RU2849591C1 - Smoking article temperature control sleeve - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to tobacco industry, in particular, to devices simulating tobacco smoking process. Sleeve for controlling the temperature of a smoking article comprises an outer shell, an inner chamber at least partially formed inside the outer shell and configured to receive at least a portion of the smoking article. Hole is made through the outer shell so that aerosol can escape through it. Power source is arranged inside outer shell. At least one control component is arranged inside the outer shell. One or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors are arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber. One or more ventilation components are arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber. At least one control component is configured to receive one or more input signals generated by one or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors. One or more input signals are related to the temperature inside the inner chamber and to the air flow rate in the inner chamber. At least one control component is configured to supply an output signal to one or more ventilation components for automatic control of at least part of the smoking article.

EFFECT: preventing overheating of smoking articles and irregularity of heating in different positions along the length of the smoking article, and, as a result, reducing the probability of negative organoleptic signs.

20 cl, 4 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to smoking articles and smoking article accessories, sometimes referred to as tobacco heating products, capable of heating tobacco materials without burning the tobacco materials contained within the tobacco heating products.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Over the years, numerous smoking articles have been proposed as improvements to smoking products or alternatives to smoking products based on tobacco combustion. Some examples of alternatives include devices that burn solid or liquid fuel to transfer heat to the tobacco or that use a chemical reaction to provide such a heat source. Examples include the smoking articles described in U.S. Patent No. 9,078,473 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Such devices, commonly referred to as smoking articles or tobacco heating products, enable the heating of tobacco materials without significant combustion or burning of the tobacco material.

The essence of these improvements to smoking articles or alternatives to smoking articles is generally to provide the sensations associated with smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe without the formation of 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 significantly burning 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 Nos. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al. and 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Also see, 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 Application 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 are referenced by trademark and trade information in U.S. Patent Application 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. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; US patents No. 4922901, No. 4947874 and No. 4947875 by Brooks et al.; US Patent No. 5,060,671 by Counts et al.; US patent No. 5249586 by Morgan et al.; US patent No. 5388594 by Counts et al.; US patent No. 5666977 by Higgins et al.; US patent No. 6053176 by Adams et al.; US patent No. 6164287 by White; US Patent No. 6196218 by Voges; US patent No. 6810883 by Felter et al.; U.S. Patent No. 6,854,461 to Nichols; U.S. Patent No. 7,832,410 to Hon; U.S. Patent No. 7,513,253 to Kobayashi; U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al.; U.S. Patent No. 7,896,006 to Hamano; U.S. Patent No. 6,772,756 to Shayan; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0095311 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006/0196518, 2009/0126745, and 2009/0188490 to Hon; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0272379 to Thorens et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009/0260641 and 2009/0260642 to Monsees et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0149118 and 2010/0024834 to Oglesby et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0307518 to Wang; and WO 2010/091593 to Hon, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In addition, some types of cigarettes, such as those marketed under the trademarks "Premier" and "Eclipse" by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, include combustible fuel sources (e.g., carbon-containing fuel cells) that generate heat to produce a smoke-like aerosol. See, for example, the types of smoking articles set forth in U.S. Patent No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,183,062 to Clearman et al.; and U.S. Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0023056 to Cantrell et al.; 2007/0215167 by Crooks et al. and 2007/0215168 by Banerjee et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Products that create a smoking flavor and sensation by heating tobacco, tobacco-derived materials, or other plant-derived materials without significant combustion or combustion have unsustainable and harmful performance characteristics. In some cases, some smoking products, particularly those using traditional paper wrappers, are also susceptible to scorching of the paper wrapper placed over a flammable fuel source due to the high temperatures reached by the fuel source near the paper wrapper. In general, overheating smoking products can also cause unwanted scorching or burning of the internal tobacco materials. This may reduce the enjoyment of the smoking session for some consumers and may mask or undesirably alter the flavors delivered to the consumer by the aerosol delivery components of the smoking products. In other cases, traditional types of smoking products may produce relatively significant levels of gases, such as carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide, during use (e.g., as carbon combustion products). In still other cases, traditional types of smoking products may have poor performance in terms of aerosolization of the aerosol-forming component(s).

Accordingly, it may be preferable to provide smoking articles and accessories for smoking articles that can provide the sensation of smoking cigarettes, cigars or smoking pipes without overheating the tobacco material and with advantageous performance characteristics.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tubes for smoking articles and, in particular, to temperature-regulating tubes that can be designed to provide temperature control of a smoking article placed therein. In one aspect of the present invention, for example, a temperature control sleeve for a smoking article may comprise an outer casing, an inner chamber at least partially formed within the outer casing and configured to receive at least a portion of the smoking article, an opening through the outer casing configured to allow an aerosol to exit therethrough, an energy source located within the outer casing, at least one control component located within the outer casing, one or more sensors arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber, and one or more ventilation components arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber, wherein at least one control component is configured to receive one or more input signals generated by the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more input signals are associated with a temperature in the inner chamber and/or an air flow rate in the inner chamber, and wherein at least one control component is configured to provide an output signal to one or more ventilation components for implementing automatic regulation of at least a temperature of at least a portion of the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the outer shell may comprise a thermally insulating material. In some embodiments, said thermally insulating material may be a ceramic or plastic material. In some embodiments, at least one control component, one or more sensors, and one or more ventilation components are in electrical communication. In some embodiments, each of the one or more ventilation components comprises an air channel passing through the outer shell and a damper, wherein the damper is configured to change its configuration between an open position, providing air flow into the inner chamber, and a closed position, restricting air flow into the inner chamber. In some embodiments, the position of the damper is configured to be selectively controlled by at least one control component. In some embodiments, the damper may include a heat-sensitive material. In some embodiments, the heat-sensitive material is configured to spontaneously change between a closed position and an open position at approximately a selected threshold temperature.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors may include one or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors. In some embodiments, one or more temperature sensors include one or more contact thermal sensors configured to detect heat in at least a portion of the smoking article upon entry into the internal chamber. In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may further comprise one or more heaters in electrical communication with at least one control component. In some embodiments, one or more heaters may be configured to be selectively activated by at least one control component. In some embodiments, one or more heaters are configured to establish mutual thermal communication with one or more regions of at least a portion of the smoking article upon entry into the internal chamber. In some embodiments, one or more heaters include one or more thermistors.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may also comprise one or more porous structures located within the outer shell and positioned relative to an opening in the outer shell such that the aerosol exiting through the opening passes through and/or around the one or more porous structures. In some embodiments, the one or more porous structures may be configured to contain a non-tobacco flavored liquid, a tobacco extract or distillate, a flavor additive, an aerosol precursor composition, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the power source may comprise a battery and/or a capacitor.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may further comprise an input signal element located on the outer surface of the outer casing. In some embodiments, the input signal element is configured to control the supply of electrical energy from the power source to one or more components of the temperature control sleeve and/or to control the activation and deactivation of the temperature control sleeve. In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may also comprise a feedback element located on the outer surface of the outer casing. In some embodiments, the feedback element may be configured to provide one or more feedbacks related to the number of puffs performed and/or remaining until completion, the total puff time and/or the remaining total puff time, a heat map showing the temperature gradient at various positions along the smoking article, and overheating and underheating alerts at various positions along the smoking article.

The present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments:

Embodiment 1: A temperature control sleeve for a smoking article, wherein the temperature control sleeve comprises: an outer casing; an inner chamber at least partially formed within the outer casing and configured to receive at least a portion of the smoking article; an opening through the outer casing configured to allow an aerosol to exit therethrough; an energy source located within the outer casing, at least one control component located within the outer casing; one or more sensors arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber; and one or more ventilation components arranged so that they communicate with the inner chamber; wherein at least one control component is configured to receive one or more input signals generated by the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more input signals are related to a temperature in the inner chamber and/or an air flow rate in the inner chamber; and wherein the at least one control component is configured to provide an output signal to one or more ventilation components for implementing automatic regulation of at least a temperature of at least a portion of the smoking article.

Embodiment 2: The temperature regulating sleeve according to Embodiment 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a heat-insulating material.

Embodiment 3: The temperature regulating sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-2, wherein the heat-insulating material is a ceramic or plastic material.

Embodiment 4: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein at least one control component, one or more sensors and one or more ventilation components are in electrical communication.

Embodiment 5: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein each of the one or more ventilation components comprises an air passage passing through the outer shell and a damper, wherein the damper is configured to change its configuration between an open position providing air flow into the inner chamber and a closed position restricting air flow into the inner chamber.

