Patent ID: 12193508

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic smoking article includes a sheath flow and aerosol promoter (SFAP) insert operable to produce and deliver an aerosol that is similar to cigarette smoke. Once a vapor is generated, the vapor flows into the SFAP insert and is cooled by air which enters the electronic smoking article downstream of a heater. The SFAP insert includes a constriction which can quickly cool the vapor by reducing the cross-section of the vapor flow so as to transfer heat from the center of the aerosol flow to walls of the SFAP insert faster. The increased cooling rate increases the rate of aerosol particle formation resulting in smaller particle sizes. Upon passing through the constriction portion of the SFAP insert, the aerosol is allowed to expand and further cool, which enhances aerosol formation. Channels provided on an exterior of the SFAP allow aerosol-free (sheath) air to be drawn into a mixing chamber downstream of the SFAP insert where the sheath air produces a boundary layer that is operable to minimize condensation of the aerosol on walls of the electronic smoking article so as to increase the delivery rate of the aerosol.

The SFAP insert can be used in an electronic smoking article including a heated capillary aerosol generator (CAG) or a heater and wick assembly as described herein. Electronic smoking articles including the CAG can include a manual pump or a pressurized liquid source and valve arrangement. The valve can be manually or electrically actuated.

As shown inFIG.1, an electronic smoking article60comprises a replaceable cartridge (or first section)70and a reusable fixture (or second section)72, which are coupled together at a threaded joint74or by other convenience such as a snug-fit, snap-fit, detent, clamp and/or clasp.

As shown inFIGS.2,7and8, the first section70can house a mouth-end insert20, a sheath flow and aerosol promoter (SFAP) insert220, a capillary aerosol generator including a capillary tube18, a heater19to heat at least a portion of the capillary tube18, a liquid supply reservoir14and optionally a valve40. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.9, the first section70can house a mouth end insert20, a SFAP insert220, a heater319, a flexible, filamentary wick328and a liquid supply reservoir314as discussed in further detail below.

The second section72can house a power supply12(shown inFIGS.2,7,8and9), control circuitry11(shown inFIGS.2,7and8), and optionally a puff sensor16(shown inFIGS.8and9). The threaded portion74of the second section72can be connected to a battery charger when not connected to the first section70for use so as to charge the battery.

As shown inFIG.2, the electronic smoking article10can also include a middle section (third section)73, which can house the liquid supply reservoir14, heater19and valve40. The middle section73can be adapted to be fitted with a threaded joint74′ at an upstream end of the first section70and a threaded joint74at a downstream end of the second section72. In this embodiment, the first section70houses the SFAP insert220and the mouth-end insert20, while the second section72houses the power supply12and control circuitry.

Preferably, the first section70, the second section72and the optional third section73include an outer cylindrical housing22extending in a longitudinal direction along the length of the electronic smoking article60. Moreover, in one embodiment, the middle section73is disposable and the first section70and/or second section72are reusable. In another embodiment, the first section70can also be replaceable so as to avoid the need for cleaning the capillary tube18and/or heater19. The sections70,72,73can be attached by threaded connections whereby the middle section73can be replaced when the liquid in the liquid supply reservoir14is depleted.

As shown inFIG.2, the outer cylindrical housing22can include a cutout or depression100which allows a smoker to manually apply pressure to the liquid supply reservoir14. Preferably, the outer cylindrical housing22is flexible and/or compressible along the length thereof and fully or partially covers the liquid supply reservoir14. The cutout or depression100can extend partially about the circumference of the outer cylindrical housing22. Moreover, the liquid supply reservoir14is compressible such that when pressure is applied to the liquid supply reservoir, liquid is pumped from the liquid supply reservoir14to the capillary tube18. A pressure activated switch44can be positioned beneath the liquid supply reservoir14. When pressure is applied to the liquid supply reservoir14to pump liquid, the switch is also pressed and a heater19is activated. The heater19can be a portion of the capillary tube18. By applying manual pressure to the pressure switch, the power supply12is activated and an electric current heats the liquid in the capillary tube18via electrical contacts so as to volatilize the liquid.

