Steam Generation System

Abstract

The aerosol generating system includes a cartridge (2) containing a supply of aerosol generating material (15) and an aerosol generating device (4) for receiving the cartridge (2). When the cartridge (2) is received in the aerosol generating device (4), a continuous conductive path is formed from discrete conductive elements (34, 36) alternately located on the cartridge (2) and the device (4). The continuous conductive path may form part of a test circuit to confirm correct insertion of an authentic cartridge (2) or part of a power circuit required to operate the aerosol generator (22). Preferably, the conductive elements (34) on the cartridge (2) are arranged in a plurality of projections (38) or a plurality of recesses (28) in the shape of letters, symbols, or other patterns capable of conveying visual information, such as the trademark of the supplier of the authentic cartridge (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an aerosol generating system configured to convert a liquid or other material into an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ensuring that an aerosol generating device can only be used with an approved aerosol generating cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] The term aerosol generating system (or more generally, electronic cigarette or e-cigarette) refers to a portable electronic device intended to simulate the sensation or experience of smoking a traditional cigarette. Electronic cigarettes typically work by heating an aerosol-generating material to produce vapour, which cools and condenses and is then inhaled by the user. Thus, the use of an e-cigarette is sometimes referred to as "vaping". The aerosol-generating material is most commonly a liquid that contains nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavourings. However, solid or semi-solid aerosol-generating materials are also known.

[0003] A typical e-cigarette comprises a vaporization unit, i.e., a system or subsystem for vaporizing an aerosol-generating liquid by utilizing a heating element to generate vapor from the liquid stored in a capsule, tank or reservoir. When a user operates the e-cigarette, liquid from the reservoir is conveyed through a liquid transport element, e.g., a cotton wick or a porous ceramic block, and is heated by the heating element to generate vapor, which cools and condenses to form an inhalable aerosol. To facilitate ease of use of electronic cigarettes, removable cartridges are often employed. These cartridges are often configured as "cartomizers", meaning an integrated part that comprises a liquid reservoir, a liquid transport element and a heater. An electrical connector may also be provided to establish an electrical connection between the heating element and a supply source. Such cartridges may be disposable, i.e., not intended to be reusable after the supply of liquid in the reservoir is exhausted. Alternatively, they may be reusable by providing means that allow the reservoir to be refilled with a new supply of vapor-generating liquid.

[0004] By using alternative technologies such as jet heads or nebulizers, it may be possible to generate droplets of a suitable size to form an aerosol directly from a liquid, without the need for an intermediate step of forming a vapor, and perhaps without heating the liquid at all. The use of such technologies is not excluded from the application of the present invention, which in its broadest scope is applicable to any aerosol generation system in which a replaceable cartridge is connected to an aerosol generation device, the cartridge providing the aerosol-generating material, and the device providing the electrical current used to generate an aerosol from the material.

[0005] An e-cigarette cartridge typically comprises an inlet at a first end and an outlet at an opposite second end. (From the perspective of a user of the system, the first end of the cartridge may also be referred to as the distal end, and the second end of the cartridge may also be referred to as the proximal or mouth end.) The first end of the cartridge is configured to be removably connected to a body of an aerosol generation system, which may house, for example, a source and control electronics. The user inhales through a mouthpiece at the second end of the cartridge, drawing air along an air flow path from the inlet to the outlet. The air flow path passes through an aerosol generation chamber, where vapor or droplets formed from the liquid mix with the air to form an aerosol.

[0006] In use, such a cartridge is received in an aerosol generating device to form a complete aerosol generating system. The aerosol generating device is typically not disposable, i.e. it is intended to be reused multiple times with different cartridges. The device comprises a body in which a user can hold the device, housing the source for the heater in the cartridge, and the control circuitry. The device may further comprise means, such as buttons, for the user to input commands to the aerosol generating system, and / or means, such as lights or a display screen, for the system to output information to the user. Additionally or alternatively, the device may comprise means for communicating with an external device, such as a mobile phone, providing an interface for the user to interact with the aerosol generating system.