Embodiment 6: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the position of the damper is configured to be selectively controlled by at least one control component.

Embodiment 7: The temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the shutter includes a heat-sensitive material.

Embodiment 8: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-5 and 7, wherein the heat-sensitive material is configured to spontaneously change between a closed position and an open position at approximately a selected threshold temperature.

Embodiment 9: The temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the one or more sensors include one or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors.

Embodiment 10: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the one or more temperature sensors include one or more contact thermal sensors configured to detect heat in at least a portion of the smoking article upon entry into the inner chamber.

Embodiment 11: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-10, further comprising one or more heaters in electrical communication with at least one control component.

Embodiment 12: The temperature control sleeve of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein one or more heaters are configured to be selectively actuated by at least one control component.

Embodiment 13: A temperature regulating sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein one or more heaters are configured to establish mutual thermal communication with one or more regions of at least a portion of the smoking article as it enters the inner chamber.

Embodiment 14: The temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-13, wherein the one or more heaters include one or more thermistors.

Embodiment 15: The temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-14, further comprising one or more porous structures located within the outer shell and positioned relative to the opening in the outer shell such that the aerosol exiting through the opening passes through and/or around the one or more porous structures.

Embodiment 16: A temperature control cartridge according to any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein one or more porous structures are configured to contain a non-tobacco flavored liquid, a tobacco extract or distillate, a flavor additive, an aerosol precursor composition, and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 17: The temperature control sleeve of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein the power source comprises a battery and/or a capacitor.

Embodiment 18: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-17, further comprising an input signal element located on the outer surface of the outer shell.

Embodiment 19: The temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-18, in which the input signal element is configured to control the supply of electrical energy from the energy source to one or more components of the temperature control sleeve and/or control the activation and deactivation of the temperature control sleeve.

Embodiment 20: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-19, also comprising a feedback element located on the outer surface of the outer shell.

Embodiment 21: A temperature control sleeve according to any one of embodiments 1-20, in which the feedback element is configured to provide feedback relating to the number of puffs taken or remaining until the end, the total puff time or the puff time remaining until the end, a heat map showing the temperature gradient at various positions along the smoking article, and overheating and underheating alerts at various positions along the smoking article.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description together 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 this description, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. This description is intended to be read taking into account all elements, such that any individual features or elements of the described invention in any of its various aspects or embodiments should be considered mutually combinable, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Thus, having described the aspects of the present invention in the general terms set forth above, reference is made below to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a temperature control sleeve for use with a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates an isolated view of a temperature control component comprising one or more temperature sensors, one or more flow sensors, one or more heaters, and one or more ventilation components in electrical communication with at least one control component and a power source, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary ventilation component comprising both an air passage through the outer shell and a damper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a temperature control sleeve for use with a smoking article according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to illustrative embodiments. The illustrative embodiments provided are described so that the present description will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be considered limited to the embodiments described herein; rather, these embodiments are presented so that the present invention satisfies the requirements of the law. In this description and in the appended claims, a grammatical construction indicating that an element is given in the singular also includes the plural, unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, although references to quantities, values, geometric relationships, and the like may be made in this description, any one or more, if not all, of the above may be exact or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those variations due to manufacturing tolerances, and the like, unless otherwise indicated.

As described herein and below, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to temperature-regulating tubes for use with smoking articles. As used herein, the term "smoking article" refers to an article and/or device that provides many of the sensations (e.g., the inhalation and exhalation actions, the character of the sensation of tastes or aromas, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, actions associated with use, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, etc.) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, without substantially burning any component of the article and/or device. As used herein, the term "smoking article" does not necessarily mean that the article and/or device produces smoke in 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 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 and/or device. In some embodiments, the smoking articles used herein may be in the form of a tobacco heating product (THP), such as what is commonly referred to as heat-not-burn (HNB) devices, carbon tobacco heated products (cTHP), and electric tobacco heated products (eTHP). Non-limiting examples of such devices in which any part or all of the present invention may be incorporated are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,183,062 to Clearman et al.; U.S. Patent No. 5,551,451 to Riggs et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0023056 to Cantrell et al.; 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al.; and 2007/0215168 to Banerjee et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Although the temperature control tubes of the present invention are generally described herein below with respect to embodiments including, in particular, carbon-tipped THP products, it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be implemented in many different forms and may be associated with a variety of smoking articles, as discussed above herein. Accordingly, it should be noted that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and methods for providing temperature control tubes for smoking articles disclosed herein is presented with respect to embodiments related to carbon-tipped tobacco heating products solely by way of example and may be implemented and used with various other smoking articles.

According to certain aspects of the disclosure of the present invention, an advantage may be provided by providing a smoking article that is easy to use and that includes reusable components. In some embodiments, such smoking articles may include one or more removable cartridges (e.g., comprising at least a combustible carbonaceous material and a substrate material such as, for example, tobacco) and a holder. Some examples of holders and removable cartridge configurations that may be used in conjunction with the temperature control tubes of the present invention (e.g., used as a smoking article as described herein) are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/035,103, filed July 13, 2018, entitled "Smoking Article With a Removable Cartridge"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/515,637, filed July 18, 2019, entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device With a Consumable Cartridge"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/516,573, filed July 19, 2019, and entitled "Holder for an Aerosol Delivery Device with a Removable Cartridge"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/516,601, filed July 19, 2019, and entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device with a Sliding Sleeve"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/516,621, filed July 19, 2019, and entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device with a Folding Cartridge Holder"; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/516,821, filed July 19, 2019, and entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device with a Rotatable Cartridge Housing"; and U.S. Patent Application No. 16/516,932, filed July 19, 2019, entitled "Aerosol Delivery Device with a Removable Heat Source and a Substrate," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the holder and/or removable cartridge (and/or any of their subcomponents) may have a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to, a substantially rectangular shape, such as a substantially rectangular cuboid shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, a small box shape, various pod mod shapes, a keychain shape, and/or various other portable shapes.

In some embodiments, these smoking articles may be characterized as vapor-generating articles or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices may be configured to deliver one or more substances (e.g., flavorings, nicotine, and/or active ingredients) in a form or state suitable for inhalation. For example, the inhalable substances may be substantially in the form of a vapor (e.g., a substance that is in the gaseous phase below its critical temperature). Alternatively, the inhalable substances may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein refers to vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form or type suitable for inhalation by a person, regardless of whether they are visible and whether they have a form that can be considered similar to smoke.

As noted above, the temperature control tubes according to the present disclosure may be adapted for use with tobacco heating products in some embodiments, such as products that utilize a flammable heat source to heat a material to form an inhalable substance (e.g., such as products that heat tobacco with a carbon tip). In such smoking articles, the material is typically heated without significantly burning the material. In other words, the use of the components of various smoking articles does not result in the formation of smoke in the sense that the aerosol is primarily generated from byproducts of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco; rather, the use of these preferred systems results in the formation of vapors generated by heating the tobacco contained therein without combustion or combustion. In some exemplary embodiments, suitable smoking articles for use with the various embodiments described hereinafter may be characterized as heated tobacco without combustion cigarettes, wherein said heated tobacco without combustion cigarettes most preferably include tobacco and/or tobacco-derived components and thus provide for the delivery of tobacco-derived components in the form of an aerosol. The smoking articles themselves may provide 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, etc.) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or smoking pipe that are caused by the ignition and combustion of tobacco (and then inhalation of tobacco smoke) without any significant combustion of any of their components. For example, a user of a smoking article according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention (e.g., when used in combination with temperature control sleeves according to the present invention) may hold and use the device in a manner similar to a smoker using a traditional type of smoking article, by puffing through one end of the said means to inhale the aerosol generated by the means, by puffing or taking puffs at certain intervals, etc.

Advantageously, the temperature control tubes of the present invention can be adapted or configured to substantially prevent overheating of smoking articles (e.g., which causes unwanted burning/burning of the inner tobacco materials and charring of the wrapping paper of cigarette rods) and/or substantially prevent uneven heating at different positions along the length of the smoking article (e.g., which can lead to overheating of parts of the smoking article and insufficient heating of parts of the smoking article). By substantially preventing overheating of smoking articles, the tubes described herein can be useful for reducing or preventing the formation of negative organoleptic characteristics and/or the release of one or more compounds from the tobacco materials contained therein, in particular compounds that can result from incomplete combustion (or pyrolysis) and/or degradation of tobacco cigarettes under the influence of heat (i.e., thermogenic degradation). In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeves of the present invention may be configured to provide temperature control of various smoking articles and, in particular, to prevent overheating or charring of such smoking articles and components provided therein.

