrate cartridge;

an aerosol passageway that extends from the receiving chamber through the main body; and

a spring-loaded latch mechanism comprising a first button and a second button, the latch mechanism configured to actuate the receiving member to and from a loading position and a use position,

wherein in the loading position, a distal end of an inserted removable substrate cartridge extends beyond the distal end of the main body,

wherein in the use position, the removable cartridge is retracted into the main body such that the distal end of the main body extends beyond the distal end of the removable substrate cartridge, and

wherein depressing the first button of the latch mechanism moves the receiving member from the loading position to the use position.

12 . The holder of claim 11 , wherein the latch mechanism is further configured to actuate the receiving member into an ejecting position in which an inserted removable substrate cartridge is ejected from the receiving chamber.

13 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein depressing the second button of the latch mechanism moves the receiving member from the use position to the ejecting position.

14 . The holder of claim 13 , wherein releasing the second button from the ejecting position moves the receiving member to the loading position.

15 . The holder of claim 12 , wherein the distal end of the main body defines one or more openings proximate thereto.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (187)