Non-combustible smoking article and method of use thereof

Abstract

A non-combustible smoking article and method of use thereof may be provided. The non-combustible smoking article may include a composite filter forming an elongated, cylindrical rod. The composite filter may further include a cavity having a nicotine source; an aerosol-forming substrate proximate the nicotine source; and at least one capsule filled with an additive for modifying a characteristic of inhalable vapor. An internal heater may be inserted into at least the nicotine-containing cavity of the composite filter. A peripheral heating source may also be disposed along an exterior length of the composite filter. The internal heater and the peripheral heating source may be activated to heat at least a portion of the composite filter, wherein the heat generates inhalable vapor to be drawn and inhaled by a consumer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-combustible smoking article comprising:
 a composite filter forming an elongated, cylindrical rod; the composite filter further comprising:
 a cavity having a nicotine source; 
 an aerosol-forming substrate proximate the nicotine source; and 
 at least one capsule filled with an additive for modifying a characteristic of at least one of: the nicotine source and aerosol-forming substrate; 
   an internal heater inserted into at least the cavity having the nicotine source; and   a peripheral heating source disposed along an exterior length of the composite filter.   
     
     
         2 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , wherein the composite filter is constructed from a base filter material. 
     
     
         3 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 2 , wherein the base filter material is at least one of: cellulose, cellulose acetate tow, paper, cotton, polypropylene web, polypropylene tow, polyester web, polyester tow, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , further comprising a wrapper that circumscribes a length of the composite filter. 
     
     
         5 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 4 , wherein the wrapper is constructed from a paper stock tube. 
     
     
         6 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 5 , wherein the paper stock tube is made from at least one of: flax and linen fiber. 
     
     
         7 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , wherein the nicotine source is a tobacco material. 
     
     
         8 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 7 , wherein the tobacco material is at least one of:
 tobacco dust, tobacco powder, tobacco fines, reconstituted tobacco sheet, cast leaf, and tobacco particulates.   
     
     
         9 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter stopper provided on a first end and on a second end of the composite filter. 
     
     
         10 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 9 , wherein the filter stopper is made from cellulose acetate. 
     
     
         11 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the filter stopper is approximately 2 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity further comprises at least one nicotine-carrying material. 
     
     
         13 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 12 , wherein the nicotine-carrying material is at least one of: Sepiolite, Perlite, and super absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         14 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is at least one of: glycerin and propylene glycol. 
     
     
         15 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is provided in at least one capsule. 
     
     
         16 . The non-combustible smoking article of  claim 9 , further comprising a heat-initiating capsule disposed within the filter stopper provided on the first end of the composite filter. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a non-combustible smoking article comprising:
 providing a non-combustible smoking article having a composite filter, the composite filter further comprising:
 a cavity having a nicotine source; 
 an aerosol-forming substrate proximate the nicotine source; and 
 at least one capsule filled with an additive for modifying a characteristic of inhalable vapor generated by the non-combustible smoking article; 
   inserting an internal heater into at least the cavity having the nicotine source of the composite filter;   applying a peripheral heating source to a length of the composite filter; and   activating the internal heater and the peripheral heating source to heat at least a portion of the composite filter,   wherein the heat generates inhalable vapor to be drawn and inhaled by a consumer.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is introduced into the cavity having the nicotine source via spraying means. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the internal heater and the peripheral heating source heat apply differentiated temperatures along the length of the composite filter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a temperature of the heat applied by the internal heater and the peripheral heating source depends on a number of puffs taken by the consumer.