In one aspect of the present invention, the temperature control sleeve 100 may comprise an outer casing 102 , such as in the embodiments shown in Fig. 1. In some embodiments, a portion of the outer casing or the entire outer casing 102 may comprise a lightweight and/or heat-resistant material, such as, for example, a thermally insulating material. In some embodiments, for example, the outer casing may provide insulating properties that retain heat within the temperature control sleeve without making the outer surface hot to the touch. In some embodiments, the outer casing may be characterized as thin-walled. In some embodiments, the outer casing may include more than one component, such as the outer casing 102 may comprise an outer housing 102a and an inner lining 102b , such as shown in Fig. 1. According to such embodiments, the outer casing and/or the inner lining may comprise a thermally insulating material. For example, in some embodiments, the inner lining may comprise a thermally insulating material, while the outer shell may comprise a non-insulating material, which is more cost-effective. In some embodiments, the inner lining may be present only in a section of the inner chamber that houses, for example, a smoking article. The types of thermally insulating materials used in the outer shell or in the outer casing and/or its inner lining may vary. In general, suitable materials may include, for example, ceramics, polymeric materials, plastic-based materials, carbon-containing materials, and the like. In some embodiments, the outer shell or casing may comprise a non-conductive insulating material and/or a structure including, but not limited to, an insulating polymer (e.g., plastic or cellulose), glass, rubber, ceramics, porcelain, a double-walled vacuum structure, or any combination thereof. In some other embodiments, the outer shell or casing may comprise a carbon-containing material, such as, for example, wood or wood-based composites.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may include an energy source 104 located within the outer casing 102. For example, the energy source may be in the form of a battery or other electrical energy source capable of supplying an electric current sufficient to provide various functions of the temperature control sleeve; for example, such as powering a heating source, powering one or more sensors, powering control systems, powering indicators, and the like. These and other functionalities will be discussed further herein. In some embodiments, the energy source may be configured to supply sufficient energy to quickly activate these one or more components within the temperature control sleeve and power the temperature control sleeve during use for a required period of time. In some embodiments, the energy source is sized to fit comfortably within the temperature control sleeve so that the temperature control sleeve can be easy to handle, for example, so that the temperature control sleeve is not much larger than the smoking article itself. Examples of suitable energy sources include lithium-ion batteries, which may be rechargeable, such as a rechargeable lithium-manganese dioxide battery. Lithium-polymer batteries, in particular, may be used, as such batteries may provide increased safety. Other types of batteries, such as N50-AAA CADNICA nickel-cadmium cells, may also be used. Furthermore, the energy source may be lightweight enough not to interfere with the desired smoking experience. Some examples of suitable energy sources are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0112191 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the energy source may be a reusable and/or rechargeable energy source, such as a solid-state battery, a thin-film solid-state battery, a rechargeable supercapacitor, or the like, and may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a wall charger, connection to a car charger, connection to a computer, a solar array, a wireless charger, or other suitable charging connection. For example, in some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may include any number of different terminals, electrical connectors, and the like for connection to a suitable charger and, in some examples, for connection to other external devices for communication. More specific suitable examples include direct current (DC) connectors such as barrel connectors, cigarette lighter connectors, and USB connectors, including connectors specified by USB 1.x (e.g., Type A, Type B), USB 2.0 and its updates and additions (e.g., Mini A, Mini B, Mini AB, Micro A, Micro B, Micro AB), and USB 3.x (e.g., Type A, Type B, Micro B, Micro AB, Type C), specially designed connectors such as the Apple Lightning connector, and the like. The temperature control sleeve may be directly connected to a charger or other external device, or both may be connected via a suitable cable that also has suitable connectors. In examples in which both are connected by a cable, the sleeve and the charger or other external device may have the same or different connector types, with the cable having a connector of one type or both connector types.

In examples including inductive charging, the temperature control sleeve may be equipped with wireless charging technology. For example, the temperature control sleeve may be configured to support inductive wireless charging technology and include an inductive receiver for connecting to a wireless charger, charging pad, or similar device that includes an inductive transmitter and uses inductive wireless charging (including, for example, wireless charging in accordance with the Qi wireless charging standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC). Or the power source may be charged from the wireless charger via radio frequency (RF) waves. An example of an inductive wireless charging system is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2017/0112196 to Sr et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

One or more connections may be used to connect a power source to the charging technology, and some of these may include a charging case, cradle, docking station, cover, etc. More specifically, for example, the outer shell of the temperature-regulating sleeve may be configured to interact with a cradle that includes a USB connector for connection to a power source. Or, in another example, the outer shell may be configured to be positioned within and interact with a sleeve, wherein the sleeve includes a USB connector for connection to a power source. In these and similar examples, the USB connector may connect directly to the power source, or the USB connector may connect to the power source via a suitable power adapter.

In some embodiments, the power source may include both a battery and a capacitor. Capacitors may be capable of discharging faster than a battery and can be charged between puffs, allowing the battery to discharge into the capacitor at a slower rate than if it were used to directly power the temperature regulation cartridge. For example, a supercapacitor—such as an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC)—can be used separately from the battery or in combination with it. When used separately, the supercapacitor can be charged before using the temperature regulation cartridge. Thus, in some embodiments, the temperature regulation cartridge may also include a charging component that can be attached to the temperature regulation cartridge between uses to replenish the capacitor.

In some embodiments, the outer shell 102 of the temperature control sleeve may define an inner chamber 106 configured to receive at least a portion of the smoking article 108 and a first opening 110 configured to release an aerosol therethrough (e.g., an aerosol generated by the smoking article during use). In some embodiments, the outer shell may comprise a second opening 112 configured to receive the smoking article at least partially within the inner chamber 106 , wherein the smoking article has a mouthpiece end 114 and a lighting end 116 (e.g., a combustible carbon tip when the smoking article is a carbon-heated tobacco product or any other type of heat source). As noted above, the inner chamber 106 can receive at least a part of the smoking article, for example, the inner chamber can be configured to hold at least a first part 118 of the smoking article therein (for example, the first part of the smoking article includes at least a substrate material, such as, for example, a tobacco material). For example, the smoking article 108 can be inserted into the second opening 112 such that the mouth end 114 of the smoking article is operatively aligned with the first opening 110 in the outer casing. Such operative alignment can be performed such that the vapor/aerosol passing through the mouth end 114 of the smoking article 108 and/or exiting from it can pass to the first opening 110 and through it. In some embodiments, the mouth end 114 of the smoking article can be specially positioned near the first opening 110 of the outer casing. Preferably, when the smoking article 108 is fully inserted into the inner chamber 106 , the second part 120 of the smoking article, including its lighting end 116 , protrudes outward from the second opening 112 in the outer casing. In some embodiments, the inner chamber may comprise one or more projections (for example, as shown at 121 in Fig. 1) arranged along the inner wall 123 of the outer casing and configured to at least temporarily hold the smoking article in place after insertion into the outer casing. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, a plurality of projections may extend longitudinally along the inner wall 123 of the inner chamber so as to ensure a secure fit when receiving the smoking article, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. In some embodiments, the inner chamber may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more depth guides (e.g. as shown at 122 in Fig. 1) positioned on the inner wall 123 of the outer casing to prevent the smoking article from being inserted further than a certain distance into the inner chamber.

It should be noted that the arrangement of components within the temperature control sleeve according to the disclosure may vary in different embodiments. In different embodiments of the temperature control sleeve, the components within the temperature control sleeve and the smoking articles used therewith may have different general shapes, including, but not limited to, a general shape that may be defined as a substantially rod-shaped shape or a substantially tubular shape. In some embodiments, for example, the outer shell and the inner chamber may have a substantially cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the temperature control sleeve (and/or any subcomponents) may have other portable shapes. For example, in some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may have the shape of a small box, a substantially rectangular cuboid shape, various pod-mod shapes, or a keychain shape. The temperature control sleeve and the smoking articles used therewith may have different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., circle, oval, square, triangle, etc.), all of which are encompassed by the present invention. Thus, any language that describes the physical form of a product may also be applied to its individual components in various embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeves 100 according to the present invention may comprise at least one control component 124 located inside the outer shell 102 and a temperature control component 126 located so that they communicate with the inner chamber 106 (for example, as shown in Fig. 1). As will be described later in this document, the temperature control component may include various separate components in various embodiments, including, without limitation: one or more sensors (for example, temperature and/or flow sensors), one or more ventilation components and/or one or more heaters. In general, the temperature control component includes at least one sensor and at least one ventilation component, as will be described later in this document. At least one control component 124 may be in electrical communication with the power source 104 and one or more additional components inside the temperature control sleeve, as will be described later in this document. In some embodiments of the present invention, the temperature control sleeve may comprise a plurality of control components that individually or in combination control the functionality of specific components within the temperature control sleeve. As will be discussed further herein, for example, at least one control component may be configured to receive input data from one or more components within the temperature control sleeve (e.g., such as input signals from one or more sensors regarding the temperature and/or flow within the sleeve), process the received data, and send an output signal (e.g., in the form of electronic feedback) to one or more components of the temperature control component (e.g., one or more ventilation components and/or one or more heaters) to ultimately perform automatic temperature control of at least a portion of the smoking article.