In the preferred embodiment, the liquid supply reservoir14is a tubular, elongate body formed of an elastomeric material so as to be flexible and/or compressible when squeezed. Preferably, the elastomeric material can be selected from the group consisting of silicone, plastic, rubber, latex, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the compressible liquid supply reservoir14has an outlet16which is in fluid communication with a capillary tube18so that when squeezed, the liquid supply reservoir14can deliver a volume of liquid material to the capillary tube18. Simultaneous to delivering liquid to the capillary, the power supply12is activated upon application of manual pressure to the pressure switch and the capillary tube18is heated to form a heated section wherein the liquid material is volatilized. Upon discharge from the heated capillary tube18, the volatilized material expands, mixes with air and forms an aerosol.

Preferably, the liquid supply reservoir14extends longitudinally within the outer cylindrical housing22of the first section70(shown inFIGS.7and8) or the middle section73(shown inFIG.5). The liquid supply reservoir14comprises a liquid material which is volatilized when heated and forms an aerosol when discharged from the capillary tube18.

In the preferred embodiment, the capillary tube18includes an inlet end62in fluid communication with the outlet16of the liquid supply reservoir14, and an outlet end63(shown inFIG.2) operable to expel volatilized liquid material from the capillary tube18. In a preferred embodiment, as shown inFIGS.2,7and8, the liquid supply reservoir14may include or cooperate with a valve40.

As shown inFIGS.2and7, the valve40can be a check valve that is operable to maintain the liquid material within the liquid supply reservoir14, but opens when the liquid supply reservoir14is squeezed and pressure is applied. Preferably, the check valve40opens when a critical, minimum pressure is reached so as to avoid inadvertent dispensing of liquid material from the liquid supply reservoir14or of inadvertent activation of the heater19. Preferably, the critical pressure needed to open the check valve40is essentially equal to or slightly less than the pressure required to press a pressure switch44to activate the heater19. Preferably, the pressure required to press the pressure switch44is high enough such that accidental heating is avoided. Such arrangement avoids activation of the heater19in the absence of liquid being pumped through the capillary.

Advantageously, the use of a check valve40aids in limiting the amount of liquid that is drawn back from the capillary upon release of pressure upon the liquid supply reservoir14(and/or the switch44) if manually pumped so as to avoid air uptake into the liquid supply reservoir14. Presence of air degrades pumping performance of the liquid supply reservoir14.

Once pressure upon the liquid supply reservoir14is relieved, the valve40closes. The heated capillary tube18discharges liquid remaining downstream of the valve40. Advantageously, the capillary tube18is purged once a smoker has stopped compressing the liquid supply reservoir14because any liquid remaining in the tube is expelled during heating.

The check valve ofFIGS.2and7can be a one-way or non-return valve, which allows the liquid to flow in a single direction so as to prevent backflow or liquid and air bubbles in the liquid supply. The check valve can be a ball check valve, a diaphragm check valve, a swing check valve, a stop-check valve, a lift-check valve, an in-line check valve or a duckbill valve. To assure purging, the heating cycle may be extended by a controlled amount beyond release of pressure on the switch44and/or closure of the check valve40.

Optionally, a critical flow orifice41is located downstream of the check valve40to establish a maximum flow rate of liquid to the capillary tube18.

In other embodiments, as shown inFIG.8, the valve40can be a two-way valve that is manually or electrically operable to allow passage of liquid from a pressurized liquid supply reservoir14. In one embodiment, the electronic smoking article60is manually activated by pressing a button (pressure switch), which opens the valve40and simultaneously activates the heater19. In other embodiments, the valve40and the heater19can be puff activated, such that when a smoker draws upon the electronic smoking article60, the puff sensor16communicates with the control circuitry11to activate the heater19and open the valve40.

Preferably, the two-way valve40is used when the liquid supply reservoir14is a pressurized liquid supply, as shown inFIG.8. For example, the liquid supply reservoir14can be pressurized using a pressurization arrangement405which applies constant pressure to the liquid supply reservoir14. For example, pressure can be applied to the liquid supply reservoir14using an internal or external spring and plate arrangement which constantly applies pressure to the liquid supply reservoir14. Alternatively, the liquid supply reservoir14can be compressible and positioned between two plates that are connected by springs or the liquid supply reservoir14could be compressible and positioned between the outer housing and a plate that are connected by a spring so that the plate applies pressure to the liquid supply reservoir14.

