RU2840682C2 - Aerosol delivery device holder with detachable cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a holder for an aerosol delivery device with a detachable and replaceable cartridge. Holder comprises a heat source, a part in the form of a substrate and an outer casing. Casing is configured to surround at least a portion of the heat source and a portion in the form of a substrate. Holder comprises a receiving end and a mouth end opposite to the receiving end. Holder forms a seat configured to receive the near part of the cartridge and has an ignition configuration. Holder is made with the possibility of fixing the near part of the cartridge inside the socket with the heat source of the cartridge, opposite to the near part located behind the receiving end of the holder. Holder also has an accepted configuration, in which the holder is made with possibility of fixing the near part of the cartridge in the socket with a heat source located closer to the receiving end of the holder. Receiving end comprises solid peripheral wall. Holder additionally contains a mouthpiece forming part of the channel. Holder comprises a main body part forming a chamber and a sleeve sliding inside the chamber and including pins extending to the receiving end. Pins form a seat between them and have an expanded configuration, in which the seat is configured to receive the proximal part of the cartridge, and a compressed configuration in which the fingers are configured to interact with the proximal portion of the cartridge to secure the cartridge to the holder. Main body part includes an inner cylinder forming its distal part.

EFFECT: providing a smoking article which is easy to use and in which reusable components are provided.

9 cl, 38 dwg

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and the right to benefit from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/516,573, entitled “ Aerosol Delivery Device Holder with Detachable Cartridge,” filed July 19, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices and systems, such as smoking articles, and more particularly to holders for attaching a detachable cartridge thereto. Smoking articles may be aerosol delivery devices and systems that use heat sources, such as combustible flammable carbon-based sources, to generate an aerosol (e.g., smoking articles for the purpose of producing tobacco components, tobacco extracts, nicotine, synthetic nicotine, nicotine-free flavoring and other materials in an inhalable form, commonly referred to as heated-but-not-burned systems or electronic cigarettes). The components of such articles may be made of or derived from tobacco, or these articles may otherwise be characterized as including tobacco for human consumption and capable of vaporizing tobacco components and/or other tobacco-related materials to form an inhalable aerosol for human consumption.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Over the years, a variety of smoking articles have been proposed as improvements or alternatives to smoking products based on the combustion of tobacco. Typical alternatives include devices in which a solid or liquid fuel is burned to transfer heat to the tobacco or in which a chemical reaction is used to provide such a heat source. Examples include the smoking articles described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

Improvements or alternatives to smoking articles have generally been intended to provide the sensations 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 articles, aroma generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material or attempt to provide the sensations of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes without substantially burning the tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources disclosed in the prior art, as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. and 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically driven heat generating sources referenced by trademark and trade information in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0220232 to Bless et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional types of smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically driven heat generating sources referenced by trademark and trade information are listed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0245659 to DePiano et al., which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other representative cigarettes or smoking articles that have been described and, in some cases, made commercially available include those described in U.S. Patent No. 6,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Patent Nos. 6,922,901, 6,947,874, and 6,947,875 to Brooks et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,249,586 to Morgan et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,388,594 to Counts et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,666,977 to Higgins et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,053,176 to 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; US Patent Publication No. 2009/0095311 by Hon; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006/0196518, 2009/0126745, and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; and WO 2010/091593 to Hon, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

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

Several types of cigarettes that use carbonaceous fuel cells are sold under the trade names "Premier," "Eclipse," and "Revo" by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. See, for example, the types of cigarettes described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco by R. J. Reynolds (1988) and Inhalation Toxicology, 12:5, p. 1-58 (2000). Additionally, a similar type of cigarette was available for sale in Japan by Japan Tobacco Inc. under the trade name "Steam Hot One."

In some cases, some smoking articles, particularly those using traditional paper wrappers, are also susceptible to burning of the paper wrapper covering the combustible fuel source due to the high temperatures reached by the fuel source near the paper wrapper. This may reduce the enjoyment of the smoking session for some consumers and may mask or undesirably alter the tastes delivered to the consumer by the aerosol delivery components of the smoking articles. In still other cases, traditional types of smoking articles may produce relatively significant levels of gases such as carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide during use (e.g., as products of carbon combustion). In still other cases, traditional types of smoking articles may have poor performance in aerosolizing the aerosol-forming component(s).

It is therefore preferable to provide smoking articles that solve one or more technical problems sometimes associated with traditional types of smoking articles. In particular, it is preferable to provide a smoking article that is easy to use and that provides reusable components.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiments, the present invention provides a smoking article holder comprising a receiving end and a mouthpiece end opposite the receiving end. The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example embodiments.

An example embodiment 1: A holder for use with a removable and replaceable cartridge, comprising a receiving end and a mouthpiece end opposite the receiving end, wherein the holder forms a socket configured to receive a proximal portion of the cartridge, and has an ignition configuration in which the holder is configured to secure the proximal portion of the cartridge inside the socket with a cartridge heat source opposite the proximal portion located behind the receiving end of the holder, wherein the holder also has an adopted configuration in which the holder is configured to secure the proximal portion of the cartridge in the socket with a heat source located closer to the receiving end of the holder, wherein the receiving end comprises a substantially solid peripheral wall.

Exemplary embodiment 2: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a main body portion extending from the mouthpiece end, wherein the main body portion includes a mouthpiece at the mouthpiece end, wherein the mouthpiece forms part of a channel extending through the main body portion.

Exemplary embodiment 3: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a filter located within the channel.

Exemplary embodiment 4: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the receiving end comprises an outer cylinder having a distal portion, wherein the outer cylinder is configured to be slidably positioned over the main body portion and has an ignition position corresponding to an ignition configuration of the holder and an extended position corresponding to an adopted configuration of the holder.

Exemplary embodiment 5: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the outer cylinder has a retracted position closer to the ignition position in which the socket is in an expanded configuration, wherein in the expanded configuration the socket is configured to have a diameter larger than the proximal portion of the cartridge.

Exemplary embodiment 6: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion includes an inner cylinder, wherein the inner cylinder forms a socket and includes an outer wall, and the outer cylinder is configured to be slidably positioned around the outer wall.

Exemplary embodiment 7: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the outer cylinder includes an inner wall configured to interact with the outer wall of the inner cylinder as the outer cylinder slides toward the adopted position for compressing the socket to a compressed configuration in which the socket is configured to secure a proximal portion of the cartridge therein.

Exemplary embodiment 8: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion includes a spacer cavity located within the inner cylinder, wherein the spacer cavity separates the channel from the socket and forms a passage that connects the channel to the socket.

Exemplary embodiment 9: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the retracted position the outer surface of the outer cylinder is flush with the outer wall of the main body portion.

The example implementation option 10 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, in which the receiving end comprises a cap configured to be detachably connected to the main body portion, wherein the cap and the main body portion are configured to contain a cartridge placed in the socket.

Exemplary embodiment 11: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion comprises a connector, wherein the connector forms a distal portion of the socket and a distal end of the main body portion, wherein the socket is configured to be releasably connected to the cap.

Exemplary embodiment 12: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the cap forms a receptacle and includes a distant wall located opposite the receptacle, and the receptacle is configured to accommodate a connector therein for releasably connecting the cap to the main body portion.

Exemplary embodiment 13: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the connector comprises a projection extending from its outer surface, wherein the projection forms a gap with the outer wall of the main body portion, and the cap comprises a retainer extending inwardly into the receiver, wherein the retainer is configured to be positioned within the gap for securing the cap to the main body portion.

Exemplary embodiment 14: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the cap is configured to receive the connector in a first radial position and to rotate to a second radial position with the connector located within the receiver to position the retainer within the gap.

The example implementation option 15 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the cap comprises a cap wall defining an outer surface of the cap, wherein the cap wall is flush with the outer wall of the main body portion when the cap is attached to the main body portion.

The example implementation option 16 is given: A holder according to any preceding example embodiment or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, wherein the distant wall comprises a ventilation hole passing therethrough.

The example implementation option 17: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion comprises an outer wall and a sleeve, wherein the main body portion forms a chamber and a groove, wherein the chamber is located between and communicates with the channel and the socket, and the groove passes through the outer wall and communicates with the chamber, wherein the sleeve is located with the possibility of sliding within the chamber and includes a slider passing through the groove, wherein the slider is connected to the sleeve for moving the sleeve within the chamber as the slider moves within the groove.

The example implementation option 18: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the sleeve includes a rod extending toward the receiving end, wherein the sleeve has a loaded position in which the rod is located closer to the socket, and a withdrawn position in which a portion of the rod extends into the socket.

The example implementation option 19: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the rod includes a support element ("cleat") at its distal end, wherein the support element is configured to directly interact with the cartridge.

The example implementation option 20 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, in which the sleeve is configured to allow the cartridge to be removed from the socket.

The example implementation option 21 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the sleeve forms a through passage for steam, and the passage for steam connects the socket and the channel through the sleeve.

The example implementation option 22: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a mouthpiece forming part of a channel, a main body portion forming a chamber, and a sleeve arranged with the possibility of sliding inside the chamber, wherein the sleeve includes fingers extending to the receiving end, wherein the fingers form a socket between them and have an expanded configuration in which the socket is configured to accommodate a proximal portion of a cartridge, and a compressed configuration in which the fingers are configured to interact with the proximal portion of the cartridge for securing the cartridge to the holder.

Exemplary embodiment 23: The holder of any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the sleeve has a loading position in which the fingers are in an expanded configuration and an ignition position closer to the loading position in which the fingers are in a compressed configuration.

The example implementation option 24 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the bushing loading position the fingers extend further from the chamber, and in the bushing firing position the fingers are located at least partially inside the chamber, wherein the wall forming the chamber is configured to push the fingers inward from the expanded configuration.

Exemplary embodiment 25: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the fingers are configured to pull the cartridge toward the proximal portion as the sleeve slides from the loading position to the firing position.

The example implementation option 26: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the ignition position of the sleeve the fingers are configured to secure the cartridge to the holder with a heat source for the cartridge extending beyond the receiving end of the holder.

The example implementation option 27: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion forms a groove passing through the outer wall and communicating with the chamber, wherein the groove has a first side, a second side and a transverse side, wherein the first and second sides extend in a direction parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the holder, the first and second sides are offset in the radial direction relative to each other relative to the outer wall of the main body portion, the second side is offset in the longitudinal direction closer to the first side, and the transverse side extends in a direction around the outer wall perpendicular to the first and second sides for connecting the first and second sides.

The example implementation option 28: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a slider passing through the groove and connected to the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is designed to slide and rotate within the chamber together with the slider.

The example implementation option 29: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the loading configuration of the holder the slider is at the distal end of the first side, and the sleeve is in the distal loading position with the fingers in the expanded configuration; wherein in the firing configuration of the holder the slider is aligned in the longitudinal direction with the near end of the first side or the distal end of the second side, and the sleeve is in the firing position closer to the loading position with the fingers in the compressed configuration; wherein in the accepted configuration of the holder the slider is at the near end of the second side, and the sleeve is in the accepted position closer to the firing position with the fingers in the compressed configuration.

The example implementation option 30 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, in which the sleeve is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the holder between its loading position and the adopted position.

The example implementation option 31 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the ignition configuration the slider is located inside the transverse side.

The example implementation option 32 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, in which the mouthpiece is detachably connected to the main body portion.

The example implementation option 33 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the holder has a quenching configuration in which the mouthpiece is attached to a distal portion of the main body portion; wherein in the quenching configuration the mouthpiece is configured to be positioned above a heat source of a cartridge secured within the socket.

The example implementation option 34 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion includes an internal cylinder forming a distal portion thereof.

The example implementation option 35 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising an outer cylinder rotatably positioned above the inner cylinder.

The example implementation option 36 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion forms a groove passing through an inner cylinder communicating with the chamber, the groove extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder, the outer cylinder forming a longitudinal recess passing through it and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder, and the outer cylinder also forming a transverse recess passing through it from the near end of the longitudinal recess in a direction around the outer cylinder perpendicular to the longitudinal recess.

The example implementation option 37 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a slider attached to the sleeve, wherein the slider passes through the groove and the longitudinal or transverse recess.

The example implementation option 38 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the longitudinal recess and the groove are radially aligned within each other, and in the adopted configuration of the holder the longitudinal recess and the groove are radially offset from each other.

The example implementation option 39 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the loading configuration of the holder the slider is located at the distal end of the groove and the distal end of the longitudinal recess with the bushing in the distal position such that the fingers are in an expanded configuration; and in the ignition configuration of the holder the slider is located at the near end of the groove and the near end of the longitudinal recess with the bushing in the near position such that the fingers are in a compressed configuration; and in the adopted configuration of the holder the slider is located at the near end of the groove and inside the transverse recess located at a distance in the radial direction from the longitudinal recess with the bushing in the near position such that the fingers are in a compressed configuration.

The example implementation option 40 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the inner cylinder includes an inner lid at its distal end and the outer cylinder includes an outer lid at its distal end, wherein the inner lid surrounds a portion of a channel configured to receive a cartridge, and the outer lid surrounds a portion of the channel, wherein one or more of the inner lid and the outer lid comprises a receiving end.

The example implementation option 41 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the inner cover is located inside the outer cover such that a radial portion of the channel is surrounded by the inner and outer covers, and a radial portion of the channel opposite the inner and outer covers is open; wherein in the adopted configuration of the holder the inner and outer covers are opposite each other to radially surround the channel.

Exemplary embodiment 42: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the ignition configuration and the adopted configuration, the outer wall of the outer cylinder is flush with the outer wall of the main body portion.

The example implementation option 43 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the main body portion includes an inner cylinder and a fixed cover, wherein the inner cylinder forms a distal portion of the channel located further from the chamber, and the fixed cover extends further from the inner cylinder and surrounds a radial portion of the channel, wherein the channel is configured to accommodate a cartridge therein.

The example implementation option 44 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the fixed cover radially surrounds the channel at an angle of from 45 degrees to 315 degrees.

The example implementation option 45 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a movable cover opposite the fixed cover, wherein the movable cover surrounds a radial portion of the channel, wherein the movable cover has an extended position in which the movable cover and the fixed cover radially surround the channel therebetween, wherein one or more of the fixed cover or the movable cover comprises a receiving end.

The example implementation option 46 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the movable cover has a retracted position closer to an extended position in which a portion of the channel located opposite the fixed cover and beyond the distal end of the movable cover is open.

The example implementation option 47 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, further comprising a sliding mechanism configured to move the movable cover between a retracted position and an extended position.

The example implementation option 48 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein in the loading configuration of the holder the sleeve is in the loading position with the fingers in the expanded configuration and the movable cover is in the retracted position; wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the sleeve is in the ignition position closer to the loading position with the fingers in the compressed configuration and the movable cover in the retracted position; wherein in the accepted configuration of the holder the sleeve is in the accepted position closer to the ignition position with the fingers in the compressed configuration and the movable cover in the extended position.

The example implementation option 49 is given: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, in which the sleeve cooperates with a sliding mechanism between the ignition position and the received position for moving the movable cover between the retracted position and the extended position.

The example implementation variant 50 is given as follows: A holder according to any preceding exemplary embodiment or any combination of any preceding exemplary embodiments, wherein the sliding mechanism is configured to shift the movable cover to a retracted position when the movable cover is between the retracted position and the extended position, and to retain the movable cover in the extended position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four or more of the above embodiments, as well as combinations of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in the present description, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole, such that any individual features or elements of the disclosed invention in any of its various aspects and embodiments should be considered as combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Having therefore described the present invention in the general terms set forth above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 in a firing configuration;

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 1 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 9 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 14 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 13 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 16 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 13 in an extracted configuration;

FIG. 18 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 20 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 19 in a firing configuration;

FIG. 22 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 19 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 24 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 19 in a quenched configuration;

FIG. 26 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of another smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 28 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 27 in a firing configuration;

FIG. 30 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 27 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 32 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 32;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of another smoking article that includes a holder and a detachable cartridge of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with the holder in a loaded configuration;

FIG. 34 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 33 in a firing configuration;

FIG. 36 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 shows a perspective view of the smoking article of FIG. 33 in the adopted configuration;

FIG. 38 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the smoking article of FIG. 37.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described in such a way that the present disclosure thoroughly, completely and fully conveys the scope of the invention to one skilled in the art. Of course, the present invention is embodied in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are presented in such a way that the present invention satisfies the relevant legal requirements. In the present disclosure and in the appended claims, grammatical constructions indicating the singular also imply the plural, unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise. In the present disclosure and in the appended claims, the term "proximal" refers to a part of the device or its component that is closer to the user, and the term "distal" refers to a part of the device or its component that is further from the user. Furthermore, although reference may be made herein to quantities, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more, if not all, of them may be absolute or approximate to take into account reasonable variations that may occur, for example, due to engineering tolerances or the like.

