Patent Description:
Electronic vaping devices are used to vaporize a pre-vapor formulation into a vapor. These electronic vaping devices may be referred to as e-vaping devices. E-vaping devices include a heater, which vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation to produce the vapor. The e-vaping device may include several e-vaping elements including a power source, a cartridge or e-vaping tank including the heater and a reservoir capable of holding the pre-vapor formulation.

Patent application <CIT> describes a non-combusting flavor inhaler. The inhaler comprises an aerosol source that produces an aerosol, an atomizing means that atomizes the aerosol source without combustion, a power source that supplies power to the atomizing means, and a control unit that controls the amount of power to be supplied from the power source to the atomizing means. The control unit increases amount of power to be supplied to the atomizing means in steps from a standard power amount in association with an increase in the number of puff actions for inhaling the aerosol.

The patent application <CIT> describes an electronic smoking article. The smoking article includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and a mouth end insert having at least two diverging outlets.

The invention relates to a non-combustible smoking element as specified in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

At least one example embodiment relates to a non-combustible smoking device. A non-combustible smoking device may have a heater that heats a pre-vapor formulation and may provide heat to a tobacco element that receives the vapor. More specifically, the non-combustible smoke device according to example embodiments exposes a vapor to a tobacco element and/or exposes a pre-vapor formulation to a tobacco element.

At least one example embodiment discloses a non-combustible smoking element including a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation material, a pre-vapor heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor and provide the vapor to a channel, a tobacco heating element configured to heat at least a portion of tobacco and generate an aroma and a tobacco housing configured to contain the tobacco and provide the aroma to the channel.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco heating element includes a plurality of heaters in the tobacco housing.

In an example embodiment, the plurality of heaters are upstream from the pre-vapor heating element.

In an example embodiment, the plurality of heaters are outside the channel and the pre-vapor heating element is in the channel.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco housing includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube in the outer housing and extending in the longitudinal direction, a space between the outer housing and the inner tube defining a space to contain the tobacco.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco heating element is a coil and extends around the inner tube.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco heating element extends around the inner tube at an interval of <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco housing includes a connecting piece at a first end of the tobacco housing, the connecting piece including at least one first air inlet to provide air to the space between the outer housing and the inner tube.

In an example embodiment, the connecting piece includes a second air inlet to provide air within the inner tube.

At least one example embodiment discloses a non-combustible smoking element including a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation material, the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element defining a channel through the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element, a heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor and provide the vapor to a first portion of the channel and a tobacco element at a second portion of the channel and positioned to receive the vapor.

In an example embodiment, the heating element is in the channel.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco element is downstream from the heating element.

In an example embodiment, the heating element is configured to heat the tobacco at a maximum of <NUM> degrees Celsius.

In an example embodiment, the heating element is separated from the tobacco element by less than thirty millimeters.

In an example embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element includes an outer housing configured to contain the pre-vapor formulation material, an inner tube of the outer housing defining the channel, and the tobacco element is between the heating element and an end of the inner tube.

At least one example embodiment discloses a non-combustible smoking element including a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation material, a heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor and provide the vapor to a first channel and a tobacco containing element defining at least a portion of the first channel, the tobacco containing element overlapping at least a portion of the heating element, the tobacco containing element being arranged to receive the vapor.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco containing element is an annular sleeve.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco containing element includes an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being permeable and the outer wall being impermeable.

In an example embodiment, the non-combustible smoking element includes an outer wall element on the tobacco containing element, the outer wall element including an outer wall part and an inner wall part, the outer wall part and the tobacco containing element defining portions of a second air channel.

In an example embodiment, the outer wall element includes a cover at a first end of the inner wall part, the cover covering the first channel.

The above and other features and advantages of example embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail, example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments and should not be interpreted to limit the intended scope of the claims.

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of example embodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," or "covering" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or covering the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, elements, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, element, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, element, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, element, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, elements, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of example embodiments.

<FIG> illustrates a non-combustible smoking device <NUM> according to an example embodiment. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> includes a replaceable cartridge (or first section, or non-combustible smoking element) <NUM>, a reusable fixture (or second section) <NUM> and a tobacco containing section (or third section) <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> according to an example embodiment. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> comprises a replaceable cartridge (or first section) <NUM> and a reusable fixture (or second section) <NUM>, which are coupled together at a connection 205a/b (e.g., 205a is a male threaded connection on cartridge <NUM>, and 205b is a female threaded connection on reusable fixture <NUM>) or by other convenience such as a snug-fit, detent, clamp and/or clasp. The first section <NUM> includes an outer tube <NUM> (or housing) extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube <NUM> coaxially positioned within the outer tube or housing <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> defines an outer air passage (or channel) <NUM>. Within the outer air passage <NUM> and downstream from a heater <NUM> is a tobacco element <NUM>. The tobacco element <NUM> may be in a porous aluminum tube or processed/shaped in a porous form.

The term "tobacco element" may refer to any tobacco plant material including tobacco leaf, tobacco plug, reconstituted tobacco, compressed tobacco rod, shaped, or powder, for example.

The tobacco element <NUM> may also be wrapped in tobacco such as a tobacco sheet, a reconstituted tobacco leaf or a cigar wrapper.

The second section <NUM> can also include an outer tube <NUM>' (or housing) extending in a longitudinal direction. In an alternative embodiment, the outer tube <NUM> and <NUM>' can be a single tube housing both the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> and the entire non-combustible smoking device <NUM> can be disposable.

The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> can also include a central air passage <NUM> defined in part by the inner tube <NUM> and an upstream seal <NUM>. Moreover, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> includes a pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>. The pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> comprises a pre-vapor formulation material and optionally a pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> operable to store the pre-vapor formulation material therein.

In an embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is contained in an outer annulus between the outer tube <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>. The annulus is sealed at an upstream end by the seal <NUM> and by a pre-vapor formulation gasket <NUM> at a downstream end so as to prevent leakage of the pre-vapor formulation material from the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a heater <NUM> is also contained in the inner tube <NUM> downstream of and in spaced apart relation to the portion of central air passage <NUM> defined by the seal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> can be in the form of a wire coil, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire or any other suitable form.

A wick <NUM> is in communication with the pre-vapor formulation material in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and in communication with the heater <NUM> such that the wick <NUM> disposes pre-vapor formulation material in proximate relation to the heater <NUM>. The wick <NUM> may be constructed of a fibrous and flexible material. The wick <NUM> may include at least one filament having a capacity to draw a pre-vapor formulation. For example, the wick <NUM> may comprise a bundle of filaments which may include glass (or ceramic) filaments. In another embodiment, a bundle comprising a group of windings of glass filaments, for example, three of such windings, all which arrangements are capable of drawing pre-vapor formulation via capillary action via interstitial spacing between the filaments.

A power supply <NUM> in the second section <NUM> may be operably connected to the heater <NUM> (as described below) to apply voltage across the heater <NUM>. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> also includes at least one air inlet <NUM> operable to deliver air to the central air passage <NUM> and/or other portions of the inner tube <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> further includes a mouth-end insert <NUM> having at least two off-axis, diverging outlets <NUM>. The mouth-end insert <NUM> is in fluid communication with the central air passage <NUM> via the interior of inner tube <NUM> and a central passage <NUM>, which extends through the gasket <NUM>.

Moreover, the heater <NUM> extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction and heats the pre-vapor formulation material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form a vapor. In other embodiments, the heater <NUM> may be arranged in another manner such as in the longitudinal direction.

The vapor then flows into the tobacco element <NUM> upon an applying a negative pressure on the mouth-end insert <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be a set distance from the tobacco element <NUM> or contacting the tobacco element <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> heats the tobacco element <NUM> during application of a negative pressure. For example, the heater <NUM> may be ten (<NUM>) millimeters or less from the tobacco element <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be arranged to produce a temperature of <NUM> degrees Celsius at the mouth-end insert <NUM>. Moreover, the heater <NUM> may heat the tobacco element <NUM> to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees Celsius and heat the pre-vapor formulation at <NUM> degrees Celsius.

