Aerosol-generating article having an alterable identifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article adapted to be electrically heated by an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and an optical information storage element that stores information in a grid pattern having a plurality of segments including at least one alterable segment. The at least one alterable segment comprises a first layer and a second layer, and at least one optical property of the at least one layer is adapted to be altered. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the information storage element, an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device, and the use of a multi-layer information storage element on an aerosol-generating article to provide alterable auxiliary information about the aerosol-generating article.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an information storage element, an aerosol-generating system comprising the aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device, and the use of a multi-layer information storage element on an aerosol-generating article. [Background technology]

[0002] WO 2019 / 129378A1 discloses a consumable for an inhaler, the inhaler comprising a heating system and an optical reader. The consumable comprises indicia containing information about the consumable. The indicia may disappear when exposed to a temperature above a temperature threshold. The indicia may include a first indicia and a second indicia, the second indicia may be superimposed on the first indicia, distorting the information of the first indicia and making it unreadable, or may appear next to the first indicia when exposed to a temperature above a temperature threshold. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol-generating article adapted to be electrically heated by an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate and an optical information storage element for storing information in a grid pattern having a plurality of segments, including at least one alterable segment. The at least one alterable segment comprises a first layer and a second layer, and at least one optical property of at least one of the first layer or the second layer is adapted to be altered. The information stored in the optical information storage element may be changed by altering the optical property of at least one segment. The alterable information may, for example, indicate whether the aerosol-generating article is unused or has already been used. By altering the segments, the altered information may remain readable and decodable based on the original information storage and encoding principle. For example, the optical information storage element may be a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional matrix code. The change in information content may be achieved by changing the color, or transparency, or both of one or several segments. For example, a transparent or white segment may be altered to an opaque or black segment. Furthermore, the optical information storage element may be adapted to store permanent information content that remains unaltered during the intended use of the aerosol-generating article, i.e., the information content remains unaltered under the temperature conditions achieved in the optical information storage element upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the permanent information content may be data relating to the time of manufacture, the manufacturer, the recommended expiration date, or the product type. In particular, the optical information storage element may be adapted to store both alterable and non-alterable information based on alterable and non-alterable segments.

[0004] The segments may be rectangular segments, which may improve their readability by the detector. In particular, the segments may be square. In other embodiments, the segments may be oval or circular. All the segments may have the same type of shape, in particular rectangular, square, oval, or circular.

[0005] The segments may be discrete segments, specifically, the segments may not overlap.

[0006] The optical information storage element may be adapted to be altered from a first state to a second state, and at least one optical property of at least one alterable segment differs between the first and second states. The first and second states may correspond to a change in certain information, either as Boolean information, for example to indicate that the aerosol-generating article has been used, i.e., used or not, or as or together with additional information regarding the use, such as the length, time, or temperature of the use.

[0007] The change in optical properties may be induced by exposing the optical information storage element to a physical condition achieved by the aerosol-generating device. For example, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, specifically exposure to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength or intensity, or both, different from ambient conditions, may induce a change in optical properties. Furthermore, a temperature above a threshold temperature, specifically above 60 degrees Celsius, that is higher than ambient temperature, or a temperature achieved in the optical information storage element when heating the aerosol-generating substrate, may induce a change in optical properties. The optical information storage element may be further adapted to be modified to a third state. For example, a first transition from the first state to the second state may be induced during the manufacture of the optical information storage element, for example, to store initial information, such as information regarding the identity or lot of the aerosol-generating article. A second transition from the second state to the third state may be induced during use of the aerosol-generating article, for example, to store information that the aerosol-generating article has been used.

[0008] In a first state, the segments may form a first optically readable code and in a second state, the segments may form a second optically readable code, the first and second optically readable codes each encoding a different information content. The first optically readable code may correspond to an optical information storage element having one or more segments in an unaltered state. The second optically readable code may correspond to an optical information storage element having one or more segments in an altered state. The optical information storage element may comprise two or more alterable segments. One, several or all of the alterable segments may be altered to alter the stored information. Individual alterable segments or groups of alterable segments may each be altered based on different physical states, for example based on different temperature thresholds or radiation having different wavelengths. The first code and the second code may be coded and decoded according to a common principle, in particular based on a common algorithm. As a result, a detector adapted to read and decode an optical information storage element in a first state may also be adapted to read and decode an optical information storage element in a second state.

[0009] Each information content may have more than one bit of information. As a result, the optical information storage element may not only contain, for example, Boolean yes / no information regarding its use, but may also include certain information regarding at least one of the type of manufacture or use of the aerosol-generating article. Such information may include the temperature that occurred during use or when the aerosol-generating article was used. As non-alterable information, the optical information storage element may include information regarding the date of the recommended use by date.

[0010] At least one optical property of the at least one alterable segment may be uniformly different between the first state and the second state. The segment may define a smallest spatially alterable unit. The optical detector of the aerosol generating device may be programmed to identify the alterations and the size of these alterations. The optical detector may be programmed to identify alterations in the size of the segments. It may therefore be possible to filter out alterations having a smaller or larger spatial extension as one alterable segment.