The present invention provides descriptions of articles (and methods of assembling and/or manufacturing the same) in which a material is heated (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent) to form an aerosol and/or an inhalable substance; wherein such articles may be sufficiently compact to be considered portable devices. In some aspects, the articles are characterized as smoking articles. As used herein, the term "smoking article" is intended to refer to 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 those provided by a visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. As used herein, the term "smoking article" does not necessarily mean that the article and/or device produces smoke in the sense that the aerosol is not the result of by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather that the article or device most preferably produces vapors (including vapors in the form of aerosols that are considered to be visible aerosols and that are considered to be describable as smoke-like) resulting from the vaporization or evaporation of certain components, elements and/or the like of the article or device. According to certain aspects, articles or devices characterized as smoking articles contain tobacco and/or components derived from tobacco.

As noted above, aerosol-generating components of certain aerosol delivery devices may provide a variety of sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes and aromas, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, rituals of use, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or smoking pipe that are caused by lighting and burning tobacco (and then inhaling the tobacco smoke) without significantly burning any of their components. For example, a user of an aerosol delivery device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure may hold and use this component in a manner similar to a smoker using a traditional type of smoking article, by inhaling through one end of said means to inhale the aerosol generated by this means, by inhaling or performing puffs at selected intervals, and the like.

The proposed articles and/or devices are also characterized as vapor-generating articles, aerosol delivery articles or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices are adapted to deliver one or more substances in a form or state suitable for inhalation. For example, the inhalable substances are essentially in the form of a vapor (e.g., a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point). Alternatively, the inhalable substances are in the form of an aerosol (e.g., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used in this application is intended to refer to vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type that are suitable for inhalation by a person, regardless of whether they are or are not visible and have or do not have a form that can be considered "smoke-like". In some embodiments, the terms "vapor" and "aerosol" can be interchangeable. Thus, for simplicity, the terms “vapor” and “aerosol” used to describe this disclosure should be understood as interchangeable unless otherwise noted.

When used, the proposed smoking articles are used in various physical actions of a person using a smoking article of a traditional type (for example, a cigarette, cigar or pipe, which is consumed by lighting a flame and used by inhaling tobacco, which is subsequently burned and/or combusted). For example, a user of the proposed smoking article holds this article as a smoking article of a traditional type, taking a drag through one end of the said article to inhale the aerosol formed by this article, taking drags at selected intervals.

Although the systems are generally described herein in terms of embodiments related to smoking articles, such as so-called "tobacco heating products," it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be implemented in a variety of different forms and associated with different articles. For example, the description provided herein may be used in conjunction with embodiments of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.), cigarettes that use heating of tobacco instead of burning it, and corresponding packaging for any of the products described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are given in terms of embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices only by way of example and may be implemented and used in various other products and methods.

The proposed smoking articles generally comprise a number of elements formed or contained in a shell of the same type as the casing, outer wrapper or wrapping material, body, component, module, element or the like. The overall structure 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. According to some aspects, it is desirable that the overall structure, size and/or shape of the shell resemble a conventional cigarette or cigar. Typically, a shell resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar comprises detachable components, elements or the like that interact to form the shell. For example, according to some aspects, such a smoking article may comprise three detachable components that comprise a mouthpiece component, an aerosol delivery component (such as, for example, a substrate material) and a heat source component. In various aspects, the heat source can be configured to generate heat for aerosolizing a substrate material that includes, for example, an extruded structure and/or a substrate, a substrate material associated with an aerosol precursor composition, tobacco and/or a 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 (e.g., beads, sheets, pieces, wrapper) or the like. In some embodiments, the extruded structure can comprise tobacco products or a composite of tobacco with other materials, such as, for example, a ceramic powder. In other embodiments, porous ceramic beads can be filled with a tobacco extract/tobacco suspension. Other embodiments can use non-tobacco products. In some embodiments, porous beads/powders (ceramic) filled with an aerosol precursor composition can be used. In other embodiments, rods/cylinders made from an extruded suspension of ceramic powder and an aerosol precursor composition may be used.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, it is preferable to provide a smoking article that is easy to use and that provides reusable components. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of such a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a smoking article 100 that includes a removable cartridge 50 and a holder 104. The holder 104 includes a main body portion 110 and a mouthpiece 112 located at the mouthpiece end of the holder 104. As will be described in more detail below, in the illustrated embodiment, the removable cartridge 50 is configured to be received in a channel 118 formed at the receiving end of the holder 104. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the removable cartridge 50 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable cartridge 50 includes a heat source 54, a substrate portion 52, and an outer casing 53 that is configured to surround at least a portion of the heat source 54 and the substrate portion 52. Other examples of cartridge configurations that may be used in the present invention can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/515,637, filed July 18, 2019, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device with Consumable Cartridge, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

It should be noted that although in the illustrated embodiment the cartridge 50 and the holder 104 have substantially cylindrical shapes that mimic the shape of a traditional cigarette, in various other embodiments any one or both of these components (and/or any of the subcomponents, such as, for example, the main body portion 110 or the mouthpiece 112 and/or the heat source 54, the outer casing 53 or the substrate material 51 of the cartridge 50) may have a different shape. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the holder 104 or the cartridge 50 (and/or any of the subcomponents thereof) may have a substantially rectangular shape, such as a substantially rectangular cuboid shape. In other embodiments, one or both of the holder 104 or the cartridge 50 (and/or any of the subcomponents thereof) may have other portable shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the holder 104 may be in the form of a small box, various forms of a pod mod, or a key fob shape.

In various embodiments, the heat source 54 may be configured to generate heat when ignited. In the embodiment shown, the heat source 54 comprises a combustible fuel element that has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a combustible carbonaceous material. In other embodiments, the heat source 54 may have a different shape, such as a prismatic shape that has a cubic or hexagonal cross-section. Carbonaceous materials typically have a high carbon content. Preferred carbonaceous materials preferably consist of carbon, typically have a carbon content greater than 60 percent, typically greater than 70 percent, often greater than 80 percent, and often greater than 90 percent, based on dry weight.

In some cases, the heat source 54 may include elements other than combustible carbonaceous materials (e.g., tobacco components such as powdered tobaccos or tobacco extracts; flavorings; salts such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium carbonate; heat-resistant graphite fibers, hollow cylindrical (e.g., tubular) fibers; iron oxide powder; glass threads; powdered calcium carbonate; aluminum oxide granules; ammonia sources such as ammonia salts and/or binding agents such as guar gum, ammonium alginate and sodium alginate). In other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a plurality of flammable objects, such as, for example, a plurality of flammable beads. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the heat source may differ in composition or relative content from those listed above. For example, in some embodiments, various forms of carbon, such as graphite or graphene, may be used as the heat source. In other embodiments, the heat source may have increased levels of activated carbon, different carbon porosities, different amounts of carbon, mixtures of any of the above components, etc. In other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a non-carbon heat source, such as, for example, a flammable liquefied gas configured to generate heat when ignited. For example, in some embodiments, the liquefied gas may comprise one or more of the following: petroleum gas (liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied petroleum gas), propane, propylene, butylene, butane, isobutene, methylpropane or n-butane. In yet other embodiments, the heat source may comprise a chemical reaction-based heat source, wherein the ignition of the heat source includes interaction of two or more separate components. For example, a chemical reaction-based heat source may comprise metal agents and an activating solution, wherein the heat source is activated upon contact of the metal agents and the activating solution. Some examples of chemical heat sources can be found in U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Combinations of heat sources are also possible.

Although the specific dimensions of the heat source that is used may vary, in the embodiment shown, the heat source 54 has a length in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm inclusive, and in some embodiments may be 17 mm, and an overall diameter in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm inclusive, and in some embodiments may be 6.8 mm (and in some embodiments 7 mm). Although in other embodiments, the heat source may be formed in various ways, in the embodiment shown, the heat source 54 is extruded or mixed using a ground or powdered carbonaceous material, and the heat source 54 has a density that is greater than 0.5 g/cm3, often greater than 0.7 g/cm3, and most often greater than 1 g/cm3, based on dry weight. See, for example, the types of components, compositions, and designs of fuel sources that are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al. and U.S. Patent No. 7,836,897 to Borschke et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Although in various embodiments the heat source 54 may have various shapes, including, for example, a substantially solid cylindrical shape or a hollow cylindrical (e.g. tubular) shape, the heat source 54 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an extruded monolithic carbonaceous material that has a generally cylindrical shape that includes a plurality of internal passages 55 extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end of the heat source 54 to an opposite second end of the heat source 54. In the illustrated embodiment, there are thirteen internal passages 55 comprising one central internal passage 55a, six surrounding internal passages 55b that are located at a distance from the central internal passages 55a and have the same size (e.g. diameter) as the central internal passage 55a, and six peripheral internal passages 55c that are located at a distance from the outer surface of the heat source 54 and have a smaller diameter than the diameter of the central internal passage 55a. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the presence of a plurality of internal passages is not required and/or the plurality of internal passages may have other shapes and/or sizes. For example, in some embodiments, there may be only two internal passages, and in other embodiments, there may be one internal passage. Still other embodiments may not contain internal passages at all. Further embodiments may include a plurality of internal passages that may have a non-uniform diameter and/or shape and that may be non-uniformly spaced and/or located within the heat source.

Although not shown in the drawings, some embodiments may include one or more peripheral grooves that extend longitudinally from the first end of the heat source to the opposite second end. In some embodiments, such grooves may be substantially equal in width and depth and may be substantially uniformly distributed over the circumferential surface of the heat source. In such embodiments, there may be only two grooves, and still other embodiments may include one groove. Still other embodiments may not contain grooves at all. Further embodiments may include a plurality of grooves that may have a non-uniform width and/or depth and that may be non-uniformly spaced over the circumferential surface of the heat source. In still other embodiments, the heat source may comprise recesses and/or slots that extend longitudinally from the first end of the extruded monolithic carbonaceous material to its opposite second end. In some embodiments, the heat source may comprise a foamed carbon monolith formed by a foaming process of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,615,184 to Lobovsky, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Thus, some embodiments may provide advantages 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 costs. Other embodiments of the fuel cells include carbon fibers of the type described in U.S. Patent No. 6,922,901 to Brooks et al., or other embodiments of the heat source, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0044818 to Takeuchi et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of heat sources, including systems with an embossed heat source, methods, and smoking articles that include such heat sources are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/902,665, filed February 22, 2018, entitled System for Debossing a Heat Generation Member, a Smoking Article Including the Debossed Heat Generation Member, and a Related Method, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In general, the heat source is located close enough to the aerosol delivery component (e.g., the substrate portion) having one or more nebulized components so that the aerosol formed/evaporated upon application of heat from the heat source to the nebulized components (as well as any flavors, medications and/or the like that are also provided for delivery to the user) is delivered to the user via the mouthpiece. Thus, when the heat source heats the substrate component, the aerosol is formed, released or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the user. It should be noted that the above terms should be considered interchangeable, so that forms of the specified term such as "release", "release", "releases" or "released" include forms such as "form" or "generate", "forming" or "generating", "forms" or "generates" and "formed" or "generated". In particular, the inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or an aerosol or a mixture thereof. Furthermore, the selection and arrangement of the various elements of the smoking articles is understandable when considering commercially available electronic smoking articles, such as those representative products referenced in the Background of the invention section of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge 50 of FIG. 1. As shown in the drawing, the portion 52 in the form of a substrate has opposite first and second ends, and the heat source 54 is located near the first end of the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. Although the sizes of the various components of the cartridge 50 can vary depending on the needs of a particular application, in the shown embodiment, the cartridge 50 can have an overall length in the range of 10 mm to 50 mm inclusive, and a diameter in the range of 3 mm to 10 mm inclusive. Additionally, in the shown embodiment, the casing 12 can have a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm inclusive. Furthermore, in the shown embodiment, the portion 52 in the form of a substrate can have a length in the range of 5 mm to 30 mm inclusive, and a diameter slightly smaller than that of the entire cartridge in order to match the thickness of the casing 12, such as, for example, a diameter in the range of 2.9 mm to 9.9 mm inclusive. In the embodiment shown, the substrate material comprises tobacco pellets that may have diameters in the range of about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, although in other embodiments the size may vary. In other embodiments, the substrate material may be granulated tobacco material or cut filler tobacco. Although other embodiments may vary, in the embodiment shown, the outer body of the cartridge is filled to about 80 - 90% of its volume to allow insertion of a heat source.

In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate portion 52 comprises a substrate material 51 having a single portion, although in other embodiments, the substrate portion 52 may include one or more additional portions of the substrate material. For example, in some embodiments, the smoking article 100 may further comprise a second portion of the substrate material (not shown) having opposing first and second ends. In various embodiments, the one or more substrate materials may comprise tobacco or a tobacco-related material with an associated aerosol precursor composition. In other embodiments, non-tobacco materials such as cellulose pulp may be used. In other embodiments, the non-tobacco substrate material may not be a plant-derived material. Other possible compositions, components and/or additives for use in the substrate material (and/or substrate materials) are described in more detail below. It should be noted that the following discussion should be applied to any substrate material used in the smoking articles described herein (such as, for example, the substrate material 51 of the illustrated embodiment).

Referring to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, ignition of heat source 54 results in aerosolization of aerosol precursor composition associated with substrate material 51. In various embodiments, mouthpiece 112 is configured to receive generated aerosol therethrough in response to a puff taken by a user through mouthpiece 112. As will be described in more detail below, in some embodiments, mouthpiece 112 may comprise filter 115 configured to receive aerosol therethrough in response to a puff taken through mouthpiece 112. In various embodiments, filter 115 is provided in some aspects as a circular disk radially and/or longitudinally located near the end of holder 104 opposite the receiving end. Thus, when a puff is made through the mouthpiece 112, the filter 115 receives the aerosol flowing through the holder 104 of the smoking article 100. In some embodiments, the elements of the substrate material 51 are not subject to thermal decomposition (for example, charring, burning or combustion) to any significant extent, and the aerosolized components are captured by air, which is drawn through the smoking article 100, including the filter 115 (if present), into the mouth of the user. In the smoking article 100 of the illustrated embodiment, the substrate material 51 comprises a plurality of tobacco balls formed into a substantially cylindrical portion. In some embodiments, the filter 115 may comprise separate parts. For example, some embodiments may include a part providing filtration, a part providing resistance to draw, a hollow part providing space for cooling the aerosol, other parts of the filter and any one or any combination of the above. In some embodiments, one or more filters may also provide a flavor additive. In some embodiments, the filter may comprise one or more filter portions that may be replaceable. For example, in some embodiments, one or more filter portions may be replaceable to customize the user experience of the device, including, for example, filter portions that provide different draw resistances and/or different flavors. Some examples of flavor-imparting materials and/or components configured to add flavor can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/408,942, filed May 10, 2019, entitled "Flavor Article for an Aerosol Delivery Device"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/935,105, filed March 26, 2018, entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control"; and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/353,556, filed March 14, 2019, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device Providing Flavor Control, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In particular embodiments, the substrate material 51 may comprise a blend of flavored and aromatic tobaccos in the form of cut filler. In some embodiments, the substrate material 51 may comprise a reconstituted tobacco material such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 6,807,809 to Pryor et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,889,143 to Pryor et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,025,814 to Raker, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. An additional reconstituted tobacco material may comprise a reconstituted tobacco packaging paper described for the type of cigarettes described in Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1988), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, the reconstituted tobacco material may comprise a sheet material comprising tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials. Thus, in some embodiments, the substrate material may be formed from a wound roll of reconstituted tobacco material. In some embodiments, the substrate 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 (e.g., a gathered web), which may or may not include thermally conductive components. Examples of substrate-like portions that include a series of overlapping layers (e.g., a collected web) of a substrate base 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 Ser. No. 15/905,320, filed February 26, 2018, entitled Heat Conducting Substrate For Electrically Heated Aerosol Delivery Device, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the substrate material 51 may comprise a plurality of microcapsules, beads, granules, and/or the like that comprise a tobacco-related material. For example, a representative microcapsule may be generally spherical in shape and may have an outer coating or shell that comprises a central region with a liquid extract obtained from tobacco, and/or the like. In some embodiments, one or more substrate materials may include a plurality of microcapsules, each of which has a hollow cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, one or more substrate materials may comprise a binder material that is capable of maintaining the structural shape and/or integrity of the plurality of microcapsules that have a hollow cylindrical shape.

