United States Patent [191
`Counts et al.
`
`USOOS 144962A
`Patent Number:
`[1 1]
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,144,962
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`[54] FLAVOR-DELIVERY ARTICLE
`
`[56]
`
`[75] Inventors: Mary E. Counts; Mohammad R.
`Hajaligol, both of Richmond;
`Constance H. Morgan; UlyssesSmith,
`both of Midlothian; Francis M.
`Sprinkel, Glen Allen; Francis v.
`Utsch, Midlothian, all of Va-
`
`7'
`[73] Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated, New
`York’ NY‘
`
`[21] Appl' No‘: 444’818
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Dec_ 1 1989
`’
`
`[51] Int. Cl.5 ............................................. .. A24D 1/00
`[52] US. Cl. .................................. .. 131/194; 131/335;
`128/200. 14; 128/202_21; 128/203,26;
`128/203_27; 128/204_13
`[58] Field of Search ............. .. 131/270, 194, 195, 329,
`131/330, 335; l28/200.14, 202.21, 203.26,
`203.27, 204.13
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,735,217 4/1988 Gerth et a1. ....................... .. 131/273
`4,922,901 5/1990 Brooks et al_ .
`4,945,931 8/1990 Gori .
`4,947,874 8/1999 Brooks =1 81»
`4'947'875 8/1990 Bmkwal- -
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO90/03224 4/1990 PCT lnt’l Appl. .
`Fri-man) Examiner_v_ Mini“
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jeffrey H. Ingerman
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`Methods and apparatus for releasing ?avor components
`from a ?avor-generating medium using an electric heat
`ing element are provided. A non-combustion ?avor
`generating article uses electrical energy to power a
`heating element which heats tobacco or other ?avor
`ants. The ?avor-generating medium is formed into a
`packed bed- Energy delivered to the heating element is
`regulated to maintain the ?avor-generating medium at a
`relatively constant operating temperature to ensure a
`relatively constant release of ?avor.
`
`146 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`Fontem Ex. 2014
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`Page 1 of 23
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
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`Page 2 of 23
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Shéet 2 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`Tf/l/W/f/N/ff/H
`
`_
`
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`Q CECCC -
`
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`
`\ SVNwJQ an 3 Q @N
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`Q60‘
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`\ .
`
`Q“ NV §\ bM» “N
`
`9% ‘8 m9 mm \Q w\ P»
`
`W a Q
`
`
`
`Ila’ ‘I. o
`
`I “ Ill
`
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`TEMP
`M
`
`TRANS/SEAL
`TEMP
`
`ROOM _
`TEMP
`
`WA} 775
`
`x
`
`L
`
`F/ 6.4
`
`>
`77/75
`
`F/ 0. 5
`
`,
`
`7/ME .
`
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`26 22 /a 72 24 46 4a
`/ //
`
`J5 comsmmw ; v+
`\
`T 14
`W3 11 9 a
`A0595AQ
`/ 4 . 7
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`\
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`w ,v
`0
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`AD580\
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`67
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`56.80
`
`Fontem Ex. 2014
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`Page 6 of 23
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep.8,1992
`
`Shget 6 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`‘1-1
`
`8
`
`L_._____.._______l
`
`H08
`
`-L5 .90 6+
`OUTPUT
`(r0 yum/a
`suns/v7)
`
`Fontem Ex. 2014
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`I30
`
`I38
`
`I32
`
`7.32
`
`a”
`
`He. 73
`
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`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Sep. 8, 1992
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`5,144,962
`
`r44
`
`12 J/
`'44-??? 9°
`I43
`
`740
`
`' I44
`
`14/
`
`I39
`I/
`26
`
`742
`
`H0. 75
`
`I48
`
`144/
`
`*
`
`I48
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`144/
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`
`I50
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`F, G.
`
`139
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`/
`
`mag-31 46
`“fmq H017
`
`r
`I52 9
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`I50
`
`“I
`
`Fontem Ex. 2014
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`Page 10 of 23
`
`

`
`1
`
`FLAVOR-DELIVERY ARTICLE
`
`5
`
`5,144,962
`2
`tor. The thermistor draws electrical current, which
`raises the temperature of the thermistor to some prede
`termined “transition” temperature. The transition tem
`perature is a known value, determined by the composi
`tion of the thermistor, at which the device’s tempera
`ture stabilizes.