The heater <NUM> warms the tobacco element <NUM>, but does not burn the tobacco. Thus, the warming of the tobacco element <NUM> may be referred to as non-combustible. Because the section <NUM> includes the tobacco element <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, the section <NUM> may be referred to as a non-combustible smoking element.

Referring to <FIG>, the wick <NUM>, pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and mouth-end insert <NUM> are contained in the cartridge <NUM> and the power supply <NUM> is contained in the second section <NUM>. In one embodiment, the first section (the cartridge) <NUM> is disposable and the second section (the fixture) <NUM> is reusable. The sections <NUM>, <NUM> can be attached by a threaded connection <NUM>, as described above, whereby the downstream section <NUM> can be replaced when the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is used up. Having a separate first section <NUM> and second section <NUM> provides a number of advantages. First, if the first section <NUM> contains the at least one heater <NUM>, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and the wick <NUM>, all elements which are potentially in contact with the pre-vapor formulation are disposed of when the first section <NUM> is replaced. Thus, there will be no cross-contamination between different mouth-end inserts <NUM>, for example, when using different pre-vapor formulation materials. Also, if the first section <NUM> is replaced at suitable intervals, there is little chance of the heater becoming clogged with pre-vapor formulation. Optionally, the first section <NUM> and the second section <NUM> are arranged to lock together when engaged.

In an embodiment, the at least one air inlet <NUM> includes one or two air inlets <NUM>, <NUM>'. Alternatively, there may be three, four, five or more air inlets. If there is more than one air inlet <NUM>, <NUM>', the air inlets <NUM>, <NUM>' are located at different locations along the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, an air inlet 44a can be positioned at the upstream end of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> adjacent a sensor <NUM> such that the sensor <NUM> supplies power to the heater <NUM> upon sensing an application of a negative pressure. Air inlet 44a should communicate with the mouth-end insert <NUM> so that a draw upon the mouth-end insert activates the sensor <NUM>. The air from the air inlet 44a can then flow along the power supply <NUM> and to the central air passage <NUM> in the seal <NUM> and/or to other portions of the inner tube <NUM> and/or outer tube <NUM>. At least one additional air inlet <NUM>, <NUM>' can be located adjacent and upstream of the seal <NUM> or at any other desirable location. Altering the size and number of air inlets <NUM>, <NUM>' can also aid in establishing the resistance to draw of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is arranged to communicate with the wick <NUM> and to heat the pre-vapor formulation material contained in the wick <NUM> to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form a vapor.

The heater <NUM> may be a wire coil surrounding wick <NUM>. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is formed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

In another embodiment, the heater <NUM> may be constructed of an iron-aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe. 3Al), such as those described in commonly owned <CIT>, or nickel aluminides (e.g., Ni. Use of iron-aluminides is particularly advantageous in that they exhibit high resistivity. FeAl exhibits a resistivity of approximately <NUM> micro-ohms, whereas stainless steel exhibits approximately <NUM> to <NUM> micro-ohms. The higher resistivity lowers current draw or load on the power source (battery) <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> comprises a wire coil which at least partially surrounds the wick <NUM>. In that embodiment, the wire may be a metal wire and/or the heater coil that extends partially along the length of the wick <NUM>. The heater coil may extend fully or partially around the circumference of the wick <NUM>. In another embodiment, the heater coil is not in contact with the wick <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> heats the pre-vapor formulation in the wick <NUM> by thermal conduction. Alternatively, heat from the heater <NUM> may be conducted to the pre-vapor formulation by means of a heat conductive element or the heater <NUM> may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air that is drawn through the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> during use, which in turn heats the pre-vapor formulation by convection.

In one embodiment, the wick comprises a ceramic material or ceramic fibers. As noted above, the wick <NUM> is at least partially surrounded by the heater <NUM>. Moreover, in an embodiment, the wick <NUM> extends through opposed openings in the inner tube <NUM> such that end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the wick <NUM> are in contact with the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

The wick <NUM> may comprise a plurality or bundle of filaments. In one embodiment, the filaments may be generally aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>, but example embodiments are not limited to this orientation. In one embodiment, the structure of the wick <NUM> is formed of ceramic filaments capable of drawing the pre-vapor formulation via capillary action via interstitial spacing between the filaments to the heater <NUM>. The wick <NUM> can include filaments having a cross-section which is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped or in any other suitable shape.

The wick <NUM> includes any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials are glass filaments and ceramic or graphite based materials. Moreover, the wick <NUM> may have any suitable capillarity to accommodate pre-vapor formulations having different physical properties such as density, viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure. The capillary properties of the wick <NUM>, combined with the properties of the pre-vapor formulation, ensure that the wick <NUM> is always wet in the area of the heater <NUM> to avoid overheating of the heater <NUM>.

Instead of using a wick, the heater can be a porous material of sufficient capillarity and which incorporates a resistance heater formed of a material having a high electrical resistance capable of generating heat quickly.

In one embodiment, the wick <NUM> and the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> of the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> are constructed from an alumina ceramic. In another embodiment, the wick <NUM> includes glass fibers and the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> includes a cellulosic material or polyethylene terephthalate.

In an embodiment, the power supply <NUM> may include a battery arranged in the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> such that the anode is downstream of the cathode. An anode connector <NUM> contacts the downstream end of the battery. The heater <NUM> is connected to the battery by two spaced apart electrical leads.

The connection between the uncoiled, end portions <NUM>, <NUM>' (see <FIG>) of the heater <NUM> and the electrical leads are highly conductive and temperature resistant while the heater <NUM> is highly resistive so that heat generation occurs primarily along the heater <NUM> and not at the contacts.

The battery may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the battery may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery or a fuel cell. In that case, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> is usable until the energy in the power supply is depleted. Alternatively, the power supply <NUM> may be rechargeable and include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. In that case, the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a desired (or alternatively a pre-determined) number of applications of negative pressure, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device.

The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> also includes control circuitry including the sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is operable to sense an air pressure drop and initiate application of voltage from the power supply <NUM> to the heater <NUM>. The control circuitry can also include a heater activation light <NUM> operable to glow when the heater <NUM> is activated. In one embodiment, the heater activation light <NUM> comprises a heater activation light (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) <NUM> and is at an upstream end of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> so that the heater activation light <NUM> takes on the appearance of a burning coal during an application of a negative pressure. Moreover, the heater activation light <NUM> can be arranged to be visible to the adult vaper. In addition, the heater activation light <NUM> can be utilized for e-vaping system diagnostics. The light <NUM> can also be configured such that the adult vaper can activate and/or deactivate the light <NUM> for privacy, such that the light <NUM> would not activate during vaping if desired.

The at least one air inlet 44a is located adjacent the sensor <NUM>, such that the sensor <NUM> senses air flow indicative of a negative pressure and activates the power supply <NUM> and the heater activation light <NUM> to indicate that the heater <NUM> is working.

A control circuit is integrated with the sensor <NUM> and supplies power to the heater <NUM> responsive to the sensor <NUM>, for example, with a maximum, time-period limiter.

Alternatively, the control circuitry may include a manually operable switch for an application of a negative pressure. The time-period of the electric current supply to the heater <NUM> may be pre-set depending on the amount of pre-vapor formulation desired to be vaporized. The control circuitry may be programmable for this purpose. Alternatively, the circuitry may supply power to the heater as long as the sensor <NUM> detects a pressure drop.

When activated, the heater <NUM> heats a portion of the wick <NUM> surrounded by the heater for less than about <NUM> seconds, more preferably less than about <NUM> seconds. Thus, the power cycle can range in period from about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds (e.g., about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds, about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds or about <NUM> seconds to about <NUM> seconds).

