Reservoir for refilling article of aerosol supply system

Abstract

A reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, comprising: a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol-generating material; and a movable member located within the reservoir body. The movable member is configured to move within the reservoir body when the aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir. The movable member cooperates with the inner surface of the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol-generating material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservoir for a product for refilling an aerosol delivery system. Background Art

[0002] Electronic aerosol supply systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) typically include an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation (typically containing nicotine) or a solid material (such as a tobacco-based product), from which an aerosol-generating material is generated, for example, by thermal vaporization, for inhalation by a user. Therefore, an aerosol supply system typically includes an aerosol generator (e.g., a heating element) that is arranged to aerosolize a portion of the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol-generating region of an air passage through the aerosol supply system. When a user inhales on the device and power is supplied to the aerosol generator, air is inhaled into the device through one or more inlet holes and along an air passage leading to an aerosol-generating region, where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosol generator and forms a condensed aerosol. The air inhaled through the aerosol-generating region continues to flow along the air passage to the mouthpiece, and carries some aerosol, flowing out through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

[0003] Aerosol supply systems typically include modular components that typically have two main functional parts, namely an aerosol supply device and an article. Typically, the article includes consumable aerosol generating materials and an aerosol generator (heating element), while the aerosol supply device portion includes longer-life items such as rechargeable batteries, device control circuits, and user interface features. The aerosol supply device may also be referred to as a reusable portion or battery section, and the article may also be referred to as a consumable, disposable / replaceable portion, a cartridge, or an atomizer cartridge.

[0004] The aerosol supply device and the article are mechanically connected together at the joint for use, for example using threads, bayonet, latch or friction fitting fixtures. When the aerosol generating material in the article is exhausted or the user wishes to switch to a different article with a different aerosol generating material, the article can be removed from the aerosol supply device and the replacement article can be attached in place to the device. Alternatively, some articles are configured so that after the aerosol generating material in the article is exhausted, the article can be refilled with additional aerosol generating material, thereby allowing the article to be reused. In this example, the user is able to refill the article using a separate aerosol generating material reservoir. The aerosol generating material used to refill the article can be the same or different from the previous aerosol generating material in the article, allowing the user to replace different aerosol generating materials without purchasing a new article.

[0005] Refilling an article with an aerosol-generating material enables the article to be used with an aerosol-generating material that was not present in the article when the article was manufactured and sold. This enables the article to be refilled with different types of aerosol-generating materials, but may result in misuse or abuse of the article as it is more difficult to ensure that the article is refilled with the appropriate aerosol-generating material. Refilling the article with an aerosol-generating material that is not intended for use with the particular article or is unsuitable for the article may cause damage to the article and / or injury to the user.

[0006] The various approaches described herein are intended to help solve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure is defined in the appended claims.

[0008] According to some embodiments described herein, a reservoir for an article for refilling an aerosol supply system is provided, comprising: a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol generating material; and a movable component located within the reservoir body. The movable component is configured to move within the reservoir body when the aerosol generating material is transferred from the reservoir. The movable component cooperates with an inner surface of the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol generating material.

[0009] The reservoir may include a reservoir outlet through which aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir. The seal and the stop may be configured to move toward the reservoir outlet when the aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir, and the reservoir body includes an opening at a side of the reservoir body opposite the reservoir outlet. The reservoir body may include a neck configured to engage with a refill device, and the reservoir outlet is located at the neck.

[0010] The inner surface of the reservoir body may include ridges configured to engage with the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material. The ridges may extend around the periphery of the inner surface of the reservoir body. The inner surface of the reservoir body may include a plurality of ridges distributed circumferentially around the periphery of the inner surface of the reservoir body. The movable component may include one or more flanges at one end of the movable component that extend radially outward and are configured to engage with the ridges when the movable component has moved past the ridges to prevent the movable component from moving back past the ridges.

[0011] The movable component may include an O-ring configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the reservoir body. The movable component may also include a stopper, wherein the stopper is configured to move within the reservoir body in a manner separate from the O-ring to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

[0012] The reservoir body may include a neck configured to engage with the refill device, and the ridge may be located at the neck. The movable member may include a neck configured to fit inside the neck of the reservoir body, and the neck of the movable member may include a gripping portion extending radially outward and configured to engage with the ridge when the neck of the movable member has moved past the ridge to prevent the movable member from moving back past the ridge.

[0013] The movable part may include a seal and a stopper, the seal including an opening, the neck of the movable part being located on the stopper, and the neck of the movable part being able to pass through the opening in the seal.

[0014] The movable component may include a seal and a stopper, the seal may include a neck configured to fit within a neck of the reservoir body, and the neck of the seal may include a groove extending radially inward from the neck of the seal and configured such that a ridge fits within the groove to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

[0015] The movable component may include a seal and a stopper, the seal may be configured to cooperate with the inner surface of the reservoir body, and the stopper may be configured to move within the reservoir body separately from the seal to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material. A portion of the stopper may taper inwardly relative to the inner surface of the reservoir body, and the stopper may be moved separately from the seal due to an offset of a central portion of the seal. The seal is annular in shape and includes an opening at the center of the seal, a portion of the stopper may pass through the opening in the seal, and a radially outer portion of the seal may engage with a radially outer portion of the inner surface.

[0016] These and other aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description.In this regard, certain parts of this specification should not be read separately from other parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the aerosol supply system;

[0019] Figure 2 is used in Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary article for use in an aerosol delivery system shown in;

[0020] Figure 3 Is for refilling Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an exemplary refill device and reservoir of the article shown in;

[0021] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system;

[0022] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system;

[0023] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system;

[0024] 7A to 7C is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system;

[0025] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system;

[0026] 9A to 9E is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol supply system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Various aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented, and for the sake of brevity, these aspects and features are not discussed / described in detail. Therefore, it should be understood that aspects and features of the articles and systems discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing these aspects and features.

[0028] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol supply system, which may also be referred to as an aerosol supply system such as an electronic cigarette. Throughout the following description, the term "electronic cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it should be understood that this term can be used interchangeably with aerosol supply system and electronic aerosol supply system.

[0029] As mentioned above, an aerosol supply system (electronic cigarette) typically includes a modular assembly that includes both a reusable portion (aerosol supply device) and a replaceable (disposable) or refillable cartridge portion. Systems that conform to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece systems or devices. Electronic cigarettes also typically have a generally elongated shape. To provide specific examples, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may include such a generally elongated two-piece system using a refillable cartridge. However, it should be understood that the basic principles described herein may be equally applicable to other electronic cigarette constructions, such as modular systems including more than two parts and devices that match other overall shapes, such as high-performance devices based on so-called box-shaped models that typically have a box shape.

[0030] As described above, the present disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, refill devices for articles used in aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

[0031] Figure 1 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale) of an exemplary aerosol supply system 10 (such as an electronic cigarette) to which various embodiments are applicable. The aerosol supply system 10 has a generally cylindrical shape, extends along a longitudinal axis or y-axis as shown (although various aspects of the present invention are applicable to electronic cigarettes configured in other shapes and arrangements), and includes two main components, namely an aerosol supply device 20 and an article 30.

[0032] The aerosol supply device 20 and the article 30 each include a joint 22, 24, so that the aerosol supply device 20 and the article 30 are mechanically connected for use. As described above, the joint may include a thread, a bayonet, a latch, or a friction fit fastener, wherein the joint 24 on the aerosol supply device 20 and the joint 24 on the article 30 each include complementary fittings or fasteners to enable the aerosol supply device 20 and the article 30.

[0033] The article 30 includes or consists of an aerosol generating material 32, some or all of which is intended to be consumed by a user during use. The article 30 may include one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage region 39, an aerosol generating material transfer component 37, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece 35, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0034] The article 30 may also include an aerosol generator 36, such as a heating element, which emits heat when used to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material 32. For example, the aerosol generator 36 may include a combustible material, a material that can be heated by electrical conduction, or a receptor. It should be noted that the aerosol generator 36 may be part of the aerosol supply device 20, and then the article 30 may include an aerosol generating material storage area 39 for the aerosol generating material 32, so that when the article 30 is connected to the aerosol supply device 20 via the joints 22, 24, the aerosol generating material 32 can be transferred to the aerosol generator 36 in the aerosol supply device 20.

[0035] Aerosol generating material is a material that can generate an aerosol when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way, for example. Aerosol generating material 32 can be, for example, in solid, liquid or gel form, which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings. In some embodiments, aerosol generating material 32 may include "amorphous solids", which may alternatively be referred to as "integral solids" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, amorphous solids may be dry gels. Amorphous solids are solid materials that can retain some fluid (e.g., liquid) inside them. In some embodiments, aerosol generating material 32 may, for example, include from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% amorphous solids to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% amorphous solids.