`Alternatively, a control system applies a predeter
`mined, timed voltage cycle to the heating element, or
`temperature cycle to the ?avor-generating medium,
`pulsing the temperature of the medium to the preferred
`temperature to produce ?avor components. This multi
`stage operation reduces power consumption, because
`the ?avor generator is at elevated temperatures for only
`short periods of time.
`In addition to providing ?avor components for en
`joyment, articles made in accordance with this inven
`tion provide a means for regulating the delivery of the
`?avor components produced by the article. The amount
`of ?avor released from the ?avor-generating medium
`varies according to the temperature to which the ?a
`vor-generating medium is heated. By selecting heating
`elements, power supplies, and control systems with the
`proper operating characteristics, articles of different
`deliveries can be produced.
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to electrically-heated ?avor
`delivery articles, and to methods and apparatus for
`electrically heating a ?avor source in order to derive
`?avor therefrom.
`Smoking articles utilizing electrical power for heat- 10
`ing and thereby releasing ?avor from tobacco and other
`compounds may have certain advantages over conven
`tional smoking articles. For example, electrically
`heated smoking articles produce the taste and sensation
`of smoking without burning of tobacco. Also, electri
`cally-heated articles do not produce a visible aerosol
`between puffs. However, there have been various tech
`nical problems with electrically~heated articles.
`It is desirable to maintain the smoking article at a
`substantially consistent temperature during operation to
`produce a relatively consistent release of ?avor from
`puff to puff. The smoking article must reach operating
`temperature quickly, it must not overheat, and it must
`remain at the operational temperature long enough to
`generate/release designed ?avors, vapors, and aerosols
`(hereinafter “?avor components”). The article should
`also be efficient in terms of its power consumption.
`
`30
`
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this inven
`tion to provide an electrically-heated device for gener
`ating ?avor components.
`It is a more particular object of this invention to
`provide an electrically-heated article which reduces or
`eliminates certain byproducts of burning.
`It is another object of this invention to provide an
`electrically-heated article in which ?avor components
`are consistently released from puff to puff.
`It is yet another object of this invention to provide an
`electrically-heated article which allows controlled ?a
`vor component delivery with a minimal amount of 40
`input energy.
`It is still another object of this invention to provide an
`electrically-heated article having a passive system for
`predictably controlling the temperature of the heating
`element.
`It is still another object of this invention to provide an
`electrically-heated article having an active system for
`predictably controlling the temperature of the heating
`element.
`These and other objects of the invention are accom
`plished by providing electrically powered devices hav
`ing a ?avor-generating medium capable of generating
`/releasing ?avor components when heated, a heating
`element, a power source, and a control system for regu
`lating the temperature of the ?avor-generating medium
`55
`or the amount of power applied to the heating element.
