Aerosol Delivery System

Abstract

The aerosol delivery system (1) includes a vaporizer (14) for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material and an electrode (10) for receiving electrical power. The aerosol delivery system (1) also includes a resilient element (100) electrically connected to the vaporizer (14) and the electrode (10) for transmitting electrical power between the electrode (10) and the vaporizer (14). The electrode (10) includes a recess (112) for receiving the resilient element (100) and limiting slippage of the electrode relative to the resilient element. The aerosol delivery system (1) may further include a cartridge (2) and a control unit (4), wherein the electrode (10), the vaporizer (14), and the resilient element (100) are disposed within the cartridge (2). The control unit (4) may further include a power source for supplying electrical power to the electrode (10) to provide energy to the vaporizer (14).

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Electronic aerosol delivery systems, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), generally include an aerosol precursor, such as a reservoir of feedstock liquid with a formulation that typically, but not necessarily, includes nicotine, or a solid material, such as a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol is generated, for example by thermal evaporation, for inhalation by a user. Thus, an aerosol delivery system typically includes a vaporizer, such as a heating element, arranged to vaporize a portion of the precursor to generate an aerosol in an aerosol-generating region of an air channel through the aerosol delivery system. When a user inhales on the device and power is supplied to the heating element, air is drawn into the device through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel to the aerosol-generating region, where the air mixes with the vaporized precursor to form a condensed aerosol. The air drawn through the aerosol-generating region, carrying with it a portion of the aerosol, continues to flow along the air channel to a mouthpiece opening and exits through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by a user.

[0003] Aerosol delivery systems generally comprise a modular assembly having two main functional parts: a control unit and a disposable / replaceable cartridge part. Typically, the cartridge part contains the consumable aerosol precursor and the vaporizer / heating element (atomizer), while the control unit part contains longer-life items such as a power source, such as a rechargeable battery, device control circuitry, actuation sensors, and user interface features. The control unit may also be referred to as the reusable part or battery section, and the replaceable cartridge may also be referred to as the disposable part or cartomizer.

[0004] For use, the control unit and cartridge are mechanically coupled together at an interface, for example using a threaded, bayonet, latch, or friction fit fastener. When the aerosol precursor in the cartridge is depleted, or when a user desires to replace with a different cartridge having a different aerosol precursor, the cartridge can be removed from the control unit and a replacement cartridge can be installed in the device in situ.

[0005] Each of the control unit and cartridge are provided with electrical contacts / electrodes to transfer power between the two components. For each electrode on the cartridge, a lead is used to transfer power from the electrode to the heating element of the cartridge.

[0006] A potential drawback of such cartridges is that the leads may become dislodged from the electrodes during use, causing undesired short circuits and cartridge malfunction. A further potential drawback for such cartridges, which typically contain liquid aerosol precursors (e-liquids), is the risk of leakage. E-cigarette cartridges typically have a mechanism, such as a capillary wick, for drawing liquid from a liquid reservoir to a heating element located in an air path / channel connecting the air inlet to the aerosol outlet of the cartridge. Since there is a fluid transport path from the liquid reservoir to the open air channel in the cartridge, there is a corresponding risk of liquid leaking from the cartridge. Leaking is of course undesirable from the perspective of the end user, who does not want to get e-liquid on their hands or other objects.

[0007] Various approaches are described herein that attempt to address or help alleviate some of the problems discussed above.

[0008] According to a first aspect of a particular embodiment a vaporizer for generating a vapor from the aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving electrical power; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transmitting power between the electrode and the vaporizer; An aerosol delivery system is provided comprising:

[0009] According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and a control unit, a vaporizer for generating a vapor from the aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving electrical power; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transmitting power between the electrode and the vaporizer; A cartridge comprising:

[0010] According to a third aspect of a particular embodiment, a first object for receiving power; A second object; an elastic element electrically connected to the first object and the second object and configured to transfer power between the first object and the second object, the second object being configured to be at least partially supported by the elastic element such that the second object is held in compression between the first object and the second object; A power transfer system is provided comprising:

[0011] It will be appreciated that the features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to its various aspects are equally applicable to and can be combined with embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention, where appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system including a cartridge and a control unit. [Figure 2A] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 2B is a perspective view of some portions of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2A according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a heating element disposed on a surface of a porous member for use in the cartridge shown in FIG. 2A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 4B is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 4A for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 5B is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cartridge of FIG. 5A for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 6B is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a cartridge from FIG. 6A for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6C] 6C is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the cartridge of FIGS. 6A and 6B for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0014] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be conventionally implemented and will not be discussed / described in detail for the sake of brevity. Thus, it will be understood that aspects and features of the apparatus and methods discussed herein but not described in detail can be implemented according to any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0015] The present disclosure relates to non-combustion aerosol delivery systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes. According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustion" aerosol delivery system is one in which the aerosolizable constituent materials of the aerosol delivery system (or its components) are not burned or combusted to facilitate delivery to a user. An aerosolizable material, which may also be referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material or an aerosol precursor material, is a material that can generate an aerosol when, for example, heated, irradiated, or in any other manner, is provided with energy.

