WO2024094558A1

WO2024094558A1 - Aerosol-generating device, aerosol-generating article, aerosol-generating system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2024094558A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/080081
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pier Paolo MONTICONE; Layth Sliman BOUCHUIGUIR
Original assignee: Jt International Sa
Priority date: 2022-10-31
Filing date: 2023-10-27
Publication date: 2024-05-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device (100), comprising a body (101) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (200), a heating element (102) arranged for heating an aerosol-generating material (201) of the aerosol-generating article (200), and a sensor (110) configured to determine or detect : (i) a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through a predetermined portion A forming at least part of a hollow tube of the received aerosol-generating article (200), and/ or (ii) a sound signature or sound wave generated by the received aerosol-generating article (200), in particular by a predetermined portion A thereof, when a user takes a puff, wherein, the aerosol-generating device (100) is configured to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article 200 received based on an output of the sensor (110). The present invention further relates to an aerosol-generating article (200), an aerosol-generating system (300) including the aerosol-generating device (100) and the aerosol-generating article (200) and a computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article (200) received by an aerosol-generating device (100).

Description

JT International SA 257 577 p12 AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE, AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE, AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD Technical field The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device. More particularly, the present invention relates to such aerosol-generating device including a HTS (heated tobacco stick) type detection. Moreover, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system including an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article. The present invention also relates to a computer-implemented method of acquiring a HTS type. Technical Background In the arts there are several types and concepts for aerosol- generating devices or inhalation devices that serve a broad range of purposes including medical and therapeutic applications and also leisure and pleasure devices such as electronic cigarettes, cigalikes, e-cigarettes, vapour inhalers and related devices. Existing aerosol-generating devices fitted with an aerosol-generating material or aerosol substrate for vaping, also commonly known as heat-not-burn electronic cigarettes, are nowadays increasingly used as a substitution for regular cigarettes. Such aerosol-generating devices or inhalation devices are oftentimes portable and pocket-size devices that can easily fit in the user’s hand or can be handled by the user’s fingers alone. In this way, the devices can be convenient for use and can be carried by a user for regular or emergency use. In the former case, a user can conveniently carry an aerosol-generating device in the form of an e-cigarette to use and enjoy it whenever and wherever desired, whereas in the latter case a medical or therapeutic aerosol-generating device may be ready to use when needed. Developments in the design and configuration of such aerosol- generating devices or inhalation devices are on-going to improve their performance and their reliability, as well as user satisfaction and the ease of production said devices. Conventionally, aerosol-generating devices include a heater powered by an electrical power source and are configured to heat a received aerosol-generating article, often in form of a HTS (heated tobacco stick), to generate an inhalable vapour, which is preferably guided through a mouthpiece of the device or the aerosol-generating article to the user. Yet, in order to transport the generated aerosol to the user, the device requires the user’s inhalation to provide the needed airflow, which pulls the vapour into the device and the article into the mouth. Furthermore, in order to provide a convenient way for a user to load the aerosol-generating material into the aerosol- generating device and to avoid the need for the user to handle the aerosol-generating material (e.g., loose tobacco) directly, thereby reducing the likelihood of spillage and waste, conventionally aerosol-generating articles, preferably sticks, are provided. In this way, the integrity, safety and quality of the aerosol-generating material can also be assured, because it is loaded into a container of the aerosol-generating article during manufacture to form a pre- manufactured article. Correct dosing of the aerosol- generating material is also assured. Additionally, aerosol-generating devices, in particular e- cigarettes, require predetermined vaping session parameters, e.g., number of available puffs, necessary operating temperature, pre-heating time, pre-heating curve, heating- curve etc., depending on the used aerosol-generating article, in order to provide the user with an optimal inhaling experience. However, although conventional devices are used with different types of articles or consumables, the devices usually are not capable of (automatically) detecting the used or inserted article and thus require a manual setting of the vaping session parameters. This complicates the use of such devices and often leads to unsatisfactory inhaling experiences. Summary of the invention In view of the above, there is the desire to provide an aerosol-generating device or inhalation device, an aerosol- generating article, an aerosol-generating system and a computer-implemented method that are capable of increasing satisfactory of a user, in particular flavour satisfaction of the user, while remedying the drawbacks of conventional solutions. This aim may be achieved by an aerosol-generating device as defined in claim 1, an aerosol-generating article according to claim 6, an aerosol-generating system according to claim 8 and a computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article according to claim 10. Embodiments may be found in the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings. In particular, in view of the limitations discussed above, the present inventors have devised, in accordance with a first aspect herein, an aerosol-generating device, in particular a portable hand-held aerosol-generating device, comprising: a body configured to receive an aerosol- generating article, a heating element arranged for heating an aerosol-generating material of the received aerosol- generating article, and