Aerosol supply system

Abstract

We provide an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols. [Solution] The aerosol supply system 1 comprises an aerosol supply device 4 and a consumable 2 that is releasably received by the aerosol supply device. The consumable is configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a first position P1 so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation, and to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a second position P2 so that the aerosol supply system can perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation. In this way, the operation of the aerosol supply system can be controlled based on how the consumable is received by or inserted into the aerosol supply device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to aerosol supply systems such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (such as electronic cigarettes).

Background Art

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

[0003] When the vapor is generated, the vapor can pass through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material itself is not flavored), and then the (flavored) vapor can be delivered from the aerosol supply system to the user via a mouthpiece.

[0004] A potential drawback of existing aerosol supply systems and related aerosol supply devices is that they are relatively inflexible in operating quickly and effectively in two or more ways / operations.

[0005] Accordingly, various techniques described herein are intended to address or mitigate some of the aforementioned problems by implementing an aerosol supply system that allows consumables to be selectively moved between a first position and a second position (for example, to a first rotational position and a second rotational position relative to the aerosol supply device, respectively), so that a first predetermined operation and a second predetermined operation can be performed in either of these first or second positions. Thus, by changing the position of the consumables, the operation of the aerosol supply system can be changed quickly and effectively.

[0006] Furthermore, this specification also provides a consumable that can be used with any power electrode to assist in the performance of such predetermined operations, wherein the assistance is based on whether or not the control electrode of the consumable is determined to be engaged with a corresponding control electrode of an aerosol supply device to which the consumable is configured to engage. [Overview of the project]

[0007] According to a first aspect of one embodiment, an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, Aerosol supply device and Consumables configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device and Equipped with, The consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a first position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. An aerosol supply system is provided, wherein consumables are releasably received by an aerosol supply device at a second position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation.

[0008] According to a second aspect of one embodiment, an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol in an aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and consumables, In a first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation by releasably receiving consumables to generate aerosols. An aerosol supply device is provided, configured to allow the aerosol supply system to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation, by releasably receiving consumables in a second position to generate an aerosol.

[0009] According to a third aspect of one embodiment, a consumable is configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol, In a first position, it is releasably received by an aerosol supply device, and configured so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation. A consumable is provided, which is releasably received by an aerosol supply device in a second position, and is configured to allow the aerosol supply system to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of one embodiment, a method for controlling the operation of an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, The method includes moving a consumable of an aerosol supply system between a first position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device of the aerosol supply system and a second position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device, wherein the second position is different from the first position. At the first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. A method is provided in which, at a second position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation that is different from a first predetermined operation.

[0011] It will be understood that the features and embodiments of the present invention described above in relation to various aspects of the present invention are equally applicable to embodiments of the present invention according to other aspects of the present invention, and can be combined with these embodiments as needed, not just in the specific combinations described herein.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described simply as examples, with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing an aerosol supply system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol supply device (shown separately) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the components of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 3A] Figure 1 shows various schematic cross-sectional views of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 3B] Figure 1 shows various schematic cross-sectional views of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 3C] Figure 1 shows various schematic cross-sectional views of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 4A] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view and a plan view illustrating the segmented wall elements of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 4B] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view and a plan view illustrating the segmented wall elements of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5A] Figure 1 shows two schematic perspective and plan views of the elastic plug of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5B] Figure 1 shows two schematic perspective and plan views of the elastic plug of the cartridge in the aerosol supply system. [Figure 5C]These are two perspective views and a plan view schematically showing the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6A] These are a perspective view and a plan view schematically showing the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6B] These are a perspective view and a plan view schematically showing the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7A] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of an aerosol supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the first position. [Figure 7B] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 7A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the second position. [Figure 8A] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of an aerosol supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the first position. [Figure 8B] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 8A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the second position. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of an aerosol supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the first position. [Figure 9B] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 9A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the second position. [Figure 10A] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of an aerosol supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the first position and the consumable includes an additional control electrode. [Figure 10B] This is a schematic view of an embodiment of the aerosol supply system of FIG. 10A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the consumable is disposed at the second position.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] This specification describes some examples and embodiments, aspects, and features. Some aspects and features of some examples and embodiments can be carried out in the prior art and, for the sake of brevity, are not described in detail. Therefore, it will be understood that aspects and features of apparatus and methods described herein that are not described in detail can be carried out according to any prior art for carrying out such aspects and features.

[0015] This disclosure relates to a non-flammable aerosol supply system (such as an e-cigarette). According to this disclosure, a “non-flammable” aerosol supply system is one in which the aerosolizable material, which is a component of the aerosol supply system (or its components), is not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate delivery to the user. The aerosolizable material, which may be referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material or aerosol precursor material, is a material that can generate an aerosol when activated, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. In some embodiments, the aerosolizable material may be flavored.

[0016] Throughout the following explanation, the terms “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may be used, and it should be understood that these terms can be used synonymously with aerosol delivery systems. Electronic cigarettes are sometimes also called vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not required.

[0017] In some embodiments, the aerosol supply 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 non-tobacco products.

[0018] Generally, a (non-flammable) aerosol supply system may include a cartridge / consumable component and a body / reusable / aerosol supply device component configured to releasably engage with the cartridge / consumable component.

[0019] The aerosol supply system may be provided with means for supplying power to the vaporizer of the aerosol supply system, and may be provided with an aerosolizable material transfer element for receiving the aerosolizable material to be vaporized. The aerosol supply system may 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 supply system.

[0020] In some embodiments, the vaporizer may be a heater / heating element capable of interacting 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 may be capable of generating 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 heat by, for example, one or more of vibration means, mechanical means, pressurizing means, or electrostatic means.

[0021] In some embodiments, the delivered substance may be an aerosolizable material that may contain an active ingredient, a carrier ingredient, and optionally one or more other functional ingredients.

[0022] The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically active and / or olfactory active ingredients contained in the aerosolizable material to produce a physiological and / or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, nutritional supplements, nootropics, and psychoactive substances. The active ingredient may be of natural origin or obtained synthetically. 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 plant substance. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine ditartrate / nicotine bicarbonate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

[0023] In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and may be selected from “flavorings” and / or “flavoring agents” that can be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory sensation in products intended for adult consumers, where local regulations permit. In some examples, such ingredients may be called flavorings, flavoring agents, flavoring materials, coolants, heating agents, and / or sweeteners.These ingredients include naturally derived fragrance materials, plant substances, plant substance extracts, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, limes, tropical fruits). 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, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, chaat, naswar, betel leaf, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, illa Ning-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, chili pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil of any species of Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo leaf, hazelnut, hibiscus, laurel, 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, blackcurrant, valerian, chili pepper, mace, damien, It may contain other additives such as marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, curcumin, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste 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), as well as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant-based substances, or breath fresheners.These ingredients may be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. These ingredients may be extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, 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, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, chili pepper, sho The materials may be in any suitable form, e.g., liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases. These materials may be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. These materials may be in any suitable form, e.g., liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases. These materials may be imitations, synthetic or natural ingredients, or mixtures thereof. These materials may be in any suitable form, e.g., liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases.

[0024] In some embodiments, the flavoring material (flavoring) may include menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring may include flavoring components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavoring may include eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring may include flavoring components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring may include sensory elicitors intended to produce somatosensory sensations that are chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to, or instead of, the olfactory or gustatory nerves, and these may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, or anesthetic effects. A suitable thermal agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable coolant may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol or WS-3.

[0025] 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 the following: glycerin, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzylphenyl acetate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0026] One or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0027] As mentioned above, an aerosol supply system (e-cigarette) can often comprise a modular assembly that includes both a reusable part (body or aerosol supply device) and a replaceable consumable part (cartridge). Devices that conform to this type of two-part modular configuration can generally be called two-part devices. Electronic cigarettes also commonly have a generally elongated shape. To provide a specific example, one embodiment of this disclosure described herein can comprise this type of generally elongated two-part device that uses a consumable part. However, it will be understood that the underlying principles described herein can be equally applied to other electronic cigarette configurations, such as modular devices comprising three or more parts, as devices that conform to other overall shapes, for example, based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices which generally have a more boxy shape.