[0011] At least one alterable segment may have an optically distinguishable shape. The segments may have side lengths less than 2 millimeters, less than 1 millimeter, less than 500 micrometers, or less than 200 micrometers, and specifically greater than 100 micrometers. The segments may have side lengths greater than 100 micrometers, greater than 200 millimeters, greater than 500 micrometers, or less than 1 millimeter, and specifically less than 2 millimeters. The segments may be rectangular or square with sides of different lengths. The optical detector of the aerosol generating device may be programmed to identify changes in the optical information storage element that stores information by comparing data from earlier detections with later detections. The optical detector or control unit of the aerosol generating device may be programmed to identify segments in the optical information storage element by designating a reference frame for the optical information storage element and then analyzing the detected characteristics of some or all of the segments. The optical detector or control unit may compare data from detections with data stored in a database, the stored data including at least one of the size, shape, or location of one or more segments in the optical information storage element.

[0012] At least one alterable segment may comprise three or more layers, with at least one optical property of at least one layer adapted to be altered. This may facilitate a higher information density due to a greater number of combinations of optical properties of the three or more layers. At least one different optical property may be altered in one layer compared to another layer. The alterable optical property may be one or more of color, transparency, hue, saturation, or brightness. For example, the bottom layer may have a changeable color, the middle layer may be alterable from transparent to a certain color different from the color of the first layer, and the top layer may be alterable from transparent to opaque or even further colors. The ambient conditions inducing each change may be different for each layer.

[0013] The first layer may include at least one material different from one or more materials of the second layer. Thus, information may be stored based on the combination of these two different materials. In particular, information may be stored based on the different optical properties of these two materials. For example, the first material may have a certain color and the second material may be transparent. The different materials may be differently modifiable. For example, the first material may be modifiable from a first color to a second color and the second material may be modifiable from transparent to opaque or may not be modifiable. The physical state that induces each change may be different for each material.

[0014] Two or more different materials may be disposed in the first layer, or the second layer, or both. Thus, information may be stored based on the spatial arrangement of the materials, with the different materials having different optical properties. For example, information may be stored by the spatial arrangement of segments having different colors. The different materials may be differently modifiable. For example, the first material may be modifiable from a first color to a second color, and the second material may be modifiable from transparent to opaque, or may not be modifiable. The physical state that induces each change may be different for each material.

[0015] A second layer of material may be overlaid on a first layer of a different material. For example, the first layer of material may have a certain color and the second layer of material may be transparent and modifiable to opaque. Information may then be stored based on the color of the segments and the visibility of the color.

[0016] The optical property may be color. The optical property may be black or white. The optical property may be transparency. The optical property may be reflectance. The optical property may be brightness. The optical property may be used to store information in the optical information storage element. As a result, the optical property may be considered to provide further multi-dimensionality in addition to the spatial distribution of the segments.

[0017] The optical properties may be irreversibly alterable, for example, a temperature above a certain temperature threshold may irreversibly alter the optical properties of the material and thus indicate whether an aerosol-generating article has been used.

[0018] The optical properties may be reversibly modifiable. For example, a time-controlled use of the aerosol-generating article may be realized. For example, the optical detector, the control unit of the aerosol-generating device, respectively, may be programmed to allow further use of the aerosol-generating article after the segments in the optical information storage element have returned to their initial state. Alternatively, use may be prevented by shutting down the device or heater. The material in the optical information storage element may change its color by thermal activation or irradiation, and may change back to its original color after a certain amount of time. Specifically, the material may change back to its original state only after more than 10 minutes. Specifically, the material may change back to its original state only after more than 1 hour. The modification of the optical information storage element may be based on the change in different optical properties of different materials, or on the change in optical properties of different materials under different conditions, or both.

[0019] The optical properties may be alterable by exposure to a temperature above a threshold temperature, preferably above 60 degrees Celsius, such that temperatures that may arise at the optical information storage element during heating of the aerosol-generating substrate may induce alterations in the optical properties.

[0020] The optical properties may be modifiable by exposure to radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation may be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light. The radiation may be applied during manufacture or during use of the aerosol-generating article, or both.

[0021] The optical properties may be modifiable in a time-dependent manner, in particular the change in the material may depend on the time of exposure to certain conditions, for example a certain temperature or electromagnetic radiation.

[0022] The optical information storage element may include a two-dimensional code. Specifically, the segments may be disposed adjacent to one another in the width and length directions. Thus, a higher information density may be provided in the available space compared to a one-dimensional code.

[0023] The optical information storage element may include a matrix code, which may facilitate a higher information density, for example, compared to a stacked barcode, i.e., several barcodes arranged adjacent to each other.

[0024] The aerosol-generating article may comprise two or more optical information storage elements. Thus, there is a higher probability that at least one optical information storage element is within the field of view of the detector, compared to the case where only one optical information storage element is present on the aerosol-generating article. As a result, when the detector is disposed in or at the aerosol-generating device, for example in a cavity of the aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating article may not need to be inserted in a specific circumferential orientation. Preferably, multiple optical information storage elements are present on the aerosol-generating article. More preferably, multiple optical information storage elements are present around the circumference of the aerosol-generating article or along the longitudinal direction of the aerosol-generating article. The optical information storage elements may be aligned with each other. One or more information storage elements may be positioned near the mouthpiece section of the aerosol-generating article, or near the distal end opposite the mouthpiece.