[0036] Aerosol generating materials include one or more components (such as one or more active substances and / or flavoring agents), one or more aerosol former materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials (such as pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers and / or antioxidants).

[0037] Active substances as used herein can be physiologically active materials, which are materials intended to achieve or enhance physiological responses. Active substances can be, for example, selected from nutrients, nootropics, psychoactive substances. Active substances can be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. Active substances can include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, caffeine, vitamins (such as B6 or B12 or C), melatonin, or components, derivatives or combinations thereof. Active substances can include one or more components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other plants.

[0038] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0039] The aerosol supply device 20 includes a power source 14 (such as a battery) configured to supply power to the aerosol generator 36. In this example, the power source 14 is rechargeable and can be of a conventional type, such as that commonly used in electronic cigarettes and other applications that require supplying relatively high currents in relatively short periods of time. The battery 14 can be recharged through a charging port (not shown), which can include a USB connector, for example.

[0040] The aerosol delivery device 20 includes a device control circuit 28, which is configured to control the operation of the aerosol delivery system 10 and provide conventional operating functions that conform to established techniques for controlling aerosol delivery systems (such as electronic cigarettes). The device control circuit (processor circuit) 28 can be viewed as logically including a variety of sub-units / circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, according to the functions provided in different implementations, the device control circuit 28 may include a power supply control circuit for controlling the power supply from the power supply 14 to the aerosol generator 36, a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (such as user-defined power settings) in response to user input, and other functional units / circuits related to the functions according to the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of the electronic cigarette. It should be understood that the functions of the device control circuit 28 can be provided in a variety of different ways, such as using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured dedicated integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chip sets configured to provide the required functions.

[0041] The aerosol supply device 20 includes one or more air inlets 21. In use, when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35, air passes through the air inlet 21 and is inhaled into the aerosol supply device 20 along the air passage 23 leading to the aerosol generator 36, where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosol-generating material 32 and forms a condensed aerosol. The inhaled air passes through the aerosol generator 36 and continues to flow along the air passage 23 to the mouthpiece 35, carrying some aerosol, and flows out through the mouthpiece 35 for inhalation by the user. Alternatively, one or more air inlets 21 may be included on the article 30 so that the air passage 23 is completely contained within the article 30.

[0042] As a specific example, the article 30 includes: a shell (e.g., made of a plastic material); an aerosol-generating material storage area 39 formed within the shell for containing an aerosol-generating material 32 (in this example, it may be a liquid containing or not containing nicotine); an aerosol-generating material transfer member 37 (in this example, it is a core made of, for example, glass or cotton fiber or ceramic material and configured to transfer liquid from the reservoir using capillary action); an aerosol-generating region, including an aerosol generator 36; and a mouthpiece 35. Although not shown, a filter and / or an aerosol modifier (such as a flavor-imparting material) may be located in or near the mouthpiece 35. The aerosol generator 36 in this example includes a heater element made of a resistive material (such as NiCr8020) spirally wound around the aerosol-generating material transfer member 37 and located in the air passage 23. The area around the combination of the heating element and the core is the aerosol-generating region of the article 30.

[0043] Figure 2 is used in Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary article 30 for use in an aerosol supply system 10 is shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the same reference numerals are used to represent the Figure 1 The product 30 shown in Figure 2 Similar elements between the article 30 shown in FIG. and Figure 1 The same as the product 30 shown in FIG. Figure 2 The article 30 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an aerosol generating material storage region 39 for storing an aerosol generating material 32 , an aerosol generating material transfer component 37 , an aerosol generating region including an aerosol generator 36 , and a mouthpiece 35 .

[0044] Figure 2 The article 30 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to be refillable and reusable. In other words, Figure 2 After some or all of the aerosol-generating material 32 contained in the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30 shown in the figure is used up or exhausted, the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 can be refilled with the aerosol-generating material 32. In order to facilitate the refilling or replenishment of the aerosol-generating material 32, the article 30 has a refill tube 33 that extends between the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 and the outside or outer surface of the shell of the article 30, thereby forming a refill orifice 34. The aerosol-generating material 32 can then be injected into the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 via the refill orifice 34 and the refill tube 33. However, it should be understood that such a configuration of the refill tube 33 and the refill orifice 34 is not required, and the article 30 may include any other suitable means of facilitating the refilling of the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 with the aerosol-generating material 32.

[0045] The refill orifice 34 and / or the refill tube 33 may be sealable, for example using a cap, a one-way valve or a diaphragm valve, so as to ensure that the aerosol generating material 32 does not leak out of the refill orifice 34. In other words, the refill orifice 34 may include a cap, a one-way valve or a diaphragm valve. Figure 2 30 is shown as being located on the same end or surface 310 of the article 30 as the joint 22 of the air passage 23 and the aerosol supply device 20, but this is not required. The refill orifice 34 may be located at the end 320 of the article 30 including the mouthpiece 35, for example positioned near the outlet of the air passage 23 on the mouthpiece 35, so that the refill tube 33 extends between the end 320 of the article 30 including the mouthpiece 35 and the aerosol generating material storage area 39. In this case, since the refill orifice 34 is not blocked by the aerosol generating device 20 when the article 30 is connected to the aerosol supply device 20 via the joints 22, 24, the article 30 can be refilled with the aerosol generating material 32 without separating the article 30 from the aerosol generating device 20.

[0046] Figure 2 The article 30 shown in the figure also includes an article control circuit 38, which is configured to control the operation of the article 30 and store parameters and / or data related to the article 30. The parameters related to the article 30 may include, for example, a serial number and / or a stock keeping unit (SKU) of the article 30 or other means of identifying the article 30 and / or the type of the article 30, a manufacturing date and / or an expiration date of the article 30, an indication of the number of times the article 30 has been refilled, the capacity of the aerosol generating material storage area 39, and / or the amount of aerosol generating material remaining in the aerosol generating material storage area 39. The parameters related to the article 30 may include data related to the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating material storage area 39, such as one or more components in the aerosol generating material, the concentration and / or amount of the components, and / or one or more flavoring agents. As described above with respect to the device control circuit 28, the article control circuit 38 may be provided in a variety of different ways, such as using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chip sets configured to provide the desired functions. For example, the article control circuit 38 may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on a chip (SoC).

[0047] Figure 2The article 30 shown in FIG. 1 also includes one or more connectors 31 (such as contact electrodes) that are connected to the aerosol generator 36 and the article control circuit 38 via electrical wiring. In use, the article 30 is coupled to the aerosol generating device 20, and the connector 31 mates with the connector on the aerosol generating device, thereby allowing power and current to be supplied from the battery 14 of the aerosol generating device 20 to the aerosol generator 36 and the article control circuit 38. Figure 2 As shown in , one or more connectors 31 may be located at the same end 310 of the article 30 as the junction 22. Alternatively, one or more connectors 31 may form part of the junction 22, or one or more connectors may be located on a different surface of the article 30 than the junction 22, such as on a side wall of the article 30 near the end 310 having the junction. It should be understood that one or more connectors 31 may be located on any surface of the article 30 to provide a fixture or fitting that is complementary to an equivalent connector 22 on the aerosol supply device 20 and / or a refill device 40 as described in more detail below.

[0048] Figure 3 is a reservoir 50 and an article for an aerosol supply system (such as Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a refilling device 40 for an article 30) shown in FIG. The reservoir 50 is a disposable / replaceable portion that contains an aerosol-generating material 52. The refilling device 40 facilitates the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50, which can be coupled to the refilling device, to the article 30, which can be coupled to the refilling device, so as to refill or replenish the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30 with the aerosol-generating material. In other words, the refilling device 40 described herein is a refilling device for the article 30 of the aerosol supply system 10. The article 30 can then be reused as part of the aerosol supply system 10 described above, and the reservoir 50 can be discarded when the aerosol-generating material 52 within the reservoir 50 is exhausted. This enables the use of one or more reservoirs to refill a single article 30, thereby increasing the number of uses of a single article 30.