`The article of this invention releases a controlled
`amount of ?avor components. A heating element raises
`the temperature of a ?avor-generating medium to a
`predetermined temperature, which is below the temper
`ature at which burning begins. For example, a non
`burning article is formed by surrounding a positive
`temperature coefficient thermistor with the ?avor
`generating medium to be heated, capturing the material
`and heating element in a tube (which typically may be
`foil-lined), attaching a ?lter, and providing an outer
`wrapper for the article. The ?avor-generating medium
`is heated by applying electrical energy to the thermis
`
`60
`
`65
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The above and other objects and advantages of the
`invention will be apparent upon consideration of the
`following detailed description, taken in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings, in which like refer
`ence numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in
`which:
`FIG. I is a partially fragmentary perspective view of
`an illustrative embodiment of a non-burning article
`made in accordance with the principles of this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is an alternative embodiment of the non-bum
`ing article of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of another
`illustrative embodiment of a non-burning article con
`structed in accordance with this invention; '
`FIG. 4 is a graph of the temperature characteristic of
`a typical thermistor used as a heat source for the non
`burning article of this invention;
`FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the power consumed by
`a thermistor to achieve and maintain the temperatures
`depicted in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of another
`illustrative embodiment of a non-burning article con
`structed in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 7 is a partially fragmentary longitudinal sec
`tional view of an illustrative embodiment of a non-bum
`ing article constructed in accordance with this inven
`tion having an active control circuit;
`FIG. 8 is an illustrative embodiment of the active
`control circuit of the article of FIG. 7;
`_
`FIG. 8a is an schematic diagram of an alternative
`active control circuit;
`FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of an illustra
`tive embodiment of a non-burning smoking article
`which uses a capacitor and battery as a power supply;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electrical con
`nections for the article of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is a partly schematic diagram of a device
`constructed in accordance with this invention for sup
`plying electrical energy to the articles of this invention;
`
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`

`
`3
`FIG. 12 is an alternative embodiment of the device of
`FIG. 11;
`FIGS. 13 and 14 are perspective views of appliance
`type devices for supplying electrical energy to the arti
`cles of this invention;
`FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of an alterna
`tive embodiment of a non-burning article of this inven‘
`tiOn;
`FIG. 16 is a partly schematic diagram of apparatus
`for heating the article of FIG. 15; and
`FIG. 17 is an alternative embodiment of the apparatus
`of FIG. 16.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`5,144,962
`4
`entirety. Flavor-generating medium 12 may include
`tobacco or tobacco-derived materials. Alternatively,
`medium 12 may be peppermint, fruit ?avors, or other
`similar ?avors.
`Heating element 14 may be formed using a variety of
`materials. In a preferred embodiment, heating element
`14 is a resistive wire coil (such as tungsten, tantalum, or
`an alloy of nickel, chromium, and iron (such as that sold
`by Driver-Harris Company, Harison, N.J., under the
`trademark NICHROME ®) disposed within an insulat
`ing tube which typically may be paper, foil, carbon,
`plastic, or glass. Alternatively, the heater may be
`formed with graphite or ceramics, and can be formed
`with a protective sheath of these materials.
`The heating element is designed to heat ?avor
`generating medium 12 directly or to heat outside air
`before it is drawn through medium 12. Referring now to
`FIG. 3, article 34 includes a ?rst heating element 14 in
`contact with ?avor-generating medium 12, and a sec
`ond heating element 14' for preheating air drawn into
`tube 20 before it enters bed 12. When a puff is drawn on
`filter 28, outside air is drawn through air holes 26
`formed in outer wrapper 18. The air is drawn through a
`passageway 36 which is formed between outer wrapper
`18 and thermally-insulating tube 20 by spacer rings 38
`and 40. The air exits passageway 36 and enters tube 20
`via air holes 42, and is drawn past heater 14’ and
`through the heated ?avor-generating medium. The
`mixture of heated air and ?avor components is drawn
`through ?lter 28 for the 'consumer’s use.
`A controlled flavor-generating medium temperature
`(or a consistent heating temperature in a pulse-heated
`system) is required to ensure a substantially consistent
`release/generation of ?avor components. Flavor
`generating medium 12 typically is maintained at a con
`trolled temperature by means of a control system. Con
`trol systems suitable for use with this invention may be
`either “passive” systems or “active” systems. A passive
`control system is one that uses heating element 14 or
`power source 16 themselves to regulate the temperature
`of ?avor-generating medium 12 or the amount of power
`applied to the heating element. An active control sys
`tem uses an additional components such as an electronic
`control circuit, or requires participation from the con
`sumer, to consistently heat the ?avor-generating me
`dium.
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arti
`cle utilizes a passive, coupled system to control the
`heating process and to control the amount of ?avor
`component generated. The characteristics of the com
`ponents in the coupled system are selected to maintain
`?avor-generating medium 12 at a controlled tempera
`' ture throughout operation. The critical components of
`the coupled system include ?avor-generating medium
`12, heating element 14, and power source 16. This type
`of coupled control system is most effective in articles
`which have a self-contained power source.
`The coupled system works as follows. Power source '
`16 discharges electrical energy to heating element 14.