[0025] Two or more optical information storage elements may be spaced apart from one another. When two or more optical information storage elements are present within the field of view of a detector, the detector may distinguish between single elements by detecting boundaries between the optical information storage elements, or empty spaces, or both.

[0026] The optical information storage element may be provided with markers or recognition patterns to render it detectable as a single unit. For example, two or more corners of a rectangular optical information storage element may be provided with a particular pattern.

[0027] The aerosol-generating article may be a "heat-and-no-burn" article in which the aerosol-generating substrate is heated to emit the aerosol but is not burned. The aerosol-generating substrate may include a tobacco material. The tobacco material may include one or more of a powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghetti, strips, or sheets containing one or more of tobacco leaves, tobacco stem fragments, reconstituted tobacco, homogenized tobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco. Optionally, the tobacco material may contain additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the tobacco material. Optionally, the tobacco material may also contain capsules, for example, containing additional tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds. Such capsules may melt during heating of the tobacco material. Alternatively, or in addition, such capsules may be crushed before, during, or after heating of the tobacco material.

[0028] When the tobacco material includes homogenized tobacco material, the homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco. The homogenized tobacco material may be in the form of a sheet. The homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of greater than 5 percent on a dry weight basis. Alternatively, the homogenized tobacco material may have an aerosol former content of 5 to 30 percent by weight on a dry weight basis. The homogenized tobacco material sheet may be formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco obtained by grinding or otherwise comminuted one or both of tobacco lamina and tobacco stems, and alternatively or additionally, the homogenized tobacco material sheet may include one or more of tobacco dust, tobacco fines and other particulate tobacco by-products formed during, for example, tobacco processing, handling and transportation. The homogenized tobacco material sheet may include one or more inherent binders, which may be tobacco intrinsic binders, one or more extrinsic binders (i.e., tobacco extrinsic binders), or a combination thereof, to assist in agglomerating the particulate tobacco. Alternatively, or in addition, the homogenized tobacco material sheet may include other additives, including, but not limited to, tobacco and non-tobacco fibers, aerosol formers, humectants, plasticizers, flavorants, fillers, aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, and combinations thereof. The homogenized tobacco material sheet is preferably formed by a casting process of a type that generally involves casting a slurry including particulate tobacco and one or more binders onto a conveyor belt or other support surface, drying the cast slurry to form a homogenized tobacco material sheet, and removing the homogenized tobacco material sheet from the support surface.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing an information storage element, particularly for an aerosol-generating article, comprising the steps of depositing a first layer of material on a surface and depositing a second layer of material at least partially on the first layer of material, the first layer of material being formed in a first pattern and the second layer of material being formed in a second pattern, the second pattern at least partially corresponding to the first pattern, such that a three-dimensional information storage element may be formed having information content based on the properties of the individual layers and their spatial extent.

[0030] The second layer may be modifiable in its physical properties, particularly with respect to one or more of its conductivity, capacitance, magnetizability, color, transparency, hue, saturation, or brightness. For example, the transparency of the second layer may be modified from transparent to opaque, so that one or more colors of the underlying first layer may or may not be visible.

[0031] The second layer may be formed in a grid pattern having a plurality of segments with at least one alterable segment, such that information may be stored in the information storage element based on optical properties of the segments. Information may be stored based on the spatial arrangement of the segments.

[0032] The first layer may be formed in the first pattern during deposition of the first layer, such that an additional process step for forming the first pattern may be omitted.

[0033] The second layer may be formed in a second pattern during deposition of the second layer. As a result, an additional process step for forming the second pattern may be omitted. The deposition may be performed by printing. The printing may be accomplished by a print head comprising multiple nozzles. The print head may be digitally controlled. The print head may be configured to spray the material. The print head may be configured to selectively spray a series of different materials, or different print heads may be provided to spray different materials for the first layer and the second layer.

[0034] The formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include inducing a physical or chemical material change. The material change may be stored in information, either temporarily or permanently. The material change may make the material processable, for example, by modifying its viscosity or binding properties. The material change may be induced depending on the particular materials used for the first layer, the second layer, or both.

[0035] Photorheological materials may undergo changes in flow, viscosity, and other rheological properties when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet or infrared light. These material changes are particularly beneficial for material deposition.

[0036] Photochromic materials may undergo changes in physical and / or color properties when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation. The properties that can be altered are specifically transparency and color.

[0037] Photochemical materials may undergo changes in their physical and color properties based on chemical reactions. Chemical reactions with adjacent materials may be induced by electromagnetic radiation. The changes in materials may be used for information storage and to deposit materials.

[0038] Plasmonic materials may undergo a reversible change in their physical or color properties when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation or certain temperatures, specifically, a color change may be induced.

[0039] Thermochromic or thermally responsive materials may undergo a reversible or irreversible change in their physical or color properties when exposed to a particular temperature. Specifically, a color change or a change in surface properties may be induced by a particular temperature.