[0049] Figure 3 The refilling device 40 shown in the figure can be considered to be a desktop refilling device 40. A desktop refilling device is a refilling device designed for conventional use at a single location on or near a desk, table, or other solid surface due to its size and power requirements. For example, the desktop refilling device 40 can include an external power source, such as a mains power source or a supply power source, that can be coupled, attached, or otherwise connected to the refilling device 40. The refilling device 40 can also include an internal power source (such as a battery) that is configured to supply power to the components of the refilling device 40 in the event that the external power source is unavailable or accidentally loses power during operation.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown in , the refill device 40 may also include a flat surface 410 to facilitate placing the desktop refill device on another flat surface, such as a desk, table, or other solid surface. This allows the desktop refill device 40 to rest stably and horizontally on another surface. The flat surface 410 may include a non-skid pad or coating to prevent the desktop refill device from being bumped or pushed. The non-skid pad may be made of rubber or any other material with a high coefficient of friction. More specifically, Figure 3 The tabletop refill device 40 shown in FIG. 4 has a flat surface 410 located at a first end of the refill device 40 and a second surface 420 located at a second end of the refill device 40. The second end is opposite the first end, such that the major axis or length of the refill device 40 extends between the first end and the second end. When the first end and the flat surface 410 are arranged or otherwise positioned on a horizontal surface (e.g., with Figure 3 The major axis or length of the refill device 40 is vertically aligned with the x-axis in FIG. 1 , between the first end and the second end. Figure 3 Thus, the flat surface 410 may be considered the base, bottom, or foot of the refill device 40, while the second surface 420 may be considered the top surface or upper surface of the refill device 40.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown in , the refill device 40 includes an article interface 42 configured to receive the article 30. The article interface 42 may include a slot, tray, opening, or aperture on the refill device 40, and the article 30 is arranged or coupled to the slot, tray, opening, or aperture. Alternatively, the article interface 42 may include a wire or other cable that can be attached to or otherwise connected to the article 30. Although Figure 3 4 , but depending on the specific design of the refill device 40, the refill device 40 may include more than one product engagement portion 42, such as three, five, or ten. In this case, two or more of the product engagement portions 42 may be different, so that the refill device 40 can receive different types of products, or two or more of the product engagement portions 42 may be the same, so that the refill device 40 can receive multiple products of the same type.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown in , the article engaging portion 42 is configured to receive the article 30 when the article 30 is separated from the aerosol supply device 20. As described above with reference to Figure 1As described, when used as an aerosol supply system 10, the aerosol supply device 20 and the article 30 are mechanically coupled together via the joints 22, 24. The article joint 42 is configured so that before the article 30 is received by the article joint 42, the article is disengaged, disconnected or otherwise separated from the aerosol supply device 20, so that only the article 30 is received by the article joint 42 (in other words, the aerosol supply system 20 is not received by the article joint 42). This means that the aerosol supply device 20 is not required when refilling the article 30 with the aerosol generating material 32.

[0053] The refill device 40 also includes one or more reservoir interfaces 46 configured to receive the reservoir 50. In the same manner as described above with respect to the article interface 42, each of the reservoir interfaces 46 may include a slot, tray, opening, or aperture on the refill device 40 to which the reservoir 50 is disposed or coupled. Alternatively, each reservoir interface 46 may include a wire or other cable that can be attached or otherwise connected to the reservoir 50. Although Figure 3 Two reservoir engagement portions 46 are shown in FIG. 4 , but this is not required, and depending on the specific design of the refill device 40 , the refill device 40 may include fewer or more reservoir engagement portions 46 , such as one, three, five, or ten.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown in , one or more reservoir joints 46 can be located above the article joint 42. In other words, the one or more reservoir joints 46 are located at a higher position than the article joint 42, so that in use, the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 is gravity-assisted, thereby reducing the energy required to transfer the aerosol generating material 52. Figure 3 The x-axis shown in is aligned with the horizontal direction, and Figure 3 The y-axis shown in FIG. 1 is aligned with the vertical direction. The first end of the refill device 40 includes a flat surface 410 so that the refill device can be placed on a horizontal surface. Figure 3 , the one or more reservoir engaging portions 46 are positioned further away from the planar surface 410 than the above-described article engaging portions 42 (in other words, the one or more reservoir engaging portions are at a greater distance from the planar surface along the major axis or length of the refill device 40). This ensures that when the planar surface 410 is disposed on another planar surface (such as a horizontal surface), such as in the case of the tabletop refill device described above, the planar surface 410 is aligned with the x-axis (or horizontal direction) and the one or more reservoir engaging portions 46 are located at a higher position than the article engaging portions 42.

[0055] The refill device 40 also includes a refill control circuit 48 configured to control the operation of the refill device 40. Specifically, the refill control circuit 48 is configured to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30. As described above with respect to the device control circuit 28, the refill control circuit 48 can be provided in a variety of different ways, such as using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chip sets configured to provide the desired functionality. For example, the refill control circuit 48 can include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on a chip (SoC).

[0056] The refill device 40 also includes a housing 400 that houses and encloses the components of the refill device 40. Figure 3 As shown in , the article interface 42 and the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 are located inside the housing 400 of the refilling device. Thus, the article interface 42 is configured to enclose the article 30 inside the housing 400 of the refilling device 40 during the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30, and the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 are configured to enclose the reservoir 50 inside the housing of the refilling device during the transfer of the aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the article. The article interface 42 and / or the reservoir interface 46 may include a door, cover, or flap that can be closed when the article 30 and the reservoir 50 are received by the article interface 42 and the one or more reservoir interfaces 46, respectively, so that the article 30 and the reservoir 50 are completely contained within the housing 400 of the refilling device 40 or otherwise enclosed by the housing of the filling device.

[0057] As described above, the reservoir 50 includes an aerosol-generating material 52 for transfer by the refilling device 40 to the article 30 in order to refill or replenish the aerosol-generating material 32 in the aerosol-generating material storage region 39 of the article 30 .

[0058] Figure 3The reservoir 50 shown in the figure also includes a reservoir control circuit 58, which is configured to control the reservoir 50 and store parameters and / or data related to the reservoir 50. The parameters related to the reservoir 50 may include, for example, data indicating the amount of aerosol generating material 52 stored in the reservoir 50 and data related to the aerosol generating material 52 stored in the reservoir 50, such as one or more components, concentrations and / or amounts of components, and / or one or more flavoring agents in the aerosol generating material 52. The data may also include an identifier, such as a serial number and / or SKU of the reservoir 50 or other means of identifying the reservoir 50 and / or the type of the reservoir 50, and a manufacturing date and / or an expiration date of the reservoir 50. As described above with respect to the device control circuit 28, the reservoir control circuit 58 may be provided in a variety of different ways, such as using one or more appropriately programmed programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chip sets configured to provide the required functionality. For example, the reservoir control circuit 58 may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on a chip (SoC). Alternatively, the reservoir control circuit 58 may include a code printed on the reservoir (such as a barcode or QR code), or an NFC chip or other form of passive tag.

[0059] The reservoir 50 may have a volume of 10 ml or more, for example 20 ml, 50 ml or 100 ml. In other words, the reservoir is configured to hold 10 ml or more of the aerosol-generating material 52 when the reservoir 50 is filled with the aerosol-generating material 52. Then, at least one of the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 is configured to receive a reservoir having a volume of 10 ml or more.

[0060] The reservoir 50 may also have a volume that is greater than the volume of the article 30. For example, the volume of the reservoir may be at least 5 times greater than the volume of the article, such as 10 times greater, 20 times greater, or 50 times greater. In other words, the reservoir is configured to contain a volume of aerosol-generating material 52 that is at least 5 times greater than the volume of the aerosol-generating material storage area 39 of the article 30 when filled with the aerosol-generating material 52. This enables the same reservoir 50 to be refilled with the article at least 5 times. Then, at least one of the one or more reservoir interfaces 46 is configured to receive a reservoir having a volume that is at least 5 times greater than the volume of the article that the article interface 42 is configured to receive.

[0061] Figure 3The refilling device 40 shown in also includes one or more connectors 41 (such as contact electrodes) that are connected to the refilling control circuit 48 and a power source (not shown) via electrical wiring. The connector 41 is located near the article interface 42 or as part of the article interface. This facilitates communication between the refilling control circuit 48 and the article control circuit 38. When the article 30 is received by the article interface 42, the connector 31 on the article 30 mates with the connector 41 on the refilling device 40, thereby allowing power to be supplied from the refilling device 40 to the article control circuit 38 and allowing electrical signals to be transmitted between the refilling control circuit 48 and the article control circuit 38. The connector 41 can be arranged in a matching / mirroring pattern and position with respect to the article interface 42 to facilitate the matching of the connector 31 on the article 30 with the connector 41 on the refilling device 40 when the article 30 is received by the article interface 42.