In an embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> includes the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> containing pre-vapor formulation material. In <FIG>, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is contained in an outer annulus between inner tube <NUM> and outer tube <NUM> and between stopper <NUM> and the seal <NUM>. Thus, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> at least partially surrounds the central air passage <NUM> and the heater <NUM> and the wick <NUM> extend between portions of the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> may be a fibrous material comprising cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon and/or combinations thereof. The fibers may have a diameter ranging in size from about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns (e.g., about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns or about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns). The pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> may be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may be sized to be irrespirable and can have a cross-section which has a y shape, cross shape, clover shape or any other suitable shape.

In another example embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> may be a tobacco filler or tobacco slurry.

Also, the pre-vapor formulation material has a boiling point suitable for use in the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. If the boiling point is too high, the heater <NUM> will not be able to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation in the wick <NUM>. However, if the boiling point is too low, the pre-vapor formulation may vaporize without the heater <NUM> being activated.

A pre-vapor formulation is a material or combination of materials that may be transformed into a vapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solid and/or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads, solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerine and propylene glycol.

The pre-vapor formulation may include a tobacco element including volatile tobacco flavor compounds which are released upon heating. When the tobacco element is in the pre-vapor formulation the physical integrity of the tobacco element is preserved. For example, the tobacco element may be <NUM>-<NUM>% by weight in the pre-vapor formulation.

For example, the tobacco element may be in the form of a sheet or shreads and is added after the pre-vapor formulation is added to the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM>.

In operation, with non-combustible smoking device <NUM> in an assembled configuration, a negative pressure may be applied on the mouth-end insert <NUM>. This negative pressure may cause an internal pressure drop inside non-combustible smoking device <NUM> that may cause an inlet air flow to enter device <NUM> via air inlets <NUM>/<NUM>'. The internal pressure drop may also cause an internal pressure drop within section <NUM> as air is drawn through air inlet 44a (via an air flow path traveling through section <NUM>). The internal pressure drop formed in section <NUM> may be sensed by sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may then operate to close an electrical circuit that includes the power supply <NUM>. In turn, electrical leads carry an electrical current to heater <NUM> in order to energize the heater <NUM>. The energized heater <NUM> in turn heats and vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation material that is drawn toward the heater <NUM> via the wick <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation material is transferred from the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and/or pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> in proximity of the heater <NUM> by capillary action in the wick <NUM>. In one embodiment, the wick <NUM> has a first end portion <NUM> and a second opposite end portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The first end portion <NUM> and the second end portion <NUM> extend into opposite sides of the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> for contact with pre-vapor formulation material contained therein. The heater <NUM> at least partially surrounds a central portion of the wick <NUM> such that when the heater <NUM> is activated, the pre-vapor formulation in the central portion of the wick <NUM> is vaporized by the heater <NUM> to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form the vapor. Due to a negative pressure being applied, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco element <NUM> and out of the mouth-end insert <NUM>.

The vapor may elute tobacco elements into the flow stream. Some thermal reactions may also be present between the vapor and the tobacco element.

One advantage of an embodiment is that the pre-vapor formulation material in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is protected from oxygen (because oxygen cannot generally enter the pre-vapor formulation storage portion via the wick) so that the risk of degradation of the pre-vapor formulation material is significantly reduced. Moreover, in some embodiments in which the outer tube <NUM> is not clear, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is protected from light so that the risk of degradation of the pre-vapor formulation material is significantly reduced. Thus, a high level of shelf-life and cleanliness can be maintained.

As shown in <FIG>, the mouth-end insert <NUM>, includes at least two diverging outlets <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more). The outlets <NUM> of the mouth-end insert <NUM> are located at ends of off-axis passages <NUM> and are angled outwardly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> (i.e., divergently). As used herein, the term "off-axis" denotes at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. Also, the mouth-end insert (or flow guide) <NUM> may include outlets uniformly distributed around the mouth-end insert <NUM> so as to substantially uniformly distribute the vapor during use. Thus, the vapor moves in different directions as compared to e-vaping devices having an on-axis single orifice which directs the vapor to a single location.

In addition, the outlets <NUM> and off-axis passages <NUM> are arranged such that droplets of unvaporized pre-vapor formulation carried in the vapor impact interior surfaces <NUM> at mouth-end insert and/or interior surfaces of the off-axis passages such that the droplets are removed or broken apart. In an embodiment, the outlets of the mouth-end insert are located at the ends of the off-axis passages and are angled at <NUM> to <NUM> degrees with respect to the central axis of the outer tube <NUM> so as to more completely distribute vapor during use and to remove droplets.

Preferably, each outlet has a diameter of about <NUM> inch to about <NUM> inch (e.g., about <NUM> inch to about <NUM> inch or about <NUM> inch to about <NUM> inch). The size of the outlets <NUM> and off-axis passages <NUM> along with the number of outlets can be selected to adjust the resistance to draw (RTD) of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>, if desired.

As shown in <FIG>, an interior surface <NUM> of the mouth-end insert <NUM> can comprise a generally domed surface. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the interior surface <NUM>' of the mouth-end insert <NUM> can be generally cylindrical or frustoconical, with a planar end surface. The interior surface is substantially uniform over the surface thereof or symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the mouth-end insert <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the interior surface can be irregular and/or have other shapes.

The mouth-end insert <NUM> is integrally affixed within the tube <NUM> of the section <NUM>. Moreover, the mouth-end insert <NUM> may be formed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and combinations thereof. The mouth-end insert <NUM> may also be colored if desired.

In an embodiment, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> also includes various embodiments of an air flow diverter or air flow diverter means. The air flow diverter is operable to manage air flow at or about around the heater so as to abate a tendency of drawn air to cool the heater, which could otherwise lead to diminished vapor output.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> can include an air flow diverter comprising an impervious plug <NUM> at a downstream end <NUM> of the central air passage <NUM> in seal <NUM>. The central air passage <NUM> is an axially extending central passage in seal <NUM> and inner tube <NUM>. The seal <NUM> seals the upstream end of the annulus between the outer and inner tubes <NUM>, <NUM>. The air flow diverter may include at least one radial air channel <NUM> directing air from the central air passage <NUM> outward toward the inner tube <NUM> and into the outer air passage <NUM> defined between an outer periphery of a downstream end portion of the seal <NUM> and the inner wall of inner tube <NUM>.

The diameter of the bore of the central air passage <NUM> is substantially the same as the diameter of the at least one radial air channel <NUM>. Also, the diameter of the bore of the central air passage <NUM> and the at least one radial air channel <NUM> may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., about <NUM> to about <NUM>). Optionally, the diameter of the bore of the central air passage <NUM> and the at least one radial air channel <NUM> can be adjusted to control the resistance to draw of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. In use, the air flows into the bore of the central air passage <NUM>, through the at least one radial air channel <NUM> and into the outer air passage <NUM> such that a lesser portion of the air flow is directed at a central portion of the heater <NUM> so as to reduce or minimize the aforementioned cooling effect of the airflow on the heater <NUM> during heating cycles. Thus, incoming air is directed away from the center of the heater <NUM> and the air velocity past the heater is reduced as compared to when the air flows through a central opening in the seal <NUM> oriented directly in line with a middle portion of the heater <NUM>.