[0040] The material used for the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may be an ink-like material, i.e., a material that is fluid in a first state and then hardens to a solid in a second state. The material used for the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include a monomer, an oligomer, a pigment, or a photoinitiator, or a combination thereof. The material may harden or undergo a color change when exposed to ultraviolet light. The material may be a leuco dye-based epoxy ink, which may undergo a color change induced by exposure to a certain temperature and revert to its original color after a certain length of time. The material may include an isopropanol heterocyclic organic dye, and may undergo an irreversible color change when exposed to a certain temperature.

[0041] The materials used for the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may undergo a material change at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. Specifically, the materials may undergo a material change in the temperature range of 60 degrees Celsius to 270 degrees Celsius. Specifically, the materials may undergo a material change in the temperature range of 60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.

[0042] As a result, the deposition of the first material or the second material may be performed under conditions different from ambient conditions. In particular, the deposition may be performed under application of electromagnetic radiation in order to set a particular fluidity or viscosity of the material to be deposited. Furthermore, the deposition may be performed under application of electromagnetic radiation in order to store particular information, in particular to code particular information by a material property, for example color.

[0043] The change in material may be reversible.

[0044] The material change may be irreversible. In particular, the material change may be the interaction of one material with another material that is in direct contact with it. Such a material change may in particular be the chemical interaction of two different materials.

[0045] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include etching, which may be used specifically to effect irreversible material changes.

[0046] Forming the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. The etching may be radiation-based etching.

[0047] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include irradiation with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers, the wavelength being selected depending on the wavelength at which a material change occurs for a particular material.

[0048] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include irradiation with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 100 nanometers and 400 nanometers. This wavelength range corresponds to ultraviolet light.

[0049] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include irradiation with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers, which wavelength range corresponds to light visible to the human eye.

[0050] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include irradiation with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 800 nanometers and 1000 nanometers, which wavelength range corresponds to infrared radiation.

[0051] Formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include thermal exposure.

[0052] The formation of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may include magnetization, and therefore information may be stored based on the pattern of differently magnetized segments.

[0053] The step of depositing the first layer, or the step of depositing the second layer, or both, may include a digital printing method, so that the ink-like material may be processed.

[0054] The step of depositing the first layer, or the step of depositing the second layer, or both, may include additive manufacturing processes.

[0055] The step of depositing the first layer or the step of depositing the second layer, or both, may include one of inkjet printing, laser sintering, sheet lamination, and material jetting.

[0056] The method may further comprise the step of rendering the material processable by inducing a physical or chemical change in the material before or during the deposition of the first or second material layer. For example, the viscosity of the material may be altered to make it fluid in order to print the material like an ink. After depositing the material, the material may return to its defined state, e.g. become solid again. The material of the first layer, or the second layer, or both, may be processable only under physical conditions different from ambient conditions, e.g. at elevated temperature or under application of electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, the temperature for processing the material may be higher than the normal ambient temperature during storage or use of the aerosol-generating article.

[0057] Rendering the material processable may include inducing a change in at least one of the following: viscosity, flowability, transparency, and color. The change in the material may also affect the bonding properties of the material.

[0058] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating article is adapted to be heated in the aerosol generating device. The aerosol-generating article comprises an information storage element having at least two layers, the information storage element being alterable from a first state to a second state by altering at least one layer of the information storage element. The aerosol generating device is adapted to read the information storage element in the first state and in the second state. The information storage element may contain information about the manufacturer, the manufacturing site, the manufacturing time, the recommended expiration date, or the product type. As a result, based on this information, the system may be adapted to authenticate the aerosol-generating article. As a result, consumption of an unauthenticated article may be rendered inoperative. Based on the identified product type, an operating mode of the aerosol generating device may be set. In particular, a particular operating mode may be set for each of heated tobacco products (HTPs), nicotine-containing products (NCPs) including vaping systems, hybrids of heated tobacco and nicotine-containing products, herbal, or combinations thereof. As a result, the aerosol-generating article may be used with different types of aerosol generating devices.

[0059] The aerosol generating device may be adapted to read more than one bit of information in both the first state and the second state. The information storage element may provide its alterable information in the same manner that is readable and decodable for both the first state and the second state. Thus, the information storage element is readable by the aerosol generating device in both the first state and the second state.

[0060] The information storage element may include a grid pattern with a plurality of segments with at least one alterable segment. The grid pattern may be useful for standardized recognition algorithms implemented by a data processing unit connected by wire or wirelessly to a detector in the aerosol generating device. In particular, the possible alterations of the segments may be predetermined depending on the physical state to which the information storage element is subjected. The total area of ​​the alterable segments may be switched from black to white, or from transparent to opaque, or from one color to another. Information may be stored in the grid pattern based on a specific coding. The coding may be a cryptographic signature or encryption or both. As a result, it may be prevented to counterfeit or access the information in the information storage element.

[0061] The aerosol generating device may comprise a detector adapted to read out the information storage element having at least one segment in an altered state. The detector may be disposed within the aerosol generating device such that the information storage element is positioned within the field of view of the detector when an aerosol-generating article is inserted into a receiving cavity of the aerosol generating device. In particular, the detector may face the inside of a cavity of the aerosol generating device adapted to receive an aerosol-generating article.