[0007] There is a desire that an aerosol generating device should only be usable with genuine cartridges originating from or authorized by the manufacturer or supplier of the device. This is not only to protect the supplier's market in selling replacement cartridges. It also allows the supplier to ensure that the device is able to control the operation of the cartridge in a proper manner that complies with safety standards acceptable to the user (e.g. related to the operating temperature of the cartridge and the substances contained in the aerosol generated) and without risk of damage to the device itself (e.g. due to excessive current draw from the power supply or leakage of aerosol generating liquid from a poorly designed cartridge). Preferably, a system that allows the aerosol generating device to detect or disable a non-genuine cartridge should also allow such a non-genuine cartridge to be detected by human visual inspection.

[0008] A prior art aerosol generating system capable of detecting non-authentic cartridges is disclosed in China Utility Model No. 212306822U. The authentication of the cartridge is performed by a camera assembly in the device, which records an "anti-counterfeit marking number" on the mating surface of the cartridge. Providing a camera and software capable of identifying whether the imaged number represents an authentic cartridge would significantly increase the cost of the device. Therefore, a cheaper and simpler system is desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention provides an aerosol generation system comprising a cartridge containing a supply of aerosol generating material and an aerosol generation device for receiving the cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a first set of a plurality of discrete conductive elements and the aerosol generation device comprises a second set of a plurality of discrete conductive elements, the first and second sets of conductive elements being configured such that when the cartridge is received in the aerosol generation device, the first set of conductive elements contacts the second set of conductive elements to form a continuous conductive path comprising alternating conductive elements from the first and second sets.

[0010] A continuous conductive path is formed from the conductive elements, alternating from a first set of elements in the cartridge and a second set of elements in the device, so that the path is only formed if the patterns of the first and second sets of elements are complementary to each other. This provides a way to ensure that only cartridges with complementary sets of conductive elements can be used with any aerosol generating device. If an inauthentic cartridge with a different pattern of conductive elements is used, the circuit through the conductive path will not be completed. Thus, if the circuit is used to provide power for aerosol generation, the system will not be able to operate with the inauthentic cartridge. Alternatively, the device can use the circuit to test the cartridge, thereby detecting the insertion of an inauthentic cartridge and taking appropriate action, such as disabling it.

[0011] Although arranging multiple conductive elements in a particular pattern does add some complexity and cost to the assembly of the device and cartridge, these are simple mechanical / electrical components that can be easily integrated into conventional assembly processes. The present invention does not require the addition of expensive components such as cameras or significant additional software or processing power.

[0012] In a first group of embodiments of the invention, the aerosol generation device comprises a plurality of protrusions, on which the second set of conductive elements are formed, and the cartridge comprises a plurality of recesses configured to receive the protrusions when the cartridge is received in the aerosol generation device, and the first set of conductive elements are formed to extend between the recesses, such that the protrusions of the device and the recesses of the cartridge form a pattern of interfitting portions that reflects the complementary patterns of the first and second sets of conductive elements. This provides a secure engagement between the cartridge and the device, and means that the characteristic pattern of the first set of conductive portions in the cartridge can be reflected in the pattern of the recesses in a manner that is visually apparent to a human observer.

[0013] In such an embodiment, the cartridge may further comprise a layer of non-conductive material covering the surface of the first set of conductive elements facing the aerosol generating device. In this way, at least a part of the conductive material forming the surface of the conductive elements can be hidden from the outside of the cartridge. This provides protection and also allows a wider choice of non-conductive materials, e.g. plastics, used to determine the external physical properties and appearance of the cartridge. The appearance of the non-conductive material may be selected so that the pattern of recesses reflecting the authentic characteristics of the cartridge is more visually evident.

[0014] Preferably, in such an embodiment of the invention, the recesses in the cartridge are in the form of letters, symbols, or other patterns capable of conveying visual information to a human observer. From the information conveyed by the pattern of recesses, an observer can easily recognize whether the cartridge is genuine or not. For example, the pattern may be a distinctive name, logo, or other indicia by which a supplier of genuine cartridges is recognized. This example provides the further advantage that such indicia can often be legally protected as a registered trademark or through other intellectual property rights such as copyright. Thus, in order for a competing manufacturer to supply a non-genuine cartridge that is operable with a genuine device, the manufacturer must necessarily form a first set of conductive elements between the pattern of recesses in the cartridge that replicates the protected indicia. This allows the use of intellectual property laws to prevent the distribution and sale of non-genuine cartridges.

