(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
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`
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`1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 111111111111111
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`II Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 11111111111111111111111
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 2015/153443 Al
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`~ ~
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`(43) International Publication Date
`8 October 2015 (08.10.2015) WIPO
`
`I PCT
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`A24F 47/00 (2006.01)
`G0lF 1/28 (2006.01)
`A61M 15/06 (2006.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
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`(25) Filing Language:
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`(26) Publication Language:
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`PCT /US2015/023308
`
`30 March 2015 (30.03.2015)
`
`(84)
`
`English
`
`English
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`DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
`HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KN, KP, KR,
`KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG,
`MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM,
`PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC,
`SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN,
`TR, TT, TZ, VA, VG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ,
`TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU,
`TJ, TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE,
`DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU,
`LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK,
`SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ,
`GW, KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`as to applicant's entitlement to apply for and be granted a
`patent (Rule 4.17 (ii))
`
`as to the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of the
`earlier application (Rule 4.17 (iii))
`
`Published:
`with international search report (Art. 21(3))
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`14/245,105
`
`4 April 2014 (04.04.2014)
`
`us
`(71) Applicant: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY
`[US/US]; 401 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, North
`Carolina 27101 (US).
`
`(72) Inventor: HENRY, Raymond Charles, Jr.; 127 Winners
`Circle, Cary, North Carolina 275 l l (US).
`
`(74) Agent: CAGLE, Ryan W.; Womble Carlyle Sandridge &
`Rice, LLP, Attn: Patent Docketing, P.O. Box 7037, At(cid:173)
`lanta, Georgia 30357-003 7 (US).
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`;;;;;;;;;;;;;; -
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`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AO,AT,AU,AZ,BA,BB,BG,BH,BN,BR,BW,BY,
`BZ,CA,CH,CL,CN,CO,CR,CU,CZ,DE,DK,DM,
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`;;;;;;;;;;;;;; -----------
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`(54) Title: SENSOR FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE
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`502 ~
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`506
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`518b
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`590
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`512
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`~(!
`501
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`510
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`5i8a
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`591a
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`FIG. 5
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`(57) Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device including a variable output flow sensor (508). The vari(cid:173)
`able output flow sensor particularly can be a flex/bend sensor (565) wherein output from the sensor varies based upon changes in
`electrical current flow (e.g., resistance) along an extension of the sensor relative to flexing or bending of the extension resulting from
`airflow across the extension. The disclosure further provides methods for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device through
`utilization of a variable output flow sensor. In particular, control of functional elements (e.g., a heating member, a fluid delivery
`member, and a sensory feedback member) can allow for real-time changes in the operation of the aerosol delivery device relative to
`airflow through the device.
`
`NJOY Exhibit 1021.001
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`

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`WO 2015/153443
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`PCT/0S2015/023308
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`SENSOR FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE
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`FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
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`The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles. The
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`5
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`aerosol delivery device may be configured to heat a material, which may be made or derived from
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`tobacco or otherwise incorporate tobacco, to form an inhalable substance for human consumption.
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`The aerosol delivery device particularly can incorporate a variable output sensor.
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`BACKGROUND
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`Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years as improvements upon, or
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`alternatives to, smoking products that require com busting tobacco for use. Many of those devices
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`purportedly have been designed to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, or pipe
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`smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis
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`products that result from the burning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numerous
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`15
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`smoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers that utilize electrical energy to
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`vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe
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`smoking without burning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the various alternative
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`smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices and heat generating sources set forth in the background
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`art described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0255702 to
`
`20 Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No.
`
`13/602,871 to Collett et al., filed September 4, 2012, U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/647,000 to Sears et
`
`al., filed October 8, 2012, U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 13/826,929 to Ampolini et al., filed March 14,
`
`2013, and U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 14/011,992 to Davis et al., filed August 28, 2013, which are
`
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`
`25
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`It would be desirable to provide a smoking article that employs heat produced by electrical
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`energy to provide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking, that does so without
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`combusting or pyrolyzing tobacco to any significant degree, that does so without the need of a
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`combustion heat source, and that does so without necessarily delivering considerable quantities of
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`incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products. Further, advances with respect to manufacturing
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`30
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`electronic smoking articles would be desirable.
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`SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
`
`The present disclosure relates to materials and combinations thereof useful in aerosol
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`delivery devices, such as electronic smoking articles and like personal devices. In particular, the
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`35
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`present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device that includes a sensor that is configured to
`
`1
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.002
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`

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`WO 2015/153443
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`PCT/0S2015/023308
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`detect airflow through at least a portion of the device and to particularly detect one or more
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`properties of the airflow, such an airflow rate or volume.