[0062] In the same way, Figure 3 The refill device 40 shown in FIG. 4 also includes one or more connectors 47 (such as contact electrodes) that are located near or as part of each reservoir interface 46 and are connected to the refill control circuit 48 and a power source (not shown) via electrical wiring. When a reservoir 50 is received by the reservoir interface 46, the connector 47 mates with the connector 51 on the reservoir 50, thereby allowing power to be supplied from the refill device 40 to the reservoir control circuit 58 and allowing electrical signals to be transmitted between the refill control circuit 48 and the reservoir control circuit 58. The connector 47 can be arranged in a pattern and position relative to the reservoir interface 46 that matches / mirrors the connector 51 on the reservoir 50 to facilitate the mating of the connector 51 on the reservoir 50 with the connector 47 on the refill device 40 when the reservoir 50 is received by one of the reservoir interfaces 46.

[0063] Although connectors 31, 41, 47, 51 are described herein as physical electrical connectors between the article, refill device, and reservoir, in an alternative implementation, one or more electrical connections between the corresponding components may be wireless connections, such as NFC, RFID, or inductive coupling.

[0064] Figure 3The refill device 40 shown in FIG. 4 also includes a refill outlet 44 positioned proximate to or as part of the article interface 42, a refill inlet 45 positioned proximate to or as part of each reservoir interface 46, and a conduit 43 connecting each refill inlet 45 to the refill outlet 44. The refill outlet 44 is configured to mate with the refill orifice 34 on the article 30 when the article is received by the article interface 42, and each refill inlet 45 is configured to mate with the reservoir outlet 55 when the reservoir 50 is received by the corresponding reservoir interface 46. The conduit 43 is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from each refill inlet 45 to the refill outlet 44, thereby providing a transfer path for the aerosol-generating material 52 to be transferred from the reservoir 50 through the refill device 40 into the article 30.

[0065] Although the refill outlet 44 is Figure 3 4 and 5. The refill inlet 45 is shown as being located on the same end or surface of the article interface 42 as the connector 41, but this is not required. The refill outlet 44 can be positioned anywhere in or near the article interface 42 relative to the connector 41 so that when the article 30 is received by the article interface 30, the refill outlet 44 mates with the refill orifice 34 on the article 30, and the connector 41 on the refill device 40 mates with the connector 31 on the article 30. Similarly, the refill inlet 45 can be positioned anywhere in or near each reservoir interface 46 relative to the connector 47 so that when the reservoir 50 is received by the reservoir interface 46, the refill inlet 45 mates with the reservoir outlet 55 on the reservoir 50, and the connector 47 on the refill device 40 mates with the connector 51 on the reservoir 50.

[0066] In addition, as described above, the refill device 40 can be configured to receive different types, designs, or configurations of products 30 using the same product interface 42. In this case, there can be multiple configurations of connectors 41 and / or refill outlets 44 near or in the product interface 42 to facilitate the same product interface 42 to receive different types, designs, or configurations of products 30. Similarly, there can also be multiple configurations of connectors 47 and / or refill inlets 45 near or in each reservoir interface 46 to facilitate the same reservoir interface 46 to receive different types, designs, or configurations of reservoirs 50. Alternatively or additionally, the configuration of the connector 47 and / or refill inlet 45 located near or in one or more reservoir interfaces 46 can be different, so that different types of reservoirs are received by different reservoir interfaces 46 of the same refill device 40.

[0067] One or more of the refill outlet 44, the refill inlet 45, the reservoir outlet 55, and the conduit 43 may also include a device for controlling the transfer rate and / or transfer direction of the aerosol generating material 52, such as a ball valve, a needle valve, or a diaphragm for controlling the transfer rate, and / or a one-way valve (such as a check valve or a non-return valve) for controlling the transfer direction. For example, a one-way valve may be positioned at or near each of the refill outlet 44, the refill inlet 45, and the reservoir outlet 55 to ensure that the aerosol generating material 52 can only be transferred from the reservoir 50 to the refilling device 40 and from the refilling device 40 to the product 30, while a single ball valve or diaphragm may be positioned on or in the conduit 43 of the refilling device 40 to control the flow rate of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 through the refilling device 40 to the product 30. Likewise, a ball valve or diaphragm may be positioned proximate each refill inlet 45 to independently control the rate of transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 to or from each refill inlet 45 into the conduit 43. For example, this allows the refill control circuit 48 to prevent the first aerosol-generating material 52 from being transferred from the first reservoir 50 to the article 30 while simultaneously causing the second aerosol-generating material 52 to be transferred from the second reservoir 50 to the article 30. This also allows the refill control circuit 48 to simultaneously promote the transfer of the first aerosol-generating material 52 from the first reservoir 50 to the article and promote the transfer of the second aerosol-generating material 52 from the second reservoir 50 to the article 30, but at different rates, thereby producing an aerosol-generating material 32 in the article 30 containing a mixture of the first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 at different concentrations.

[0068] Figure 3 The refill device 40 shown in FIG. 4 also includes a device interface 49 configured to receive the aerosol supply device 20. As described above, the article interface 42 is configured to receive the article 30 when the article 30 is separated from the aerosol supply device 20, so that the aerosol supply device 20 is not received by the article interface 42. Then, the aerosol supply device 20 can be received by the separate device interface 49, such as Figure 3 This allows the device interface 49 and the article interface 42 to be located separately on the refilling device 40, for example on different sides of the refilling device 40, so that the aerosol supply device 20 can be coupled to the refilling device 40 independently of the article 30. As described above, this also means that the aerosol supply device 20 is not required when refilling the article 30 with the aerosol generating material 32.

[0069] The device interface 49 can be configured to receive the aerosol supply device 20 so as to supply power from the refilling device 40 to the aerosol supply device 20. The power can be used, for example, to recharge the power supply or battery 14 of the aerosol supply device 20, and to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals between the refilling control circuit 48 and the device control circuit 28. This enables the user to use the refilling device 40 as a device for replenishing the aerosol generating material 32 to the product 30 while charging the aerosol supply device 20, thereby reducing the number of related devices required to operate and maintain the aerosol supply system 10. The device interface 49 can be a wired interface, such as a interface using an electrical connector as described above, or a wireless interface, such as an inductive coupling or a capacitive coupling. The device interface 49 can also be configured to transmit data between the refilling control circuit 48 and the device control circuit 28. The refill control circuit 48 may be configured to read data from and / or write data to the aerosol supply device 20 , for example to perform a software update to install an updated version of software onto the device control circuit 28 .

[0070] As explained above, the refilling device 40 facilitates the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 that is connectable to the refilling device 40 to an article 30 that is connectable to the refilling device 40 in order to refill or replenish the article 30 so that the article can be reused as part of the aerosol supply system 10. Specifically, the refill control circuit 48 is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 in response to detecting that the article 30 has been received by the refilling device 40.

[0071] As a specific example, when a reservoir 50 is received by one reservoir interface 47, a connector 47 positioned proximate to or in a corresponding reservoir interface 46 mates with a connector 51 on the reservoir 50, and a refill inlet 45 positioned proximate to or in a corresponding reservoir interface 46 mates with a reservoir outlet 55. When an article 30 is received by an article interface 42, a connector 41 positioned proximate to or in an article interface 42 mates with a connector 31 on the article 30, and a refill outlet 45 mates with a refill orifice 34 on the device 30. The refill control circuit 48 is then configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the article 30 by facilitating the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the conduit 42 of the refilling device 40 via the reservoir outlet 51 and the refill inlet 45 and from the conduit 42 of the refilling device 40 to the aerosol generating material storage area 39 of the article 30 via the refill outlet 44, the refill orifice 34 and the refill tube 33.

[0072] In instances where the refill device 40 has multiple reservoir interfaces 46, the refill control circuit 48 is configured to selectively facilitate transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from a reservoir 50 received by one reservoir interface 46, e.g., in response to a determination that only one reservoir interface 46 has received a reservoir 50, or in response to a selection of a particular reservoir 50 from which aerosol-generating material 52 should be transferred, e.g., by user input or based on a determination of one or more parameters about each reservoir 50 stored on the respective reservoir control circuit 58. In such instances, the refill control circuit 48 is configured to receive a selection of one or more reservoir interfaces 46 from a user of the refill device 40, and is configured to selectively facilitate transfer of aerosol-generating material 52 from each reservoir 50 connected to one of the selected one or more reservoir interfaces 46 to the article 30 when the article 30 is coupled to the refill device. In other words, the refill control circuit 48 is configured to cause aerosol generating material 52 to be transferred only from the reservoir 50 connected to the selected reservoir interface 46 , and to prevent aerosol generating material 52 from being transferred from any other reservoir 50 connected to the refill device 40 .