Useful tobacco in the one or more substrate materials may include or be derived from tobaccos such as flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fire-cured tobacco, and Rustica tobacco, as well as other rare or specialty tobaccos, or blends thereof. Various representative tobacco types, processed tobacco types, and tobacco blend types are shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,836,224 to Lawson et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,924,888 to Perfetti et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,056,537 to Brown et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,220,930 to Gentry; in U.S. Patent No. 5,360,023 to Blakley et al.; in U.S. Patent No. 6,701,936 to Shafer et al.; in U.S. Patent No. 6,730,832 to Dominguez et al.; in U.S. Patent No. 7,011,096 to Li et al.; in U.S. Patent No. 7,017,585 to Li et al.; in U.S. Patent No. 7,025,066 to Lawson et al.; in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0255965 to Perfetti et al.; in PCT Publication WO 02/37990 to Bereman and Bombick et al., Fund. Appl. Toxicol., 39, pp. 11–17 (1997), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the substrate material may comprise an extruded structure that comprises or consists essentially of tobacco, a tobacco-related material, glycerin, water, and/or a binder, although some formulations may not comprise a binder. In various embodiments, suitable binders may comprise alginates such as ammonium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, potassium alginate, and sodium alginate. Alginates, and in particular high viscosity alginates, may be used in combination with controlled levels of free calcium ions. Other suitable binders include hydroxypropyl cellulose such as Klucel H manufactured by Aqualon Co.; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose such as Methocel K4MS manufactured by The Dow Chemical Co.; hydroxyethyl cellulose such as Natrosol 250 MRCS manufactured by Aqualon Co.; microcrystalline cellulose, such as Avicel, manufactured by FMC; methylcellulose, such as Methocel A4M, manufactured by The Dow Chemical Co.; and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, such as CMC 7HF and CMC 7H4F, manufactured by Hercules Inc. Still other possible binders include starches (e.g., corn starch), guar gum, carrageenan, locust bean gum, pectins, and xanthan gum. In some embodiments, combinations or mixtures of two or more binders may be used. Other examples of binders are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al. and U.S. Patent No. 6,924,887 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 (e.g., propylene glycol alginate). In addition, in some embodiments, the binder may comprise nanocellulose derived from tobacco or other biomass.

In some embodiments, the substrate material 51 may include an extruded material as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0042885 to Stone et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In yet another embodiment, the substrate material may include an extruded structure and/or a substrate formed from marumarized and/or non-marumarized tobacco. Marumarized tobacco is known, for example, from U.S. Patent No. 5,105,831 to Banerjee et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Marumarized tobacco comprises 20 to 50 percent (by weight) of a tobacco mixture in powder form with glycerin (20 to 30 wt.%), calcium carbonate (usually 10 to 60 wt.%, often 60 to 60 wt.%) together with the binders and/or flavoring agents described herein. In various embodiments, the extruded material may have one or more longitudinal openings.

In various embodiments, the substrate material 51 may take various forms depending on the various amounts of materials used therein. For example, a sample of the substrate material may comprise up to 98 wt.%, up to 95 wt.%, or up to 90 wt.% tobacco and/or tobacco-related material. The sample of the substrate material may also comprise up to 25 wt.%, 20 wt.%, or 15 wt.% water, in particular from 2 wt.% to 25 wt.%, from 5 wt.% to 20 wt.%, or from 7 wt.% to 15 wt.% water. Flavors and the like (which include medicaments such as nicotine) may comprise up to 10 wt.%, up to 8 wt.%, or up to 5 wt.% of the aerosol delivery component.

Additionally or alternatively, the substrate material may comprise an extruded structure and/or a substrate that comprises or consists essentially of tobacco, glycerin, water, and/or a binder material and, further, is also configured to substantially maintain its structure during the aerosol generation process. Thus, the substrate material may be configured to substantially maintain its shape (i.e., the substrate material does not continuously deform under an applied shear stress) throughout the aerosol generation process. Although such an exemplary substrate material may contain liquids and/or have some moisture content, the substrate may remain substantially solid and may substantially maintain structural integrity throughout the aerosol generation process. Exemplary tobacco and/or tobacco-related materials suitable as a substantially solid substrate material are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0157052 to Ademe et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0335070 to Sears et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,204,287 to White; and U.S. Patent No. 5,060,676 to Hearn et al., which are respectively incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In some embodiments, the amount of substrate material used in the smoking article may be such that the article has acceptable sensory and organoleptic properties, as well as the desired performance characteristics. For example, in some embodiments, an aerosol precursor composition, such as, for example, glycerol and/or propylene glycol, may be used in the substrate material to provide the generation of a visible primary aerosol, which in many respects resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. For example, the amount of aerosol precursor composition contained in the substrate material of the smoking article may be 3.5 g or less, 3 g or less, 2.5 g or less, 2 g or less, 1.5 g or less, 1 g or less, or 0.5 g or less.

According to some embodiments, the proposed smoking article may include a substrate material 51 comprising a porous inert material, such as, for example, a ceramic material. For example, in some embodiments, ceramics of various shapes and geometries (e.g., balls, rods, tubes, etc.) may be used, which have different pore morphologies. In addition, in some embodiments, non-tobacco materials, such as an aerosol precursor composition, may be loaded into the ceramic. In another embodiment, the substrate material may include a porous inert material that does not substantially chemically and/or physically react with a tobacco-related material, such as, for example, an extract obtained from tobacco. In addition, 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 foaming agent during the extrusion process.

As noted above, in various embodiments, one or more substrate materials may comprise tobacco, a tobacco component, and/or a tobacco-derived material that can be purified, processed, recovered, and/or treated 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, and a flame/combustion retardant (e.g., diammonium phosphate and/or another salt) configured to prevent ignition, pyrolysis, combustion, and/or burnout of the substrate material by the heat source. Various methods for incorporating tobacco into smoking articles, and in particular smoking articles that are configured to specifically not burn substantially all of the tobacco in the smoking articles, are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 6,947,874 to Brooks et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al.; U.S. Patent No. 8,079,371 to Robinson et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,290,549 to Banerjee et al.; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As noted above, in some embodiments, flame/combustion retardant materials and other additives may be included in one or more substrate materials and may include organophosphorus compounds, borax, aluminum hydroxide, graphite, potassium tripolyphosphate, dipentaerythritol, pentaerythritol and polyols. Other substances such as nitrogen salts of phosphonic acid, monoammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium bromide, ammonium borate, ethanolammonium borate, ammonium sulfamate, halogenated organic compounds, thiourea and antimony oxides are suitable. In each aspect of the non-flammable, fire-resistant and/or burn-resistant materials used in the substrate 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.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate material 51 may also include tobacco additives of the type that are commonly used in the manufacture of tobacco products. These additives may include materials of the types that are used to enhance the flavor and aroma of tobaccos in the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and the like. For example, these additives may include various cigarette casings and/or topcoat components. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,419,015 to Wochnowski; U.S. Patent No. 6,054,145 to Berndt et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,887,619 to Burcham, Jr. et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,022,416 to Watson; U.S. Patent No. 5,103,842 to Strang et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,711,320 to Martin, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The shell materials may include water, sugars and syrups (e.g., sucrose, glucose, and high fructose corn syrup), humectants (e.g., glycerin or propylene glycol), and flavoring agents (e.g., cocoa and licorice). These added components may also include topcoat materials (e.g., flavoring materials such as menthol). See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,449,541 to Mays et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In addition, the materials described in U.S. Patent No. 6,830,028 to Lawson et al. and U.S. Patent 8,186,360 to Marshall et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, may be added.

In some embodiments, the substrate material may comprise a liquid comprising an aerosol precursor composition and/or a gel comprising an aerosol precursor composition. Some examples of liquid compositions can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/171,920, filed October 26, 2018, entitled Aerosol Delivery Device with Visible Indicator, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As noted above, in various embodiments, one or more substrate materials can have an aerosol precursor composition associated therewith. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition can comprise one or more different components, such as a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof). Exemplary additional types of aerosol precursor compositions are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 6,793,365 to Sensabaugh, Jr., et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,101,839 to Jakob, et al., PCT WO 98/57556 to Biggs, et al., and Chemical and Biological Studies on New Cigarette Prototypes that Heat Instead of Burn Tobacco by R.J. Tobacco Company. Reynolds (1988), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some aspects, the substrate material can produce a visible aerosol when sufficiently heated (and, if necessary, cooled with air), and the substrate material can produce an aerosol that is considered "smoke-like." In other aspects, the substrate material can produce an aerosol that is substantially invisible, but can be recognized as being present by other characteristics, such as aroma or texture. Thus, the nature of the resulting aerosol can vary depending on the specific components of the aerosol delivery component. The substrate material can be chemically simple compared to the chemical nature of smoke produced by burning tobacco.

In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise nicotine, which may be present in various concentrations. The source of nicotine may vary, and the nicotine included in the aerosol precursor composition may be from a single source or a combination of two or more sources. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include nicotine obtained from tobacco. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may include nicotine obtained from other organic plant sources, such as, for example, non-tobacco plant sources, including plants of the Solanaceae family. In other embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may comprise synthetic nicotine. In some embodiments, the nicotine included in the aerosol precursor composition may be obtained from non-tobacco plant sources, such as other members of the Solanaceae family. The aerosol precursor composition may additionally or alternatively include other active ingredients, including, but not limited to, botanical ingredients (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, ginger, cannabis, ginseng, maca and tisanes), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan) and/or pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12 and C and cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD)).

A variety of flavoring agents or materials may be suitable for use that alter the sensory or organoleptic character or nature of the primary 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, some flavoring agents may be applied to or introduced into the substrate material and/or the areas of the smoking article in which the aerosol is formed. In some embodiments, such agents may be supplied directly to the heating cavity or area near the heat source or provided by the substrate material. Examples of flavoring agents may include, for example, vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea, coffee, fruit (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach, and citrus flavors including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger, honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarola, cocoa, licorice, and flavoring agents and additives of the type and nature traditionally used to flavor cigarette, cigar, and pipe tobacco. In addition, syrups such as high fructose corn syrup may also be suitable for use.

Flavoring agents may also include agents with acidic or basic characteristics (e.g., organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, pyruvic acid, and benzoic acid). In some embodiments, if desired, the flavoring agents may be configured to be combined with elements of the substrate material. Examples of plant-derived compositions that may be useful are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,107,453 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0152265 to Dube et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Any of the materials, such as flavorings, coatings, and the like, that may be useful in combination with the tobacco material to alter its sensory properties, including organoleptic properties, such as those already described herein, may be combined with the substrate material. Organic acids, in particular, can be included in the substrate material to change the aroma, sensation or organoleptic properties of medicaments, such as nicotine, which can be combined with the substrate material. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid and benzoic acid can be included in the substrate material with nicotine in amounts up to equimolar (based on the total organic acid content) to nicotine. Any combination of organic acids can be suitable. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate material can include from 0.1 to 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per mole of nicotine, from 0.1 to 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per mole of nicotine, from 0.1 to 0.5 moles of lactic acid per mole of nicotine, or combinations thereof up to a concentration at which the total amount of organic acid present is equal to the total amount of nicotine present in the substrate material. Various additional examples of organic acids useful for producing the substrate material are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0344456 to Dull et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

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

In other embodiments, the substrate material 51 may include other materials having a variety of inherent characteristics or properties. For example, the substrate material may comprise a plasticized material or regenerated cellulose in the form of viscose. As another example, viscose (available commercially 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 cellulose 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 retardancy and minimize gas emission, in particular any undesirable off-gas components that may have a negative effect on taste (and in particular, minimize the likelihood of any toxic off-gas products). Cotton can be treated with, for example, 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 dipping, spraying or vapor deposition) with organic or metallic nanoparticles to provide the desired flame retardant property without the undesirable process of off-gassing or melting.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 3, the substrate material 51 may comprise a defined centrally longitudinally extending axis between the opposite first and second ends, and the cross-section of the substrate material 51 may be symmetrical about the axis in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the cross-section of the substrate material 51 may be substantially circular such that the substrate material 51 forms a substantially cylindrical shape extending between its opposite first and second ends. However, in other embodiments, the substrate material 51 may form a substantially non-circular cross-section such that the substrate material 51 may form a substantially non-cylindrical shape between its opposite first and second ends. In other words, in other examples, the substrate material 51 may form an asymmetric cross-section about the axis. In various embodiments, each end of the substrate material 51 may be aligned along the axis with adjacent elements. For example, in some embodiments, a barrier may exist between the second end of the heat source 54 and the first end of the substrate material 51. In some embodiments, such a barrier may comprise a disk that may comprise one or more openings passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the barrier may be made of a metallic material (such as, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold, and bronze), or a graphite material, or a ceramic material, or a plastic material, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a heat transfer component may exist between the heat source 54 and/or the substrate material 51, which may or may not comprise a barrier. Some examples of heat transfer components are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/923,735, filed March 16, 2018, entitled Smoking Article with Heat Transfer Component, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the barrier or heat transfer component may prevent or impede combustion gases from passing through the substrate material (and/or passing through air passages through which the aerosol passes).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cartridge 50 of the illustrated embodiment also comprises an outer casing 53 that is configured to surround at least a portion of the substrate portion 52 that includes the substrate material 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer casing 53 is also configured to surround at least a portion of the heat source 54. The outer casing 53 of the illustrated embodiment is made of an aluminum material; however, in other embodiments, the outer casing 53 may be made of other materials, including other metallic materials (such as, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold and bronze), or graphite materials, or ceramic materials, or plastic materials, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the heat source and/or at least a portion of the substrate material may be surrounded by a material of layers of filter paper. In some embodiments, the cartridge may comprise a shell comprising a laminated material that comprises a heat source and a bead-shaped substrate material. Some examples of laminated materials and/or shells that may be applicable to the present disclosure can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/174,846, filed October 30, 2018, entitled Smoking Article Cartridge , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer casing 53 is formed as a tubular structure that encloses the substrate material 51; however, as noted above, in other embodiments, the outer casing 53 may have other shapes. Although the shape of the outer casing 53 may vary, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer casing 53 comprises a tubular structure that has an open end and a closed end. The illustrated embodiment of the outer casing 53 also includes one or more end openings 56 located at the closed end of the outer casing 53 that are configured to allow aerosolized vapor (alternatively referred to herein as "vapor" or "aerosol") to pass through them. The end openings 56 of the illustrated embodiment are formed as a pair of elongated, rounded slots; however, in other embodiments, the end opening 56 may have any shape that allows aerosol to pass through it. Thus, it should be understood that the end openings 318 may contain fewer openings or additional openings and/or alternative opening shapes and sizes than those illustrated.