[0015] In a second alternative group of embodiments of the invention, the cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions, a first set of conductive elements formed on the protrusions, and the aerosol generation device comprises a plurality of recesses configured to receive the protrusions when the cartridge is received in the aerosol generation device, and a second set of conductive elements formed to extend between the recesses. This allows the protrusions of the cartridge and the recesses of the device to form a pattern of interfitting portions that reflects the complementary patterns of the first and second sets of conductive elements. This provides a secure engagement between the cartridge and the device, and means that the characteristic pattern of the first set of conductive portions in the cartridge can be reflected in the pattern of protrusions in a manner that is visually apparent to a human observer.

[0016] In this group of embodiments, the aerosol generating device may further comprise a layer of non-conductive material covering the surfaces of the second set of conductive elements facing the cartridge. In this way, at least a part of the conductive material forming the surfaces of the conductive elements can be hidden from the outside of the device. This provides protection and also allows a wider choice of non-conductive materials, e.g. plastics, to be used to determine the external physical properties and appearance of the device. The non-conductive cover layer also provides the advantage that a sheet or strip of conductive material cannot simply be laid across the surfaces of the second set of conductive elements facing the cartridge, thereby providing a conductive path between them without replicating the characteristic pattern of protrusions in the cartridge that would be necessary to engage the second set of conductive elements in the recesses of the device.

[0017] Preferably, in such an embodiment of the invention, the protrusions on the cartridge are in the form of letters, symbols, or other patterns capable of conveying visual information. From the information conveyed by the pattern of protrusions, an observer can easily recognize whether the cartridge is genuine or not. For example, the pattern may be a distinctive name, logo, or other indicia by which a supplier of genuine cartridges is recognized. This example provides the further advantage that such indicia can often be legally protected as a registered trademark or through other intellectual property rights such as copyright. Thus, in order for a competing manufacturer to supply a non-genuine cartridge that is operable with a genuine device, the manufacturer must necessarily form a first set of conductive elements among the pattern of recesses in the cartridge that replicates the protected indicia. This allows intellectual property laws to be used to prevent the distribution and sale of non-genuine cartridges.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the aerosol generating device comprises a source of electrical power, and the cartridge or the aerosol generating device comprises an electrically operated aerosol generator, and the continuous conductive path forms part of a circuit for supplying electrical power from the source to the aerosol generator. Thus, when the device is used with an inauthentic cartridge, where a first set of conductive elements in the cartridge is not in a complementary pattern to a second set in the device, the continuous conductive path is not formed and electrical power cannot be delivered to the aerosol generator. Thus, the use of an inauthentic cartridge with the device to generate aerosol is automatically prevented.

[0019] The aerosol generator may be an electrically actuated heater in a disposable cartridge. This is a conventional configuration, meaning that the aerosol generating material, which may be liquid or solid, can remain in the cartridge. A simple resistive or electromagnetic induction type electric heater does not need to be an expensive component, although the heater needs to be replaced with each new cartridge. Alternatively, the aerosol generator may be installed in the housing of a reusable device. This may be more suitable for more complex aerosol generating techniques, such as for example nebulization, since it offers the advantage that the generator does not need to be replaced with each new cartridge. On the other hand, if the aerosol generating is a fluidic material that needs to flow from the cartridge to the device, a sealing arrangement between them and / or a controlled leak-free liquid delivery system to the aerosol generator may additionally be required to avoid the associated risk of leakage inside the joint or housing of the device.

[0020] In other embodiments of the invention, the continuous conductive path forms part of a test circuit through which the aerosol generating device can provide current to verify correct insertion of the cartridge and / or the authenticity of the cartridge. Thus, if the device is used with an inauthentic cartridge, such that a first set of conductive elements in the cartridge is not in a complementary pattern to a second set in the device, no continuous conductive path will be formed through the test circuit. If the control circuitry in the device does not detect a current flow through the test circuit, the control circuitry can determine that the cartridge is inauthentic or has not been properly inserted and can take appropriate action, such as disabling power to the cartridge and / or generating a warning to the user.