[0062] The detector may be adapted to detect at least one of a magnetic field and electromagnetic radiation. The detector may be an RGB sensor capable of detecting a range of electromagnetic radiation including red, green, and blue. The detector may be a CCD sensor (charge-coupled device sensor). The detector may include optical components, such as one or more of a lens, a filter, a coating, or a polarizing optical element. The detector may have dimensions suitable for being placed in the aerosol generating device. Specifically, the detector may have a maximum side length of 1.2 millimeters.

[0063] The aerosol generating device may be adapted to modify the information storage element from a first state to a second state by modifying at least one layer of the information storage element. Thus, the aerosol-generating article may be marked as used and rendered inoperative for a second use. The aerosol generating device may also be adapted to modify the information storage element to store information when the aerosol-generating article was used, for how long or at what temperature it was used.

[0064] The aerosol generating device may include a radiation source. In particular, the radiation source may emit electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source may be electromagnetic waves having a wavelength in the range of 100 nanometers to 1000 nanometers. The radiation source may be an LED (light emitting diode), an OLED (organic light emitting diode), or a QLED (quantum dot light emitting diode). The one or more materials used in the information storage element may respond to the electromagnetic radiation by reflection of one or more wavelengths. The one or more materials used in the information storage element may be brought into an excited state by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the radiation source, and may emit electromagnetic radiation by remaining in the excited state. The excited state may be a fluorescent state or a phosphorescent state. The radiation source may be configured to emit selectable electromagnetic radiation.

[0065] The aerosol generating device may include a magnet to alter the information storage element. The magnet may be an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be adapted to alter and read information on the information storage element. The magnet may be a ferromagnetic material. The aerosol generating device may include multiple magnets, for example an electromagnetic write head, an electromagnetic read / write head, or a ferromagnetic write head.

[0066] The aerosol-generating device may be adapted to modify the information storage element by applying heat to the information storage element. The heat may be generated using a device that is also used to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to generate the aerosol. Alternatively, the heat may be generated using additional heating means within the aerosol-generating device. The information storage element may be located on the aerosol-generating article such that when inserted into the aerosol-generating device, the information storage element is located near an electrical resistance heating element. Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a heating element that generates heat through magnetic induction, and the heat dissipated to the location of the information storage element on the aerosol-generating article may alter the information storage element. As another alternative, the heating element may be inserted into the aerosol-generating article when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the aerosol-generating device. The temperature created at the location of the information storage element may be in the range of 60 degrees Celsius or greater. In particular, the temperature created at the location of the information storage element may be in the range of 60 degrees Celsius to 270 degrees Celsius. Specifically, the temperature produced at the location of the information storage element may range from 60 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.

[0067] The electronic components of the aerosol generating system, in particular the detector and the excitation source, may be connected to a control unit. The control unit may be disposed in the aerosol generating device. The control unit may comprise a data processing unit, a data storage unit, and a data exchange interface. The data exchange interface may be configured to establish a connection with a network, and in particular with an external data processing device, for example a server. The data exchange interface may be configured to establish a connection with the external data processing device via wireless communication, for example WLAN, Bluetooth, or cellular communication protocols. The control unit may be connected to other electronic components of the aerosol generating device, in particular the heating element. The control unit may be configured to control the function of the aerosol generating device depending on the information read from the information storage element of the aerosol generating article. In particular, the control unit may control the function of the heating element based on the information read from the information storage element.

[0068] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a multi-layer information storage element on an aerosol-generating article to provide alterable auxiliary information about the aerosol-generating article, at least one layer comprising a plurality of segments including at least one alterable segment. The multi-layer information storage element may provide a higher information density compared to a single layer structure. Furthermore, the information stored in the information storage element may be altered by altering one layer of at least one segment.

[0069] The aerosol-generating article according to the first aspect of the invention may be manufactured by the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0070] The use of the multi-layer information storage element according to the fourth aspect of the invention may be carried out with an article according to the first aspect of the invention in any of its embodiments, or with a system according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0071] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, below is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of the other examples, embodiments, or aspects described herein. EXAMPLES

[0072] Example 1: An aerosol-generating article adapted to be electrically heated by an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate; and an optical information storage element that stores information in a grid pattern having a plurality of segments with at least one alterable segment, the at least one alterable segment comprising a first layer and a second layer, and at least one optical property of the at least one layer adapted to be altered.

[0073] Example 2: An aerosol-generating article according to Example 1, wherein the segments are rectangular segments.

[0074] Example 3: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1-2, wherein the optical information storage element is adapted to be transformed from a first state to a second state, and at least one optical property of at least one transformable segment differs between the first state and the second state.

[0075] Example 4: An aerosol-generating article according to example 3, wherein in a first state, the segments form a first optically readable code and in a second state, the segments form a second optically readable code, the first optically readable code and the second optically readable code each encoding different information content.

[0076] Example 5: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein each information content has more than one bit of information.

[0077] Example 6: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 3 to 5, wherein at least one optical property of at least one modifiable segment differs uniformly between the first state and the second state.