With reference to FIG. 1, although in other embodiments the holder 104 may have other shapes, the holder 104 of the illustrated embodiment includes a main body portion 110 having a mouthpiece 112 and an inner cylinder 128 (see FIG. 6), which together, at least in the illustrated embodiment, are configured to resemble the size, shape and overall appearance of a traditional cigarette. In particular, the main body portion 110 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow tube. The mouthpiece 112 of the illustrated embodiment comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow tube with an overall diameter that is larger than the diameter of the inner cylinder 128. As will be described in more detail below, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the mouthpiece 112 may be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 128. It should be noted that in other embodiments the main body portion 110 may have any other configuration. In the embodiment shown, the mouthpiece 112 has an overall length in the range from 10 mm to 62 mm inclusive, the holder has an overall length in the range from 83 mm to 110 mm inclusive and a circumference in the range from 20 mm to 60 mm inclusive (e.g., a diameter in the range from 6 mm to 13 mm inclusive).

In various embodiments, the main body portion 104 can be made of a metallic material (such as, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold and bronze), or a graphite material, or a ceramic material, or a plastic material, or any combinations thereof. Other materials are also possible. The holder 104 of the illustrated embodiment can also include a plurality of end openings (not shown) that extend through it and are configured to align with at least a portion of the heat source 54 when the cartridge 50 is in the accepted configuration. Thus, the end openings are configured to provide sufficient air flow for the heat source 54 to support the ignition of the heat source 54 when it is in the accepted configuration. While in various embodiments such apertures may have a variety of different configurations (including, for example, slots and/or rings instead of or in addition to apertures), in the embodiment shown the end apertures comprise an alternating pattern of substantially circular apertures that extend around the circumference of the receiving end of the holder 104. In particular, the alternating patterns of the embodiment shown include a first pattern of four longitudinally spaced apertures that are repeated at 90° intervals around the circumference of the receiving end of the main body portion 110 of the holder 104, and a second pattern of three longitudinally spaced apertures that are also repeated at 90° intervals but offset from the first pattern by 65° around the circumference of the end of the main body portion 110. For further information on suitable end apertures, reference may be made to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/035,103, entitled Smoking Article with Detachable Cartridge, filed 13 July 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 4 shows various internal components of the holder 104 in a loading configuration with a cartridge 50 placed in the channel 118. In particular, the holder 104 of the shown embodiment includes various internal components that move together between a first configuration or loading configuration (FIGS. 1 and 4); a second position or ignition position (FIGS. 5 and 6); and a third configuration, a smoking configuration or received configuration (FIGS. 7 and 8) for placing and securing the cartridge 50 in one or more positions relative to the holder 104. The embodiments may differ from each other. While in the loading configuration of the shown embodiment, at least a portion of the cartridge 50, for example, the heat source 54, extends beyond the receiving end of the holder 104.

The holder 104 includes a main body portion 110 and an outer cylinder 128 that is configured to slide over a portion of the main body portion 110. The main body portion 110 comprises a mouthpiece 112 and an inner cylinder 128. The mouthpiece 112 and the inner cylinder 128 form a chamber 116 around the central longitudinal axis of the main body portion 110. The inner cylinder 128 also forms a portion of a channel 118 around the central longitudinal axis of the main body portion 110. The chamber 116 and the channel 118 may be separated by a separator cavity 120 located inside the inner cylinder 128. In other embodiments of the invention, the separator cavity may be replaced by a separator component that may contain one or more steam passages located therein to provide air and/or aerosol flow between the channel 118 and the chamber 116. The cylinder 114 may include one or more filters 115 located therein. As shown in the drawing, four filters 115 are arranged in series with each other inside the channel 114. The filters 115 can be permanent or replaceable. For example, the mouthpiece 112 can be separated from the inner cylinder 128, for example, by unscrewing the mouthpiece 112 from the inner cylinder 128 so that the chamber 124 is open and the filters 115 can be replaced. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 112 and the inner cylinder 128 are inseparable from each other. In specific embodiments, the mouthpiece 112 and the inner cylinder 128 are formed integrally with each other. In various embodiments, filters 115 may comprise a compacted rod or cylindrical disk made of a gas-permeable material (such as, for example, cellulose acetate or polylactide (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or propylene fibers such as paper or rayon, or polyester fibers, or various combinations thereof). Filters 115 may additionally or alternatively comprise strands of a tobacco-containing material, as described in U.S. 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 filter may vary.

In some embodiments, the smoking article 100 may also include an intermediate component between the cartridge 50 and the filter 115. It should be noted that in various embodiments, the intermediate component or the filter, separately or together, may be considered a filter of the smoking article. In various embodiments, neither the intermediate component nor the filter need to be included. In some embodiments, the intermediate component may comprise a substantially rigid element that is substantially inflexible along its longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the intermediate component may comprise a hollow tubular structure and may be included to provide cooling of the resulting aerosol. In some embodiments, the intermediate component may be used as a container for collecting the aerosol. In various embodiments, such a tube may be made of a variety of materials and may comprise one or more adhesives. Examples of materials include, without limitation, paper, paper layers, paperboard, plastic, corrugated cardboard and/or composite materials. In some embodiments, the intermediate component may comprise 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, etc., or ceramics (such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, etc.) or other acetate fibers), and the filter is a compacted rod or cylindrical disk made of a gas-permeable material (such as, for example, acetate cellulose or fibers such as paper or viscose, or polyester fibers).

The inner cylinder 128 includes an outer wall 129 having a diameter slightly smaller than the mouthpiece 112, so that a stop 126 is formed between the mouthpiece 112 and the outer wall 129. The mouthpiece 112 can include a step adjacent to the stop 126 in such a way that the stop 126 is slightly larger than the rest of the mouthpiece 112. For example, the mouthpiece 112 can have a diameter of 9.9 mm, and the outer wall 129 of the inner cylinder 128 can have a diameter of 8 mm. In addition, the stop 126 can have a diameter of 10 mm. The difference between the diameter of the inner cylinder 128 and the stop 126 may be referred to as a recess 127 around the outer wall 129 of the inner cylinder 128. In some embodiments, the outer wall 129 tapers outward from the stop 126 toward the receiving end of the holder 104.

The outer cylinder 140 is slidably positioned above the inner cylinder 128 and has a proximal portion 142 and a distal portion 148, wherein the proximal portion is defined as being located closer to the mouthpiece end 113 of the holder 104, and the distal portion as being located closer to the receiving end of the holder 104. The outer cylinder 140 comprises an inner wall 141 which forms a channel 118. The inner wall 141 is positioned around the inner cylinder 128 in such a way that the inner cylinder 128 is at least partially positioned in the channel 118. The inner wall 141 has a diameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 128, so that the outer cylinder 140 can slightly compress the inner cylinder 128 inwardly, as described in more detail below. In the embodiment shown, the outer cylinder 140 forms release slots 149 in its distal portion 136, which allow the distal portion 136 to expand as the outer cylinder 140 approaches the loading configuration. In some embodiments, the inner wall 141 of the outer cylinder 140 tapers inward from the distal end toward its near end. In specific embodiments, the tapers of the inner wall 141 of the outer cylinder 140 and the outer wall 129 of the inner cylinder 128 cooperate to compress the inner cylinder 128 inward as the outer cylinder 140 moves in a further direction.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner cylinder 128 defines a retaining groove 122 in the outer wall 129, and the outer cylinder 140 includes a lock 144 slidably located inside the retaining groove 122. The retaining groove 122 extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 104. The retaining groove 122 can completely extend through the outer wall 129 such that the retaining groove 122 communicates with the chamber 116. The lock 144 extends inwardly from the inner wall 141 and is located inside the retaining groove 122 to limit the movement of the outer cylinder 140 over the inner cylinder 128. In the embodiment shown, the inner cylinder 128 defines two retaining grooves 122 separated by 180 degrees around the outer wall 129; however, in some embodiments, the inner cylinder 128 may include less than two retaining slots 122 or more than two retaining slots 122, and the retaining slots 122 may be evenly or unevenly spaced around the outer wall 129. Similarly, the outer cylinder 140 may include less than two latches 144 or more than two latches 144, each latcher being positioned in a corresponding retaining slot 122. In some embodiments, the outer cylinder 140 has fewer latches 144 than retaining slots of the inner cylinder 128.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4-8, the use of the smoking article 100 and the interaction of the cartridge 50 and the holder 104 in accordance with the present disclosure will be described. During the use of the smoking article 100 and other smoking articles described in detail herein, loading, lighting, smoking and removing the smoking article 100 can be accomplished without physical contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. This may be preferable to prevent damage to the heat source 54. In addition, contact with the heat source 54 may leave a mark or discolor the skin and/or clothing items such that contact with the heat source 54 may be undesirable. In addition, after use, the heat source 54 may be hot, even after it has been extinguished, so that contact with the heat source 54 may result in burns upon contact with the skin or damage to other articles in contact with the heat source 54.

Initially, with reference to FIG. 4, the cartridge 50 is inserted into the channel 118 of the holder 104 with the outer cylinder 140 of the holder in the loading configuration. In particular, the near part 59 of the cartridge 50, which is opposite the heat source 54, is inserted through the opening in the far part 148 of the outer cylinder 140 until the near part 59 is placed inside the part of the channel 118 formed by the inner cylinder 128. In the embodiment shown, the cartridge 50 can be fed under the action of gravity into the channel 118 by tilting the holder 104 so that the far part 148 is located higher than the mouthpiece 112. In this orientation, gravity can slide along the outer cylinder 140 in the direction of the loading configuration. The proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 is then positioned inside or above the distal part 148 of the outer cylinder 140 and released. When the cartridge 50 is released, the proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 is lowered into the channel 118 until the proximal part 59 is positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the cavity 120 of the separator and inside the seat 134 of the channel 118. The holder 104 can be shaken to facilitate positioning the proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 positioned adjacent to or adjacent to the cavity 120 of the separator.

When the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 is located near or adjacent to the cavity 120 of the separator, the outer cylinder 140 advances in a direction further above the cartridge 50 in the direction of the adopted configuration until the outer cylinder 140 reaches the ignition configuration shown in FIG. 5 and 6. As the outer cylinder 140 moves in a direction further above the cartridge 50, the inner wall 141 of the outer cylinder 140 pushes the inner cylinder 128 inward so that the inner cylinder 128 interacts with the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. The interaction of the inner cylinder 128 with the outer casing 53 provides a frictional interaction or "clamp" of the cartridge 50 to secure the cartridge 50 inside the channel 118. The frictional forces between the outer cylinder 140 and the inner cylinder 128 can prevent the outer cylinder 140 from being retracted in the direction of the loading configuration. When the outer cylinder 140 is in the ignition configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured inside the channel 118, the holder 104 can be manipulated, for example, by directing downwards when holding the cartridge 50 inside the holder 104. In other embodiments, the holder can hold the cartridge in a plurality of different ways, such as, for example, by including one or more locking elements. For example, in some embodiments, one or both of the outer casing of the cartridge and the inner surface of the holder can include one or more projections and/or spring elements and corresponding locking elements configured to hold the cartridge. In other embodiments, the inner surface of the holder can have a decreasing diameter and/or one or more parts having a reduced diameter, which can be configured to hold the cartridge in the holder. In another embodiment, a part of the holder can include retractable elements configured to interact with the cartridge to hold it in the holder. In still other embodiments, one or more elements of the cartridge and/or one or more elements of the holder may create a releasable connection between the holder and the cartridge. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge and the holder may have a releasable screw connection. In other embodiments, the cartridge and the holder may have a releasable bayonet-type connection. In still other embodiments, the cartridge may be held in the holder by magnetic force. For example, in some embodiments, the outer casing of the cartridge may be made of a ferromagnetic material, and the interior of the holder may include one or more magnets.

In the ignition configuration, the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 is located closer to the heat source 54 in such a way that the heat source 54 extends further from the distal portion 148. In the ignition configuration, a flame, such as a lighter or a match, can be used to ignite the heat source 54. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 can be exposed to the flame. The entire outer cylinder 140 or at least the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 can be made or made of or coated or coated with a heat-resistant material to prevent ignition of the outer cylinder 140 during the ignition of the heat source 54. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the mouthpiece 112 can be located in the user's mouth, and the user can puff through the mouthpiece 112 during the ignition of the heat source 54. As described in detail above, with the outer cylinder 140 in the ignition configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured within the holder 104.

After the ignition of the heat source 54, the outer cylinder 140 moves over the cartridge 50 in the direction of the received configuration, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the received configuration, the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 is located above the heat source 54 in such a way that the heat source 54 is located inside the channel 118 of the outer cylinder 140. As the outer cylinder 140 moves from the ignition configuration to the received configuration, the inner wall 141 can further push the inner cylinder 128 inward and into interaction with the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50 for securing the cartridge 50 inside the holder 104. In the received configuration, the inner wall 141 of the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 is located above the heat source 54 and near it. The inner wall 141 can be formed or covered with a fire-resistant or heat-resistant material to prevent ignition or burning of the outer cylinder 140. In some embodiments, the entire outer cylinder 140 or at least a portion of the distal portion 148 can be made of a fire-resistant or heat-resistant material. The frictional forces between the outer cylinder 140 and the inner cylinder 128 can prevent the outer cylinder 140 from being drawn in toward the loading configuration. When the outer cylinder 140 is in the accepted configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured inside the channel 118 in such a way that the holder 104 can be manipulated, for example, directed downwards when holding the cartridge 50 inside the holder 104.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 100 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 112 can be used to draw the aerosol through the substrate portion 52 and the filters 115. The outlet slots 149 in the distal portion 148 of the outer cylinder 140 can provide the ability to draw outside air through the substrate portion 52 without passing through the internal channels 55 of the heat source 54 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the outlet slots 149 allow additional oxygen to be supplied to the heat source 54 to prevent premature extinguishing of the heat source 54, that is, to maintain the ignition of the heat source 54.

In some embodiments, the heat source 54 may have a size for extinguishing, when the substrate material 51 inside the substrate portion 52 is completely aerosolized. Complete aerosolization of the substrate material 51 may be determined when all of the substrate material 51 is aerosolized or when a predetermined amount of the substrate material 51 is aerosolized. In some embodiments, the smoking article of the present disclosure may include an extinguishing position. Thus, the extinguishing position may be performed in such a way that the heat source is deprived of a sufficient amount of oxygen to support combustion. In some embodiments, the extinguishing position may be obtained by further sliding the outer cylinder in a further direction. In other embodiments, for example, one or more additional elements may be included in such a way that the extinguishing position can be achieved by actuating one or more additional elements. In particular, in one embodiment, the device may comprise a removable element, such as, for example, an end cap, which can be used to achieve the extinguishing position. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a separate end cap may be attached over the distal end of the outer cylinder in such a way that, after attachment, the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to support combustion. Such an end cap may also be used to cover the end of the outer cylinder when it is not in use, for example, to prevent dirt and/or foreign objects from entering the device.

When the heat source 54 is extinguished, the outer cylinder 140 is retracted into the loading position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In the loading position, the inner cylinder 128 is disconnected or displaced from the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50 such that the cartridge 50 is loosened or not attached to the holder 104. With the cartridge 50 loosened, the holder 104 can be tilted such that the distal portion 148 is directed downward to allow the cartridge 50 to fall out of the channel 118. In some embodiments, the holder 104 can be released to release the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 from the inner cylinder 128 with the holder 104 tilted downward until the cartridge 50 falls out of the channel 118. When the cartridge 50 falls out of the channel 118, another cartridge 50 can be loaded into the holder 104 and ignited as described above.

The manipulation of the outer cylinder 140, as described in detail above, can be performed with one or two hands of the user. In addition, loading, ignition and removal of the cartridge 50 from the holder 104 can be performed without contact with the heat source 54.

With reference to FIGS. 9-12, another embodiment of a smoking article 200 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. The smoking article 200 includes a holder 204 and a cartridge 50. Similar to the holder 104 described in detail above, the holder 204 is configured to receive and secure the cartridge 50 during lighting and smoking and to release the cartridge 50 and receive another cartridge 50 when the cartridge 50 is empty.