A suitable control component may include a plurality of electronic components and, in some examples, may be formed by a printed circuit board (PCB). In some examples, the electronic components include a processing circuit configured to perform data processing, execute applications, or other processing, monitoring, or control services according to one or more example embodiments. The processing circuit may include a processor implemented in various forms, such as at least one processor core, a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, or various other computing or processing devices including one or more integrated circuits, such as, for example, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), some combinations thereof, and the like. In some examples, the processing circuit may include a memory coupled to or integrated into the processor, which may store data, instructions for a computer program executed by the processor, some combinations thereof, or the like.

In some embodiments, the control component may include one or more external input/output devices that may be coupled to or integrated into the processing circuit. More specifically, the control component may include a communication interface for providing a wireless connection to one or more networks, computing devices, or other devices with corresponding capabilities. Examples of suitable communication interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0261020 to Marion et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another example of a suitable communication interface is the wireless unit of the single-chip CC3200 microcontroller from Texas Instruments. Additional examples of suitable methods by which a temperature control sleeve can be configured to communicate wirelessly are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0007651 to Ampolini et al. and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0219933 to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional configurations and control components (such as one or more input or feedback elements) are discussed in more detail herein below and can be included in embodiments of temperature control sleeves as described herein.

As noted above, in some embodiments, the temperature-regulating component 126 may include various components, such as, for example, one or more sensors and one or more ventilation components. In some embodiments, the temperature-regulating component and its components may be arranged to communicate with the inner chamber 106 of the outer shell in such a way as to be in thermal communication with at least a portion of the first portion 118 of the smoking article 108. For example, the temperature-regulating component 126 may be arranged to be in thermal communication with a portion of the smoking article 108 that covers from about 10% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, or from about 30% to about 70% of the first portion 118 of the smoking article or the total length of the smoking article. The temperature-regulating component 126 may be a single element or may consist of a plurality of individual elements that together form a component, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. As used herein, the term "thermal control component" refers to any component or combination of components capable of automatically controlling the temperature of a first portion of a smoking article (e.g., by direct/indirect heating, increasing/decreasing airflow within the sleeve, increasing/decreasing the temperature within the sleeve, etc.). For example, a temperature control component may include a plurality of different individual components or combinations of components, such as one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more flow sensors and/or one or more heaters and/or one or more ventilation components and/or one or more additional components. It should be noted that such components may be used in a variety of different configurations and combinations, and the specific configurations and/or combinations of components within a temperature control component are not intended to be limited to those specifically presented herein. For example, the selection of specific components for use within sleeves for temperature control may generally vary depending on the type of smoking article, the types of individual components, the desired functionality of the sleeve, etc.

In some embodiments, the temperature control component126may be in electrical communication with said at least one control component124and/or source104energy. In embodiments in which the temperature control component126contains many individual components, such as some or all of which may be in electrical communication with each other and with at least one control component and a power source. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the dashed lines represent the electrical connection between the control component, the power source, and the various components of the temperature control component (e.g., the overall temperature control component, including its various components, is highlighted by the rectangle with the reference126). In such embodiments, at least one control component may be configured to control various functionalities of the temperature control sleeve based on input/feedback from the one or more components that form the common temperature control component.126In some embodiments, the temperature control component126may include one or more sensors (e.g., one or more sensors128temperature, one or more sensors130flow rate and their combinations) and one or more ventilation components132.

In some embodiments, the temperature control component 126 may include one or more temperature sensors 128. In some embodiments, the one or more temperature sensors 128 may be in electrical communication with the at least one control component 124 (for example, such that the at least one control component receives an input signal related to the temperature generated by one or more temperature sensors) and, if necessary, with one or more additional components inside the temperature control sleeve. For example, the at least one control component is configured to receive temperature readings from one or more temperature sensors. In some embodiments, the one or more temperature sensors are selectively arranged along the inner wall 123 of the outer casing 102. In some embodiments, the one or more temperature sensors may include one or more contact thermal sensors configured to detect heat in at least a portion of the smoking article upon entry into the inner chamber. The one or more temperature sensors may be fully or at least partially recessed inside the outer casing. However, in some embodiments, a portion of a separate temperature sensor may extend inward from the outer shell (i.e., directed inward toward the inner chamber 106 ). Examples of temperature sensors and their configurations inside smoking articles in general are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 10,117,460 to Sears et al. and U.S. Patent No. 10,226,073 to Bless et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the heat-regulating component 126 may additionally or alternatively include one or more flow sensors 130. The term "flow sensor" as used herein generally refers to a sensor capable of measuring/determining an air flow rate, and the term "flow rate" as used herein generally refers to the air flow rate. It should be noted that the flow measured by one or more flow sensors mentioned herein generally refers to the air flow rate passing through this sensor and, more specifically, between the inner wall of the outer casing and the smoking article. In some embodiments, one or more flow sensors 130 may be in electrical communication with at least one control component 124 (for example, such that at least one control component receives an input signal related to the air flow rate/speed and generated by one or more flow sensors) and, if necessary, with one or more additional components inside the sleeve for regulating the temperature. For example, at least one control component may be configured to receive flow readings from one or more flow sensors. In some embodiments, one or more flow sensors may be selectively arranged longitudinally along the inner wall 123 of the outer casing. Examples of air flow rate sensors and their configurations within smoking articles in general are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 1,011,460 to Sears et al. and U.S. Patent No. 1,022,6073 to Bless et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, the temperature control component 126 may include one or more ventilation components 132 in communication with at least one control component 124 and, optionally, with at least one or more other components within the sleeve to control the temperature. In some embodiments, each of the one or more ventilation components 132 comprises an air passage 132a extending from the inner wall 123 of the outer casing 102 to the outer wall 125 of the outer casing 102 , and a damper 132b (e.g., as shown in Fig. 3). In some embodiments, the air passage may simply be in the form of a cavity, or a tubular cutout, or an opening extending through the entire outer casing 102. For example, the linear dotted lines in Fig. 3 are a cavity in the outer wall 125 and the inner wall 123 of the outer shell 102 , forming an air duct 132a . In some embodiments, the damper 132b may be designed as a shutter, a flap, or a retractable component configured to temporarily block the air duct.

In some embodiments, the damper may be configured to change its configuration between an open position that allows air to flow into or out of the interior chamber (via the air duct), or a closed position that restricts air flow into the interior chamber (via the air duct). In general, the damper is considered to be in an open position when the air duct is at least partially open, which allows at least some amount of air to flow into the interior chamber through the air duct. For example, the damper may be configured to change its configuration to an open position such that at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or substantially all (100%) of the air duct is not blocked. In some embodiments, the percentage of air passage closure may be controlled by at least one control component based on the desired air flow rate into or out of the temperature control sleeve. The movement of the shutter 132b between the open position (or partially open position) and the closed position according to an exemplary embodiment is represented by a dashed ellipse in Fig. 3, for example, illustrating that the shutter may be configured to rotate along one axis, so that it may be configured to be either in an open (including partially open) or a closed position. Such a configuration is not meant to be restrictive; for example, in some embodiments, the shutter may be extendable into the outer shell to provide a completely unobstructed air passage when the shutter is 100% open.