[0078] Example 7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein at least one alterable segment is optically distinct.

[0079] Example 8: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein at least one modifiable segment comprises three or more layers, and at least one optical property of at least one of the layers is adapted to be modified.

[0080] Example 9: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the first layer comprises at least one material different from the one or more materials of the second layer.

[0081] Example 10: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein two or more different materials are disposed within the first layer and / or the second layer.

[0082] Example 11: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the material of the second layer is laminated to a different material of the first layer.

[0083] Example 12: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the optical property is color.

[0084] Example 13: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, having an optical characteristic of black or white.

[0085] Example 14: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the optical property is transparency.

[0086] Example 15: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the optical property is reflection.

[0087] Example 16: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the optical property is brightness.

[0088] Example 17: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the optical properties are irreversibly alterable.

[0089] Example 18: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the optical properties are reversibly alterable.

[0090] Example 19: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein the optical properties are modifiable by exposure to a temperature above a temperature threshold, preferably a temperature threshold of 60 degrees Celsius.

[0091] Example 20: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, the optical properties of which are modifiable by exposure to radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation.

[0092] Example 21: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the optical information storage element comprises a two-dimensional code.

[0093] Example 22: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the optical information storage element comprises a matrix code.

[0094] Example 23: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, comprising two or more optical information storage elements.

[0095] Example 24: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 23, comprising two or more optical information storage elements spaced apart from one another.

[0096] Example 25: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Examples 1 to 24, wherein the optical information storage element is provided with a recognition pattern to render it identifiable as a single unit.

[0097] Example 26: A method for producing an information storage element, particularly for an aerosol-generating article, comprising the steps of: depositing a first layer of material onto a surface; depositing a second layer of material at least partially over the first layer of material. a first layer of material is formed in a first pattern; and A second layer of material is formed in a second pattern; The method, wherein the second pattern corresponds at least in part to the first pattern.

[0098] Example 27: The method according to example 26, wherein the second layer is modifiable.

[0099] Example 28: The method according to any one of Examples 26-27, wherein the second layer is formed in a grid pattern using a plurality of rectangular segments with at least one modifiable segment.

[0100] Example 29: The method according to any one of examples 26-28, wherein the first layer is formed in a first pattern during depositing the first layer.

[0101] Example 30: The method according to any one of examples 26-29, wherein the second layer is formed in a second pattern during depositing the second layer.

[0102] Example 31: The method according to any one of examples 26-30, wherein forming includes inducing a physical or chemical change in the material.

[0103] Example 32: The method according to any one of examples 26 to 31, wherein the change in material is reversible.

[0104] Example 33: The method according to any one of examples 26 to 32, wherein the change in the material is irreversible.

[0105] Example 34: The method according to any one of examples 26-33, wherein forming comprises etching.

[0106] Example 35: The method according to any of examples 26-34, wherein forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation.

[0107] Example 36: The method according to any of examples 26-35, wherein forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 100 nanometers and 1000 nanometers.

[0108] Example 37: The method according to any of Examples 26-36, wherein forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 100 nanometers and 400 nanometers.

[0109] Example 38: The method according to any of examples 26-37, wherein forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 400 nanometers and 800 nanometers.

[0110] Example 39: The method according to any of Examples 26-38, wherein forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 800 nanometers and 1000 nanometers.

[0111] Example 40: The method according to any one of examples 26-39, wherein forming comprises thermal exposure.

[0112] Example 41: The method according to any one of examples 26-40, wherein forming comprises magnetizing.

[0113] Example 42: The method according to any one of examples 26-41, wherein the step of depositing the first layer and / or the second layer comprises a digital printing method.

[0114] Example 43: The method according to any one of examples 26-42, wherein depositing the first layer and / or the second layer comprises an additive manufacturing process.

[0115] Example 44: A method according to any one of Examples 26 to 43, wherein the step of depositing the first layer and / or the second layer includes one of inkjet printing, laser sintering additive manufacturing, sheet lamination, and material jetting.

[0116] Example 45: The method according to any one of examples 26 to 44, wherein the method further comprises the step of rendering the material processable by inducing a physical or chemical change in the material prior to or during deposition of the first material layer or the second material layer.

[0117] Example 46: The method according to example 45, wherein the step of rendering the material processable comprises inducing a change in at least one of viscosity, flowability, transparency, and color.

[0118] Example 47: An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating article is adapted to be heated in the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article comprises an information storage element having at least two layers, the information storage element is alterable from a first state to a second state by altering at least one layer of the information storage element, and the aerosol generating device is adapted to read the information storage element in the first state and in the second state.

[0119] Example 48: An aerosol generation system according to example 47, wherein the aerosol generation device is adapted to read out more than one bit of information in both the first state and the second state.

[0120] Example 49: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 47 to 48, wherein the information storage element comprises a grid pattern having a plurality of segments, each of which comprises at least one alterable segment.

[0121] Example 50: An aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 47 to 49, wherein the aerosol generation device comprises a detector adapted to read out an information storage element having at least one segment in an altered state.

[0122] Example 51: An aerosol generating system according to Example 50, wherein the detector is adapted to detect at least one of a magnetic field and electromagnetic radiation.