[0021] The test circuitry need not necessarily be separate from the circuitry for powering the heater. If a common circuitry is used, when the cartridge is inserted into the device, the control circuitry will first attempt to send a small test current through the test / power circuitry to verify that the cartridge is authentic and properly inserted. Only if those conditions are met will the control circuitry deliver the higher current needed to power the heater.

[0022] In the aerosol generating system according to the invention, where the continuous conductive path forms part of the test circuit, the device may further comprise means for determining whether the current flows through at least one intermediate conductive element of the second set. By "intermediate" is meant a conductive element that is not the first or the last in the set according to their order measured in series along the conductive path. The means for determining whether the current flows may be means for measuring the voltage at the intermediate conductive element. If it is determined that the current flows through the test circuit but not through one or more intermediate elements, it may indicate that the cartridge is designed to bypass part of the conductive path and is not authentic.

[0023] Preferably, the first set of conductive elements and the second set of conductive elements are located in a common plane. This facilitates the manufacture of both the device and the cartridge. Whether the conductive elements are assembled as individual parts or laid down in a deposition process, it is simpler to carry out the manufacturing step if as many elements as possible are located in a common plane. Additionally, the cartridge usually comprises an outer surface that faces the device in use. If the first set of conductive elements are located in a plane that forms the surface or in a plane parallel to the surface, this provides the further advantage that the pattern of the conductive elements in the first set can be seen and distinguished by a human observer, as described above.

[0024] When the protrusion is received in the recess, the conductive elements of the first set may lie in a first plane and the conductive elements of the second set may lie in a second plane, with edges of the conductive elements of the first and second sets contacting each other, thereby facilitating a compact connection between the recess and the protrusion, which may provide the further advantage, as discussed above, of allowing a human observer to visually distinguish the pattern of conductive elements in the first set.

[0025] The invention further provides a method of operating an aerosol generation system comprising a cartridge containing a supply of aerosol generating material and comprising a first set of discrete conductive elements, and an aerosol generation device comprising a second set of discrete conductive elements, the method comprising receiving the cartridge into the aerosol generation device such that the first set of conductive elements contact the second set of conductive elements to form a continuous conductive pathway comprising alternating conductive elements from the first and second sets. As previously mentioned, this ensures that only authentic cartridges comprising complementary sets of conductive elements can be used with any aerosol generation device, as otherwise a continuous conductive pathway would not be formed.

[0026] The step of forming a continuous conductive path can complete an electrical circuit connecting a heater in the cartridge to a source in the aerosol generating device, such that when an authentic cartridge is inserted, the continuous conductive path is not formed and power cannot be supplied to the cartridge.

[0027] Alternatively, the step of forming a continuous conductive path may complete the test circuit, in which case the method further includes supplying a current through the test circuit to verify correct insertion of the cartridge or authenticity of the cartridge. If an inauthentic cartridge is detected, a warning may be issued and / or its use may be disabled by the device.

[0028] As used herein, "authentication" or "verification" is the process of determining whether a cartridge received by an aerosol generating device is an authentic cartridge according to criteria determined by the device manufacturer or supplier. Thus, the outcome of authentication or verification may be positive or negative. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art aerosol generating system of the type in which the present invention may be used. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge and part of a device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, prior to insertion of the cartridge into the device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an end view of the cartridge of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an end view of the device of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 after the cartridge has been inserted into the device. [Figure 6] A schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of an aerosol generation system according to the present invention, showing an alternative arrangement of contacts between the first and second sets of conductive elements. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of an aerosol generation system according to the present invention, showing an alternative arrangement of contacts between the first and second sets of conductive elements. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge and part of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, prior to insertion of the cartridge into the device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an end view of the cartridge of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is an end view of the device of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 after the cartridge has been inserted into the device. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge and part of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention, prior to insertion of the cartridge into the device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an end view of the cartridge of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an end view of the device of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12 after the cartridge has been inserted into the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] 1 shows a general arrangement of an aerosol generation system of the type in which the present invention may be used. The system comprises a replaceable cartridge 2 that is removably attached to or received by an aerosol generation device 4. The aerosol generation device 4 comprises a housing 6 that contains a source 8, such as a rechargeable battery, and a control circuit 10 that receives power from the source 8 and selectively delivers the power to a pair of electrical terminals 12 facing the cartridge 2. The device 4 may further comprise non-illustrated components, including, but not limited to, any or all of the following: A button, switch or touch screen on the exterior of the housing 6, allowing a user to input commands to the aerosol generation system. An indicator light or display screen on the exterior of the housing 6, allowing the aerosol generating system to output information to the user. A communication means, such as a port or a wireless antenna, which allows the aerosol generation system to exchange data with external devices, such as a user's mobile phone or a manufacturer's customer support system.