Referring initially to FIGS. 9 and 10, the holder 204 includes a main body portion 210 and a cap 240 which is configured to removably connect with the main body portion 210. The main body portion 210 includes a mouthpiece 212 having a near or mouthpiece end 213 of the holder 204 and a connector 220 forming a distant portion of the main body portion 210. The connector 220 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer wall 211 of the main body portion 210. The main body portion 210 forms a channel 214 which receives one or more filters 215 therein. The filters 215 are similar to the filters 115 described above. The connector 220 forms a socket 234 passing through it. The seat 234 can be aligned coaxially with the channel 214 and can extend from the connector 220 toward the mouth end 213 to the rest of the main body portion 210. The main body portion 210 can include a spacer cavity 230, which is located between the channel 214 and the seat 234. In other embodiments, the spacer cavity can be replaced by a spacer component, which can include a steam passage that connects the channel 214 and the seat 234. The steam passage can be a single passage passing through the spacer, or can be a plurality of passages passing through the spacer. The main body portion 210 can form one or more exhaust passages 228, which pass through the outer wall 211 and communicate with the spacer cavity 230. The exhaust passages 228 may provide for mixing of air surrounding the holder 204 with aerosols drawn from the channel 218 in the direction of the mouthpiece 212.

The connector 220 includes a projection 222 that extends outward from the outer surface of the connector 220. The projection 222 extends from the outer surface of the connector 220, while remaining below the outer wall 211 of the main body part 210. The projection 222 forms a gap 223 with the outer wall 211 of the main body part 210. The projection 222 can extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 204. The connector 220 can include one projection 222 or can include a plurality of projections 222. For example, the connector 220 can include two projections 222, offset by 180 degrees from each other around the outer surface of the connector 220.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cap 240 is configured to be detachably connected to the main body portion 210. The cap 240 includes a cover wall 241 that forms the outer surface of the cap 240, and a distant wall 248. The distant wall 248 includes one or more ventilation holes 249 formed therein. The ventilation holes 249 are configured to pass air and, in particular, oxygen through the cover 240 to provide the heat source 54 with a sufficient amount of oxygen to prevent the heat source 54 from being extinguished. The cap 240 forms a channel 246, which extends from the near end of the cap 240 to the far wall 248. The channel 246 is formed by the inner wall 247 and has a size for placing in it the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. The cap 240 also forms a receptacle 242, located near its near end. The receiver 242 can have a diameter slightly larger than the channel 246 and is configured to accommodate the connector 220 therein. The receiver 242 additionally forms a groove 244, the size of which allows receiving the projection 222 located therein, and includes a retainer 245, which extends into the receiver 242 along the near edge of the cap 240. The groove 244 has a longitudinal portion that extends from the near edge of the cap 240 in the direction toward the far wall 248 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap 240, and a transverse portion that extends in the direction around the receiver 242 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal portion. The retainer 245 is aligned with the transverse portion of the groove 244 and is made with a size for placement in the gap 223 to prevent the projection 222 from being removed from the receiver 242.

With reference to FIGS. 9-12, the use of the smoking article 200 is described in detail by loading, lighting, smoking and removing or unloading the cartridge 50. Initially, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cap 240 is separated from the main body portion 210 such that the holder 204 is in the loading configuration. In the loading configuration, the cartridge 50 is loaded into the main body portion 210 of the holder 204 by inserting the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 into the seat 234 until the proximal portion 59 is adjacent to the cavity 230 of the divider. The proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 passes through the connector 220 when the proximal part 59 is loaded into the main body part 210. The socket 234 can have a size for frictional interaction with the proximal part 59 for fastening the cartridge 50 to the main body part 210 with a tight fit. In some embodiments, the socket 234 can be larger than the proximal part 59, so that the cartridge 50 is held in the socket 234 only by gravity. During loading, the user can grasp the holder 204 along the main body part 210 and grasp the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. In this way, the cartridge 50 can be loaded without contact with the heat source 54.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, with the cartridge 50 loaded into the main body portion 210 with the cap 240 separated from the main body portion 210, the holder 204 is in the ignition configuration. In the ignition configuration, the heat source 54 can be ignited by exposing the heat source 54 to a flame, for example, using a lighter or a match. The heat source 54 can be ignited without exposing any part of the holder 204 to a flame. During loading and ignition of the cartridge 50, the holder 204 is not exposed to flame or heat.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, when the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50 is ignited, the cap 240 is secured to the main body portion 210 above the cartridge 50 in such a way that the cartridge 50 is enclosed within the holder 204. When the cap 240 is secured to the main body portion 210, the distant wall 249 of the cap 240 forms the receiving end of the holder 204. To secure the cover to the main body portion 210, the near end of the cap 240 is moved above the cartridge 50 with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50 passing through the receiver 242 into the channel 246 of the cap 240. The entire cap 240 or a portion of the inner wall 247 of the cap 240 may be made or made of metal or a heat-resistant material to prevent damage from the ignited heat source 54. When the cap 240 is moved over the cartridge 50 toward the main body portion 210, the connector 220 is received inside the receiver 242 of the cap 240. Then, the cap 240 is rotated or twisted around the connector 220 until the projection 222 of the connector 220 aligns with the longitudinal portion of the groove 244. When the projection 222 is aligned with the longitudinal portion of the groove 244, the cap 240 moves further toward the main body portion 210 to shift the projection 222 into the longitudinal portion of the groove 244. When the projection 222 is completely moved into the longitudinal portion of the groove 244, the engagement of the projection 222 within the groove 244 can prevent further movement of the cap 240 toward the main body portion 210. Additionally or alternatively, the near edge of the cap 240 may be adjacent to the distal edge of the outer wall 211 of the main body portion 210 to prevent further movement of the cap 240 in the direction of the main body portion 210. When further movement of the cap 240 in the direction of the main body portion 210 is prevented, the cap 240 is rotated or twisted relative to the main body portion 210 to move the projection 222 into the transverse portion of the groove 244. When the cap 240 is twisted, the lock 245 of the cap 240 is located inside the gap 223 between the projection 222 and the outer wall 211 of the main body portion 210. The lock 245 prevents the separation of the projection 222 and, thus, the main body portion 210 from the cap 240. The lock 245 can be larger than the gap 223 such that the lock 245 frictionally interacts with the projection 222 to resist rotation of the cap 240 to ensure sliding of the projection 222 through the transverse portion. The frictional interaction of the projection 222 and the lock 245 may ensure that the cap 240 is attached to the main body portion 210. The transverse portion of the groove 244 may include a stop or recess for receiving the projection 222 when the cap 240 is twisted to maintain the projection 222 within the transverse portion and to resist unintentional rotation or twisting of the cap 240. The lock may prevent unintentional separation of the cap 240 from the main body portion 210. When the cap 240 is attached to the main body portion 210 with the cartridge 50 received therein, the smoking article 200 is in the received configuration.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 200 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 212 can be used to draw the aerosol through the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. In addition, in the adopted configuration, when the heat source 54 is ignited with the cap 240 enclosing the cartridge 50, the cap 240 protects against unintentional contact with the heat source 54. The vents 249 provide an air flow to the heat source 54 in such a way that the heat source 54 remains ignited. In some embodiments, the vents 249 can be closed or blocked to extinguish the heat source 54. For example, the user can block the vents 249 with a finger to extinguish the heat source 54. In other embodiments, one or more additional elements can be included, so that the extinguishing position can be achieved by actuating one or more additional elements. In particular, in one embodiment, the device may include an airtight lid located near the vents 249, which may be configured to be mechanically or manually actuated (e.g., by pivoting the lid over the end of the cap 240 and/or by sliding the lid across the end of the cap 240) such that in the extinguished position, the lid substantially covers the vents 249 and the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to support combustion.

In the adopted configuration, the user may draw on the mouthpiece 212 such that air is drawn through the ventilation holes 249, the heat source 54 and the substrate portion 52 for aerosolizing the substrate material 51 (FIG. 3). The aerosol from the substrate material 51 is drawn through the spacer cavity 230 and through the filters 215 located inside the opening 214, before being drawn through the mouthpiece 212 and exiting the smoking article through the mouthpiece end 213. As the aerosol passes through the spacer cavity 230, air from outside the holder 204 may be drawn into the cavity through the exhaust holes 228 and mixed with the aerosol as the aerosol is drawn through the spacer cavity 230.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 200 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 212 can be used to draw the aerosol through the substrate portion 52.

When the heat source 54 is extinguished, the cartridge 50 can be removed from the holder 204. The heat source 54 can be extinguished when the heat source 54 is empty, or can be extinguished intentionally by closing the ventilation holes 249.

To remove the cap 240, the cap 240 is twisted relative to the main body portion 210 to move the projection 222 within the transverse portion of the groove 244 until the projection 222 is within the longitudinal portion of the groove 244. With the projection 222 in the longitudinal portion of the groove 244, the cap 240 can be moved away from the main body portion 210 to remove the cap 240 from the cartridge 50. With the cap 240 removed over the cartridge 50, the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 can remain frictionally secured within the seat 234 of the main body portion 210. When the heat source 54 is extinguished, the cap 240 can be removed and the heat source 54 re-ignited in the same manner as described in detail above, and the holder 204 is returned to the received configuration by re-securing the cap 240 to the main body part 210.

When the heat source 54 is emptied, the user can remove or take out the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 210 and can replace the cartridge 50 with another cartridge 50. To remove the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 210, the user grasps the cartridge 50 to separate the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 210. In particular, the user can grasp the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50 and pull the cartridge 50 away from the main body portion 210 while holding the main body portion 210. When the cap 240 is removed from the cartridge 50, a significant portion of the outer casing 53 is open so that the user can grasp the outer casing 53 without contacting the heat source 54. In some embodiments of the invention, in which the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 is free inside the socket 234, the main body portion 210 can be tilted in such a way that the connector 220 is oriented downwards so that the cartridge 50 falls out of the socket 234 without catching the outer body 53 of the cartridge 50. When the cartridge 50 is removed from the socket 234, another cartridge 50 can be loaded into the socket 234, ignited, and the cap 240 replaced, that is, attached to the main body portion 210 over the new cartridge 50. In some embodiments, another cartridge 50 can be loaded into the socket 234, and the cap 240 can be replaced without igniting the new cartridge 50. In other embodiments, the cap 240 can be replaced without loading or igniting a new cartridge 50.

The holder 204 allows loading, lighting, smoking and unloading the cartridge 50 without contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. The holder 204 also encloses the cartridge 50 in an accepted configuration in such a way as to prevent unintentional contact of the heat source 54 with the user or other objects when the heat source 54 is ignited. In the accepted configuration, the holder 204 encloses the cartridge 50 in such a way that the cartridge 50 is completely retained within the holder 204.

With reference to FIGS. 13-18, another embodiment of a smoking article 300 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. The smoking article 300 includes a holder 304 and a cartridge 50. Similar to the holder 204 described in detail above, the holder 304 is configured to receive and secure the cartridge 50 during lighting and smoking and to release the cartridge 50 and receive another cartridge 50 when the cartridge 50 is empty.

As initially shown in FIG. 13-16, the holder 304 includes a main body portion 310 and a cap 340 that is configured to be removably connected to the main body portion 310. The main body portion 310 comprises a mouthpiece 312 that has a near or mouthpiece end 313 of the holder 304 and a connector 320 that forms a distant portion of the main body portion 310. The connector 320 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer wall 311 of the main body portion 310. The main body portion 310 forms a channel 314 that receives one or more filters 315 therein. The filters 315 are similar to the filters 115 described above. The connector 320 forms a socket 334 that passes through it. The socket 334 can be aligned coaxially with the channel 314 and can extend from the connector 320 towards the mouth end 313 to the rest of the main body portion 310. The main body portion 310 also defines a chamber 316 located between the channel 314 and the socket 334, and a groove 318 passing through the outer wall 311 and communicating with the chamber 316. The holder 304 comprises a sleeve 330 located with the possibility of sliding inside the chamber 316 between a loading position, in which the sleeve 330 is located towards the mouth end 313, and a removed position, in which the sleeve 330 is located towards the connector 320. The sleeve 330 is connected to a slider 324, which passes through the groove 318 and is configured to move sleeve 330 between the loading and extraction positions. The slider 324 includes a head 325, which is located on the outer side of the outer wall 311, and a rod portion 326, which extends from the head 325 through the groove 318 into an opening 331 of the rod portion formed in the sleeve 330. The rod portion 326 and the opening 331 of the rod portion may be threaded in such a way that the rod portion 326 is connected to the sleeve 330 by means of a thread. The sleeve 330 includes a rod 336, which extends from the rod portion 326 in the direction of the seat 334. The rod 336 ends in the end 337 of the rod, which is located near the near end of the seat 334, when the sleeve 330 is in the loading position, and is located near the far end of the seat 334, when the sleeve 330 is in the extraction position, to extract the cartridge 50 from the seat 334, as described in detail below. The rod 336 of the sleeve 330 further comprises one or more passages 338 for aerosol, which pass through the rod 336.

The sleeve 330 forms a passage 332 for steam through it, which connects the channel 314 and the seat 334 through the chamber 316. The passage 332 for steam can be a single passage passing through the sleeve 330, or can be a plurality of passages passing through the sleeve 330. The groove 318 can communicate with the passage 332 for steam, or the sleeve 330 can separate the passage 332 for steam and the groove 318. The passages 338 for the aerosol of the rod 336 are configured to communicate with the passage 332 for steam at one end and the end openings 56 of the cartridge at the other end. The main body part 310 can form one or more exhaust passages 328, which pass through the outer wall 311 and communicate with the passage 332 for steam. The exhaust passages 328 may provide for mixing of air surrounding the holder 304 with aerosols drawn from the seat 334 in the direction of the mouthpiece 312.

The connector 320 comprises a projection 322 which extends outward from the outer surface of the connector 320. The projection 322 extends from the outer surface of the connector 320, while remaining below the outer wall 311 of the main body portion 310. The projection 322 forms a gap 323 with the outer wall 311 of the main body portion 310. The projection 322 can extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 304. The connector 320 can include one projection 322 or can include several projections 322. For example, the connector 320 can include two projections 322 offset by 180 degrees from each other around the outer surface of the connector 320.

With reference to FIG. 16, the cap 340 is configured to be detachably connected to the main body portion 310. The cap 340 includes a cap wall 341 that forms the outer surface of the cap 340, and a distant wall 348. The distant wall 348 contains one or more ventilation holes 349 formed therein. The ventilation holes 349 are configured to allow air, and in particular oxygen, to pass through the cap 340 to provide the heat source 54 with a sufficient amount of oxygen to prevent the heat source 54 from being extinguished. The cap 340 forms a channel 346, which extends from the near end of the cap 340 to the far wall 348. The channel 346 is formed by the inner wall 347 and has a size for accommodating the outer body 53 of the cartridge 50. The cap 340 also forms a receptacle 342, located near its near end. The receiver 342 can have a diameter slightly larger than the channel 346 and is configured to receive the connector 320 in it. The receiver 342 further forms a groove 344, the size of which allows receiving the projection 322 located therein, and includes a retainer 345, which extends into the receiver 342 along the near edge of the cap 340. The groove 344 has a longitudinal part, which extends from the near edge of the cap 340 in the direction to the far wall 348 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap 340, and a transverse part, which extends in the direction around the receiver 342 in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal part. The retainer 345 is aligned with the transverse part of the groove 344 and has a size for placement in the gap 323 to prevent the projection 322 from being removed from the receiver 342.

