Aerosol Delivery System

Abstract

An aerosol delivery system (1) for generating an aerosol, comprising a consumable (2) and an aerosol delivery device (4) configured to receive the consumable (2). The aerosol delivery device (1) comprises a sensor (101) for sensing a portion of the consumable (2) when the consumable (2) is received by the aerosol delivery device (4), the portion (71) comprising an outer surface (73) of the consumable (2). The sensor (101) is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device (4) is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable (2), such as a composition of an aerosolizable material inside the consumable (2) or a remaining amount of an aerosolizable material inside the consumable (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.). [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic aerosol delivery systems often use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or more generally aerosol delivery devices. Such aerosol delivery systems contain an aerosolizable material (also called aerosol-generating material), such as a fluid or liquid reservoir containing a formulation that typically but not necessarily includes nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapor / aerosol is generated, for example by thermal vaporization, for inhalation by a user. Thus, an aerosol delivery system typically includes a vaporizer (also called aerosol generator), for example a heating element, configured to aerosolize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor.

[0003] Once the vapor is generated, it may be passed through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material is not itself flavored), after which the (flavored) vapor may in turn be delivered from the aerosol delivery system to a user via a mouthpiece. Potential shortcomings of existing aerosol delivery systems and related aerosol delivery devices are not always easily identifiable with respect to the particular type of consumable that is to be used as part of a particular application of the aerosol delivery system, particularly for those with visual impairments and / or in situations where visibility is reduced.

[0004] Accordingly, various approaches are described herein that attempt to help address or mitigate some of these issues through the implementation of an aerosol delivery system that implements sensors to determine certain characteristics of any consumable proposed for use in the aerosol delivery system (such as the composition of the aerosol generating material within the consumable) before the system uses the consumable to generate an aerosol.

[0005] Also described herein is an aerosol delivery system that can receive a cartridge / consumable from the aerosol delivery system into a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device. The receptacle is configured to be covered by a cover when not in use such that when the cover is moved to expose the receptacle, this movement of the cover is detected and then triggers an operation of a portion of the aerosol delivery system, such as an operation related to an aerosol generator of the aerosol delivery system or an operation of a sensor configured to sense a portion of the consumable configured to be received in the receptacle. In this manner, the efficiency of the aerosol delivery system can be increased through these operations related to the position / movement of the cover. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising: a consumable; and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable; the aerosol delivery device includes an optical sensor for sensing a portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an outer surface of the consumable; The sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0007] According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a sensor for sensing an exterior surface portion of the consumable configured to be received by the aerosol delivery device; The sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0008] According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable including an outer surface portion configured to be received within a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device when the consumable is being used to generate an aerosol, the outer surface portion including indicia configured to be sensed to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method for determining a predetermined characteristic of a consumable in an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: receiving a consumable from an aerosol delivery system in an aerosol delivery device; sensing a portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device using a sensor from the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an outer surface of the consumable; outputting sensor data from the sensor; determining, by the aerosol delivery device, a predetermined characteristic of the consumable using the sensor data; Includes.

[0010] It will be understood that the features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to its various aspects are equally applicable to and may be combined with embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention, as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, an aerosol delivery system including a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device (shown separately) according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of cartridge components of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3A] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one of the housing portions of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3B] 2 shows another schematic cross-sectional view of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3C] 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of a septum element of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of one of the elastic plugs of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5B] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating another perspective view of the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 5C] 2 shows a schematic plan view of an elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 6A] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6B] 2 shows a schematic plan view of the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 1 illustrates generally one embodiment of an aerosol delivery system in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8A]1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment of an aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device and a consumable / cartridge that includes a portion configured to be sensed, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] 8B illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 8A in which a consumable is disposed within a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8C] 8B illustrates, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiment of FIG. 8A, in which a consumable is placed in a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device and covered with a cover such that the consumable is enclosed. [Figure 9A] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of an aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device and a consumable / cartridge configured to be at least partially disposed within a receptacle of the aerosol delivery device in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] 9B illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 9A, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, with the consumable at least partially disposed within a receptacle of the aerosol delivery device. [Figure 10A] FIG. 1 illustrates, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, a schematic representation of an embodiment of an aerosol delivery system including an aerosol delivery device and a consumable / cartridge configured to be at least partially disposed within a receptacle of the aerosol delivery device, the cartridge being configured to be inductively heated by including a susceptor within the cartridge. [Figure 10B] 10B illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 10A with the consumable at least partially disposed within a receptacle of the aerosol delivery device, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented in a conventional manner, and these will not be described / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes). According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the constituent aerosolizable materials (or components thereof) of the aerosol delivery system are not or are not burned to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolizable materials, which may also be referred to herein as aerosol-generating materials or aerosol precursor materials, are materials that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or energized in any other manner. Aerosolizable materials may also be flavored in some embodiments.

[0014] Throughout the following description, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be understood that this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system. Note that an e-cigarette is also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.

[0015] In some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system is a hybrid device configured to generate an aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or more of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device includes a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0016] Typically, a (non-combustion) aerosol delivery system may comprise a cartridge / consumable part and a body / reusable / aerosol delivery device part configured to releasably engage with the cartridge / consumable part.

[0017] The aerosol delivery system may be provided with means for powering a vaporizer therein, and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transport element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol delivery system may also be provided with a reservoir for containing the aerosolizable material, and in some embodiments, a further reservoir for containing a flavoring material for flavoring the vapor generated from the aerosol delivery system.

[0018] In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be a heater / heating element that can interact with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile substances from the aerosolizable material to form a vapor / aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporizer can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating. For example, the vaporizer may be capable of generating a vapor / aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, for example, via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means.

[0019] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolizable material that may include an active ingredient, a carrier component, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

[0020] The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and / or olfactory active ingredients included in the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and / or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active ingredient may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or components, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active ingredient may include components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco or another botanical substance. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine bitartrate / nicotine tartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

[0021] In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and, where local regulations permit, may be selected from "flavors" and / or "flavoring agents" that may be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatic sensation in products intended for adult consumers. In some examples, such ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavorings, flavoring materials, cooling agents, heating agents, and / or sweetening agents.These may be naturally occurring flavoring materials, botanical substances, extracts of botanical substances, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, limes, Tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascaria, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel quid, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine , ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, pimenta, ginger, coffee, hemp, peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, hibiscus, bay, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, black currant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiento, maize The additives may include other additives such as oleander, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, caraway, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugar and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), as well as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners.These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases, such as extracts (e.g. licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, cloves, menthol, peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherries, berries, peaches, apples, Drambuie, bourbon, Scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, The additives may be one or more of the following: jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or peppermint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

[0022] In some embodiments, the flavoring materials (flavors) may include menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavors include cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry flavor components. In some embodiments, the flavors include eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavors include flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavors may include a sensory elicitor, which is intended to achieve somatic sensations that are usually chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents that produce heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effects. A suitable heat effecting agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[0023] The carrier component may include one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier component may include one or more of glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0024] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0025] As mentioned above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise modular assemblies that include both reusable (main body or aerosol delivery device) and replaceable consumable (cartridge) parts. Devices that fit this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a substantially elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein may comprise this type of substantially elongated two-part device that uses consumable parts. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein may equally be employed in other electronic cigarette configurations, such as modular devices with three or more parts, as devices that fit other overall shapes, for example, based on so-called box mod smart devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

[0026] Thus, with reference to the foregoing, and with reference to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (e-cigarette) 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the electronic cigarette (e.g., terms such as upper, lower, above, below, top, bottom, etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the electronic cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). However, it will be understood that this is merely for ease of explanation and is not intended to imply any required orientation of the electronic cigarette in use.