[0073] Although not shown, in some examples, the refill device 40 may include a canister, container, or other such receptacle for storing aerosol-generating material 52 received from the reservoir 50, for example, when the reservoir 50 is received by the reservoir interface 46 and the article interface 42 has not received the article 30, so that the reservoir 50 can be disconnected from the reservoir interface 46 before the article interface 42 receives the article 30. In this case, the aerosol-generating material 52 is stored in the receptacle of the refill device 40 until the aerosol-generating material can be transferred to the article 30 received by the article interface 42. In this case, the control circuit 48 of the refill device 40 is configured to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 to the receptacle, and subsequently and separately facilitate the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the receptacle to the article 42.

[0074] The receptacle of the refill device 40 may also be used to facilitate mixing of the aerosol-generating materials 52 prior to transfer to the article 30. For example, if the first reservoir interface 46 receives a first reservoir 50 containing a first aerosol-generating material 52, and the second reservoir interface 46 receives a second reservoir 50 containing a second aerosol-generating material 52, the refill control circuit 48 may be configured to facilitate transfer of the first aerosol-generating material 52 from the first reservoir 50 into the receptacle, and facilitate transfer of the second aerosol-generating material 52 from the second reservoir 50 into the receptacle. The first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 may then be mixed in the receptacle, and the mixture of the first aerosol-generating material 52 and the second aerosol-generating material 52 may be transferred to the article 30.

[0075] 4 to 9 are views of an article for use in a refill aerosol supply system (such as Figure 2 Schematic diagram of other examples of the storage device of the product 30) shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are used to represent Figure 3 Similar elements between the reservoir shown in and the reservoir shown in Figures 4 to 9.

[0076] The reservoirs 50 shown in Figures 4 to 9 each include a reservoir body 500 configured to store an aerosol-generating material 52. In other words, the reservoir body 500 provides a housing or container that defines a reservoir storage area 520 for storing the aerosol-generating material 52, such that the aerosol-generating material 52 can be contained and stored within the reservoir body 500.

[0077] The reservoirs 50 shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 each include a movable part 530, 540. The movable parts 530, 540 are located within the reservoir body 500. In other words, the movable parts 530, 540 are completely contained within the reservoir body 500. The movable part may include one or more of a seal 530 and a stopper 540. That is, the movable part may be a seal 530 as described in more detail below, a stopper 540 as described in more detail below, or a combination of a seal 530 and a stopper 540 as described in more detail below.

[0078] The reservoirs 50 shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 each include a seal 530 and a stopper 540. The seal 530 and the stopper 540 are each located within the reservoir body 500. In other words, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are completely contained within the reservoir body 500. One or more of the seal 530 and the stopper 540 form a portion of the reservoir storage area 520 (i.e., a surface defining a perimeter), such that the volume of the reservoir storage area 520 is defined by the position of the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540 within the reservoir body 500. For example, the seal 530 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 4 forms a portion of the reservoir storage area 520, while the seal 530 and the stopper 540 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 9 both form a portion of the reservoir storage area 520.

[0079] The seal 530 includes one or more protrusions 531 extending radially outward from the seal. The protrusions are configured to abut, contact, or otherwise interact with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 to provide a seal to prevent the aerosol-generating material 52 from bypassing or passing through the seal 530 or passing between the seal 530 and the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. For example, the seal 530 may include multiple protrusions 531 to provide a labyrinth seal between the seal 530 and the reservoir body 500. Thus, the seal 530 provides a leak-free surface for the reservoir storage area 520.

[0080] The stopper 540 includes a flange 541 at one end of the stopper (e.g., an end of the stopper 540 opposite the reservoir outlet 55). The flange 541 extends radially outward from the stopper and is configured to abut, contact, or otherwise interact with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. The radial dimension of the stopper 540 is less than the radial dimension of the seal 530, so that the stopper 540 is substantially located inside the seal 530. For example, the stopper 540 and the seal 530 can both be cup-shaped or conical, wherein the stopper 540 is configured to be superimposed inside the seal 530. This allows the seal 530 to be made of a flexible or deformable material (such as rubber or a relatively low density plastic material), while the stopper 540 can be made of a more rigid material, so that the seal 530 provides a fluid-tight interface between the stopper 540 and the seal 530. The flange 541 is then configured to extend outwardly from the stop 540 (and the seal 530) such that the flange 541 and the protrusion 531 extend to substantially the same radial position.

[0081] As described above, in use, the reservoir 50 is used to refill the article of the aerosol supply system. The aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50 (i.e., from the reservoir storage area 520) through the reservoir outlet 55 to the article 30 via the refilling device 40. When the aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50, the movable parts (i.e., the seal 530 and the stopper 540) are configured to move within the reservoir body 500, for example, towards the reservoir outlet 55. Since one or more of the seal 530 and the stopper 540 form part of the reservoir storage area 520, the volume of the reservoir storage area 520 will change as the aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50. For example, the aerosol-generating material 52 can be sucked out or otherwise extracted from the reservoir 50. In this case, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are configured to move within the reservoir body 500 due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 .

[0082] In another example, a force may be applied to the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540, such as by a plunger or other movable component of the refill device 40, to move the seal 530 and the stopper 540 within the reservoir body 500, such as toward the reservoir outlet 55. Such movement of the movable components (seal 530 and stopper 540) toward the reservoir outlet 55 reduces the volume of the reservoir storage area 520, thereby increasing the pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 to force the aerosol-generating material 52 to be transferred from the reservoir 50. As shown in each of Figures 4 to 9, the reservoir body 500 may have an opening 501 at one side of the reservoir 50 (e.g., on the side opposite to the reservoir outlet 55). A plunger or other movable component may then be inserted through the opening 501 to apply a force to one or more of the seal 530 and the stopper 540 to move the seal 530 and the stopper 540 toward the reservoir outlet 55 as the aerosol generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50 .

[0083] The reservoir 50 shown in each of Figures 4 to 9 is configured so that the movable components (one or more of the seal 530 and the stopper 540) cooperate with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 to prevent the reservoir 50 from being refilled 52 with aerosol-generating material. As will be described in more detail below, the movable components 530, 540 engage or otherwise interact with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 to prevent aerosol-generating material from being injected into the reservoir storage area 520. This ensures that only the aerosol-generating material 52 initially contained within the reservoir 50 (i.e., the aerosol-generating material 52 provided when the reservoir 50 is manufactured and sold) can be used to refill the article 30 of the aerosol supply system, thereby preventing the reservoir 50 from being maliciously or incorrectly replenished or refilled with any additional aerosol-generating material 52.

[0084] The reservoir bodies 500 shown in Figures 4 to 9 each include a neck 510 configured to engage with the refill device 40. The reservoir outlet 55 is then located at the neck 510, so that the aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50 via the neck 510. The cross-sectional area of ​​the neck 510 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the rest of the reservoir body 500, so that the neck 510 acts as a funnel around the reservoir outlet 55 to guide the aerosol-generating material 52 into the reservoir outlet 55.

[0085] Although the reservoir body 500 shown in each of Figures 4 to 9 is shown as having a generally cylindrical shape, and the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are shown as having a circular cross-section, this is not required, and the reservoir body 500 and the movable component (i.e., the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540) can be any shape that can properly cooperate to prevent the reservoir 50 from being refilled 52 with aerosol-generating material. In other words, the reservoir body 500 and the movable component (i.e., the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540) can have any cross-sectional shape, as long as the cross-sectional shape of the reservoir body 500 and the cross-sectional shape of the movable components 530, 540 are complementary, so that one or more of the movable components 530, 540 engage or otherwise interact with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500, thereby preventing the aerosol-generating material from being injected into the reservoir storage area 520, as described herein.

[0086] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol supply system. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C Different positions of the movable components (ie, seal 530 and / or stopper 540) within the reservoir body 500 are shown, depending on the number of times the reservoir 50 is used to refill the aerosol supply system with product.

[0087] Figure 4A The reservoir 50 is shown when filled with aerosol generating material 52. In other words, the reservoir is new and has not yet been used to replenish the article of the aerosol supply system. In this case, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are positioned at the first end of the reservoir body 500 near the opening 501 so that the reservoir storage area 520 is at its maximum possible volume. In other words, the maximum possible volume of the reservoir storage area 520 provides a sufficient amount of aerosol generating material 52 in the reservoir 50 to refill the article of the aerosol supply system according to the number of times the reservoir is designed (e.g., 1 time, 5 times, 10 times, or 20 times). As described above, the reservoir can be designed to refill the article of the aerosol supply system once, so that the reservoir is a disposable reservoir, or the reservoir can be designed to refill the article of the aerosol supply system multiple times, such as 2 times, 5 times, 10 times, or 20 times.