a sensor configured to determine or detect: (i) a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through a predetermined portion forming at least part of a hollow tube of the received aerosol- generating article, and/or (ii) a sound signature or sound wave generated by the received aerosol-generating article, in particular by a predetermined portion thereof, when a user takes a puff, wherein, the aerosol-generating device is configured to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article received based on an output of the sensor. Hence, an aerosol-generating device for producing an aerosol on demand is provided, capable of increasing flavour satisfaction of the user, in particular by adjusting vaping session parameters, e.g., heating temperature, to the used HTS (heated tobacco stick), consumable or type of received aerosol-generating article. In other words, after the user has inserted a specific HTS, consumable or aerosol-generating article, the provided aerosol-generating device is capable of determining the type of HTS, consumable or aerosol-generating article inserted into the device and capable of adjusting the vaping session parameters based on the determined type of HTS, consumable or aerosol-generating article. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” and “aerosolisable material” refer to material that provides volatilised components upon the application of energy (e.g., such as heating) in the form of an aerosol. In some aspects of the present invention, the aerosol-generating material may comprise a tobacco component, wherein tobacco component is any material comprising tobacco or derivatives thereof. The tobacco component may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract. Other types of aerosolisable may include leaf material, herbal material or organoleptic substances as used in aromatherapy and the like. In some aspects, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a tobacco substitute. In the context of the present invention, the term “type“ with regard to the “aerosol-generating article” is to be understood such that different aerosol-generating articles are available and provided for use with the claimed aerosol- generating article. In more detail, a variety of articles (products) or consumables providing different inhaling experiences are usually available for one and the same aerosol-generating device. These articles or consumables differ in the number of ingredients, composition of ingredients, presence of flavourings, moisturisers or vapour- forming mediums, such as propylene glycol etc. The general aerosol-generating article includes a hollow tube as a supporting element, which supports the aerosol- generating material inside of the aerosol-generating article. Such a hollow tube may be comprised by acetate, for example. Since an existing hollow tube is used as identifier, a type of the aerosol-generating article can be acquired without the need of adding parts to the existing aerosol-generating article. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the sensor may be a sound or ultra-sound sensor, in particular a sensor consisting of a transmitter-receiver pair or a transceiver. Hence, sound wave to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article cannot hear by user. It may lead to improve inhaling experience. Moreover, in some aspects of the present invention, the sensor may be configured to generate a pulse signal, in particular a sonic chirp. A sonic chirp contains a lot of frequency from low to high. Such variety of frequency may contain a specific frequency, which is especially absorbed in the predetermined portion of aerosol-generating article. Hence a type of the aerosol- generating article can be acquired in detail. In some aspects, the body may comprise a cavity for at least partially receiving the aerosol-generating article, a transmitter and a receiver forming part of the sensor and being arranged on opposing sides of the cavity, in particular in the vicinity of the predetermined portion of the received aerosol-generating article. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise: a controller configured to determine a type of the aerosol-generating article based on an output signal of the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to record the output signal(s) of the sensor thereby collecting data for subsequent processing, and the controller is further configured to apply a consumable-determination-algorithm to the collected data to determine the type of the received aerosol-generating article. Moreover, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise at least one means of feedback configured to indicate at least one of the following information: (i) type of the received/inserted aerosol-generating article, (ii) if an aerosol-generating article (200) is received/inserted or not, (iii) if the aerosol-generating article is correctly received/inserted, (iv) the device is on, (v) the vaporization chamber has reached a prescribed operating temperature, (vi) the vaporization chamber is below the prescribed operating temperature and (vii) the current temperature of the vaporization chamber. In some aspects of the present invention, the means of feedback may comprise at least one of a light-emitting diode, a liquid crystal display, a speaker and a vibrating means or vibrator. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise: an energy supply, in particular a battery, configured to power the heating element and/or the sensor and/or the controller, and/or an active user interface for receiving user input, in particular for turning on the aerosol-generating device, turning off the aerosol-generating device, changing settings of the aerosol-generating device, wherein the active user interface preferably is a push button. The present inventors have further devised, in accordance with a second aspect herein, an aerosol-generating article or consumable, in particular a heat-not-burn stick, comprising: a charge of aerosol-generating material arranged in a container, a predetermined portion, which preferably forms at least part of a hollow tube encapsulated in the container, and a recess extending, in particular in an axial direction of the article, through the predetermined portion, wherein an outer surface of the recess at least partially has a non- circular shape. Moreover, the predetermined portion, which preferably forms at least part of a hollow tube encapsulated in the container, may be provided with at least one recess, preferably two recesses, more preferably a plurality of recesses, having a cross-sectional shape forming at least one corner or edge. In some aspects, the cross-sectional shape of the at least one recess may be selected from the group comprising: a triangle, a