[0028] Therefore, referring to Figure 1, which is above, is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (e-cigarette) 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the e-cigarette (e.g., terms such as top, bottom, upward, downward, upper, bottom, etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the e-cigarette shown in Figure 1 (unless otherwise indicated in the context). However, it will be understood that this is merely for the sake of clarity and does not imply that there is any required orientation for the e-cigarette in use.

[0029] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol supply system 1) comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and an aerosol supply device 4. Although the aerosol supply device 4 and cartridge 2 are shown separately in Figure 1, they are coupled together during use.

[0030] The cartridge 2 and the aerosol supply device 4 are coupled by establishing mechanical and electrical connections between them. The specific manner in which the mechanical and electrical connections are established is not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may, according to the prior art, be established based on mechanical fastening of threads, bayonet, latch, or friction fit, for example, using appropriately positioned electrical contacts / electrodes to establish an electrical connection between the two parts as needed. In the cartridge of the exemplary e-cigarette 1 shown in Figure 1, the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52, and an interface end 54, and is coupled to the aerosol supply device by inserting the interface end portion 6 at the interface end of the cartridge into the corresponding receptacle 8 / receiving portion of the aerosol supply device. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge includes a projection 56 that makes contact with the receptacle 8 and engages with a corresponding stopper on the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8, thereby providing a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device. An electrical connection is established between the aerosol supply device and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts at the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in Figure 1) and the corresponding spring-loaded contact pins at the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in Figure 1). As previously stated, the specific manner in which the electrical connection is established is not important to the principles described herein, and in fact some implementations may have no electrical connection at all between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device. This is because, for example, the transmission of power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g., based on electromagnetic induction technology).

[0031] The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol supply system) has a generally elongated shape extending along its longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol supply device, the total length of the e-cigarette in this example (along the longitudinal axis) is approximately 12.5 cm. The total length of the aerosol supply device is approximately 9 cm, and the total length of the cartridge is approximately 5 cm (i.e., when the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol supply device are coupled to each other, there is an overlap of approximately 1.5 cm between them). The cross-section of the e-cigarette is generally oval, widest around the center of the e-cigarette, and curves and tapers towards the ends. The cross-section around the center of the e-cigarette has a width of approximately 2.5 cm and a thickness of approximately 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of approximately 2 cm and a thickness of approximately 0.6 mm, and the other end of the e-cigarette has a width of approximately 2 cm and a thickness of approximately 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the e-cigarette is formed from plastic in this example. It will be understood that the specific size and shape of the e-cigarette, as well as the materials used to manufacture it, are not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may differ in different implementations. In other words, the principles described herein can be equally applied to e-cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aerosol supply device 4 may be largely conventional in terms of its function and general construction techniques. In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol supply device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including a receptacle wall 12 defining a receptacle 8 for receiving the end of a cartridge, as previously described. The outer housing 10 of the aerosol supply device 4 in this example has a generally oval cross-section at its interface that conforms to the shape and size of the cartridge 2, providing a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated 180 degrees, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol supply device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol supply 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 supply device. One of the different openings 14 is positioned with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in a different orientation. It will be understood that some implementations may lack arbitrary rotational symmetry so that the cartridge can be coupled to the aerosol supply device in only one orientation, while other implementations may have a higher degree of rotational symmetry so that the cartridge can be coupled to the aerosol supply device in multiple orientations.

[0033] The aerosol supply device further comprises a battery 16 for supplying power to the e-cigarette, a control circuit 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the e-cigarette, a user input button 20, an indicator light 22, and a charging port 24.

[0034] The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be a conventional type, such as those commonly used in e-cigarettes and other applications that require a relatively high current supply over a relatively short period of time. The battery 16 can be recharged, for example, through a charging port 24 which may have a USB connector.

[0035] In this example, the input button 20 is a conventional mechanical button, comprising, for example, a spring-loaded component that can be pressed by the user to establish electrical contact with the underlying circuit. In this regard, the input button can be considered an input device for detecting user input to trigger, for example, aerosol generation, and the specific form in which the button is implemented is not important. For example, other forms of mechanical buttons or contact-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or optical sensing technology) can be used in other implementations, or there may be no button at all, and the device may rely on a puff detector to trigger aerosol generation.

[0036] The indicator light 22 is provided to give the user a visual indication of various features related to the e-cigarette, such as the operating status (e.g., on / off / standby), as well as other features such as battery life or malfunction status. Generally according to conventional technology, different features can be indicated, for example, through different colors and / or different flash sequences.

[0037] The control circuit 18 is appropriately configured / programmed to control the operation of an e-cigarette in order to provide conventional operating functions in accordance with established techniques for controlling e-cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) 18 can be thought of as logically comprising various subunits / circuit elements related to different modes of operation of the e-cigarette. For example, depending on the functions provided in different implementation forms, the control circuit 18 may comprise a power control circuit for controlling the supply of power from the battery / power source to the cartridge in response to user input, a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, and other functional units / circuit-related functions according to the principles described herein and conventional modes of operation of e-cigarettes, such as an indicator light display drive circuit and a user input detection circuit. It will be understood that the functions of the control circuit 18 can be provided in various different ways, for example, using one or more appropriately programmed (one or more) programmable computers and / or one or more appropriately configured (one or more) application-specific integrated circuits / circuits / (one or more) chips / (one or more) chipsets configured to provide the desired functions.

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of cartridge 2 (disassembled along the longitudinal axis L). Cartridge 2 comprises a housing 32, an air channel seal 34, a split wall element 36, an outlet pipe 38, a vaporizer / heating element 40, an aerosolizable material transfer element 42, a plug 44, and an end cap 48 having a contact electrode 46. Figures 3 to 6 show some of these components in schematic detail.

[0039] Figure 3A is a schematic breakaway view of the housing portion 32, where it is narrowest, passing along the longitudinal axis L. Figure 3B is a schematic breakaway view of the housing portion 32, where it is widest, passing along the longitudinal axis L. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing portion along the longitudinal axis L from the interface end 54 (i.e., viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).

[0040] Figure 4A is a schematic perspective view of the dividing wall element 36 seen from below. Figure 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dividing wall element 36 seen from below, passing through the top.

[0041] Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from above, and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the plug 44 along the longitudinal axis L as seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., viewed from above relative to the orientation in Figures 1 and 2).

[0042] Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view of the end cap 48 from above. Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the end cap 48 along the longitudinal axis L as viewed from the end 52 of the cartridge mouthpiece (i.e., from above).

[0043] The housing portion 32 in this example comprises a housing outer wall 64 and a housing inner tube 62, which in this example are formed from a single molded polypropylene body. The housing outer wall 64 defines the appearance of the cartridge 2, and the housing inner tube 62 defines a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing portion is closed at the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge, except for the mouthpiece opening / aerosol outlet 60 of the mouthpiece 33, which opens at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and is in fluid communication with the housing inner tube 62. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall, which provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. The air inlet 50 in this example is approximately 2 mm 2The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes the aforementioned projection 56, which engages with a corresponding stopper on the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol supply device. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion includes a further projection 66, which acts to provide a stopper for positioning the segmented wall element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 further includes a hole, which provides a latch recess 68 positioned to receive a corresponding latch projection 70 of the end cap, securing the end cap to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled.

[0044] The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-wall portion 74 that defines a gap 76 for fluid communication with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 provides part of the air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double-wall portion 74 of the housing portion 32 is positioned such that the gap defines an air channel extending within the housing outer wall 64 parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is approximately 3 mm 2 The gap / part 76 of the air channel defined by the double-wall portion of the housing extends downward to the open end of the housing portion 32.

[0045] The air channel seal 34 is a silicone molded body in the form of a roughly tube with a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes a peripheral ridge 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes a peripheral ridge, but these are not visible in Figure 2. When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is fitted into the housing inner tube 62, with the end of the housing inner tube 62 partially extending into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. The through hole 80 of the air channel seal has a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm in its relaxed state, and the end of the housing inner tube 62 has a diameter of approximately 6.2 mm so that the air channel seal 34 forms a seal when it is stretched to accommodate the housing inner tube 62. This seal is facilitated by the inner surface ridge of the air channel seal 34.

