Aerosol delivery devices including a selector and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11019847-B2
Application number	US-201615222615-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2016
Priority date	Jul 28, 2016
Publication date	Jun 1, 2021
Grant date	Jun 1, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include multiple atomizers and an atomizer selector that provides for selection of one or more of the atomizers to which electrical current is directed. The atomizer selector may also alter a position of the atomizers relative to an airflow path through the aerosol delivery device. Another aerosol delivery device may include an atomizer and an additive selector that provides for selection of one or more additives added to vapor produced by the atomizer. Related methods are also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An aerosol delivery device, comprising:
at least one atomizer configured to produce a vapor from an aerosol precursor composition, wherein the at least one atomizer includes a plurality of atomizers each configured to be in fluid communication with a respective one of a plurality of reservoirs;
an atomizer selector comprising a first actuator configured to move one or more of the atomizers into electrical communication with a power source to produce the vapor from the one or more atomizers and to move the one or more atomizers relative to an airflow path through the aerosol delivery device; and
an additive selector comprising:
a plurality of compartments, each configured to hold one or more additives; and
a second actuator configured to selectively align one or more of the compartments with an airflow director to introduce one or more of the additives to the vapor.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the additive selector further comprises a bed of solids.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the bed of solids is positioned downstream of the at least one atomizer in terms of an airflow path.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the bed of solids is disposed within the plurality of compartments and separated by one or more partitions.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 4 , wherein the second actuator of the additive selector is also configured to selectively align the airflow director with respect to one or more of the compartments.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the additive selector further comprises one or more additive heating elements configured to selectively heat one or more portions of the bed of solids.

7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 6 , wherein the bed of solids comprises a plurality of flavor-laden plastic solids.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one atomizer comprises a Venturi nozzle, and
wherein the additive selector comprises a plurality of channels each configured to be in fluid communication with one of a plurality of additive reservoirs and selectively configurable to be in fluid communication with the Venturi nozzle.

9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the additive selector comprises at least one crystal oscillator.

Assignees

• Rai Strategic Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Watson Nicholas H
• Davis Michael F
• Sears Stephen Benson

Classifications

• A24F40/30 Primary

  Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges · CPC title

• A24F7/00

  Mouthpieces for pipes; Mouthpieces for cigar or cigarette holders · CPC title

• A24F40/40

  Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts · CPC title

• A24F40/60

  Devices with integrated user interfaces · CPC title

• A24F40/48

  Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps · CPC title