With reference to FIGS. 13-18, the use of the smoking article 300 is described in detail by loading, lighting, smoking and removing or unloading the cartridge 50. Initially, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cap 340 is separated from the main body portion 310 such that the smoking article 300 is in the loading configuration. In the loading configuration, the cartridge 50 is loaded into the main body portion 310 of the holder 304 by inserting the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 into the socket 334 until further movement of the proximal portion 59 in the direction of the proximal portion toward the mouthpiece end 313 of the main body portion 310 is prevented. The socket 334 may frictionally engage the proximal portion 59 to prevent further proximal movement of the proximal portion 59. In some embodiments, the proximal portion 59 may abut the end of the rod 336 and move the sleeve 330 into the loading position until the slider 324 engages the proximal end of the slot 318, preventing further proximal movement of the proximal portion 59. The proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 passes through the connector 320, when the proximal portion 59 is loaded into the main body portion 310. The socket 334 may be sized to frictionally engage with the proximal portion 59 to secure the cartridge 50 to the main body portion 310 with a tight fit. In some embodiments, the socket 334 may be larger than the proximal portion 59, so that the cartridge 50 is retained in the socket 334 only by gravity. During loading, the user may grip the holder 304 along the main body portion 310 and grip the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. In this way, the cartridge 50 may be loaded without contact with the heat source 54.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, with the cartridge 50 loaded into the main body portion 310 with the cap 340 separated from the main body portion 310, the holder 304 is in the ignition configuration. In the ignition configuration, the heat source 54 can be ignited by exposing the heat source 54 to a flame, for example, using a lighter or a match. The heat source 54 can be ignited without exposing any part of the holder 304 to a flame. During loading and ignition of the cartridge 50, the holder 304 is not exposed to flame or heat.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, when the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50 is ignited, the cap 340 is secured to the main body portion 310 above the cartridge 50 in such a way that the cartridge 50 is enclosed inside the holder 304. When the cap 340 is secured to the main body portion 310, the distant wall 349 of the cap 340 forms the receiving end of the holder 304. To secure the cover to the main body portion 310, the near end of the cap 340 is moved above the cartridge 50 with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50 passing through the receiver 342 into the channel 346 of the cap 340. The entire cap 340 or a portion of the inner wall 347 of the cap 340 may be made or made of metal or a heat-resistant material to prevent damage from the ignited heat source 54. When the cap 340 is moved over the cartridge 50 toward the main body portion 310, the connector 320 is received inside the receiver 342 of the cap 340. Then, the cap 340 is rotated or twisted around the connector 320 until the projection 322 of the connector 320 is aligned with the longitudinal portion of the groove 344. When the projection 322 is aligned with the longitudinal portion of the groove 344, the cap 340 is moved further toward the main body portion 310 to shift the projection 322 into the longitudinal portion of the groove 344. When the projection 322 is completely retracted into the longitudinal portion of the groove 344, the engagement of the projection 322 within the groove 344 can prevent further movement of the cap 340 toward the main body portion 310. Additionally or alternatively, the near edge of the cap 340 may be adjacent to the distal edge of the outer wall 311 of the main body portion 310 to prevent further movement of the cap 340 in the direction of the main body portion 310. When further movement of the cap 340 in the direction of the main body portion 310 is prevented, the cap 340 is rotated or twisted relative to the main body portion 310 to move the projection 322 into the transverse portion of the groove 344. When the cap 340 is twisted, the lock 345 of the cap 340 is located inside the gap 323 between the projection 322 and the outer wall 311 of the main body portion 310. The lock 345 prevents the separation of the projection 322 and, thus, the main body portion 310 from the cap 340. The lock 345 can be larger than the gap 323 such that the lock 345 frictionally interacts with the projection 322 to resist rotation of the cap 340 to ensure sliding of the projection 322 through the transverse portion. The frictional interaction of the projection 322 and the retainer 345 can ensure that the cap 340 is attached to the main body portion 310. The transverse portion of the groove 344 can include a stopper or recess for receiving the projection 322 when the cap 340 is twisted to maintain the projection 322 in the transverse portion and to resist unintentional rotation or twisting of the cap 340. The stopper can prevent unintentional separation of the cap 340 from the main body portion 310. When the cap 340 is attached to the main body portion 310 with the cartridge 50 received therein, the holder 304 is in the received configuration.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 300 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 312 can be used to draw the aerosol through the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. In addition, in the adopted configuration, when the heat source 54 is ignited with the cap 340 enclosing the cartridge 50, the cap 340 protects against unintentional contact with the heat source 54. The vents 349 provide an air flow to the heat source 54 in such a way that the heat source 54 remains ignited. In some embodiments, the vents 349 can be closed or blocked to extinguish the heat source 54. For example, the user can block the vents 349 with a finger to extinguish the heat source 54. In other embodiments, one or more additional elements can be included, so that the extinguishing position can be achieved by actuating one or more additional elements. In particular, in one embodiment, the device may include an airtight lid located near the vents 349, which may be configured to be mechanically or manually actuated (e.g., by pivoting the lid over the end of the cap 340 and/or by sliding the lid across the end of the cap 340) such that, in the extinguished position, the lid substantially covers the vents 349 and the heat source is deprived of sufficient oxygen to support combustion.

In the adopted configuration, the user can draw on the mouthpiece 312 in such a way that air is drawn through the ventilation holes 349, the heat source 54 and the portion 52 in the form of a substrate for aerosolizing the substrate material 51 (FIG. 3). The aerosol from the substrate material 51 is drawn through the vapor passage 332 passing through the chamber 316 and through the filters 315 located inside the channel 314, before being drawn through the mouthpiece 312 and exiting the smoking article through the mouthpiece end 313. When the aerosol passes through the vapor passage 332, air from outside the holder 304 can be drawn into the vapor passage 332 through the exhaust holes 328 and mixed with the aerosol when the aerosol is drawn through the vapor passage 332. When the heat source 54 is extinguished, the cartridge 50 can be removed from the holder 304. The heat source 54 can be extinguished when the heat source 54 is empty, or can be extinguished intentionally by closing the ventilation holes 349.

To remove the cap 340, the cap 340 is twisted relative to the main body portion 310 to move the projection 322 within the transverse portion of the groove 344 until the projection 322 is within the longitudinal portion of the groove 344. With the projection 322 in the longitudinal portion of the groove 344, the cap 340 can be moved away from the main body portion 310 to remove the cap 340 over the cartridge 50. With the cap 340 removed over the cartridge 50, the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 can remain frictionally secured within the seat 334 of the main body portion 310. When the heat source 54 is intentionally or unintentionally extinguished, the cap 340 can be removed and the heat source 54 re-ignited in the same manner as described in detail above, and the smoking article 300 is returned to the accepted configuration by re-securing cap 340 to the main body part 310.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, when the heat source 54 is emptied, the user can extract or remove the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 310 and can replace the cartridge 50 with another cartridge 50. To extract the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 310, the slider 324 is driven in a further direction inside the groove 318. When the slider 324 is driven in a further direction, the slider 324 moves the sleeve 330 in a further direction inside the chamber 316. As the sleeve 330 moves in a further direction, the sleeve 330 moves the rod 336 in a further direction. As the rod 336 moves in a further direction, the end of the rod 336 engages with the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 to push or extract the cartridge 50 from the seat 334. The slider 324 allows the cartridge 50 to be removed from the main body portion 310 without physical contact between the user and the cartridge 50. When the cartridge 50 is removed from the seat 334, another cartridge 50 can be loaded into the seat 334, ignited, and the cap 340 replaced, that is, attached to the main body portion 310 over the new cartridge 50 and smoked. In some embodiments, another cartridge 50 can be loaded into the seat 334, and the cap 340 can be replaced without igniting the new cartridge 50. In other embodiments, the cap 340 can be replaced without loading or igniting the new cartridge 50.

Additionally or alternatively, to remove the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 310, the user may grasp the cartridge 50 to separate the cartridge 50 from the main body portion 310. In particular, the user may grasp the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50 and pull the cartridge 50 away from the main body portion 310 while holding the main body portion 310. When the cap 340 is removed over the cartridge 50, a significant portion of the outer casing 53 is open such that the user can grasp the outer casing 53 without contacting the heat source 54. In some embodiments, in which the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 is free inside the socket 334, the main body portion 310 may be tilted such that the connector 320 is oriented downwards such that the cartridge 50 falls out of the socket 334 without grasping the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50.

The holder 304 allows loading, lighting, smoking and unloading the cartridge 50 without contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. Additionally, the holder 304 provides the ability to unload or remove the cartridge 50 from the holder 304 without physical contact, such as touching the cartridge 50. The holder 304 also encloses the cartridge 50 in an accepted configuration in such a way as to prevent unintentional contact of the heat source 54 with the user or other objects when the heat source 54 is ignited. In the accepted configuration, the holder 304 encloses the cartridge 50 in such a way that the cartridge 50 is completely retained within the holder 304.

With reference to FIGS. 19-26, another embodiment of a smoking article 400 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. The smoking article 400 includes a holder 404 and a cartridge 50. Similar to the holder 104 described in detail above, the holder 404 is configured to receive and secure the cartridge 50 during lighting and smoking and to release the cartridge 50 and receive another cartridge 50 when the cartridge 50 is empty.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the holder 404 includes a main body portion 410 and a mouthpiece 412 that is detachably connected to the main body portion 410. The mouthpiece 412 has a near or mouthpiece end 413 of the holder 404 and a connector 420 that forms a distant part of the mouthpiece 412. The connector 420 can have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer wall 411 of the main body portion 410. The mouthpiece 412 forms a through hole 414. The connector 420 can frictionally interact with the main body portion 410 to secure the mouthpiece 412 to the main body portion 410.

The main body part 410 forms a chamber 416 and a channel 418. The near part of the chamber 416 receives a connector 420 of the mouthpiece 412 and receives a sleeve 430. The sleeve 430 is slidably located inside the chamber 416 and is configured to move between a first or distant loading position (FIG. 20), a second or intermediate ignition position (FIG. 22) and a third or near received position (FIG. 24). The sleeve 430 includes two or more fingers 436 that extend further from the sleeve 430. The fingers 436 form a nest 434 between them and are offset in a radial direction outward. More specifically, the fingers 436 can be self-offset in a radial direction outward. In the loading position, the fingers 436 can pass into the channel 418 and into the groove 438 formed in the inner wall 446 forming the channel 418. In the loading position, the seat 434 formed between the fingers 436 can be in an expanded configuration. The sleeve 430 forms a passage 432 for steam that connects the chamber 416, the channel 418 and the opening 414 to allow the aerosol to be drawn from the cartridge 50 through the mouthpiece 412.

The main body portion 410 also forms a groove 422 formed in the outer wall 411, communicating with the chamber 416. The groove 422 includes a distant first side 462, a near second side 468 and a transverse side 466 connecting the first and second sides 462, 468. The first and second sides 462, 468 are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body portion 410 and are radially offset from each other around the outer wall 411. The transverse side 466 is substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides 462, 468 and connects the near end of the first side 462 with the far end of the second side 468. The first side 462 includes a distant loading end 463 of the groove 422, and the second side 468 includes a near receiving end 469 groove 422. Each of the near end of the first side 462 and the far end of the second side 468 includes an ignition stop 464. The groove 422 can also provide for mixing of air surrounding the holder 404 with aerosols drawn in the direction of the mouthpiece 412 in the passage 432 for steam and/or the chamber 416, in a manner similar to the exhaust channels 228 described in detail above.

The holder 404 includes a slider 424 having a head 425 and a rod portion 426. The head 425 is located along the outer wall 411 of the main body portion 410, and the rod portion 426 passes through the groove 422 and is connected to the sleeve 430 in such a way that the sleeve 430 interacts with the movement of the slider 424. The rod portion 426 and the sleeve 430 can be connected to each other by means of a thread. The slider 424 is designed with the possibility of moving inside the groove 422 for moving the sleeve 430 between the loading, ignition and accepted positions.

With reference to FIGS. 19-26, the use of the smoking article 400 is described in detail by loading, lighting, smoking and removing or unloading the cartridge 50. Initially, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the holder 404 is in the loading configuration with the connector 420 located inside the chamber 416 for fastening the mouthpiece 412 to the main body part 410 and the slider 424 at the loading end 463 of the groove 422 such that the sleeve 430 is in the loading position. In the loading configuration, the fingers 436 of the sleeve 430 extend into the chamber 418 and are located inside the groove 438 such that the seat 434 is in an expanded configuration. In the loading configuration, the cartridge 50 is loaded into the channel 418 by passing the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 through the far portion 448 of the main body portion 410 until the near portion 59 is located in the socket 434 between the fingers 436. In the loading configuration, the socket 434 has a diameter larger than the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 to ensure that the near portion 59 can slide freely into the socket 434. The holder 404 can be held by the far portion 448 oriented upward so that the cartridge 50 is fed under the action of gravity into the socket 434. In the loading configuration, the far portion 448 of the main body portion 410 forms the receiving end of the holder 404.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, when the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 is in the seat 434, the slider 424 moves in the direction toward the proximal portion through the first side 462 of the groove 422 toward the mouth end 413 until the slider 424 reaches the ignition stop 464 (FIG. 19). As the slider 424 moves in the direction toward the near part, the fingers 436 slide in the direction toward the near part into the chamber 416. When the fingers 436 slide in the direction toward the near part, the interaction with the inner wall 446 forming the chamber 416 pushes the fingers 436 inward to reduce the seat 434 in such a way that the fingers 436 pass into a compressed configuration and enter into interaction with the outer casing 53 of the near part 59 of the cartridge 50. The interaction of the fingers 436 with the near part 59 ensures that the cartridge 50 is drawn in the direction toward the near part into the channel 418. The interaction of the fingers 436 with the outer casing 53 can be a frictional interaction. In some embodiments, the fingers 436 may include teeth (not shown) that engage with the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. When the slider 424 reaches the ignition stop 464, the cartridge 50 is located substantially inside the channel 418, while the heat source 54 remains outside or outside the distal portion 448 of the main body portion 411 such that the holder 404 is in the ignition configuration. In the ignition configuration, the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 may be located inside the chamber 416 outside the distal end of the sleeve 430. The holder 404 may be oriented upward during loading and transition of the holder 404 to the ignition configuration to prevent unintentional separation of the cartridge 50 from the holder 404.

In the ignition configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured inside the holder 404 in such a way that the orientation of the holder 404 can change without unintentionally separating the cartridge 50 from the holder 404. When the holder 404 is in the ignition configuration, the heat source 54 can be ignited. In particular, a lighter or a match (not shown) can be used to expose the heat source 54 to a flame. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the distal portion 448 of the main body portion 410 can be exposed to heat and/or flame. The distal portion 448 can be made of a heat-resistant or fire-resistant material to prevent the distal portion 448 from igniting or deforming during the ignition of the heat source 54. During ignition of heat source 54, slider 424 may remain in first side 462 on ignition stop 464, may move through transverse side 466 to ignition stop 464 of second side 468 or may move to a point in transverse side 466 between first and second sides 462, 468. When slider 424 moves through transverse side 466, slider 424 rotates sleeve 430 inside chamber 416.

When the heat source 54 is ignited, the slider 424 is moved in the direction toward the near part through the second side 468 to the receiving end 469 of the groove 422 to move the sleeve 430 inside the chamber 416 to the accepted position, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. When the sleeve 430 is moved to the accepted position, the fingers 436 engage the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50 to pull the cartridge 50 in the direction toward the near part through the chamber 416 in such a way that the heat source 54 is completely located inside the channel 418 in such a way that the holder 404 is in the accepted configuration. In the accepted configuration, the heat source 54 is in the distant part 448 of the main body part 410. The distant part 448 remains open to provide air flow into the heat source 54, while protecting the heat source 54 from accidental contact with it. The flow of air to the heat source 54 allows the heat source 54 to remain ignited. As the sleeve 430 moves into the received position, the fingers 436 can move further inward to compress the near part 59 of the cartridge 50 inside the seat 434 for additional fastening of the cartridge 50 to the holder 404. Since the distant part 448 is located near the heat source 54 during the ignition of the heat source 54, the distant part 448 is made of a heat-resistant material suitable for resisting deformation or ignition when exposed to the ignited heat source 54. Friction between the fingers 436 and the inner wall 446 forming the chamber 416 may prevent the slider 424 from moving further to hold the slider 424 on the received end 469 of the groove 422. In the received configuration, the sleeve 430 may adjoin the connector 420 of the mouthpiece 412. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the heat source may simply be located closer to the receiving end of the holder in the received configuration.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 400 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 412 can be used to draw the aerosol through the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. In particular, the aerosol from the cartridge 50 is drawn through the passage 432 for vapor, passing through the chamber 416, before being drawn through the mouthpiece 412 and exiting the smoking article through the mouthpiece end 413. When the aerosol passes through the passage 432 for vapor, air from outside the holder 404 can be drawn into the passage 432 for vapor through the groove 422 and mixed with the aerosol when the aerosol is drawn through the passage 432 for vapor. Mixing the air from outside the holder 404 can enhance the aroma or taste of the aerosol.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the holder 404 has a quenching configuration in which the mouthpiece 412 is attached to the distal portion 448 of the main body portion 410 above the heat source 54 to provide the user with the ability to quench the heat source 54. In particular, the mouthpiece 412 can be moved away from the main body portion 410 to remove the connector 420 from the chamber 416. Then, the connector 420 is inserted into the distal portion 448 of the main body portion 410. The distal portion 448 can form a receptacle 442, the size of which allows it to receive the connector 420. The connector 420 can frictionally interact with the inner wall 446 to secure the mouthpiece 412 to the distal portion 448. When the mouthpiece 412 is secured to the distal portion 448, the mouthpiece 412 can restrict the flow of air to the heat source 54 to extinguish the heat source 54. In some embodiments of the invention, the user can close the end of the mouthpiece 412 opposite the heat source 54 to restrict the flow of air to the heat source 54 to extinguish the heat source 54.