[0123] Example 52: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 47 to 51, wherein the aerosol generating device is adapted to modify the information storage element from a first state to a second state by modifying at least one layer of the information storage element.

[0124] Example 53: An aerosol generating system according to any one of Examples 47 to 52, wherein the aerosol generating device is provided with a magnet to alter the information storage element.

[0125] Example 54: An aerosol generation system according to any one of Examples 47 to 53, wherein the aerosol generation device is adapted to modify the information storage element by applying heat to the information storage element.

[0126] Example 55: Use of a multi-layer information storage element on an aerosol-generating article to provide alterable auxiliary information about the aerosol-generating article, wherein at least one layer comprises a plurality of segments including at least one alterable segment.

[0127] The embodiments will now be further described with reference to the figures. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0128] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a four-layer information storage element. [Diagram 2] 2a-2e show top views of four single layers of the information storage element of FIG. 1, as well as a top view of the entire information storage element. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a substrate material containing two bands of a plurality of information storage elements. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a shows two aerosol-generating articles, each comprising a plurality of bands of information storage elements. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b shows an aerosol-generating article comprising multiple bands of information storage elements. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article inserted into an aerosol generating device. [Figure 6] 6a-c show cross-sectional views of a segment undergoing two material changes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0129] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an information storage element 1. Seven segments 3 are arranged in a grid pattern. The segments 3 have a rectangular shape. The segments 3 may comprise a variable number of layers 10, 20, 30, 40 and therefore may comprise only one single layer 10 or may comprise a structure of several layers 10, 20, 30, 40. Each layer 10, 20, 30, 40 of a segment 3 may be made of different materials, as shown by the different hatching patterns in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Each layer 10, 20, 30, 40, meaning each level, may also have different materials for different segments 3. As shown in this example, the information storage element 1 may have any external shape and does not have to be a regular rectangle or square in its external boundary. However, the external shape may represent a recognition pattern that helps to identify a valid information storage element 1 by the recognition program of the control unit.

[0130] FIG. 2a shows the first layer 10, which is the lowest layer of the information storage element 1. Each square represents the first or lowest layer 10 of one segment 3. FIG. 2b shows the second layer 20, FIG. 2c shows the third layer 30, and FIG. 2d shows the fourth or uppermost layer 40 of the information storage element 1. The squares filled with hatch patterns represent the specific material present at the current level of the respective segment 3. The unfilled squares indicate the absence of any material layer at this level or layer 10, 20, 30, 40 for the respective segment 3. FIG. 2e shows a top view of the entire information storage element 1. As a result, each square represents the uppermost visible layer 10, 20, 30, 40 of one segment 3. For example, in the leftmost row, for one segment 3, layer 10 is the uppermost visible layer, and for the other segment 3, layer 40 is the uppermost visible layer. As indicated by the hatched patterns, different materials may have different properties, in particular different optical properties. These properties may be altered under certain conditions, for example under certain temperatures or exposure to electromagnetic radiation. For example, the material of layer 40 may be altered from black or opaque to transparent. As a result, the material of the underlying layer 30, which may have a different color, for example red, may be visible. As a result, segment 3 switches from black to red, which represents a change in the stored information detectable by an appropriate detector.

[0131] 3 shows a carrier surface 5, such as a wrapper for an aerosol-generating article, specifically a wrapper for encasing an aerosol-generating substrate core. Surface 5 includes two bands 7 of a plurality of information storage elements 1. Surface 5 may be produced as an endless tape in a first step and cut into suitable pieces in a subsequent step. In the middle of surface 5 a separation line 9 is indicated, where surface 5 may be cut into a first and a second part to produce wrappers for two aerosol-generating articles facing each other at their distal ends, as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0132] Figure 4a shows two aerosol-generating articles 11 comprising a mouthpiece 13 and a substrate portion 15. The mouthpiece 13 may comprise a filter material and the substrate portion 15 may comprise a core of an aerosol-generating substrate encased by a wrapper or carrier surface 5. Each aerosol-generating article 11 comprises a band 7 of a plurality of information storage elements 1 at its substrate portion 15 adjacent the mouthpiece 13. The two aerosol-generating articles 11 are each rolled in a 90 degree rotated orientation on half of the carrier surface 5 as shown in Figure 3. The two aerosol-generating articles 11 are cut at a separation line 9 to obtain a single aerosol-generating article 11 as shown in Figure 4b.

[0133] 4b shows an aerosol-generating article 11 comprising a band 7 of multiple information storage elements 1. The band 7 extends around the complete circumference of the aerosol-generating article 11, thereby ensuring that at least one information storage element 1 is optically detectable by a detector when inserted into an aerosol generating device. In order to be able to distinguish from one another, the information storage elements 1 are separated by spaces and additionally comprise patterns, e.g. specific corner elements, that can be recognised by corresponding image recognition software in order to be identified as separate information storage elements 1.