In another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the air flow diverter can be in the form of a disc <NUM> positioned between the downstream end of seal <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. The disc <NUM> includes at least one orifice <NUM> in a transverse wall at a downstream end of an outer tubular wall <NUM>. The at least one orifice <NUM> may be off-axis so as to direct incoming air outward towards the inner wall of tube <NUM>. During an application of a negative pressure, the disc <NUM> is operable to divert air flow away from a central portion of the heater <NUM> so as to counteract the tendency of the airflow to cool the heater as a result of a strong or prolonged negative pressure. Thus, the heater <NUM> is substantially reduced or prevented from cooling during heating cycles so as to reduce or prevent a drop in the amount of vapor produced during an application of a negative pressure.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the air flow diverter comprises a frustoconical section <NUM> extending from the downstream end <NUM> of a shortened central air passage <NUM>. By shortening the central air passage <NUM> as compared to other embodiments, the heater <NUM> is positioned farther away from the central air passage <NUM> allowing the air flow to decelerate before contacting the heater <NUM> and lessen the tendency of the air flow to cool the heater <NUM>. Alternatively, the heater <NUM> can be moved closer to the mouth-end insert <NUM> and farther away from the central air passage <NUM> to allow the air flow time and/or space sufficient to decelerate to achieve the same cooling-abatement effect.

The addition of the frustoconical section <NUM> provides a larger diameter bore size which can decelerate the air flow so that the air velocity at or about the heater <NUM> is reduced so as to abate the cooling effect of the air on the heater <NUM> during negative pressure cycles. The diameter of the large (exit) end of the frustoconical section <NUM> ranges from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The diameter of the bore of the central air passage <NUM> and the diameter of the smaller and/or larger end of the frustoconical section <NUM> can be adjusted to control the resistance to draw of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>.

The air flow diverter of the various embodiments channels the air flow by controlling the air flow velocity (its speed and/or the direction of the air flow). For example, the air flow diverter can direct air flow in a particular direction and/or control the speed of the air flow. The air flow speed may be controlled by varying the cross sectional area of the air flow route. Air flow through a constricted section increases in speed while air flow through a wider section decreases speed.

The outer tube <NUM> and/or the inner tube <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic, and polyethylene. In one embodiment, the material is light and non-brittle.

As shown in <FIG>, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> can also include a sleeve assembly <NUM> removably and/or rotatably positioned about the outer tube <NUM> adjacent the first section <NUM> of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. Moreover, the sleeve assembly <NUM> insulates at least a portion of the first section <NUM> so as to maintain the temperature of the vapor prior to delivery to the adult vaper. In an embodiment, the sleeve assembly <NUM> is rotatable about the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> and includes spaced apart slots <NUM> arranged transversely about the sleeve assembly such that the slots <NUM> line up with the air inlets <NUM> in the first section <NUM> to allow air to pass into the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> when a negative pressure is applied on the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. Before or during vaping, the adult vaper can rotate the sleeve assembly <NUM> such that the air inlets <NUM> are at least partially blocked by the sleeve assembly <NUM> so as to adjust the resistance to draw and/or ventilation of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>.

The sleeve assembly <NUM> is made of silicone or other pliable material so as to provide a soft mouthfeel to the adult vaper. However, the sleeve assembly <NUM> may be formed in one or more pieces and can be formed of a variety of materials including plastics, metals and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the sleeve assembly <NUM> is a single piece formed of silicone. The sleeve assembly <NUM> may be removed and reused with other non-combustible smoking devices or can be discarded along with the first section <NUM>. The sleeve assembly <NUM> may be any suitable color and/or can include graphics or other indicia.

As shown in <FIG>, in an alternative embodiment, the non-combustible smoking device can include a mouth-end insert <NUM> having a stationary piece <NUM> and a rotatable piece <NUM>. Outlets <NUM>, <NUM>' are located in each of the stationary piece <NUM> and the rotatable piece <NUM>. One or more of the outlets <NUM>, <NUM>' align as shown to allow vapor to enter an adult vaper's mouth. However, the rotatable piece <NUM> can be rotated within the mouth-end insert <NUM> so as to at least partially block one or more of the outlets <NUM> in the stationary piece <NUM>. Thus, the amount of vapor output may be varied with each application of a negative pressure. The outlets <NUM>, <NUM>' can be formed in the mouth-end insert <NUM> such that the outlets <NUM>, <NUM>' diverge.

In another embodiment, the air flow diverter comprises the addition of a second wick element adjacent to but just upstream of the heater <NUM>. The second wick element diverts portions of the air flow about the heater <NUM>.

While <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a tobacco element in an outer air passage, example embodiments are not limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device <NUM> including a tobacco element <NUM>. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> is similar to the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the differences will be described.

The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> includes a pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 22a. The pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 22a is the same as the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> except the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 22a is shorter in the longitudinal direction.

A first section 70a includes the outer tube <NUM> (or housing) extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube 62a coaxially positioned within the outer tube or housing <NUM>. The inner tube 62a defines a first outer air passage 9a. The first outer air passage 9a opens to a second outer air passage 9b.

An end of the inner tube 62a and the mouth-end insert <NUM> defines the second outer air passage 9b. In other words, the outer tube <NUM> may define a diameter in the latitudinal direction of the second outer air passage 9b. As shown, the diameter in the latitudinal direction of the second outer air passage 9b is larger than a diameter in the latitudinal direction of the first outer air passage 9a.

Within the second outer air passage 9b is the tobacco element <NUM>. The tobacco element <NUM> may be inserted into the second outer air passage 9b by removing the mouth-end insert <NUM> and inserting the tobacco element <NUM> into the second outer air passage 9b, for example.

The tobacco element <NUM> may be a tobacco plug which refers to a compressed form of tobacco including, but not limited to tobacco strands, rolled tobacco or filler. The tobacco plug may be wrapped in natural tobacco, reconstituted sheet tobacco or aluminum, for example. While only one tobacco plug is illustrated, it should be understood that a plurality of tobacco plugs may be used. Fibrous segments (e.g., cellulose acetate, other synthetic fibers, or natural fibers) may be placed between the plurality of tobacco plugs.

For example, a cylindrical housing <NUM> holds tobacco. The cylindrical housing <NUM> may be made of aluminum, for example. The cylindrical housing <NUM> has an outer diameter that fits with the diameter of the outer air passage 9b. Along the longitudinal axis of the housing <NUM>, mesh screens <NUM> and <NUM> fit at ends of the cylindrical housing <NUM> to enclose the tobacco in the cylindrical housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the mesh screens <NUM> and <NUM> include openings <NUM> to allow air to pass from one end of the cylindrical housing through the tobacco and out of the end of the cylindrical housing <NUM> closest to the mouth-end insert <NUM>.

The tobacco element <NUM> is arranged in such a way to allow the vapor generated by the heater <NUM> to pass through the tobacco. For example, the tobacco element <NUM> may be spaced a first distance from the mouth-end insert <NUM> and a second distance from the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>. The first distance and the second distance may be the same or different.

Due to a negative pressure being applied, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco element <NUM> and out of the mouth-end insert <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be a set distance from the tobacco element <NUM> or contacting the tobacco element <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> heats the tobacco to a temperature (as described above) during an application of a negative pressure. In an example, the heater <NUM> may be <NUM>-<NUM> from the tobacco element <NUM>.

While the inner tube 62a is shown as extending past the heater <NUM> in the longitudinal direction to the mouth-end insert <NUM>, it should be understood that the heater <NUM> may be arranged to extend into the second outer air passage 9b. As a result, the tobacco element <NUM> may be spaced apart from the heater <NUM> or in contact with the heater <NUM>, such as shown <FIG>. In <FIG>, the heater <NUM> is in the second outer passage 9b of a section 70b. Thus, pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 11a, the heater <NUM> and the tobacco element <NUM> are sequentially arranged.

While the gasket <NUM> is not illustrated, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> may include the gasket <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device <NUM> including a tobacco element <NUM>. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> is similar to the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> except a section 70c does not include the mouth-end insert <NUM>, the tobacco element <NUM> and the gasket <NUM> and the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> further includes an insert <NUM>. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the differences will be described.

