RU2800501C2 - Aerosol delivery system, the cartridge and the method for its manufacture for use in the system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: aerosol production.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to electronic vapor or aerosol delivery systems, such as nicotine delivery systems. The aerosol delivery system for producing aerosol for the purpose of inhalation by the user includes a cartridge containing a housing containing an aerosol-forming material, and an aerosol delivery device with a means of coupling adapted for receiving the cartridge, made with the possibility of inducing, when using an aerosol-forming material, to produce an aerosol for inhalation by the user by supplying thermal energy to the aerosol-forming material. The cartridge contains a circuit forming a data storage unit made with the ability to store information related to the cartridge. The aerosol delivery device is designed to detect the information stored in the data storage unit when the cartridge is inserted into this device. The data storage unit is made as a whole with one or more walls of the housing.

EFFECT: increase in security regarding the identification of the cartridge.

33 cl, 14 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The invention relates to electronic vapor or aerosol delivery systems, such as nicotine delivery systems (eg, electronic cigarettes, etc.).

State of the art

Electronic vapor or aerosol delivery systems, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), typically contain a vapor generating source material, such as a source liquid in a reservoir, the composition of which may or may not include nicotine, or a solid material. , such as a tobacco-based product, from which vapor is generated for inhalation by the user, for example, through thermal evaporation. The steam supply system typically comprises a steam generation chamber containing an evaporator, such as a heating element, configured to vaporize a portion of the steam generation feedstock in the steam generation chamber. When the user inhales through the device and the vaporizer is energized, air is drawn into the device through the inlets and into the vapor generation chamber where the air mixes with the vaporized feedstock to form a condensation aerosol. There is a flow path between the steam generation chamber and the opening in the mouthpiece, so the incoming air drawn in through the steam generation chamber continues to travel through the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the vapor/condensate aerosol with it, and is expelled through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user . Some electronic cigarettes may also include a flavor element in the flow path through the additional flavoring device. Such devices may sometimes be referred to as hybrid devices, and the flavor element may, for example, include a tobacco portion positioned in an air passage between the steam generation chamber and the mouthpiece such that the vapor/condensate aerosol drawn through the device passes through the vapor portion. tobacco before leaving the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

In some systems, the power supply to the vaporizer is turned on manually, for example, by the user pressing the power button when he wishes to generate steam for inhalation. Devices that operate in this manner may be referred to as button/button actuation devices. In some other systems, the power supply to the vaporizer is turned on automatically in response to the user inhaling, for example, using a pressure sensor or an airflow sensor to detect what the user is inhaling with the device. Devices that operate in this manner may be referred to as puff actuated or puff actuated devices.

Aerosol delivery systems are typically comprised of an aerosol delivery device that can be reused and a cartridge or consumable that is made up of cheaper components and can be designed to be discarded after use (i.e., after how the aerosol-forming material was converted into an aerosol). Since cartridges are generally relatively inexpensive to manufacture, they can be manufactured to have suitable dimensions or electrical connections for use with a given aerosol delivery device. However, this design has the disadvantage that counterfeit cartridges can be made with the correct configuration for use with a given aerosol delivery device. Counterfeit cartridges may not comply with the strict manufacturing or distribution rules that are typically required for genuine cartridges, in particular the liquids stored in the cartridges, which can lead to poor quality and a poor user experience.

WO 2017/163045 describes a vapor delivery system comprising a cartridge including a vaporizer for generating vapor from a source material for inhalation by a user; and a device comprising a power source for supplying power to the evaporator through an electrical interface installed between the cartridge and the device when they are connected for use. The electrical interface contains spring-loaded pins in the cartridge or device and a printed circuit board with corresponding contact pads in the mating part of the device or cartridge.

CA 2827144 describes an electronic personal vaporizer comprising a heating element, a liquid reservoir, a power supply for supplying power to the heating element, and a shell containing said heating element, a liquid reservoir and a power supply and made in the form of a flexible printed circuit board wrapped around of these components, providing electronic communication with the evaporator.

WO 2015/082560 describes an aerosol-forming article and an aerosol-generating device having a sensor capable of detecting the presence of said article and distinguishing the article from other aerosol-forming articles based on the spectroscopic signature of a label incorporated in the article material.

International application WO 2017/084849 describes a cartridge for use with an aerosol delivery system that contains an electrical resistor mounted thereon having a resistance value adjusted indicative of the aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge.

The invention is aimed at improving the security with respect to the identification of the cartridge.

Disclosure of invention

The first of several aspects of the invention is an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol to be inhaled by a user. The system comprises a cartridge containing a housing containing an aerosol-forming material, and an aerosol supply device with an interface device adapted to receive the cartridge, configured to induce, when using the aerosol-forming material, to produce an aerosol for inhalation by the user by supplying thermal energy to the aerosol-forming material, characterized in that that the cartridge contains a circuit forming a data storage unit configured to store information related to the cartridge, and the aerosol providing device is configured to detect information stored in the data storage unit when the cartridge is introduced into this device, while the data storage unit is made for one piece with one or more body walls.