`Heating element 14 converts the discharged electrical
`energy into heat. The thermal masses and material prop
`erties of heating element 14 and flavor-generating me
`dium 12 rapidly absorb the heat and vprevent smoking
`article 10 from overheating. More energy is released at
`the beginning of operation, when power source 16 is
`fully charged. After a short period of operation, power
`output from power source 16 is reduced, because the
`power source has discharged most of its potential en
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Referring now to the drawings, FIG. I shows an
`article, designated generally by reference numeral 10,
`which typically includes ?avor-generating medium 12,
`a heating element 14, and a power source 16, which are
`surrounded by an outer tube or overwrapper 18. Fla
`vor-generating medium 12 typically may be formed in a
`packed bed or as an extruded rod disposed around heat
`ing element 14, and is then typically encased in an inner,
`thermally-insulating tube 20. Flavor-generating me
`dium 12 is captured within tube 20 by perforated front
`and rear clips 22 and 24, respectively. Electrical energy
`from power source 16 is applied to the terminals of
`heating element 14, which heats the ?avor-generating
`medium to produce flavor components. Air holes 26 are
`provided in outer wrapper 18 to permit outside air to be
`drawn through ?avor-generating medium 12. The out
`side air mixes with the ?avor components, and the mix
`ture is drawn through front clip 22 and ?lter 28 when
`the consumer draws on the article. Article 10 is separa
`ble along line A-A to permit the consumer to replace
`expended ?avor-generating medium and ?lter materi
`als, and to access power source 16.
`FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of article 10
`in which energy is supplied to heating element 14 from
`an external source rather than from internal power
`40
`source 16. Energy is transmitted to the contacts of heat
`ing element 14 via connector pins 30. A heater base 32,
`which partially extends within tube 20, supports and
`properly positions connector pins 30. Energy may be
`supplied to connector pins 30 through wires extending
`to an external power source, permitting article 10 to be
`operated while the power is connected. Alternatively,
`the article may be plugged directly into the external
`power source while heating and then removed from the
`power source for use. One skilled in the art could mod
`ify the embodiments of the articles described herein to
`utilize either internal or external power sources.
`Flavor-generating medium 12 typically is placed
`around heating element 14. Alternatively, the heating
`element may surround the ?avor-generating medium.
`55
`Flavor components are released from medium 12 when
`the temperature of medium 12 has been raised to be
`tween about l00° C. and 500° C. The preferred tempera
`ture range for generating ?avor components is between
`120° C. and 400° C., and the most preferred range is
`between 200° C. and 350° C. The amount of ?avor
`components produced by the article, and consequently,
`the amount of ?avor released, depends upon the tem
`perature, quantity, and concentration of ?avor-generat
`ing medium 12. Flavor-generating medium 12 may be
`similar to the ?avor pellets shown in commonly as
`signed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/222,831, ?led
`Jul. 22, 1988, hereby incorporated by reference in its
`
`30
`
`45
`
`65
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`
`5
`ergy and because the internal resistance of power
`source 16 rises (due to its self-heating properties). The
`discharge characteristics of power source 16 change
`due to the discharge of energy to the heating element,
`and due to losses internal to the power source. Because
`?avor-generating medium 12 and heating element 14
`retain heat generated during the initial high-energy
`discharge of power source 16, the temperature of ?a
`vor-generating medium 12 remains substantially con
`stant, even as the electrical energy output of power
`source 16 is reduced. When the electrical energy of
`power source 16 is depleted, ?avor-generating medium
`12 may be removed and replaced with fresh material,
`and power source 16 may be recharged, prior to reuse.
`A change in any one component of the coupled sys
`tem affects the performance of the other components.
`Flavor-generating medium 12, heating element 14, and
`power source 16 must be empirically tailored to select
`the desired operating temperature of article 10. For
`20
`example, a heating element having a lower resistance
`and lower mass would allow more current to ?ow, and
`would allow ?avor-generating medium 12 to heat more
`quickly. Also, the thermal characteristics of ?avor
`generating medium 12 vary with the size and quantity of
`the pellets forming the ?avor-generating medium. In
`creased surface area, resulting from smaller pellet size,
`permits ?avor-generating medium 12 to absorb thermal
`energy at a quicker rate by providing more contact with
`the heating element and adjacent particles.