By removing the mouth-end insert <NUM> and the gasket <NUM>, the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> includes a receiving area <NUM> fitted to receive a tobacco insert <NUM>. The receiving area <NUM> is defined by the outer tube <NUM> and an end of the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

The tobacco insert <NUM> may be a cigarette or cigar. For example, the tobacco insert may be a filtered cigarette, a non-filtered cigarette, a cigarillo, a filter tipped cigar filter, a tipped cigar or an untipped cigar/cigarillo, for example. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto.

The tobacco insert <NUM> is a detachable insert. In the example shown in <FIG>, the tobacco insert <NUM> may be a cigarette or a portion of a cigarette. The tobacco insert <NUM> includes a filter <NUM> and a tobacco element <NUM>. In example embodiments where the tobacco insert is an untipped cigar/cigarillo, the tobacco insert does not include a filter.

Tipping paper <NUM> may overlap the filter <NUM> and the tobacco element <NUM>. The tipping paper <NUM> may cover surface areas of the tobacco insert <NUM> that extend in along the outer tube <NUM>. Thus, the tipping paper <NUM> provides stiffness to the tobacco insert <NUM>, permitting easier insertion to the receiving area <NUM>. An aluminum foil may also be used to contain the tobacco element <NUM>, with or without additional tipping paper.

The position of the heater <NUM> is not limited to the position shown in FIG. For example, the heater <NUM> may be positioned at the end of the outer air passage <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> is closer to the tobacco element <NUM> and/or in contact with the tobacco element <NUM>. In another example embodiment, the heater <NUM> may protrude out of the outer air passage <NUM> in the same manner as shown in <FIG>.

The heater <NUM> may be a set distance from the tobacco element <NUM> or contacting the tobacco element <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> heats the tobacco element <NUM> to a temperature (as described above) during an application of a negative pressure.

In operation, with non-combustible smoking device <NUM> in an assembled configuration, a negative pressure may be applied on the tobacco insert <NUM>. The negative pressure may cause an internal pressure drop inside non-combustible smoking device <NUM> that may cause an inlet air flow to enter the device <NUM> via air inlets <NUM>/<NUM>'. The internal pressure drop may also cause an internal pressure drop within section <NUM> as air is drawn through air inlet 44a (via an air flow path traveling through section <NUM>). The internal pressure drop formed in section <NUM> may be sensed by sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may then operate to close an electrical circuit that includes the power supply <NUM>. In turn, electrical leads carry an electrical current to heater <NUM> in order to energize the heater <NUM>. The energized heater <NUM> in turn heats and vaporizes a portion of the pre-vapor formulation that is drawn toward the heater <NUM> via the wick <NUM>.

Pre-vapor formulation material is transferred from the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and/or pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> in proximity of the heater <NUM> by capillary action in the wick <NUM>. When the heater <NUM> is activated, the pre-vapor formulation in the central portion of the wick <NUM> is vaporized by the heater <NUM> to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form vapor. Due to a negative pressure being applied, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco element <NUM> and out of the filter <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the filter <NUM> may be a cellulose acetate (CA) filter. CA filter elements, such as triacetin, can be eluted into vapor. Vapor phase nicotine and other volatile elements in vapor can be reduced by a presence of tobacco.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device <NUM>.

The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> is similar to the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> except a section 70d does not include the tobacco element <NUM> and the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> further includes a detachable mouthpiece <NUM>. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the differences will be described.

The detachable mouthpiece <NUM> includes a tobacco element <NUM>. The tobacco element <NUM> may be contained in a plug or bag, and attached to the inside of mouthpiece <NUM>. The detachable mouthpiece <NUM> fits over a portion the outer tube <NUM> to form a seal between the detachable mouthpiece and the section 70d. The detachable mouthpiece <NUM> may form the seal by sliding onto the outer tube <NUM> or having a connection mechanism (e.g., male/female) to connect to the outer tube <NUM>.

In operation, with non-combustible smoking device <NUM> in an assembled configuration, a negative pressure may be applied on the detachable mouthpiece <NUM>. Due to a negative pressure being applied, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the mouth-end insert <NUM>, into the tobacco element <NUM> and out of the detachable mouthpiece <NUM> through an air passage <NUM>.

In another example embodiment, the mouth-end insert <NUM> and the gasket <NUM> may be omitted such as shown in <FIG>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, a tube 6a is shorter than the tube <NUM>, of <FIG>.

In other example embodiments, the tobacco element may be in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir and/or function as the pre-vapor formulation storage medium.

For example, <FIG> illustrate an example embodiment of a pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir. A pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 22a may be used as the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

As shown, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir 22a includes a pre-vapor formulation <NUM>, an intermediate tube <NUM>, a tobacco element <NUM> and an inner tube <NUM>'. The inner tube <NUM>' defines the air passage <NUM> and may include a metal grid, screen or mesh, for example.

In another example embodiment, the inner tube <NUM>' may be the inner tube <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic, and polyethylene.

The intermediate tube <NUM> may include a glass fiber. The pre-vapor formulation <NUM> is between the intermediate tube <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM> and may be in the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM>.

The tobacco element <NUM> is between the inner tube <NUM>' and the intermediate tube <NUM>. The tobacco element <NUM> may be tobacco sheet, shreds, powder, beads or a sponge, for example. The inner tube <NUM>' may include extenders protruding into the tobacco to help heat transfer.

In operation, a negative pressure may be applied to the non-combustible smoking device, which activates the heater <NUM>, as described above. The heater heats the pre-vapor formulation <NUM> to form a vapor and the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco element <NUM> and into the air passage <NUM>.

As a result, the tobacco element <NUM> is exposed to heat from the vapor and from the heater <NUM>. Therefore, a tobacco aroma is imparted on the vapor.

In an example embodiment, an amount of tobacco element (e.g., filler) in the non-combustible smoking device may produce about a same number of applications of a negative pressure as a cigarette. Alternatively, the amount of tobacco element may produce a fixed number of applications of a negative pressure.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco element may have nicotine removed.

Example embodiments described in <FIG> may be combined to utilize a tobacco element in more than one location. For example, a first tobacco element can be combined with the pre-vapor formulation in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir and a second tobacco element may be in the passage <NUM>. In other example embodiment, a first tobacco element can be combined with the pre-vapor formulation in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir and a second tobacco element may be a tobacco plug in the second outer air passage 9b. In another example embodiment, a first tobacco element can be combined with the pre-vapor formulation in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir and a second tobacco element may be in an insert or detachable mouthpiece. In another example embodiment, a first tobacco element can be in the passage <NUM> and a second tobacco element may be in an insert or detachable mouthpiece.

Example embodiments provide a non-combustible smoking device having a heater that heats a pre-vapor formulation and may provide heat to a tobacco element. More specifically, the non-combustible smoke device according to example embodiments exposes a vapor to a tobacco element and/or exposes a pre-vapor formulation to a tobacco element. When the tobacco element is in the pre-vapor formulation the physical integrity of the tobacco element is preserved.

In other example embodiments, a non-combustible smoke device can be a pod device or tank device that exposes a vapor to a tobacco element and/or exposes a pre-vapor formulation to a tobacco element.

While a single heater is described with reference to <FIG>, example embodiments may include a multiple heater non-combustible smoking device. A first heater may be the heater <NUM> to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation and a second heater may be used to heat the tobacco element. The second heater may penetrate the tobacco element.

For example, <FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device having a plurality heaters.

In <FIG>, a first section <NUM> may be similar to the first section <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, without the tobacco element <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the first section <NUM>. Since the first section <NUM> is the same as the first section <NUM> without the tobacco element <NUM>, for sake of brevity, the first section <NUM> is not described in further detail.

As shown in <FIG>, a second section <NUM>' of the non-combustible smoking device includes a tobacco housing <NUM> and a power housing <NUM>. The tobacco housing <NUM> and the power housing <NUM> may be separate cartridges that are connected together by a connecting portion <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> may be the same as the threaded connection <NUM>.

