United States Patent (19)
`Counts et al.
`
`54
`75
`
`FLAVOR GENERATING ARTICLE
`Inventors: Mary E. Counts; Bernard C. LaRoy;
`D. Bruce Losee, Jr., all of Richmond;
`Constance H. Morgan; Ulysses Smith,
`both of Midlothian; F. Murphy
`Sprinkel, Jr., Glen Allen; Francis V.
`Utsch, Midlothian, all of Va.
`Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated, New
`York, N.Y.
`Appl. No.: 444,746
`Filed:
`Dec. 1, 1989
`Int. Cl. .............................................. A24K 47/00
`U.S. C. .................................... 131/329; 131/273;
`128/202.21; 128/203.17; 128/203.27
`Field of Search ................ 131/270, 273, 194-197,
`131/359, 369; 128/202, 202.21, 203.17, 203.27
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,771,366 7/1930 Wyss et al. .
`1,968,509 7/1934 Tiffany .
`2,057,353 10/1936 Whittemore, Jr. .
`2,104,266 1/1938 McCornick ......................... 131/273
`2,442,004 5/1948 Hayward-Butt .
`2,974,669 3/1961 Ellis .
`3,280,819 8/1965 Gilbert .
`3,363,633 1/1968 Weber.
`3,402,723 9/1968 Hu .
`3,482,580 12/1969 Hollabaugh .
`3,804,100 4/1974 Fariello ,
`3,889,690 6/1975 Guarnieri.
`4,016,061 4/1977 Wasa et al. .
`4,068,672 l/1978 Guerra .
`4,077,784 3/1978 Vayrynen .
`4, 131,119 12/1978 Basutti .
`4,141,369 2/1979 Burruss .
`4,164,230 8/1979 Pearlman .
`4,193,411 3/1980 Faris et al. .
`4,215,708 8/1980 Bron .
`4,219,032 8/1980 Tabatznik et al. .
`4,246,913 1/1981 Ogden et al. .
`4,256,945 3/1981 Carter et al. .
`4,259,970 4/1981 Green, Jr. .
`4,303,083 12/1981 Burruss, Jr. .
`4,393,884 7/1983 Jacobs .
`4,431,903 2/1984 Riccio .
`4,436,100 3/1984 Green, Jr. .
`4,463,247 7/1984 Lawrence et al. .
`4,562,337 12/1985 Lawrence .
`
`73)
`
`21
`22)
`(51)
`52
`(58)
`56)
`
`
`
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,060,671
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`4,570,646 2/1986 Herron .
`4,580,583 4/1986 Green, Jr. .
`4,621,649 11/1986 Osterrath .
`4,623,401 11/1986 Derbyshire et al. .
`4,637,407 1/1987 Bonanno et al. .
`4,659,912 4/1987 Derbyshire.
`4,735,217 4/1988 Gerth et al.......................... 13 1/273
`4,771,796 9/1988 Myer .
`4,776,353 10/1988 Lilja et al. .
`4,837,421 6/1989 Luthy .
`4,846,199 7/1989 Rose.
`4,848,376 7/1989 Lilja et al. .
`4,874,924 10/1989 Yamamoto et al. .
`4,877,989 10/1989 Drews et al. .
`4,922,901 5/1990 Brooks et al. .
`4,945,931 8/1990 Gori.
`4,947,874 8/1990 Brooks et al. .
`4,947,875 8/1990 Brooks et al. .
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1202378 3/1986 Canada .
`87/104.459 2/1988 China .
`0295 122 12/1988 European Pat. Off. .
`0358002 3/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`0358114 3/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`3640917A1 8/1988 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`3735704A1 5/1989 Fed. Rep. of Germany .
`61-68061 4/1986 Japan.
`WO86/02528 4/1986 PCT Int'l Appl. ,
`2132539 7/1984 United Kingdom .
`2148079 5/1985 United Kingdom .
`2148676 5/1985 United Kingdom .
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Excerpt from NASA Tech Briefs’,” Jul./Aug. 1988,
`p. 31.
`“PTC Thermistors,” Keystone Carbon Company prod
`uct literature.