[0088] Figure 4B The reservoir 50 is shown after it has been used one or more times to refill the article of the aerosol supply system. As described above, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are configured to move within the reservoir body 500 when the aerosol generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In the example shown in , as the aerosol generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 move along the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 toward the neck 510 and the reservoir outlet 55 (and away from the opening 501), thereby reducing the volume of the reservoir storage area 520. By comparison Figure 4A and Figure 4B It can be seen that Figure 4B The seal 530 and the stopper 540 in the reservoir body 500 are away from the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500 and are located between the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500 and the neck 510, so that Figure 4B The volume of the reservoir storage area 520 is less than Figure 4A The volume of the reservoir storage area 520.

[0089] Then, Figure 4C The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted. In other words, the reservoir 50 has been used to refill the article of the aerosol supply system, and there is little or no aerosol generating material 52 remaining in the reservoir 50, so that the reservoir can no longer be used to refill the article of the aerosol supply system. Figure 4C The reservoir 50 is shown at the end of its useful life, such that the reservoir 50 should be discarded and a new or different reservoir 50 should be used to refill the article of the aerosol supply system. Figure 4CAs shown in FIG. 5 , the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are positioned near the neck 510 and the reservoir outlet 55 so that the reservoir storage area 520 is at its minimum possible volume, which may be zero or a small amount but is actually zero. In other words, the minimum possible volume of the reservoir storage area 520 is small enough that there is not enough aerosol generating material in the reservoir 50 to refill the article of the aerosol supply system.

[0090] like FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D As shown in each of the figures in FIG. 5 , the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 includes a ridge 503. The ridge 503 forms a protrusion extending from the surface of the inner surface 502 to form a local portion of the reservoir body 500 having a smaller cross-sectional area than the portion of the reservoir body 500 surrounding the ridge 503. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In the example shown in , the ridge 503 extends around the perimeter of the inner surface 502. In other words, the ridge 503 is a continuous protrusion around the interior of the reservoir body 500.

[0091] The ridge 503 is configured to engage with a movable component (one or more of the seal 530 and the stop 540) to prevent the reservoir 50 from being refilled 52 with aerosol-generating material. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C In the example shown in , the ridge 503 is configured to engage with one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stop 540 .

[0092] like Figure 4A As shown in FIG. 5 , when the reservoir 50 is filled with the aerosol generating material 52, the one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stopper 540 are located above the ridge 503. That is, the one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stopper 540 are located between the ridge 503 and the opening 501. Figure 4B As shown in , when the aerosol generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50, one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 can move or slide over the ridge 503. The one or more protrusions 531 can be made of a flexible material (such as rubber or a plastic material with a lower density) so that the protrusions 531 can bend and slide over the ridge 503 with limited resistance.

[0093] like Figure 4C As shown in FIG, when the reservoir 50 is emptied or the aerosol generating material 52 is exhausted, the one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stopper 540 are located below the ridge 503. That is, the one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stopper 540 are located between the ridge 503 and the reservoir outlet 55. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4DIn the example shown in , the ridge 503 is then configured to engage with the movable part (stopper 540) to prevent the reservoir 50 from being refilled with aerosol-generating material 52. In other words, when the aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50, the one or more protrusions 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the movable part (stopper 540) are able to move or slide past the ridge 503 as the seal 530 and the stopper 540 move toward the reservoir outlet 55. Once the movable part (stopper 540) has moved past the ridge 503, the ridge 503 engages with the flange 541 of the movable part (stopper 540) to prevent the movable part (stopper 540) and the seal 530 from moving back past the ridge 531 and toward the opening 501.

[0094] like Figure 4C As shown in , the ridge 503 is located on the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500, so that when the protrusion 531 of the seal 530 and the flange 541 of the stopper 540 are located between the ridge 503 and the reservoir outlet 55, the volume of the reservoir storage area 520 is substantially zero or a small amount but substantially zero. For example, the outer shape of the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540 can correspond to the shape of the inner surface 502 between the ridge 503 and the reservoir outlet 55, so that when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are located between the ridge 503 and the reservoir outlet 55, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are flush with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 around the reservoir outlet 55.

[0095] Figure 4D More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Figure 4B The ridge 503, the protrusion 531 and the flange 541 are in the positions shown in FIG. Figure 4D As shown in FIG, the ridge 503 includes an inclined surface 503a and a flat surface 503b that form a wedge-like portion to act as a latch with the flange 541 of the movable part (stopper 540) to prevent the movable part (stopper 540) from moving back toward the opening 501 after the flange 541 moves past the ridge 503 toward the reservoir outlet 55. In other words, when the stopper 540 moves in the direction from the opening 501 to the reservoir outlet 55, the flange 541 is able to pass over the inclined portion 503a of the ridge 503, while the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503 extends axially (i.e., in the same orientation as the flange 541) to prevent the flange 541 from moving over the flat portion 503b of the ridge 503 when the stopper 540 moves in the direction from the reservoir outlet 55 to the opening 501.

[0096] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4DThe movable part (stopper 540) of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of flanges 541 distributed circumferentially around the periphery of the stopper 540. For example, at the end of the movable part (stopper 540) closest to the opening 501, there may be 2, 4, 5 or 10 flanges 541 evenly distributed around the periphery of the movable part (stopper 540). Each flange 541 on the movable part (stopper 540) has a cutout 542 on both sides. The cutout 542 is a gap in the movable part (stopper 540) that forms a cantilever with a flange 541 at the end. This allows the flange 541 to be offset inwardly (i.e., toward the center of the reservoir 50) by the inclined surface 503a of the ridge 503 when the flange passes over the ridge 503, and then the flange 541 is returned to its original position after the flange 541 passes over the ridge 503. The top of the flange 541 then abuts the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503, thereby preventing the flange 541 from going over the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503 as described above.

[0097] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol supply system. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 are substantially the same. In other words, Figure 5A The reservoir 50 is shown filled with aerosol generating material 52, Figure 5B The reservoir 50 is shown after it has been used one or more times to refill the aerosol supply system with the product, Figure 5C The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted, and Figure 5D More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Figure 5B The ridge 503, protrusion 531 and flange 541 are in the positions shown in FIG.

[0098] and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D Similar to the reservoir shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D The movable part (stopper 540) of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of flanges 541 distributed circumferentially around the periphery of the stopper 540, wherein there are cutouts 542 on both sides of each flange 541 to form a cantilever. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D Compared to the reservoir shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B The reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of ridges 503 distributed circumferentially around the periphery of the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. For example, there may be 2, 4, 5, or 10 ridges 503 evenly distributed around the periphery of the inner surface 502, wherein each ridge 503 is located at the same axial position (i.e., the same distance from the opening 501). Figure 5DAs shown in FIG. 1 , each ridge 503 includes an inclined surface 503 a and a flat surface 503 b, so that the plurality of ridges 503 are arranged in a manner similar to that of the above reference. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D The seal 530 and the stop 540 are engaged in the same manner as described.

[0099] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C is a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol supply system. Fig. 6A The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 6D are similar to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D as well as FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 are substantially the same. In other words, Fig. 6A The reservoir 50 is shown filled with aerosol generating material 52, Figure 6B The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted, and Figure 6C More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Figure 6B The ridge 503 is at the position shown in FIG.

[0100] and FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D Similar to the reservoir shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The reservoir shown in FIG. 5 includes a ridge 503 located on the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D Compared to the reservoir shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The ridge 503 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 is located at the neck 510. In other words, the ridge 503 extends around the periphery of the neck 510 near the inner surface 502 of the reservoir outlet 55. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4D Compared to the reservoir shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The stopper 540 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 has a single flange 541 extending around the periphery of the stopper 540 .