[0016] Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used, with the understanding that the terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems / devices and electronic aerosol delivery systems / devices. Note that e-cigarettes are also known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDs), although the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not a requirement.

[0017] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosolizable materials (one or more of which may be heated) to generate the aerosol. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material. The solid aerosolizable material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0018] Typically, a non-combustion aerosol delivery system may comprise a non-combustion aerosol delivery device and an article for use with the non-combustion aerosol delivery device, however, it is contemplated that an article that itself comprises a means for providing energy to an aerosol generating component may itself form a non-combustion aerosol delivery system.

[0019] In some embodiments, an article for use with a non-combustion aerosol delivery device may comprise an aerosolizable material (or aerosol precursor), an aerosol generating component (or vaporizer), an aerosol-generating region, a mouthpiece, and / or a region for receiving the aerosolizable material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a vaporizer or heater that can interact with the aerosolizable material to release one or more volatile components from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component can generate an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat to the aerosolizable material, for example, by one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurized, or electrostatic means.

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

[0022] The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and / or olfactorily active ingredients included in the aerosolizable material to induce a physiological and / or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic agents. The active ingredient may be naturally occurring or synthetically derived. 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. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine bitartrate / nicotine bitartrate), 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 "flavors" and / or "flavorings" that may be used in products for adult consumers to create a desired flavor, aroma, or other somatic sensation, where permitted by local regulations. In some examples, such ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavorings, cooling agents, heating agents, and / or sweeteners. They may include naturally occurring flavor materials, botanical substances, extracts of botanical substances, synthetically derived materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese peppermint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, black ... Lamberry, Peach, Apple, Orange, Mango, Clementine, Lemon, Lime, Tropical Fruit, Papaya, Rhubarb, Grape, Durian, Dragon Fruit, Cucumber, Blueberry, Mulberry, Citrus, Drambuie, Bourbon, Scotch, Whisky, Gin, Tequila, Rum, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lavender, Aloe Vera, Cardamom, Celery, Cascarilla, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Geranium mu, khat, naswar, betel quid, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo, hazel, Hibiscus, bay, yerba mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiogamagamine, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiane, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, ribeye, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene),Flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucrose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners, which may be imitation, synthetic, or natural materials, or mixtures thereof. These may be in any suitable form, for example liquids such as oils, solids such as powders, or gases, and include extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, magnolia leaf, 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, caramel, thyme, thyme extract, thyme syrup, thyme extract ... The additives may be one or more of the following: oleander, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, pepper, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucrose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath fresheners. These may be imitation, synthetic, or natural materials, or mixtures thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

[0024] In some embodiments, the flavoring includes menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry flavoring ingredients. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring includes flavoring ingredients extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring may include sensate agents intended to achieve somatic sensations that are usually chemically induced and perceived by stimulating the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the olfactory or gustatory nerves, and these may include agents that provide a heating effect, a cooling effect, a tingling effect, a numbing effect. A suitable heating effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol, WS-3.

[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 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, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0026] The one or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of a pH adjuster, a colorant, a preservative, a binder, a filler, a stabilizer, and / or an antioxidant.

[0027] As mentioned above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise a modular assembly that includes both a reusable part (control unit) and a replaceable (disposable) cartridge part. Devices that fit this type of two-part modular configuration can be generally referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongated shape. To provide a concrete example, certain embodiments of the present disclosure described herein include this type of generally elongated two-part device that uses a disposable cartridge. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein can be equally employed in other electronic cigarette configurations, for example modular devices with three or more parts, as devices that fit other overall shapes based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.

[0028] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system / device (e-cigarette) 1 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of the e-cigarette (e.g., terms such as top, bottom, upper, lower, top, bottom, etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the e-cigarette shown in FIG 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). However, it should be understood that this is merely for ease of explanation and is not intended to imply any required orientation of the e-cigarette when in use.

[0029] The e-cigarette 1 comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 and the cartridge 2 are coupled together during use.