[0027] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system 1) comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4. The aerosol delivery device 4 and the cartridge 2 are shown separated in Figure 1 but are coupled together in use.

[0028] The cartridge 2 and the aerosol delivery device 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The particular manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not primarily important to the principles described herein and may be established in accordance with the prior art, for example, based on a screw thread, bayonet, latch-type, or friction fit type mechanical fastening with appropriately positioned electrical contacts / electrodes to appropriately establish an electrical connection between the two parts. For example, in the electronic cigarette 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge includes a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52, and an interface end 54, and is coupled to the aerosol delivery device by inserting an interface end portion 6 of the interface end of the cartridge into a corresponding receptacle 8 / receiving section of the aerosol delivery device. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge includes a protrusion 56 that fits tightly into the receptacle 8 and engages with a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device. An electrical connection is established between the aerosol delivery device and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts on the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in FIG. 1) and corresponding spring-loaded contact pins in the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in FIG. 1). As noted above, the particular manner in which the electrical connection is established is not important to the principles described herein, and indeed some embodiments may not have any electrical connection at all between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device, for example, because the transfer of power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction technology).

[0029] The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system) has a generally elongated shape extending along a longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol delivery device, the overall length (along the longitudinal axis) of the electronic cigarette in this example is about 12.5 cm. The overall length of the aerosol delivery device is about 9 cm, and the overall length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e., there is about 1.5 cm of overlap between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol delivery device when they are coupled together). The electronic cigarette is generally oval in shape, with a cross section that is largest near the center of the electronic cigarette and curves and tapers toward the ends. The cross section near the center of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. The ends of the cartridge have a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, while the other end of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the electronic cigarette is formed from plastic in this example. It will be understood that the particular size and shape of the electronic cigarette and the materials from which the electronic cigarette is made are not primarily critical to the principles described herein and may vary in different embodiments, i.e., the principles described herein may be equally employed in electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.

[0030] The aerosol delivery device 4 may be broadly conventional in terms of functionality and general construction technology of the aerosol delivery device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, the aerosol delivery device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including a receptacle wall 12 that defines a receptacle 8 for receiving an end of a cartridge as described above. The outer housing 10 of the aerosol delivery device 4 in this example has a generally oval cross-section that fits the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at the interface of the two parts to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated 180°, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol delivery device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol delivery device air inlet openings 14 (i.e., holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol delivery device. Different ones of the openings 14 align with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in different orientations. It will be understood that in some embodiments, the cartridge may not have rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in only one orientation, while in other embodiments, the cartridge may have a greater degree of rotational symmetry such that it can be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in more orientations.

[0031] The aerosol delivery device further includes a battery 16 for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette, a control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button 20, an indicator light 22, and a charging port 24.

[0032] The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the type typically used in e-cigarettes and other applications requiring the supply of relatively high currents for relatively short periods of time. The battery 16 may be recharged via a charging port 24, which may comprise, for example, a USB connector.

[0033] The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button, e.g., with a spring-loaded component that a user can press to establish electrical contact in an underlying circuit. In this regard, the input button may be considered an input device for detecting user input, e.g., to trigger aerosol generation, and the particular manner in which the button is implemented is not important. For example, in other implementations, other forms of mechanical or touch-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or light-sensing technology) may be used, or there may be no button and the device may rely on a puff detector to trigger aerosol generation.

[0034] Indicator lights 22 are provided to give the user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, such as an indication of an operating state (e.g., on / off / standby) and other characteristics such as battery life or fault conditions. Different characteristics may be indicated, for example, by different colors and / or different flashing sequences, in accordance with common prior art.

[0035] The control circuit 18 is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operational functions in line with established techniques for controlling electronic cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) 18 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units / circuit elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different implementations, the control circuit 18 may include power control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the battery / power source to the cartridge in response to user input, user programming circuitry for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, and other functional units / circuit-related functions in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operational aspects of electronic cigarettes, such as indicator light display drive circuitry and user input detection circuitry. It will be appreciated that the functionality of the control circuit 18 may be provided in a variety of different ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computers and / or one or more suitably configured application specific integrated circuits / circuits / chips / chipsets configured to provide the desired functionality.

[0036] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of cartridge 2 (exploded along longitudinal axis L). Cartridge 2 includes housing portion 32, air channel seal 34, septum element 36, outlet tube 38, vaporizer / heating element 40, aerosolizable material transport element 42, plug 44, and end cap 48 having contact electrode 46. Figures 3-6 show some of these components in schematic form in more detail.

[0037] Figure 3A is a schematic cutaway view of housing portion 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing portion 32 is at its thinnest. Figure 3B is a schematic cutaway view of housing portion 32 through longitudinal axis L where housing portion 32 is at its widest. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing portion from interface end 54 along longitudinal axis L (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).

[0038] Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below, and Figure 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bulkhead element 36 as viewed from below.

[0039] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from above, and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic view of plug 44 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., as viewed from above relative to the orientation of Figures 1 and 2).

[0040] Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view from above of end cap 48. Figure 6B is a schematic view of end cap 48 along longitudinal axis L as viewed from mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., from above).

[0041] The housing portion 32 in this example includes an outer housing wall 64 and an inner housing tube 62 formed from a single molding of polypropylene in this example. The outer housing wall 64 defines the exterior of the cartridge 2 and the inner housing tube 62 defines a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing portion is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge except for a mouthpiece opening / aerosol outlet 60 from the mouthpiece 33 which is in fluid communication with the inner housing tube 62. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall that provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. The air inlet 50 in this example is approximately 2 mm 22. The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes the above-mentioned projection 56 which engages with a corresponding detent in the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion includes a further projection 66 which acts to provide an abutment stop for locating the septum element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 further includes an aperture which provides a latch recess 68 arranged to receive a corresponding latch projection 70 in the end cap to secure the end cap to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled.

[0042] The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-walled section 74 that defines a gap 76 that is in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 provides a portion of an air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double-walled section 74 of the housing portion 32 is configured such that the gap defines an air channel through the housing outer wall 64 parallel to the longitudinal axis and has a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of approximately 3 mm. 2 The gap / portion of the air channel 76 defined by the double wall section of the housing portion extends down to the open end of the housing portion 32.

[0043] The air channel seal 34 is a silicone molding generally in the form of a tube having a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes a circumferential ridge 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these are not visible in FIG. 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is mounted on the inner housing tube 62 with the end of the inner housing tube 62 extending partially into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. The through hole 80 of the air channel seal has a diameter of about 5.8 mm in the relaxed state of the air channel seal, while the end of the inner housing tube 62 has a diameter of about 6.2 mm, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is stretched to receive the inner housing tube 62. This seal is aided by the ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.