`The amount of total particulate matter (T PM) re
`leased from a given ?avor-generating medium is pro
`portional to the time temperature history of the me
`dium. For example, heating a 100 milligram sample of
`the material at 120° C. typically can ‘release two milli
`35
`grams of TPM in a given time period. The same sample,
`heated to 280° C. for the same amount of time, releases
`22 milligrams of TPM. Thus, the delivery of the article
`may be regulated by selecting components of the cou
`pled system to achieve a predetermined temperature.
`In an equally preferred embodiment, heating element
`14 is a positive temperature coefficient thermistor. A
`thermistor is a temperature-sensitive resistor which
`provides passive temperature control. When the therm
`istor reaches a predetermined temperature (i.e., the
`so-called “transition temperature” of the thermistor), its
`electrical resistance greatly increases, reducing current
`flow through the thermistor and therefore the heating.
`If the temperature of the thermistor decreases, the elec
`trical resistance also decreases, causing additional cur
`rent to ?ow and heating to increase. The thermistor
`maintains a constant bed temperature by continually
`adjusting the current ?ow in response to thermistor
`temperature (and ?avor-generating medium tempera
`ture). Positive temperature coefficient thermistors suit
`able for use in the present invention are commercially
`available, for example, from Murata Erie North Amer
`ica, 220 Lake Park Drive, Smyrna, Ga. 30080 (thermis
`tor part No. PTH420AG1000N032).
`FIG. 4 is a graph of the temperature characteristic of
`60
`a typical positive temperature coefficient thermistor. By
`selecting the appropriate thermistor, the transition or
`stabilization temperature may be selected to achieve a
`desired ?avor strength for the article. FIG. 4 illustrates
`the rapid heating abilities of the thermistor. Because of
`65
`its chemical composition, the positive temperature coef
`ficient thermistor functions as a self-regulated heating
`device.
`
`5,144,962
`6
`There are several advantages to heating the article
`with thermistors rather than conventional resistance
`heaters. Articles having thermistors do not require ther
`mostats or control circuits to prevent overheating, pro
`vide a controlled surface temperature independent of
`ambient conditions, and provide a stable temperature
`almost independent of the supply voltage. These fea
`tures make the device an excellent choice for heating
`?avor-generating media in articles because it provides a
`consumer with a relatively consistent delivery of ?avor
`from puff to puff.
`FIG. 5 is a graph of the power consumed by ,the
`thermistor to produce the temperatures shown in FIG.
`4.
`Articles of the present invention may utilize active
`control systems to regulate operation. One preferred
`system is a double heater/pulse design, shown in FIG.
`6. A first heating element 14 maintains the temperature
`of ?avor-generating medium 12 at a substantially con
`stant temperature, below the temperature to which
`?avor-generating medium 12 must be heated to gener
`ate the desired aerosol. A second heating element 14' is
`pulsed with electrical energy to raise the temperature of
`the medium above the vaporization temperature to
`produce the desired ?avor components.
`Flavor-generating medium 12 is captured within tube
`20, which may be a metal or other thermally conductive
`container. Heating element 14 surrounds and can be in
`thermal contact with tube 20 to heat the contents of the
`tube. Heating element 14 preferably heats the air drawn
`through passageway 36 before the air is drawn into tube
`20. Heating element 14’, which typically may be dis
`posed within ?avor-generating medium 12, is pulsed for
`a predetermined period with electrical energy from
`power source 16 to generate/release ?avor components
`for each puff.
`The double heater/pulse design of FIG. 6 provides
`two distinct advantages. First, less energy is required
`from power source 16 to provide the same ?avor
`generating capability as a constant temperature system.
`The ?avor-generating medium is maintained at a lower
`temperature for most of the operating period. A high
`temperature is not maintained; ?avor-generating me
`dium 12 is pulsed to the higher temperature for short
`periods, which consumes less energy. Second, the ?a
`vor components are generated in the short time period
`immediately prior to, and/ or during puf?ng with only
`nominal amounts of ?avor components accumulated
`between puffs. This results in an improved flavor com
`ponent delivery.
`A more preferred embodiment of article 10 includes
`only a single heating element which contacts ?avor
`' generating medium 12. The heating element provides
`both the constant, low-level heating between puffs, and
`the high temperature pulse for each puff.