Preferably, the capillary tube18ofFIGS.2,7and8has an internal diameter of 0.01 to 10 mm, preferably 0.05 to 1 mm, and more preferably 0.05 to 0.4 mm. For example, the capillary tube can have an internal diameter of about 0.05 mm. Capillary tubes of smaller diameter provide more efficient heat transfer to the fluid because, with the shorter the distance to the center of the fluid, less energy and time is required to vaporize the liquid.

Also preferably, the capillary tube18may have a length of about 5 mm to about 72 mm, more preferably about 10 mm to about 60 mm or about 20 mm to about 50 mm. For example, the capillary tube18can be about 50 mm in length and arranged such that a downstream, about 40 mm long coiled portion of the capillary tube18forms a heated section202and an upstream, about 10 mm long portion200of the capillary tube18remains relatively unheated when the heater19is activated (shown inFIG.1).

In one embodiment, the capillary tube18is substantially straight. In other embodiments, the capillary tube18is coiled and/or includes one or more bends therein to conserve space and/or accommodated a long capillary.

In the preferred embodiment, the capillary tube18is formed of a conductive material, and thus acts as its own heater19by passing current through the tube. The capillary tube18may be any electrically conductive material capable of being resistively heated, while retaining the necessary structural integrity at the operating temperatures experienced by the capillary tube18, and which is non-reactive with the liquid material. Suitable materials for forming the capillary tube18are selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, porous ceramic materials coated with film resistive material, Inconel® available from Special Metals Corporation, which is a nickel-chromium alloy, nichrome, which is also a nickel-chromium alloy, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the capillary tube18is a stainless steel capillary tube18, which serves as a heater19via electrical leads26attached thereto for passage of direct or alternating current along a length of the capillary tube18. Thus, the stainless steel capillary tube18is heated by resistance heating. The stainless steel capillary tube18is preferably circular in cross section. The capillary tube18may be of tubing suitable for use as a hypodermic needle of various gauges. For example, the capillary tube18may comprise a 32 gauge needle has an internal diameter of 0.11 mm and a 26 gauge needle has an internal diameter of 0.26 mm.

In another embodiment, the capillary tube18may be a non-metallic tube such as, for example, a glass tube. In such an embodiment, the heater19is formed of a conductive material capable of being resistively heated, such as, for example, stainless steel, nichrome or platinum wire, arranged along the glass tube. When the heater arranged along the glass tube is heated, liquid material in the capillary tube18is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially volatilize liquid material in the capillary tube18.

Preferably, at least two electrical leads26are bonded to a metallic capillary tube18. In the preferred embodiment, the at least two electrical leads26are brazed to the capillary tube18. Preferably, one electrical lead26is brazed to a first, upstream portion101of the capillary tube18and a second electrical lead26is brazed to a downstream, end portion102of the capillary tube18, as shown inFIG.2.

In use, once the capillary tube18ofFIGS.2,7and8is heated, the liquid material contained within a heated portion of the capillary tube18is volatilized and ejected out of the outlet63where it expands and mixes with air and forms an aerosol in a mixing chamber46. The mixing chamber46can be positioned immediately upstream of an SFAP insert220(as shown inFIGS.7,8and9) or in a sheath flow and aerosol promoter (SFAP) insert220(shown inFIG.2).

Preferably, the electronic smoking article60of each embodiment described herein also includes at least one air inlet44operable to deliver at least some air to the mixing chamber46and to a growth cavity240, downstream of the mixing chamber46. Preferably, air inlets44are arranged downstream of the capillary tube18so as to minimize drawing air along the capillary tube and thereby avoid cooling of the capillary tube18during heating cycles.

In one embodiment, the air inlets44can be upstream of an upstream end281of the SFAP insert220, as shown inFIGS.7and8. In other embodiments, the air inlets44can be superposed with the SFAP insert220as shown inFIG.2. Optionally, air holes225in a wall227of the SFAP insert220(shown inFIG.2), can allow some air to enter the mixing chamber46of the SFAP insert220. Alternatively or in addition to the air holes, as shown inFIG.2, air can travel through a gap216between the SFAP insert220and an inner surface231of the outer casing22.