In some embodiments, for example, the position of the shutter is configured to be selectively controlled by at least one control component based on temperature and/or flow rate readings obtained from one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more flow rate sensors (for example, at least one control component is configured to receive an input signal related to the temperature and/or air flow rate and generated by one or more sensors, and is configured to supply an output signal to one or more ventilation components to automatically adjust at least the temperature of the first part of the smoking article). For example, if the temperature inside the temperature regulation sleeve exceeds a threshold value, at least one control component can automatically adjust the temperature of the first part of the smoking article by opening one or more ventilation components. Similarly, if the temperature inside the temperature regulation sleeve falls below a threshold value, at least one control component can automatically adjust the temperature of the first part of the smoking article by closing one or more ventilation components (for example, to retain more heat inside the sleeve). The adjustment and/or control of the dampers is not limited to this control configuration, and other control configurations are contemplated. For example, the operation of the damper(s) and their control configurations may vary depending on the type of smoking article used with them. In certain embodiments, for example, in which the smoking article contains a potentially combustible material, it may be advantageous to at least partially close the damper(s) to limit oxygen access to the combustible material. In such an embodiment, temperature sensors would serve, for example, as indicators of incipient unwanted combustion.

The threshold temperature at which at least one control component can automatically adjust the temperature of the first portion of the smoking article may vary depending on the desired use of the temperature control sleeve. In some embodiments, for example, it may be advantageous if the threshold temperature is approximately equal to the lowest temperature at which undesirable pyrolysis or combustion by-products are formed. Thus, the threshold temperature may vary depending on the type of smoking article that will be used with the temperature control sleeve. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be in the range from about 100°C to about 300°C or from about 150°C to about 200°C. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be less than 250°C, less than 225°C, less than 200°C, less than 175°C, less than 150°C, or less than 125°C.

In other embodiments, the valve may be fully or at least partially formed as a heat-sensitive material that is activated at a predetermined temperature. In such embodiments, the heat-sensitive material may be configured to transition from a closed position to an open position (or a partially open position) and vice versa when the surface temperature of the heat-sensitive material exceeds a threshold temperature (e.g., to automatically regulate the temperature of the first portion of the smoking article). Examples of heat-sensitive materials that may be suitable may include, but are not limited to, heat-sensitive polymeric materials, heat-sensitive thermoplastic materials, heat-sensitive metallic materials, dual-layer metallic materials, and the like.

The threshold temperature at which the heat-sensitive material is activated may vary depending on the desired use of the temperature control sleeve. In some embodiments, for example, it may be advantageous for the threshold temperature to be approximately equal to the lowest temperature at which undesirable pyrolysis or combustion by-products are formed. Thus, the threshold temperature may vary depending on the type of smoking article to be used with the temperature control sleeve. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be in the range of about 100°C to about 300°C or from about 150°C to about 200°C. In some embodiments, the threshold temperature may be less than 250°C, less than 225°C, less than 200°C, less than 175°C, less than 150°C, or less than 125°C.

In some embodiments, the heat-sensitive material may comprise a shape-memory material. In some embodiments, the shape-memory material may be a shape-memory alloy. In other embodiments, the shape-memory material may be a shape-memory polymer. Some descriptions of shape-memory alloys can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,080,388 to Sebastian et al. and U.S. Patent Application No. 2018/0174500 to Sebastian et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Shape-memory alloys generally refer to a group of metallic materials that exhibit the ability to return to a previously determined shape or size when exposed to an appropriate stimulus, which may vary in different embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the stimulus may comprise a change in temperature. In other embodiments, the stimulus may comprise a change in an electric or magnetic field. In other embodiments, the stimulus may include exposure to light. In other embodiments, the stimulus may comprise a change in pH. In yet other embodiments, the stimulus may include a chemical reaction. Some shape memory alloys are capable of changing their phase and/or crystal structure, resulting in a shape memory effect. For example, some shape memory alloys are capable of undergoing phase transitions, where their yield strength, stiffness, size, and/or shape change with temperature. In general, shape memory alloys can deform elastically in the low-temperature or martensitic phase and, upon exposure to higher temperatures, transform to the austenitic phase or the original phase, returning to their pre-deformation shape. Some shape memory alloys can exhibit a one-sided shape memory effect, an internal two-sided shape memory effect, or an external two-sided shape memory effect, depending on the alloy composition and processing history.

Some examples of suitable shape memory alloy materials include, but are not limited to, nickel-titanium based alloys, indium-titanium based alloys, nickel-aluminum based alloys, nickel-gallium based alloys, copper-zinc based alloys (e.g., copper-zinc based alloys, copper-aluminum based alloys, copper-gold based alloys, and copper-tin based alloys), gold-cadmium based alloys, silver-cadmium based alloys, indium-cadmium based alloys, manganese-copper based alloys, iron-platinum based alloys, iron-palladium based alloys, and the like. The alloys may be binary, ternary, or of any higher order, provided that the alloy composition exhibits a shape memory effect, such as a change in shape orientation, damping capacity, and the like. For example, in some embodiments, shape-memory alloys may comprise a composite of three elements (e.g., titanium, nickel, and copper). The conversion point can be tuned using different combinations of elements or by varying the content of each element in the composite. Additional examples of shape-memory materials and applications can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. 16/442,338 to Hejazi et al., filed May 24, 2019, "Shape Memory Material for Controlled Liquid Delivery in an Aerosol Delivery Device."

In some embodiments, the temperature control component 126 may include one or more heaters 134. In some embodiments, the one or more heaters 134 may be in electrical communication with at least one control component 124 and, optionally, with one or more other components within the sleeve for temperature control. For example, the one or more heaters may be configured to selectively control at least one control component based on temperature and/or flow rate readings obtained from one or more temperature sensors and/or one or more flow rate sensors (for example, when at least one control component is configured to receive an input signal related to temperature and/or air flow rate and generated by one or more sensors, and is configured to supply an output signal to one or more heaters to perform automatic adjustment of at least the temperature of the first part of the smoking article). For example, if the temperature inside the temperature regulation sleeve falls below a threshold value, at least one control component may automatically adjust the temperature of the first portion of the smoking article by activating one or more heaters (e.g., to supply more heat to the first portion of the smoking article). Similarly, if the temperature inside the temperature regulation sleeve exceeds a threshold value, at least one control component may automatically adjust the temperature of the first portion of the smoking article by deactivating one or more heaters. In some embodiments, one or more heaters may be configured to directly contact at least a portion of the smoking article, or one or more heaters may not be in contact with the smoking article at all. In general, one or more heaters may be configured to establish mutual thermal communication with one or more regions of at least a portion of the smoking article when appropriately distributed along the inner chamber. In some embodiments, one or more heaters are made in the form of metal distributed electric heaters, which may be arranged in the longitudinal direction along the inner wall 123 of the outer casing 102 .

In some embodiments, one or more heaters may be implemented as a conductive and/or inductive heat source. Preferably, one or more heaters may be implemented in a shape that allows one or more heaters to be placed in close contact with or in close proximity to the smoking article (e.g., to supply sufficient heat to the smoking article by, for example, conduction, radiation, or convection). In various embodiments, the conductive heat source may comprise a heating unit that comprises a resistive heating source. Resistive heating sources may be configured to generate heat when an electric current is passed through them. Electrically conductive materials used as resistive heating sources may have low mass, low density, and moderate resistivity, and are thermally stable at temperatures encountered during use. Useful heat sources heat and cool quickly, thus ensuring efficient use of energy. Such heat sources may also provide relatively precise control of the temperature range within which the smoking article is located, especially when using time-based current control.

