Aerosol delivery device with improved mouthpieces

Abstract

Disclosed are aerosol delivery devices for use with a removable and replaceable cartridge, where the device includes an improved mouthpiece, such as one that is removable or customizable. The device includes a holder defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising an ignitable heat source and a substrate portion that includes a substrate material having an aerosol precursor composition configured to form an aerosol upon application of heat thereto and a first aerosol passageway and a mouthpiece with a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end defining a second aerosol passageway, where the first end is configured to engage with a user's mouth and the second end is coupleable to the proximal end of the holder. The mouthpiece can be removed for cleaning and then reattached for continued use or, in some cases, a different mouthpiece may be attached to customize the user's experience.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a holder comprising a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the main body further defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge and a first aerosol passageway that extends through at least a portion of the main body;   a mouthpiece including a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end with a second aerosol passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, wherein the first end is configured to engage with a user's mouth and the second end is configured to engage the proximal end of the holder; and   a removable flow restrictor comprising an outer surface configured to be removably secured within the holder and an inner surface defining a third aerosol passageway.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor is configured to be at least partially disposed within the first aerosol passageway, the second aerosol passageway, or both. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable flow restrictor is configured to sealingly engage the first aerosol passageway, the second aerosol passageway, or both. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the flow restrictor comprises a body portion and a lip portion disposed at a proximal end thereof, the lip portion configured to engage the proximal end of the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the body portion is disposed within the first aerosol passageway. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable flow restrictor is configured to provide fluid communication between the first aerosol passageway and the second aerosol passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the flow restrictor is tapered along a length thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of the removable flow restrictor defines an orifice configured to provide a pressure drop between the first aerosol passageway and the second aerosol passageway. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece comprises a body portion configured to engage the proximal end of the main body and a hollow stem extending therethrough, the stem at least partially defining the second aerosol passageway and configured to receive the flow restrictor therein. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of interchangeable removable flow restrictors. 
     
     
         11 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a holder comprising a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the main body further defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge and a first aerosol passageway that extends through at least a portion of the main body;   a mouthpiece including a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end with a second aerosol passageway extending longitudinally therebetween, wherein the first end is configured to engage with a user's mouth and the second end is configured to engage the proximal end of the holder; and   an inner housing disposed within the main body of the holder and defining a first port disposed proximate a first end of the inner housing, a second port disposed proximate a second end of the inner housing, and a first channel disposed in an outer surface of the inner housing and fluidly coupling the first port and the second port to form a third aerosol passageway, wherein the first port is in fluid communication with the first aerosol passageway, the second port is in fluid communication with the second aerosol passageway and the first, second, and third aerosol passageways are configured to form a continuous vapor path from the distal end of the main body to the first end of the mouthpiece for passing an aerosol generated from the removable cartridge to a user.   
     
     
         12 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein the inner housing defines a second channel disposed in the outer surface thereof and oriented opposite of the first channel. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second channels merge at the first port and the second port. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 12 , wherein the inner housing is disposed within the main body so that an inner surface of the holder encloses the first and second channels. 
     
     
         15 . An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a holder comprising a main body defining a proximal end and a distal end, the main body further defining a receiving chamber configured to receive a removable cartridge and a first aerosol passageway that extends through at least a portion of the main body; and   a removable mouthpiece comprising:
 a first portion defined by a first end and a longitudinally opposed second end; and 
 a second portion that extends from the longitudinally opposed second end, wherein the first and second portions define a second aerosol passageway extending therethrough, the first end of the first portion is configured to engage with a user's mouth, the second end of the first portion is configured to engage with the proximal end of the holder, and the second portion is configured to extend within the holder. 
   
     
     
         16 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein the second end of the first portion is configured to engage an opening in the proximal end of the holder via at least one of complementary-threaded surfaces for a screw-type engagement, a press-fit engagement, a snap-fit engagement, or a magnetic engagement. 
     
     
         17 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein a central axis of the second portion of the mouthpiece is offset from a central axis of the first portion of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 15 , wherein the second portion of the mouthpiece is sealingly engaged with the first aerosol passageway in the holder. 
     
     
         19 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 18 , wherein the second portion of the mouthpiece includes a sealing mechanism disposed about an exterior surface thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol delivery device of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing mechanism comprises an O-ring disposed within a groove defined by the exterior surface of the second portion of the mouthpiece.