[0031] The cartridge 2 engages with the aerosol generation device 4 and may be removably secured to the aerosol generation device 4 by magnetic and / or mechanical means (not shown), such as magnets, clips, bayonet and / or threaded fittings. The cartridge 2 may be mounted on a housing 6 of the device 4 in an end-to-end arrangement as shown, or may be received in a cavity within the housing 6, for example behind a cover (not shown).

[0032] The cartridge 2 comprises a reservoir 14 which contains a supply of aerosol-generating liquid 15. The cartridge 2 further comprises an air flow path 16 from an air inlet 18 to a mouthpiece 20. The mouthpiece 20 may be integral with the cartridge 2, may be removably attached to the cartridge 2, or may form part of the device 4 in systems in which the cartridge 2 is received within the housing 6 of the device 4.

[0033] The cartridge 2 further comprises an electrically actuated means for generating an aerosol from the liquid 15. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the aerosol generator comprises a simple resistive heater 22 with a coil wound around a liquid-permeable wick 23. The heater 22 is disposed in the air flow passage 16, possibly in a dedicated heating chamber (not shown). The liquid 15 from the reservoir 14 steadily permeates to the surface of the wick 23, where it is heated by the heater 22 and evaporated as vapor into the air flow passage 16. As the inhaled air flows along the air flow passage 16 from the heater 22 towards the mouthpiece 20, the vapor mixes with it, cools and condenses into droplets, forming an aerosol suitable for inhalation by the user. Even when a resistive heater 22 is used, the cartridge 2 and its components may be constructed in a completely different way than illustrated. Moreover, instead of the depicted coil and wick resistive heater 22, other resistive heating solutions such as ceramic heaters, planar die-cut or printed resistive heaters, or heating technologies such as induction and corresponding heater elements or systems can be used to increase the temperature of the liquid. Aerosol generation can also be based on alternative aerosolization techniques such as nebulization, which do not necessarily require heating of the liquid 15, but rather generate or inject appropriately sized droplets of the liquid 15 directly into the airflow path to form the aerosol without heating the liquid. All of these variations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not related to the particular device or method by which the aerosol is generated.

[0034] A heater 22 or other aerosol generator is coupled between a pair of terminals 24 on the exterior surface of the cartridge 2 that faces the device 4 such that when the cartridge 2 is received in the device 4, the respective terminals 12, 24 come into contact, completing a circuit that can deliver power from a source 8 in the device 4 to the aerosol generator 22 in the cartridge under the control of the control circuit 10.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cartridge 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention, together with the proximal end of a device 4 that is to receive the cartridge 2. As in FIG. 1, the cartridge 2 comprises a reservoir 14 that delivers a supply of aerosol-generating liquid 15 to a wick 23. A heater 22 vaporizes the liquid 15 from the surface of the wick 23 such that the generated vapor mixes with air in the air passage 16 and condenses to form an aerosol. The air inlet of the air passage 16 is not visible in FIG. 2, as it lies out of the plane of the drawing. Also as in FIG. 1, the heater 22 is electrically connected to a source in the device 4 (not shown in FIG. 2) via a pair of terminals 24 on the cartridge 2 that engage a respective pair of terminals 12 on the device 4. To ensure good contact pressure at the junction of the terminals 12, 24, the device terminals 12 may be in the form of spring-loaded "pogo pins".