[0044] The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section, for example made of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, having an inside diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm. The bottom end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88, the end of each slot having a semicircular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 rides on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is about 9.0 mm in the air channel seal's relaxed state, thereby forming a seal when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by a ridge 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. A collar 80 on the air channel seal 34 provides a stop for the outlet tube 38.

[0045] The aerosolizable material transport element 42 includes a capillary wick, and the vaporizer (aerosol generator) 40 includes a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the portion of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer includes an electrical lead 41 that passes through a hole in the plug 44 to a contact electrode 46 attached to the end cap 54, allowing power to be provided to the vaporizer via an electrical interface established when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol delivery device. The vaporizer lead 41 may include the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may include a different material (e.g., a low resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example, the heater coil 40 includes nickel-iron alloy wire, and the wick 42 includes fiberglass bundles. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport elements may be provided according to any conventional technique and may include different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the wick may include a fibrous or solid ceramic material, and the heater may include a different alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, for example in the form of a porous and resistive material. More generally, it will be understood that the particular nature of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer are not of primary importance to the principles described herein.

[0046] When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received within the semicircular recess 90 in the outlet tube 38 so that the central portion of the wick around which the heating coil is wrapped is inside the outlet tube and the end portions of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38.

[0047] The plug 44 in this example comprises a unitary molding of silicone and may be resilient. The plug includes a base portion 100 with an outer wall 102 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 (i.e., toward the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug further includes an inner wall 104 extending upwardly from the base portion 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 through the base portion 100.

[0048] An outer wall 102 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the housing portion 32 so that the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing portion 32 when the cartridge is assembled. An inner wall 104 of the plug 44 fits against the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 so that the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 108, the end of each slot having a semicircular recess 110. Extending outwardly (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104 is a cradle section 112 shaped to receive a section of the aerosolizable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slot 108 and semicircular recess 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44 and the slot 88 and semicircular recess 90 of the outlet tube 38 are aligned such that the slot 88 in the outlet tube 38 receives each of the cradles 112 and the respective semicircular recesses in the outlet tube and plug cooperate to define an aperture through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. The size of the aperture provided by the semicircular recess through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes corresponds closely to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but is slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 provides some compression. This allows the aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action while limiting the extent to which aerosolizable material not transported by capillary action can pass through the opening. As mentioned above, the plug 44 includes a further opening 114 in the base portion 100 through which the vaporizer contact lead 41 passes when the cartridge is assembled. The bottom of the plug base includes spacers 116 that maintain the offset between the remaining surface of the bottom of the base and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which the vaporizer electrical contact leads 41 pass.

[0049] The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene molding having a pair of gold plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.

[0050] The ends of the electrode posts 44 at the bottom side of the end cap are approximately flush with the cartridge interface ends 54 at the end cap 48. These are the portions of the electrodes that correspondingly aligned spring-loaded contacts in the aerosol delivery device 4 connect to when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol delivery device 4. The ends of the electrode posts inside the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 into holes 114 in the plug 44 through which the contact leads 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly oversized relative to the holes 114 and include chamfers at their upper ends to facilitate insertion into the holes 114 in the plug which maintains a pressure contact with the vaporizer contact leads.

[0051] The end cap has a base section 124 and an upstanding wall 120 which fits against the inner surface of the housing portion 32. The upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing portion 32 so that, when the cartridge is assembled, the latch projections 70 engage the latch recesses 68 in the housing portion 32 to snap-fit ​​the end cap 48 into the housing portion. The top of the upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts the periphery of the plug 44 and the lower face of the spacer 116 on the plug also abuts the base section 124 of the plug so that the end cap 48 is maintained in a slightly compressed state against the resilient portion 44 when it is installed in the housing portion.

[0052] A base portion 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral lip 126 beyond the base of the upstanding wall 112 having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes an upstanding locating pin 122 which mates with a corresponding locating hole 128 in the plug to help define their relative positions during assembly.

[0053] The septum element 36 comprises a single moulding of polypropylene, with a septum 130 and a collar 132 formed by a protrusion in a direction from the septum 130 towards the interface end of the cartridge. The septum element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the septum is disposed around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments the septum element 36 may be integrally formed with the outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages the lower surface of the septum 130 which in turn engages the protrusion 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. The septum 130 thus prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32, i.e. the septum 130 is fixedly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the protrusion 66 in the housing part, thus providing the plug with a fixed surface to press against. A collar 132 formed by a projection from the septum includes a first pair of opposing projections / tangs 134 that engage corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The projections from the septum 130 further provide a pair of cradle sections 136 configured to engage corresponding ones of the cradle sections 112 in the part 44 when the cartridge is assembled to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes.

[0054] When the cartridge 2 is assembled, an air channel is formed that extends from the air inlet 50 through the cartridge to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting at the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing portion 32, a first section of the air channel is provided by a gap 76 formed by a double wall section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32, and extends from the air inlet 50 through the plug 44 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge. A second portion of the air channel is provided by a gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third portion of the air channel is provided by a hole 106 through the plug 44. A fourth portion of the air channel is provided by the inner wall 104 of the plug around the vaporizer 40 and the area within the outlet tube. This fourth portion of the air channel is also referred to as the aerosol / aerosol generation region, and is the primary region where aerosol is generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation region may be referred to as the air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remaining portion of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an outer housing inner tube 62 that connects the air channel to an aerosol outlet 60 located at the end of the mouthpiece 33. The air channel that leads from the aerosol-generation region to the aerosol outlet section of the air channel may be referred to as the aerosol outlet section of the air channel.

[0055] Also, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 for the aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air channel and inside the housing portion 32. The aerosolizable material may be filled during manufacture, for example through a fill hole that is subsequently sealed, or by other means. The specific nature of the aerosolizable material, for example with respect to the composition of the aerosolizable material, is not primarily important to the principles described herein, and generally any conventional aerosolizable material of the kind typically used in electronic cigarettes may be used. The present disclosure may refer to a liquid as the aerosolizable material, which may be a conventional e-liquid as described above. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that has the ability to flow and may include liquids, gels, or solids, and in the case of solids, a plurality of solid particles may be considered to have the ability to flow when considered as a bulk.

[0056] The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above the septum 130 and a second region below the septum 130 in the space formed between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 passes through an opening in the wall of the air channel provided by the semicircular recesses 108, 90 in the plug 44 and outlet tube 38, which engage with each other as described above, and the cradle sections 112, 136 in the plug 44 and septum element 36. Thus, the end of the aerosolizable material transport element extends into the second region of the reservoir from which it draws the aerosolizable material through the opening in the air channel and into the vaporizer 40 for subsequent vaporization.

[0057] In standard use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the aerosol delivery device 4, and the aerosol delivery device is activated to provide power to the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Power then flows through connecting lead 41 to the vaporizer 40. The vaporizer is thus electrically heated, thereby vaporizing a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element proximate the vaporizer. This generates an aerosol in the aerosol-generating region of the airway. The aerosolizable material vaporized from the aerosolizable material transport element is replaced by more aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is operating, the user inhales on the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge. This draws air through whichever aerosol delivery device air inlet 14 aligns with the cartridge air inlet 50 (which will depend on the orientation in which the cartridge was inserted into the aerosol delivery device receptacle 8). Air then enters the cartridge through air inlet 50, passes along gap 76 in double-walled section 74 of housing portion 32, passes between plug 44 and end cap 48, and then through hole 106 in base portion 100 of plug 44 into the aerosol-generating region surrounding vaporizer 40. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the vaporizer to form a condensed aerosol that is then drawn along exit tube 38 and housing portion interior 62 before exiting through mouthpiece outlet / aerosol outlet 60 for user inhalation.