`Primary Examiner-V. Millin
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jeffrey H. Ingerman
`57)
`ABSTRACT
`An article is provided in which a flavor generating
`medium is electrically heated to evolve inhalable fla
`vors or other components in vapor or aerosol form. The
`article has a plurality of charges of the flavor generating
`medium which are heated sequentially to provide indi
`vidual puffs.
`84 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`A/G 76
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 29, 1991
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,060,671
`
`
`
`// ZA Z 9 Gº
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`
`
`
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 011
`
`

`

`FLAVOR GENERATING ARTICLE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to articles in which flavor gen
`erating media are heated but not burned to release to
`bacco flavors. More particularly, this invention relates
`to electrically heated articles.
`It is known to provide smoking articles in which a
`flavor bed of tobacco or tobacco-derived material is
`heated, without combustion of tobacco, to release to
`bacco flavors without producing all the normal prod
`ucts of tobacco combustion. For example, it is known to
`provide a smoking article having a bed of tobacco
`15
`derived material and a combustible heat source. A
`smoker draws air through or around the heat source,
`heating it, and the heated air passes through the flavor
`bed, releasing tobacco flavors that are drawn into the
`Smoker's mouth. The heat source temperature, is depen
`dent on how the smoker uses the article, so that the
`flavor release rate varies widely from user to user and
`from article to article for a particular user.
`Articles that produce the taste and sensation of smok
`ing by heating tobacco electrically are also known.
`However, in some known electrically heated articles
`25
`the temperature was not consistent because the output
`of the electrical power source was not well regulated,
`so that the release of flavors also was not consistent. In
`other known electrically heated articles the power
`Source was external to the article and inconvenient.
`It would be desirable to be able to provide an electri
`cally heated article which operates at a controlled tem
`perature to produce a predetermined release of flavor
`with each puff.
`It would also be desirable to be able to provide such
`35
`an article which consistently for each puff reaches its
`operating temperature quickly and remains at that tem
`perature long enough to release the desired flavors,
`without overheating and causing burning of its flavor
`source, while at the same time minimizing the consump
`tion of energy.
`It would further be desirable to be able to provide
`such an article which is self-contained.
`It would still further be desirable to be able to pro
`vide such an article which can have the appearance of a
`45
`conventional cigarette, but produces neither sidestream
`smoke nor ash, and is not hot between puffs.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of this invention to provide an electri
`50
`cally heated article which operates at a controlled tem
`perature to produce a consistent release of flavor with
`each puff.
`It is also an object of this invention to provide such an
`article which consistently for each puff reaches its oper
`55
`ating temperature quickly and remains at that tempera
`ture long enough to release the desired flavors, without
`overheating and causing burning of its flavor source,
`while at the same time minimizing the consumption of
`energy.
`60
`It is a further object of this invention to provide such
`an article which is self-contained.
`It is still a further object of this invention to provide
`such an article which can have the appearance of a
`conventional cigarette, but produces neither sidestream
`65
`smoke nor ash, and is not hot between puffs.
`In accordance with this invention, there is provided
`an article for delivering to a consumer a flavor-contain
`
`10
`
`5,060,671
`2
`ing substance. The article comprises a plurality of
`charges of flavor generating medium, electrical heating
`means for individually heating each of the plurality of
`charges, a source of electrical energy for powering the
`electrical heating means, and control means for apply
`ing the electrical energy to the electrical heating means
`to individually heat one of the plurality of charges.
`Each of the charges, when heated, delivers a quantity of
`flavor-containing substance to the consumer.