A portion of the air that enters via the air inlets44(“sheath air”) can flow along an external surface of the SFAP insert220via channels229extending longitudinally along the external surface of the SFAP insert220between vanes245as shown inFIGS.5and6. Preferably, about 80 to about 95% of the air entering the electronic smoking article60via the air inlets44passes into the mixing chamber46, while about 5% to about 20% of the air passes through the channels229and enters a downstream growth cavity240as sheath air. Preferably, the vanes245, shown inFIG.5, extend longitudinally along an outer surface227of the SFAP insert220and in spaced apart relation so as to form the channels229therebetween.

Once the aerosol passes the mixing chamber46, the aerosol passes through a constriction230in the SFAP insert220, as shown inFIGS.2,7,8and9. The aerosol then enters a downstream growth cavity240where the aerosol can mix with sheath air that has travelled through the channels229. The sheath air acts as a barrier between an inner surface231of the growth cavity240and the aerosol so as to minimize deposition of the aerosol on walls of the growth cavity240. Accordingly, the sheath air acts to increase the delivery rate of the aerosol and prevents losses due to condensation.

In the preferred embodiment, the at least one air inlet44includes one or two air inlets. Alternatively, there may be three, four, five or more air inlets. Altering the size and number of air inlets44can also aid in establishing the resistance to draw of the electronic smoking article10. Preferably, the air inlets44communicate both with the channels229arranged between the SFAP insert220and the interior surface231of the outer casing22and with the mixing chamber46, via air holes225as shown inFIG.2or directly with the mixing chamber46as shown inFIGS.7and8.

In the preferred embodiment, the SFAP insert220is operable to provide an aerosol that is similar to cigarette smoke, has a mass median particle diameter of less than about 1 micron and aerosol delivery rates of at least about 0.01 mg/cm3. Once the vapor is formed at the heater, the vapor passes to the mixing chamber46where the vapor mixes with air from the air holes and is cooled. The air causes the vapor to supersaturate and nucleate to form new particles. The faster the vapor is cooled the smaller the final diameter of the aerosol particles. When air is limited, the vapor will not cool as fast and the particles will be larger. Moreover, the vapor may condense on surfaces of the electronic smoking article resulting in lower delivery rates. The SFAP insert220abates deposition of the aerosol on surfaces of the electronic smoking article, as noted above, and quickly cools the aerosol so as to produce a small particle size and high delivery rates as compared to electronic smoking articles not including the SFAP insert as described herein.

Accordingly, the SFAP insert220can include a mixing chamber46immediately upstream of the SFAP insert220(as shown inFIGS.7,8and9) or inside the SFAP insert220(as shown inFIG.2). The mixing chamber46leads to a constriction230having a reduced diameter as compared to the mixing chamber46. Preferably, the diameter of the constriction230is about 0.125 inch to about 0.1875 inch and is about 0.25 inch to about 0.5 inch long. The constriction230leads to a growth cavity240which is about 2 inches in length and has a diameter of about 0.3125 inch. Preferably, the SFAP insert220is spaced about 0.2 to about 0.4 inch from an outlet63of the capillary tube18. Moreover, channels229formed on the outer surface221of the SFAP insert220form about 10% of the total cross-sectional area of the SFAP insert220and allow sheath air to pass between the outer surface221of the SFAP insert220and an inner surface231of the outer cylindrical casing22.

As noted above, the SFAP insert220can also be used in an electronic smoking article including a heater319and a filamentary wick328as shown inFIG.9. The first section70includes an outer tube (or casing)322extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube (or chimney)362coaxially positioned within the outer tube322. Preferably, a nose portion361of an upstream gasket (or seal)320is fitted into an upstream end portion365of the inner tube362, while at the same time, an outer perimeter367of the gasket320provides a liquid-tight seal with an interior surface97of the outer casing6. The upstream gasket320also includes a central, longitudinal air passage315, which opens into an interior of the inner tube362that defines a central channel321. A transverse channel333at an upstream portion of the gasket320intersects and communicates with the central channel315of the gasket320. This channel333assures communication between the central channel315and a space335defined between the gasket320and a threaded connection74.

