Single-use connector and cartridge for a smoking article and related method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to connectors that may be employed in cartridges for smoking articles. The connectors may include a single-use mechanism that may include a blocking pin, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism. The release mechanism may hold the blocking pin in a partially retracted position in which the blocking pin is at least partially retracted from an aperture extending through threads defined by the connector. The release mechanism may include a latch that is displaced from contact with the blocking pin by a release pin upon engagement of the connector with a mating connector. The biasing mechanism may force the blocking pin against an end of the mating connector such that when the mating connector is unscrewed from the connector, the blocking pin extends through the aperture and blocks at least one recess defined between the threads such that the connector may not be reused.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A smoking article comprising:
 a control body defining a mating connector; and   a cartridge body defining a mouthend and a connector at an opposing distal attachment end, the connector being configured to engage the mating connector of the control body, the cartridge body comprising:   a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition;   a transport element in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to transport the aerosol precursor composition to an aerosolization zone proximate to the distal attachment end;   a heating element configured to heat the aerosol precursor composition to form an aerosol in the aerosolization zone; and   an air passage tube extending longitudinally through the reservoir from the mouthend towards the aerosolization zone, the air passage tube defining an air passage through which the aerosol so formed in the aerosolization zone is passed upon suction applied to the mouthend.   
     
     
         24 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body comprises a single-use connector. 
     
     
         25 . The smoking article of  claim 24 , wherein the single-use connector comprises a plurality of threads and a plurality of recesses positioned between the threads configured to receive the mating connector. 
     
     
         26 . The smoking article of  claim 24 , wherein the single-use connector comprises a single-use mechanism that includes a blocking pin, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism to remove the cartridge body from the control body after the aerosol precursor composition contained in the reservoir is expended. 
     
     
         27 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the control body comprises a power source and a control component to control a flow of power from the power source to at least the heating element. 
     
     
         28 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , further comprising a flow sensor configured to sense air drawn through an air intake defined in the control body, the flow sensor being configured to activate the control component to control the flow of the power from the power source to at least the heating element. 
     
     
         29 . The smoking article of  claim 28 , wherein at least one notch is formed about a perimeter of the mating connector of the control body, such that the air intake is defined through the notch upon engagement of the mating connector of the control body with the connector defined by the cartridge body. 
     
     
         30 . The smoking article of  claim 28 , wherein an opening is formed in the control body proximate to the mating connector, such that the air intake is defined through the opening. 
     
     
         31 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the control component is configured to calculate a temperature of the heating element based upon an electrical resistance through the heating element. 
     
     
         32 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the power source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         33 . The smoking article of  claim 32 , wherein the battery is rechargeable through a USB connector. 
     
     
         34 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body is configured for forming an electrical connection with the mating connector. 
     
     
         35 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body is configured for forming a mechanical connection with the mating connector. 
     
     
         36 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body and the mating connector are configured for a magnetic engagement. 
     
     
         37 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body and the mating connector are configured for a press-fit engagement. 
     
     
         38 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the connector defined by the cartridge body and the mating connector are configured for a threaded engagement, wherein the connector comprises a male threaded connector defining an open central passage and the mating connector of the control body comprises a female threaded mating connector, and wherein the control body comprises an air intake adjacent the female threaded mating connector, such that upon threaded engagement of the male threaded connector and the female threaded mating connector, air is configured to flow from the air intake into the cartridge body through the open central passage and into the air passage tube. 
     
     
         39 . The smoking article of  claim 38 , wherein the cartridge body comprises a substantially tubular shaped metallic body and a non-metallic layer adhered to a surface of the metallic body. 
     
     
         40 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , further comprising a mouthpiece positioned at the mouthend of the cartridge body. 
     
     
         41 . The smoking article of  claim 40 , wherein the air passage tube provides for passage of the aerosol into the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         42 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the control body includes one or more indicators configured to emit light. 
     
     
         43 . The smoking article of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more indicators are configured to emit light under one or more of the following conditions: to show a number of puffs taken on the smoking article; to show a number of puffs remaining from the smoking article; to indicate an active status of the smoking article; to indicate an inactive status of the smoking article; to indicate that a puff is underway on the smoking article. 
     
     
         44 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the cartridge body and the control body each have a substantially non-round cross-section. 
     
     
         45 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the cartridge body comprises a substantially tubular shaped metallic body and a non-metallic layer adhered to a surface of the metallic body. 
     
     
         46 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the cartridge body comprises a polymeric body. 
     
     
         47 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the control body has a total length of about 65 mm to about 95 mm. 
     
     
         48 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the control body and the cartridge body, when engaged, have a total overall length of about 90 mm to about 120 mm. 
     
     
         49 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the control body includes one or more control buttons configured to one or both of: power the smoking article on and off and activate the heating element to generate aerosol. 
     
     
         50 . The smoking article of  claim 23 , wherein the aerosol precursor composition comprises a polyhydric alcohol.