`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 characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
`which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of
`an article according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary exploded perspec
`tive view of the article of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a more preferred
`second embodiment of an article according to the pres
`ent invention;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the article
`of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a still more preferred
`article according to the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the article
`of FIG. 5;
`FIGS. 7A-7K are perspective views of various em
`bodiments of heaters for use in the present invention;
`FIGS. 8A-8C are views of a particularly preferred
`embodiment of heaters for use in the present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a preferred power
`source for use in the present invention; and
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a preferred em
`bodiment of a control circuit for use in the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`The basic article of the present invention includes a
`source of electrical energy, an electrical heater or heat
`ers, electrical or electronic controls for delivering elec
`trical energy from the source of electrical energy to the
`heaters in a controlled manner, and a flavor generating
`medium in contact with the heater. When the heater
`heats the flavor generating medium, flavor-containing
`substance-i.e., a vapor or aerosol, or mixture thereof,
`containing flavored vapors or aerosols or other vapor
`or aerosol components-is generated or released and
`can be drawn in by the consumer. (In the discussion that
`follows, either of the words "generate" or "release',
`when used alone, includes the other, and the word
`"form', when used in connection with the phrase "fla
`vor-containing substance,' means "generate or re
`lease.”)
`The flavor generating medium can be any material
`that, when heated, releases a flavor-containing sub
`stance. Such materials can include tobacco condensates
`or fractions thereof (condensed components of the
`smoke produced by the combustion of tobacco, leaving
`flavors and, possibly, nicotine), or tobacco extracts or
`fractions thereof, deposited on an inert substrate. These
`materials when heated generate or release a flavor-con
`taining substance (which may include nicotine) which
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 012
`
`

`

`O
`
`35
`
`20
`
`5,060,671
`4.
`3
`can be drawn in by the consumer. The flavor generating
`source 121, the nature of which will be discussed in
`medium can also be unburned tobacco or a composition
`more detail below.
`.
`A knurled knob 122 is provided at the remote end of
`containing unburned tobacco that, when heated to a
`temperature below its burning temperature, generates
`section 12 to allow the consumer to select one of the
`heaters 110. Knob 122 controls a single-pole ten posi
`or releases a flavor-containing substance. Any of these
`tion rotary switch 123 connected by wires 124 to sock
`flavor generating media can also include an aerosol
`ets 120. Index mark 125 on knob 122 and graduations
`forming material, such as glycerine or water, so that the
`126 on the body of section 12 assist the consumer in
`consumer has the perception of inhaling and exhaling
`selecting the next heater 110. To operate article 10, the
`"smoke' as in a conventional cigarette. A particularly
`consumer selects a heater 110 using knob 122 and
`preferred material is a composition such as that de
`presses momentary-on pushbutton switch 127 to con
`scribed in copending, commonly-assigned U.S. patent
`plete the circuit and energize the selected heater 110 to
`application Ser. No. 222,831, filed July 22, 1988, hereby
`initiate heating. Flavor generating medium 111, thus
`incorporated by reference in its entirety, which de
`heated, can release or generate a flavor-containing sub
`scribes pelletized tobacco containing glycerine (as an
`stance. The consumer draws in the flavor-containing
`15
`aerosol-forming ingredient) and calcium carbonate (as a
`substance along with air drawn through perforations
`filler). As used in the present invention, the composi
`115 in the outer wrapper of section 11 or 12, which
`tion, instead of being formed into pellets, would be
`could be conventional cigarette paper or tipping paper.
`deposited as a coating, in conjunction with adhesion
`Air may also enter through the end of section 12 remote
`agents such as citrus pectin, on a heater or on an inert
`from the mouth end through channels that may be pro
`substrate in contact with a heater.
`vided for that purpose, carrying the air around power
`The flavor generating medium is divided into individ
`source 121 and around other internal components of
`ual charges, each representing one puff of the article. It
`section 12. What is important is that the air enter section
`is possible to mimic a conventional cigarette by provid
`11 at a point at which it can fully sweep heaters 110 to
`ing a number of charges of flavor generating medium
`carry the maximum amount of flavor-generating sub
`25
`equal to an average number of puffs per cigarette, e.g.,
`stance to the mouth of the consumer.
`eight to ten puffs. Although the article does not de
`When all ten charges in section 11 have been heated,
`crease in length like a conventional cigarette as it is
`section 11 is spent, and can be unplugged from article 10
`operated, it is possible to make the article in varying
`and a new section 11 can be plugged in. Section 12 as
`lengths, with different numbers of puffs. By providing
`envisioned is reusable.