Some non-limiting examples of materials that can be used as an electrically conductive material include carbon, graphite, carbon/graphite composites, metals, ceramic materials such as metal and non-metal carbides, nitrides, oxides, silicides, intermetallic compounds, cermets, metal alloys, and metal foils. In particular, refractory materials may be suitable for use. Various materials may be mixed to achieve the desired properties of resistivity, mass, and thermal conductivity. In particular embodiments, metals that can be used include, for example, nickel, chromium, nickel-chromium alloys (e.g., nichrome), and steel. Materials that may be suitable for use in providing resistive heating are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,060,671 to Counts et al.; No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al.; No. 5224498 by Deevi et al.; #5228460 by Sprinkel Jr. etc.; No. 5322075 by Deevi et al.; No. 5353813 by Deevi et al.; No. 5468936 by Deevi et al.; No. 5498850 by Das; No. 5659656 by Das; No. 5498855 by Deevi et al.; No. 5530225 by Hajaligol; No. 5665262 by Hajaligol; No. 5573692 by Das et al.; and No. 5,591,368 to Fleischhauer et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As described above, one or more heaters may be implemented as an inductive heat source. For example, in such embodiments, the inductive heat source may comprise a resonant transformer, which may comprise a resonant transmitter and a resonant receiver (i.e., a current collector). In some embodiments, the resonant transmitters may comprise a foil material, a coil, a cylinder, or another structure configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field, and the resonant receiver may comprise one or more pins configured to engage with the first portion of the smoking article, or which may be arranged to surround the smoking article. In other embodiments, the resonant transmitter may comprise a helical coil configured to describe a circle relative to the inner chamber in which the smoking article is housed. In some embodiments, the helical coil may be arranged, for example, on the inner wall of the outer casing. Other possible inductive heat sources and components thereof, including resonant transmitters and resonant receivers, are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/799,365, filed October 31, 2017, entitled "Inductively Heated Aerosol Delivery Device," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As noted above, one or more temperature sensors may provide temperature readings for at least one control component, and one or more flow sensors may provide flow readings for at least one control component. As already indicated herein, any number of sensors and combinations thereof may be used. Such sensors may be, for example, in direct contact with one or more heaters and/or one or more ventilation components. In some embodiments, for example, a controller component or a plurality of controller components may be provided for communication between the energy source and one or more heaters, wherein the controller component is configured to selectively adjust the flow of current from the energy source to one or more heaters to control its temperature based on an output signal from at least one control component. In some embodiments of the present invention, the current control component may be configured to stop the flow of electric current to the resistive heating element after reaching a certain temperature. Alternative temperature sensing devices, such as logic control components, may be used to evaluate the resistance of one or more heaters and to correlate such resistance with the temperature of one or more heaters. In other cases, one or more heaters may interact with at least one control component via a feedback loop, where, for example, a comparator may compare a measured value of an electrical parameter (e.g., voltage or current) in one or more heaters with a desired setpoint value and adjust the value of that electrical parameter at the output of the power source.

As noted above, at least one control component may be configured to receive an input signal from a plurality of sensors simultaneously (e.g., related to temperature readings and/or air flow readings), each of which may be selectively positioned at different points along the inner wall of the outer casing to collect temperature readings and/or flow readings in different segments of the smoking article, and then at least one control component is configured to supply an output signal to one or more ventilation components and/or one or more heaters to automatically adjust at least the temperature of the smoking article. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the first part of the smoking article 118 (the same as the first part referred to in Fig. 1) may be referred to in relation to certain segments of the first part of the smoking article (for example, the first segment ( 118a ), the second segment ( 118b ), the third segment ( 118c ), the additional segment ( 118d ), and so on, as shown in Fig. 4). In such embodiments, at least one control component and the temperature control component (including components thereof) may be configured to automatically adjust the temperature of any particular segment of the first part of the smoking article individually or in combination (simultaneously or sequentially) with any other segment of the first part of the smoking article. For example, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor located near the segment 118a exceeds a threshold value, then this temperature reading is reported to at least one control component, and then the at least one control component can automatically adjust the temperature of the segment 118a of the smoking article, for example, by opening one or more ventilation components (by means of an output signal from the at least one control component) located near the segment 118a , without significantly affecting the temperature of any other segments. Similarly, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor located near the segment 118d falls below a threshold value, this temperature reading is communicated to at least one control component, and the at least one control component can automatically adjust the temperature of the segment 118d of the smoking article, for example, by closing one or more ventilation components via an output signal from at least one control component) located near the segment 118d , and/or selectively activating one or more heaters (via an output signal from at least one control component) located near the segment 118d , without significantly affecting the temperature of any other segments. It should be noted that the specific examples and embodiments described herein above are not intended to be limiting with respect to the functionality, configuration and/or selection of components of the temperature control component and, in general, at least one control component and the temperature control component (including its components), as described herein, may be configured to automatically adjust the temperature of any segment or segments of the smoking articles used therein (e.g., either by changing the heat supply to the smoking article (via one or more heaters) or by changing the air flow characteristics within the sleeve (via one or more ventilation components).

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may be configured to collect thermal energy generated within the temperature control sleeve and transfer such collected energy (in the form of electrical energy) to various components within the temperature control sleeve. For example, in some embodiments, one or more heaters 134 may include one or more thermoelectric generators 135 configured to store thermal energy generated within the temperature control sleeve and convert this stored energy into usable electromagnetic form. The thermoelectric generator (TEG), sometimes referred to as a Seebeck generator, described herein is a solid-state device that converts heat flow (temperature difference) directly into electrical energy through a phenomenon called the Seebeck effect , a form of the thermoelectric effect. In general, the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy (via the Seebeck effect ) by a thermoelectric generator occurs substantially instantaneously, since the thermoelectric materials in the thermoelectric generator generate energy directly from heat by instantly converting a temperature difference into an electrical voltage. One or more thermoelectric generators 135 may be in electrical communication with various other components within the temperature control component 126 (e.g., with one or more heaters, an energy source, at least one control component, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, a thermoelectric generator may be in electrical communication with a capacitor and/or an energy source to supplement the main energy supply within the temperature control sleeve. The use of one or more thermoelectric generators within the temperature control sleeve may provide a particular advantage when used to supplement a traditional energy supply provided within the temperature control sleeve, for example, to improve the efficiency of the temperature control sleeve and/or to reduce the overall required battery capacity.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may include one or more additional components. The one or more additional components may be located inside the outer shell, located on the outer surface of the outer shell, or attached separately from it. The location and configuration of the various components inside the temperature control sleeve may vary. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the temperature control sleeve 100 may comprise an input signal element 136 and/or a feedback element 138 on the outer surface 125 of the outer shell 102. In general, the input signal element 136 and/or the feedback element 138 are in electrical communication with at least one control component 124. The input signal element 136 may be provided to allow the user to control one or more functions of the sleeve and/or to ensure activation or deactivation of the sleeve. Any component or combination of components may be used as an input signal element for controlling the functions of the temperature control sleeve. For example, one or more push buttons may be used, as described in U.S. Publication No. 2015/0245658 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, a touch screen may be used, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/643,626, filed March 10, 2015, to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. As a further example, components capable of recognizing gestures based on certain movements of the temperature control sleeve may be used as an input signal source. See U.S. Publication No. 2016/0158782 to Henry et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, for example, the temperature control sleeve may comprise a sensor or detector for controlling the supply of electrical energy to one or more components in the temperature control sleeve (e.g., a temperature control component), which can be controlled and/or activated manually (e.g., using a button, touch screen, etc.). Thus, for example, a procedure or method is provided for turning off the supply of energy to the temperature control sleeve and its specific components when not in use, and for turning on the supply of energy to activate or start the temperature control sleeve and its specific components during use. In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may comprise an additional control mechanism for controlling the specific amount of electrical energy supplied to the various components of the temperature control component during puffing.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may alternatively or additionally include a feedback element 138. In general, the feedback element may be configured to output and/or display information to the user. For example, the feedback element may be configured to show the current lifespan of the smoking article, the number of puffs taken or remaining until the end (e.g., a visual puff counter), the total puff time or the remaining puff time, warnings if the user puffs too hard (e.g., overheating and underheating alerts), varying degrees of heating (e.g., overheating or underheating) along parts of the smoking article, and the like. In some embodiments, the smoking article may require a preheating period before generating an aerosol. In such embodiments, the feedback element may be configured to indicate the time remaining in the preheating period and/or indicate when the temperature control sleeve is ready for use. The feedback element may be configured to provide a variety of interactive features or displays to the user of such a device. For example, the feedback element may comprise a display configured to display a heat map of the gradient of the amount of heat applied to individual parts of the smoking article contained within the inner chamber of the outer shell.

In some embodiments, the input element and/or the feedback element may comprise a computer or computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet. In particular, the temperature control sleeve may be connected to the computer or other device, for example, via a USB cable or a similar protocol. In some embodiments, for example, the feedback element may be configured to send information to the electronic device via a wireless communication interface, which may enable wireless communication of the temperature control sleeve with one or more networks, computing devices, or other devices with the corresponding capabilities. Examples of suitable computing devices include any number of mobile computers. More specific examples of suitable mobile computers include portable computers (e.g., laptops, notebooks, tablet computers), mobile phones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), wearable computers (e.g., smartwatches), and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be implemented not as a mobile computer, but, for example, as a desktop computer, a server computer, and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be implemented as an electrical beacon, such as an electrical beacon using iBeacon™ technology developed by Apple Inc. Examples of how an aerosol delivery device may be configured to communicate wirelessly are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/327,776 to Ampolini et al., filed July 10, 2014, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/609,032 to Henry, Jr. et al., filed January 29, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A wireless communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or a plurality of antennas) and auxiliary hardware and/or software to enable wireless communication with a communication network (e.g., a cellular network, Wi-Fi, WLAN, etc.) and/or to support short-range communication between devices in accordance with a desired communication technology. Examples of suitable short-range communication technologies that may be supported by the communication interface include various near field communication (NFC) technologies, wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies, and the like. More specific examples of suitable WPAN technologies include technologies specified by IEEE 802.15 standards or otherwise, including Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE), ZigBee, infrared radiation (e.g., IrDA), radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless USB, and the like. Other examples of suitable short-range communication technologies include the Wi-Fi Direct standard, as well as several other technologies based on or specified by the IEEE 802.11 and/or IEEE 802.15.4 standards that support direct communication between devices.

