Non-combustible smoking systems, devices and elements thereof

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11877595-B2
Application number	US-202117225317-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 8, 2021
Priority date	Dec 28, 2016
Publication date	Jan 23, 2024
Grant date	Jan 23, 2024

Abstract

At least one example embodiment provides a non-combustible smoking system or kit, comprising: a cartridge having a first end and a second end; and a tobacco containing section having a third end and a fourth end. The cartridge includes: a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and a pre-vapor heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element. The tobacco containing section includes a tobacco housing and a tobacco heating element. The first end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the fourth end of the tobacco containing section, and the second end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the third end of the tobacco containing section.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A non-combustible smoking element comprising:
an outer housing having at least a first connector at a first end;
a tobacco housing within the outer housing, the tobacco housing configured to contain tobacco and to provide an aroma to a channel within the non-combustible smoking element;
a tobacco heating element electrically connected to a first electrode portion of the first connector, and to a second electrode portion of the first connector, the tobacco heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the tobacco to generate the aroma, the tobacco heating element including a heater structure arranged around or within the channel;
a cartridge;
a power section; and
a mouthpiece;
wherein the power section, the outer housing, the cartridge, and the mouthpiece are configured to be connected in series with one another; and
wherein the outer housing is configured to be selectively positioned (i) between the power section and the cartridge, and (ii) between the cartridge and the mouthpiece.

2. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein:
the power section is configured to be connected to the outer housing via the first connector, the power section configured to supply power to the tobacco heating element.

3. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing includes a second connector at a second end, the first electrode portion of the first connector electrically connected to an electrode portion of the second connector via an electrical lead.

4. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 3 , wherein
the mouthpiece is configured to be connected to the outer housing via the second connector.

5. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the heater structure includes a plurality of ceramic coil heaters arranged within the channel.

6. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the heater structure includes a single ceramic coil heater arranged within the channel.

7. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the heater structure is a coil that extends around the channel.

8. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the heater structure is a mesh heater assembly extending around the channel.

9. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 8 , wherein the mesh heater assembly includes a mesh heater covered in a fiber glass shield.

10. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , wherein the heater structure is arranged within the channel and spaced apart from the tobacco.

11. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 1 , further comprising:
an inner tube in the outer housing, the inner tube extending in a longitudinal direction to define at least a portion of the channel, the outer housing and the inner tube defining at least part of the tobacco housing.

12. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 11 , wherein the heater structure is arranged within the channel and separated from the tobacco by the inner tube.

13. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 12 , wherein the heater structure includes a plurality of ceramic coil heaters arranged within the channel.

14. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 12 , wherein the heater structure includes a single ceramic coil heater arranged within the channel.

15. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 11 , wherein the heater structure is a coil that extends around the inner tube.

16. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 11 , wherein the heater structure is a mesh heater assembly extending around the inner tube.

17. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 16 , wherein the mesh heater assembly includes a mesh heater covered in a fiber glass shield.

18. A non-combustible smoking element comprising:
an outer housing having at least a first connector at a first end;
an inner tube in the outer housing, the inner tube extending in longitudinal direction to define at least a portion of a channel, the outer housing and the inner tube defining a space to contain tobacco;
a tobacco heating element electrically connected to a first electrode portion of the first connector, and to a second electrode portion of the first connector, the tobacco heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the tobacco to generate and provide an aroma to the channel, the tobacco heating element including a heater structure arranged around or within the channel;
a cartridge;
a power section; and
a mouthpiece;
wherein the power section, the outer housing, the cartridge, and the mouthpiece are configured to be connected in series with one another; and
wherein the outer housing is configured to be selectively positioned (i) between the power section and the cartridge, and (ii) between the cartridge and the mouthpiece.

19. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein
the power section is configured to be connected to the outer housing via the first connector, the power section configured to supply power to the tobacco heating element.

20. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein the heater structure is arranged within the channel and separated from the tobacco by the inner tube.

21. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein the heater structure includes a plurality of ceramic coil heaters arranged within the channel.

22. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein the heater structure includes a single ceramic coil heater arranged within the channel.

23. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein the heater structure is a coil that extends around the inner tube.

24. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 18 , wherein the heater structure is a mesh heater assembly extending around the inner tube.

25. The non-combustible smoking element of claim 24 , wherein the mesh heater assembly includes a mesh heater covered in a fiber glass shield.

26. A non-combustible smoking element comprising:
an outer housing having at least a first connector at a first end;
a tobacco housing within the outer housing, the tobacco housing configured to contain tobacco and to provide an aroma to a channel within the non-combustible smoking element; and
a tobacco heating element electrically connected to a first electrode portion of the first connector, and to a second electrode portion of the first connector, the tobacco heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the tobacco to generate the aroma, the tobacco heating element including a heater structure arranged around or within the channel, the heater structure including a mesh heater covered in a fiber glass shield.

Assignees

• Altria Client Services Llc

Inventors

• Tucker Christopher S
• Smith Barry
• Cadieux Ed
• Bennett David
• Olegario Raquel
• Li San
• Karles Georgios
• Jupe Richard
• Lipowicz Peter
• Ragland Benjamin

Classifications

• A24F40/30 Primary

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

• A24F40/40

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

• H05B1/0244

  Heating of fluids (H05B1/0247 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A24F40/10 Primary

  Devices using liquid inhalable precursors · CPC title

• A24F40/20

  Devices using solid inhalable precursors · CPC title