[0046] The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section made, for example, from ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, with an inner diameter of approximately 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The bottom end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of opposite slots 88, the ends of which have semicircular recesses 90. When the cartridge is assembled, the outlet tube 38 is mounted to the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is approximately 9.0 mm in a relaxed state so that it forms a seal when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by ridges 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. A collar 80 of the air channel seal 34 provides a stopper for the outlet tube 38.

[0047] The aerosolizable material transfer element 42 comprises a capillary wick, and the vaporizer (aerosol generator) 40 comprises a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the resistance wire portion wound around the capillary wick, the vaporizer comprises electrical leads 41 passing through holes in a plug 44 to contact electrodes 46 attached to end caps 54, and power can be supplied to the vaporizer via an electrical interface established when the cartridge is connected to the aerosol supply device. The vaporizer leads 41 may contain the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may contain 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 comprises a nickel-iron alloy wire, and the wick 42 comprises a bundle of glass fibers. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transfer element may be provided according to any prior art and may contain different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some implementations, the wick may contain fibrous or solid ceramic material, and the heater may contain different alloys. In other examples, the heater and wick can be combined, for example, in the form of porous and resistant materials. More generally, it will be understood that the aerosolizable material transport elements and vaporizers of specific properties are not of primary importance to the principles described herein.

[0048] Once the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received in the semicircular recess 90 of the outlet tube 38, so that the central portion of the wick around which the heating coil is wound is on the inside of the outlet tube, and the end portions of the wick are on the outside of the outlet tube 38.

[0049] The plug 44 in this example comprises a single molded body of silicone and may be elastic. The plug comprises a base 100, with an outer wall 102 extending upward from the base 100 (i.e., toward the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug further comprises an inner wall 104, which extends upward from the base 100 and surrounds the through hole 106 through the base 100.

[0050] The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 fits to the inner surface of the housing 32, and therefore, when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing 32. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 fits to the inner surface of the outlet tube 38, and therefore, when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of opposite slots 108, the ends of which have semicircular recesses 110. A cradle portion 112 extends outward from the bottom of each slot of the inner wall 104 (i.e., away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge), and the cradle portion 112 is formed to receive a portion of the aerosolizable material transfer element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slots 108 and semicircular recesses 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44 are aligned with the slots 88 and semicircular recesses 90 of the outlet pipe 38, so that the slot 88 of the outlet pipe 38 accommodates one of the cradles 112, and the respective semicircular recesses of the outlet pipe and the plug cooperate to define a hole through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. The size of the hole provided by the semicircular recess through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes is closely corresponding to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 provides a degree of compression. This allows the aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action, while limiting the amount of aerosolizable material that is not transported by capillary action to the extent that it can pass through the opening. As previously stated, the plug 44 includes a further opening 114 in the base 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 a gap between the rest of the bottom of the base and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include openings 114 through which the electrical contact leads 41 of the vaporizer pass.

[0051] The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene molded body to which a pair of gold-plated copper electrode posts 46 are attached.

[0052] The end of the electrode post 44 at the bottom of the end cap is close to the interface end 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48, so as to be coplanar. This end of the electrode post is part of the electrode, and when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol supply device 4, the correspondingly aligned spring contact of the aerosol supply device 4 connects to this portion. Within the cartridge, the end of the electrode post extends away from the end cap 48 into the hole 114 of the plug 44 through which the contact lead 41 passes. The electrode post is slightly larger than the hole 114 and includes a chamfer at its upper end to facilitate insertion of the plug into the hole 114, and is held in contact with the vaporizer contact lead by the plug.

[0053] The end cap has a base portion 124 and an upright wall 120 that fits the inner surface of the housing portion 32. The upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing portion 32, and therefore, when the cartridge is assembled, the latch projection 70 engages with the latch recess 68 of the housing portion 32, snapping the end cap 48 into the housing portion. The upper part of the upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts against the periphery of the plug 44, and the lower surface of the spacer 116 of the plug also abuts against the base portion 124 of the plug, and therefore, when the end cap 48 is attached to the housing portion, it presses against the elastic portion 44, slightly compressing and maintaining the elastic portion 44.

[0054] The base portion 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral lip 126 that extends beyond the base of the upright wall 112, the thickness of which corresponds to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes upright alignment pins 122 that align with corresponding alignment holes 128 of the plug, which can help establish their relative positions during assembly.

[0055] The segment wall element 36 comprises a single molded polypropylene body and includes a segment wall 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections from the segment wall 130 toward the interface end of the cartridge. The segment wall element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet pipe 38 passes (i.e., the segment wall is positioned around the outlet pipe 38). In some embodiments, the segment wall element 36 can be formed integrally with the outlet pipe 38. When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages with the lower surface of the segment wall 130, and the upper surface of the segment wall 130 engages with projections 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32. Thus, the segment wall 130 prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing portion 32, i.e., the segment wall 130 is fixed in place along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the projections 66 of the housing portion, and thus provides a fixing surface to press against the plug. The collar 132, formed by projections from the split wall, includes a first pair of opposing projections / tongues 134 that engage with corresponding recesses on the inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. Projections from the split wall 130 further provide a pair of cradle portions 136 configured to engage with one of the corresponding cradle portions 112 of the component 44 when the cartridge is assembled, further defining an opening through which the aerosolizable material transfer element passes.

[0056] When cartridge 2 is assembled, an air channel is formed that extends through the cartridge from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting from the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing 32, the first portion of the air channel is provided by a gap 76 formed by the double-wall portion 74 of the outer wall 64 of the housing 32 and extends from the air inlet 50 toward the interface end 54 of the cartridge, beyond the plug 44. The second portion of the air channel is provided by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. The third portion of the air channel is provided by the hole 106 through the plug 44. The fourth portion of the air channel is provided by the region within the inner wall 104 of the plug and the outlet pipe around the vaporizer 40. This fourth portion of the air channel is sometimes called the aerosol / aerosol generation region and is the main region where aerosols are generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation region is sometimes called the air inlet portion of the air channel. The fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remainder of the outlet pipe 38. The sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an inner tube 62 of the outer housing, located at the end of the mouthpiece 33, which connects the air channel to the aerosol outlet 60. The portion of the air channel from the aerosol generation region that becomes the aerosol outlet is sometimes referred to as the aerosol outlet portion of the air channel.

[0057] Furthermore, once 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. This may be filled during manufacturing, for example, through a filling hole that is subsequently sealed, or by other means. The specific properties of the aerosolizable material, for example with respect to its composition, are not of primary importance to the principles described herein, and generally, any conventional aerosolizable material of the type commonly used in e-cigarettes can be used. This disclosure may refer to liquids as aerosolizable materials, which may be conventional e-liquids, as stated above. However, the principles of this disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that can flow and may include liquids, gels, or solids, and with respect to solids, they can be considered flowable if a plurality of solid particles are considered as a bulk.

[0058] The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above the divider wall 130 and a second region below the divider wall 130, within the space formed between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolizable material transfer element (capillary wick) 42 passes through the opening in the wall of the air channel, provided by the semicircular recesses 108, 90 of the plug 44 and outlet tube 38, and the cradle portions 112, 136 of the plug 44 and divider wall element 36, which engage with each other as described above. Thus, the end of the aerosolizable material transfer element extends into the second region of the reservoir, from there drawing the aerosolizable material through the opening in the air channel into the vaporizer 40 for subsequent vaporization.

[0059] In normal use, cartridge 2 is coupled to aerosol supply device 4, which is activated to supply power to the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 on the end cap 48. The power is then sent to vaporizer 40 through connecting leads 41. Thus, the vaporizer is electrically heated and, therefore, vaporizes a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element near the vaporizer. This generates an aerosol in the aerosol-generating region of the air passage. 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 through the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge. This draws in air through any aerosol supply device air inlet 14 (depending on the orientation in which the cartridge is inserted into the receptacle 8 of the aerosol supply device) that is aligned with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge. Subsequently, air enters the cartridge through the air inlet 50, travels along the gap 76 between the double wall portion 74 of the housing 32, passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48, and then enters the aerosol generation region surrounding the vaporizer 40 through the hole 106 in the base 100 of the plug 44. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the vaporizer to form a condensed aerosol, which is then drawn in along the outlet tube 38 and the inside of the housing 62 before exiting through the mouthpiece outlet / aerosol outlet 60 for the user to inhale.

