1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIIII IIII 11111111
`US 20150245658Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Worm et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0245658 Al
`Sep. 3, 2015
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) CONTROL BODY FOR AN ELECTRONIC
`SMOKING ARTICLE
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .................................... A24F 471008 (2013.01)
`
`(71) Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company,
`Winston-Salem, NC (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Steven L. Worm, Raleigh, NC (US);
`Michael Ryan Galloway,
`Winston-Salem, NC (US); Frederic
`Philippe Ampolini, Winston-Salem, NC
`(US); Randy Lee McKnight,
`Lewisville, NC (US); David Glen
`Christopherson, Raleigh, NC (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company,
`Winston-Salem, NC (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/193,961
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.28,2014
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A24F 47100
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for
`use in an electronic smoking article. The control body
`includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the
`control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article.
`The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure
`reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in
`the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic
`circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The
`electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a
`central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can
`be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second
`end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a
`normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light
`emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board.
`At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so
`that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.
`
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`

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`US 2015/0245658 Al
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`CONTROL BODY FORAN ELECTRONIC
`SMOKING ARTICLE
`
`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery
`devices such as smoking articles. The smoking articles may
`be configured to heat a material, which may be made or
`derived from tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, to
`form an inhalable substance for human consumption.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Many smoking devices have been proposed through
`the years as improvements upon, or alternatives to, smoking
`products that require combusting tobacco for use. Many of
`those devices purportedly have been designed to provide the
`sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking,
`but without delivering considerable quantities of incomplete
`combustion and pyrolysis products that result from the burn(cid:173)
`ing of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numer(cid:173)
`ous smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal
`inhalers that utilize electrical energy to vaporize or heat a
`volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensations of ciga(cid:173)
`rette, cigar, or pipe smoking without burning tobacco to a
`significant degree. See, for example, the various alternative
`smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat generat(cid:173)
`ing sources set forth in the background art described in U.S.
`Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No.
`2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/
`0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`13/602,871 to Collett et al., filed Sep. 4, 2012, U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 13/647,000 to Sears et al., filed Oct. 8,
`2012, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/826,929 to Ampo(cid:173)
`lini et al., filed Mar. 14, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 14/011,992 to Davis et al., filed Aug. 28, 2013, which are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`It would be desirable to provide a smoking article
`[0003]
`that employs heat produced by electrical energy to provide
`the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, that does
`so without combusting tobacco to any significant degree, that
`does so without the need ofa combustion heat source, and that
`does so without necessarily delivering considerable quanti(cid:173)
`ties of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. Fur(cid:173)
`ther, advances with respect to manufacturing electronic
`smoking articles would be desirable.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`[0004] The present disclosure relates to materials and com(cid:173)
`binations thereof useful in electronic smoking articles and
`like personal devices. In particular, the present disclosure
`relates to a control body that can include one or more ele(cid:173)
`ments useful to improve the function thereof.
`[0005] The control body particularly can include an elec(cid:173)
`tronic circuit board therein that is configured for improved
`functioning of the device. For example, in some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the electronic circuit board is in an orientation that
`provides for improved communication between a pressure
`sensor and drawn air entering the device. This can incorporate
`a coupler element that includes an exterior opening that
`allows external air to enter the device and a pressure channel
`that communicates a pressure drop caused by the drawn air to
`an isolated segment of the device that includes a portion of the
`pressure sensor. Such coupler can particularly be useful to
`reduce or prevent passage ofliquid from an attached cartridge
`
`through the coupler and into the control body and thus reduce
`or prevent contamination of the sensor or other electronic
`elements present in the control body.
`In some embodiments, a control body for an elec(cid:173)
`[0006]
`tronic smoking article according to the present disclosure can
`comprise an elongated shell with an interior, a proximal end,
`and an opposing distal end. A coupler can be present and can
`have a body end that is in engagement with the proximal end
`of the shell and can have an opposing connector end that is
`configured to releasably engage a cartridge. An electrical
`power source can be included as well as an electronic circuit
`board, which can be positioned within the shell interior
`between the electrical power source and the coupler. The
`electronic circuit board particularly can include a control
`circuit, which can comprise a microcontroller, a micropro(cid:173)
`cessor, or the like, and any further control components suit(cid:173)
`able for controlling power delivery from the power source and
`any further functions of the device. Further, the shell can have
`a central axis therethrough from the proximal end to the distal
`end, and the electronic circuit board can be oriented parallel
`to the central axis of the shell.