[0030] The cartridge 2 and the control unit 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The particular manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may be established according to conventional techniques, for example based on screw, bayonet, latch or friction fit mechanical fasteners with appropriately configured electrical contacts / electrodes for establishing an electrical connection between the two parts as required. For example, in the case of the cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 1, the cartridge 2 comprises a mouth end 6 and an interface end 8. The cartridge 2 is coupled to the control unit 4 at the interface end 8 of the cartridge 2 by a coupling arrangement (not shown) to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. The electrical connection between the control unit and the cartridge is established by the pairing of electrical contacts / electrodes 10 at the bottom of the cartridge 2 with corresponding contact pins / electrodes 11 of the control unit 4. As mentioned above, the particular manner in which the electrical connection is established is not of primary importance to the principles described herein. According to certain embodiments, the control unit 4 may comprise a cartridge receiving section including an interface configured to cooperatively engage with the cartridge 2 to releasably couple the cartridge 2 to the control unit 4. In this manner, power from the control unit 4 may be provided to the cartridge 2 via the electrodes 10 from the cartridge 2.

[0031] It should be understood that the particular size and shape of the electronic cigarette, and the materials from which it is made, are not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may vary in alternative embodiments, i.e., the principles described herein may be similarly employed with electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes, and / or materials.

[0032] A control unit 4 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be generally conventional in its function and general construction techniques. In some embodiments, the control unit may comprise a plastic outer housing including receptacle walls defining a receptacle for receiving the interface end 10 of the cartridge 2.

[0033] The control unit 4 further comprises a power source, such as a battery, for providing operating power to the electronic cigarette 1, control circuitry for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, user input buttons, and a charging port.

[0034] The battery in some embodiments may be rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, such as the type commonly used in e-cigarettes and other applications requiring the delivery of relatively high currents for relatively short periods of time. The power source / battery may be recharged via a charging port, which may comprise, for example, a USB connector.

[0035] The input button may be considered an input device, for example, for detecting a user input to initiate aerosol generation, and the particular manner in which the button is implemented is not important. For example, other forms of mechanical buttons, or touch-sensitive buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques) may be used in other implementations, or there may be no button and the device may rely on a puff detector to initiate aerosol generation.

[0036] The control circuit is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the e-cigarette to provide conventional operating functions according to established techniques for controlling e-cigarettes. The control circuit (processor circuit) can be considered to logically comprise various subunits / circuit elements related to various aspects of the operation of the e-cigarette. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different embodiments, the control circuit may comprise a power supply control circuit for controlling the supply of power from a power source / battery to the cartridge in response to user input, a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) responsive to the user input, and other functional units / circuits related to functionality according to the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of e-cigarettes. It should be understood that the functionality of the control circuit can be provided in a variety of different ways, for example, using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more suitably configured application specific integrated circuit(s) / circuit(s) / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.

[0037] FIG. 2A illustrates generally a cross-section of a cartridge for use with the control unit of FIG. 1, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Broadly speaking, the cartridge includes electrodes 10, each electrode 10 including an associated lead 12 operable to transfer power between the electrode 10 and a heating element 14. The cartridge 2 may further include a porous member 16 for use in holding a fluid to be atomized using the heating element 14. As shown in FIG. 2A, the porous member 16 may include a recess 18 defining a bowl portion 20 for holding the fluid. In some embodiments, the porous member 16 may be a ceramic material and may include silicone.

[0038] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, heating element 14 is disposed between bowl portion 20 and each of electrodes 10. Regarding the structure of heating element 14, in some embodiments, heating element 14 may be disposed on surface 21 of porous member 16. For the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 3, surface 21 is disposed on the side of the porous member facing bowl portion 20.

[0039] To improve the transfer of heat from the heating element to the porous member 16, in some embodiments, the heating element 14 may include a metal wire or some other conductive material, which may form a serpentine path 23 on the surface 21 of the porous member 16. In this configuration, a first end of the heating element may be connected to one of the two leads 12, and a second end of the heating element opposite the first end may be connected to the other of the two leads 12. With regard to the exact shape of the heating element 14, it will be understood that the heating element 14 of such embodiments may take any necessary shape on the surface of the porous member 16 to efficiently vaporize the aerosolizable material / fluid within the porous member 16. In that regard, according to some particular embodiments, the heating element / vaporizer 14 may define a spiral pattern, a raster pattern, or a zigzag pattern on the surface of the porous member 16.

[0040] Disposed towards the mouth end 6 of the cartridge is a chamber 22 which functions as a primary reservoir 24 for storing the fluid to be aerosolized. Chamber 22 is connected to bowl portion 20 through at least one opening 26 for filling the bowl portion 20 with fluid which functions as a secondary reservoir.