[0058] From Figures 1-6B above, one can see the configuration of a possible embodiment of an aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate an aerosol, which is suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure (potentially together with other forms of aerosol delivery systems).

[0059] 7-10B, the present disclosure also provides other uses and embodiments of the aerosol delivery system 1 that may complement the embodiments of the aerosol delivery system illustrated and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B.

[0060] 7-8C, according to some embodiments, an aerosol delivery system 1 for generating an aerosol is provided, the aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a consumable 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4 configured to receive the consumable 2. Although not required, the consumable 2 may be structurally and functionally related to any of the cartridges / consumables previously described. Similarly, the aerosol delivery device / control unit 4 may be structurally and functionally related to any of the aerosol delivery devices / control units previously described.

[0061] In accordance with these embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 4 may include a sensor 101 for sensing a portion 71 of the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is received by the aerosol delivery device 4. In this manner, the sensor 101 may be configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2.

[0062] Thus, at a general level, the application of these embodiments is to facilitate an aerosol delivery system 1 and / or an aerosol delivery device 4 in a state in which the characteristics of the consumable 2 can be identified prior to any operation of the consumable 2.

[0063] At a general level, it should be appreciated that a variety of different sensor devices can be used to sense portion 71 of consumable 2 depending on the nature of portion 71. For example, according to some embodiments such as the embodiment of FIG. 7A, sensor 101 may include an optical sensor such as a camera in very specific embodiments.

[0064] Thus, using sensor 101, it may be configured to sense portion 71 of consumable 2 when consumable 2 is received by aerosol delivery device 4. Regarding the nature of portion 71, according to some embodiments, portion may include an outer surface 73 of consumable 2, such as an outer surface of base 75 of consumable 2 according to some particular embodiments.

[0065] In particular, in embodiments in which sensor 101 comprises an optical sensor, according to some embodiments, portion 71 may include a suitable appearance to render portion 71 detectable. In this regard, and according to some embodiments, portion thus includes indicia 71A (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8A), pattern 71B, a bar code, and / or a QR code 71C. Thus, on a more general level, according to some embodiments, portion 71 may be machine-readable.

[0066] It has been found that in order to facilitate sensing of portion 71 in use and to avoid portion 71 taking up too much space on consumable 2, portion 71 may according to some have a maximum dimension of 30 mm or less, according to some narrower embodiments have a maximum dimension of 20 mm or less, in even narrower embodiments have a maximum dimension of 15 mm or less, and / or according to some even narrower embodiments have a maximum dimension of 10 mm or less. In this specification, the term "maximum dimension" means that none of the maximum length / width / thickness of portion 71 should exceed the amount quoted in millimeters.

[0067] If portion 71 is used, as described above, portion 71 may include an outer surface 73 of the consumable 2 or may be disposed on such outer surface 73 of the consumable 2 via portion 71 including a label that may be attached to the consumable, such as outer surface 73 of the consumable 2, and / or to form outer surface 73 of the consumable 2.

[0068] The exact location of portion 71 may vary considerably with respect to the surface of consumable 2 as desired, such as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 where portion 71 is shown potentially being located at interface end 54 of consumable 2 and / or at base 75 of consumable 2.

[0069] However, regardless of the position of portion 71, the functionality of portion 71 may be improved so long as the aerosol delivery device 4 and / or aerosol delivery system 1 are configured such that portion 71 faces and / or is exposed to and / or is readable by sensor 101 when the consumable 2 is received by the aerosol delivery device 4.

[0070] To aid in the above, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 4 may include a receptacle 8 configured to receive the consumable 2. According to some embodiments, the receptacle 8 may include a first end 9 for inserting the consumable 2 into the receptacle 8, and a second end 11 opposite the first end 9. As such, the receptacle may include a side wall 12 (receptacle wall) between the first end 9 and the second end 11.

[0071] When such a receptacle 8 is used, in some embodiments the sensor 101 may be recessed into the side wall 12 and / or second end 11, for example as shown in the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8A-8C, to better protect the sensor from accidental damage during use.

[0072] However, whatever the location of the sensor 101 and to the extent that the sensor 101 is used, as mentioned above, the sensor 101 is configured to output sensor data to enable the aerosol delivery device 4 to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2. As to what this predetermined characteristic is, obviously, this can be many different things. For example, according to some embodiments, the predetermined characteristic may include the composition of the aerosol generating material inside the consumable 2, and / or the predetermined characteristic may include the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material inside the consumable (which may be a solid, liquid, and / or gel aerosol generating material, as appropriate, depending on the embodiment of the consumable used). In this way, to the extent that the predetermined characteristic can be determined, the aerosol delivery device 4 and / or the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to take appropriate action in response to this determination. For example, according to a very particular embodiment, in response to determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2, the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to select a predetermined power profile or predetermined power setting for the aerosol generator 40 (e.g., to correspond to a particular flavor or amount of aerosol generating material in the consumable 2). According to some embodiments, the predetermined characteristic may explicitly or alternatively / additionally include an indication of whether the consumable is authorized (or legitimate). In this manner, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to prevent operation of the aerosol generator 40 from the aerosol delivery device 4 until the aerosol delivery system 1 determines the predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2 and / or until the aerosol delivery system 1 determines that the consumable 2 is authorized. This may be particularly useful in preventing any inadvertent damage to the aerosol delivery device 4 by attempting to generate aerosol from a counterfeit consumable or from some other form of inferior consumable 2 that is not legitimate. These embodiments may also be useful insofar as they may better prevent inadvertent combustion of the flavor of the aerosol-generating material by applying a form of heating inappropriate for that particular flavor of the aerosol-generating material.

[0073] According to some embodiments, to better protect the consumable 2 during use and any used sensor 101, and insofar as the receptacle 8 may be used, according to some embodiments, the receptacle 8 may be configured to fully enclose the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is received by the aerosol delivery device, for example as shown in the embodiment of Figures 8A-8C. To assist in this protection, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may additionally / alternatively comprise a cover 103, which is movable between a first position C1 in which the cover 103 at least partially covers the first end 9 of the receptacle 8 and prevents the consumable 2 from being inserted into (or removed from) the receptacle 2, and a second position C2 in which the cover 103 at least partially exposes the first end 9 of the receptacle 8 and allows the consumable 2 to be received by (or removed from) the aerosol delivery device 4.

[0074] To the extent that a cover 103 may be used, according to some embodiments, the cover may be removable from the aerosol delivery device 4. This may be accomplished, for example, in very particular embodiments, by the cover 103 (which in such embodiments may be described as a cap) actually being attached to the aerosol delivery device 4, such as via a thread and / or an interference fit. According to some embodiments, the cover 103 may be configured to plug the first end 8 of the receptacle into the first position C1. However, in some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 4 may include the cover 103, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 8A-8C.

[0075] With regard to how any used cover 103 may move between the first position C1 and the second position C2, according to some embodiments, the cover 103 may be slidable from a first position to a second position, such as according to the embodiments shown in Figures 8A-8C, 9A-9B, and 10A-10B. However, obviously, according to some embodiments, any used cover 103 may be configured to rotate between the first position C1 and the second position C2 and / or perform some other movement between the first position C1 and the second position C2.

