An electronic smoking article and associated method

Abstract

Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a cartridge body portion comprising:
 a cartridge body shell having a circumferential wall and defining an interior cavity extending between a first end and an opposing second end, the circumferential wall extending from the first end of the interior cavity and past the second end of the interior cavity to form a distal attachment end of the cartridge body shell, 
 an atomizer arranged within the interior cavity, 
 a reservoir containing an aerosol precursor composition and arranged to transport the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer; and 
   a control body portion comprising:
 a control body shell defining an interior cavity extending between a first end and an opposing second end, 
 a control body projection extending from the first end of the control body shell and defining a receptacle extending therethrough, wherein the second end of the interior cavity of the cartridge body shell is receivable within the receptacle upon engagement of the control body portion and the cartridge body portion, and 
 a power source arranged within the interior cavity of the control body shell. 
   
     
     
         22 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , wherein the second end of the interior cavity is defined by a substantially planar surface. 
     
     
         23 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 22 , further comprising an air inlet defined in the substantially planar surface of the second end of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         24 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 23 , further comprising an airflow channel formed between the second end of the interior cavity of the cartridge body shell and the first end of the interior cavity of the control body shell. 
     
     
         25 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 24 , further comprising an air inlet defined through the control body shell and in fluid communication with the airflow channel, such that air enters the air inlet of the control body shell and flows along the airflow channel and through the air inlet defined in the substantially planar surface of the second end of the interior cavity. 
     
     
         26 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , wherein the receptacle has an external width smaller than an external width of the first end of the control body shell. 
     
     
         27 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 26 , wherein the distal attachment end has an internal width larger than the external width of the receptacle, such that the distal attachment end of the circumferential wall substantially surrounds the receptacle upon engagement of the control body portion and the cartridge body portion. 
     
     
         28 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , wherein, upon engagement of the control body portion and the cartridge body portion, the receptacle is spaced apart from an interior surface of the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         29 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , further comprising one or more indicators arranged on the control body shell to indicate a status of the aerosol delivery device or usage of the aerosol precursor composition. 
     
     
         30 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 29 , wherein there are four indicators linearly arranged on the control body shell. 
     
     
         31 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 29 , wherein the one or more indicators comprise lights. 
     
     
         32 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , wherein an air inlet is defined in through the receptacle. 
     
     
         33 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 21 , further comprising a first control component in the control body and configured to control delivery of power from the power source to the atomizer. 
     
     
         34 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 33 , further comprising a second control component in the cartridge body and configured to communicate with the first control component in order to more of authenticate the cartridge body and monitor usage of the aerosol precursor composition.