The tobacco housing <NUM> houses tobacco <NUM> and is configured to allow an aroma from the tobacco <NUM> to flow into the first section <NUM>.

The tobacco housing includes the connector 205b, which has an anode portion <NUM> and a cathode portion <NUM>. The anode portion <NUM> includes an annular section <NUM> that extends longitudinally in the tobacco housing <NUM>. The anode portion <NUM> includes two holes 1521a and 1521b to allow air to flow into the tobacco <NUM> and a channel <NUM> when a negative pressure is applied on the mouth-end insert <NUM>. Both the anode portion <NUM> and the cathode portion <NUM> include an electrically conductive material such as plated brass or stainless steel. The channel <NUM> is defined in part by the anode portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. A filter <NUM> is located at one end of the channel <NUM> and another end of the channel <NUM> is open to the first section <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may include cellulous acetate, glass fiber, ceramic, cotton, or any chemically inert porous material. As a result, the channel <NUM> provides a path for air to flow into the tobacco <NUM>.

A fibrous sleeve <NUM> covers at least a portion of the annular portion <NUM> of the anode portion <NUM>. The fibrous sleeve <NUM> may be a cellulosic material or polyethylene terephthalate and may extend from ends of the holes 1521a, 1521b to the filter <NUM>. The fibrous sleeve <NUM> aids in controlling the temperature by absorbing heat emitted from a coiled heater <NUM>. The fibrous sleeve <NUM> may be fiber glass or any material that is chemically inert and not electrically conductive. The fibrous sleeve <NUM> electrically separates the heater <NUM> and the anode portion <NUM>.

A coiled heater <NUM> wraps around the fibrous sleeve <NUM> in the longitudinal direction and heats the tobacco when power is supplied to the heater <NUM> from the power supply <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may heat the tobacco and not burn it. For example, the heater <NUM> may operate at around <NUM> or could be varied based on a power supply control. The heater <NUM> heats the tobacco <NUM> to generate a tobacco aroma.

To receive power from the power supply <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is attached to the anode portion <NUM> and the cathode portion <NUM>. More specifically, an anode of the power supply <NUM> is connected to an anode portion 1511a of the connecting portion <NUM> which is connected to a battery connector <NUM>. The anode portion <NUM> is connected to the battery connector by a wire <NUM>. While the wire <NUM> is illustrated as passing through the filter <NUM>, the wire may pass between the filter <NUM> and the outer tube <NUM>'. The heater <NUM> is connected to the anode portion <NUM> by a wire <NUM>. The wire <NUM> and <NUM> form a soldered connection <NUM> on the anode portion <NUM>.

In addition, the heater <NUM> is soldered to wire <NUM> which is connected to the cathode portion <NUM>. The wire <NUM> may be connected to the cathode portion <NUM> by, for example, spot welding or soldering the two electrical leads of the heater <NUM>. It should be understood that connections should not be limited to soldering or spot welding. Where soldering is used welding may be used instead and vice versa.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of the coiled heater <NUM> surrounding the fibrous sleeve <NUM>. As shown, the coiled heater <NUM> wraps around the fibrous sleeve <NUM>. The wire <NUM> extends from the annular section <NUM> of the anode portion <NUM> past the fibrous sleeve <NUM> to the battery connector <NUM>. Moreover, the sleeve <NUM> extends to the hole 1521b of the anode portion <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the cathode portion <NUM> includes holes 1520a.

<FIG> illustrates a top view of the cathode portion <NUM>, according to an example embodiment. As shown, the cathode portion <NUM> includes four holes 1520a. While four holes 1520a are illustrated, it should be understood that greater than or less than four holes may be used. Moreover, an inner surface <NUM> has a diameter d1 that defines a receiving area for the anode portion.

The cathode portion <NUM> includes an upper circular area <NUM> and a lower circular area <NUM>. The holes 1520a are spaced approximately <NUM> degrees from each other and extend through the lower circular area <NUM> to provide airways between the tobacco housing <NUM> and the first section <NUM>.

More specifically, when a negative pressure is applied on the mouth-end insert <NUM>, air flows through the channel <NUM> as well as through the tobacco <NUM> and the holes 1520a. The air flowing through the channel <NUM> into the section <NUM> will also have tobacco aroma due to the air flow path provided by the holes 1521a and 1521b in the anode portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a tobacco housing for a non-combustible smoking device according to an example embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, a tobacco housing <NUM> includes a tobacco receiving area <NUM> and a protrusion <NUM> extending from a surface <NUM> of the tobacco receiving area <NUM>. The tobacco housing <NUM> is cylindrical in shape and holds tobacco to be heated from heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> extend from the protrusion <NUM> into the receiving area <NUM>. The tobacco housing <NUM> may be upstream of a vapor generating area. Thus, the heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> heat the tobacco to provide an aroma to the vapor generated downstream. The heaters <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to a power source such as the power supply <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example embodiment of a non-combustible smoking device having a plurality heaters.

<FIG> illustrates a mesh heater <NUM> covered in a fiber glass shield <NUM> to help control the temperature. Tobacco is between the mesh heater <NUM> and the fiber glass shield <NUM>. The mesh heater <NUM> and fiber glass shield <NUM> may be used instead of the tobacco heating arrangement illustrated in <FIG>. Thus, the fiber glass shield <NUM> may abut the housing <NUM>. The mesh heater <NUM> is connected to the power supply <NUM> through anode and cathode wires <NUM> and <NUM>. The mesh is coiled from the top to the bottom of the cartridge.

The non-combustible smoking devices according to example embodiments may be stored in various configurations.

<FIG> illustrates a flip top container for a non-combustible smoking device according to an example embodiment.

As shown, a flip top container <NUM> includes a top <NUM> and a bottom receiving portion <NUM>. The bottom receiving portion <NUM> is arranged in a fashion such that a first section <NUM> of a non-combustible smoking device and a second section <NUM> of the non-combustible smoking device are arranged side-by-side. For example, the first section <NUM> may be the section 70c and the second section <NUM> may be the section <NUM>. The top portion <NUM> may pivot about a hinge <NUM>, allowing an adult vaper to open and close the flip top container <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a flip top container for a non-combustible smoking device according to another example embodiment.

In other example embodiments, a non-combustible smoking device includes an inductive heater where a coil is outside of the tobacco and a reactive element is on a surface of the tobacco.

In other example embodiments, a temperature controller may be required to prevent over heating of the tobacco and prevent burning of the tobacco.

By utilizing a plurality of heaters, a coil heater and/or a mesh heater, the surface area of tobacco exposed to heat increases thereby generating a larger amount of vapor to an adult vaper.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the non-combustible smoking device of <FIG> according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As shown, the first section (replaceable cartridge, non-combustible smoking element) <NUM> and the reusable fixture <NUM> are coupled together at the connection 205a/b. The reusable fixture <NUM> has been previously described. Therefore, the reusable fixture <NUM> will not be further described, for the sake of brevity.

The first section <NUM> includes the outer tube <NUM> (or housing) extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube <NUM> coaxially positioned within the outer tube or housing <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> defines a portion of an outer air passage (or channel) <NUM>.

A portion <NUM> of the tobacco containing section <NUM> fits within a circumference defined by an inner portion of the outer tube <NUM> to create a frictional connection between the tobacco containing section <NUM> and the first section (cartridge) <NUM>. Example embodiments are not limited to the frictional connection and other connections may be used. Thus, the tobacco containing section <NUM> is a detachable insert.

The tobacco containing section <NUM> includes an inner tube <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> of the tobacco containing section <NUM> defines another portion of the outer air passage <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> define a space (annulus) therebetween.