[0036] According to the present invention, the engagement between cartridge 2 and device 4 involves a set of projections on one of these components that are received in a complementary set of recesses on the other of these components. In this embodiment, projections 26 are on device 4 and recesses 28 are in cartridge 2. The recesses 28 in cartridge 2 form a distinctive pattern such as a word or logo. In this case, the word "Logic" as seen in FIG. 3. The projections 26 on device 4 form a complementary pattern, i.e., the inverted word "Logic" as seen in FIG. 4. Since cartridge 2 must have a pattern of projections 26 and complementary recesses 28 to operate with device 4, cartridge 2 must bear the same word "Logic" that can be read by an observer looking at the distal end of the cartridge when not in use. The distinctive pattern of recesses 28 required for cartridge 2 to operate with the device preferably includes letters or symbols that convey information about cartridge 2. For example, the pattern may be a brand name or logo that identifies both the device 4 and a supplier of authentic cartridges 2 for use with the device 4, allowing a potential purchaser or other person to immediately recognise whether a given cartridge can be used with the device 4. Preferably, the pattern is legally protected by intellectual property rights, for example as a registered trademark or copyrighted work, so that if a non-authentic cartridge 2 is provided with a pattern of recesses 28 required to fit the device 4, it would infringe those rights and the rights holders could take legal action to prevent the supply of such cartridges 2.

[0037] Further, according to the present invention, the aerosol generating system comprises a test circuit coupled to the control circuit 10 in the device 4 via a pair of test terminals 30 on the device 4 that engage with a respective pair of test terminals 32 on the cartridge 2. A conductive path extends between the cartridge test terminals 32, the conductive path being formed from an alternating sequence of a first set of discrete conductive elements 34 on the cartridge 2 and a second set of discrete conductive elements 36 on the device 4. The second set of conductive elements 36 are placed on the projections 26 of the device and extend completely across the width of each projection 26 such that their edges are exposed on the sides of the projections 26. The second set of conductive elements 36 may form the proximal end surface of each projection 26, as seen in FIG. 4. It therefore follows that the characteristic pattern of the projections 26 and recesses 28 should include a plurality of discrete elements (e.g., letters of a word) such that the projections 26 can accommodate a plurality of discrete conductive elements 36.

[0038] The first set of conductive elements 34 extend entirely between the recesses 28 of the cartridge 2 such that their edges are exposed on the sides of the recesses 28. The first set of conductive elements 34 may take a variety of forms, but they should preferably provide a conductive path between pairs of adjacent recesses 28 without providing a conductive path that bypasses any of the recesses 28. For example, the conductive elements 34 may be arranged to form a segment of a thin strip, as seen in dashed lines in FIG. 3. The test terminals 32 of the cartridge 2 may extend across the first and last recesses 28 so as to be available for face-to-face contact with corresponding terminals 30 of the device. In that case, the conductive material would be visible at the proximal ends of the first and last recesses 28, as indicated by their solid shading in FIG. 3. The cartridge preferably comprises a layer of non-conductive material covering the surfaces of the first set of conductive elements 34 that face the aerosol generation device 4.

[0039] The first set of conductive elements 34 preferably lie in a first plane and the second set of conductive elements 36 preferably lie in a second plane, such that when the projection 26 is received in the recess 28, as seen in FIG. 5, the two planes align and the edges of the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36 contact each other. This creates a continuous conductive path between the cartridge test terminals 32, completing a test circuit. The control circuit 10 can apply a voltage between the test terminals 30, and if current flows through the test circuit, the control circuit can determine that a suitable cartridge 2 has been properly received in the device 4. The control circuit 10 can then provide power through the terminals 12 to operate the heater 22 to generate aerosol upon request from a user.

[0040] The edges of the conductive elements 34, 36 of the first and second sets are not necessarily formed perpendicular to the plane of the conductive path, i.e. parallel to the direction in which the projections 26 are received in the recesses 28. To do so would require very tight manufacturing tolerances to ensure good conductive contact on both sides of each recess 28. One possibility, shown in FIG. 6, is to tapere the edges of the conductive elements 34, 36 of the first and second sets in opposite directions so that their opposing edges meet in a wedge-like arrangement to ensure good contact. Another possibility is to configure the conductive elements 34, 36 of the first and second sets in face-to-face contact near their respective edges, as shown in FIG. 7, rather than being moved to be exactly coplanar.