The data storage unit may be integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing by embedding the circuit forming the data storage unit on or below the surface of one of the walls of the housing. Incorporation of the circuitry forming the data storage unit into the housing wall causes the removal of the data storage unit to render the data storage unit and/or the aerosol forming material inoperable.

Embodiments of the invention may provide cartridges with a storage unit integrally formed with one or more housing walls such that an attempt to remove the storage unit is likely to render the storage unit and/or cartridge inoperable.

A second aspect of the invention is a cartridge for use with an aerosol providing device, comprising a housing containing an aerosol generating material and configured to cause the aerosol generating material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, when the cartridge is received by the interface of the aerosol providing device, and energy is supplied to the aerosol generating material, when wherein the cartridge comprises circuitry forming a data storage unit configured to store cartridge related information for detection by the aerosol providing device, the data storage unit being integral with one or more housing walls.

A third aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a cartridge for use with an aerosol delivery device, comprising the steps of forming at least a portion of the housing and placing the aerosol-forming material within the housing, wherein the step of forming the housing includes the step of forming one or more walls of the housing form in one piece with the data storage unit.

It should be understood that, if necessary, the features of the first aspect of the invention described above are equally applicable and may be combined with embodiments of the invention corresponding to other aspects of the invention, and not just specific combinations.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

In FIG. 1 schematically shows a vapor delivery system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, comprising an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge;

in fig. 2a schematically shows another embodiment of the aerosol delivery system shown in FIG. 1, irregular shape, perspective view;

in fig. 2b - the same, side view in section;

fig. 3a is the cartridge shown in FIG. 2a and 2b with a data storage unit according to the invention;

in fig. 3b is the same, side view along arrow B in FIG. 3a;

in fig. 3c is the same, top view along arrow C in FIG. 3a;

in fig. 4a is a perspective view of a first layer for forming another cartridge according to the invention, containing a data storage unit;

in fig. 4b is a second layer for forming another cartridge according to the invention, perspective view;

in fig. 4c is a perspective view of an aerosol generating cartridge in which the layers are combined;

in fig. 5a is another exemplary embodiment of a cartridge with a data storage unit embedded under the surface of the housing and containing electrical circuits, top view;

in fig. 5b is a section along plane A-A in FIG. 5a;

in fig. 6 is another exemplary embodiment of the cartridge according to the invention, the body of which is made of two parts, forming a recess in which the data storage unit is placed, side view;

in fig. 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of a cartridge with a data storage unit according to the invention, with the data storage unit visible on the surface of the cartridge and provided with a recognizable authentication pattern, perspective view;

in fig. 8 is a perspective view of a data storage unit cartridge according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the data storage unit is discreetly attachable in a through hole of the product body with connection to electrical circuits.

Implementation of the invention

The following describes aspects and features of some examples and embodiments of the invention. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments of the invention can be implemented in the usual way, and for brevity, they are not described in detail. It should be understood that aspects and features discussed in the present description of the device and methods that are not described in detail, can be implemented in accordance with any conventional technologies to implement such aspects and features.

The present invention relates to vapor delivery systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes, including hybrid devices. In the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that this term may be used interchangeably with a vapor delivery system or device and an electronic vapor delivery system or device. In addition, as is common in the art, the terms "vapour" and "aerosol", as well as related terms such as "evaporate", "volatilize", and "aerosolize", can generally be used interchangeably.

Vapor delivery systems (e-cigarettes) are often, though not always, of a modular design, including both an aerosol delivery device and a replaceable (disposable) cartridge portion. Often, the replacement portion of the cartridge contains the vaporization starting material (sometimes referred to herein as the aerosol generating material), and the vaporizer and aerosol delivery device comprise a power source (e.g., a rechargeable battery), an activation mechanism (e.g., a puff button or sensor), and control circuitry. However, it should be understood that these various parts may also contain additional elements depending on the functionality. For example, for a hybrid device, the cartridge portion may also contain an additional aerosol modification or flavoring element, such as a portion of tobacco in the form of an insert ("capsule"). In such cases, the fragrance element can be directly removed from the disposable cartridge part, so it can be replaced separately from the cartridge, for example, to change the fragrance or because the acceptable life of the fragrance element is less than the acceptable life of the steam generation components. . In other cases, the flavor element may be integral with the cartridge. The reusable device portion can often also include additional components such as a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating state characteristics.

In modular devices, the cartridge and the control unit are electrically and mechanically connected to each other for use, for example, by means of a threaded, snap-on or bayonet connection with the proper connection of electrical contacts. When the vapor source in the cartridge runs out, or the user wishes to switch to another cartridge having a different vapor source, the cartridge may be detached from the control unit and another cartridge may be attached in its place. Devices corresponding to this type of modular two-piece configuration can generally be referred to as two-piece devices or multi-piece devices.

Electronic cigarettes, including multi-part devices, generally have an elongated shape, and some embodiments of the invention described below as specific examples refer generally to an elongated multi-part device that uses disposable cartridges with an insert in the form of a capsule with tobacco. It should be understood that, more generally, certain embodiments of the invention relate to electronic cigarettes that are capable of providing functionality in accordance with the principles described, and the specific design features of the electronic cigarette that allow for this functionality are not essential.