`30
`individual charges for each puff, one reduces the total
`In article 10, it is possible that the consumer will
`amount of flavor generating medium that must be pro
`select a particular heater 110 more than once, giving
`vided, as compared with a single larger charge that
`rise to the possibility of reheating the flavor generating
`would be electrically heated or reheated once for each
`medium and producing less preferred vapor or aerosol
`of several puffs. The amount of electrical energy
`compounds, unless knob 122 is designed so that it can
`needed to heat a number of individual charges is also
`only be rotated in one direction and only for one com
`less than the amount needed to heat an entire large bed
`plete revolution. But in that case, its ability to rotate
`several times while also maintaining a controlled lower
`would have to be restored when section 11 is replaced,
`bed temperature between puffs, as necessary.
`which is mechanically complex to achieve. Therefore, a
`The portion of the article according to the present
`more preferred embodiment 30 of an article according
`invention that contains the heaters and the flavor gener
`to the present invention, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in
`ating medium is preferably a replaceable plug-in unit, so
`cludes controls that automatically select which charge
`that when all of the charges have been heated, the spent
`will be heated, as well as the duration of heating.
`plug-in unit can be discarded and a new one inserted.
`Article 30 includes a heater/flavor/mouthpiece sec
`The controls and power source could be retained.
`tion 11 identical to section 11 of article 10. However,
`45
`One embodiment of article 10 according to the inven
`power and control section 31 contains electronic con
`tion is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Article 10 is the simplest
`trol circuit 32 (described in more detail below) in place
`form of article according to the present invention, and
`of mechanical switch 123 of power and control section
`includes heater/flavor/mouthpiece section 11 and
`12 of article 10. Control circuit 32, in response to de
`power and control section 12. Section 11 includes a
`pression of pushbutton 127, selects one of charges 111
`plurality of heaters 110, each having deposited on its
`that has not previously been used, and supplies power
`surface a quantity of flavor generating medium 111. The
`from power source 121 to the associated heater 110 for
`heater configuration shown in FIG. 2 is illustrative
`a predetermined duration. After all ten charges 111
`only. Different possible heater configurations will be
`have been used, circuit 32 no longer supplies power to
`discussed below. Preferably, there is a segment of filter
`any heater until spent section 11 is replaced by a fresh
`material 112, such as conventional cellulose acetate or
`unit. Optionally, control circuit 32 also locks out push
`polypropylene cigarette filter material, possibly in con
`button 127 for a predetermined lockout period after
`junction with paper-wrapped tobacco rod sections, at
`each depression, so that heaters 110 are not energized
`the mouth end of section 11, both for aesthetic purposes
`too soon one after the other.
`as well as to provide appropriate filtration efficiency
`Articles according to the present invention do not
`and resistance-to-draw to the system. In addition,
`decrease in length like conventional cigarettes do as
`mouthpiece 113 can optionally be included.
`they are smoked, because they do not burn. Therefore,
`in order to provide some indication to a consumer of
`As shown in FIG. 2, there are ten heaters 110 in
`section 11. There are also eleven contact pins 114 ex
`how much of article 30 has been used or remains to be
`tending from section 11 remote from its mouth end--
`used, visual indicators 33, which can be a series of ten
`65
`light emitting diodes or a bar graph or similar indicator,
`common pin and ten pins connected to individual heat
`under the control of circuit 32, are preferably provided
`ers 110-that fit into eleven sockets 120 on section 12 to
`to display either how many of charges 111 have been
`make electrical contact between heaters 110 and power
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 013
`
`

`

`10
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`15
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`5,060,671
`6
`5
`suitable metals or ceramics, although the flavor generat
`used or how many remain. Similarly, there is no glow
`ing medium would adhere more readily to a mesh.
`ing coal as in a conventional cigarette to indicate to the
`A preferred material for the heaters is graphite.
`consumer that the article is operating. Optionally, an
`Graphite heaters, possibly compounded with other
`additional light emitting diode 34 or similar indicator,
`forms of carbon to provide the desired electrical resis
`also under the control of circuit 32, can be provided to
`tance and therefore the desired heating, are stable and
`show when one of heaters 110 is energized. An addi
`non-reactive, and can be molded, extruded or machined
`tional indicator or indicators (not shown) may also be
`into many forms and attached, by suitable contacts, to
`provided to show that the lockout period is in effect or
`power source 121. For example, a cylindrical graphite
`that it is over.