square, a polygon, a star, a moon and a heart. Such shapes of the predetermined portion may generate a characteristic sound signature or sound wave. In this way, the type of the aerosol-generating article can be acquired in detail. Furthermore, in some aspects of the present invention, the shape or form of the cross-section of the at least one recess is defined in such a way that: (i) a predetermined change of sound occurs when a generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion (A), and/or (ii) a predetermined sound signature or sound wave is generated when a user takes a puff. In the latter case, when a user takes a puff an airflow is generated passing through the article, in particular through the predetermined portion. Thus, the airflow generated by the puff of the user passes through the predetermined portion having at least one recess with a defined cross-sectional shape and thereby generates the predetermined sound signature or sound wave. Here, the predetermined change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion and/or the generated predetermined sound signature or sound wave generated when a user takes a puff may be defined or definable by at least one characteristics of the predetermined portion (A) selected from the group comprising: a size of the at least one recess, in particular an inner diameter of the at least one recess, the number of recesses provided in the predetermined portion and the shape, in particular cross-sectional shape, of the at least on recess. Furthermore, in some aspects of the present invention the container may be air permeable, in particular may comprise an air permeable material and/or an air permeable structure, the air permeable material preferably being selected from the group of cellulose acetate, paper, metal, heat resistant plastic, activated charcoal, and a combination thereof. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the container may comprise a tubular wall made of a material selected from the group consisting of paper, metal, plastic, silica or a combination thereof. In some aspects of the present invention, the aerosol- generating article may further comprise a tobacco plug formed by the charge of aerosol-generating material, a hollow tube formed at least partially by the predetermined portion, a filter and a mouthpiece, which may be preferably arranged in this order from one end of the tubular container to the other end thereof. Moreover, the filter may comprise cellulose acetate, paper, heat resistant plastic or polymer, activated charcoal, a flavourant or a combination thereof. The present inventors have further devised, in accordance with a third aspect herein, an aerosol-generating system, comprising: an aerosol-generating article, in particular the above described aerosol-generating article, an aerosol- generating device, in particular the above described aerosol- generating device, configured to receive the aerosol- generating article, and a sensor configured to determine or detect: (i) a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through a predetermined portion of the received aerosol-generating article, and/or (ii) a sound signature or sound wave generated by the received aerosol- generating article, in particular by a predetermined portion thereof, when a user takes a puff, wherein, the system is configured to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article received by the aerosol-generating device based on an output of the sensor. According to some aspects of the present invention, the aerosol-generating system may further comprise: a controller configured to determine a type of the aerosol-generating article based on an output signal of the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to record the output signal(s) of the sensor thereby collecting data for subsequent processing, and the controller may be further configured to apply a consumable-determination-algorithm to the collected data to determine the type of the received aerosol-generating article. The present invention further provides a computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article received by an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: receiving an aerosol-generating article, in particular the aerosol-generating article according to any one of the above described aspects, by an aerosol-generating device, in particular the aerosol-generating device according to any one of the above described aspects, the aerosol- generating article containing an aerosol-generating material, generating a sound wave, in particular an ultra-sound wave, directed to a predetermined portion of the received aerosol- generating article, detecting a change of sound occurring when the generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion, and determining the type of the aerosol-generating article received based on the detected change of sound. Hence, sound wave to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article cannot hear by user. It may lead to an improved inhaling experience. The present invention further provides a computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article received by an aerosol-generating device, the method comprising: receiving an aerosol-generating article, in particular the aerosol-generating article according to any one of the above described aspects, by an aerosol-generating device, in particular the aerosol-generating device according to any one of the above described aspects, the aerosol- generating article containing an aerosol-generating material, generating an airflow through a predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article by initiating a puff by a user, detecting a sound signature or sound wave generated by the air flowing through the predetermined portion, and determining the type of the aerosol-generating article received based on the detected sound signature or sound wave. According to a further aspect of the present invention, wherein the detection may be performed by a sensor, in particular a sound or ultra-sound sensor, which preferably consists of a transmitter-receiver pair or a transceiver, and the sensor is preferably configured to generate a pulse signal, in particular a sonic chirp. Moreover, in some aspects of the present invention, the computer-implemented method may further comprise: recording the detected change of sound, sound signature and/or sound wave, thereby collecting data for subsequent processing, and applying a consumable-determination-algorithm to the collected date to determine the type of the received aerosol- generating article. In some aspects of the present invention, the consumable- determination-algorithm may be trained on: different changes of sound occurring when a predetermined or same sound wave