In FIG. 1 shows an e-cigarette 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The e-cigarette 1 contains two main components, namely, a refillable part, hereinafter referred to as an aerosol supply device 2, and a replaceable disposable cartridge 4. In this particular example, the e-cigarette 1 is assumed to be a hybrid device, and the cartridge 4 includes in a removable insert 8 containing a housing containing shredded tobacco. However, the fact that this example represents a hybrid device is not in itself essential to the described functionality of the device.

In normal use, the aerosol providing device 2 and the cartridge 4 are connected to each other in a releasably coupled 6. When the cartridge is exhausted, or the user simply wants to change the cartridge for another, the cartridge can be disconnected from the aerosol providing device, and the aerosol providing device can be another cartridge is attached. Mating 6 provides a structural, electrical and airway connection between the two parts, and if desired, can be made according to conventional techniques, for example, based on a thread, a snap mechanism or a bayonet connection with appropriately made electrical contacts and holes to establish an electrical connection and air channel between the two parts. The particular manner in which the cartridge 4 is mechanically attached to the aerosol delivery device 2 is not essential, but a snap mechanism is used as a specific example, for example, in which a portion of the cartridge is placed in a corresponding receptacle in the aerosol delivery device with interacting snap mechanism engagement members. (not shown in Fig. 1). However, the interface 6 is configured so that the data storage unit 60 can be read by the reader 62. In addition, it should also be understood that, in some cases, the interface 6 may not maintain an electrical connection between the respective parts. For example, in some cases, the vaporizer may be in an aerosol delivery device rather than a cartridge, or the transfer of power from the aerosol delivery device to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction) so no electrical connection is required between the aerosol delivery device. and cartridge.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the cartridge 4 may be conventional in a broad sense. As shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge 4 includes a housing 42 formed from plastic. The cartridge body 42 supports the other components of the cartridge and provides mechanical interface 6 to the aerosol delivery device. Typically, the cartridge body is circularly symmetrical about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part and the aerosol supply device 2 are connected. In this example, the cartridge has a length of about 4 cm and a diameter of about 1.5 cm. However, it should be understood that the specific geometry and general shape and materials used may vary in different implementations.

Within the cartridge body 42 is a reservoir 44 which contains liquid source material for evaporation. The liquid vaporization feedstock may be conventional and is referred to as e-liquid. In this example, the liquid reservoir 44 has an annular shape, with an outer wall formed by the cartridge body 42 and an inner wall that defines an air passage 52 passing through the cartridge 4. The reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the e-liquid. The reservoir 44 may be made in accordance with conventional technologies, for example, it may contain a plastic material and be molded in one piece with the cartridge body 42.

In this example, an insert 8 (tobacco capsule) with a flavoring element is inserted into the open end of the air passage 52 opposite the end of the cartridge 4 which is connected to the device 2 and is held by a friction fit. The flavoring element insertion body 8 has a collar that abuts against the end of the cartridge body 42 to prevent over-insertion. An opening is provided at each end of the body of the insert 8 to allow air to be drawn through the air passage 52 during use to pass through the flavor element insert 8 and trap flavors from the flavor (tobacco in this example) before exiting the cartridge 4 through outlet mouthpiece 50 for inhalation by the user.

The cartridge 4 also includes a wick 46 and a heater (evaporator) 48 located towards the end of the reservoir 44 opposite the mouthpiece outlet 50. In this example, the wick 46 extends transversely in the air channel 52 of the cartridge, while the ends of the wick enter the reservoir 44 with e-liquid through holes in the inner wall of the reservoir 44. The dimensions of the holes in the inner wall of the reservoir are such as to generally match the dimensions of the wick 46, providing sufficient sealing against leakage of liquid from the reservoir into the air channel of the cartridge without excessive compression of the wick, which may adversely affect fluid transfer efficiency.

The wick 46 and heater 48 are positioned in the cartridge air passage 52 such that the area of the cartridge air passage 52 around the wick 46 and heater 48 effectively forms an evaporation region for the cartridge portion. The e-liquid in reservoir 44 enters wick 46 through the ends of the wick that enter reservoir 44 and is drawn along the wick by surface tension or capillary action (ie, wicking). In this example, the heater 48 comprises an electrically resistive wire wound around a wick 46. In this example, the wire is made of a chromium-nickel alloy (Cr20Ni80) and the wick 46 contains a fiberglass bundle, but it should be understood that the specific configuration of the evaporator is not critical to the principles described. In use, electrical energy is supplied to the heater 48 to vaporize some e-liquid (source material for the vapor) drawn into the space adjacent to the heater 48 by the wick 46. The vaporized e-liquid is then entrained by air drawn through the air channel of the cartridge from the evaporation area. through the flavor insert 8, and exits the mouthpiece outlet 50 for inhalation by the user.

The rate at which the e-liquid is vaporized by the evaporator (heater 48) depends on the amount (level) of electrical energy supplied to the heater 48 in use. Thus, electrical energy can be supplied to the heater to selectively generate vapor from the e-liquid in the cartridge 4, and in addition, the steam generation rate can be varied by changing the amount of electrical energy supplied to the heater 48, for example, using pulse-width technologies. and/or frequency modulation.