`A second type of active control system, shown in the
`smoking article 44 of FIG. 7, is an electronic control
`circuit 46 which regulates power delivered to a. single
`heating element 14. Circuit 46 provides a predictable
`method for applying voltage and current to heating
`element 14, and thus for controlling the temperature of
`?avor-generating medium 12. Control circuit 46 has
`two operating modes for efficient power use: a “low
`power” mode for maintaining ?avor-generating me
`dium 12 at a predetermined low-level temperature
`(below the vaporization temperature) between puffs,
`and a “high power” mode for rapidly raising heating
`element 14 to its preferred, higher operating tempera
`
`55
`
`40
`
`45
`
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`15
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`20
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`5,144,962
`8
`7
`the supply voltage, the high power lock-out period
`ture. Circuit 46 typically provides a ?xed lock-out time
`elapses, and the consumer may again cause the circuit to
`between high power operations to prevent inadvertent
`enter the high power mode (to generate ?avor compo
`over-heating of ?avor-generating medium 12 by fre
`quent high power operation.
`nents).
`Pin 2 (regulated output voltage) of regulator 56 con
`Circuit 46 is connected to power source 16 by a dou
`nects to timing circuit 62 through the normally-open
`ble-pole, double-throw switch 48, which is shown in the
`contacts of relay 76., When the output from pin 3 of
`“off’ position in the drawing. When switch 48 is placed
`timer 64 is high, the coil of relay 76 is energized, and the
`in the “on” position, the positive terminals of power
`relay contact is closed. Power is then supplied to timing
`source 16 is connected to the input terminals (pin 1) of
`circuit 62. Timing circuit 62 includes timer 66 and a
`voltage regulators 56 and 58. Regulators 56 and 58 are
`standard, commercially available integrated circuits
`second RC network which includes variable resistor 78,
`?xed resistor 80, and capacitor 82. The charging time of
`(such as Models 7508 and LM3l7T, available from
`the second RC network is determined by the values of
`Radio Shack, Division of Tandy Corporation, Fort
`resistors 78 and 80, and capacitor 82, which are selected
`Worth, Tex.). The negative terminal of power source 16
`to obtain a charging time which typically may be in the
`forms a ground reference for the circuit.
`range of about 0.2 to about 4.0 seconds, preferably be
`To operate smoking article 44, the consumer sets
`tween 0.5 and 2.0 seconds, and most preferably between
`power switch 48 to the “on” position. Article 44 oper
`L2 and 1.6 seconds. This charging time controls the
`ates initially in the high power mode. Flavor-generating
`duration of the high power mode. The output of timer
`medium 12 is quickly heated to its preferred, higher
`66 (pin 3) is controlled by the second RC network, and
`temperature, enabling the consumer to puff article 44.
`becomes high when the voltage at pin 2 of timer 66
`When the time interval for the high power mode elap
`drops below one-third of the supply voltage. Pin 7 of
`ses, control circuit 46 enters the low power mode to
`timer 64 provides a discharge path for capacitor 82, to
`maintain ?avor-generating medium 12 at a reduced
`trigger the output at pin 3 of timer 66 and to reset timing
`temperature. The consumer is prevented from initiating
`circuit 62.
`the high power mode for a predetermined lock-out
`Variable resistors 70 and 78 permit adjustment of the
`period, to prevent overheating the smoking article.
`charging time for timing circuits 60 and 62, respec
`When the lock-out period has elapsed, the consumer
`tively. In an alternative embodiment, resistors 70 and 72
`may re-enter the high power mode by actuating a
`and resistors 78 and 80 are replaced with a respective
`switch 50. The cycle is repeated each time switch 50 is
`one of a single, ?xed resistor. If the desired charging
`actuated. When the consumer has ?nished, the ex
`pended ?avor-generating medium may be replaced in
`times are known and ?xed, it is advantageous to use a
`single, ?xed resistor for each pair, to reduce the size and
`preparation for the next use of the device.
`complexity of circuit 46.