travels or passes through a predetermined portion of different types of aerosol-generating articles, and/or different sound signatures or sound waves generated by a predetermined or same airflow flowing through a predetermined portion of different types of aerosol-generating articles, wherein preferably the different sound signatures or sound waves may be additionally trained by different airflows generated by the puffing of a plurality of users. Furthermore, in some aspects of the present invention, the consumable-determination-algorithm may be further trained on: ambient temperature, environmental pressure, humidity and characteristics of the user’s inhaling habits, such as heavy or deep draw (puff). In some aspects of the present invention, the consumable- determination-algorithm also considers meta data when determining the type of received aerosol-generating article, where the meta data may be selected from the group comprising: age of the user, gender of the user and type of the aerosol-generating device. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the computer-implemented method may further comprise: determining aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters based on the determined type of aerosol-generating article received, where the aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters are selected from the group comprising: number of available puffs, operating temperature, pre-heating time, pre-heating curve and heating-curve. Hence, inhaling experiences may be improved by optimised aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters. In some aspects of the present invention, the type of aerosol-generating article received may be determined before a first puff of the user, when using the change of sound, and/or during a first puff of the user, when using the sound signature or sound wave generated by the airflow traveling through the predetermined portion when a user takes a puff, and the aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters may be determined or adapted before a first puff or a second puff, respectively, are allowed. When the type of aerosol-generating article is determined before the first puff, a user may feel satisfied inhaling experiences from the first puff. Preferably, the type of aerosol-generating article is determined during pre-heating process of the aerosol-generating article. On the other hand, when the type of aerosol-generating article is determined during the first puff or before the second puff, user do not need to wait inhalation until the type of aerosol-generating article is determined. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the consumable-determination-algorithm may be a machine-learning algorithm. Furthermore, in the computer-implemented method according to any one of the above aspects, (i) the different changes of sound occurring when the generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion (A) may be generated by different sizes, cross-sectional shapes or inner diameters of at least one recess provided in the predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article and/or different numbers of recesses provided in the predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article, and/or (ii) the different sound signatures or sound waves generated when a user takes a puff may be generated by different shapes, in particular cross- sectional shapes, of the at least one recess of the predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article. The computer-implemented method may further comprise a puff detection step, in which an airflow through the device, consumable or article, in particular through the predetermined portion of the aerosol-generating article, is detected, in particular by a puff sensor. The airflow through the device, consumable or article, in particular through the predetermined portion, is preferably determined by detecting a pressure drop in the device, consumable or article, in particular in the predetermined portion, when a user takes a puff. According to some aspects of the present invention, the step of detecting the sound signature or sound wave generated by the air flowing through the predetermined portion is only performed after a puff of a user has been detected or determined. The present invention further provides a controller of an aerosol-generating device for acquiring a type of aerosol- generating article or consumable received by the aerosol- generating device having a control unit and means adapted to execute the steps of the computer-implemented method according to any one of the above-described aspects. The present invention further provides a computer program comprising instructions to cause a controller, in particular the above-described controller, to execute the steps of the computer-implemented method according to any one of the above-described aspects. Moreover, a further aspect of the present invention is directed to a computer-readable medium having stored thereon the above-described computer program. The use of the aerosol-generating system for generating an inhalable aerosol is using the aerosol-generating device and/or the aerosol-generating article of the present invention. Therefore, the further features disclosed in connection with the above description of the aerosol- generating device and the aerosol-generating article may also be applied to the aerosol-generating system and vice-versa. The same applies to the computer-implemented method, the controller and the computer program. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an aerosol-generating article in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an aerosol- generating system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic logical view of an aerosol- generating device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a sensor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a consumable or aerosol-generating article according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of an aerosol- generating system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 shows schematic perspective views of aerosol- generating articles in accordance with several different embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the field of aerosol-generating devices from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Features of the embodiments described below can also be used to further characterize the device defined in the claims. Modifications of features can be combined to form further embodiments. Features described in individual embodiments can be provided in a single embodiment if they are not incompatible. Likewise, features described in a single embodiment can be provided in several embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The