The aerosol supply device 2 comprises an outer casing 12 with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for an e-cigarette, a battery 26 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, a control circuit 20 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a button 14 for user input, inhalation sensor 16 (puff detection device), which in this example includes a pressure sensor located in the chamber 18 and a display 24 for visual display.

The outer casing 12 may be formed, for example, from plastic or metal, and in this example it has a circular cross section, generally corresponding to the shape and size of the cartridge 4, in order to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6. In this example, the aerosol delivery device is about 8 cm long, so the total length of the e-cigarette when the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device are connected is about 12 cm. However, as already noted, it should be understood that the overall shape and size of the electronic cigarette are irrelevant to the principles of the invention.

The air inlet 28 is connected to the air duct 30 by an aerosol supply device 2 . In turn, the air passage 30 of the aerosol supply device is connected to the air passage 52 of the cartridge by an interface 6 when the aerosol supply device 2 and the cartridge 4 are connected to each other. The pressure sensor chamber 18, comprising the pressure sensor 16, is in fluid communication with the air passage 30 in the aerosol supply device 2 (ie, the pressure sensor chamber 18 branches off from the air passage 30 in the aerosol supply device 2). Thus, when the user inhales through the mouthpiece 50, there is a pressure drop in the chamber 18, which can be detected by the pressure sensor 16, and air is also drawn in through the air inlet 28 through the air passage 30 of the aerosol delivery device, through the interface 6, through the area vapor generation near the heater 48 (where the vaporized e-liquid is picked up by the air stream when the vaporizer is powered), along the air passage 52 of the cartridge, and exits through the mouthpiece 50 for inhalation by the user.

The battery 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be a conventional battery type such as is commonly used in electronic cigarettes and other applications where relatively high currents are required for relatively short periods of time. The rechargeable battery 26 can be charged via a charging port in the aerosol dispenser body 12, such as via a USB connector.

In this example, the user input button 14 is a conventional mechanical button, for example, containing a spring-loaded component that the user can press to establish electrical contact. In this regard, a data entry button can be thought of as a mechanism for providing manual data entry to an end device, but the specific way in which the button is implemented is not essential. For example, other forms of mechanical button or touch buttons may be used in other cases (eg, based on capacitive or optical measurement technologies). The particular implementation of the button may be selected, for example, in view of the desired aesthetic appearance.

The display 24 is designed to provide the user with a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, such as current power setting information, remaining battery power, and so on. The display can be implemented in different ways. In this example, the display 24 includes a conventional pixel LCD screen that can be activated to display the desired information in accordance with conventional methods.

The control circuit 20 is configured/programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide its functionality in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, as described below, as well as to provide normal operation of the electronic cigarette in accordance with known control technologies for such devices. The control circuit 20 (processor) can be thought of as logically comprising various sub-circuits/circuit elements that are associated with various aspects of the operation of an electronic cigarette in accordance with the principles described below and other conventional aspects of the operation of electronic cigarettes such as display control and user input detection. It should be understood that the functionality of the control circuit 20 may be provided in a variety of ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed computers and/or one or more suitably configured ASICs/circuits/chips/chipsets that are configured to providing the desired functionality.

The steam delivery system 1 includes a user input button 14 and an inspiratory sensor 16 . In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the control circuit 20 is configured to receive signals from the inhalation sensor 16 and use these signals to determine whether the user is puffing on an electronic cigarette, and also to receive signals from the button 14 to enter data and use these signals to determining whether the user presses (ie actuates) a button to enter data. These aspects of electronic cigarette operation (i.e., puff detection and button press detection) can themselves be implemented in accordance with well-known technologies (for example, using conventional inhalation sensor and inhalation sensor signal processing technologies and using conventional input button and processing technologies). data entry button signals). For more information on the puff control response, see GB1718462.3.

As will be explained in more detail below, the cartridge 4 includes a data storage unit 60, which in some examples forms part of the outer surface of the housing 42 of the cartridge 4. The aerosol delivery device 2 includes a reader 62 connected to the control circuit 20 in the form of a controller, which is configured to read data from the data storage unit 60 . In one example, the data storage unit 60 is configured to store an identifier that is associated with an identifier of the cartridge 4. This case will be discussed in more detail below. It should be understood that although FIG. 1 shows only one storage unit 60, cartridge 4 may be provided with one or more storage units 60 each having the same or different information (which may be the same identifier for each storage unit or different identifiers, e.g. , two or more different identifiers).

In FIG. 2a and 2b show another example of the configuration of the aerosol delivery system shown in FIG. 1 with the same parts having the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 2a, the aerosol delivery device 2 has a body 12 with curved teardrop-shaped sidewalls and an interface 6 which can receive a cartridge 4 within a channel provided in the device 2. As in the example of FIG. 1, the data storage unit forms part of the body 42 of the cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 2b, the data storage unit 60 is located within the cartridge 4 at a location where the data storage unit 60 can be read by the reader 62. The reader 62 is located on or in the aerosol dispenser 2 such that when the interface 6 of the device 2 receives the cartridge 4, the reader 62 can read the data available in the data storage unit 60 .