The temperature control sleeve may also communicate with a computer or other device acting as an input device via wireless communication. See, for example, the systems and methods for controlling a device via a read request as described in US Publication No. 2016/0007561 to Ampolini et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments, an application or other computer program may be used in conjunction with a computer or other computing device to input control instructions to the temperature control sleeve, wherein such control instructions include, for example, the ability to vary the heating along certain sections of the smoking article (e.g., by activating one or more heaters), the ability to increase or decrease the airflow along certain sections of the smoking article (e.g., by activating one or more ventilation components), the selection of the total particulate matter (TPM) provided by a draw, the selection of a specific heating profile to be implemented, the selection of a variable draw resistance, and the like.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may include one or more visual indicators or elements. In some embodiments, the visual indicator or element may be configured to perform various functions, such as indicating the on/off state of the sleeve, indicating the charging state and/or battery life, etc. One example of a suitable component is an indicator, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QDs), or the like, which may illuminate when the temperature control sleeve is in use. Examples of suitable LED components, as well as their configurations and use, are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S. Patent No. 9,451,791 to Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Other indicators (e.g., a tactile feedback component, an audible feedback component, or the like) may be included in addition to or as an alternative to the LED. Additional representative types of components that provide visual signals or indicators, such as light-emitting diode components, and their configurations and use are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton, and U.S. Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0020825 to Galloway et al. and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0216233 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. It is understood that not all illustrated elements are required. For example, the light-emitting diode may be omitted or replaced with another indicator, such as a vibration indicator.

It is also contemplated that other components, particularly those suitable for use with aerosol delivery devices, may be included in the temperature control sleeve of the present invention. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al. discloses indicators for smoking articles; U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel Jr. discloses piezoelectric sensors that may be formed at the mouthpiece end of the device to detect lip activity of the user associated with taking a puff and subsequently initiate heating; U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al. discloses a puff sensor for controlling the flow of energy to a heating load array in response to a pressure drop across a mouthpiece; U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al. discloses receptacles in a smoking device that include an identifier that detects non-uniformity in infrared transmission of an inserted component and a controller that performs a detection routine when the component is inserted into the receptacle; U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al. describes a specific executable power cycle with multiple differential phases; U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al. discloses photonic optoelectronic components; U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al. discloses means for varying the draw resistance through a smoking device; U.S. Patent No. 6,803,545 to Blake et al. discloses certain battery configurations for use in smoking devices; U.S. Patent No. 7,293,565 to Griffen et al. discloses various charging systems for use with smoking devices; U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al. discloses computer communications for smoking devices for facilitating charging and allowing automated control of the device; U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al. discloses identification systems for smoking devices; and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick discloses a fluid flow rate sensing system for indicating the presence of a puff in an aerosol generating system; all of the foregoing being incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve 100 may further comprise a mouthpiece 140 that engages the first opening 110 of the outer casing 102 and is configured to engage the mouthpiece end 114 of the smoking article (e.g., as shown in Fig. 4). In some embodiments, the mouthpiece defines a channel 142 that is in fluid communication with the first opening of the outer casing, so that a puff applied to the mouthpiece is transmitted to the smoking article. The mouthpiece may be connected to the outer casing using various mechanisms, such as a screw-fit engagement, a press-fit engagement, a snap engagement, a magnetic engagement, etc. In general, the mouthpiece may be removable and/or replaceable. Although the energy source 104 and the control component 124 are located between the smoking article and the mouthpiece 140 in the illustrated embodiment, it should be noted that other configurations are possible. For example, the energy source 104 and/or the control component 124 may be embedded elsewhere in the outer casing 102 of the sleeve for temperature control. In some embodiments, for example, the energy source and/or the control component may be located within or embedded in the outer casing and near the smoking article.

In some embodiments, the temperature control sleeve may also comprise one or more porous structures 144 located within the outer casing 102 and positioned relative to the first opening 110 in the outer casing 102 such that the aerosol exiting through the opening passes through and/or around one or more porous structures 144. In other embodiments, one or more porous structures may be located completely or at least partially within the mouthpiece 140 (not shown). In some embodiments, the aerosol generated by the smoking article when the user uses the temperature control sleeve may flow through and/or around one or more porous structures. In some embodiments, for example, the porous structure may be in the form of a filter or a porous material configured to contain a liquid material suitable for carrying one or more flavoring substances or other components (such as an active ingredient) into the aerosol passing through it. In some embodiments, the porous structure may provide filtration capacity, if desired, and/or provide draw resistance. In some embodiments, the filter may comprise separate segments. For example, some embodiments may comprise a segment that provides filtration, a segment that provides draw resistance, a hollow segment that provides space for cooling the aerosol, a segment that provides improved structural integrity, other filter segments, and any one or any combination of the above. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece 140 itself may include a chamber or cavity therein (downstream of the smoking article), which may be sized and/or shaped to ensure appropriate condensation and/or cooling of the aerosol before it is drawn into the mouth of the user of the temperature control sleeve. In such embodiments, the chamber or cavity may comprise a porous structure, as described herein above, to provide one or more of filtration capacity, cooling, and/or draw resistance.

In general, the porous structure may be presented in various forms including various components. In some embodiments, for example, the porous structure may comprise one or more of an air gap, a hollow tubular structure, phase change materials for cooling air, means for releasing a flavoring substance, ion exchange fibers capable of selective chemical adsorption, aerogel particles as a filter medium and other suitable materials. Some examples of possible phase change materials include, but are not limited to, salts such as _AgNO3 , _AlCl3 , _TaCl3 , _InCl3 , _SnCl2 , _AlI3 and _TiI4 ; metals and metal alloys such as selenium, tin, indium, tin-zinc, indium-zinc or indium-bismuth, and organic compounds such as D-mannitol, succinic acid, p-nitrobenzoic acid, hydroquinone and adipic acid. Other examples are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,430,106 to Potter et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The porous structure can be formed from a variety of materials; for example, in some embodiments, the porous structure can be formed from cellulose acetate or polypropylene. In general, any porous filter materials commonly used in the art are suitable for forming the porous structure.

In some embodiments, the porous structure may be configured to release a second aerosol upon heating, which may combine with the aerosol released from the smoking article during use of the temperature control sleeve. In such embodiments, the porous structure may be configured to contain a non-tobacco flavored liquid (e.g., a nicotine solution), a tobacco extract or distillate, a flavor additive, an aerosol precursor composition, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, for example, the porous structure may be configured to be heated by a heater within the outer shell (e.g., such as one or more heaters described above), thereby generating an aerosol. Any heater, as defined herein above, may be suitable for heating the porous structure. In such embodiments, heating the porous structure may generate an aerosol, which may combine with the aerosol generated by the smoking article during use of the temperature control sleeve.