[0060] Figures 1 to 6B above show configurations of possible embodiments of aerosol supply system 1 configured to generate aerosols that are suitable for use in the context of this disclosure (along with other possible forms of aerosol supply systems).

[0061] Next, moving to Figures 7A to 10B, the disclosure also provides other applications and embodiments of the aerosol supply system 1 that can supplement the embodiments of the aerosol supply system illustrated with reference to Figures 1 to 6B described above.

[0062] Therefore, referring first to Figures 7A to 10B, in some embodiments, an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol is provided, and the aerosol supply system 1 comprises an aerosol supply device 4 and a consumable 2 configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4. At a general level, any such consumable 2 may be configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4 at a first position P1 (shown in any embodiment of Figures 7A, 8A, 9A, or 10A) so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a first predetermined operation. In some embodiments, the consumable 2 may then be configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4 at a second position P2 (shown in any embodiment of Figures 7B, 8B, 9B, or 10B) so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0063] This allows the user of the aerosol supply system 1 to quickly and effectively change the operation of the aerosol supply system 1 by changing the position of the consumable 2 between the first position P1 and / or the second position P2 with respect to the aerosol supply device 4, which is configured to accept the consumable 2 at both the first position P1 and the second position P2, as described later, and / or the interface of the aerosol supply device 4 (such as the receptacle 8).

[0064] Regarding the precise nature of how the consumable 2 is movable between two positions P1 and P2, it will be understood that this movement can take various different forms depending on the configuration of the aerosol supply system and / or the configuration of the aerosol supply device 4 and the consumable 2. For example, according to some embodiments, the consumable may be configured to slide between a first position P1 and a second position P2 to move the consumable between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the consumable may be configured to rotate or turn between the first position P1 and the second position P2 to move the consumable between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0065] In some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 7A to 10B, the first position P1 of the consumable 2 may be a first rotational position relative to the aerosol supply device 4 (shown in any of the embodiments of Figures 7A, 8A, 9A, or 10A), where the consumable 2 is accepted by the aerosol supply device 4. In this way, the second position P2 of the consumable 2 may be a second rotational position relative to the aerosol supply device 4 (shown in any of the embodiments of Figures 7B, 8B, 9B, or 10B), which is different from the first rotational position, where the consumable 2 is accepted by the aerosol supply device. In this way, the user can choose to position the consumable 2 at the first position P1 so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation, or position the consumable 2 at the second position P2 so that the aerosol supply system can perform a second predetermined operation, when coupling the consumable 2 to the aerosol supply device 4.

[0066] In order to assist the user in moving the consumable 2 between each of these different positions, each configured to perform its respective predetermined operation, according to some embodiments, the consumable 2 may comprise a symmetric portion 71 having rotational symmetry of order "n", where "n" is at least a positive integer of 2. Depending on the shape of the symmetric portion 71, according to some embodiments, "n" may be at least a positive integer of 2 (e.g., the symmetric portion 71 has an elliptical or rectangular cross-section), at least 3 (e.g., the symmetric portion 71 has an equilateral triangular cross-section), and / or at least 4 (e.g., the symmetric portion 71 has a square cross-section), or at least any other integer such as 6 or 8 (e.g., the symmetric portion 71 has a hexagonal or octagonal cross-section).

[0067] Therefore, for the sake of clarity, it should be understood that the above teaching may be used to enable the aerosol supply system to be effectively configured to perform a predetermined (nth) operation different from the predetermined operation for each of the other / remaining positions among the multiple different positions, such that the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device around multiple different positions (e.g., a third position and / or a fourth position and / or an nth position).

[0068] To put all of the above into context, a possible first application of this teaching by some embodiments may be that the aerosol supply system is configured to produce an aerosol containing a first flavor (e.g., menthol, mint, and / or grapefruit) when the consumable is in a first position P1. Thus, the aerosol supply system 1 may then be configured to produce an aerosol containing a second flavor (e.g., something other than menthol, something other than mint, and / or something other than grapefruit, e.g., coffee, or lemon, or strawberry) when the consumable is in a second position P2, wherein the first flavor is different from the second flavor. Thus, the user may be able to conveniently switch the flavor of the aerosol produced by appropriately positioning the consumable in either the first position P1 and / or the second position P2. This embodiment is shown, for example, in the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B.

[0069] In relation to the embodiments shown in Figures 9A and 9B, according to some embodiments, the consumable may comprise a first reservoir 31A for storing a first aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol supply system is configured to generate an aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material when the consumable is in a first position P1 (shown in the embodiment of Figure 9A). In such embodiments, the consumable according to some more specific embodiments may then comprise a second reservoir 31B for storing a second aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol supply system 1 is configured to generate an aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material when the consumable is in a second position P2 (shown in the embodiment of Figure 9B). With respect to these embodiments, the composition of the first aerosol-generating material may be the same as the composition of the second aerosol-generating material (for example, so that aerosol-generating materials of the same composition can be aerosolized in different ways using different reservoirs 31A, 31B). Similarly, however, according to some embodiments, the composition of the first aerosol-generating material (e.g., menthol, mint, and / or grapefruit) may differ from the composition of the second aerosol-generating material (e.g., other than menthol, other than mint, and / or other than grapefruit, e.g., coffee, or lemon, or strawberry).

[0070] The above additional / alternative applications in some embodiments, such as those in Figures 8A and 8B, may be configured such that the aerosol supply device 4 supplies air to the consumable 2 to generate an aerosol at a first rate when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1. Thus, the aerosol supply device 4 in some embodiments may then be configured to supply air to the consumable 2 to generate an aerosol at a second rate when the consumable 2 is in a second position P2, where the first rate is different from the second rate (e.g., faster and / or slower). It will be understood that this change in rate can be achieved in several different ways. One possible example is that the aerosol supply device 4 may have a first inlet channel (and / or first air inlet) 14A for supplying air to the consumable to generate an aerosol when the consumable is in a first position P1. In this way, the aerosol supply device 4 may be equipped with a second inlet channel (and / or second air inlet) 14B for supplying air to the consumable 2 to generate an aerosol when the consumable 2 is in a second position P2, and the first air inlet channel (and / or first air inlet) 14A is different from the second air inlet channel (and / or second air inlet) 14B, for example as shown in the embodiments of Figures 8A and 8B.

[0071] Similarly, in relation to the above embodiments, in order to change the rate at which air is supplied to the consumable, the aerosol supply device 4 may be provided with a throttle member 72, such as a valve or tube, in at least one of the air inlet channels 14A, 14B, which has a smaller / variable / larger cross-sectional area. In addition / alternatively, the consumable at the first position P1 may be configured to define an air inlet of consumable 2 having a first predetermined size, and the consumable at the second position P2 may be configured to define an air inlet 50 of consumable 2 having a second predetermined size different from the first predetermined size. This size variation can be achieved, for example, according to some embodiments, by the air inlet 50 of the consumable being covered by a first amount by a portion of the aerosol supply device 4 at the first position P1, and by the air inlet 50 of the consumable being covered by a second amount by a portion of the aerosol supply device 4 at the second position P2. Such a portion of the aerosol supply device 4 may, in a very specific embodiment, comprise a wall 12 of a receptacle 8 of the aerosol supply device 4, the receptacle 8 being for receiving at least a portion 73 of the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1 and / or a second position P2.

[0072] As described above, according to some embodiments, any provided aerosol supply system 1 may include a receptacle 8 for receiving at least a portion 73 of the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1 or a second position P2. In more specific embodiments, the portion 73 of the consumable may comprise a base portion 75 of the consumable 2, and / or the portion 73 may comprise a symmetrical portion 71 (as shown in the embodiments of Figures 7A and 7B). With respect to these embodiments, the receptacle 8 can therefore function to better accommodate the consumable 2 and guide its positioning and retention in the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0073] Regardless of whether either receptacle 8 or part 73 is used in the aerosol supply system 1, in order to better direct the aerosol generated by the consumable 2 to the mouth of the user of the aerosol supply system 1, according to some embodiments, the consumable 2 may be equipped with a mouthpiece part 33. However, when receptacle 8 is used, in some embodiments, any mouthpiece part / mouthpiece 33 used may be configured to be located outside the receptacle 9 when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1 or a second position P2. In this way, the part that may be located outside the receptacle 8 can be conveniently limited to, in some cases, only the mouthpiece part (mouthpiece) 33, and thus it is possible to help prevent damage to the rest of the part housed in the receptacle 8.