`structure 70 as shown in FIG. 7A can be formed with a
`In the most particularly preferred embodiment, an
`number of inwardly directed vanes 701 equal to the
`article according to this invention does not have a push
`desired number of puffs. The inner surfaces 702 of struc
`button 127, but is responsive to the consumer's drawing
`ture 70 can be coated with the flavor generating me
`on the article, similarly to a conventional cigarette.
`dium. By connecting one pole of power source 121 to
`Therefore, article 50, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, is identi
`the outer surface 703 of structure 70, and sequentially
`cal to article 30, except that section 52 lacks pushbutton
`connecting the other pole to the inwardmost edge 704
`127. Pushbutton 127 is replaced by a switch 53 in sec
`of each vane 701, one can heat each vane 701 to the
`tion 52 that is sensitive either to pressure changes or air
`desired temperature. Inwardmost edge 704 of each vane
`flow changes as the consumer draws on article 50. It has
`701 is increased in thickness as compared to the body of
`been found that when a Model 163PC01D36 silicon
`vane 701 for added strength and to provide a conduc
`sensor, manufactured by the MicroSwitch division of
`tive pathway to improve the uniformity of electrical
`Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Ill., is used in a preferred
`flow and heating across the vane to maximize the use of
`embodiment of the invention, the appropriate heater is
`available heater surface area. Covering both surfaces of
`activated sufficiently rapidly by the change in pressure
`each vane 701 with flavor generating medium also max
`when the consumer draws on article 50. In addition,
`imizes the use of available heater area and, thus, heater
`25
`flow sensing devices, such as those using hot-wire ane
`energy. Concentrating the flavor-generating medium
`mometry principles, have been successfully demon
`further increases the amount of flavor-containing sub
`strated to actuate the appropriate heater 110 sufficiently
`stance generated or released per unit of expended elec
`rapidly after sensing a change in air flow.
`trical energy.
`The heaters 110 used in the present invention would
`Similarly, graphite structure 71 can be provided
`30
`have to heat the flavor generating medium to a tempera
`which functions like structure 70, except that vanes 711
`ture in the range of from about 100° C. to about 600 C.,
`radiate outwardly from a central core 713, as shown in
`and preferably from about 200 C. to about 500 C., and
`FIG. 7B. The flavor generating medium is deposited on
`more preferably from about 300 C. to about 400 C., to
`the surfaces 712 between vanes 711. Power can be ap
`release the desired flavors from the flavor generating
`plied between core 713 and the outer edge 714 of the
`35
`medium. To release or generate the desired flavors from
`appropriate vane 711. Outer edge 714 of each vane is
`the flavor generating medium, heater 110 should be
`increased in thickness as compared to the body of vane
`energized for a duration of from about 0.1 second to
`711 for added strength and to provide a conductive
`about 4 seconds, preferably from about 0.5 second to
`pathway as discussed above.
`about 1.5 seconds, and more preferably from about 0.8
`Each of structures 70 and 71 has eight vanes 701, 711,
`40
`second to about 1.2 seconds. The optimum temperature
`representing eight charges of flavor generating medium
`and total heating time depend on the heater mass, the
`which provide eight puffs. The structures shown below
`mass of the flavor generating medium 111 on heater 110,
`would provide ten puffs.
`the configuration of heater 110 and flavor generating
`Structure 72 shown in FIG. 7C is a hollow cylinder
`medium 111 thereon, and the thermal/physical proper
`of graphite, divided by nine opposed pairs of slits 720,
`45
`ties of heater 110 and flavor generating medium 111.
