Low mass radial array heater for electrical smoking article

摘要

A heating element to provide heat to a tobacco flavor medium, for use in an electrical smoking article, by converting electrical energy to heat through the use of a material with electrically resistive properties is provided. The material is arranged in a radial array of blades with a current density profile such that a maximum area of each blade provides heat to the tobacco flavor medium dispersed thereon. The blade is generally U-shaped to assure dispersion of heat evenly to avoid hot spots along the blade and is tapered to reduce mass toward the mouth end of the heating element so as to maximize the heated area.