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`In some embodiments, a sensor useful according to the present disclosure can be a flex/bend
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`sensor. For example, a flex/bend sensor can comprise an electrical connection and an extension.
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`5
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`The extension can be configured for angular displacement, such as when subjected to an airflow,
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`particularly an airflow that is not substantially parallel to an axis along the length of the extension.
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`Such angular displacement of the extension of the bend/flex sensor (or other analog measurement
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`devices adapted for output of a continuous detection signal) can form the basis for a variable signal
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`output that can vary across a continuous range based upon a property of the airflow. The variable
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`10
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`signal output by the sensor can be interpreted by a controller, such as microprocessor, and form the
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`basis for control of the operation of one or more functional elements of the aerosol delivery device,
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`such as a heating member, a fluid delivery member, or a sensory feedback member.
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`Although known aerosol delivery devices may include a sensor for detecting draw on the
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`device, such known sensors are configured to provide a "trigger" signal that is generated upon
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`15
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`reaching a threshold and that does not provide a variable output. For example, an electret
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`microphone is known to be used as a sensor in an aerosol delivery device, and such sensor uses a
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`diaphragm that moves in response to a differential pressure that arises when a user draws (i.e., takes
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`a "puff'') on the aerosol delivery device. The sensor is designed so that no signal is formed until
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`the draw on the device is sufficient to cause a pressure differential that is sufficiently large to
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`20
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`displace the diaphragm. When the diaphragm moves, a small charge is generated which functions
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`as the trigger signal to activate the device - e.g., cause power delivery from a battery to a heating
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`element. While such sensor may be suitable to detect the presence of airflow at a threshold and
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`output an on/off signal similar to a switch, such sensor cannot provide indication of any particular
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`properties of the airflow, such as strength of the airflow, more particularly the airflow rate, volume,
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`25
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`or the like.
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`A sensor utilized in an aerosol delivery device according to the present disclosure, however,
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`can be configured to detect specific properties of the airflow through an aerosol delivery device and
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`output a signal across a continuous range that varies in relation to the property of the airflow
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`measured. For example, the output signal can relate information regarding the rate of airflow,
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`30 which may correspond to the intensity of the draw on the device by a user, and the device can
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`include control elements configured to utilize the output signal from the sensor to active the heater
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`in a defined manner relative to the output signal. In other words, in some embodiments, as airflow
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`rate through the aerosol delivery device increases, the electrical current delivered to a heating
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`member may increase and thus increase heating by the heating member. Similar relative changes in
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`35
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`operation may be controlled in relation to one or more further functional elements of the aerosol
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`2
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.003
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`

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`WO 2015/153443
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`delivery device. In this manner, an aerosol delivery device may be configured to provide for
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`adaptive functioning and thus improve output consistency of the device or otherwise improve a user
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`experience with the device.
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`In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device
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`5
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`comprising: a housing; a sensor within the housing configured to detect an airflow through at least
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`a portion of the housing and output a variable signal that varies based upon one or more properties
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`of the airflow; and
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`a controller configured to receive the variable signal from the sensor and
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`control the operation of at least one functional element of the device based on the variable signal
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`from the sensor. Specifically, the sensor can be flex/bend sensor, and such flex/bend sensor can
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`10
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`comprise an electrical connection and an extension. The variable signal output by the sensor can
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`correspond to an angular displacement of the extension, such as a change in the bend radius of the
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`extension of the sensor.
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`The aerosol delivery device further can comprise an electronic circuit board, and the
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`electrical connection of the sensor can be attached to the electronic circuit board. In some
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`15
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`embodiments, the electronic circuit board can comprise an aperture positionally aligned with the
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`extension and the airflow through the housing. Similarly, the housing can define a flow channel
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`configured to receive airflow therethrough, and at least a portion of the extension of the sensor can
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`be positioned in the flow channel.
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`In some embodiments, a longitudinal length of the extension can be oriented in a non-
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`20
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`parallel direction relative to a longitudinal length of the housing. In further embodiments, a
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`longitudinal length of the extension can be oriented in a non-parallel direction relative to the
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`airflow through the housing.
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`The aerosol delivery device can be configured such that the variable signal output by the
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`sensor varies based on airflow rate. Further, the at least one functional element controlled based
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`25
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`upon the variable signal from the sensor can be selected from the group consisting of a heating
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`member, a fluid delivery member, a sensory feedback member, and combinations thereof.