same reference numerals listed in different drawings refer to identical, corresponding or functionally similar elements. Moreover, where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or any claims are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the drawings, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. As described hereinafter, example implementations of the present invention relate to an aerosol-generating device or inhalation device. Electronic inhaling devices or aerosol- generating devices according to the present invention use electrical energy to generate an inhalable substance or vapour, in particular liquid drops, (preferably without combusting the material to any significant degree and/or without significant chemical alteration of the material); and components of such device have the form of articles that most preferably are sufficiently compact to be considered hand- held devices. That is, use of components of preferred aerosol-generating devices does not result in the production of smoke in the sense that aerosol results principally from by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of those devices preferably results in the production of vapours resulting from volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporated therein. In some example implementations, components of electronic inhaling devices or aerosol-generating devices may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and those electronic cigarettes preferably incorporate aerosolisable liquid (e.g. propylene glycol, polyhydric alcohol), tobacco and/or tobacco materials derived at least partially from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derived components in aerosol or vapour form to a user. In more detail, electronic smoking devices or aerosol-generating devices within the meaning of the present invention may transport the volatilized particles in an airflow through the aerosol-generating device to a user of the device, the user of the device being able to activate or deactivate the generation of aerosol and to control the duration, velocity and volume of the airflow by means of puffing or inhaling action. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The shown aerosol-generating device 100 comprises a slider 136 having a first position, where no consumable or aerosol-generating article 200 can be inserted, and a second position, where a consumable or aerosol-generating article 200 can be inserted (as shown in Fig. 2). In Figure 1, it can be appreciated that the central LED display 130, provided in the middle of the body 101 (housing or casing) for intuitive user feedback, is off. In contrast, in Figure 2 the LEDs show the status of the heat-up process, which is about halfway. According to a preferred embodiment, the starting of the heat-up phase is triggered by pressing the button 131 for about one second, and the heat-up progresses for about 20 seconds until reaching a ready-to- vape status for the consumable or aerosol-generating article 200, whereby the LEDs of the LED display 130 are fully lit and/or a vibration feedback is provided to the user. Alternatively, the starting of the heat-up phase is triggered by insertion of the aerosol-generating article 200. Then, the vaping time is controlled e.g. during a predetermined time, typically between 3 minutes and 5 minutes. During this time period, the temperature of the heating element 102 inside the body 101 (not illustrated on these Figures, but shown on the next Fig. 3) is controlled and the size of the LED bar lit on the display 130 is continuously reduced. Alternatively, the size of the LED bar lit on the display 130 may be continuously increased. Then, after this vaping time has lapsed, the heating element 102 is switched off also for a predetermined amount of time, typically 20 seconds, during which the remaining LEDs are blinking. After these final 20 seconds, the end of the vaping cycle is preferably acknowledged by a long vibration feedback, indicating that a sleep mode is reached again for the aerosol-generating device and that a new vaping cycle may only be generated by pressing the button 131 again. Alternatively, a new vaping cycle may be generated by both of removing used aerosol-generating article 200 and inserting of unused aerosol-generating article 200. To summarize, the aerosol-generating device 100 according to the present embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprises an cavity or opening 137 in which a consumable or aerosol-generating article, in particular a HTS (heated tobacco stick), is to be inserted, whereby this cavity or opening 137 can be covered by a slider 136, defining an operational status for the aerosol-generating device 100 (switched-off in the first closed position; shown in Fig. 1, and switched-on in the second open position; shown in Fig. 2). Then, in the switched-on state, the aerosol- generating device 100 can be turned on by pressing the button 131, preferably through a push & hold movement of about 1.5 second, which will result in a change from a so- called sleep mode to a so-called active mode, where the heating element 102 can be activated and temperature control also becomes available. In the sleep mode, the LED display 130 can be used to show battery levels, while in the active mode, the LED bar shown by the LED display 130 can indicate the heating level and the vaping time available. Alternatively, the LED bar shown by the LED display 130 can temporarily indicate the battery level triggered by predetermined manipulation onto the button 131 in the active mode. A charging connection (not shown) preferably consists of a USB connection; connecting a cable when the aerosol- generating device 100 is turned on would immediately result in a deactivation and switching back to the sleep mode again for charging, irrespective of whether this has been done during heat-up or vaping. The aerosol-generating device 100 and aerosol-generating article 200 shown in Figure 2 form together an aerosol-generating system 300. Additionally, or alternatively, a charging connection may be wireless manner. Figure 3 shows a schematic logical view of an aerosol- generating device 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the shown embodiment, the aerosol- generating article 200 or consumable in the form of a HTS (heated tobacco stick) is inserted into the cavity 137 arranged at the top extremity of the body 101. For the sake of readiness of the Figure 3, the slider 136 has been omitted, but it can be appreciated that the depicted aerosol- generating device 100 is shown in the second position of the slider 136, i.e. in which it is switched-on, and the body 101 is turned upside down (180 degrees) with respect to the upright position. The HTS 200 is heated by a heating