[0076] Thus, from the above, to the extent cover 103 may be used, cover 103 may help to better protect some of the components of the aerosol delivery system, such as any inside receptacle 8, particularly while aerosol delivery system 1 is not in use, such as in the positions from the embodiments of Figures 8A, 9A and 10A.

[0077] Even if cover 103 is used, a potential further use of cover 103 is that the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to control operation of a sensor (or more generally, some other part / component 79 of the aerosol delivery device 4, as described below) in response to determining that cover 103 has moved: i) between the first position C1 and the second position C2, ii) from the first position C1 to the second position C2, and / or iii) from the second position C2 to the first position C1.

[0078] For example, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to operate the sensor 101 in response to the cover 103 being (determined to be) disposed in the second position C2. Thus, according to some related embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may be configured to operate the sensor 101 while the cover 103 is in the second position C2 and / or to disable the sensor in response to the cover being disposed in the first position C1. Thus, according to these examples, the position of the cover 103 may be dictating the operation of the sensor 101 (or more generally any other part / component of the aerosol delivery device 4), which may thus facilitate conserving power in the aerosol delivery device 4 to power the sensor 101 (or other parts / components 79, such as the aerosol generator 40, or the light source 81 inside the receptacle 8) only when the sensor (or other component) is expected to operate.

[0079] Thus, as an example, to the extent that the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to operate the sensor 101 in response to the cover 103 being placed in the second position C2, this may enable the sensor 101 to be activated in accordance with the time that the user may next insert the consumable 2 into the receptacle 8, as shown, for example, in the positions from FIG. 8B, FIG. 9C, or FIG. 10B.

[0080] As another example, the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to operate the aerosol generator 40 in response to the cover 103 being placed in the second position C2.

[0081] In yet another example, the aerosol delivery device 4 may be configured to operate the light source 81 in the receptacle in response to the cover 103 being placed in the second position C2. In this manner, operation of the light source 81 may enable the user to know where / how exactly to insert the consumable 2 into the receptacle 8.

[0082] For completeness, the aerosol supply device 4 may be configured to operate any part 79 or component of the aerosol supply device 4 in response to the cover 103 being placed in the second position C2, such that this functionality of the aerosol supply device 4 and the aerosol supply system 1 may be used regardless of whether the above-mentioned sensor 101 and / or part 71 are used or not.

[0083] With the above disclosure in mind, it will be appreciated that where a component portion 79 of the aerosol delivery device 4 is configured to be operated based on the position of the cover 103, such operation may be immediate or, in some embodiments, may be operated after a predetermined time has elapsed after the aerosol delivery system 1 (or aerosol delivery device 4) determines that the cover 103 has moved to the associated position.

[0084] For example, according to some embodiments, in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second (or first) position C2, the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to operate the part 79 of the aerosol delivery system (whether this part is, for example, the aerosol generator 40, the light source 81 described above, and / or the sensor 101 used) after a predetermined time has elapsed after the aerosol delivery system has determined that the cover 103 has moved from the first position C1 to the second position C2 (or from the second position to the first position). For some embodiments, the predetermined time may include at least 0.5 seconds, 0.7 seconds, 1 second, 1.5 seconds, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, and / or 5 seconds. In this way, taking the example where the part to be operated is the aerosol generator 40 or any sensor 101 used, thus introducing a time delay (predetermined time) may take into account the fact that it may take some time between the user opening the cover 103 and placing the consumable 2 in the receptacle 8. Therefore, by providing a time delay (a predetermined period of time) to take this delay into account, battery consumption in the aerosol delivery device 4 can be reduced by not unnecessarily supplying power to portion 79 of the aerosol delivery system during this period while the user has not yet inserted the consumable 2 into the receptacle 8.

[0085] Similarly, according to some embodiments, the predetermined time may include 20 seconds or less, 15 seconds or less, 12 seconds or less, 10 seconds or less, 8 seconds or less, 7 seconds or less, and / or 5 seconds or less. Thus, providing this maximum timer period can provide a suitable upper limit on the time delay - the time by which a user is reasonably expected to place consumable 2 in receptacle 8.

[0086] However, in some embodiments, such as when the aerosol delivery device 2 includes a light source 81 within the receptacle 8 (to help the user see within the receptacle 8), it may not be necessary to provide a time delay, and so according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system (or aerosol delivery device 4) may be configured to operate part 79 of the aerosol delivery system (such as a light source) immediately, i.e., without a time delay, in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position C2.

[0087] With regard to positioning the above-mentioned portion 79 of the aerosol delivery device 4 (whether this is, for example, the aerosol generator 40, the light source 81, or the sensor 101), to help protect the portion 79 during use, according to some embodiments, the portion 79 may be located on a side wall and / or towards or at the second end 11 of the receptacle 8. According to some particular embodiments, the portion 79 may be located 30 mm or less, 25 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 15 mm or less, and / or 10 mm or less from the second end 11 of the receptacle 8. In this way, some advantages may be provided, at least in terms of better positioning the portion 79 away from the first end 9 of the receptacle (where the portion 79 is susceptible to damage). In practice, however, if portion 79 includes a light source 81, having the light source proximal to second end 11 may aid in allowing a user to look directly into this end of receptacle 8 and may also provide some room for discretion in better obscuring the light from the light source contained within receptacle 8. Similarly, if portion 79 includes a sensor 101, having the sensor 101 proximal to second end 11 may increase the accuracy of the sensor so that it does not sense the consumable 8 unless the consumable is fully inserted into receptacle 8, as opposed to being partially or incorrectly inserted.

[0088] To further protect portion 79 and to facilitate insertion of consumable 2 into the receptacle, receptacle 8 (and / or consumable 2) may be substantially cylindrical.

[0089] With respect to retention of the consumable 2 within the receptacle 8 during use, this retention may be facilitated via the aerosol delivery device 4 including, according to some embodiments, at least one retaining portion 83 or multiple retaining portions 83A-83F for gripping the consumable 2 received within the receptacle 8. According to some embodiments, when multiple retaining portions 83A-83F are provided, the multiple retaining portions 83A-83F may be configured to surround the consumable and / or in certain embodiments further to grip multiple different circumferential portions of the consumable 2 received within the receptacle 8.

[0090] According to some embodiments, to aid in gripping the consumable 2 and to improve the strength of each retaining portion 83, each retaining portion may protrude into the receptacle 8, such as via each retaining portion protruding from a side wall 12 of the receptacle 8 (as shown in the embodiment of Figures 7-10B).

[0091] To the extent that any retaining portions 83 are used, the gripping effect of the retaining portions may be better distributed around the consumable to better prevent any damage to the consumable 2 by each retaining portion extending between the first end 9 and the second end 11 of the receptacle 8 according to some embodiments, and in some more particular embodiments, by each retaining portion extending at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and / or at least 90% of the distance between the first end 9 and the second end 11 of the receptacle 8. A distance of at least 70% has been found herein to exert a particularly effective grip.

[0092] If optional retainers 83 are used, in some embodiments, these retainers 83 may also serve to protect portion 79 from inadvertent damage. This may be accomplished by disposing portion 79 (either aerosol generator 40, optional light source 81, and / or sensor 101, etc.) between multiple retainers 83.