[0074] With regard to minimizing any accidental damage to any electrode of the consumable 2, according to some embodiments, at least some or all of the electrodes of the consumable 2 may be configured to be positioned on the receptacle when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1 or a second position P2. In this way and / or in other words, in embodiments in which the base portion 75 is used, the base portion 75 of the consumable 2 may further comprise, in some embodiments, at least some or all of the electrodes of the consumable 2.

[0075] In relation to any such electrodes used as part of an aerosol supply system, the aerosol supply device 4 shown in the embodiments of Figures 7A to 10B may comprise a first set of electrodes 78 for transferring power from a power source 16 (in a particular series of embodiments, such as a battery) of the aerosol supply device 4 to the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4. Thus, the consumable 2 may comprise a second set of electrodes 46 for contacting the first set of electrodes 78 of the aerosol supply device.

[0076] With respect to any available electrode arrangement, in some embodiments, a second plurality of electrodes 46 may be configured to contact the first plurality of electrodes 78 around the first configuration at a first position P1 so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a first predetermined operation. For example, such a first configuration is shown, for example, in the embodiment of Figure 7A. In this way, the second plurality of electrodes 46 may then be configured to contact the first plurality of electrodes 78 around a second configuration different from the first configuration at a second position P2 so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a second predetermined operation. Such a second configuration is shown, for example, in the embodiment of Figure 7B. In relation to such embodiments, according to some more specific embodiments, the first plurality of electrodes 78 includes a first electrode 78A and a second electrode 78B, and the second plurality of electrodes 46 includes a first electrode 46A and a second electrode 46B. In this way, particularly in some embodiments (for example, those shown in Figures 10A and 10B), at a first position P1 (for example, shown in Figure 10A), the first electrode 78A of the first plurality of electrodes 78 may be configured to contact the first electrode 46A of the second plurality of electrodes 46. In this way, at a second position P2, the first electrode 78A of the first plurality of electrodes 78 may be configured to contact the second electrode 46B of the second plurality of electrodes 46 (for example, shown in Figure 10B). In other words, with respect to such electrode arrangements in some more limited embodiments, it can be seen that in some embodiments, at a first position P1, the second electrode 78B of the first plurality of electrodes 78 may be configured to contact the second electrode 46B of the second plurality of electrodes 46, and at a second position P2, the second electrode 78B of the first plurality of electrodes 78 may be configured to contact the first electrode 46A of the second plurality of electrodes 46.Therefore, with respect to any of the above electrode arrangements, and thus the relative arrangement of the aerosol supply device 4 and the consumables 2, it may be possible for the user to conveniently move the consumables around the first predetermined position and the second (and any other nth) predetermined position, so that the aerosol supply system can perform appropriate predetermined operations associated with each such predetermined position.

[0077] As will be apparent in at least some of the embodiments described above, when the symmetrical portion 71 of the consumable 2 is used, the symmetrical portion comprises at least one of the electrodes 46A, 46B of the second plurality of electrodes 46, making it possible to accurately position these electrodes around various positions P1, P2 of the consumable 2.

[0078] Returning to some of the possible applications where the consumable 2 is movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2, and the aerosol supply system is able to perform appropriate predetermined actions associated with each of these predetermined positions, according to some embodiments (for example, shown in the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B), the aerosol supply device 4 may be configured to heat the air supplied from the aerosol supply device 4 to the consumable for aerosol generation when the consumable 2 is in one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 but not in the other of the first and second positions (for example, shown in Figure 9A). With respect to such embodiments, any suitable heater can be used to impart this heat "H" to the air supplied to the consumable. For example, in some embodiments, the heat "H" may be configured to be supplied by an aerosol generator of the aerosol supply system 1 (it should be noted that the aerosol generator 40 may be implemented in either the aerosol supply device 4 and / or the consumable 2, if necessary). Therefore, these embodiments can provide a system that allows the air to be preheated at a location where the consumable 2 is located (e.g., a first location P1), but not necessarily at other locations (e.g., a second location P2), thereby providing possible different aerosol-generating materials. Some aerosol-generating materials may be better configured to be preheated (e.g., when it is desirable to provide a "hot" flavor, such as when a coffee or chocolate-flavored aerosol is desired), in contrast to cases where preheating is undesirable (e.g., when it is desirable to provide a "cold" flavor, such as a menthol or mint-flavored aerosol). Depending on how the user positions the consumable 2 at the first location P1 or the second location P2, providing such heating in some cases may be further advantageous in allowing the aerosol supply system to better adapt to different environmental conditions. For example, if the aerosol supply system 1 is used in a relatively cool environment, the consumable can be positioned where heat H is supplied to the air, compensating for the cooler ambient air and providing a more optimized aerosol temperature.Similarly, if the aerosol supply system 1 is used in a relatively high-temperature environment, the consumables can be placed in a location where heat H is not supplied to the air, thereby maintaining the generated aerosol with more optimized thermal properties in an alternative manner.

[0079] Instead of adjusting the temperature of the air initially supplied to consumable 2 and / or its optional aerosol generator 40, the aerosol supply system 1 may optionally be configured to adjust (e.g., raise or lower) the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol supply system 1 and / or the aerosol generator 40 when consumable 2 is in one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 but not in the other of the first position P1 and the second position P2. With respect to such embodiments, such temperature adjustment of the produced aerosol can be carried out using any suitable heater or cooler (thermal component). For example, according to some embodiments, any increase in temperature may be provided by heat from the aerosol generator 40 and / or other separate heater or thermal component. According to some embodiments, the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to adjust the temperature of the aerosol in the aerosol outlet pipe 38 by, for example, using heat from a separate heater near the aerosol outlet pipe 38 and / or by using some of the heat generated by the aerosol generator 40.

[0080] If the aerosol supply system 1 is configured to adjust the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol supply system 1 when a consumable is in one of the first and second positions but not in the other of the first and second positions, and / or is configured to adjust the temperature of the consumable 2 or the air supplied to the aerosol generator 40 of the aerosol supply device 4 for generating the aerosol, for integrity, it can be understood that for integrity this temperature change between the two positions P1 and P2 may occur automatically / directly as a result of the different positions of the consumable 2 in either of these two positions, and / or indirectly as a result of the aerosol supply system 1 first determining whether the consumable 2 is in the first position P1 and / or the second position P2, and then the aerosol supply system 1 adjusting the temperature accordingly based on this determination (for example, by adjusting the power supplied to any heater or thermal component used to adjust the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 and / or the relevant position of the aerosol supply system). In some embodiments (described later) in which the control electrode 83 is used in the consumable 2, it can also be understood that the temperature can be adjusted using the control electrode 83 (for example, by connecting the control electrode 83 to a heater around the aerosol outlet tube 38) when the control electrode 83 engages with one of the first position P1 and the second position P2, but does not engage with the other of the two positions.

[0081] Therefore, understanding the above, it can be seen that the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to perform various different operations when the consumables are placed in their respective different positions P1 and P2. For example, in some embodiments, different positions may provide aerosol generation at different rates, and the aerosol supply system may be configured to generate aerosols at a first aerosol generation rate (and / or supply a first amount of power to the aerosol generator 40 when the consumable 2 is at the first position P1), and the aerosol supply system 1 may be configured to generate aerosols at a second aerosol generation rate (and / or supply a second amount of power to the aerosol generator 40 when the consumable 2 is at the second position P2), where the first aerosol generation rate (or first power) is different from the second aerosol generation rate (or second power), for example, faster or slower than the second aerosol generation rate (or second power).

[0082] Similarly, according to some embodiments, the aerosol supply system 1 may be operable to supply at least one feedback signal when the consumable 2 is in a first position P1, but may be operable not to supply at least one feedback signal when the consumable 2 is in a second position P2. Thus, it can be understood that, according to some embodiments, the second predetermined operation may include configuring the aerosol supply system to operate in silent mode. In this context, the term “silent mode” can be interpreted to mean that the aerosol supply system (and / or aerosol supply device) may be configured not to issue any voice prompts and / or voice notifications, and / or may be configured to issue relatively fewer voice prompts and / or voice notifications than when the consumable is next in another position (e.g., the first position P1).