`Circuit 46 includes two timing circuits 60 and 62,
`The output of timer 66 (pin 3) is connected to the coil
`which are based on standard (low power) integrated
`of relay 86, and therefore controls the voltage across
`circuit (IC) timers 64 and 66 (such as Model TLC555,
`the coil of relay 88. Relay 88 controls whether heating
`also commercially available from Radio Shack). Timing
`element 14 is heating in the low power or high power
`circuits 60 and 62 control the low power and high
`mode, by controlling the voltage across output termi
`power modes of operation, respectively. Voltage regu
`nals 90. Relay 88 switches either the regulated current
`lator 56, with pin 3 connected to ground, regulates the
`output of voltage regulator 58 (low power mode) or the
`voltage to the resistor-capacitor (RC) network that
`positive voltage of power source 16 (high power mode)
`determines the duration of the high power lock-out
`period.
`to output terminal 90. The contact of relay 88 is nor
`Resistor 68 connects the output and voltage adjust
`mally switched to terminal a, which is connected to the
`regulated current output (pin 2) of regulator 58. Termi
`pins (pins 2 and 3, respectively) of voltage regulator 58,
`nal b of relay 88 is connected to the positive terminal of
`causing regulator 58 to function as a current limiter
`power source 16, through power switch 48. When relay
`when circuit 46 operates in the low power mode. The
`output of regulator 58 is bypassed during the high
`86 is energized, current ?ows from power source 16 and
`through relay 86, energizing the coil of relay 88. The
`power mode.
`The regulated output voltage (pin 2) of voltage regu
`contact of relay 88 then switches to terminal b. LED 54
`lator 56 is connected to the positive power terminal (pin
`connects the common contact of relay 88 with series
`resistor 92 (the resistor’s second terminal is grounded).
`8) of timer 64 and to an RC network. The negative
`power terminal (pin 1) of timer 654 is grounded. The
`Resistor 92 is selected such that LED 54 is illuminated
`' only during the high power mode.
`RC network includes a variable resistor 70, a ?xed resis
`Changing any component of control circuit 46 will
`tor 72, and a capacitor 74. The output of timer 64 (pin 3)
`affect the performance of the entire circuit, and thus
`_ is controlled by the RC network and is triggered by a
`affect the operation of article 44. In particular, changing
`negative pulse on pin 2, which in turn, is caused by
`grounding pin 2 through switch 50. The charging time
`the values of the resistors and capacitors which form
`is determined by the values of resistors 70 and 72, and
`the first and second RC networks of timing circuits 60 '
`and 62 will alter the charging times of these circuits, and
`capacitor 74, which are selected to obtain a charging
`thus alter the duration of high power operation and the
`time which typically may be in the range of about ?ve
`60
`duration of the high power lock'out period. The opti
`to about thirty seconds, and preferably between ten and
`mal duration of each time interval is determined primar—
`twenty seconds, and most preferably ?fteen seconds.
`ily y the characteristics of ?avor-generating medium 12
`Switch 50 is connected to the RC network between
`and heating element 14. For example, a heating element
`resistor 72 and capacitor 74 on one side, and is grounded
`on the other. Switch 50 discharges capacitor 74 when
`having a lower electrical resistance would allow more
`65
`current to ?ow, and would allow the ?avor-generating
`actuated, resetting the charging time of circuit 60 to
`medium to heat more quickly. This, in turn, might allow
`zero, and generating an output at pin 3 of timer 64.
`for a shorter high power operation.
`When the voltage on capacitor 74 exceeds two-thirds of
`
`50
`
`40
`
`Fontem Ex. 2014
`R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. v. Fontem Holdings 1 B.V. IPR2016-01692
`Page 14 of 23
`
`

`
`5,144,962
`10
`ampere batteries, connected in series. Batteries of this
`capacity are capable of powering a single, “IO-puff’
`article. These batteries will provide sufficient energy
`for approximately ?ve minutes of operation.
`In an alternative embodiment of the smoking article,
`designated generally by reference numeral 95 and
`shown in FIG. 9, power source 16 includes a capacitor
`94 and a battery 96 for charging the capacitor. Battery
`96 may be discharged slowly, in the period between
`puffs, to charge capacitor 94. Unlike a capacitor, a bat
`ter