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`In further embodiments, the present disclosure also can provide methods for controlling
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`operation of an aerosol delivery device. In some embodiments, a method can comprise: detecting
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`one or more properties of an airflow through the aerosol delivery device; outputting a variable
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`30
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`signal that varies based upon the one or more properties of the airflow; and controlling the
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`operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based upon the variable
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`output signal.
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`The detecting of the one or more properties of the airflow through the aerosol delivery
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`device can comprise detecting movement of a portion of a sensor. In particular, the detecting can
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`3
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.004
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`

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`WO 2015/153443
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`relate to detecting angular displacement of an extension of the sensor or a change in bend radius of
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`the extension.
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`The method particularly can comprise one or more of controlling the operation of a heating
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`member of the aerosol delivery device, controlling the operation of a fluid delivery member of the
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`5
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`aerosol delivery device, and controlling the operation of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol
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`delivery device. In some embodiments, the method can comprise controlling at least one property
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`of the electrical current supplied to the heating member. In particular, the method can comprise
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`supplying the electrical current to the heating member proportionally to a rate of the airflow
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`detected. In other embodiments, the method can comprise controlling the supply rate of an aerosol
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`IO
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`precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer. In particular, the method can comprise
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`supplying the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer proportionally to a rate of the airflow
`
`detected. In further embodiments, the method can comprise controlling a lighting configuration of
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`a lighting element. In particular, the method can comprise changing at least one of a color, a
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`lighting pattern, a lighting duration, and an intensity of the lighting element based on a rate of the
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`15
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`airflow detected.
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`The invention includes, without limitation, the following embodiments.
`
`Embodiment 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising: a housing; a sensor within the
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`housing configured to detect an airflow through at least a portion of the housing and output a
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`variable signal that varies based upon one or more properties of the airflow; and a controller
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`20
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`configured to receive the variable signal from the sensor and control the operation of at least one
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`functional element of the device based on the variable signal from the sensor.
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`Embodiment 2: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the sensor is a bend/flex sensor.
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`Embodiment 3: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`25 wherein the sensor comprises an electrical connection and an extension.
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`Embodiment 4: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the variable signal output by the sensor corresponds to an angular displacement of the
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`extension.
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`Embodiment 5: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`30
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`further comprising an electronic circuit board, and wherein the electrical connection of the sensor is
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`attached to the electronic circuit board.
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`Embodiment 6: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the electronic circuit board comprises an aperture positionally aligned with the extension
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`and the airflow through the housing.
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`4
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.005
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`

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`Embodiment 7: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the housing defines a flow channel configured to receive airflow therethrough, and
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`wherein at least a portion of the extension is positioned in the flow channel.
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`Embodiment 8: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`5 wherein a longitudinal length of the extension is oriented in a non-parallel direction relative to a
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`longitudinal length of the housing.
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`Embodiment 9: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein a longitudinal length of the extension is oriented in a non-parallel direction relative to the
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`airflow.
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`10
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`Embodiment 10: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the variable signal output by the sensor varies based on airflow rate.
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`Embodiment 11: The aerosol delivery device of any preceding or subsequent embodiment,
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`wherein the at least one functional element is selected from the group consisting of a heating
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`member, a fluid delivery member, a sensory feedback member, and combinations thereof.
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`15
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`Embodiment 12: A method for controlling operation of an aerosol delivery device
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`comprising: detecting one or more properties of an airflow through the aerosol delivery device;
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`outputting a variable signal that varies based upon the one or more properties of the airflow; and
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`controlling the operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based
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`upon the variable output signal.
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`20
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`Embodiment 13: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein
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`detecting the one or more properties of the airflow through the aerosol delivery device comprises
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`detecting movement of a portion of a sensor.
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`Embodiment 14: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein
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`detecting movement of the portion of the sensor comprises detecting angular displacement of an
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`25
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`extension of the sensor.
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`Embodiment 15: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising one
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`or more of controlling the operation of a heating member of the aerosol delivery device, controlling
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`the operation of a fluid delivery member of the aerosol delivery device, and controlling the
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`operation of a sensory feedback member of the aerosol delivery device.
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`30
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`Embodiment 16: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`controlling at least one property of the electrical current supplied to the heating member.
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`Embodiment 17: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`supplying the electrical current to the heating member proportionally to a rate of the airflow
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`detected.