[0134] 5 shows an aerosol-generating system 17 comprising an aerosol-generating article 11 inserted into an aerosol-generating device 19. In that embodiment, the band 7 of the information storage element 1 is located at the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 11 opposite the mouthpiece 13. A detector 21 is disposed within the aerosol-generating device 19 proximate to the band 7 of the information storage element 1. A stop (not shown) within the aerosol-generating device 19 ensures that the aerosol-generating article 11 is always inserted to a consistent length such that the band 7 is within the field of view of the detector 21. An induction coil 23 is provided within the aerosol-generating device 19 to inductively heat a susceptor 24 within an aerosol-generating substrate 25 of the aerosol-generating article 11. Alternatively, the heating blade of the device may be heated by electrical resistance heating while inserted into the substrate.

[0135] The aerosol generating device 19 further comprises a control unit 26, a power source 27, e.g. a battery, and a power charging and data port 29. An excitation source 31 is disposed within the aerosol generating device 19, which emits radiation that excites one or more of the segments 3 of the information storage element 1 or is reflected by the information storage element 1. The excitation source 31 may be a source of electromagnetic radiation, e.g. a light emitting diode, or a magnet, or the like. The aerosol generating device 19 may further comprise an antenna, e.g. as part of the data port 29, for establishing wireless communication to an external data processing device. When the aerosol-generating article 11 is heated within the aerosol-generating article 11, at least one, but preferably some, of the segments 3 of the information storage element undergo a material change.

[0136] 6a-6c show cross-sectional views of a segment 3 undergoing two exemplary material changes. The segment 3 is disposed on a surface 5 and comprises a common base layer or first layer 10, a second layer 20 and a part of a third layer 30. In a first state of FIG. 6a, the second layer 20 may have a certain color, for example red, and the third layer 30 may be transparent. In a transition from the first state of FIG. 6a to the second state of FIG. 6b, the information storage element 1, specifically the segment 3, is exposed to a certain temperature, for example 90 degrees Celsius, which alters the color of the second layer 20, for example to yellow. In the state of FIG. 6b, the third layer 30 remains transparent. In a second transition to the third state of FIG. 6c, the information storage element 1 is exposed to ultraviolet light. This changes the third layer 30 from transparent to opaque. As a result, the second layer 20 is no longer visible and the segment 3 may appear dark or black.

[0137] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and the like are understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein. Thus, in this context, the number A is understood as A±10%. Within this context, the number A may be considered to include a numerical value that is within the general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A may, in some instances used in the appended claims, deviate by the percentages recited above, provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed, and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically recited herein.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol-generating article adapted to be electrically heated by an aerosol-generating device, comprising: an aerosol-generating substrate; an optical information storage element that stores information in a grid pattern having a plurality of segments, the grid pattern including at least one alterable segment; the at least one modifiable segment comprises a first layer and a second layer, and at least one optical property of at least one layer is adapted to be modified; The aerosol-generating article, wherein the second layer is at least partially deposited on the first layer and is formed in a grid pattern having a plurality of rectangular segments, each segment including at least one modifiable segment.

2. 2. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the optical information storage element is adapted to be transformed from a first state to a second state, and at least one optical property of the at least one transformable segment differs between the first state and the second state.

3. 3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2, wherein in the first state, the segments form a first optically readable code and in the second state, the segments form a second optically readable code, the first optically readable code and the second optically readable code each encoding different information content.

4. 3. The aerosol-generating article of claim 2, wherein at least one optical property of the at least one modifiable segment is uniformly different between the first state and the second state.

5. 10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises at least one material that is different from one or more materials of the second layer.

6. 10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein two or more different materials are disposed within the first layer and / or the second layer.

7. 10. The aerosol-generating article of claim 1, wherein the material of the second layer is superimposed on a different material of the first layer.

8. 1. A method for manufacturing an information storage element, particularly for an aerosol-generating article, comprising: depositing a first layer of material onto a surface; and depositing a second layer of material at least partially over the first layer of material. the first layer of material is formed in a first pattern; and the second layer of material is formed in a second pattern; The method, wherein the second pattern is formed in a grid pattern having a plurality of rectangular segments that at least partially correspond to the first pattern and include at least one modifiable segment.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second layer is formed in a second pattern during deposition of the second layer.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the forming comprises inducing a physical or chemical change in a material.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein said forming comprises irradiating with electromagnetic radiation.

12. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises the step of rendering the material processable by inducing a physical or chemical material change before or during deposition of the first or second material layer.

13. An aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating article is adapted to be heated within the aerosol-generating device; the aerosol-generating article comprises an information storage element having at least two layers, the second layer being at least partially deposited on the first layer and formed in a grid pattern having a plurality of rectangular segments including at least one alterable segment, the information storage element being alterable from a first state to a second state by altering at least one layer of the information storage element; An aerosol generation system, wherein the aerosol generation device is adapted to read the information storage element in the first state and in the second state.

14. 14. The aerosol generation system of claim 13, wherein the aerosol generation device is adapted to read out more than one bit of information in both the first state and the second state.

15. Use of a multilayer information storage element on an aerosol-generating article to provide alterable auxiliary information about the aerosol-generating article, wherein a second layer is at least partially deposited on the first layer and is formed in a grid pattern having a plurality of rectangular segments, each including at least one alterable segment, and at least one layer comprises a plurality of segments, each including at least one alterable segment.

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