[0041] Figures 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention, which is similar in many respects to the first embodiment, and similar parts are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0042] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it does not include a separate test circuit. Instead, the power circuit that delivers power from the source 8 in the device 4 to the heater 22 passes through the conductive path formed by the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36. When the protrusion 26 of the device 4 is received in the recess 28 of the cartridge 2, the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36 also contact each other, as seen in FIG. 11. This forms a continuous conductive path between the cartridge power terminal 24 and the heater 22, completing the power circuit. The control circuit 10 can thereby deliver current through the terminal 12 to operate the heater 22 and generate aerosol upon demand from the user.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the two power terminals 12 of the device 4 are located adjacent to one another in the center of the proximal end of the device 4. This causes the conductive path formed by the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36 together to be split into two parts: a first part in a first arm of the power circuit extending between one power terminal 12 and a first terminal of the heater 22, and a second part in a second arm of the power circuit extending between the other power terminal 12 and a second terminal of the heater 22. This arrangement is not required, and for example, the two power terminals 12 could be located on one side of the device such that only one arm of the power circuit includes the conductive path formed by the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36.

[0044] Figures 12 to 15 show a third embodiment of an aerosol generation system according to the invention, which is similar in many respects to the first embodiment, and similar parts are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0045] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the projections and recesses are arranged in reverse on the cartridge 2 and device 4. In this embodiment, the cartridge 2 has projections 38 and the device 4 has corresponding recesses 40. A first set of conductive elements 34 are disposed at the ends of the projections 38 on the cartridge 2 and a second set of conductive elements 36 extend between the recesses 40 on the device 4. Thus, when the cartridge 2 is engaged with the device 4, the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36 together form a continuous conductive path that is contained within the boundaries of the device 4, but not within the boundaries of the cartridge 2, as seen in FIG. 15. Nevertheless, the continuous conductive path still includes alternating conductive elements of the cartridge 2 and device 4, so that when the test circuit is completed, it indicates that the appropriate cartridge 2 has been properly received in the device 4.

[0046] FIG. 12 also illustrates a further optional feature of the aerosol generating system, namely a probe 42, which allows the control circuit 10 to measure the voltage at one of the intermediate conductive elements 36 of the second set. When a current flows through the test circuit, the voltage at the intermediate conductive element 36 should be at a value intermediate the voltage at the two test terminals 30 of the device 4. If this is not the case, it may indicate that an inauthentic cartridge is being used, with a bypass circuit installed between the two test terminals 32 of the cartridge 2. Such a bypass circuit allows the test circuit to be completed without passing through all of the first and second conductive elements 34, 36, thereby avoiding the need to match the projections 38 of the cartridge 2 with the characteristic pattern of recesses 40 in the device 4. It will be appreciated that similar voltage probes 42 may be coupled to as many intermediate conductive elements 36 of the second set as may be required to ensure that at least a substantial portion of the pattern is replicated in the cartridge 2. A similar voltage probe 42 could be used in much the same manner in other embodiments of the invention, including those in which the second set of conductive elements 36 form part of a power circuit rather than a test circuit.

[0047] A fourth embodiment of the invention is not shown, but may be readily understood with reference to the second and third embodiments. As with the second embodiment, the conductive path formed by the first and second sets of conductive elements 34, 36 form part of a power circuit that delivers power from a source 8 to a heater 22 within the device 4. Unlike the second embodiment, but similar to the third embodiment, the first set of conductive elements 34 are disposed at the ends of protrusions 38 of the cartridge 2 and the second set of conductive elements 36 extend between recesses 40 of the device 4, thereby forming a continuous conductive path that is contained within the boundaries of the device 4, rather than within the boundaries of the cartridge 2.

[0048] Although all illustrated embodiments of the invention show the aerosol generator 22 - in particular the heater - forming part of the disposable cartridge 2, this is not essential to the invention. Disposing of the aerosol generator 22 every time the cartridge 2 is replaced may be undesirable, especially if the generator 22 is based on more complex technologies such as a jet head, and therefore the aerosol generator 22 can instead form part of a reusable device 4. It is still possible that the power circuit supplying such a generator 22 passes through a conductive path formed from alternative conductive elements 34, 36 of the cartridge 2 and the device 4 in the same way as in the second and fourth embodiments. Alternatively, the control circuit 10 may be configured to supply power to such an aerosol generator 22 only if it determines that the test circuit has been correctly established, similar to the first and third embodiments.

