Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing an aerosol precursor composition for use with aerosol delivery devices. The machine may include a plurality of sources of dispensable, liquid aerosol precursor components. The plurality of sources may differ in the liquid aerosol precursor components being dispensable therefrom. The machine may include a user interface configured to allow a user to select an amount of the liquid aerosol precursor components for dispensing. The machine may also include a dispenser for dispensing the aerosol precursor components in response to the selection made on the user interface.

Abstract: A contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device is provided. The contained liquid system includes an aerosol delivery device having an adapter therein for receiving aerosol precursor composition within a reservoir of the aerosol delivery device, and a container of aerosol precursor composition having a corresponding adapter therein for transferring aerosol precursor composition from the container. The adapter and the corresponding adapter are removably, sealably connectable for refilling the aerosol delivery device with aerosol precursor composition. The adapter engages a valve of the corresponding adapter and includes a body defining separate and distinct filling airflow ports. The filling port transfers aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device. The airflow port enables a flow of air through at least the portion of the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disengaged.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a user interface including a pushbutton and a display. A control component contained coupled to the user interface controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device. The control component controls the display to present a menu including a plurality of menu items selectable using only the pushbutton. Each menu item of the plurality of menu items is associated with a respective functional element of the aerosol delivery device, and the control component is configured to navigate the plurality of menu items, and select a currently-presented menu item of the plurality of menu items for control of the respective functional element, in response to respective first and second types of presses of the pushbutton, the first and second types of presses being of different durations.

Abstract: A contained liquid system for use with a refillable aerosol delivery device is provided. The contained liquid system includes an aerosol delivery device having an adapter therein for receiving aerosol precursor composition within a reservoir of the aerosol delivery device, and a container of aerosol precursor composition having a corresponding adapter therein for transferring aerosol precursor composition from the container. The adapter and the corresponding adapter are removably, sealably connectable for refilling the aerosol delivery device with aerosol precursor composition. The adapter engages a valve of the corresponding adapter and includes a body defining separate and distinct filling airflow ports. The filling port transfers aerosol precursor composition from the container into the aerosol delivery device. The airflow port enables a flow of air through at least the portion of the aerosol delivery device when the adapter and valve are disengaged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a user interface including a pushbutton and a display. A control component contained coupled to the user interface controls operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device. The control component controls the display to present a menu including a plurality of menu items selectable using only the pushbutton. Each menu item of the plurality of menu items is associated with a respective functional element of the aerosol delivery device, and the control component is configured to navigate the plurality of menu items, and select a currently-presented menu item of the plurality of menu items for control of the respective functional element, in response to respective first and second types of presses of the pushbutton, the first and second types of presses being of different durations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices including a cartridge and a control body. The control body may include a coupler and the cartridge may include a base. The base may be configured to releasably engage the cartridge. Further the base and the coupler may include anti-rotation mechanisms configured to prevent rotation of the cartridge relative to the base when engaged with one another. The anti-rotation mechanisms may include alternating protrusions and recesses in some embodiments. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic smoking article adapted to provide haptic feedback to a user. The smoking article can comprise a housing that includes a haptic feedback component, such as a vibration transducer. The smoking article can be formed of a control body and/or a cartridge, and the haptic feedback component may be present in any one or both of the control body and the cartridge. The haptic feedback component is adapted to generate a waveform that defines a status of the electronic smoking article. The disclosure also provides a method for providing haptic feedback in an electronic smoking article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices including a cartridge and a control body. The control body may include a coupler and the cartridge may include a base. The base may be configured to releasably engage the cartridge. Further the base and the coupler may include anti-rotation mechanisms configured to prevent rotation of the cartridge relative to the base when engaged with one another. The anti-rotation mechanisms may include alternating protrusions and recesses in some embodiments. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic smoking article adapted to provide haptic feedback to a user. The smoking article can comprise a housing that includes a haptic feedback component, such as a vibration transducer. The smoking article can be formed of a control body and/or a cartridge, and the haptic feedback component may be present in any one or both of the control body and the cartridge. The haptic feedback component is adapted to generate a waveform that defines a status of the electronic smoking article. The disclosure also provides a method for providing haptic feedback in an electronic smoking article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing, microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) sensor and microprocessor. The MEMS-based sensor is within the housing and configured to detect a pressure on the MEMS-based sensor caused by airflow through at least a portion of the housing. The MEMS-based sensor is configured to convert the pressure to an electrical signal, and output the electrical signal. The microprocessor is configured to receive the electrical signal from the MEMS-based sensor, and control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based thereon.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.