Some aerosol precursor compositions that can be used in combination with the porous structure can include one or more acids, such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, combinations thereof, and the like. The inclusion of an acid(s) in liquid aerosol precursor compositions that include nicotine can provide a protonated liquid aerosol precursor composition that includes nicotine in the form of a salt. In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition can contain various components, including, by way of example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavoring agents. In some examples, the aerosol precursor composition comprises glycerin and nicotine. Representative types of liquid aerosol precursor components and compositions are known and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,254,002 to Chong et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al.; 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al., and 2015/0020830 to Koller, as well as PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014/182736 to Bowen et al. and U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include those included in any of the various characteristic products mentioned above. Also desirable are so-called "smoking juices" for e-cigarettes, which are available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC. Further examples of aerosol precursor compositions are sold under the trademarks BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR, and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN. Embodiments of effervescent materials described, by way of example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, may be used with the aerosol precursor. In addition, the use of effervescent materials is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., 5,178,878 to Wehling et al., 5,223,264 to Wehling et al., 6,974,590 to Pather et al., 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al., 8,424,541 to Crawford et al., 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., and 9,307,787 to Sun et al., as well as in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0018539 to Brinkley et al. and in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 97/06786 to Johnson et al. etc., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As noted above, one or more porous structures may additionally or alternatively include other active ingredients, including, but not limited to, a nicotine component, botanical ingredients (e.g., lavender, peppermint, chamomile, basil, rosemary, ginger, marijuana, ginseng, maca, hemp, eucalyptus, rooibos, fennel, citrus, cloves, and tisanes), stimulants (e.g., caffeine and guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine, theanine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan), and/or pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, medicinal ingredients (e.g., vitamins such as B6, B12, and C and/or cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

As used herein, the term "flavoring additive" or "flavoring substance" refers to compounds or components that can be aerosolized and delivered to the user and that impart sensory sensations in terms of taste and/or aroma. Non-limiting examples of flavoring additives may include, but are not limited to, vanilla, coffee, chocolate/cocoa, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarola, sandalwood, honey, jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry, strawberry, terpenes, trigeminal stimulants, and any combinations thereof. See also Leffingwell et al., Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972), which is incorporated herein by reference. Flavoring agents may also include components considered to be moisturizing, cooling, or softening agents, such as eucalyptus. These flavoring agents may be present in pure form (i.e., by themselves) or as part of compositions and may be used as concentrates or flavor combinations (e.g., mint and menthol, orange and cinnamon, lime and pineapple, etc.). Representative types of components are also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,416 to White et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 to Strickland et al., and PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 05/041699 to Quinter et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In some cases, the flavor additive may be provided in a dry form, obtained by spray drying, or in a liquid form.

The flavor additive may be a volatile flavor component. As used herein, the term "volatile" refers to a chemical that readily evaporates at ambient temperatures (e.g., a chemical with a relatively high vapor pressure at a given temperature compared to a non-volatile substance). Typically, a volatile flavor component has a molecular weight below about 400 Da and often contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond, a carbon-oxygen double bond, or both. In one embodiment, the at least one volatile flavor component contains one or more of the following: alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, terpenes, terpenoids, or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of aldehydes include vanillin , ethyl vanillin, p-anisaldehyde, hexanal, furfural, isovaleraldehyde, cuminaldehyde, benzaldehyde, and citronellal. Non-limiting examples of ketones include 1-hydroxy-2-propanone and 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentenone-1-one. Non-limiting examples of esters include allyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl hexanoate, isoamyl acetate, and 3-methylbutyl acetate. Non-limiting examples of terpenes include sabinene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, beta-farnesene, nerolidol, thujone, myrcene, geraniol, nerol, citronellol, linalool, and eucalyptol. In one embodiment, at least one volatile flavor component comprises one or more of the following: ethyl vanillin, cinnamaldehyde, sabinene, limonene, gamma-terpinene, beta-farnesene, or citral. In one embodiment, at least one volatile flavor component comprises ethyl vanillin.

In further embodiments, the temperature control sleeve 100 may comprise a barrier or sealing component 146 located near the second opening 112 in the outer shell 102 and configured to limit the flow of air into the temperature control sleeve. In particular, the barrier or sealing component 146 may create an airtight barrier and/or seal surrounding the smoking article at the intersecting plane 148 of the second portion of the smoking article 120 (e.g., containing the heat source) and the first portion of the smoking article 118 (e.g., containing the combustion substrate material). In such embodiments, the heat source may be configured as a substantially airtight heat source, so that ambient air cannot pass through the heat source. Similarly, the barrier or sealing component 146 prevents air from flowing around the heat source and from entering the temperature control sleeve through its second opening 112 . In some embodiments, the first portion of the smoking article 118 may comprise an air-permeable wrapper and/or air inlet openings therein (not shown) that communicate with one or more ventilation components 132 to allow air flow into the temperature control sleeve through the ventilation components for transmission to the first portion of the smoking article during use of the temperature control sleeve.

In some embodiments, the smoking article itself may include a barrier or sealing component therein that separates the second portion of the smoking article 120 (e.g., containing the heat source) and the first portion of the smoking article 118 (e.g., containing the combustion substrate material). In such embodiments, the barrier or sealing component within the smoking article may prevent air from passing through the heat source in the second portion of the smoking article 120 and into the first portion of the smoking article 118 located downstream thereof. In some embodiments, the first portion of the smoking article 118 may comprise an air-permeable wrapper and/or air inlet openings therein (not shown) that communicate with one or more ventilation components 132 to allow air flow to be supplied to the temperature control sleeve through the ventilation components for transmission to the first portion of the smoking article during use of the temperature control sleeve.

In one or more instances, the values described herein may be characterized by the word "about." It is understood that a value expressed as "about" a stated amount indicates that the stated amount may be exactly the stated value or may differ from the stated value by up to 5%, up to 2%, or up to 1%. Similarly, in one or more instances, the values and/or properties described herein may be characterized by the word "substantially." It is understood that a value and/or property expressed as "substantially" a stated amount indicates that the stated amount may be exactly the value or property stated or may differ from the value or property stated by up to 5%, up to 2%, or up to 1%.

Numerous modifications and other embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present invention as presented in the above descriptions and accompanying drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (29)

1. A sleeve for regulating the temperature of a smoking product, comprising: outer shell; an inner chamber at least partially formed within the outer shell and configured to receive at least a portion of the smoking article; an opening through the outer shell, designed to allow the aerosol to escape through it; energy source located inside the outer shell; at least one control component located inside the outer shell; one or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors arranged in communication with the internal chamber; and one or more ventilation components arranged so as to communicate with the interior chamber; wherein at least one control component is configured to receive one or more input signals generated by one or more temperature sensors and one or more flow sensors, wherein the one or more input signals are associated with the temperature inside the inner chamber and with the air flow rate in the inner chamber; and wherein at least one control component is configured to supply an output signal to one or more ventilation components to automatically adjust at least the temperature of at least a portion of the smoking article. 2. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises a heat-insulating material. 3. The temperature control sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the heat-insulating material is a ceramic material, a plastic material, a carbon material, or a combination thereof. 4. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 1, wherein at least one control component, one or more sensors and one or more ventilation components are in electrical communication. 5. The temperature control sleeve of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more ventilation components comprises an air passage passing through the outer shell and a damper, wherein the damper is configured to change its configuration between an open position providing air flow into the inner chamber and a closed position restricting air flow into the inner chamber. 6. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 5, wherein the position of the damper is configured to be selectively controlled by at least one control component. 7. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 5, wherein the damper includes a heat-sensitive material. 8. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 7, wherein the heat-sensitive material is capable of spontaneously changing between a closed position and an at least partially open position at a selected threshold temperature. 9. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more temperature sensors include one or more contact temperature sensors configured to detect heat in at least a portion of the smoking article upon entry into the inner chamber. 10. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of claims 1-8, also comprising one or more heaters in electrical communication with said at least one control component. 11. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 10, wherein said one or more heaters are configured to be selectively actuated by at least one control component. 12. A temperature control sleeve according to claim 10, wherein one or more heaters are configured to establish mutual thermal communication with one or more areas of at least a portion of the smoking article as it enters the inner chamber. 13. The temperature control sleeve of claim 10, wherein one or more heaters include one or more thermoelectric generators. 14. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, also comprising one or more porous structures located within the outer shell and positioned relative to the opening in the outer shell such that the aerosol exiting through the opening passes through and/or around the one or more porous structures. 15. The temperature control sleeve of claim 14, wherein one or more porous structures are configured to contain a non-tobacco flavored liquid, a tobacco extract or distillate, a flavor additive, an aerosol precursor composition, and combinations thereof. 16. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the energy source comprises one or both of a battery and a capacitor. 17. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of paragraphs 1-8, also containing an input signal element located on the outer surface of the outer shell. 18. The temperature control sleeve of claim 17, wherein the input signal element is configured to one or both of controlling the supply of electrical energy from the power source to one or more components of the temperature control sleeve and controlling activation and deactivation of the temperature control sleeve. 19. A temperature control sleeve according to any one of paragraphs 1-8, also containing a feedback element located on the outer surface of the outer shell. 20. The temperature control sleeve of claim 19, wherein the feedback element is configured to provide one or more feedback relating to the number of puffs taken or remaining, the total puff time, a heat map showing the temperature gradient at various positions along the smoking article, and overheating and underheating alerts at various positions along the smoking article.