When the heat source 54 is extinguished, the mouthpiece 412 can be returned to the mouthpiece end 413 of the holder 404 in such a way that the holder 404 is in the accepted configuration. The plate 424 can be moved in a direction further through the second side 468 to the stop 466 of the ignition of the second side 468 in such a way that the heat source 54 passes from the distant part 448 of the main body part 410. The heat source 54 can be re-ignited in a manner similar to the ignition of the heat source 54 described in detail above. When the heat source 54 is ignited, the holder 404 can be returned to the accepted configuration until the heat source 54 is empty.

When the heat source 54 is emptied, the cartridge 50 can be removed or removed from the holder 404 by moving the slider 424 in a direction further through the second side 468, moving the slider 424 through the transverse side and moving the slider 424 in a direction further through the first side 462 until the slider 424 reaches the loading end 463 of the groove 422. When the slider 424 reaches the loading end 463, the sleeve 430 moves to the loading position shown in FIG. 20, in which the fingers 436 are displaced into the groove 438 in such a way that the socket 434 expands to a size larger than the near part 59 of the cartridge 50 in such a way that the holder 404 is in the loading configuration. In the loading configuration, the holder 404 may be oriented with its distal portion 448 downwards such that gravity pulls the cartridge 50 out of the channel 418. In some embodiments, movement of the slider 424 toward the loading end 463 of the slot 422 may push or launch the cartridge 50 out of the holder 404. When the cartridge 50 is unloaded from the holder 404, another cartridge 50 may be loaded and ignited as described above.

The holder 404 allows loading, lighting, smoking and unloading the cartridge 50 without contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. Additionally, the holder 404 provides the ability to unload or remove the cartridge 50 from the holder 404 without physical contact, such as touching the cartridge 50. The holder 404 also encloses the cartridge 50 in an accepted configuration in such a way as to prevent unintentional contact of the heat source 54 with the user or other objects when the heat source 54 is ignited. In the accepted configuration, the holder 404 encloses the cartridge 50 in such a way that the cartridge 50 is completely retained within the holder 404.

With reference to FIGS. 27-32, another embodiment of a smoking article 500 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. The smoking article 500 includes a holder 504 and a cartridge 50. Similar to the holder 104 described in detail above, the holder 504 is configured to receive and secure the cartridge 50 during lighting and smoking and to release the cartridge 50 and receive another cartridge 50 when the cartridge 50 is empty.

With reference to FIG. 27 and 28, the holder 504 includes a main body portion 510 and an outer cylinder 540 configured to rotate about the main body portion 510. The main body portion 510 includes a mouthpiece 512 having a near or mouthpiece end 513 of the holder 504. The main body portion 510 includes an inner cylinder 520, which forms a distant part of the main body portion 510 and includes an inner cover 523 at its distant end. The inner cylinder 520 can have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer wall 511 of the main body portion 510. The main body portion 510 forms a channel 514, which receives one or more filters 515 in it. The filters 515 are similar to the filters 115 described above. The main body portion 510 also forms a chamber 516 remote from the channel 514. In addition, the main body portion 510 and the outer cylinder 540 form a channel 518 remote from the chamber 516.

The chamber 516 slidably receives the sleeve 530. The sleeve 530 is configured to move between a first or distant loading position (FIG. 28) and a second or near received position (FIG. 30). The sleeve 530 comprises two or more fingers 536 that extend further from the sleeve 530. The fingers 536 form a socket 534 between them and are offset in a radial direction outward. More specifically, the fingers 536 can be self-offset in a radial direction outward. In the loading position, the fingers 536 can extend into the channel 518 and into the groove 538 formed in the inner wall 521 forming part of the channel 518. In the loading position, the socket 534 formed between the fingers 536 can be in an expanded configuration. The sleeve 530 forms a passage 531 for steam, which connects the chamber 516, the channel 518 and the channel 514 to provide the possibility of drawing the aerosol from the cartridge 50 through the mouthpiece 512. The main body 510 part also forms a groove 522, formed in the inner cylinder 520 and communicating with the chamber 516. The groove 522 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 504.

The outer cylinder 540 is mounted so as to be pivoted above the inner cylinder 520 and includes an outer wall 547 which is a continuation of or is located flush with the outer wall 511 of the main body part 510. The outer cylinder 540 is substantially tubular and forms part of the channel 518 inside it. The distant part 548 of the outer cylinder 540 includes an outer cover 543 which surrounds the inner cover 523 when the outer cylinder 540 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 27. In the open position, the inner cover 523 can be located inside the outer cover 543. The inner and outer covers 523, 543 form the receiving end of the holder 504.

The outer cylinder 540 also includes a longitudinal recess 542 and a transverse recess 544 formed in its near part. The longitudinal recess 542 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 504 and is aligned, that is, radially aligned, with the groove 522 in the loading configuration of the holder 504. The transverse recess 544 extends from the near end of the longitudinal recess 542 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal recess 542. The groove 522 and the recesses 542, 544 can also provide mixing of air surrounding the holder 504 with aerosols passing towards the mouthpiece 512 in the passage 532 for steam and/or the chamber 516 in a manner similar to the exhaust passages 228 described in detail above.

The sleeve 530 is connected to the slider 524, which passes through the groove 522 and the recesses 542, 544 and is configured to move the sleeve 530 between the loading position and the received position and to guide the rotation of the outer cylinder 540 between the open position (FIG. 27) and the closed position (FIG. 31), as shown in detail below. The slider 524 includes a head 525, which is located on the outer side of the outer walls 511, 547, and a rod portion 526, which extends from the head 525 through the groove 522 and the recesses 542, 544 into the hole 531 of the rod portion formed in the sleeve 530. The rod portion 526 and the hole 531 of the rod portion can be threaded in such a way that the rod portion 526 is connected to the sleeve 530 by means of a thread.

With reference to FIGS. 27-32, the use of the smoking article 500 is described in detail by loading, lighting, smoking and removing or unloading the cartridge 50. Initially, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the holder 504 is in the loading configuration with the slider 524 located at the far end of the groove 522 and the longitudinal recess 542 such that the sleeve 530 is in the loading position and the outer cylinder 540 is in the open position. In the loading configuration, the fingers 536 of the sleeve 530 extend into the chamber 518 and are located inside the groove 538 such that the seat 534 is in the expanded configuration. In the loading configuration, the cartridge 50 is loaded into the channel 518 by passing the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 through the far portion 548 of the main body portion 510 until the near portion 59 is located in the socket 534 between the fingers 536. In the loading configuration, the socket 534 has a diameter larger than the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 to ensure that the near portion 59 can slide freely into the socket 534. The holder 504 can be held by the far portion 548 oriented upward so that the cartridge 50 is fed under the action of gravity into the socket 534.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, when the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge 50 is received within the socket 534, the slider 524 moves in the direction toward the proximal portion through the groove 522 and the longitudinal recess 542 for sliding the sleeve 530 within the chamber 516 from the loading position to the received position. When the sleeve 530 slides in the direction towards the near part, the fingers 536 slide in the direction towards the near part and interact with the inner wall 521 forming the chamber 516 to push the fingers 536 inward to reduce the diameter of the seat 534 in such a way that the fingers 536 are in a compressed configuration and enter into interaction with the outer casing 53 of the near part 59 of the cartridge 50. The interaction of the fingers 536 with the near part 59 draws the cartridge 50 in the direction towards the near part into the chamber 516. The interaction of the fingers 536 with the outer casing 53 can be a frictional interaction. In some embodiments, the fingers 536 may include teeth (not shown) that engage with the outer casing 53 of the cartridge 50. When the slider 524 reaches the near end of the groove 522 and the longitudinal recess 542, the cartridge 50 is located substantially inside the channel 518, and the heat source 54 remains outside or outside the distant part 548 of the outer cylinder 540 located near the inner and outer covers 523, 543, so that the holder 504 is in the ignition configuration. In the ignition configuration, the near part 59 of the cartridge 50 may be located inside the chamber 516 outside the distant end of the sleeve 530. The holder 504 may be oriented upward during loading and the transition of the holder 504 to the ignition configuration to prevent unintentional separation of the cartridge 50 from the holder 504.

In the ignition configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured inside the holder 504 in such a way that the orientation of the holder 504 can change without unintentionally separating the cartridge 50 from the holder 504. When the holder 504 is in the ignition configuration, the heat source 54 can be ignited. In particular, a lighter or a match (not shown) can be used to expose the heat source 54 to a flame. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the distal portion 548 of the outer cylinder 540 and the covers 523, 543 can be exposed to heat and/or flame. The distal portion 548 and the covers 523, 543 can be made of a heat-resistant or fire-resistant material to prevent the distal portion 548 and the covers 523, 543 from igniting or deforming during the ignition of the heat source 54. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the slider 524 remains at the near end of the groove 522 and the transverse recess 542. In some embodiments, the friction between the fingers 536 and the inner wall 521 of the inner cylinder 520 holds the sleeve 530 in the accepted position during the ignition of the heat source 54. In specific embodiments, the friction between the inner cylinder 520 and the outer cylinder 540 maintains the position of the outer cylinder 540 relative to the inner cylinder 520.

When the heat source 54 and the slider 524 at the near end of the groove 522 and the transverse recess 542 are ignited, the outer cylinder 540 rotates about the inner cylinder 520 into a closed position, with the rod portion 546 of the slider 524 passing through the transverse recess 544 as the holder 504 moves into the received configuration, as shown in FIG. 31 and 32. When the outer cylinder 540 rotates about the inner cylinder 520, the outer cover 543 of the outer cylinder 540 rotates about the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50 from the side of the inner cover 523 of the inner cylinder 520 to enclose the heat source 54 between the inner and outer covers 523, 543. The outer cylinder 540 can rotate 180 degrees about the inner cylinder 520 between the ignition configuration and the accepted configuration. In the accepted configuration, the far end of the holder 504 remains open to provide air flow to the heat source 54, while protecting the heat source 54 from accidental contact with it. In some embodiments, the inner and outer covers 523, 543 form exhaust slots 549 between them, which provide additional air flow to the heat source 54. The air flow to the heat source 54 allows the heat source 54 to remain ignited. In the adopted configuration, the covers 523, 543 are located near the ignited and burning heat source 54. In some embodiments, the distal part 548 is also located near the ignited and burning heat source 54. The friction between the head 525 of the slider 524 and the walls forming the transverse recess 544 can maintain the position of the outer cylinder 540 relative to the inner cylinder 520.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 500 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 512 can be used to draw the aerosol through the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. In particular, the aerosol from the cartridge 50 is drawn through the passage 532 for steam, passing through the sleeve 530 and through the chamber 516 before being drawn through the mouthpiece 512 and exiting the smoking article through the mouthpiece end 513. When the aerosol passes through the passage 532 for steam, air from outside the holder 504 can be drawn into the passage 532 for steam through the groove 522 and mixed with the aerosol when the aerosol is drawn through the passage 532 for steam. Mixing the air from outside the holder 504 can enhance the aroma or taste of the aerosol. In some embodiments, one or more existing elements and/or one or more additional elements may be included such that the quenching position may be achieved by actuating one or more elements. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece may be used to quench the heat source, as similarly described above.

If the heat source 54 is extinguished before it is emptied, the outer cylinder 540 can be rotated around the inner cylinder 520 to return the ignition configuration to allow the user to re-ignite the heat source 54. After the heat source 54 is ignited again, the outer cylinder 540 can be rotated back to the accepted configuration until the heat source 54 is emptied.

When the heat source 54 is emptied, the cartridge 50 can be extracted or removed from the holder 504 by rotating the outer cylinder 540 around the inner cylinder 520 to return the holder 504 to the firing configuration, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, and then advancing the slider 524 in a direction further through the groove 522 and the longitudinal channel 542 to return the holder 504 to the loading configuration. When the slider 524 reaches the far end of the groove 522 and the longitudinal recess 542, the sleeve 530 moves to the loading position shown in FIG. 28, in which the fingers 536 are displaced into the groove 538 in such a way that the seat 534 expands to a size larger than the near part 59 of the cartridge 50 with the transfer of the holder 504 to the loading configuration. In the loading configuration, the holder 504 may be oriented with its distal portion 548 downwards such that gravity pulls the cartridge 50 out of the channel 518. In some embodiments, movement of the slider 524 toward the distal end of the slot 522 and the longitudinal recess 542 may push or launch the cartridge 50 out of the holder 504 to unload the cartridge 50. When unloading the cartridge 50 from the holder 504, another cartridge 50 may be loaded and ignited, as described above.

The holder 504 allows loading, lighting, smoking and unloading the cartridge 50 without contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. Additionally, the holder 504 provides the ability to unload or remove the cartridge 50 from the holder 504 without physical contact, such as touching the cartridge 50. The holder 504 also substantially closes or encloses the cartridge 50 in the accepted configuration so as to prevent unintentional contact of the heat source 54 with the user or other objects when the heat source 54 is ignited. In addition, in the ignition configuration and the accepted configuration, the holder 504 attaches the cartridge 50 to it to prevent unintentional separation of the cartridge 50 from the holder 504.

With reference to FIGS. 33-38, another embodiment of a smoking article 600 according to the present disclosure is disclosed. The smoking article 600 includes a holder 604 and a cartridge 50. Similar to the holder 104 described in detail above, the holder 604 is configured to receive and secure the cartridge 50 during lighting and smoking and to release the cartridge 50 and receive another cartridge 50 when the cartridge 50 is empty.

With reference initially to FIG. 33 and 34, the holder 604 includes a main body portion 610 and a mouthpiece 643 that is detachably connected to the main body portion 610. The main body portion 610 includes a mouthpiece 612, an inner cylinder 620 and a fixed cover 623. The mouthpiece 612 forms a near or mouthpiece end 613 of the holder 604. The inner cylinder 620 is distal with respect to the mouthpiece 612 and extends further from the main body portion 610. The inner cylinder 620 may have a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer wall 611 of the main body portion 610. The fixed cover 623 extends further from the inner cylinder 620 and contains a distal portion 628. The main body portion 610 forms a channel 614 that receives one or more filters 615 in it. Filters 615 are similar to filters 115 described above. The main body part 610 also forms a chamber 616 located further with respect to the channel 614. In addition, the main body part 610 and the movable cover 643 form a channel 618 remote from the chamber 616. Fixed and movable covers 623, 643 form the receiving end of the holder 604.

The chamber 616 slidably receives the sleeve 630. The sleeve 630 is configured to move between a first or distant loading position (FIG. 34), a second or intermediate ignition position (FIG. 36) and a third or near received position (FIG. 38). The sleeve 630 includes two or more fingers 636 that extend further from the sleeve 630. The fingers 636 form a socket 634 between them and are offset in a radial direction outward. More specifically, the fingers 636 can be self-offset in a radial direction outward. In the loading position, the fingers 636 can extend into the channel 618 and into the groove 638 formed in the inner wall 621 of the fixed cover 623 forming part of the channel 618. In the loading position, the socket 634 formed between the fingers 636 can be in an expanded configuration. The sleeve 630 forms a passage 632 for steam, which connects the chamber 616, the channel 618 and the channel 614 to allow the aerosol to be drawn from the cartridge 50 through the mouthpiece 612. The inner cylinder 620 also forms a groove 622, passing through the inner cylinder 620 and communicating with the chamber 616. The groove 622 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder 604. The groove 622 can also provide mixing of air surrounding the holder 604 with aerosols drawn in the direction of the mouthpiece 612 in the passage 632 for steam and/or the chamber 616 in a manner similar to the exhaust channels 228 described in detail above.