`In further embodiments, the control body can com(cid:173)
`[0007]
`prise a pressure sensor attached to the electronic circuit board
`(i.e., is on the circuit board). The pressure sensor can be
`attached directly to the electronic circuit board, which can
`include a spacing factor, as further described herein. The shell
`interior of the control body can include a normal pressure
`space and a pressure reduction space, and a first end of the
`pressure sensor can be in fluid communication with the pres(cid:173)
`sure reduction space while a second end of the pressure sensor
`can be in fluid communication with the normal pressure
`space. The body end of the coupler can include a wall, and the
`connector end of the coupler can have a central opening
`therethrough. Further, the coupler can include a pressure
`channel extending between a first end in fluid communication
`with the central opening and a second end that opens through
`the wall at the body end of the coupler to be in fluid commu(cid:173)
`nication with the pressure reduction space. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the pressure channel can be integrally formed in the
`coupler. The control body can comprise a sealing member
`configured to form an air tight seal around the pressure sensor
`and the second end of the pressure channel and thus define the
`pressure reduction space encompassing the opening at the
`second end of the pressure channel and the first end of the
`pressure sensor. Further, the sealing member can be in physi(cid:173)
`cal contact with an inner surface of the shell.
`[0008] The coupler can include an air inlet channel in fluid
`communication with the central opening therein. In some
`embodiments, the air inlet channel can be formed entirely
`within the coupler body. An air inlet aperture can be present in
`the exterior surface of the coupler and be in fluid communi(cid:173)
`cation with the air inlet. An ambient air flow pathway can
`extend from the exterior of the coupler (i.e., through the air
`inlet aperture), through the coupler body, and through the
`central opening. The control circuit of the control body can be
`configured to establish electrical current flow from the elec(cid:173)
`trical power source when the pressure sensor detects a
`reduced pressure in the pressure reduction space relative to
`the pressure in the normal pressure space. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the electronic circuit board can be positioned entirely
`within the normal pressure space.
`In further embodiments, the control body can com(cid:173)
`[0009]
`prise at least one light emitting diode (LED) attached to the
`electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1004.012
`
`

`

`US 2015/0245658 Al
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`Sep.3,2015
`
`2
`
`be light transmissive such that light from the LED is visible
`through the coupler. Further, the control circuit can be con(cid:173)
`figured to cause an LED to emit a defined lighting signal that
`corresponds to a status of the electronic smoking article. In
`some embodiments, the control body can comprise an input
`element. The control circuit can be configured to cause the at
`least one LED to emit the defined lighting signal in response
`to an input from the input element. The input element can be
`a manual input element ( e.g., a pushbutton or touchscreen). In
`some embodiments, the input element can be at least partially
`light transmissive. The input to the LED also may be auto(cid:173)
`matically generated by the control circuit in response to
`detecting a status of the smoking article. If desired, the control
`body can comprise an LED positioned at the distal end of the
`shell.
`[0010]
`In other embodiments, a control body for an elec(cid:173)
`tronic smoking article can comprise an elongated shell with
`an interior, a proximal end, and an opposing distal end. The
`control body further can comprise a coupler formed of an
`elongated body having a first end that forms a wall and that
`engages the proximal end of the shell and a second end that
`comprises a cavity configured to releasably engage a car(cid:173)
`tridge, wherein the coupler includes a pressure channel
`extending between a first end that is in fluid communication
`with the cavity and a second end that opens through the wall
`at the first end of the coupler, wherein the coupler includes an
`air inlet channel in fluid communication with the cavity and
`an air inlet aperture in an exterior surface of the coupler, and
`wherein the coupler has a longitudinal axis extending from
`the first end to the second end, and the first end of the pressure
`channel is spatially separated from the air inlet channel rela(cid:173)
`tive to the longitudinal axis of the coupler. The control body
`further can comprise one or more additional components,
`such as a power source, a microprocessor or other control
`component, or the like. In some embodiments, the first end of
`the pressure channel in the coupler can be spatially separated
`from the air inlet channel so as to be relatively nearer the
`second end of the coupler.
`[0011]
`In further embodiments, the present disclosure can
`provide an electronic smoking article. Such smoking article
`can comprise a control body as described herein and a car(cid:173)
`tridge comprising an aerosol precursor composition and a
`heater adapted to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0012] Having thus described the disclosure in the forego(cid:173)
`ing general terms, reference will now be made to the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
`and wherein:
`[0013] FIG. 1 is a sectional view through an electronic
`smoking article comprising a control body and a cartridge;
`[0014] FIG. 2 is a sectional view through an electronic
`smoking article comprising a cartridge and a control body
`according to an example embodiment of the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure;
`[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a control body of
`an electronic smoking article according to an example
`embodiment of the present disclosure;
`[0016] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the proximal end of the
`control body illustrated in FIG. 3;
`[0017] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the proximal end of the
`control body illustrated in FIG. 3 that also illustrates a sealing
`member;
`
`[0018] FIG. 6A is a cross-section through Line A-A ofFIG.