[0041] Extending through the center of chamber 22 is an outlet channel 28 for receiving aerosol generated from fluid released from porous member 16. Outlet channel 28 extends upwardly from the porous member towards a mouthpiece 30 disposed at mouthpiece end 6 of the cartridge so that the generated aerosol can be inhaled by a user.

[0042] The cartridge includes an air channel 32 extending therethrough for delivering air to the heating element 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the air channel 32 is disposed between the electrodes 10. Upon connecting the cartridge 2 with the control unit 4, the electronic cigarette 1 includes a further air channel disposed in the cartridge 2 and / or the control unit 4 and in fluid communication with the air channel 32, the air channel being configured to allow ambient air to pass through and enter the air channel 32.

[0043] The heating element 14 is disposed in an aerosol-generation region 34 of the cartridge 2 , and the outlet channel 28 and the air channel 30 are connected to the aerosol-generation region 34 .

[0044] In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to a control unit 4 which operates to supply power to the cartridge 2 via the electrodes 10, 11. The power then passes through connecting leads 12 to the heating element 14.

[0045] The function of the porous member 16 is to act as a capillary wick to draw fluid from the bowl portion 20 to the heating element 14. Thus, the fluid conveyed through the porous member 16 towards the heating element 14 is vaporized by the heat generated from the heating element 14. The generated vapor is emitted from the surface 21 where it mixes with air from the air channels 32 in the aerosol-generation region 34 to form an aerosol. The vaporized fluid from the porous member 16 is replaced by more fluid that is drawn from the chamber 22 through the at least one opening 26.

[0046] When a user inhales on the mouthpiece 30 of the cartridge 2, air enters the air channel 32. This inhalation draws air through any of the further air channels that align with the air channel 32 of the cartridge. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the heating element 14 to form a condensed aerosol on the underside of the porous member 16 in the aerosol-generating region 34. The formed aerosol then passes from the underside of the porous member 16 through gaps 38 located on two sides S3, S4 of the porous member (sides S3, S4 are perpendicular to sides S1, S2 shown in FIG. 2A) as shown in FIG. 2B, and then flows upwards through the outlet channel 28 to the mouthpiece 30.

[0047] Thus, the above describes a cartridge 2 for an aerosol delivery system, where the cartridge 2 comprises a heating element / vaporizer 14 disposed in an aerosol-generation region 34 of the cartridge 2 for heating / vaporizing fluid from a reservoir 20, 24 to generate an aerosol at the aerosol-generation region 34, and the cartridge 2 further comprises an air channel 32 extending through the cartridge 2 for delivering air to the heating element / vaporizer 14.

[0048] 4A-7, there is shown generally a modified cartridge 2 for use with the control unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 to form an aerosol delivery system 1 according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The cartridge 2, or portions thereof, shown in FIG. 4A-7 is based on the structure of the cartridge 2 shown in FIG. 1-3 and includes similar components as indicated by reference numerals common to both sets of figures. For example, the cartridge 2 includes at least one electrode 10, a heating element / vaporizer 14, and a porous member 16.

[0049] The main modification of the cartridge 2 shown in Figures 4A-7 with respect to the cartridge shown in Figures 2A-3 is the introduction of a resilient member 100 to replace all or part of the connecting lead 12. In this regard, the connecting lead 12 may become detached from the electrode 10 during use, which may cause an undesirable short circuit and malfunction of the cartridge 2. A further potential drawback is that such a connecting lead 12 shown in Figures 2A-2B as embedded in the electrode 10 may allow fluid / vapor to enter the gap between the connecting lead 12 and the electrode 10, which may affect the efficiency of any power transfer between the connecting lead 12 and the electrode 10, for example as a result of corrosion occurring in this gap.

[0050] 4A-7 effectively provides an aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a vaporizer 14 for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, an electrode 10 for receiving electrical power, and a resilient element 100 electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and the electrode 10 for transferring electrical power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14. As will be explained, the introduction of this resilient element 100 can conceptually alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks caused by the use of the connecting lead(s) 12.

[0051] 4A-4B, the elastic element 100 may comprise a first portion 102 proximal to the vaporizer 14 and a second portion 104 proximal to the electrode 10. For example, according to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the second portion 104 may in effect be in contact with the electrode 10 and the first portion 102 may be in contact with the vaporizer 14. However, according to some embodiments, at least one electrically conductive bridge member may be provided, disposed between the first portion 102 and the vaporizer 14 and / or disposed between the second portion 104 and the electrode 10.