[0083] Related embodiments also include configuring the aerosol supply system 1 such that a first predetermined operation operates in a first mode of operation for providing at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system, and a second predetermined operation such that the aerosol supply system 1 operates in a second mode of operation in which the aerosol supply system is configured not to provide at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system. With respect to what such notifications may include, it is clear that, depending on the embodiment / application of the aerosol supply system 1, this may include audible notifications and / or visual notifications, or even tactile notifications. With respect to any available such (one or more) notifications, the first predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to provide at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system while the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols. Again, by providing different locations P1, P2 of consumables, some embodiments may therefore allow the location of the consumables to determine whether and / or how often notifications are provided to the user during use of the aerosol supply system 1.

[0084] It will be understood that various different devices or mechanisms can be used, for example, by using one or more sensors as part of the aerosol supply device 4, to assist the aerosol supply device (and / or aerosol supply system 1) in detecting whether the consumable 2 is located in either the first position P1 or the second position P2 (or any other position). Similarly, according to some embodiments, the aerosol supply device may include a tertiary electrode (or control electrode) 81, which is configured to engage with the electrode of the consumable 2 (such as the corresponding control electrode 83, and / or one of the electrodes 46 of a second plurality of electrodes 46) when the consumable is in one of the first position P1 and the second position P2 (for example, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 10A) but not in the other of the first and second positions (for example, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 10B). Thus, according to some embodiments, the control circuit 18 of the aerosol supply device 4 may be configured to use the control electrode 81 of the aerosol supply device 4 to detect when the consumable is in the first position P1 and / or the second position P2. Furthermore, the control circuit 18 may be configured to, in response to determining that the consumable is in a first position P1 (and / or a second position P2), then enable the aerosol supply system to perform a first predetermined operation (and / or a second predetermined operation).

[0085] Similarly, the tertiary electrode (control electrode) 81 of the aerosol supply device 4 is configured to be engaged by the control electrode 83 at only one of the first position P1 and the second position P2, and according to some embodiments, this engagement of the control electrode 83 may be used to produce an auxiliary function of the aerosol supply system 1 at that position, for example, to cause the operation of a heater or other thermal component electrically connected to the control electrode 83, thereby increasing / regulating the temperature of the aerosol in the aerosol outlet tube 38 while the aerosol is being generated at this particular position (but not at other positions where the contact electrode 83 is not engaged).

[0086] However, whatever mechanism is used to detect whether the consumable 2 is located at the first position P1 or the second position P2, with respect to other possible applications of the respective first and second predetermined actions, according to some embodiments, the first predetermined action may include configuring the aerosol supply system not to generate an aerosol, and the second predetermined action may include configuring the aerosol supply system to generate an aerosol. Thus, the system may be configured such that the consumable needs to be moved from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in order to carry out any aerosol generation from the aerosol supply system. Thus, such arrangement can serve as a convenient safety mechanism to prevent any accidental or unforeseen aerosol generation from the aerosol supply system.

[0087] According to some embodiments, the first predetermined operation may also include the aerosol supply device 4 being configured to supply power to the power supply of the consumable 2. For example, in this way, the first position P1 may thus correspond to a charging position of the consumable, where the power supply of the consumable 2 can be charged. In this way, the first position P1 may effectively correspond to a standby position, in which aerosol generation from the consumable 2 is prevented by the aerosol supply system, but the standby position also corresponds to a position in which power can be supplied to the consumable 2 by the aerosol supply device 4.

[0088] In consideration of the above disclosure, it can be seen that the disclosure also provides a corresponding method for controlling the operation of an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, comprising moving a consumable of the aerosol supply system between a first position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device of the aerosol supply system and a second position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device, wherein the second position is different from the first position, and in the first position the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation, and in the second position the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0089] With respect to such a method, it can be understood that the method may further include performing a second predetermined action after the consumable 2 has moved to a second position P2. Depending on what the second predetermined action is, the second predetermined action may be performed at a predetermined time after the consumable 2 has moved to the second position P2, or it may be performed immediately after the consumable 2 has moved to the second position P2.

[0090] Therefore, from the above description, it can be seen that various devices, systems, and corresponding methods are provided herein, in which the consumables of the aerosol supply system may be arranged around several different locations so that the aerosol supply system can perform specific predetermined operations specific to each such location.

[0091] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to providing a consumable 2 that can use a tertiary or control electrode, in which case the control electrode can be used as a mechanism of the aerosol supply system 1, which is for determining when to perform a specific predetermined operation of the aerosol supply system 1 based on whether or not the control electrode 83 of the consumable 2 is engaged by the corresponding control electrode 81 of the aerosol supply device 4 of the aerosol supply system. In consideration of this additional disclosure, the consumable 2 is configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4 of the aerosol supply system 1 for generating an aerosol, A first reservoir 31 for storing the first aerosol generating material, an aerosol generator 40 configured to generate an aerosol using a first aerosol generating material in a first reservoir 31, A base section 75 is provided with multiple electrodes 46A, 46B for transmitting power to the aerosol generator 40. Equipped with, It can also be understood that a consumable 2 may be disclosed herein, further comprising a control electrode 83 configured such that the base portion 75 is selectively engaged to perform a predetermined operation of the aerosol supply system 1.

[0092] Any such consumable 2 can then be received by any aerosol supply device 4 described herein, as is necessary, to provide an equivalent aerosol supply system 1 comprising such consumable 2. For example, such an aerosol supply system 1 comprises the aforementioned consumable 2 and an aerosol supply device 4 for releasably receiving the consumable, the aerosol supply device comprising a power supply 16 and a plurality of electrodes 78, 78A, 78B which engage with the plurality of electrodes 46, 46A, 46B of the consumable 2 when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4, to transmit power from the power supply 16 of the aerosol supply device 4 to the consumable 2 when the consumable 2 is releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4. In such a case, the aerosol supply device may also comprise a control electrode 81 configured to be selectively engaged by a control electrode 83 of the consumable 2 to perform a predetermined operation of the aerosol supply system 1. It is clear that such a predetermined operation may be any of the possible predetermined operations described herein, as described above or later, as is necessary.

[0093] Therefore, understanding the above, an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols is, Aerosol supply device and Consumables configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device and Equipped with, The consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a first position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. An aerosol supply system is described in which consumables are releasably received by an aerosol supply device at a second position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation.

[0094] Furthermore, in an aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and consumables, the aerosol supply device for generating aerosols is as follows: In a first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation by releasably receiving consumables to generate aerosols. Also described are aerosol supply devices configured to allow the aerosol supply system to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation, by releasably receiving consumables to generate an aerosol in a second position.

[0095] Furthermore, it is a consumable item configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device for generating aerosols, In a first position, it is releasably received by an aerosol supply device, and configured so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation. Also described are consumables that, in a second position, are releasably received by the aerosol supply device, and are configured to allow the aerosol supply system to perform a second predetermined operation different from a first predetermined operation.

[0096] Furthermore, a method for controlling the operation of an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, The method includes moving a consumable of an aerosol supply system between a first position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device of the aerosol supply system and a second position in which the consumable is releasably received by an aerosol supply device, wherein the second position is different from the first position. At the first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. Also described is a method in which, at a second position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation which is different from a first predetermined operation.

[0097] Furthermore, it is a consumable item configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device of an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, A first reservoir for storing the first aerosol generating material, an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material in a first reservoir, A base section equipped with multiple electrodes for transmitting power to the aerosol generator Equipped with, Consumables are also described, further comprising a control electrode configured so as to be selectively engaged to perform a predetermined operation of the aerosol supply system.

[0098] Furthermore, an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, The consumables mentioned above, Aerosol supply device for releasably receiving consumables and Equipped with, Aerosol supply device, Power supply and Multiple electrodes, which engage with multiple electrodes of the consumable when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device, and which transmit power from the power supply of the aerosol supply device to the consumable when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device, Control electrodes configured to be selectively engaged by consumable control electrodes in order to perform predetermined operations of the aerosol supply system, An aerosol supply system equipped with this system is also provided.