`5;
`[0019] FIG. 6B is a cross-section through Line B-B of FIG.
`5;
`[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of an electronic
`smoking article according a further example embodiment of
`the present disclosure showing a control body connected to a
`cartridge via the control body coupler and the cartridge base;
`[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the proximal end a
`control body of an electronic smoking article according to a
`further example embodiment of the present disclosure that
`illustrates an input element; and
`[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an electronic smok(cid:173)
`ing article according to an example embodiment of the
`present disclosure showing a control body attached to a car(cid:173)
`tridge through a light transmissive coupler.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0023] The present disclosure will now be described more
`fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments
`thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that
`this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
`convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
`Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different
`forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodi(cid:173)
`ments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are pro(cid:173)
`vided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal
`requirements. As used in the specification, and in the
`appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "the", include
`plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
`[0024] The present disclosure provides descriptions of
`aerosol delivery devices or smoking articles, such as so-called
`"e-cigarettes." It should be understood that the mechanisms,
`components, features, and methods may be embodied in
`many different forms and associated with a variety of articles.
`[0025]
`In this regard, the present disclosure provides
`descriptions of aerosol delivery devices that use electrical
`energy to heat a material (preferably without combusting or
`pyrolyzing the material to any significant degree) to form an
`inhalable substance; such articles most preferably being suf(cid:173)
`ficiently compact to be considered "hand-held" devices. An
`aerosol delivery device may provide some or all of the sen(cid:173)
`sations ( e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes
`or flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals,
`visual cues such as those provided by visible aerosol, and the
`like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, without any sub(cid:173)
`stantial degree of combustion or pyrolysis of any component
`of that article or device. The aerosol delivery device may not
`produce smoke in the sense of the aerosol resulting from
`by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather,
`that the article or device may yield vapors (including vapors
`within aerosols that can be considered to be visible aerosols
`that might be considered to be described as smoke-like)
`resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain com(cid:173)
`ponents of the article or device. In highly preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ments, aerosol delivery devices may incorporate tobacco and/
`or components derived from tobacco.
`[0026] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure
`also can be characterized as being vapor-producing articles,
`smoking articles, or medicament delivery articles. Thus, such
`articles or devices can be adapted so as to provide one or more
`substances ( e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical active ingre(cid:173)
`dients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalable
`substances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., a
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1004.013
`
`

`

`US 2015/0245658 Al
`
`Sep.3,2015
`
`3
`
`substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than
`its critical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in
`the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles
`or liquid droplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the
`term "aerosol" as used herein is meant to include vapors,
`gases and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human
`inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a
`form that might be considered to be smoke-like.
`[0027]
`In use, aerosol delivery devices of the present dis(cid:173)
`closure may be subjected to many of the physical actions
`employed by an individual in using a traditional type of
`smoking article ( e.g., a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is
`employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example, the
`user of an aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure
`can hold that article much like a traditional type of smoking
`article, draw on one end of that article for inhalation of aerosol
`produced by that article, take puffs at selected intervals of
`time, etc.
`[0028] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure
`generally include a number of components provided within
`an outer body or shell. The overall design of the outer body or
`shell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer
`body that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol
`delivery device can vary. Typically, an elongated body resem(cid:173)
`bling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be a formed from a
`single, unitary shell; or the elongated body can be formed of
`two or more separable pieces. For example, an aerosol deliv(cid:173)
`ery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that can be
`substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemble the shape
`of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one embodiment, all of
`the components of the aerosol delivery device are contained
`within one outer body or shell. Alternatively, an aerosol deliv(cid:173)
`ery device can comprise two or more shells that are joined and
`are separable. For example, an aerosol delivery device can
`possess at one end a control body comprising an outer body or
`shell containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a
`rechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling
`the operation of that article), and at the other end and remov(cid:173)
`ably attached thereto an outer body or shell containing a
`disposable portion (e.g., a disposable flavor-containing car(cid:173)
`tridge). More specific formats, configurations and arrange(cid:173)
`ments of components within the single shell type of unit or
`within a multi-piece separable shell type of unit will be evi(cid:173)
`dent in light of the further disclosure provided herein. Addi(cid:173)
`tionally, various aerosol delivery device designs and compo(cid:173)
`nent arrangements can be appreciated upon consideration of
`the commercially available electronic aerosol delivery
`devices, such as those representative products listed in the
`background art section of the present disclosure.