[0101] like FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C As shown in , the movable part (stopper 540) includes a neck 543 at the end of the stopper 540 facing the reservoir outlet 55. The neck 543 includes a clamping portion 544 extending radially outward from the neck 543. The outer size and shape of the neck 543 of the movable part (stopper 540) correspond to the inner size and shape of the neck 510 of the inner surface 502, so that the neck 543 of the movable part (stopper 540) is configured to fit inside the neck 510 of the reservoir body 500. As shown in Figure 6CAs shown in , the clamping portion 544 is configured to engage with the ridge 503 when the neck 543 of the movable component (stopper 540) is located inside the neck 510 of the reservoir body 500 to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material as described above. In other words, the clamping portion 544 on the neck 543 of the movable component (stopper 540) is configured to engage with the ridge 503 when the neck 543 of the movable component (stopper 540) moves past the ridge 503 to prevent the stopper 540 and the seal 530 from moving back past the ridge 503. Figure 6C As shown in FIG. 5 , the clamping portion 544 has an inclined surface 544a and a flat surface 544b that are complementary to the inclined surface 503a and the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503, so that since the inclined surface 503a of the ridge 503 and the inclined surface 544a of the clamping portion 544 can slide past each other, the clamping portion 544 can pass over the ridge 503 when the movable part (stopper 540) moves toward the reservoir outlet 55, and the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503 engages with the flat surface 544b of the clamping portion 544 to prevent the clamping portion 544 from moving over the flat portion 503b of the ridge 503 when the movable part (stopper 540) moves in the direction from the reservoir outlet 55 to the opening 501. The neck 543 of the movable part (stopper 540) also includes one or more cutouts 542. As described above, the cutout 542 is a gap in the neck 543 of the movable member (stopper 540) to enable the neck 543 of the movable member (stopper 540) to deflect when the inclined surface 503a of the ridge 503 and the inclined surface 544a of the clamping portion 544 slide past each other. The neck 543 of the movable member (stopper 540) then returns to its original shape so that the flat surface 503b of the ridge 503 engages with the flat surface 544b of the clamping portion 544, as described above.

[0102] like FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C As shown in , the seal 530 includes an opening 532 at the end of the seal 530 that faces the reservoir outlet 55. The neck 543 of the stopper 540 passes through the opening 532 of the seal 530 so that when the seal 530 is flush with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 near the neck 510, the neck 543 of the stopper 540 is located in the neck 510 of the reservoir body 500 (and the gripping portion 544 of the stopper 540 engages with the ridge 503). In other words, the shape of the seal 530 is annular, and the radially outer portion of the seal 530 cooperates or otherwise engages with the periphery or radially outer portion of the inner surface 502, while the stopper 540 passes through the opening 532 at the radially central portion of the seal 530 and engages with the central portion of the inner surface 502 near the reservoir outlet 55.

[0103] 7A to 7Cis a schematic diagram of another example of a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol supply system. 7A to 7C The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 are substantially the same. In other words, Fig. 7A The reservoir 50 is shown filled with aerosol generating material 52, Figure 7B The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted, and Figure 7C More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Figure 6B The ridge 503 is at the position shown in FIG.

[0104] and FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C Similar to the reservoir shown in 7A to 7C The ridge 503 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. is located at the neck 510. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C Compared to the reservoir shown in 7A to 7C The stopper 540 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 does not include a neck 543, and the seal 530 does not include an opening 532. Instead, the seal 530 includes a neck 533 at the end of the seal 530 that faces the reservoir outlet 55. In other words, 7A to 7C The movable component in the reservoir shown in is a seal 530. The neck 533 of the seal 530 includes a groove 534 or cutout extending radially inwardly from the neck 533. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C The neck 543 of the stopper 540 shown in FIG. 7A to 7C The outer size and shape of the neck 533 of the seal 530 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the inner size and shape of the neck 510 of the inner surface 502, so that the neck 533 of the seal 530 is configured to fit inside the neck 510 of the reservoir body 500. Figure 7C As shown in , the groove 534 is configured to engage with the ridge 503 when the neck 533 of the seal 530 is located within the neck 510 of the reservoir body 500 to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material as described above. Figure 7C As shown in , the shape of the groove 534 corresponds to the shape of the ridge 503, so that when the aerosol generating material 52 in the reservoir 50 is exhausted, the ridge 503 fits inside the groove 534 to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material. 7A to 7C In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the cross-section of the ridge 503 is semi-circular, but this is not required, and it will be appreciated that the ridge 503 may have any suitable cross-section to engage with a correspondingly shaped groove 534 on the neck 533 of the seal 530 .

[0105] Figures 7A to 7CThe seal shown in FIG. 5 also includes a cutout 535 located in the neck 533 of the seal 530 at the end of the seal 530 facing the reservoir outlet 55. The cutout 545 is located adjacent to the groove 544. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C In a manner similar to the notch 544 on the neck 543 of the stopper 540 in the embodiment of the present invention, the notch 545 in the neck 533 of the seal 530 enables the neck 533 of the seal to flex and deflect inwardly as the ridge 503 passes over the neck 533 of the seal 530, whereupon the ridge 503 engages with the groove 534 on the neck 533 of the seal 530. In addition, when attempting to refill the reservoir 50 with aerosol-generating material 52, the aerosol-generating material 52 may flow into the notch 545. The pressure of forcing the aerosol-generating material 52 into the notch increases the retaining force between the groove 544 and the ridge 503, thereby preventing the seal 530 from moving and preventing the reservoir 50 from being refilled with aerosol-generating material 52.

[0106] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C as well as 9A to 9E Schematic diagrams showing other examples of reservoirs of articles for refilling an aerosol supply system. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C as well as 9A to 9E The features of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 are substantially the same as those of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 . FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C as well as 9A to 9E The reservoir 50 shown in does not include ridges 531 on the inner surface 502 of the reservoir 50. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C as well as 7A to 7C Similar to the reservoir shown in FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C as well as 9A to 9E The stopper 540 of the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 5 also has a single flange 541 extending around the periphery of the stopper 540. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C as well as 9A to 9E In the example shown in , the movable parts include a seal 530 and a stopper 540. The seal 530 is configured to cooperate with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500, while the stopper 540 is configured to move in the reservoir body 500 separately from the seal 530 to prevent the reservoir 50 from being refilled 52 with the aerosol-generating material. In other words, when the aerosol-generating material 52 is transferred from the reservoir 50, both the seal 530 and the stopper 540 move together in the reservoir body 500, but when an attempt is made to refill the reservoir 50 with the aerosol-generating material 52, the stopper 540 moves in the reservoir body 500 separately from the seal 530. This means that the aerosol-generating material 52 cannot be injected into the reservoir 50 at any time. In other words, the reservoir 50 cannot be refilled 52 with the aerosol-generating material even before the aerosol-generating material 52 in the reservoir 50 is exhausted.

[0107] exist FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C In the example shown in , a portion of the stopper 540 tapers inwardly relative to the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. In other words, the taper angle of the portion of the stopper 540 is greater than the taper angle of the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. As described above, the seal 530 is made of a flexible or deformable material (such as rubber or a plastic material with a lower density). The central portion of the seal 530 is also thin enough so that the central portion of the seal (i.e., the portion of the seal 530 near the reservoir outlet 55 when the aerosol generating material 52 in the reservoir is exhausted) acts as a bendable or otherwise displaceable membrane.

[0108] Fig. 8A The reservoir 50 is shown filled with aerosol generating material 52, Figure 8B The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted, and Figure 8C The reservoir 50 is shown when an attempt is made to refill the reservoir 50 with an aerosol generating material 52. As described above, in order for the seal 530 and the stopper 540 to move within the reservoir body 500, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are configured to move within the reservoir body 500 (i.e., toward the reservoir outlet 55), for example, due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 or due to a force applied to the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540, for example, by a plunger or other movable component of the refilling device 40.

[0109] like Figure 8C As shown in FIG. 1 , when an attempt is made to refill the reservoir 50 with the aerosol generating material 52, the pressure generated by the aerosol generating material 52 entering the reservoir acts on the central portion of the seal 530 to deflect the central portion of the seal 530. Then, due to this deflection of the central portion of the seal 540, the stopper 540 moves away from the seal 530. For example, as shown in FIG. Figure 8C , the central portion of the seal 530 can be deflected upward (i.e., away from the reservoir outlet 55), while the outer portion of the seal is held in place due to the interaction force between the protrusion 531 of the seal 530 and the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. The tapered portion of the stopper 540 provides a lower interaction force between the stopper 540 and the seal 530 than the interaction force between the protrusion 531 of the seal 530 and the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. Therefore, the deflection of the central portion of the seal 530 pushes the stopper 540 upward toward the opening 501, thereby preventing the reservoir 50 from being refilled 52 with aerosol-generating material.

[0110] exist 9A to 9EIn the example shown in , the seal 530 includes an opening 532 at the end of the seal 530 facing the reservoir outlet 55. Then, a portion of the stopper 540 passes through the opening 532 of the seal 530 so that when the aerosol generating material 52 in the reservoir 50 is exhausted, the portion of the stopper 540 is flush with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 near the reservoir outlet 55. In other words, the shape of the seal 530 is annular, and the radially outer portion of the seal 530 cooperates or otherwise engages with the peripheral or radially outer portion of the inner surface 502, while the stopper 540 passes through the opening 532 located at the radially central portion of the seal 530 and engages with the central portion of the inner surface 502 near the reservoir outlet 55. 9A to 9E In the example shown in , the seal 530 may also include a ridge 536 surrounding the opening 532. The ridge 536 is a protrusion of material around the edge of the opening 532 that provides local stiffness to the seal 530. 9A to 9E In the example shown in , the ridge 536 extends in a direction toward the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500 .