[0099] Also described is an aerosol supply system 1 for generating aerosols. The aerosol supply system comprises an aerosol supply device 4 and a consumable 2 configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4. The consumable is configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4 at a first position P1 so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a first predetermined operation, and to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device 4 at a second position P2 so that the aerosol supply system 1 can perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation. In this way, the operation of the aerosol supply system 1 can be controlled based on how the consumable is received by or inserted into the aerosol supply device 4.

[0100] To address various issues and advance the technology, this disclosure illustrates various embodiments in which the claimed(one or more) invention may be carried out. The advantages and features of this disclosure are representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages and features of this disclosure are presented solely for the purpose of aiding understanding and teaching the claimed(one or more) invention. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of this disclosure should not be considered as limitations to this disclosure or to equivalents of the claims as defined by the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the claims. Various embodiments may appropriately comprise, be composed of, or essentially comprise of, various combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein, and thus the features of a dependent claim (or any dependent claim described herein) may be combined with the features of an independent claim (or independent claim) in combinations other than those expressly stated in the claims or claims. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future. Accordingly, any permutation of the features of the claims may be combined as needed, and / or with any permutation of the features of the claims described herein at the end of this specification.

[0101] With regard to any consumable used herein (for example, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B), which for the sake of integrity comprises a plurality of air inlets (or air inlet channels) 50 and / or a plurality of reservoirs 31A, 31B of aerosol-generating material, it can be understood that in the context of these embodiments, suitable fluid directioning components may be provided in the aerosol supply system 1 and used as suitable one-way valves or one-way flow members 89 to prevent air and / or aerosol from flowing upstream toward one or more air inlets 50 provided in the aerosol supply system 1, thereby facilitating the directing of air and / or generated aerosol through the aerosol supply system 1 to the aerosol outlet 60 as appropriate.

[0102] The following sections are given as exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of this disclosure.

[0103] 1. An aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, Aerosol supply device and A consumable configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device and Equipped with, The consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a first position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. An aerosol supply system in which the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a second position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0104] 2. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1, wherein the first position of the consumable is a first rotational position relative to the aerosol supply device, wherein the consumable is received by the aerosol supply device, and the second position is a second rotational position relative to the aerosol supply device, different from the first rotational position, wherein the consumable is received by the aerosol supply device.

[0105] 3. The aerosol supply system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the consumable part comprises a symmetric portion having rotational symmetry of order "n", and n is at least a positive integer of 2.

[0106] 4. The aerosol supply system according to claim 3, wherein "n" is at least a positive integer of 3.

[0107] 5. The aerosol supply system according to claim 4, wherein "n" is at least a positive integer of 4.

[0108] 6. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol supply device is equipped with a power supply.

[0109] 7. The aerosol supply system according to claim 6, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a first plurality of electrodes for transmitting power from the power supply of the aerosol supply device to the consumable when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device.

[0110] 8. The aerosol supply system according to claim 7, wherein the consumables comprise a second plurality of electrodes for contacting the first plurality of electrodes of the aerosol supply device when the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device.

[0111] 9. The second plurality of electrodes are configured to contact the first plurality of electrodes around the first configuration at the first position, so that the aerosol supply system can perform the first predetermined operation. The aerosol supply system according to claim 8, wherein the second plurality of electrodes are configured to contact the first plurality of electrodes at the second position around a second configuration different from the first configuration, so that the aerosol supply system can perform the second predetermined operation.

[0112] 10. The first plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the second plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode and a second electrode, At the first position, the first electrode among the first plurality of electrodes is configured to contact the first electrode among the second plurality of electrodes, The aerosol supply system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at the second position, the first electrode of the first plurality of electrodes is configured to contact the second electrode of the second plurality of electrodes.

[0113] 11. At the first position, the second electrode of the first plurality of electrodes is configured to contact the second electrode of the second plurality of electrodes, The aerosol supply system according to claim 10, wherein at the second position, the second electrode of the first plurality of electrodes is configured to contact the first electrode of the second plurality of electrodes.

[0114] 12. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the symmetrical portion comprises at least one of the first and second electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes, and is further dependent on at least any one of claims 3 to 5.

[0115] 13. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol supply device further comprises a receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the consumable when the consumable is in the first position and / or the second position.

[0116] 14. The aerosol supply system according to claim 13, wherein the portion of the consumable comprises the base portion of the consumable.

[0117] 15. The aerosol supply system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the portion comprises the symmetrical portion, and is further dependent on at least one of claims 3 to 5.

[0118] 16. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising a mouthpiece portion configured to be positioned outside the receptacle when the consumable is in the first or second position.

[0119] 17. The aerosol supply system according to claim 15 or 16, further dependent on claim 8, wherein the base portion of the consumable further comprises the second plurality of electrodes.

[0120] 18. When the consumable is in the first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to supply air to the consumable via a first arrangement of the aerosol supply system. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, configured to supply air to the consumable via a second arrangement of the aerosol supply system when the consumable is in the second position, wherein the second arrangement is different from the first arrangement.

[0121] 19. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, configured to adjust the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol supply system when the consumable is in one of the first and second positions but not in the other of the first and second positions.

[0122] 20. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the consumable is in one of the first and second positions but not in the other of the first and second positions, and is configured to adjust the temperature of the air supplied to the consumable of the aerosol supply device for generating the aerosol.

[0123] 21. The aerosol supply system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein adjusting the temperature includes raising the temperature.

[0124] 22. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 21, further comprising an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol.

[0125] 23. The aerosol supply system according to claim 22, wherein the consumables include the aerosol generator.

[0126] 24. The aerosol supply system according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises the aerosol generator.

[0127] 25. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 22 to 24, further dependent on claim 21, wherein the temperature increase is provided by heat from the aerosol generator.

[0128] 26. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 22 to 25, further comprising an aerosol outlet pipe for receiving aerosols generated by the aerosol generator, and an outlet of the aerosol outlet pipe for receiving the aerosols.

[0129] 27. The aerosol supply system according to claim 26, when further dependent on claim 19, further configured to adjust the temperature of the aerosol in the aerosol outlet tube.

[0130] 28. The aerosol supply device is configured to supply air to the consumable at a first rate to generate the aerosol when the consumable is in the first position, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the aerosol supply device is configured to supply air to the consumable at a second velocity to generate the aerosol when the consumable is in the second position, and the first velocity is different from the second velocity.

[0131] 29. When the consumable is in the first position, the device is provided with a first air inlet channel for supplying air to the consumable to generate the aerosol, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 28, further comprising a second air inlet channel for supplying air to the consumable to generate the aerosol when the consumable is in the second position, wherein the first air inlet channel is different from the second air inlet channel.

[0132] 30. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the consumable is configured to slide between the first position and the second position, thereby moving the consumable between the first position and the second position.

[0133] 31. The consumable is configured to generate the aerosol at a first aerosol generation rate when the consumable is in the first position, An aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 30, configured to generate the aerosol at a second aerosol generation rate when the consumable is in the second position, wherein the first aerosol generation rate is different from the second aerosol generation rate.

[0134] 32. The consumable is configured to generate an aerosol containing a first fragrance when it is in the first position, An aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 31, configured to generate an aerosol containing a second fragrance when the consumable is in the second position, wherein the first fragrance is different from the second fragrance.

[0135] 33. The consumable comprises a first reservoir for storing a first aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol supply system is configured to generate an aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material when the consumable is in the first position. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the consumable comprises a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material, and the aerosol supply system is configured to generate an aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material when the consumable is in the second position.

[0136] 34. The aerosol supply system according to claim 33, wherein the composition of the first aerosol generating material is different from the composition of the second aerosol generating material.

[0137] 35. The consumable is operable to supply at least one feedback signal when it is in the first position, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the consumable is operable to not supply the at least one feedback signal when the consumable is in the second position.

[0138] 36. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the aerosol supply device comprises a tertiary electrode configured to be engaged by the electrode of the consumable when the consumable is in one of the first and second positions but not in the other of the first and second positions.

[0139] 37. The aerosol supply system according to claim 36, wherein the electrode of the consumable includes a control electrode of the consumable.

[0140] 38. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the second predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to operate in silent mode.

