# US 10,440,995 B2 · Aerosol delivery device including substrate with improved absorbency properties > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,440,995 B2 - Document ID: US10440995B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/472,966 - Filed: 2017-03-29 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-29 - Assignees: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. - Applicants: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc. - Inventors: Andries Don Sebastian; Michael F. Davis; Percy D. Phillips - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10440995B2 ## CPC - A24F 40/42: Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors - A24F 40/44: Wicks - H05B 1/0244: {Heating of fluids (H05B1/0247 takes precedence)} - A24F 40/10: Devices using liquid inhalable precursors - H05B 2203/021: Heaters specially adapted for heating liquids - A24F: SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES (inhaling appliances for medical purposes, shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes A61M15/06) - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods of forming such devices, and elements of such devices. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides substrates for use in storing an aerosol precursor liquid and/or transporting the liquid to a heater for vaporization. The substrates can be formed form fibers that can provide improved absorbency and/or transport qualities. Multi-layer substrates are also disclosed and can include a high absorbency layer and a hydrophobic layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An aerosol delivery device comprising: a housing; a substrate at least partially formed from regenerated cellulose fibers; an aerosol forming liquid retained by the substrate; and a heater operatively arranged for vaporization of the aerosol forming liquid; wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer; wherein the plurality of layers is configured to promote movement of liquid in a first direction and to restrict movement of liquid in a second direction; wherein the first layer is configured for storage and release of the aerosol precursor composition and comprises one or more of regenerated cellulose fibers having a hollow, substantially cylindrical cross-section and regenerated cellulose fibers having a multi-lobal cross-section; and wherein the second layer is hydrophobic and comprises regenerated cellulose fibers that include a hydrophobic additive. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the regenerated cellulose fibers have a multi-lobal cross-section and include striations extending longitudinally along surfaces of one or more lobes of the fibers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a non-woven. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers are needle-punched. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers are adhered together. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate forms at least a portion of a reservoir. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The aerosol delivery device of claim 6, further comprising a liquid transport element in fluid connection with the reservoir and in fluid connection with the heater. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate forms at least part of a liquid transport element that is in fluid connection with a reservoir and in fluid connection with the heater. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is in direct contact with the heater. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a loading capacity for the aerosol precursor composition of at least 2000% relative to an initial dry weight of the substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the substrate has a basis weight of about 100 gsm to about 250 gsm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a power source and a controller. ### Claim 13 A method of preparing an aerosol delivery device, the method comprising: providing a housing; placing within the housing a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of layers including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the plurality of layers is configured to promote movement of liquid in a first direction and to restrict movement of liquid in a second direction; wherein the first layer is configured for storage and release of the aerosol precursor composition and comprises one or more of regenerated cellulose fibers having a hollow, substantially cylindrical cross-section and regenerated cellulose fibers having a multi-lobal cross-section; and wherein the second layer is hydrophobic and comprises regenerated cellulose fibers that include a hydrophobic additive; and configuring the substrate to be in fluid communication with a heater within the housing; wherein, before or after placing the substrate within the housing, an aerosol forming liquid is retained by the substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising combining a mouthpiece with the housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising combining the housing with a second housing that includes a battery and a controller.