element 102 formed as a heating chamber or a heating tube, which is closed by a bottom plate not involved in the heating process but acting as a stop for the HTS 200 inserted therein; air is drawn through the HTS 200 and vapor is generated by the heat vaporizing of the constituents of the HTS 200 and the vapor entrained during puffing. The heating element 102 may include resistive heating element and/or inductive heating element. The temperature of the vapor is controlled by controlling the temperature of the heating element 102 by using a temperature sensor 132 such as e.g. a thermistor, a thermocouple or a thermopile, and the vaporization is regulated by regulating the power supplied to the heating element 102 by using a heating controller 120 employing a PID control with temperature feedback. The heating controller 120 can be implemented in form of an MCU. The energy supply unit 133 is preferably a rechargeable power unit that can be connected to the sector through the charging connection 134, typically a USB plug. The energy supply unit 133 can be implemented in form of a secondary battery (e.g., lithium-ion secondary battery) and/or capacitor. This energy supply unit 133 is connected to the temperature sensor 132 and the heating controller (controller) 120, and can be activated for starting a vaping session through a first active user interface, such as preferably a push button 131. Indeed, pressing the push button 131 down for a predetermined amount of time allows to turn the aerosol-generating device 100 on and to pass from a sleep mode to an active mode where the heating element 102 is switched on. The energy supply unit 133 is also connected to a second passive user interface (means of feedback), preferably made of a LED display 130 indicating the battery level in the sleep mode, and the heating level or remaining vaping time in the active mode i.e. during a vaping cycle. This display is preferably combined with a vibrator 135 indicating key state change information to the user, such as when the aerosol-generating device is just turned on, then when the HTS 200 becomes ready to vape, and giving a warning later on when the vaping cycle is about to finish and eventually providing a final feedback when a vaping cycle has ended. The shown aerosol-generating device 100 further comprises a sensor 110 configured to detect a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave, in particular a sonic chirp or an ultra-sound wave, travels through a predetermined portion A of the received HTS 200. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor 110 may be configured to detect a sound signature or sound wave generated by the received HTS 200, in particular by an airflow generated by the puff of a user and passing through the predetermined portion A. Based on the detected change of sound, sound signature or sound wave, the aerosol-generating device, in particular the controller 200, is configure to acquire or determine a type of the HTS 200 received by the device 100. For this purpose, the sensor 110 according to the present embodiment comprises a transmitter 111a and a receiver 111b, which are provided on opposite sides of the cavity 137 configured to receive the HTS 200. The transmitter 111a and the reiver 111b do not necessarily need to be provided on opposing sides of the cavity 137, they also can be provided in an angle below 180 degrees to each other, as long as the receiver 111b can receive an echo of the sound wave, in particular sonic chirp, transmitted by the transmitter 111a, after it passed through the predetermined portion A of the HTS 200. Hence, as shown in Figure 3, the sensor 110 is provided at a position within the aerosol- generating device 100 that assures that the transmitted sound wave, in particular sonic chirp, travels through the predetermined portion A of the HTS 200, in particular when the HTS 200 is correctly inserted into the device 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 120 may control supply of power to, and receive and process signals from any sensors or I/O units (e.g. push button 131) included in the aerosol-generating device 100 and control operation of the aerosol-generating device 100 based on the received signals. The controller 120 may comprise one or more processing units or modules (e.g. a central processing unit (CPU) such as a microprocessor, or a suitably programmed field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 120 may be provided with any memory sections (not shown) necessary to perform its function of controlling operation of the aerosol-generating device 100. Such memory sections may be provided as part of (comprised in) the controller 120 (e.g. integrally formed or provided on the same chip) or provided separately, but electrically connected to the controller 120. By way of example, the memory sections may comprise both volatile and non-volatile memory resources, including, for example, a working memory (e.g. a random access memory). In addition, the memory sections may include an instruction store (e.g. a ROM in the form of an electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or flash memory) storing a computer program comprising computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the controller 120, cause the controller 120 to perform various functions described herein. The computer program comprising the computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the controller 120, cause the controller 120 to perform various functions described herein may, for example, be a software or a firmware program. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller may apply a consumable-determination-algorithm to collected data (data received from sensor 110) to determine the type of the received HTS 200. Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a sensor 110 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As in the example of Fig. 3, the shown sensor 110 comprises a transmitter 111a and a receiver 111b. However, in the present embodiment, both sensor elements 111a, 111b are arranged in close proximity to each other, in particular with an angle of less than 45 degrees to each other. The transmitter 111a sends or emits a sonic chirp towards the HTS 200, in particular the predetermined portion A thereof, that is received by the receiver 111b after being reflected or transmitted by the HTS 200. Thus, by at least partially traveling through the HTS 200 or being reflected or transmitted by the HTS 200, the emitted sonic chirp will be altered. Based on the way how the emitted signal is altered or based on the received echo, the device 100, in particular the controller 120, is capable of determined a type of the HTS 200 received. Figure 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a consumable or aerosol-generating article 200, in particular HTS, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the aerosol-generating article in form of a HTS 200 includes a charge of aerosol-generating material 201, which is provided in form of a tobacco plug 204. Additionally, or alternatively, the HTS 200 comprises a filter 205, in particular a polymer-film filter. Between the aerosol- generating material 201 and the filter 205 is preferably provided a hollow tube 203, forming at least part of the predetermined portion A. The hollow tube 203 functions as a supporting element, which supports the aerosol-generating material 201 inside of the aerosol-generating article 200. The hollow tube 203 may be comprised by acetate, hemp fibre, flax fibre, abaca fibre or pulp, sisal fibre or pulp, wood pulp or cotton fibre or cotton flock. The HTS 200 shown in Figure 5 comprises one recess 210, which is provided concentrical with a center axis of the HTS 200. Additionally, or alternatively, the HTS 200 may also comprise a mouthpiece 206 and/or a wrapping paper forming a container 202 encapsulating the aerosol-generating material, the hollow tube 203, the filter 205 and the mouthpiece 206. Additionally, the HTS 200 may comprise a tipping paper wrapping the mouthpiece 206 and at least partially the filter 205. Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional view of an aerosol- generating system 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As explained above, the aerosol- generating system 300 comprises an aerosol-generating device 100 and an aerosol-generating article 200, wherein the aerosol-generating device 100 is configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 200 in a respective cavity (not shown). The aerosol-generating system 300 may, as in the present example embodiment, further comprise a sensor 110 including a receiver 111b configured to detect sound signatures or sound waves, in particular sound signatures or sound waves generated by an airflow passing through the aerosol-generating article, in particular the predetermined portion A thereof, when a user takes a puff. In detail, when a user takes a puff, an airflow is generated flowing from the aerosol-generating material 201 through the hollow tube 203 towards the mouthpiece 206, where the user can inhale the generated vapour transported in or by the airflow. By flowing through the hollow tube 203, in particular the recess 210 provided in the tube 203, the airflow generates a sound signature or sound wave as indicated by the arrow, which can be detected by the receiver 111b. The sensor 110, in particular the receiver 111b outputs a respective signal to the controller 120, which applies a consumable-determination- algorithm to the signal, preferably a number of signals (collected data) and thereby determines the type of HTS 200 received. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 120 may be configured to determine the type of aerosol-generating article 200 received before a first puff of the user. In order to be able to do so, the sensor 111 will be triggered to send a sound wave that travels through the predetermined portion A of the aerosol-generating article 200, is altered by the shape of the recess 210 and then detected or received by the reiceiver°111b, which outputs a respective signal to the controller°120, which as described above, applies a consumable-determination algorithm to the signal, preferably a number of signals and thereby determines the type of HTS 200 received. Once, the controller 120 determined the type of HTS inserted or used, the controller 120 is configured to adapt the vaping session parameters in accordance with the determined HTS. After adapting the vaping session parameters, such as number of available puffs, necessary operating temperature, pre-heating time, pre-heating curve, heating- curve etc., the controller°120 may indicate to the user that the device is ready for puffing and permit a first puff. Just by way of example, the control 120°may be configured to conduct the above-described steps for acquiring the type of HTS received during pre-heating of the aerosol-generating article. In this way, the user can experience a satisfactory inhalation from the first puff. On the other hand, if the controller°120 is configured to determine the type of HTS 200 received by the device°100 based on the sound signature or sound wave generated by the airflow flowing through the hollow tube 203 when the user takes a puff, it is necessary to allow the user to take at least one initial puff. Thus, the controller°120 may be configured to permit at least one puff and to determine the type of HTS°200 inserted into the device°100 based on the sound signature or sound wave generated during this at least one puff. After the controller°120 determined the HTS°200 inserted, the controller°120 adapts the vaping session parameters in accordance with the determined HTS°200 and permits the user to continue puffing. Yet, acquiring the type of HTS°200 inserted and adapting the vaping session parameters will be done incidentally, hence, the user will be able to take his/her next puff immediately after the at least first puff. In this way, the user can start puffing before the type of aerosol-generating article is determined. As shown in Figure 7, which illustrates schematic perspective views of aerosol-generating articles 200 in accordance with several different embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol-generating article 200 or consumable, in particular the HTS, may be provided with one or more recesses 210 having predetermined shapes. By way of example, the at least one recess 210 of the aerosol-generating article 200 may have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a triangle, a square, a polygon, a star, a moon or a heart. Other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable, as long as an outer surface of the recess at least partially has a non-circular shape forming preferably at least one corner or edge. Although detailed embodiments have been described, they only serve to provide a better understanding of the invention defined by the independent claims, and are not to be seen as limiting. REFERENCE LIST 100 Aerosol-generating device 101 Body (case) 102 Heating element 110 Sensor 111 Transmitter-receiver pair 111a Transmitter 111b Receiver 120 Controller 130 Means of feedback (LED display) 131 Push botton 132 Temperature sensor 133 Energy supply 134 Charging connection (USB plug) 135 Vibration means 136 Slider 137 Cavity 200 Aerosol-generating article (consumable) 201 Aerosol-generating material 202 Container (wrapping paper) 203 Hollow tube 204 Tobacco plug 205 Filter 206 Mouthpiece 207 Tipping paper 210 Recess A Predetermined portion 300 Aerosol-generating system