[0141] 39. The first predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to operate in a first mode of operation for providing at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system, The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 38, wherein the second predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to operate in a second mode of operation configured such that the aerosol supply system does not provide the user of the aerosol supply system the at least one notification.

[0142] 40. The aerosol supply system according to claim 39, wherein the first predetermined operation is configured to provide the aerosol supply system with the at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system while the aerosol supply system is generating the aerosol.

[0143] 41. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the first predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system not to generate an aerosol, and the second predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to generate an aerosol.

[0144] 42. The aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the first predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply device to supply power to the power supply for the consumables.

[0145] 43. An aerosol supply system comprising an aerosol supply device and consumables, wherein the aerosol supply device is for generating an aerosol, The aerosol supply device is configured to releasably receive consumables for generating the aerosol in a first position, so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation. An aerosol supply device configured to releasably receive the consumables in a second position to generate the aerosol, so that the aerosol supply system can perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0146] 44. A consumable configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device for generating an aerosol, In a first position, it is releasably received by the aerosol supply device, and configured so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation. A consumable, which is releasably received by the aerosol supply device in a second position, and is configured to allow the aerosol supply system to perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0147] 45. A method for controlling the operation of an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, The consumables of the aerosol supply system are moved between a first position in which the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device of the aerosol supply system and a second position in which the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device, wherein the second position is different from the first position. At the first position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. A method wherein, at the second position, the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

[0148] 46. ​​The method of claim 45, further comprising performing the second predetermined operation after the consumable has moved to the second position.

[0149] 47. The method according to claim 45 or 46, further comprising performing the second predetermined operation as soon as the consumable moves to the second position.

[0150] 48. The method according to any one of claims 45 to 47, wherein, at the second position, the consumable includes a portion that is received by the receptacle of the aerosol supply device.

[0151] [A set of consistent terms] 1. A consumable item configured to be releasably received by an aerosol supply device of an aerosol supply system for generating an aerosol, A first reservoir for storing the first aerosol generating material, an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material in a first reservoir, A base section equipped with multiple electrodes for transmitting power to the aerosol generator Equipped with, A consumable further comprising a control electrode whose base is configured to selectively engage in order to perform a predetermined operation of an aerosol supply system.

[0152] 2. The consumable according to item 1, wherein multiple electrodes and a control electrode are arranged at the first end of the consumable.

[0153] 3. The consumable item according to item 1 or 2, wherein the control electrode has the same shape as each of the multiple electrodes.

[0154] 4. The consumable according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the consumable further comprises a mouthpiece portion, the mouthpiece portion comprising an aerosol outlet for receiving aerosols generated by an aerosol generator.

[0155] 5. A consumable item according to any one of items 1 to 4, comprising a symmetric part having rotational symmetry of order "n", wherein n is at least a positive integer of 2.

[0156] 6. The consumables described in item 5, wherein "n" is at least a positive integer of 3.

[0157] 7. The consumables described in item 6, wherein "n" is at least a positive integer of 4.

[0158] 8. A consumable item as described in any one of items 5 to 7, wherein the base portion comprises a symmetrical portion.

[0159] 9. A consumable according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the first reservoir contains the first aerosol-generating material.

[0160] 10. The consumable according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising a second reservoir for storing a second aerosol-generating material, and an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol using the second aerosol-generating material in the second reservoir.

[0161] 11. The consumable according to item 10, wherein the second reservoir comprises the second aerosol-generating material.

[0162] 12. The consumables described in item 11, further dependent on item 9, wherein the composition of the first aerosol-generating material is different from the composition of the second aerosol-generating material.

[0163] 13. A consumable according to any one of items 10 to 12, configured to generate an aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material while simultaneously not generating an aerosol using a first aerosol-generating material.

[0164] 14. A consumable as described in any one of items 1 to 13, configured to selectively heat the air passing through the consumable's air inlet channel.

[0165] 15. A consumable according to any one of items 1 to 14, further comprising a first air inlet channel for supplying air toward an aerosol generator and a second air inlet channel for supplying air toward an aerosol generator, and configured to heat the air passing through the first air inlet channel of the consumable.

[0166] 16. The consumable described in item 15, configured not to heat the air passing through the second air inlet channel of the consumable.

[0167] 17. A consumable as described in any one of items 14-16, configured to receive heat from an aerosol generator.

[0168] 18. A consumable according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein a predetermined operation is configured such that the aerosol supply system adjusts the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol generator.

[0169] 19. Consumables as described in paragraph 18, whose temperature adjustment includes raising the temperature.

[0170] 20. The consumable described in item 19, configured such that the temperature increase is provided by heat from the aerosol generator.

[0171] 21. A consumable according to any one of items 1 to 20, further comprising an aerosol outlet tube for receiving aerosols generated by an aerosol generator, and an outlet for receiving aerosols from the aerosol outlet tube.

[0172] 22. The consumables according to item 21, further dependent on at least item 18, wherein a predetermined operation includes configuring the aerosol supply system to regulate the temperature of the aerosol in the aerosol outlet tube.

[0173] 23. An aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, Consumables listed in any one of items 1 to 22, Aerosol supply device for releasably receiving consumables and Equipped with, Aerosol supply device, Power supply and Multiple electrodes, which engage with multiple electrodes of the consumable when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device, and which transmit power from the power supply of the aerosol supply device to the consumable when the consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device, Control electrodes configured to be selectively engaged by consumable control electrodes in order to perform predetermined operations of the aerosol supply system, an aerosol supply system equipped with the following features.

[0174] 24. The aerosol supply system according to item 23, wherein the aerosol supply device further comprises a receptacle for receiving the base portion of a consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol supply device.

[0175] 25. The consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device in a first position in which the control electrode of the consumable is configured to engage with the control electrode of the aerosol supply device, so that the aerosol supply system can perform a first predetermined operation. The aerosol supply system according to paragraph 23 or 24, wherein a consumable is releasably received by the aerosol supply device in a second position in which the control electrode of the consumable is configured not to engage with the control electrode of the aerosol supply device, so that the aerosol supply system is unable to perform a first predetermined operation.

[0176] 26. The aerosol supply system according to paragraph 25, wherein, at both the first and second positions, a plurality of electrodes of the consumables are configured to engage with a plurality of electrodes of the aerosol supply device.

[0177] 27. An aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein a predetermined operation is configured to switch the aerosol supply system between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

[0178] 28. At least one of the operation of the first mode and the operation of the second mode is configured to provide at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system while the aerosol supply system is generating aerosols. The aerosol supply system according to paragraph 27, wherein the operation of the first mode and the other of the operation of the second mode are configured not to provide at least one notification to the user of the aerosol supply system while the aerosol supply system is generating an aerosol.

[0179] 29. At least one of the operation of the first mode and the operation of the second mode is configured to generate an aerosol at a first rate, The aerosol supply system according to paragraph 27 or 28, wherein the operation of the first mode and the other of the operation of the second mode are configured to generate an aerosol at a second rate, and the first rate is different from the second rate.

[0180] 30. At least one of the operation of the first mode and the operation of the second mode is configured to supply heat to the air supplied toward the aerosol generator to generate an aerosol, An aerosol supply system according to any one of sections 27 to 29, wherein the operation of the first mode and the other of the operation of the second mode are configured not to supply heat to the air supplied toward the aerosol generator for generating aerosols.

[0181] 31. The aerosol supply system according to item 30, wherein heat is configured to be supplied to air located in an air inlet channel, and the air inlet channel is located upstream of the aerosol generator.

[0182] 32. The aerosol supply system according to item 31, wherein an air inlet channel is located in the consumable.

[0183] 33. At least one of the operation of the first mode and the operation of the second mode is configured to generate an aerosol using the first aerosol-generating material, An aerosol supply system according to any one of claims 27 to 32, further dependent on claim 10, wherein the operation of the first mode and the other of the operation of the second mode are configured to generate an aerosol using a second aerosol-generating material.

Claims

[Claim 1] an aerosol supply system for generating aerosols, Aerosol supply device and A consumable configured to be releasably received by the aerosol supply device and Equipped with, The consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a first position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a first predetermined operation. An aerosol supply system in which the consumables are releasably received by the aerosol supply device at a second position, and the aerosol supply system is configured to perform a second predetermined operation different from the first predetermined operation.

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