`[0029] Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure
`most preferably comprise some combination of a power
`source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control
`component ( e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating
`and ceasing power for heat generation, such as by controlling
`electrical current flow the power source to other components
`of the article---e.g., a microcontroller), a heater or heat gen(cid:173)
`eration component (e.g., an electrical resistance heating ele(cid:173)
`ment or component commonly referred to as an "atomizer"),
`an aerosol precursor composition ( e.g., commonly a liquid
`capable of yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient
`heat, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke
`juice," "e-liquid" and "e-juice"), and a mouthend region or tip
`for allowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol
`inhalation (e.g., a defined air flow path through the article
`
`such that aerosol generated can be withdrawn therefrom upon
`draw). Exemplary formulations for aerosol precursor materi(cid:173)
`als that may be used according to the present disclosure are
`described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al.
`and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,438 to Sebastian
`et al., filed Jun. 28, 2012, the disclosures of which are incor(cid:173)
`porated herein by reference in their entirety.
`[0030] Alignment of the components within the aerosol
`delivery device can vary. In specific embodiments, the aerosol
`precursor composition can be located near an end of the
`article (e.g., within a cartridge, which in certain circum(cid:173)
`stances can be replaceable and disposable), which may be
`proximal to the mouth of a user so as to maximize aerosol
`delivery to the user. Other configurations, however, are not
`excluded. Generally, the heating element can be positioned
`sufficiently near the aerosol precursor composition so that
`heat from the heating element can volatilize the aerosol pre(cid:173)
`cursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, or the
`like that may likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and
`form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating
`element heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is
`formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for
`inhalation by a consumer. It should be noted that the forego(cid:173)
`ing terms are meant to be interchangeable such that reference
`to release, releasing, releases, or released includes form or
`generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and
`formed or generated. Specifically, an inhalable substance is
`released in the form of a vapor or aerosol or mixture thereof.
`Additionally, the selection of various aerosol delivery device
`components can be appreciated upon consideration of the
`commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices,
`such as those representative products listed in the background
`art section of the present disclosure.
`[0031] An aerosol delivery device incorporates a battery or
`other electrical power source to provide current flow suffi(cid:173)
`cient to provide various functionalities to the article, such as
`resistive heating, powering of control systems, powering of
`indicators, and the like. The power source can take on various
`embodiments. Preferably, the power source is able to deliver
`sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating member to pro(cid:173)
`vide for aerosol formation and power the article through use
`for the desired duration of time. The power source preferably
`is sized to fit conveniently within the aerosol delivery device
`so that the aerosol delivery device can be easily handled; and
`additionally, a preferred power source is of a sufficiently light
`weight to not detract from a desirable smoking experience.
`[0032] One example embodiment of an aerosol delivery
`device 100 is provided in FIG. 1. As seen in the cross-section
`illustrated therein, the aerosol delivery device 100 can com(cid:173)
`prise a control body 102 and a cartridge 104 that can be
`permanently or detachably aligned in a functioning relation(cid:173)
`ship. Although a threaded engagement is illustrated in FIG. 1,
`it is understood that further means of engagement may be
`employed, such as a press-fit engagement, interference fit, a
`magnetic engagement, or the like. In particular, connection
`components, such as further described herein may be used.
`For example, the control body may include a coupler that is
`adapted to engage a connector on the cartridge. Such couplers
`and connectors are further discussed herein.
`[0033]
`In specific embodiments, one or both of the control
`body 102 and the cartridge 104 may be referred to as being
`disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control
`body may have a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery
`and thus may be combined with any type ofrecharging tech-
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1004.014
`
`

`

`US 2015/0245658 Al
`
`Sep.3,2015
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`4
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`nology, including connection to a typical electrical outlet,
`connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighter receptacle),
`and connection to a computer, such as through a universal
`serial bus (USB) cable. For example, an adaptor including a
`USB connector at one end and a control body connector at an
`opposing end is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`13/840,264 to Novak et al., filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Further, in
`some embodiments the cartridge may comprise a single-use
`cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`13/603,612 to Chang et al., filed Sep. 5, 2012, which is incor(cid:173)
`porated herein by reference in its entirety.