`721 into ten opposed pairs of segments 722, 723. The
`The heating conditions are most preferably chosen to
`flavor generating medium is coated on the inner or
`prevent burning of flavor generating medium 111. At
`outer surface 724 of cylinder 72. When one pole of
`the same time, heaters 110 are preferably part of re
`power source 121 is connected to each of opposed seg
`placeable heater/flavor/mouthpiece section 11, and
`ments 722, 723, heat is generated predominantly in that
`50
`therefore they need not be capable of more than one
`pair only, heating the flavor generating medium coated
`onto that pair. Although all ten pairs are interconnected
`Se.
`The linear array of heaters 110 shown in FIGS. 2, 4
`at midline 725, at most a low current flows along mid
`and 6 is shown for ease of illustration only, and does not
`line 725 outside the pair being heated.
`necessarily represent the preferred embodiment of heat
`Structure 73 shown in FIG. 7D is a solid or hollow
`55
`(not shown) cylinder. of graphite, with ten grooves 730
`ers to be used in the present invention. Possible heaters
`for use in the present invention are described in copend
`formed in its surface, separating eleven lands 731.
`ing, commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser.
`Grooves 730 are coated with flavor generating medium
`732. By applying power source 121 across two adjacent
`No. 07/444,569 filed concurrently herewith and hereby
`incorporated by reference in its entirety. A number of
`lands 731, one heats structure 73 between those two
`60
`different possible additional heater configurations are
`lands 731 along with flavor generating medium 732 in
`shown in FIGS. 7A-7K. The different configurations
`groove 730 therebetween.
`reflect both mechanical considerations--e.g., ease of
`Structure 74 shown in FIG. 7E is a graphite ring
`manufacture-and materials considerations--e.g., the
`divided by two interleaved sets often slots each, one set
`of slots 740 extending from one side 741 of the ring, and
`effect of the heater material on the composition of the
`the other set of slots 741 extending from the other side
`flavor-containing substance.
`743 of the ring, forming ten U-shaped fingers 744 that
`For example, linear heaters 110 shown in FIGS. 2, 4
`are coated inside or outside with flavor generating me
`and 6 could be bars or mesh of stainless steel or other
`
`65
`
`Philip Morris Products, S.A.
`Exhibit 1009
`Page 014
`
`

`

`10
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`15
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`5,060,671
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`8
`dium 746 adjacent side 741, and ten uncoated bases 745
`Structure 790 of FIG. 7K has an inert Substrate 791
`on which lines 792 of flavor generating medium, mixed
`adjacent side 743, each base 745 connected to one leg
`each of two adjacent fingers 744 so that two adjacent
`with graphite or similar material to make it conductive,
`bases 745 contact opposite ends of one finger 744. By
`are laid. Contacts similar to those used with structure 79
`applying power from source 121 across two adjacent
`are used to apply power across lines 792, which, by
`bases 745 heat is generated predominantly in that the
`virtue of their conductivity, form their own heaters
`integral with the flavor generating medium.
`finger 744 that they contact in common, heating the
`FIGS. 8A-8C show a particularly preferred embodi
`flavor generating medium thereon.
`ment of a heater structure 80 for use with the present
`Structure 75 shown in FIG. 7F is similar to structure
`invention. Structure 80 includes ten U-shaped heater
`74, except that it has only five each of slots 740 and 742,
`elements 81 connected to a central hub 82. Preferably,
`and the flavor generating medium 750 is confined to the
`band of overlap of slots 740 and 742, thus forming ten
`heater elements 81 are made of graphite. Hub 82 serves
`as one contact point for the application of power to
`separate areas of tobacco-derived material 750, as well
`each heater element 81, while outer edge 83 of each
`as five bases 751 and five fingers 752. Bases 751 and
`fingers 752 are arranged so that when one pole of power
`heater element 81 serves as the second contact point for
`that respective heater. Hub 82 is connected to one
`source 121 is applied to one base 751, two areas 750 can
`be heated sequentially by sequentially applying the
`contact and outer edges 83 are connected to a series of
`other pole of power source 121 to each of two adjacent
`ten contacts that are activated sequentially to sequen
`tially heat heater elements 81. (As used herein, "sequen
`fingers 752. To heat further areas 750, the second pole
`tially' does not necessarily imply any spatial order, but
`of power source 121 is left attached to the second one of 20
`fingers 752 and the first (or third) pole of power source
`only that some individual element is heated after some
`other individual element.)