As shown in FIG. 1, 2a and 2b, the data storage unit 60 is a roughly cube-shaped box with various circuits arranged therein, which may include a plurality of transistors suitable for data storage. The data storage unit 60 may be integrated into the outer surface of the housing 42. However, in other cases, the data storage unit 60 may be located within the housing 42 of the cartridge 4 rather than on its outer surface. For example, storage unit 60 may be located between two layers of housing 42. In some embodiments, storage unit 60 may be integrally formed with a component of cartridge 4, such as housing layer 42. Storage unit 60 may be formed with one piece with the body, for example, during the manufacture of the body 42.

In some cases, the data storage unit 60 may be configured to store an identifier that identifies the cartridge 4 as information related to this cartridge 4. In this case, the reader 62 may be configured to read the data storage unit 60 and obtain an identifier from it. The reader 62 is connected to the control unit 20 via any suitable data connection, such as through the wires 62a, and is configured to transmit a signal indicating the identifier to the control circuit 20 . As will be described in more detail below, the control circuit 20 receives a signal indicating the ID of the cartridge 4 and is configured to cause the device 2 to perform an action based on the ID.

The data storage unit 60 in this example is configured to store a digital representation of the identifier (eg, a 128-bit identification number). For example, an identifier can be represented as a binary or hexadecimal sequence.

In this example, the data storage unit 60 is programmable, which means that an identifier can be programmed into the data storage unit 60 . The storage units 60 for the two cartridges may be structurally the same, but may be programmed to store different identifiers, respectively. The programming can be performed before, during or after the manufacture of the cartridge 4. This allows for a simplification of the manufacturing process, in particular when using the data storage unit 62 with (or within) the cartridge. The data storage unit 60 may be a write-once data storage unit (eg, write-once (WORM)), i. e. the storage unit 60 can be written to once (that is, when an identifier is used) and then cannot be easily overwritten. In other cases, the storage unit 60 may be writable (ie, it may be written multiple times) depending on the application being used.

The identifier is designed to identify the cartridge. This may be related to the type of aerosol forming material in reservoir 44 of cartridge 4. Alternatively or additionally, the identifier may indicate the (geographical and/or manufacturing) origin of cartridge 4. Alternatively or additionally, the identifier may uniquely identify cartridge 4.

As mentioned above, the cartridge 4 includes a data storage unit 60 configured to store information related to the cartridge 4, such as an identifier identifying the cartridge or an indication of properties associated with the cartridge 4, the aerosol providing device 2 being configured to detect information stored in the data storage unit 60 when it is engaged with the cartridge. Block 60 data storage is made in one piece with one or more walls of the housing. For example, the storage unit may be integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing 42 by embedding the circuitry of the storage unit 60 under the surface of the housing 42 such that the circuitry cannot be removed without damaging either the storage unit or the cartridge 4, rendering the storage unit 4 inoperable. data storage unit 60 and/or cartridge 4.

In FIG. 3a, 3b and 3c show the cartridge 4 in detail. FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of a cartridge 4 which, as noted above, includes an aerosol-forming material 44 and is configured to generate an aerosol when used by a user in accordance with the principles described above. As shown in FIG. 3a, the data storage unit 60 is embedded below the surface of the cartridge 4. In FIG. 3b and 3c the cartridge 4 is shown in side and top views along arrows B and C. In FIG. 3a, the storage unit 60 is shown embedded in one of the walls of the cartridge body 4. In one example, the storage unit 60 is embedded under the surface of the cartridge 4. In this example, the storage unit 60 is embedded under the surface of one of the walls of the cartridge body. In one example, the storage unit 60 may be attached to the body material using an adhesive such that removal of the storage unit 60 may result in failure of the storage unit 60 rather than the cartridge body 4. In addition, it is also possible that attempting to remove the storage unit 60, the housing itself will be damaged, preventing the user from inhaling the aerosol generated by the cartridge 4, but in some instances this may be less likely due to the relatively strong walls of the housing compared to the strength of the data storage unit. In one example, the case may be formed from a brittle or brittle material, such as some form of plastic, which may shatter if storage unit 60 is removed.

The arrangement of the cartridge 4, similar to that shown in Figs. 3a, 3b and 3c, is shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c. As an alternative example, the cartridge 4 is shown as a rod, similar to the example shown in FIG. 1. As indicated in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3a, 3b, 3c, the data storage unit 62 may be formed in the cartridge 4 under the surface of the housing. In FIG. 4a, 4b and 4c show the construction of a cartridge 4 in which the article body 70 is formed from a plurality of layers, such as first inner and second outer layers 70a, 70b, for example by multi-layer molding of plastic layers. As shown in FIG. 4a, first, the first inner layer of the case 70a is formed, and the storage unit 60 is positioned on the surface of the first inner layer 70a. Then, a second outer layer 70b is formed on top of the first body layer 70a, as indicated by arrow 80, so that the finished product shown in FIG. 4c is formed from first and second layers, with the second layer 70b overlapping the first layer as indicated by arrow 82 so that the data storage unit 60 is embedded under the surface of the second outer layer 70b in a recess formed in the second layer during manufacture of the second layer. Thus, the data storage unit 60 is built into the walls of the cartridge 4. According to this example, to form the first layer 70a, a multi-layer molding technique is used in which the data storage unit is placed on the first layer 50a, and then the second layer 70b is formed on top of the first layer 70a and block 60 data storage. The first and second layers 70a, 70b may be formed from plastic.