`[0034]
`In the exemplified embodiment, the control body
`102 includes a control component 106 ( e.g., a microcontrol(cid:173)
`ler ), a flow sensor 108, and a battery 110, which can be
`variably aligned, and can include a plurality of indicators 112
`at a distal end 114 of an outer body 116. The indicators 112
`can be provided in varying numbers and can take on different
`shapes and can even be an opening in the body ( such as for
`release of sound when such indicators are present). In the
`exemplified embodiment, a haptic feedback component 101
`is included with the control component 106. As such, the
`haptic feedback component may be integrated with one or
`more components of a smoking article for providing vibration
`or like tactile indication of use or status to a user. See, for
`example, the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`13/946,309 to Galloway et al., filed Jul. 19, 2013, which is
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`[0035] An air intake 118 may be positioned in the outer
`body 116 of the control body 102. A coupler 120 also is
`included at the proximal attachment end 122 of the control
`body 102 and may extend into a control body projection 124
`to allow for ease of electrical connection with an atomizer or
`a component thereof, such as a resistive heating element
`(described below) when the cartridge 104 is attached to the
`control body. Although the air intake 118 is illustrated as
`being provided in the outer body 116, in another embodiment
`the air intake may be provided in a coupler as described, for
`example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,233 to
`DePiano et al., filed Mar. 15, 2013.
`[0036] The cartridge 104 includes an outer body 126 with a
`mouth opening 128 at a mouthend 130 thereof to allow pas(cid:173)
`sage of air and entrained vapor (i.e., the components of the
`aerosol precursor composition in an inhalable form) from the
`cartridge to a consumer during draw on the aerosol delivery
`device 100. The aerosol delivery device 100 may be substan(cid:173)
`tially rod-like or substantially tubular shaped or substantially
`cylindrically shaped in some embodiments. In other embodi(cid:173)
`ments, further shapes and dimensions are encompassed---e.
`g., a rectangular or triangular cross-section, or the like.
`[0037] The cartridge 104 further includes an atomizer 132
`comprising a resistive heating element 134 ( e.g., a wire coil)
`configured to produce heat and a liquid transport element 136
`(e.g., a wick) configured to transport a liquid. Various
`embodiments of materials configured to produce heat when
`electrical current is applied therethrough may be employed to
`form the resistive heating element 134. Example materials
`from which the wire coil may be formed include Kanthal
`(FeCrAl), Nichrome, Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2),
`molybdenum silicide (MoSi), Molybdenum disilicide doped
`with Aluminum (Mo(Si,Al)2), and ceramic (e.g., a positive
`temperature coefficient ceramic). Further to the above, rep(cid:173)
`resentative heating elements and materials for use therein are
`described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,671 to Counts eta!.; U.S. Pat.
`
`No. 5,093,894 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,498 to
`Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,460to Sprinkel Jr., et al.; U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,322,075 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,813 to
`Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,936 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,498,850 to Das; U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,656 to Das; U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,498,855 to Deevi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,225 to
`Hajaligol; U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,262 to Hajaligol; U.S. Pat. No.
`5,573,692 to Das et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,368 to Fleis(cid:173)
`chhauer et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated
`herein by reference in their entireties.
`[0038] Electrically conductive heater terminals 138 (e.g.,
`positive and negative terminals) at the opposing ends of the
`heating element 134 are configured to direct current flow
`through the heating element and configured for attachment to
`the appropriate wiring or circuit (not illustrated) to form an
`electrical connection of the heating element with the battery
`110 when the cartridge 104 is connected to the control body
`102. Specifically, a plug 140 may be positioned at a distal
`attachment end 142 of the cartridge 104. When the cartridge
`104 is connected to the control body 102, the plug 140
`engages the coupler 120 to form an electrical connection such
`that current controllably flows from the battery 110, through
`the coupler and plug, and to the heating element 134. The
`outer body 126 of the cartridge 104 can continue across the
`distal attachment end 142 such that this end of the cartridge is
`substantially closed with the plug 140 protruding therefrom.
`[0039] A liquid transport element can be combined with a
`reservoir to transport an aerosol precursor composition to an
`aerosolization zone. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
`cartridge 104 includes a reservoir layer 144 comprising layers
`of nonwoven fibers formed into the shape of a tube encircling
`the interior of the outer body 126 of the cartridge, in this
`embodiment. An aerosol precursor composition is retained in
`the reservoir layer 144. Liquid components, for example, can
`be sorptively retained by the reservoir layer 144. The reser(cid:173)
`voir layer 144 is in fluid connection with a liquid transport
`element 136. The liquid transport element 136 tra