The movable cover 643 is slidably positioned above the inner cylinder 620 and is movable between a retracted position (FIG. 34) and an extended or deployed position (FIG. 38). The movable cover 643 has arcuate inner and outer surfaces and surrounds the radial part of the inner cylinder 620. As shown, the fixed cover 623 encloses 180 degrees of the channel 618, and the movable cover 643 encloses the remaining 180 degrees of the channel 618 and the radial part of the fixed cover 623 in such a way that the movable cover 643 and the fixed cover 623 together completely enclose or surround the channel 618. In some embodiments, the fixed cover 623 can cover a range from 45 degrees to 315 degrees inclusive of the channel 618 with the movable cover 643 enclosing the rest of the channel 618. In some embodiments, the movable cover 643 is located inside the fixed cover 623.

The inner cylinder 620 includes a sliding mechanism 660, which is designed to provide sliding of the movable cover 643 between the retracted position and the extended position. The sliding mechanism 660 interacts with the sleeve 630, when the sleeve 630 slides between the intermediate and received positions for sliding the movable cover 643 between the retracted and extended positions.

The holder 604 includes a slider 624 having a head 625 and a rod portion 626. The head 625 is located along the outer surface of the inner cylinder 620, and the rod portion 626 passes through a groove 622 for connection with a sleeve 630 in such a way that the sleeve 630 interacts with the movement of the slider 624. The rod portion 626 and the sleeve 630 can be connected to each other by means of a thread. The slider 624 is configured to move inside the groove 622 for moving the sleeve 630 between the loading, ignition and accepted positions.

With reference to FIGS. 33-38, the use of the smoking article 600 is described in detail by loading, lighting, smoking and removing or unloading the cartridge 50. Initially, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the holder 604 is in the loading configuration with the slider 624 at the far end of the groove 622 such that the sleeve 630 is in the loading position. In the loading configuration, the fingers 636 of the sleeve 630 extend into the chamber 618 and are located inside the groove 638 such that the seat 634 is in an expanded configuration. In the loading configuration, the cartridge 50 is loaded into the channel 618 by passing the proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 through the channel 618 until the proximal part 59 is located in the socket 634 between the fingers 636. In the expanded configuration, the socket 634 has a diameter larger than the proximal part 59 of the cartridge 50 to allow the proximal part 59 to slide freely into the socket 634. The holder 604 can be retained by a stationary cover 623 oriented upward so that the cartridge 50 is fed under the action of gravity into the socket 634.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 35 and 36, with the near portion 59 of the cartridge 50 received inside the seat 634, the slider 624 moves in the direction toward the near portion inside the slot 622 to slide the sleeve 630 into an intermediate position. In some embodiments, the sleeve 630 can interact with the sliding mechanism 660 when the sleeve 630 reaches the intermediate position. The sliding mechanism 660 can provide tactile feedback to the user when the sleeve 630 reaches the intermediate position. Since the slider 624 moves in the direction toward the near part to the intermediate position, the fingers 636 slide in the direction toward the near part into the chamber 616. When the fingers 636 slide in the direction toward the near part, the interaction with the inner wall 621 forming the chamber pushes the fingers 636 inward to reduce the seat 634 in such a way that the fingers 636 are in a compressed configuration and enter into interaction with the outer casing 53 of the near part 59 of the cartridge 50. The interaction of the fingers 636 with the near part 59 ensures the retraction of the cartridge 50 in the direction toward the near part into the chamber 616. The interaction of the fingers 636 with the outer casing 53 can be a frictional interaction. In some embodiments, the fingers 636 may include teeth (not shown) that engage with the outer casing 53 of the cartridge. When the sleeve 630 reaches the intermediate position, the cartridge 50 is located substantially inside the channel 618 with the heat source 54 located near the distant part 628 of the fixed cover 623 in such a way that the holder 604 is in the ignition configuration. In the ignition configuration, the near part 59 of the cartridge 50 may be located inside the chamber 616 outside the distant end of the sleeve 630. The holder 604 may be oriented upward during loading and the transition of the holder 604 to the ignition configuration to prevent unintentional separation of the cartridge 50 from the holder 604.

In the ignition configuration, the cartridge 50 is secured inside the holder 604 in such a way that the orientation of the holder 604 can change without unintentionally separating the cartridge 50 from the holder 604. When the holder 604 is in the ignition configuration, the heat source 54 can be ignited. In particular, a lighter or a match (not shown) can be used to expose the heat source 54 to flame. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the distal portion 628 of the fixed cover 623 can be exposed to heat and/or flame. The distal portion 628 can be made of a heat-resistant or fire-resistant material to prevent the distal portion 628 from igniting or deforming during the ignition of the heat source 54. During the ignition of the heat source 54, the slider 624 can remain in an intermediate position by interacting with the sliding mechanism 660 and/or by frictional interaction between the fingers 636 and the inner wall 621.

When the heat source 54 is ignited, the slider 624 is moved in a direction toward the near part through the slot 622 toward the proximal end of the slot 622 to move the sleeve 630 inside the chamber 616 to the received position, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38. When the sleeve 630 is moved to the received position, the fingers 636 engage with the outer housing 53 of the cartridge 50 to pull the cartridge 50 in a direction toward the near part through the chamber 616 such that the heat source 54 is completely located inside the channel 618. As the sleeve 630 moves from the intermediate position to the received position, the sleeve 60 engages with the sliding mechanism 660 to move the movable cover 643 in a direction further from the retracted position to the extended position. In the extended position, the distal portion 648 of the movable cover 643 is substantially aligned with the distal portion 628 of the fixed cover 623 with the heat source 54 located between them. In the adopted configuration, the distal end of the channel 618 remains open to provide air flow into the heat source 54, while the distal portions 628, 648 extend beyond the heat source 54 to protect the heat source 54 from accidental contact with it. The air flow to the heat source 54 allows the heat source 54 to remain ignited. In some embodiments, the distal portions 628, 648 form outlet slots between them that provide additional air flow into or around the heat source 54. Since the distal portion 648 is located near the heat source 54 during the ignition of the heat source 54, the distal portion 648 is made of a heat-resistant material suitable for resisting deformation or ignition when exposed to the ignited heat source 54. Friction between the fingers 636 and the inner wall 621 forming the chamber 616 can prevent the slider 624 from moving in a further direction to hold the slider 624 at the distal end of the groove 622 in the accepted configuration. In some embodiments, the sliding mechanism 660 can hold the sleeve 630 and, thus, the slider 624 in the accepted configuration. In some embodiments, the sliding mechanism 660 may bias the movable cover 643 toward the retracted position when the sleeve 630 is between the loading position and the accepted position, and hold the movable cover 643 in the extended position when the sleeve 330 reaches the accepted configuration.

In the adopted configuration, the smoking article 600 can be used in a manner similar to a traditional cigarette. For example, the mouthpiece 612 can be used to draw the aerosol through the portion 52 in the form of a substrate. In particular, the aerosol from the cartridge 50 is drawn through the passage 632 for steam, defined through the sleeve 630, before being drawn through the mouthpiece 612 and exiting the smoking article through the mouthpiece end 613. When the aerosol passes through the passage 632 for steam, air from outside the holder 604 can be drawn into the passage 632 for steam through the groove 622 and mixed with the aerosol when the aerosol is drawn through the passage 632 for steam. Mixing the air from outside the holder 604 can enhance the aroma or taste of the aerosol. In some embodiments, one or more existing elements and/or one or more additional elements may be included such that the quenching position may be achieved by actuating one or more additional elements. For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece may be used to quench the heat source, as similarly described above.

If the heat source 54 is extinguished before it is emptied, the slider 624 can be advanced in the direction of the near part through the slot 622 to the intermediate position to shift the sleeve 630 to the ignition position. When the sleeve 630 returns to the ignition position, the sliding mechanism 660 retracts the movable cover 643 to expose the heat source 54 and return the holder 604 to the ignition configuration to allow the user to re-ignite the heat source 54. After re-igniting the heat source 54, the slider 624 can be returned to the proximal end of the slot 622 to return the holder 604 to the accepted configuration until the heat source 54 is emptied.

When the heat source 54 is emptied, the cartridge 50 can be removed or removed from the holder 604 by advancing the slider 624 toward the distal end of the slot 622 to return the holder 604 to the loading configuration shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. When the slider 624 reaches the distal end of the slot 622, the sleeve 630 moves to the loading position shown in FIG. 33, in which the fingers 636 are displaced into the groove 638 to expand the seat 634 to a size larger than the proximal portion 59 of the cartridge. In the loading configuration, the holder 604 may be oriented with its distal portion 628 downwards such that gravity pulls the cartridge 50 out of the channel 618. In some embodiments, movement of the slider 624 toward the distal end of the slot 622 may push or launch the cartridge 50 out of the holder 604 to unload the cartridge 50. When the cartridge 50 is unloaded from the holder 604, another cartridge 50 may be loaded and ignited as described above.

The holder 604 allows loading, lighting, smoking and unloading the cartridge 50 without contact with the heat source 54 of the cartridge 50. Additionally, the holder 604 provides the ability to unload or remove the cartridge 50 from the holder 604 without physical contact, such as touching the cartridge 50. The holder 604 also substantially closes or encloses the cartridge 50 in the accepted configuration so as to prevent unintentional contact of the heat source 54 with the user or other objects when the heat source 54 is ignited. In addition, in the ignition configuration and the accepted configuration, the holder 604 attaches the cartridge 50 to it to prevent unintentional separation of the cartridge 50 from the holder 604.

As described in detail above, portions of the holders 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604 may be made of a fire-resistant or heat-resistant material. Suitable fire-resistant or heat-resistant materials may include, but are not limited to, a metallic material such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, silver, gold and bronze; a graphite material; a ceramic material; or any combinations thereof. Although not shown in the illustrated embodiments, in some embodiments, the holder may comprise one or more openings that may correspond to one or more openings in the outer casing of the cartridge. Additionally or alternatively, other embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more air inlet openings that pass through the holder downstream of the receiving compartment. In this way, the drawn air can mix with the formed aerosol before being supplied to the user.

Such embodiments may include an ignition mechanism that may be activated by the user or may be automatic. In one example, the ignition mechanism may comprise an integrated flint lighter that may be independently activated by the user or may be automatically activated upon advancement of the holder, such as holders 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, 604, toward the ignition configuration. Other embodiments may include a fuel source, such as a fuel container, which, together with the igniter, may create a flame that ignites the heat source 54. In various embodiments, the activation of the ignition mechanism may occur via the mouthpiece of the holder or another component and/or may be combined with the holder.

In some embodiments, the smoking article, such as the smoking article 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, may further comprise an indicator configured to indicate the status of the cartridge 50. For example, in some embodiments, the indicator may provide a "fuel meter" that approximately indicates how much substrate material in the cartridge may be available for aerosolization and/or how much substrate material has already been aerosolized. Another example of such an indicator may include a thermochromatic visual indication of the substrate portion during its consumption cycle. Other examples may include a timer, a clock, or a progressive visual indicator that provides a visual representation of the state of the substrate material. For example, some embodiments may provide a visual representation in the form of digital indicators, one or more components that change color, one or more lights (e.g., green, yellow, and red), or other progressive indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator may indicate to the user that the substrate portion is hot enough for the user to start smoking.

According to various embodiments, the present invention may be directed to kits that provide various components as described herein. For example, a kit may comprise a holder with one or more cartridges. In another embodiment, the kit may comprise a plurality of holders. In further embodiments, the kit may comprise a plurality of cartridges. In yet another embodiment, the kit may comprise a plurality of holders and a plurality of cartridges. Kits according to the invention may also include a case (or other packaging, carrying or storage component) that houses one or more additional components of the kit. The case may be a reusable hard or soft container. In addition, the case may simply be a box or other packaging structure. In some embodiments, a brush or other cleaning tool may be included in the kit. The cleaning tool may be configured to be inserted into a receiving chamber of the holder or, in other embodiments, inserted into a separate opening that allows the user to remove debris from the receiving chamber.

Although the smoking article according to the present invention may include various embodiments, as more fully described herein, the use of the smoking article by the consumer will be the same in scope. The above description of the use of the smoking article applies to the various embodiments described with minor modifications that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The given description of use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the article according to the present invention, but is provided to meet all necessary requirements of the disclosure provided herein.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, using the disclosures provided in the above description and the accompanying drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention should not be 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 in this application, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (24)

1. A holder for use with a removable and replaceable cartridge comprising a heat source, a portion in the form of a substrate and an outer casing configured to surround at least a portion of the heat source and a portion in the form of a substrate, wherein The holder contains: the receiving end and the mouthpiece end opposite the receiving end, wherein the holder forms a socket configured to receive a proximal portion of the cartridge and has an ignition configuration in which the holder is configured to secure the proximal portion of the cartridge within the socket with a heat source of the cartridge opposite the proximal portion located behind the receiving end of the holder, wherein the holder also has an adopted configuration in which the holder is configured to secure the near portion of the cartridge in a socket with a heat source located closer to the receiving end of the holder, wherein the receiving end comprises a continuous peripheral wall, the holder further comprises a mouthpiece forming part of the channel, a main body part forming a chamber, and a sleeve arranged with the possibility of sliding inside the chamber and including fingers extending to the receiving end, wherein the fingers form a socket between them and have an expanded configuration in which the socket is designed with the possibility of accommodating the near part of the cartridge, and a compressed configuration in which the fingers are designed with the possibility of interaction with the near part of the cartridge for fastening the cartridge to the holder, wherein the main body part includes an internal cylinder forming its distant part. 2. The holder according to item 1, additionally containing a filter located inside the channel. 3. The holder according to claim 1, additionally comprising an outer cylinder located with the possibility of rotation above the inner cylinder. 4. The holder according to claim 3, in which the main body part forms a groove passing through the inner cylinder communicating with the chamber, and the groove passes in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder, wherein the outer cylinder forms a longitudinal recess passing through it and in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holder, and the outer cylinder also forms a transverse recess passing through it from the near end of the longitudinal recess in a direction around the outer cylinder perpendicular to the longitudinal recess. 5. The holder according to claim 4, further comprising a slider attached to the sleeve, wherein the slider passes through the groove and the longitudinal or transverse recess. 6. The holder according to claim 5, wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the longitudinal recess and the groove are radially aligned within each other, and in the adopted configuration of the holder the longitudinal recess and the groove are radially offset from each other. 7. The holder according to claim 5, wherein in the loading configuration of the holder the slider is located at the distal end of the groove and the distal end of the longitudinal recess with the sleeve in the distal position such that the fingers are in an expanded configuration; wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the slider is located at the near end of the groove and the near end of the longitudinal recess with the sleeve in the near position in such a way that the fingers are in a compressed configuration; wherein in the adopted configuration of the holder the slider is located at the near end of the groove and inside the transverse recess located at a distance in the radial direction from the longitudinal recess with the sleeve in the near position so that the fingers are in a compressed configuration. 8. The holder of claim 5, wherein the inner cylinder includes an inner cover at its distal end, and the outer cylinder includes an outer cover at its distal end, wherein the inner cover surrounds a portion of the channel configured to receive the cartridge, and the outer cover surrounds a portion of the channel, wherein one or more of the inner cover and the outer cover comprises a receiving end. 9. The holder according to claim 8, wherein in the ignition configuration of the holder the inner cover is located inside the outer cover such that the radial part of the channel is surrounded by the inner and outer covers, and the radial part of the channel opposite the inner and outer covers is open; wherein in the adopted configuration of the holder the inner and outer covers are opposite each other in order to radially surround the channel. 10. The holder according to claim 4, wherein in the ignition configuration and the adopted configuration the outer wall of the outer cylinder is located flush with the outer wall of the main body part.