[0111] Fig.9A The reservoir 50 is shown filled with aerosol generating material 52, Fig. 9B The reservoir 50 is shown when the aerosol generating material 52 has been exhausted, Fig. 9C shows the reservoir 50 when attempting to refill the reservoir 50 with aerosol generating material 52, Fig.9D More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Fig. 9B The neck 510, the seal 530 and the stop 540 are in the positions shown in FIG. Fig.9E More details are shown when the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are in Fig. 9C 500 . As described above, in order for the seal 530 and the stopper 540 to move within the reservoir body 500, the seal 530 and the stopper 540 are configured to move within the reservoir body 500 (i.e., toward the reservoir outlet 55), for example, due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of the aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 or due to a force applied to the seal 530 and / or the stopper 540, for example, by a plunger or other movable component of the refilling device 40.

[0112] like Fig. 9C and 9EAs shown in , when an attempt is made to refill the reservoir 50 with the aerosol-generating material 52, the pressure generated by the aerosol-generating material 52 entering the reservoir acts on the portion of the stopper 540 that passes through the opening 532 in the seal 530. This force pushes the stopper 540 upward and moves the stopper toward the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. The pressure generated by the aerosol-generating material 52 entering the reservoir does not initially act on the seal 530, so the seal 530 does not move, thereby causing the stopper 540 to move away from the seal 530. This pressure causes the stopper 540 to move out of the reservoir body 500, thereby forming a flow path for the aerosol-generating material 52 between the reservoir outlet 55 and the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. Therefore, the aerosol-generating material 52 can flow out of the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. Therefore, the reservoir body 500 no longer provides a fluid-tight storage area 520 for the aerosol-generating material 52, so that the reservoir 50 cannot be refilled with aerosol-generating material. Due to the ridges 536 on the seal 530, the pressure generated by the aerosol-generating material 52 entering the reservoir does not act on the seal 530 in an upward direction, but in a radial direction. In other words, the pressure acting on the ridges in the radial direction increases the interaction force between the seal 530 and the inner surface 540 of the reservoir body 500, so that the seal 530 does not move.

[0113] exist 9A to 9E In the example shown in , a portion of the stopper 540 passes through the seal 530, and the seal 530 cooperates with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. It should be understood that the size of the seal 530 can be set to perform the function of cooperating with the inner surface 500 of the reservoir body 500. For example, the seal 530 may include an O-ring. In other words, the movable part may include an O-ring configured to cooperate with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. The O-ring can be made of rubber, PTFE, silicon or any other fluid-resistant material. In this case, a portion of the stopper 540 passes through the center (i.e., the opening) of the O-ring so that when the aerosol generating material 52 in the reservoir 50 is exhausted, the portion of the stopper 540 is flush with the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500 near the reservoir outlet 55.

[0114] As described above, in order to move the seal 530 and the stopper 540 within the reservoir body 500, the O-ring and the stopper 540 are configured to move within the reservoir body 500 (i.e., toward the reservoir outlet 55), for example, due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 or due to a force applied to the O-ring and / or the stopper 540, for example, by a plunger or other movable component of the refilling device 40. The O-ring can be configured to move on its own (i.e., toward the reservoir outlet 55) due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of the aerosol-generating material 52 from the reservoir 50, for example, by configuring the O-ring to have an interference fit so that it can slide against the inner surface 502 of the reservoir body 500. Alternatively, the stopper 540 can include a flange 541 at one end of the stopper (e.g., the end of the stopper 540 opposite the reservoir outlet 55). In this case, when the stopper 540 moves within the reservoir body 500 (i.e., moves toward the reservoir outlet 55), for example due to a decrease in pressure within the reservoir storage area 520 caused by the transfer of aerosol generating material 52 from the reservoir 50 or due to a force applied to the stopper 540, for example by a plunger or other movable component of the refilling device 40, the flange 541 abuts the O-ring and pushes on the O-ring so that the O-ring moves with the flange 541 (and the stopper 540).

[0115] With reference to above 9A to 9E In a manner similar to that described, when attempting to refill the reservoir 50 with the aerosol-generating material 52, the pressure generated by the aerosol-generating material 52 entering the reservoir acts on the portion of the stopper 540 that passes through the opening in the O-ring. This force pushes the stopper 540 upward and moves the stopper 540 toward the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. The pressure generated by the aerosol-generating material 52 entering the reservoir does not initially act on the O-ring, so the O-ring does not move, thereby moving the stopper 540 in a manner separate from the O-ring. This pressure causes the stopper 540 to move out of the reservoir body 500, thereby forming a flow path for the aerosol-generating material 52 between the reservoir outlet 55 and the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. As a result, the aerosol-generating material 52 can flow out of the opening 501 in the reservoir body 500. As a result, the reservoir body 500 no longer provides a fluid-tight storage area 520 for the aerosol-generating material 52, such that the reservoir 50 cannot be refilled with aerosol-generating material.

[0116] As described above, the present disclosure relates to (but is not limited to) a reservoir for an article for refilling an aerosol supply system, comprising: a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol generating material; and a seal and a stopper located within the reservoir body. The seal and the stopper are configured to move within the reservoir body when the aerosol generating material is transferred from the reservoir. One or more of the seal and the stopper cooperate with the inner surface of the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol generating material.

[0117] Thus, a reservoir of an article for refilling an aerosol delivery system has been described.

[0118] The various embodiments described herein are proposed only to help understand and teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described herein should not be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and other embodiments may be utilized and may be modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In addition to those embodiments specifically described herein, the various embodiments of the present invention may appropriately include appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc., be composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc., or be essentially composed of appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, parts, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

Claims

1. A reservoir for a product for refilling an aerosol supply system, comprising: a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol generating material; as well as a movable member located within the reservoir body and configured to move within the reservoir body when aerosol generating material is transferred from the reservoir, wherein the movable member cooperates with an inner surface of the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

2. The reservoir of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir outlet, wherein: Aerosol-generating material is transferred from the reservoir through the reservoir outlet.

3. The container according to claim 2, wherein: The movable member is configured to move towards the reservoir outlet when aerosol generating material is transferred from the reservoir.

4. The container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The reservoir body includes an opening at a side of the reservoir body opposite the reservoir outlet.

5. The container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The reservoir body includes a neck configured to engage a refill device, and the reservoir outlet is located at the neck.

6. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The inner surface of the reservoir body includes a ridge configured to engage the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

7. The container according to claim 6, wherein: The ridge extends around the perimeter of the inner surface of the reservoir body.

8. The container according to claim 6, wherein: The inner surface of the reservoir body includes a plurality of ridges distributed circumferentially around the perimeter of the inner surface of the reservoir body.

9. A container according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein: The movable member includes one or more flanges at one end of the movable member extending radially outwardly and configured to engage the ridge when the movable member has moved past the ridge to prevent the movable member from moving back past the ridge.

10. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The movable member includes an O-ring configured to mate with an inner surface of the reservoir body.

11. The reservoir according to claim 10, wherein: The movable component further includes a stopper, wherein the stopper is configured to move within the reservoir body in a manner separate from the O-ring to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

12. The reservoir according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein: The reservoir body includes a neck configured to engage a refill device, and wherein the ridge is located at the neck.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein: The movable member includes a neck configured to fit inside the neck of the reservoir body, the neck of the movable member including a clamping portion extending radially outward and configured to engage the ridge when the neck of the movable member has moved past the ridge to prevent the movable member from moving back past the ridge.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein: The movable part includes a seal and a stopper, the seal includes an opening, the neck of the movable part is located on the stopper, and the neck of the movable part passes through the opening in the seal.

15. The container according to claim 12, wherein: The movable component includes a seal and a stopper, the seal including a neck configured to fit inside the neck of the reservoir body, the neck of the seal including a groove extending radially inward from the neck of the seal and configured so that the ridge fits inside the groove to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

16. The reservoir according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The movable component includes a seal configured to cooperate with an inner surface of the reservoir body and a stopper configured to move within the reservoir body in a manner separate from the seal to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

17. The container according to claim 16, wherein: A portion of the stopper tapers inwardly relative to an inner surface of the reservoir body, and wherein the stopper moves apart from the seal due to the offset of the central portion of the seal.

18. The container according to claim 16, wherein: The seal is annular in shape and includes an opening at a center of the seal, a portion of the stopper passes through the opening in the seal, and a radially outer portion of the seal engages a radially outer portion of an inner surface of the reservoir body.

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