[0093] Thus, with respect to any portion 79 potentially comprising an aerosol generator 40, it will be understood that the aerosol generator 40 used need not necessarily be disposed as part of the consumable 2. In this regard, for example, according to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery device 4 may comprise the aerosol generator 40. For example, according to some embodiments, the aerosol generator 40 may be disposed within the receptacle 8 and / or may comprise a tubular aerosol generator 40 configured to at least partially surround the consumable 2 when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device 4 in the receptacle. In this manner, when the aerosol generator 40 is then operated, the aerosol generator 40 (which may comprise, for example, a heating element) may aerosolize the aerosol-generating material within the consumable (e.g., via heat transferred from the [potentially tubular] heating element from the aerosol delivery device 4 to the aerosol-generating material in the consumable 2).

[0094] According to some embodiments, the aerosol delivery system 1 may include an inductive or wireless heating device for generating an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, as shown, for example, in the embodiment of Figures 10A-10B. According to such an embodiment, the aerosol delivery device 4 and / or the receptacle 8 may include a coil 40A configured to inductively heat a susceptor 40B disposed within the consumable 2, the susceptor 40B being configured to heat the aerosol-generating material within the consumable 2 to generate an aerosol. In this manner, the aerosol generator may include a susceptor 40B.

[0095] Whatever form of aerosol generator 40 is used, it can be appreciated that, returning to the cover 103, in some embodiments the operation of the aerosol generator 40, or indeed the operation of any other part 79 of the aerosol delivery device or system, can be controlled based on the determined position of the cover 103. It can be appreciated that many different devices can be used to make this determination, such as by using a suitable form of sensor or detection circuitry capable of sensing or determining the position of the cover 103. For completeness, a particular embodiment is shown in the embodiment of Figures 8A-10B. In this particular embodiment, the aerosol delivery device 4 comprises a first contact 105A for contacting the cover 103 when the cover is in the first position C1, and thus detecting the cover 103. In this embodiment, the aerosol delivery device 4 comprises a second contact 105B for contacting the cover 103 when the cover is in the second position C2, and thus detecting the cover 103. It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the detection circuit may be used as required, for example by using a capacitive or inductive circuit so that a part / component from the cover may be moved and thus sensed using a capacitive or inductive circuit to determine the relative position of the part / component from the cover 103, such as determining whether the cover 103 is in the first position C1 or the second position C2.

[0096] It can therefore be seen from the above that an effective form of an aerosol delivery system is provided in which operation of the aerosol delivery system and / or part 79 of the aerosol delivery device may be controlled based on a determined position of a cover 103 from the aerosol delivery device 4. Thus, an aerosol delivery system 1 for generating an aerosol is described, the aerosol delivery system 1 including a consumable 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4 configured to receive the consumable. The aerosol delivery device 4 comprises a receptacle 8 for receiving the consumable, the aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a cover 103 movable between a first position C1 in which the cover 103 at least partially covers a first end 9 of the receptacle 8 to prevent the consumable 2 from being inserted into the receptacle 8, and a second position C2 in which the cover 103 at least partially exposes the first end 9 to allow the consumable 2 to be received by the aerosol delivery device 4 in the receptacle 8. The aerosol supply system further comprises a (first) part 79 configured to have its operation controlled by the aerosol supply system, the aerosol supply system configured to determine that the cover 103 has moved from the first position C1 to the second position C2, and configured to operate the (first) part 79 in response to determining that the cover 103 has moved to the second position C2.

[0097] Moving away from cover 103 and returning to the provision of any used sensor 101 for use in determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable by the aerosol delivery device, it will be appreciated that according to some embodiments, sensor 103 may be coupled with any control circuitry 18 provided by aerosol delivery device 4 and / or aerosol delivery system 1 to facilitate the determination process in some embodiments. For example, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 7-10B, according to some embodiments, aerosol delivery system 1 may include control circuitry 18 configured to receive sensor data from sensor 103 and use the sensor data to determine the predetermined characteristic of consumable 2.

[0098] After the predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2 has been determined, appropriate actions may be taken to respond to the determined particular characteristic. For example, according to some embodiments, in response to determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2, the control circuitry 18 and / or the aerosol delivery device 4 or more generally the aerosol delivery system 1 may be configured to control the operation of the aerosol generator 40, such as providing power to the aerosol generator, varying / increasing / decreasing the power provided to the aerosol generator (e.g., to respond to a particular predetermined flavor of the aerosol-generating material detected in the consumable using the sensor 101), and / or varying / increasing / decreasing the rate of aerosol generation from the aerosol delivery system (e.g., to respond to a predetermined low or high level of residual aerosol-generating material detected in the consumable using the sensor 101).

[0099] As mentioned above, when sensor 101 is used, certain embodiments of operation may include aerosol delivery system 1 (or device 4) configured to prevent operation of aerosol generator 40 from the aerosol delivery system (device) until the aerosol delivery system (device) determines a predetermined characteristic of the consumable. This functionality thus serves as a safety feature to better prevent inadvertent operation of the aerosol generator when this is inappropriate (e.g., because a predetermined small amount of aerosol generating material is detected remaining in the consumable, and / or because an unauthorized / counterfeit consumable is detected, and / or more simply, because no consumable is detected at all).

[0100] Thus, with the above in mind, there is consequently described an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable; the aerosol delivery device includes an optical sensor for sensing a portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an outer surface of the consumable; The sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0101] Also described is an aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a sensor for sensing an exterior surface portion of the consumable configured to be received by the aerosol delivery device; The sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0102] Also described is a consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable including an exterior surface portion configured to be received within a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device when the consumable is being used to generate an aerosol, the exterior surface portion including indicia configured to be sensed to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

[0103] Also described is a method for determining a predetermined characteristic of a consumable in an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising: receiving a consumable from an aerosol delivery system in an aerosol delivery device; sensing a portion of the consumable using a sensor from the aerosol delivery device when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an outer surface of the consumable; outputting sensor data from the sensor; determining, by the aerosol delivery device, a predetermined characteristic of the consumable using the sensor data; Includes.

[0104] Also described is an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable; the aerosol delivery device includes a receptacle for receiving a consumable; The aerosol delivery system includes a cover, a first position in which the cover at least partially covers the first end of the receptacle to prevent a consumable from being inserted into the receptacle; a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end to allow the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device in the receptacle; and A movable cover is provided between the The aerosol delivery system further includes a first portion configured to have its operation controlled by the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising: determining that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position; Operate a first portion of the aerosol delivery system in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position. It is configured as follows.

[0105] Also described is an aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a receptacle for receiving a consumable; A cover, a first position in which the cover at least partially covers the first end of the receptacle to prevent the consumable from being inserted into the receptacle; a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end to allow the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device in the receptacle; and With a movable cover between a first part configured to have its operation controlled by an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising: determining that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position; Operate a first portion of the aerosol delivery device in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position. A first portion and a second portion configured as follows: Equipped with.

[0106] Also described is a method of controlling operation of a portion of an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a receptacle for receiving the consumable, the method comprising: moving a cover from the aerosol delivery system from a first position, in which the cover at least partially covers a first end of the receptacle and prevents a consumable from being inserted into the receptacle, to a second position, in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end and allows the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device inside the receptacle; determining that the cover has moved to a second position; responsive to determining that the cover has moved to the second position, operating a first portion of the aerosol delivery system; Includes.