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An aerosol-generating device (100), comprising: a body (101) configured to receive an aerosol-generating article (200), a heating element (102) arranged for heating an aerosol- generating material (201) of the aerosol-generating article (200), and a sensor (110) configured to determine or detect: (i) a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through a predetermined portion (A) forming at least part of a hollow tube of the aerosol- generating article (200), and/or (ii) a sound signature or sound wave generated by the aerosol-generating article (200), in particular by a predetermined portion (A) thereof, when a user takes a puff, wherein, the aerosol-generating device (100) is configured to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article (200) received based on an output of the sensor (110).

2. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (110) is a ultra-sound sensor, in particular a sensor consisting of a transmitter-receiver pair (111) or a transceiver.

3. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensor (110) is configured to generate a pulse signal, in particular a sonic chirp.

4. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body (101) comprises a cavity (137) for at least partially receiving the aerosol-generating article, a transmitter (111a) and a receiver (111b) forming part of the sensor (110) and being arranged on opposing sides of the cavity, in particular in the vicinity of the predetermined portion (A) of the aerosol-generating article (200).

5. The aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a controller (120) configured to determine a type of the aerosol-generating article (200) based on an output signal of the sensor (110), wherein the controller (120) is configured to record the output signal(s) of the sensor (110) thereby collecting data for subsequent processing, and the controller (120) is further configured to apply a consumable-determination-algorithm to the collected data to determine the type of the received aerosol-generating article (200).

6. An aerosol-generating article (200), in particular a heat-not-burn stick, comprising: a charge of aerosol-generating material (201) arranged in a container (202), a predetermined portion (A), which preferably forms at least part of a hollow tube (203) encapsulated in the container (202), and a recess (210) extending through the predetermined portion (A), wherein an outer surface of the recess (210) at least partially has a non-circular shape.

7. The aerosol-generating article (200) according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined portion (A) preferably forming at least part of a hollow tube (203) encapsulated in the container (202) is provided with at least one recess (210) having a cross-sectional shape forming at least one corner or edge, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the at least one recess (210) preferably is selected from the group comprising: a triangle, a square, a polygon, a star, a moon and a heart.

8. An aerosol-generating system (300), comprising: an aerosol-generating article (200) according to claim 6 or 7, an aerosol-generating device (100), in particular the aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, configured to receive the aerosol-generating article (200), and a sensor (110) configured to determine: (i) a change of sound occurring when a generated sound wave travels through a predetermined portion of the aerosol- generating article (200), and/or (ii) a sound signature or sound wave generated by the aerosol-generating article (200), in particular by a predetermined portion thereof, when a user takes a puff, wherein, the system (300) is configured to acquire a type of the aerosol-generating article (200) received by the aerosol-generating device (100) based on an output of the sensor (110).

9. The aerosol-generating system (300) according to claim 8, further comprising: a controller (120) configured to determine a type of the aerosol-generating article (200) based on an output signal of the sensor (110), wherein the controller (120) is configured to record the output signal(s) of the sensor (110) thereby collecting data for subsequent processing, and the controller (120) is further configured to apply a consumable-determination-algorithm to the collected data to determine the type of the received aerosol-generating article (200).

10. A computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article (200) received by an aerosol- generating device (100), the method comprising: receiving an aerosol-generating article (200), in particular the aerosol-generating article (200) according to claim 6 or 7, by an aerosol-generating device (100), in particular the aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the aerosol-generating article (200) containing an aerosol-generating material, generating a sound wave, in particular an ultra-sound wave, directed to a predetermined portion (A) of the aerosol- generating article (200), detecting a change of sound occurring when the generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion (A), and determining the type of the aerosol-generating article (200) received based on the detected change of sound.

11. A computer-implemented method of acquiring a type of aerosol-generating article (200) received by an aerosol- generating device (100), the method comprising: receiving an aerosol-generating article (200), in particular the aerosol-generating article (200) according to claim 6 or 7, by an aerosol-generating device (100), in particular the aerosol-generating device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the aerosol-generating article (200) containing an aerosol-generating material, generating an airflow through a predetermined portion (A) of the aerosol-generating article (200) by initiating a puff by a user, detecting a sound signature or sound wave generated by the air flowing through the predetermined portion (A), and determining the type of the aerosol-generating article (200) received based on the detected sound signature or sound wave.

12. The computer-implemented method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising: determining aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters based on the determined type of aerosol-generating article (200) received, where the aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters are preferably selected from the group comprising: number of available puffs, operating temperature, pre-heating time, pre-heating curve and heating-curve.

13. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the type of aerosol-generating article (200) received is determined before a first puff when using the change of sound and/or during a first puff when using the sound signature or sound wave, and the aerosol-generating or vaping session parameters are preferably determined or adapted before a first puff or a second puff, respectively, are allowed.

14. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein (i) the different changes of sound occurring when the generated sound wave travels through the predetermined portion (A) are generated by different sizes, cross-sectional shapes or inner diameters of at least one recess (210) of the predetermined portion (A) and/or different numbers of recesses (210) provided in the predetermined portion (A), and/or (ii) the different sound signatures or sound waves generated when a user takes a puff are generated by different shapes, in particular cross-sectional shapes, of the at least one recess (210) of the predetermined portion (A).