Preferably, a nose portion393of a downstream gasket310is fitted into a downstream end portion381of the inner tube362. An outer perimeter382of the gasket310provides a substantially liquid-tight seal with an interior surface397of the outer casing322. The downstream gasket310includes a central channel384disposed between the central passage321of the inner tube362and the SFAP insert220.

In this embodiment, the liquid supply reservoir314is contained in an annulus between an inner tube362and an outer casing322and between the upstream gasket320and the downstream gasket310. Thus, the liquid supply reservoir314at least partially surrounds the central air passage231. The liquid supply reservoir314comprises a liquid material and optionally a liquid storage medium (not shown) operable to store the liquid material therein.

The inner tube362has a central air passage321extending therethrough which houses the heater319. The heater319is in contact with the wick328, which preferably extends between opposing sections of the liquid supply reservoir314so as to deliver liquid material from the liquid supply reservoir314to the heater319by capillary action.

The power supply12of each embodiment can include a battery arranged in the electronic smoking article60. The power supply12is operable to apply voltage across the heater19associated with the capillary tube18or the heater319associated with the wick328ofFIG.9. Thus, the heater19,319volatilizes liquid material according to a power cycle of either a predetermined time period, such as a 2 to 10 second period.

Preferably, the electrical contacts or connection between the heater19,319and the electrical leads26are highly conductive and temperature resistant while the heater19,319is highly resistive so that heat generation occurs primarily along the heater19and not at the contacts.

The battery can 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, preferably, the electronic smoking article10is usable by a smoker until the energy in the power supply is depleted. Alternatively, the power supply12may be rechargeable and include circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external charging device. In that case, preferably the circuitry, when charged, provides power for a predetermined number of puffs, after which the circuitry must be re-connected to an external charging device.

Preferably, the electronic smoking article60of each embodiment also includes control circuitry which can be on a printed circuit board11(shown inFIGS.2,7,8and9). The control circuitry11can also include a heater activation light27that is operable to glow when the heater19,319is activated. Preferably, the heater activation light27comprises at least one LED and is at an upstream end28of the electronic smoking article60so that the heater activation light27takes on the appearance of a burning coal during a puff. Moreover, the heater activation light27can be arranged to be visible to the smoker. In addition, the heater activation light27can be utilized for smoking article system diagnostics. The light27can also be configured such that the smoker can activate and/or deactivate the light27when desired, such that the light27would not activate during smoking if desired.

The time-period of the electric current supply to the heater19may be pre-set depending on the amount of liquid desired to be vaporized. The control circuitry11can be programmable and can include a microprocessor programmed to carry out functions such as heating the capillary tubes and/or operating the valves. In other embodiments, the control circuitry11can include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In the preferred embodiment, the liquid supply reservoir14ofFIGS.2,7,8, and9includes a liquid material which has a boiling point suitable for use in the electronic smoking article60. If the boiling point is too high, the heater19,319will not be able to vaporize liquid in the capillary tube18. However, if the boiling point is too low, the liquid may vaporize without the heater19,319being activated.

Preferably, the liquid material includes a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavor compounds which are released from the liquid upon heating. The liquid may also be a tobacco flavor containing material and/or a nicotine-containing material. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid may include a non-tobacco material and/or may be nicotine-free. For example, the liquid may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavors. Preferably, the liquid further includes an aerosol former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine, propylene carbonate, oils, such as corn oil or canola oil, fatty acids, such as oleic acid, and propylene glycol.

As shown inFIGS.2,7,8and9the electronic smoking article60further includes a mouth-end insert20having at least two off-axis, preferably diverging outlets21. Preferably, the mouth-end insert20is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber46and includes at least two diverging outlets21. (e.g, 3, 4, 5, or preferably 6 to 8 outlets or more). Preferably, the outlets21of the mouth-end insert20are located at ends of off-axis passages23and are angled outwardly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the electronic smoking article10(i.e., divergently). As used herein, the term “off-axis” denotes at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the electronic smoking article. Also preferably, the mouth-end insert (or flow guide)20includes outlets uniformly distributed around the mouth-end insert20so as to substantially uniformly distribute aerosol in a smoker's mouth during use. Thus, as the aerosol passes into a smoker's mouth, the aerosol enters the mouth and moves in different directions so as to provide a full mouth feel as compared to electronic smoking articles having an on-axis single orifice which directs the aerosol to a single location in a smoker's mouth.