In FIG. 5a and 5b show another embodiment of the cartridge. In FIG. 5a shows a plan view of an arrangement in which the data storage unit 60 is embedded in a recess in one of the walls of the cartridge body 4, and FIG. 5b the cartridge is shown in section along line A-A in FIG. 5a. As shown in FIG. 5a and 5b, the data storage unit 60 is embedded under the surface of the cartridge body 4. As shown in FIG. 5a, various conductors 160 of the circuit constituting the data storage unit 60 are printed on the outer surface of one or more walls of the casing of the cartridge 4 which is connected to the data storage unit 60. One of the printed conductors provides a connection to the battery 162. As shown in FIG. 5b, a battery 162 and a storage unit 60 are embedded under the surface 64 of the cartridge 4, and conductors 160 are printed on the surface of the cartridge. Accordingly, any attempt to remove the storage unit 60 will cause the circuit to break, thereby preventing the cartridge from operating when placed within the aerosol delivery device.

In FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the cartridge in which the data storage unit 60 is built into one of the walls of the housing 70 of the cartridge 4. However, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 4 consists of two parts 170 and 172, which form between them a recess 174 in which the data storage unit is located. Thus, after being formed during manufacture, the two parts have a recess 174 in which the data storage unit 60 can be placed. In another example, the memory and/or circuitry is placed/printed on the surface of the cartridge on an overlapping portion of the consumable (eg, two halves of a fluid reservoir). If the user tries to refill the cartridge by opening the two halves, the memory/circuitry will be broken. They can also be built into a recess. Again, any attempt to remove the data storage unit 60 will result in the separation of the two parts 170 and 172, rendering the cartridge inoperable. Accordingly, the two parts/halves of the cartridge 170 and 172 can act as a tamper-proof seal, for example, to prevent the cartridge from being refilled with unauthorized liquids. If the storage unit 60 is removed or broken, the cartridge 4 will no longer function when placed in the aerosol dispenser 2. In accordance with this example, the body 70 of the cartridge 4 may be formed from two separate parts/layers 170 and 172, which are connected to each other, with the separate parts forming a recess for receiving the data storage unit 60. As in the example shown in FIG. 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b, the storage unit 60 may be completely integrated into the wall/body of the cartridge 4 such that the user cannot physically access the storage unit 60. The memory and/or circuitry may be placed/printed on the surface of the cartridge on an overlapping portion of the consumable (eg, two halves of a fluid reservoir). If the user tries to refill the cartridge by opening the two halves, the memory/circuit will be broken.

In FIG. 7 shows another example in which the circuit forming the data storage unit 60 is located on the surface of the cartridge 4 so that the user can see it from the outside. The circuitry forming the data storage unit 60 and its associated conductors 160 may be configured to provide a recognizable shape in the form of a pattern that may allow authentication of a cartridge made by a reputable manufacturer. Thus, the user can be sure of the authenticity of the cartridge.

Another example is shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge 4 includes a data storage unit 60 that is discreetly attached to a through hole 180 in the body of the product with electrical connections. According to this example, the through hole 180 allows free passage of air. However, when the storage unit 60 is located in the through hole 180, a through hole seal is created so that the aerosol can pass into the inhaler, while without the storage unit 60, the aerosol will pass through the through hole 180, the user is prevented from inhaling the aerosol. By attaching the storage unit 60 to the case walls at the through hole 180 with careful fastening, attempting to remove the storage unit 60 will both damage the storage unit 60 and render the cartridge inoperable. In some embodiments, the conductors 160 of the storage unit 60 may include various components, some of which may block the through hole 180, while one or more other components may be embedded in the wall of the cartridge housing. As a result, an attempt to remove the storage unit 60 is likely to render both the storage unit 60 and the cartridge inoperable, since the through hole 60 will be exposed.

According to the above embodiments, the storage unit 60 is positioned on or in the cartridge body/walls such that it prevents or at least prevents the storage unit from being removed from one cartridge to be replaced by another.

In one example, the data storage unit may be printed on the surface of the cartridge or attached to the cartridge by printing. The data storage unit can be read wirelessly, for example with RFID tags (passive or active), when it is in direct contact/proximity with the reader. Printing the storage unit 60 on the surface of the cartridge may cause any attempts to remove the storage unit 60 could possibly damage the storage unit itself, thereby preventing the storage unit from being transferred from one cartridge, which may be genuine, to another cartridge. , for example, fake.

With regard to electrical connections to the storage unit for each of the above examples, the storage unit 60 may operate wirelessly, or it may have, for example, physical electrical contacts that connect to the battery of the aerosol delivery device. While in some cases the storage unit 60 may be completely integrated into the housing, in other cases the housing/wall may have a partially integrated storage unit. For example, a recess may be provided in the housing to accommodate a data storage unit. However, one side of the data storage unit may be open. The tolerances between the edge of the notch and the edge of the data storage unit can be very small, such as less than the tip of a screwdriver or the like. (less than 500 µm), which means that the user cannot remove or easily change the storage unit.

