Aerosol delivery device with improved mouthpieces

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12329199-B2
Application number	US-202217898839-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2022
Priority date	Aug 30, 2022
Publication date	Jun 17, 2025
Grant date	Jun 17, 2025

Abstract

Disclosed are aerosol delivery devices for use with a removable and replaceable cartridge, where the device includes an improved mouthpiece, such as one that is removable or customizable. The device includes a holder defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising an ignitable heat source and a substrate portion that includes a substrate material having an aerosol precursor composition configured to form an aerosol upon application of heat thereto and a first aerosol passageway and a mouthpiece with a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end defining a second aerosol passageway, where the first end is configured to engage with a user's mouth and the second end is coupleable to the proximal end of the holder. The mouthpiece can be removed for cleaning and then reattached for continued use or, in some cases, a different mouthpiece may be attached to customize the user's experience.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:
a holder comprising a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the main body further defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge and a first aerosol passageway that extends through at least a portion of the main body;
a removable mouthpiece including a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end with a second aerosol passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, wherein the first end is configured to engage with a user's mouth and the second end is coupleable to the proximal end of the holder;
a collar disposed between the holder and the mouthpiece, the collar comprising a first end configured to sealingly engage the proximal end of the holder, a second end configured to sealingly engage the second end of the mouthpiece, and defining a first channel therethrough, the first channel configured to fluidly couple the first and second aerosol passageways; and
a charging port,
wherein the collar further defines a second channel therethrough, the second channel configured to at least partially house the charging port.

2. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the collar further comprises:
a base portion defining an opening in fluid communication with the first channel and having a first sealing mechanism disposed about an exterior surface thereof, the base portion sized and shaped to engage an opening in the proximal end of the holder; and
a body portion defining an opening in fluid communication with the first channel and having a second sealing mechanism disposed about an exterior surface thereof, the body portion sized and shaped to engage a recess disposed within the second end of the mouthpiece.

3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2 , wherein the base portion is disposed within the proximal end of the holder.

4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the base portion is coupled to the holder via at least one fastener.

5. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 further comprising an inner housing configured to secure one or more components therein, wherein the base portion is secured to the inner housing via at least one fastener.

6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the first sealing mechanism comprises an O-ring disposed within a groove defined by the exterior surface of the base portion.

7. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3 , wherein the second sealing mechanism comprises at least one O-ring disposed within one or more grooves defined by the exterior surface of the body portion.

8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 further comprising an actuator assembly coupled to the holder and configured to eject the removable cartridge therefrom.

9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 further comprising a power source disposed within the main body.

10. The aerosol delivery device of claim 9 further comprising:
an inner housing disposed within the main body of the holder; and
a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the power source and comprising a controller, wherein the inner housing is configured to receive the power source and the printed circuit board.

11. The aerosol delivery device of claim 10 , wherein the printed circuit board further comprises the charging port and the printed circuit board is oriented within the inner housing so that the charging port is disposed at the proximal end of the holder.

12. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the collar further comprises:
a base portion defining an opening in fluid communication with the first channel, the base portion sized and shaped to engage an opening in the proximal end of the holder; and
a body portion defining an opening in fluid communication with the first channel and having a sealing mechanism disposed about an exterior surface thereof, the body portion sized and shaped to engage a recess disposed within the second end of the mouthpiece.

13. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12 , wherein the base portion is configured to engage the opening in the proximal end of the holder via at least one of complementary-threaded surfaces for a screw-type engagement, a press-fit engagement, a snap-fit engagement, or a magnetic engagement.

14. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12 , wherein the sealing mechanism comprises at least one O-ring disposed within one or more grooves defined by the exterior surface of the body portion.

15. The aerosol delivery device of claim 12 further comprising an inner housing disposed within the main body of the holder and configured to secure one or more components therein, wherein the inner housing further defines at least a portion of the first aerosol passageway and the base portion of the collar includes a stem extending distally therefrom and configured to engage the at least a portion of the first aerosol passageway in the inner housing.

16. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 further comprising the removable cartridge, wherein the removable cartridge comprises an ignitable heat source and a substrate portion that includes a substrate material having an aerosol precursor composition configured to form an aerosol upon application of heat thereto.

17. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a window disposed therein, the window configured to provide a view of at least a portion of the removable cartridge.

Assignees

• Reynolds Tobacco Co R
• R J Reynolds Tobaco Company

Inventors

• Aller Jared
• Jackson Thaddeus
• Cleckley Karen H
• Rennecker Daniel W
• Nettenstrom Matthew J
• Schennum Steven M

Classifications

• A24F40/50

  Control or monitoring · CPC title

• A24F40/46

  Shape or structure of electric heating means · CPC title

• A24F40/20

  Devices using solid inhalable precursors · CPC title

• A24F40/95

  structurally associated with cases · CPC title

• A24F40/48

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