In addition, the outlets21and off-axis passages23are arranged such that droplets of unaerosolized liquid material carried in the aerosol impact interior surfaces25of the mouth-end insert20and/or interior surfaces of the off-axis passages23such that the droplets are removed or broken apart. In the preferred embodiment, the outlets21of the mouth-end insert20are located at the ends of the off-axis passages23and are angled at 5 to 60° with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the electronic smoking article10so as to more completely distribute aerosol throughout a mouth of a smoker during use and to remove droplets.

Preferably, each outlet21has a diameter of about 0.015 inch to about 0.090 inch (e.g., about 0.020 inch to about 0.040 inch or about 0.028 inch to about 0.038 inch). The size of the outlets21and off-axis passages23along with the number of outlets21can be selected to adjust the resistance to draw (RTD) of the electronic smoking article10, if desired.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG.3, a tip280can be attached to the electronic smoking article60in place of the mouth end insert20. The SFAP insert220can be positioned within the tip280and sheath air can pass through channels between the SFAP insert220and an inner surface of the tip280.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG.4, the mouth end insert20can include a single central outlet21. Preferably, the mouth-end insert20is affixed within the outer cylindrical housing22of the cartridge72.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic smoking article10is about the same size as a conventional smoking article. In some embodiments, the electronic smoking article60can be about 80 mm to about 110 mm long, preferably about 80 mm to about 100 mm long and about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. For example, in an embodiment, the electronic smoking article is about 84 mm long and has a diameter of about 7.8 mm.

The outer cylindrical housing22of the electronic smoking article10may be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials. Preferably, the outer cylindrical housing22is formed of metal and is part of the electrical circuit. Examples of other 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, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). Preferably, the material is light and non-brittle.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.2and7, at least a portion of the outer cylindrical housing22can be elastomeric so as to allow a smoker to squeeze the liquid supply reservoir14during smoking to release liquid material therefrom and activate the heater19. Thus, the outer cylindrical housing22can be formed of a variety of materials including plastics, rubber and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the outer cylindrical housing22is formed of silicone. The outer cylindrical housing22can be any suitable color and/or can include graphics or other indicia printed thereon.

In an embodiment, the volatilized material formed as described herein can at least partially condense to form an aerosol including particles. Preferably, the particles contained in the vapor and/or aerosol range in size from about 0.1 micron to about 4 microns, preferably about 0.03 micron to about 2 microns. In the preferred embodiment, the vapor and/or aerosol has particles of about 1 micron or less, more preferably about 0.8 micron or less. Also preferably, the particles are substantially uniform throughout the vapor and/or aerosol.

Referring now toFIG.9, it is contemplated that the heater319and wick328could be located between the reservoir314and the SFAP insert220, and that the reservoir314could be in the form of a tank (essentially free of any fibrous medium) with or without a central air passage321, wherein the air passage321might be routed about the tank reservoir314.

The teachings herein are adaptable to all forms of electronic smoking articles such as electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, and others, regardless of their size or shape.

When the word “about” is used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numerical value. Moreover, when reference is made to percentages in this specification, it is intended that those percentages are based on weight, i.e., weight percentages.

Moreover, when the words “generally” and “substantially” are used in connection with geometric shapes, it is intended that precision of the geometric shape is not required but that latitude for the shape is within the scope of the disclosure. When used with geometric terms, the words “generally” and “substantially” are intended to encompass not only features which meet the strict definitions but also features which fairly approximate the strict definitions.

It will now be apparent that a new, improved, and nonobvious electronic smoking article has been described in this specification with sufficient particularity as to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications, variations, substitutions, and equivalents exist for features of the electronic smoking article which do not materially depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such modifications, variations, substitutions, and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims shall be embraced by the appended claims.