The data storage unit may be provided with miniaturized RFID tags (called RFID dust) which are small in size, such as 1×1 mm) and generally have a short transmission range. Such RFID tags can be embedded in the material from which the cartridge is made (for example, plastic), or in any other place in the cartridge. Thus, it becomes impossible to isolate and remove the miniaturized RFID tags from the cartridge, again preventing genuine tags from being transferred to non-original consumables.

Placing the circuitry forming the data storage unit in one or more recesses on the surface of the housing wall may include customizing the circuitry to provide a recognizable patterned shape to identify the aerosol forming material.

Although the above described embodiments of the invention in some aspects focus on some specific examples of aerosol delivery systems, it should be understood that the same principles can be applied to aerosol delivery systems using other technologies, i.e. the particular manner in which the various aerosol delivery systems operate is not directly related to the principles underlying those described herein.

As shown in the embodiments of the invention described above, e-cigarette cartridges implementing the present technology may take various forms, although they are designed to be compatible with aerosol delivery devices, so that a reader in the device can read the data stored in the storage unit. data.

According to embodiments of the invention, an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user includes a cartridge comprising a housing containing an aerosolizable material and an aerosol delivery device. In some examples, the aerosol delivery system can be described as "non-combustible", wherein the aerosol generating material included in the aerosol delivery system (or a component thereof) does not ignite or burn, facilitating the delivery of at least one substance to the user. In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may be a powered non-flammable aerosol delivery system.

In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not required.

In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is an aerosol-forming material heating system, also known as a no-burn heating system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system is a hybrid aerosol generation system using a combination of aerosol forming materials, one or more of which can be heated. Each of the aerosol-forming materials may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel-like aerosol-forming material and a solid aerosol-forming material. The solid aerosol-forming material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, a non-flammable aerosol delivery system may include a non-flammable aerosol delivery device and a consumable (or cartridge) for use with the flame-retardant aerosol delivery device.

The invention also relates to consumables containing an aerosol-forming material and capable of being used with devices for providing a non-combustible aerosol. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles in this specification.

In some embodiments of the invention, a system for providing a non-flammable aerosol, in particular its device for providing a non-flammable aerosol, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic energy source comprises a carbon substrate that can be energized such that energy in the form of heat is transferred to the aerosol generating material or heat transfer material in close proximity to the exothermic energy source.

In some embodiments, the non-flammable aerosol delivery system may include a consumable receiving area, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol modifying agent.

In some embodiments, a consumable (or cartridge) for use with a non-flammable aerosol delivery device may comprise an aerosol-forming material, a material storage area, an aerosol-forming material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol-generating area, a body, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/ or an aerosol modifying agent.

The embodiments of the invention described above are to be understood as illustrative examples and further embodiments of the invention are intended. It should be understood that any feature of any embodiment of the invention may be used alone or in combination with other features, as well as in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment of the invention or with any other embodiment of the invention. Equivalents and modifications not described above may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by its claims.

Claims (33)