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`5
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.006
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`Embodiment 18: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`controlling the supply rate of an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer.
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`Embodiment 19: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`supplying the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer proportionally to a rate of the airflow
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`5
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`detected.
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`Embodiment 20: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`controlling a lighting configuration of a lighting element.
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`Embodiment 21: The method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, comprising
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`changing at least one of a color, a lighting pattern, a lighting duration, and an intensity of the
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`10
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`lighting element based on a rate of the airflow detected.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
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`Having thus described the disclosure in the foregoing general terms, reference will now be
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`made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
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`15
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`FIG. 1 is a sectional view through an aerosol delivery device according to an example
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`embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a control body and a cartridge;
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`FIG. 2 is a sectional view through an aerosol delivery device comprising a cartridge and a
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`control body according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;
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`FIG. 3 is a front view of a flex/bend sensor for use in an aerosol delivery device according
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`20
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`to the present disclosure, the sensor being configured for variable signal output relative to flexing
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`or bending of an extension;
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`FI Gs. 4a through 4d are partial cross-sections through an aerosol delivery device according
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`to the present disclosure, the figures showing flexing or bending of a flex/bend sensor relative to
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`airflow through the device;
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`25
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`FIG. 5 is a sectional view through a control body including a flow sensor element
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`comprising a flex/bend sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
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`FIG. 6 is a sectional view through a control body including a flow sensor element
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`comprising a flex/bend sensor according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
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`FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operations of an aerosol delivery device according to the
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`30
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`present disclosure allowing for real-time changes in heater control based on manual input by a user,
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`particularly based on draw on the device by a user.
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`The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to
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`35
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`exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`6
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.007
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`disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those
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`skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not
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`be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided
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`so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and
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`5
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`in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "the", include plural referents unless the
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`context clearly dictates otherwise.
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`The present disclosure provides descriptions of aerosol delivery devices or smoking articles,
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`such as so-called "e-cigarettes." It should be understood that the mechanisms, components,
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`features, and methods may be embodied in many different forms and associated with a variety of
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`10
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`articles.
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`In this regard, the present disclosure provides descriptions of aerosol delivery devices that
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`use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without combusting or pyrolyzing the material to
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`any significant degree) to form an inhalable substance; such articles most preferably being
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`sufficiently compact to be considered "hand-held" devices. An aerosol delivery device may
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`15
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`provide some or all of the sensations ( e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes or
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`flavors, organoleptic effects, physical feel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visible
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`aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, without any substantial degree of
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`combustion or pyrolysis of any component of that article or device. The aerosol delivery device
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`may not produce smoke in the sense of the aerosol resulting from by-products of combustion or
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`20
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`pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, that the article or device may yield Vapors (including vapors within
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`aerosols that can be considered to be visible aerosols that might be considered to be described as
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`smoke-like) resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain components of the article or
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`device. In highly preferred embodiments, aerosol delivery devices may incorporate tobacco and/or
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`components derived from tobacco.
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`25
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`Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can be characterized as being vapor-
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`producing articles, smoking articles, or medicament delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices
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`can be adapted so as to provide one or more substances ( e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical active
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`ingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalable substances can be substantially in
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`the form of a vapor (i.e., a substance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical
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`30
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`point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of
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`fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as
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`used herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form or type suitable for human
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`inhalation, whether or not visible, and whether or not of a form that might be considered to be
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`smoke-like.
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`7
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.008
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`In use, aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure may be subjected to many of the
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`physical actions employed by an individual in using a traditional type of smoking article (e.g., a
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`cigarette, cigar, or pipe that is employed by lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example, the user
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`of an aerosol delivery device of the present disclosure can hold that article much like a traditional
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`5
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`type of smoking article, draw on one end of that article for inhalation of aerosol produced by that
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`article, take puffs at selected intervals of time, etc.
`
`Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally include a number of
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`components provided within an outer body or shell, which may be referred to as a housing. The
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`overall design of the outer body or shell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body
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`10
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`that can define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device can vary. Typically, an
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`elongated body resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary
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`housing, or the elongated housing can be formed of two or more separable bodies. For example, an
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`aerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell or body that can be substantially tubular in
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`shape and, as such, resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one embodiment, all
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`15
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`of the components of the aerosol delivery device are contained within one housing. Alternatively,
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`an aerosol delivery device can comprise two or more housings that are joined and are separable.