An end <NUM> of the tobacco containing section <NUM> may be a low efficiency cellulose acetate filter, a hollow acetate tube, or a plastic or wood mouthpiece. When the end <NUM> is a plastic or wood mouthpiece, the end <NUM> is shaped such that a portion of the outer wall <NUM> fits within a circumference of the end <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate example embodiments of the end <NUM>.

Within the space between the outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>, the tobacco containing section <NUM> includes a tobacco element <NUM>.

In addition, the inner tube <NUM> and the outer wall <NUM> may contain tipping paper, a tobacco plant material in any form including rolled natural or reconstituted tobacco leaf or sheet or from an annular piece made of tobacco filler or extruded tobacco in the shape of a sleeve. The inner tube <NUM> and the outer wall <NUM> may be made of the same or different materials.

In an example embodiment, the tobacco containing section <NUM> may be a filtered cigarette, a non-filtered cigarette, a cigarillo, a filter tipped cigar filter, a tipped cigar or an untipped cigar/cigarillo, for example. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. If the tobacco containing section <NUM> is a shortened cigarette, the tobacco containing section <NUM> may include a filter at the end <NUM>. In example embodiments where the tobacco insert is an untipped cigar/cigarillo, the tobacco insert does not include a filter.

The filter may be a low efficiency cellulose acetate (CA) filter. CA filter elements, such as triacetin, can be eluted into vapor. Vapor phase nicotine and other volatile elements in vapor can be reduced by a presence of tobacco.

A heater <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction from the inner tube <NUM> into the inner tube <NUM> in the outer air passage <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is contained in an outer annulus between the outer tube <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>. The annulus is sealed at an upstream end by the seal <NUM>. At a downstream end, the annulus is sealed by a gasket 2262a. The gasket 2262a may be a ring shaped gasket.

The gasket 2262a is placed on the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> to seal the pre-vapor formulation in the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and prevent the tobacco element <NUM> from mixing with the pre-vapor formulation.

In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is also contained in the inner tube <NUM> downstream of and in spaced apart relation to the portion of central air passage <NUM> defined by the seal <NUM>. The heater <NUM> can be in the form of a wire coil, a planar body, a ceramic body, a single wire, a cage of resistive wire or any other suitable form.

The power supply <NUM> may be operably connected to the heater <NUM> (for example, as described with respect to <FIG>) to apply voltage across the heater <NUM>. The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> also includes at least one air inlet <NUM> operable to deliver air to the central air passage <NUM> and/or other portions of the inner tube <NUM>.

Moreover, the heater <NUM> extends in the longitudinal direction and heats the pre-vapor formulation material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form a vapor when a negative pressure is applied to the end <NUM>. In other embodiments, the heater <NUM> may be arranged in another manner such as in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

The vapor then flows through the inner tube <NUM> and into the tobacco element <NUM> upon a negative pressure being applied at the end <NUM> of the tobacco containing section <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be a set distance from the tobacco element <NUM> such that the heater <NUM> heats the tobacco element <NUM> when a negative pressure is applied. For example, the heater <NUM> may be ten (<NUM>) millimeters or less from the inner tube <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may extend into the tobacco containing portion <NUM> between <NUM>-<NUM> millimeters. The heater <NUM> may be arranged to produce a temperature of <NUM> degrees Celsius at the end <NUM>. Moreover, the heater <NUM> may heat the tobacco element <NUM> to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM> degrees Celsius and heat the pre-vapor formulation at <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Celsius.

The heater <NUM> warms the tobacco element <NUM>, but does not burn the tobacco. Thus, the warming of the tobacco element <NUM> may be referred to as non-combustible. Because the first section <NUM> includes the heater <NUM> and the tobacco containing section <NUM> includes the tobacco element <NUM>, the sections <NUM> and <NUM> may jointly be referred to as a non-combustible smoking element.

In one embodiment, the first section (the cartridge, the non-combustible smoking element) <NUM> and the tobacco containing section <NUM> are disposable. The first section (the cartridge) <NUM> can be replaced when the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is used up.

In an embodiment, the at least one air inlet <NUM> includes one or two air inlets. Alternatively, there may be three, four, five or more air inlets. If there is more than one air inlet <NUM>, the air inlets <NUM> are located at different locations along the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. At least one additional air inlet <NUM> can be located adjacent and upstream of the seal <NUM> or at any other desirable location. Altering the size and number of air inlets <NUM> can also aid in establishing the resistance to draw of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be a wire coil surrounding the wick <NUM>. Examples of suitable electrically resistive materials include titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group. Examples of suitable metal alloys include stainless steel, nickel-, cobalt-, chromium-, aluminium- titanium- zirconium-, hafnium-, niobium-, molybdenum-, tantalum-, tungsten-, tin-, gallium-, manganese- and iron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt, stainless steel. For example, the heater may be formed of nickel aluminides, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface, iron aluminides and other composite materials, the electrically resistive material may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with an insulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energy transfer and the external physicochemical properties required. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, nickel-chromium alloys, superalloys and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the heater <NUM> is formed of nickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In one embodiment, the heater <NUM> can be a ceramic heater having an electrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

In another embodiment, the heater <NUM> may be constructed of an iron-aluminide (e.g., FeAl or Fe. 3Al), such as those described in commonly owned <CIT>, or nickel aluminides (e.g., Ni. FeAl exhibits a resistivity of approximately <NUM> micro-ohms, whereas stainless steel exhibits approximately <NUM> to <NUM> micro-ohms. The higher resistivity lowers current draw or load on the power supply (battery) <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the wick <NUM> comprises a ceramic material or ceramic fibers and may include any material described with respect to the wick <NUM>. As noted above, the wick <NUM> is at least partially surrounded by the heater <NUM>. Moreover, in an embodiment, the wick <NUM> extends through opposed openings in the inner tube <NUM> such that end portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the wick <NUM> are in contact with the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

The wick <NUM> may comprise a plurality or bundle of filaments. In one embodiment, the filaments may be generally aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> at the inner tube <NUM> and generally in the longitudinal direction in the channel <NUM>, but example embodiments are not limited to this orientation. In one embodiment, the structure of the wick <NUM> is formed of ceramic filaments capable of drawing the pre-vapor formulation via capillary action via interstitial spacing between the filaments to the heater <NUM>. The wick <NUM> can include filaments having a cross-section which is generally cross-shaped, clover-shaped, Y-shaped or in any other suitable shape.

Instead of using a wick, the heater <NUM> can be a porous material of sufficient capillarity and which incorporates a resistance heater formed of a material having a high electrical resistance capable of generating heat quickly.

In an embodiment, the power supply <NUM> may include a battery arranged in the non-combustible smoking device <NUM> such that the anode is downstream of the cathode. The anode connector <NUM> contacts the downstream end of the battery. The heater <NUM> is connected to the battery by two spaced apart electrical leads.

The connection between the uncoiled, end portions <NUM>, <NUM>' (see <FIG>) of the heater <NUM> and the electrical leads are highly conductive and temperature resistant while the heater <NUM> is highly resistive so that heat generation occurs primarily along the heater <NUM> and not at the contacts. The end portion <NUM> is connected to the anode connector <NUM> and the end portion <NUM>' is connected to the cathode through the outer tube <NUM>.

The non-combustible smoking device <NUM> also includes control circuitry including the sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is operable to sense an air pressure drop and initiate application of voltage from the power supply <NUM> to the heater <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> includes the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> containing pre-vapor formulation material. In <FIG>, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> is contained in an outer annulus between inner tube <NUM> and outer tube <NUM> and between gasket <NUM> and the seal <NUM>. Thus, the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> at least partially surrounds the central air passage <NUM> and the heater <NUM> and the wick <NUM> extend between portions of the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> may be a fibrous material comprising cotton, polyethylene, polyester, rayon and combinations thereof. The fibers may have a diameter ranging in size from about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns (e.g., about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns or about <NUM> microns to about <NUM> microns). The pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> may be a sintered, porous or foamed material. Also, the fibers may be sized to be irrespirable and can have a cross-section which has a y shape, cross shape, clover shape or any other suitable shape.