Claims

1. 1. An aerosol generating system comprising: a cartridge (2) containing a supply of aerosol-forming material (15); an aerosol generating device (4) for receiving said cartridge (2); Equipped with The cartridge (2) comprises a first set of a plurality of discrete conductive elements (34); the aerosol generating device (4) comprises a second set of a plurality of discrete conductive elements (36); the first and second sets of conductive elements (34, 36) are configured such that, when the cartridge (2) is received in the aerosol generation device (4), the first set of conductive elements (34) contacts the second set of conductive elements (36) to form a continuous conductive path that includes alternating conductive elements (34, 36) from the first and second sets; (i) the aerosol generation device (4) comprises a plurality of protrusions (26), the second set of conductive elements (36) are formed on the protrusions (26), the cartridge (2) comprises a plurality of recesses (28) configured to receive the protrusions (26) when the cartridge (2) is received in the aerosol generation device (4), and the first set of conductive elements (34) are formed to extend between the recesses (28); or or (ii) the cartridge (2) comprises a plurality of protrusions (38), the first set of conductive elements (34) are formed on the protrusions (38), the aerosol generation device (4) comprises a plurality of recesses (40) configured to receive the protrusions when the cartridge (2) is received in the aerosol generation device (4), and the second set of conductive elements (36) are formed to extend between the recesses (40); or 1. An aerosol generating system,

2. The aerosol generating device (4) includes a power supply source (8), The cartridge (2) or the aerosol generating device (4) comprises an electrically actuated aerosol generator (22), the continuous conductive path forms part of a circuit for supplying power from the source (8) to the aerosol generator (22); 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 1.

3. The aerosol generation system according to claim 2 , wherein the aerosol generator (22) is an electrically actuated heater within the cartridge (2).

4. the continuous conductive path forms part of a test circuit, the aerosol generation device (4) being able to supply a current through the test circuit to verify correct insertion of the cartridge (2) and / or the authenticity of the cartridge (2).

4. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1.

5. The aerosol generation system of claim 4, wherein the device (4) further comprises means (42) for determining whether an electric current is flowing through at least one intermediate conductive element (36) of the second set.

6. the first set of conductive elements (34) and the second set of conductive elements (36) lie in a common plane; 6. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An aerosol generating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the protrusions (26, 38) are received in the recesses (28), (40), the conductive elements (34) of the first set lie in a first plane and the conductive elements (36) of the second set lie in a second plane, with the edges of the conductive elements of the first and second sets in contact with each other.

8. The aerosol generation system described in part (i) of claim 1, wherein the cartridge (2) further comprises a layer of non-conductive material (37) covering the surfaces of the first set of conductive elements (34) facing the aerosol generation device (4).

9. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the recesses (28), (40) are in the shape of letters, symbols or other patterns capable of conveying visual information.

10. The aerosol generation system described in part (ii) of claim 1, wherein the aerosol generation device (4) further comprises a layer of non-conductive material (41) covering the surfaces of the second set of conductive elements (36) facing the cartridge (2).

11. The aerosol generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the protrusions (26), (38) are in the shape of letters, symbols or other patterns capable of conveying visual information.

12. 1. A method of operating an aerosol generating system, the aerosol generating system comprising: a cartridge (2) containing a supply of aerosol generating material and including a first set of discrete conductive elements (34); an aerosol generating device (4) comprising a second set of discrete conductive elements (36); Equipped with The method includes receiving the cartridge (2) in the aerosol generation device (4) such that the first set of conductive elements (34) contact the second set of conductive elements (36) to form a continuous conductive path including alternating conductive elements (34, 36) from the first and second sets. method.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the continuous conductive path completes an electrical circuit connecting an electrically operated aerosol generator (22) to a source of electrical power (8) within the aerosol generating device (4).

14. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein forming the continuous conductive path completes a test circuit, the method further comprising supplying a current through the test circuit to verify correct insertion of the cartridge (2) or authenticity of the cartridge (2).

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