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`For example, an aerosol delivery device can possess at one end a control body comprising a
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`housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a rechargeable battery and various
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`electronics for controlling the operation of that article), and at the other end and removably attached
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`20
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`thereto an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion ( e.g., a disposable flavor-containing
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`cartridge). More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of components within the
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`single shell type of unit or within a multi-piece separable shell type of unit will be evident in light
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`of the further disclosure provided herein. Additionally, various aerosol delivery device designs and
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`component arrangements can be appreciated upon consideration of the commercially available
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`25
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`electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as those representative products listed in the background
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`art section of the present disclosure. An aerosol delivery device with multiple outer bodies
`
`comprising components useful according to the present disclosure is described in U.S. App. Ser.
`
`No. 14/170,838 to Bless et al., filed February 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in
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`its entirety.
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`30
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`Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure most preferably comprise some
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`combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical power source), at least one control component
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`(e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such as by
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`controlling electrical current flow the power source to other components of the article - e.g., a
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`microcontroller or microprocessor), a heater or heat generation member ( e.g., an electrical
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`35
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`resistance heating element or other component, which alone or in combination with one or more
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`8
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.009
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`WO 2015/153443
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`PCT/0S2015/023308
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`further elements may be commonly referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition
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`( e.g., commonly a liquid capable of yielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such as
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`ingredients commonly referred to as "smoke juice," "e-liquid" and "e-juice"), and a mouthend
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`region or tip for allowing draw upon the aerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation ( e.g., a
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`5
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`defined airflow path through the article such that aerosol generated can be withdrawn therefrom
`
`upon draw). Exemplary formulations for aerosol precursor materials that may be used according to
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`the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Pat.
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`Pub. No. 2013/0213417 to Chong et al., and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al.,
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`the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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`10
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`Alignment of the components within the aerosol delivery device can vary. In specific
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`embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition can be located near an end of the article (e.g.,
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`within a cartridge, which in certain circumstances can be replaceable and disposable), which may
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`be proximal to the mouth of a user so as to maximize aerosol delivery to the user. Other
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`configurations, however, are not excluded. Generally, the heating member can be positioned
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`15
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`sufficiently near the aerosol precursor composition so that heat from the heating member can
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`volatilize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorants, medicaments, or the like that
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`may likewise be provided for delivery to a user) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When
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`the heating member heats the aerosol precursor composition, an aerosol is fonned, released, or
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`generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by a consumer. It should be noted that the
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`20
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`foregoing terms are meant to be interchangeable such that reference to release, releasing, releases,
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`or released includes form or generate, forming or generating, forms or generates, and formed or
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`generated. Specifically, an inhalable substance is released in the form of a vapor or aerosol or
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`mixture thereof. Additionally, the selection of various aerosol delivery device components can be
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`appreciated upon consideration of the commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices.
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`25
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`An aerosol delivery device incorporates a battery or other electrical power source to provide
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`electrical current flow sufficient to provide various functionalities to the article, such as heating by
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`the heating member, powering of control systems, powering of indicators, and the like. The power
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`source can take on various embodiments. Preferably, the power source is configured to deliver
`
`sufficient power to rapidly heat the heating member to provide for aerosol formation and power the
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`30
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`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
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`from a desirable smoking experience.
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`One example embodiment of an aerosol delivery device 100 is provided in FIG. 1. As seen
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`3 5
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`in the cross-section illustrated therein, the aerosol delivery device 100 can comprise a control body
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`9
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`NJOY Exhibit 1021.010
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`WO 2015/153443
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`PCT/0S2015/023308
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`102 and a cartridge 104 that can be permanently or detachably aligned in a functioning relationship.
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`Although a threaded engagement is illustrated in FIG. 1, it is understood that further means of
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`engagement may be employed, such as a press-fit engagement, interference fit, a magnetic
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`engagement, or the like. In particular, connection components, such as further described herein
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`5 may be used. For example, the control body may include a coupler that is adapted to engage a
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`connector on the cartridge.
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`In specific embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may be
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`referred to as being disposable or as being reusable. For example, the control body may have a
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`replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery and thus may be combined with any type of recharging
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`10
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`technology, including connection to a typical electrical outlet, connection to a car charger (i.e.,
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`cigarette lighter receptacle), and connection to a computer, such as through a universal serial bus
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`(USB) cable. For example, an adaptor including a USB connector at one end and a control body
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`connector at an opposing end is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Serial No. 13/840,264 to Novak et al.,
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`filed Mar. 15, 201