`121 is connected to a different base 751, and so on.
`Whatever heater design is used, it is subject to several
`Structure 76 shown in FIG.7G is similar to structure
`design criteria. First, the electrical resistance of the
`72 shown in FIG. 7C, except that a slidable heater 760
`is provided to serially heat each pair of opposed seg
`heater should be matched to the voltage of power
`25
`source 121 so that the desired rate of heating is accom
`ments 722, 723 by conduction, convection or radiation
`plished. At the same time the resistance must be large
`as it is moved in the direction of arrow A. Optionally,
`structure 703 can be indexed through stationary heater
`compared to the internal resistance of power source 121
`collar 760. A variant structure 77 shown in FIG. 7H is
`to avoid excessive losses due to the internal resistance.
`an extruded rod 770 (hollow or solid) made solely of 30
`Second, the surface area must be sufficient to allow for
`support of the flavor generating medium with proper
`flavor generating medium and components to add me
`thickness of the flavor generating medium to allow
`chanical strength, provided with slidable heater 771.
`rapid heating and with proper area for generating or
`Heater 771 is similar to heater 760. The heater is moved
`release of vapors or aerosols containing flavors or other
`in the direction of arrow A, either manually by the
`consumer, or automatically by electromagnetic or me
`volatile components. Third, the thermal conductivity,
`35
`heat capacity and heat mass must be such that the heat
`chanical means (not shown) linked to the consumer's
`generated is conducted effectively to the flavor generat
`actuation of the heater with pushbutton 127 or with a
`switch activated by either pressure or airflow provided
`ing medium but not away from the heater to the sur
`by the consumer during a puff. For example, in addition
`roundings, and such that the excessive energy is not
`necessary to heat the heater itself.
`to closing electrical contacts, pushbutton 127 could also
`engage a mechanical ratchet (not shown). Alterna
`The contact resistance between the heater material
`and the contacts should be kept low. If necessary, suit
`tively, the closing of switch 127 (or alternative
`able materials, such as tantalum, can be compounded or
`switches) could, in addition to providing current for the
`heaters, move a pawl which allows a spring attached to
`coated at the contact points to lower contact resistance.
`Any materials added should be non-reactive at the oper
`collar 760 or 771 to move the collar one position in the
`ating temperatures.
`direction of arrow A.
`Heater/flavor/mouthpiece section 11 preferably
`The same principle can be applied to each of the three
`would contain heater elements as described above
`heater structures shown in FIGS. 7, 7J and 7K. Struc
`coated with flavor generating medium, all wrapped in a
`ture 78 of FIG. 7I is a thermally conductive substrate
`divided by slots 780, 781 into strips 782, 783. Applying
`tube, which can be made of heavy paper, to allow it to
`heat to the width-wise strips defined by opposed pairs
`be inserted by a consumer into section 12, 31 or 52.
`Power source 121 preferably must be able to deliver
`of strips 782, 783 causes heat to flow primarily to those
`sufficient energy to generate or release flavors or other
`width-wise strips, heating that section of substrate 78
`components in vapor or aerosol form from ten charges
`and flavor generating medium 784 thereon. Heat is
`applied to strips 782, 783 by passing substrate 78
`of flavor generating medium, while still fitting conve
`niently in the article. However, the energy to be deliv
`through a heater 785. The movement of substrate 78
`ered is not the only criterion, because the rate at which
`through heater 785 in the direction of arrow A can be
`that energy is delivered-i.e., the power-is also impor
`accomplished in any of the ways set forth above for the
`tant. For example, a conventional AAA-sized alkaline
`movement of collars 760,771. Heater 785 can be dispos
`able, as part of section 11, or permanent, as part of 60
`cell contains enough energy to heat several hundred
`charges of flavor generating medium, but it is not de
`section 12, 31 or 52, with only substrate 78 being re
`signed to deliver the necessary energy at a high enough
`placed as part of section 11.
`rate. On the other hand, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) re
`Structure 79 of FIG. 7J is similar to str