In operation, with non-combustible smoking device <NUM> in an assembled configuration, a negative pressure may be applied on the end <NUM>. This may cause an internal pressure drop inside non-combustible smoking device <NUM> that may cause an inlet air flow to enter device <NUM> via air inlets <NUM>/44a. The internal pressure drop may also cause an internal pressure drop within section <NUM> as air is drawn through air inlet 44a (via an air flow path traveling through section <NUM>). The internal pressure drop formed in section <NUM> may be sensed by sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may then operate to close an electrical circuit that includes the power supply <NUM>. In turn, electrical leads carry an electrical current to heater <NUM> in order to energize the heater <NUM>. The energized heater <NUM> in turn heats and vaporizes the pre-vapor formulation material that is drawn toward the heater <NUM> via the wick <NUM>.

The pre-vapor formulation material is transferred from the pre-vapor formulation supply reservoir <NUM> and/or pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> in proximity of the heater <NUM> by capillary action in the wick <NUM>. In one embodiment, the wick <NUM> has a first end portion <NUM> and a second opposite end portion <NUM>. The first end portion <NUM> and the second end portion <NUM> extend into opposite sides of the pre-vapor formulation storage medium <NUM> for contact with pre-vapor formulation material contained therein. The heater <NUM> at least partially surrounds a central portion of the wick <NUM> such that when the heater <NUM> is activated, the pre-vapor formulation in the central portion of the wick <NUM> is vaporized by the heater <NUM> to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation material and form vapor. Due to a negative pressure being applied, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco element <NUM> and out of the end <NUM>.

The arrangement of the first section (the cartridge) <NUM> is not limited to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and may include other modifications such as those described in <CIT>.

The inner tube <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals, alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic, and polyethylene. In one embodiment, the material is light and non-brittle.

While <FIG> illustrates the tobacco containing section <NUM> having a singular annular sleeve, example embodiments are not limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a non-combustible smoking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention including a tobacco containing section <NUM> having annular sleeves 2374a and 2374b. A non-combustible smoking device <NUM> is similar to the non-combustible smoking device <NUM>. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the differences will be described.

In <FIG>, a tobacco containing section <NUM> includes annular sleeves 2374a and 2374b.

The annular sleeve 2374a includes an inner tube <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> defines another portion of the outer air passage <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> define a space (annulus) therebetween. The outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> may be made of the same materials of the outer wall <NUM> and inner tube <NUM>, respectively.

Within the space between the outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM> is the tobacco element <NUM>.

The annular sleeve 2374b includes an inner tube <NUM> and an outer wall <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the annular sleeve 2374b encompasses the annular sleeve 2374a. The inner tube <NUM> is permeable and the outer wall <NUM> is impermeable. An end <NUM> of the annular sleeve 2374b is closed to air flow. The end <NUM> may be made of any material that acts as a plug to block airflow such as a plastic (e.g., polyethalane) or a metal. Thus, air flows from the air passage <NUM>, through the annular sleeve 2374a through the inner tube <NUM> and into air channels <NUM>, <NUM> upon applying a negative pressure to the tobacco containing section <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The inner tube <NUM> is a permeable material such as a membrane, mesh, perforated plastic or paper. The inner tube <NUM> is made of a material that maintains the structural integrity of the annular sleeve 2374b. The outer wall <NUM> is an impermeable material such as a plastic.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a non-combustible smoking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention including a tobacco containing section <NUM>' having annular sleeves 2374a' and 2374b'.

The tobacco containing section <NUM>' is similar to the tobacco containing section <NUM>. Thus, only the differences will be described.

In <FIG>, an annular sleeve 2374b' does not include the inner tube <NUM>. Instead, an outer wall <NUM>' of the annular sleeve 2374a' is also part of the annular sleeve 2374b'. With an inner tube <NUM>', the outer wall <NUM>' and the inner tube <NUM>' define a space (annulus) therebetween. Within the space between the outer wall <NUM>' and the inner tube <NUM>' is the tobacco element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer wall <NUM>' and the inner tube <NUM>' extend to the end <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM>' and the inner tube <NUM>' may be made of the same materials as the outer wall <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> illustrates another example of a non-combustible smoking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention including a tobacco containing section <NUM>".

The tobacco containing section <NUM>'' is similar to the tobacco containing section <NUM>'. Thus, only the differences will be described.

In <FIG>, an inner tube <NUM>" of an annular sleeve 2374a'' is closed off before the end <NUM>. A space is then defined between the end <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>''. Tobacco element <NUM> is also between the end <NUM> and the inner tube <NUM>".

The non-combustible smoking devices according to example embodiments are effective in heating the tobacco and distilling and eluting tobacco specific flavors because of their flow pattern and proximity of the tobacco element to the heater <NUM> (vapor forming area). The perpendicular flow, shown in <FIG>, of the vapor from the heater <NUM> to the tobacco element and the closeness of the tobacco to the heater <NUM> allow for effective heating of the tobacco and subsequent distillation and elution of volatile tobacco flavors.

While example embodiments illustrate that vapor can exit the non-combustible smoking device in an annular fashion, it should be understood that the vapor may exit in a concentric fashion.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of an end of the tobacco containing section <NUM> being a plastic mouthpiece. As shown in <FIG>, an end 2201a has at least two off-axis, diverging outlets <NUM>. The end 2201a is in fluid communication with the central air passage <NUM>, which extends through the gasket <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> is at a downstream end of the tobacco containing section <NUM> so as to prevent leakage of the tobacco material into the end 2201a.

A portion of the outer wall 2278a fits within a circumference of the end 2201a.

Due to a negative pressure being applied to the tobacco containing section <NUM>, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco containing section <NUM> and out of the end 2201a.

<FIG> illustrates an example embodiment of an end of the tobacco containing section <NUM>.

An end 2201b fits over a portion of the outer wall 2278b. A negative pressure may be applied on the end 2201b. Due to the negative pressure, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, out of the tobacco containing section <NUM> through an air passage <NUM>.

An end 2201c includes a filter <NUM>. In example embodiments where the tobacco insert is an untipped cigar/cigarillo, the tobacco insert does not include a filter.

Tipping paper <NUM> may overlap the filter <NUM>. Tipping paper may also be used as the wall <NUM>. Thus, the tipping paper <NUM> provides stiffness to the tobacco containing section <NUM>, permitting easier insertion to the first section (the cartridge) <NUM>. An aluminum foil may also be used to contain the tobacco element, with or without additional tipping paper.

When a negative pressure is applied to the tobacco containing section <NUM>, the vapor flows from the heater <NUM>, through the tobacco containing section <NUM> and out of the filter <NUM>.

In other example embodiments, a non-combustible smoking device includes more than two heaters.

Claim 1:
A non-combustible smoking element (<NUM>) comprising:
a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element (<NUM>/<NUM>) configured to contain a pre-vapor formulation material;
a single heating element (<NUM>/<NUM>), the single heating element (<NUM>/<NUM>) coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and configured to heat at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation material into a vapor and provide the vapor to a first channel (<NUM>/<NUM>);
characterized in that the non-combustible smoking element further comprises: a tobacco containing element (<NUM>/<NUM>) defining at least a portion of the first channel, wherein the single heating element (<NUM>) extends into the tobacco containing element (<NUM>) such that the tobacco containing element (<NUM>/<NUM>) overlapping at least a portion of the single heating element (<NUM>/<NUM>), and wherein the tobacco containing element (<NUM>/<NUM>) is arranged to receive the vapor to enable the vapor to elute tobacco elements into a flow stream.