Smoking article employing heat conductive fingers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cigarette-like smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, preferably without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream smoke. Preferred articles of the present invention are capable of providing the user with the sensations and benefits of cigarette smoking without the necessity of burning tobacco. These and other advantages are obtained by providing an elongated, cigarette-type smoking article which preferably utilizes a short, i.e., less than about 30 mm long, preferably carbonaceous, fuel element, and a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming material, which means is in a conductive heat exchange relationship with the fuel element. The aerosol generating means is preferably contained within a unitary heat conductive container having two or more finger-like extensions, each of which is in contact with at least a portion of the fuel element. This container is preferably prepared from a single conductive element, having two or more finger-like projections or 'fingers' of from about 2 to 8 mm in length and about 0.5 to 3 mm in width. Most preferably, there are two or three fingers, which contact a total of from about 20 to 35 percent of the surface of the fuel element.