[0107] Thus, with this in mind, the above disclosure may obviously relate to additional embodiments set forth in the following numbered clauses at the end of this specification, along with other described embodiments from the claims set forth below.

[0108] Also described is an aerosol delivery system 1 for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a consumable 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4 configured to receive the consumable 2. The aerosol delivery device 1 comprises a sensor 101 for sensing a portion of the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is received by the aerosol delivery device 4, the portion 71 comprising an outer surface 73 of the consumable 2. The sensor 101 is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device 4 is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable 2, such as a composition of aerosol-generating material in the consumable 2, or a remaining amount of aerosol-generating material inside the consumable 2.

[0109] To address various problems and advance the art, this disclosure illustrates by way of example various embodiments in which the claimed invention may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely a representative sample of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented solely to aid in understanding and teach the claimed invention. The advantages, embodiments, examples, features, features, structures, and / or other aspects described in this disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on the equivalents of the claims, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. It will be understood that the various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or essentially consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and thus the features of the dependent claims (or any dependent clauses recited herein) may be combined with the features of the independent claims (or independent clauses) in combinations other than those expressly recited in the claims or clauses. The present disclosure may include other inventions not currently claimed, but which may be claimed in the future. Thus, any permutation of features from the claims may be combined as appropriate and / or combined with any permutation of features from the recited clauses of this specification at the end of this specification.

[0110] Consistency clause [Clause 1] 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising: a consumable; and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable; the aerosol delivery device comprising a receptacle for receiving the consumable; the aerosol delivery system comprising a cover, a first position in which the cover at least partially covers a first end of the receptacle to prevent the consumable from being inserted into the receptacle; a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end to allow the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device in the receptacle; and A movable cover is provided between the The aerosol delivery system further comprises a first portion whose operation is configured to be controlled by the aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising: determining that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position; activating the first portion of the aerosol delivery system in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position. The aerosol delivery system is configured as follows. [Clause 2] The aerosol delivery system of clause 1, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to disable the first portion in response to determining that the cover has moved from the second position to the first position. [Clause 3] The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a sensor for sensing a second portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device. [Article 4] 4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 3, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor. [Article 5] 5. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4, wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera. [Article 6] The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3 to 5, wherein the second portion comprises an outer surface of the consumable. [Article 7] The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3 to 6, wherein the second portion of the consumable is configured to be positioned within the receptacle when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device. [Article 8] 8. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-7, wherein the second portion includes indicia. [Article 9] 9. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-8, wherein the second portion comprises a pattern. [Article 10] 10. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-9, wherein the second portion has a maximum dimension of 30 mm or less. [Article 11] 11. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-10, wherein the second portion has a maximum dimension of 20 mm or less. [Article 12] 12. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-11, wherein the second portion has a maximum dimension of 10 mm or less. [Article 13] 13. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3 to 12, wherein the second part is configured to be machine-readable. [Article 14] 14. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-13, wherein the second part includes a label attached to the consumable. [Article 15] 15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 3-14, wherein the second part includes a label attached to the consumable. [Article 16] An aerosol delivery system described in any one of clauses 3 to 15, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensor data and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable. [Article 17] 17. The aerosol delivery system of claim 16, wherein the predetermined characteristic comprises a composition of aerosol generating material inside the consumable. [Article 18] 18. The aerosol delivery system of claim 16 or 17, wherein the predetermined characteristic comprises a remaining amount of aerosol generating material inside the consumable. [Article 19] 19. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the predetermined characteristics include an indication of whether the consumable is approved. [Article 20] 20. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-19, wherein the first part comprises a light source. [Article 21] 21. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the first part comprises an aerosol generator of the aerosol delivery device for generating an aerosol. [Article 22] The aerosol supply system of any one of clauses 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to operate the first part of the aerosol supply system in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position a predetermined time after the aerosol supply system determines that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position. [Article 23] 23. The aerosol delivery system of claim 22, wherein the predetermined period of time comprises at least 0.5 seconds. [Article 24] 24. The aerosol delivery system of claim 22 or 23, wherein the predetermined time period comprises 10 seconds or less. [Article 25] 25. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the receptacle is configured to completely enclose the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device. [Article 26] The receptacle is the first end for inserting the consumable into the receptacle; a second end opposite the first end; and a sidewall between the first end and the second end; 26. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 25, comprising: [Article 27] 27. The aerosol delivery system of claim 26, wherein the first portion is proximal to the side wall. [Article 28] 28. The aerosol delivery system of claim 26 or 27, wherein the first portion is recessed into the side wall. [Article 29] 29. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 26 to 28, wherein the first portion is disposed at the second end. [Article 30] 30. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 26 to 29, wherein the first portion is located within 30 mm of the second end. [Article 31] 31. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 26 to 30, wherein the first portion is disposed within the receptacle. [Article 32] 32. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-31, wherein the receptacle is substantially cylindrical. [Article 33] The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-32, wherein the cover is configured to be removed from the aerosol delivery device at the second position. [Article 34] 34. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises the cover. [Article 35] 35. The aerosol delivery system of claim 34, wherein the cover is slidable from the first position to the second position. [Article 36] The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises at least one holding portion for holding the consumable contained within the receptacle. [Article 37] 37. The aerosol delivery system of claim 36, wherein the at least one holding portion comprises a plurality of holding portions for gripping the consumable contained within the receptacle. [Article 38] 38. The aerosol delivery system of claim 37, wherein the first portion is disposed between the plurality of holding portions. [Article 39] 39. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 37 or 38, wherein each holding portion protrudes into the receptacle. [Article 40] 40. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 36 to 39, when further dependent on at least clause 26, wherein each retaining portion protrudes from the side wall of the receptacle. [Article 41] An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 36 to 40, further depending on at least clause 26, wherein each holding portion extends between the first end and the second end of the receptacle. [Article 42] 42. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-41, wherein the consumable is substantially cylindrical. [Article 43] 43. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 42, wherein the consumable comprises a heating element configured to be heated to generate the aerosol. [Article 44] 44. The aerosol delivery system of claim 43, wherein the heating element comprises a susceptor. [Article 45] An aerosol supply system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 44, wherein the aerosol supply system is configured to prevent operation of the aerosol generator from the aerosol supply system until the aerosol supply system determines that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position. [Article 46] 1. An aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a receptacle for receiving the consumable; A cover, a first position in which the cover at least partially covers a first end of the receptacle to prevent the consumable from being inserted into the receptacle; a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end to allow the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device in the receptacle; and A cover that can be moved between the a first part whose operation is configured to be controlled by the aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising: determining that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position; activating the first portion of the aerosol delivery device in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position. A first portion and a second portion configured as follows: An aerosol delivery device comprising: [Article 47] The aerosol delivery device of clause 46, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to prevent operation of the aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery device until the aerosol delivery device determines that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position. [Article 48] 13. A method of controlling the operation of a portion of an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising a consumable and an aerosol delivery device, the aerosol delivery device comprising a receptacle for receiving the consumable, the method comprising: moving a cover from the aerosol delivery system from a first position in which the cover at least partially covers a first end of the receptacle and prevents the consumable from being inserted into the receptacle to a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end and allows the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device inside the receptacle; determining that the cover has moved to the second position; in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position, operating the first portion of the aerosol delivery system. A method comprising: [Article 49] 49. The method of claim 48, wherein the first part comprises an aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery system. [Article 50] 50. The method of claim 48 or 49, wherein the first part comprises a sensor from the aerosol delivery device. [Article 51] The method of any one of clauses 48 to 50, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to operate the first part of the aerosol delivery system in response to determining that the cover has moved to the second position a predetermined time after the aerosol delivery system determines that the cover has moved from the first position to the second position. [Article 52] 52. The aerosol delivery system of claim 51, wherein the predetermined period of time comprises at least 0.5 seconds. [Article 53] 53. The aerosol delivery system of claim 51 or 52, wherein the predetermined time period comprises 10 seconds or less. [Article 54] Preventing the operation of an aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery device until the aerosol delivery system determines the predetermined characteristic of the consumable. 54. The method according to any one of clauses 48 to 53, comprising:

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising: a consumable; and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the consumable; the aerosol delivery device comprising an optical sensor for sensing a portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an outer surface of the consumable; An aerosol delivery system, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises a receptacle configured to receive the consumable.

3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is configured to completely enclose the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device.

4. The receptacle is a first end for inserting the consumable into the receptacle; a second end opposite the first end; and a sidewall between the first end and the second end; 4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 2, comprising:

5. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4 , wherein the sensor is recessed into the sidewall.

6. The aerosol delivery system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the sensor is recessed into the second end.

7. The aerosol delivery system comprises: A cover, a first position in which the cover at least partially covers the first end and prevents the consumable from being inserted into the receptacle; a second position in which the cover at least partially exposes the first end to allow the consumable to be received by the aerosol delivery device; and The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a cover movable between said first and second electrodes.

8. The aerosol delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the cover is removable from the aerosol delivery device.

9. The aerosol delivery system of claim 7 , wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises the cover.

10. 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 9, wherein the cover is slidable from the first position to the second position.

11. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to control operation of the sensor in response to determining that the cover has moved between the first position and the second position.

12. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to operate the optical sensor in response to the cover being placed in the second position.

13. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to operate the optical sensor while the cover is in the second position.

14. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to disable the optical sensor in response to the cover being placed in the first position.

15. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the aerosol delivery device is configured to disable the optical sensor while the cover is in the first position.

16. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the sensor is located on the side wall.

17. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the sensor is located at the second end.

18. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 4 to 17, wherein the sensor is located within 30 mm of the second end.

19. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein the sensor is disposed within the receptacle.

20. 20. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 2 to 19, wherein the receptacle is substantially cylindrical.

21. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 2 to 20, configured such that the portion of the consumable is disposed within the receptacle when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device.

22. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 2 to 21, wherein the aerosol delivery device comprises at least one holding portion for gripping the consumable received in the receptacle.

23. 23. The aerosol delivery system of claim 22, wherein the at least one holding portion comprises a plurality of holding portions for gripping the consumable received in the receptacle.

24. 24. The aerosol delivery system of claim 23, wherein the sensor is disposed between the plurality of holding portions.

25. 25. The aerosol delivery system of claim 23 or 24, wherein each holding portion protrudes into the receptacle.

26. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 22 to 25 when further dependent on at least claim 4, wherein each retaining portion protrudes from the side wall of the receptacle.

27. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 22 to 26 when further dependent on at least claim 4, wherein each retaining portion extends between the first end and the second end of the receptacle.

28. 28. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the portion comprises indicia.

29. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the portion comprises a pattern.

30. 30. An aerosol delivery system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion includes a maximum dimension of 30 mm or less.

31. 31. An aerosol delivery system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion comprises a maximum dimension of 20 mm or less.

32. 32. An aerosol delivery system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion includes a maximum dimension of 10 mm or less.

33. An aerosol delivery system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion is machine readable.

34. The consumable product of any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the portion comprises a label attached to the consumable product.

35. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera.

36. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the predetermined characteristic comprises a composition of aerosol-forming material inside the consumable.

37. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the predetermined characteristic comprises a remaining amount of aerosol-generating material inside the consumable item.

38. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the predetermined characteristic includes an indication of whether the consumable is approved.

39. The aerosol delivery system comprises: receiving the sensor data from the sensor; Determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable using the sensor data 39. An aerosol delivery system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a control circuit configured to:

40. The aerosol delivery system further comprises an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol, and the control circuitry comprises: Controlling operation of the aerosol generator in response to determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

40. The aerosol delivery system of claim 39, further configured to:

41. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the aerosol delivery system is configured to prevent operation of an aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery system until the aerosol delivery device determines the predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

42. 1. An aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery device comprising: a sensor for sensing an exterior surface portion of a consumable configured to be received by the aerosol delivery device Equipped with The aerosol delivery device, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensor data, and the aerosol delivery device is configured to use the sensor data to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

43. 43. The aerosol delivery device of claim 42, configured to prevent operation of an aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery device until the aerosol delivery device determines the predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

44. 1. A consumable for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the consumable including an exterior surface portion configured to be received within a receptacle of an aerosol delivery device when the consumable is being used to generate an aerosol, the exterior surface portion including indicia configured to be sensed to determine a predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

45. 45. The consumable of claim 44, wherein the consumable comprises a body portion and a mouthpiece portion, the body portion including the indicia.

46. 46. ​​The consumable of claim 44 or 45, wherein the exterior surface portion comprises a label attached to the consumable.

47. The consumable product of any one of claims 44 to 46, wherein the outer surface portion is configured to be machine readable.

48. 48. The consumable of any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein the consumable comprises an aerosol generator for aerosolizing an aerosol-generating material.

49. The consumable according to any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein the consumable is substantially cylindrical.

50. 50. The consumable of any one of claims 44 to 49, comprising a reservoir for an aerosol-generating material configured to be aerosolized to generate the aerosol.

51. 51. The consumable of any one of claims 44 to 50, comprising a heating element configured to cause the consumable to be heated to generate the aerosol.

52. 52. The consumable of claim 51, wherein the heating element comprises a susceptor.

53. 1. A method for determining a predetermined characteristic of a consumable in an aerosol delivery system, comprising: receiving a consumable from the aerosol delivery system in an aerosol delivery device; sensing a portion of the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol delivery device using a sensor from the aerosol delivery device, the portion including an exterior surface of the consumable; outputting sensor data from the sensor; determining, by the aerosol delivery device, a predetermined characteristic of the consumable using the sensor data; A method comprising:

54. receiving the sensor data output from the sensor; determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable using the sensor data; 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

55. controlling operation of the aerosol generator in response to determining the predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

55. The method of claim 53 or 54, further comprising:

56. receiving a consumable from the aerosol delivery system in an aerosol delivery device further comprises receiving the consumable in a receptacle of the aerosol delivery device; the portion of the consumable is disposed within the receptacle; 56. The method according to any one of claims 53 to 55.

57. Preventing operation of an aerosol generator from the aerosol delivery device until the aerosol delivery system determines the predetermined characteristic of the consumable.

57. The method of any one of claims 53 to 56, further comprising:

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