1. An aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user, comprising a cartridge containing a housing containing an aerosol-forming material, and an aerosol supply device with an interface adapted to receive the cartridge, configured to induce, when using the aerosol-forming material, to produce an aerosol for inhalation by the user by supplying thermal energy to the aerosol-forming material, characterized in that the cartridge contains a circuit forming a data storage unit configured to store information related to the cartridge, and the aerosol providing device is configured to detect information stored in the data storage unit, when the cartridge is introduced into this device, while the data storage unit is integral with one or more walls of the housing. 2. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the data storage unit is made in one piece with one or more walls of the housing by embedding a circuit forming a data storage unit under the surface of one of the walls of the housing. 3. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, characterized in that one or more walls of the housing are formed from a plurality of layers, and the circuit forming the data storage unit is built into one of the layers. 4. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, characterized in that the data storage unit is made in one piece with one or more walls of the housing by placing the circuit forming the data storage unit on the first inner layer of the wall and forming the second outer layer on top of the inner layer, wherein the circuit forming the storage unit data, located in the recess formed between the first inner layer and the second outer layer. 5. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the data storage unit is formed in one piece with one or more walls of the housing by placing the circuit forming this data storage unit on the surface of the housing. 6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the circuit forming the data storage unit is located in one or more recesses on the surface of one or more housing walls so that this circuit cannot be removed without damaging the data storage unit and / or aerosol-forming material, which leads to the inoperability of this block and/or aerosol-forming material. 7. The system of claim. 6, characterized in that the circuit forming the data storage unit is visible on the cartridge. 8. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 6 or 7, characterized in that the circuit forming the data storage unit is configured to provide a recognizable shape for verifying the authenticity of the aerosol-forming material. 9. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 6-8, characterized in that the circuit forming the data storage unit is printed on the outer surface of one or more walls of the case. 10. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the cartridge is formed from two parts, each of which is configured to form a recess for the data storage unit, while the data storage unit is formed in one piece with one or more walls of the housing by placing the storage unit notch data when the two parts are fastened together. 11. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the cartridge is made with a through hole on one of the walls of the housing, allowing, when it is open, the aerosol to exit the cartridge, and the data storage unit is integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing by forming at least a portion of the circuitry forming the data storage unit in the through hole so that the through hole is blocked in use, allowing the user to inhale the aerosol. 12. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-11, characterized in that the aerosol providing device is configured to perform an action if it detects information stored in the data storage unit of the cartridge. 13. The system of claim. 12, characterized in that the operation of the aerosol providing device is to supply energy to the aerosol-forming material to generate an aerosol, or, if the information is not detected, to stop the supply of energy to the aerosol-forming material. 14. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-13, characterized in that the information is at least one of: identifying the type of aerosol-forming material of the cartridge, identifying the origin of the cartridge, and uniquely identifying the cartridge. 15. A cartridge for use with an aerosol providing device, comprising a housing containing an aerosol-forming material and configured to cause the aerosol-forming material to produce an aerosol for inhalation by a user, when the cartridge is received by the interface of the aerosol providing device, and energy is applied to the aerosol-forming material, while the cartridge comprises a circuit forming a data storage unit configured to store information related to the cartridge for detection by the aerosol providing device, the data storage unit being integral with one or more walls of the housing. 16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the storage unit is integral with one or more walls of the housing by embedding circuitry forming the storage unit under the surface of one of the walls of the housing. 17. The cartridge according to claim 16, wherein one or more case walls are formed from a plurality of layers, and the circuit forming the data storage unit is embedded in one of the layers. 18. The cartridge according to claim 16, in which the data storage unit is made integral with one or more walls of the housing by placing the circuit forming the data storage unit on the first inner layer of the wall and forming the second outer layer on top of the inner layer, and said circuit is located in a recess formed between the first inner layer and the second outer layer. 19. The cartridge of claim. 15, in which the circuit forming the data storage unit is located in one or more recesses on the surface of one or more walls of the housing so that this circuit cannot be removed without damaging either the data storage unit or the aerosol-forming material, which leads to to the inoperability of this block and/or aerosol-forming material. 20. The cartridge of claim 19, wherein the circuit forming the data storage unit is visible on the cartridge. 21. Cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 19 or 20, wherein the circuit constituting the data storage unit is configured to provide a recognizable shape for verifying the authenticity of the aerosol forming material. 22. The cartridge according to any one of paragraphs. 19-21, in which a circuit constituting the data storage unit is printed on the outer surface of one or more walls of the case. 23. The cartridge according to claim 15, formed from two parts, each of which is configured to form a recess for the data storage unit, while the data storage unit is integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing by placing the data storage unit in the recess when the two parts are attached to each other. 24. The cartridge of claim. 15, in which the housing is made with a through hole on one of the walls of the housing, allowing, when it is opened, the aerosol to exit the cartridge, and the data storage unit is integrally formed with one or more walls of the housing by forming at least at least part of the circuit forming the storage unit, in the through hole, so that when it is used, the through hole is blocked, allowing the user to inhale the aerosol. 25. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for use with an aerosol providing device, comprising the steps of forming at least a portion of the housing and placing the aerosol-forming material within the housing, wherein the step of forming the housing includes the step of forming one or more walls of the housing for integral with the circuit that forms the data storage unit. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of integrally forming one or more housing walls with circuitry constituting the data storage unit is carried out by embedding said circuitry under the surface of one of the housing walls. 27. The method according to claim 25, in which at the stage of forming one or more walls of the case in one piece with the circuit forming the data storage unit, the first inner layer of the case is formed, the circuit forming the data storage unit is placed on the first inner layer and the second one is formed. an outer layer on top of the inner layer, wherein said circuitry is positioned in a recess formed between the first inner layer and the second outer layer to form a data storage unit in one piece in the wall of the case. 28. The method according to claim 25, in which at the stage of forming one or more walls of the housing in one piece with the data storage unit, the housing wall is formed and the circuit forming the data storage unit is placed in one or more recesses on the surface of the housing wall so that the specified the circuit could not be removed without damaging the data storage unit and/or the aerosol forming material, resulting in the block and/or aerosol forming material being inoperable. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the circuitry forming the data storage unit is visible on the cartridge. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein placing the circuitry forming the data storage unit in one or more recesses on the surface of the housing wall includes adjusting the circuitry to provide a recognizable shape to identify the aerosol forming material. 31. The method of claim 28, wherein in the step of forming the walls of the case, the body wall is integrally formed with the storage unit and the circuitry forming the data storage unit is printed on the outer surface of one or more of the walls of the case. 32. The method according to p. 25, in which at the stage of forming one or more walls of the housing in one piece with the data storage unit form a housing of at least two parts; forming a recess between the two parts of the housing to accommodate the data storage unit in one of the walls of the housing; and arranging the data storage unit in the recess when the two parts are secured to each other. 33. The method according to claim 25, in which at the stage of forming one or more walls of the housing in one piece with the data storage unit, a housing wall with a through hole is formed, and the through hole, which allows, when it is open, the aerosol to exit the cartridge, and form along at least part of a circuit forming a data storage unit in the through hole for blocking the through hole so that the user can inhale the aerosol during use.

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