Heat generation segment for an aerosol-generation system of a smoking article

Abstract

A fuel element adapted for use in a smoking article is provided, the fuel element including a combustible carbonaceous material in an amount of at least 25% by dry weight, based on the weight of the fuel element, and a particulate ignition aid dispersed throughout the fuel element and selected from ceramic particles, cellulose particles, fullerenes, impregnated activated carbon particles, inorganic salts, and combinations thereof, wherein the average particle size of the ignition aid is less than about 1,000 microns. Also provided are elongate smoking articles having a lighting end and an opposed mouth end, and including the above-noted fuel element configured for ignition of the lighting end.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An elongate smoking article having a lighting end and an opposed mouth end, said smoking article comprising:
 a mouth end portion disposed at the mouth end; and   an aerosol-generation system comprising:
 a heat generation portion disposed at the lighting end, the heat generation portion comprising a fuel element configured for ignition of the lighting end; and 
 an aerosol-generating portion comprising a plurality of aerosol-generating elements in the form of beads or pellets comprising at least one aerosol forming material, wherein the plurality of aerosol-generating elements are smoke-treated. 
   
     
     
         28 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of smoke-treated aerosol-generating elements are treated with wood smoke. 
     
     
         29 . The smoking article of  claim 28 , wherein the wood is selected from the group consisting of hickory, maple, oak, apply, cherry, mesquite, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of aerosol-generating elements further comprise one or more of particulate tobacco, a tobacco extract, and nicotine, wherein the nicotine is in free base form, salt form, as a complex, or as a solvate. 
     
     
         31 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of aerosol-generating elements further comprise one or more fillers, binders, flavorants, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the aerosol forming material is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propylene glycol, water, saline, nicotine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , further comprising a particulate ignition aid dispersed throughout the fuel element. 
     
     
         34 . The smoking article of  claim 33 , wherein the particulate ignition aid is non-catalytic. 
     
     
         35 . The smoking article of  claim 33 , wherein the ignition aid comprises glass bubbles having an average particle size of about 10 to about 300 microns or cellulose particles having an average particle size of about 10 to about 300 microns. 
     
     
         36 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the fuel element comprises a combustible carbonaceous material. 
     
     
         37 . The smoking article of  claim 36 , wherein the combustible carbonaceous material is in an amount of at least 25% by dry weight, based on the weight of the fuel element. 
     
     
         38 . The smoking article of  claim 27 , wherein the plurality of smoke-treated aerosol-generating elements are treated with wood smoke by heating wood chips in a container until smoke is produced and placing the plurality of aerosol-generating elements to be treated within a closed environment with the smoke produced by the wood chips. 
     
     
         39 . The smoking article of  claim 38 , wherein the wood chips are heated to a temperature of about 350° F. to about 400° F. 
     
     
         40 . The smoking article of  claim 38 , wherein the plurality of aerosol-generating elements are treated with the wood smoke for between about 5 minutes to about 45 minutes.