[0052] According to the above embodiments, the first portion 102 may define a cantilever portion 106 on which the vaporizer 14 and / or the porous member 16 (if any) are supported. In other words, the resilient element 100 according to such embodiments may be configured to support (at least partially or completely) the vaporizer 14 and / or the porous member 16, as shown in Figures 4A-7. As such, according to some embodiments, the resilient element 100 may be configured to exert a biasing and / or compressive force on the vaporizer 14, which may, in some particular embodiments (such as those shown in Figures 4A-7), extend in a direction away from the electrode 10.

[0053] Thus, from the above, it can be seen that the resilient nature of the resilient element 100 allows the resilient element 100 to be biased into engagement with the carburetor 14 such that the resilient element 100 is held in a compressed state during use. In that regard, according to certain embodiments, the resilient element 100 may thus comprise a leaf spring that is held in a compressed state during use.

[0054] 4A-B, the elastic element 100 may define an S-shape. As such, according to some embodiments, the elastic element 100 may include a third portion 108 disposed between the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 and in contact with the electrode 10.

[0055] During operation of the elastic element 100, the electrode 10 may be configured to rest, directly or indirectly, on the elastic element 100 at least one location on the elastic element 100 to adequately support the elastic element 100 relative to the electrode 10. According to some embodiments, the at least one location may include the second portion 104 (e.g., in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) and / or the third portion 108 (e.g., in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4B).

[0056] To further secure the elastic element 100 to the electrode 10, according to some embodiments, the electrode 10 may comprise at least one recess 112 for receiving the elastic element 100. Such a recess is shown in the embodiment of Figs. 4A-4B. According to such and other embodiments, the at least one recess 112 of the electrode 10 may comprise multiple recesses 112A, 112B, in particular a first recess 112A arranged on a first side of the electrode 10 (as shown in the embodiment of Figs. 4A-4B) and a second recess 112B arranged on a second side of the electrode 10 opposite the first side. The provision of the recess(es) 112 on the electrode 10 allows the elastic element 100 to engage inside the recess(es) 112 and thus limit any undesired movement / slippage of the electrode 10 relative to the elastic element 100.

[0057] With respect to the shape of the electrode, in at least some embodiments (such as those shown in FIGS. 4A-7), the electrode 10 may extend between a first end 10A of the electrode 10 and a second end 10B of the electrode 10, the first end 10A of the electrode 10 being located closer to the vaporizer 14 than the second end 10B of the electrode is located at the vaporizer 14, and in some particular embodiments the first end 10A may be located opposite the second end 10B (e.g., if the electrode is cylindrical). Such a shape allows the electrode 10 to be conveniently spaced relative to the vaporizer 14 and the resilient member 100.

[0058] According to some particular embodiments of the above shapes, particularly compact embodiments optimizing space may comprise a first end 10A of the electrode 10 disposed between the first portion 102 and the third portion 108 of the elastic element 100. Such an embodiment is illustrated in Figures 4A-4B. According to such an embodiment, and conceptually other embodiments such as those illustrated in Figures 5A-5B, the first end 10A and the second end 10B of the electrode 10 may be disposed on either side of the second portion 104.

[0059] It is understood that if optional recess(es) 112 are present in electrode 10, such optional recess(es) may facilitate holding elastic element 100 in a compressed state by electrode 10, and it should be noted that such compression facilitates the function of elastic element 100 to support vaporizer 14 and porous member 16 (if present) during use, as can be seen in the embodiment of Figures 4A-4B.

[0060] To further provide sufficient support by the elastic element 100 with respect to the electrode 10 and / or vaporizer 14 adjacent to the elastic element 100, and to provide a large surface area for the transfer of power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14, according to some embodiments, any combination of the first portion 102, the second portion 104, and the third portion 108 (if any of these portions exist) may comprise respective plates (first plate 102A, second plate 104A, and third plate 108A) to improve contact / support by the elastic element 100 at the respective portions. In that regard, any combination of these plates 102A, 104A, 108A may be parallel to one another according to some specific embodiments to ensure a more stable positioning of the elastic element 100 and in that position to better distribute the load forces within the elastic element 100.

[0061] 4A-B, according to some embodiments, the elastic element 100 may comprise at least one recess for receiving a portion of the electrode 10. Each such recess may thus serve to help secure the elastic element 100 relative to the electrode 10. In some particular embodiments thereof, the second portion 104 of the elastic element 100 may comprise a primary recess 120 for receiving a primary portion 122 of the electrode 10, and / or the third portion 108 may comprise a secondary recess 124 for receiving a secondary portion 126 of the electrode 10.

[0062] Moving away from the S-shaped elastic element shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 4A-4B and with reference to the elastic element shown in Figures 5A-5B, according to some embodiments, the elastic element 100 may be configured to function as a circlip that extends around the electrode 10 to grip the electrode 10. In that regard, and according to some embodiments, the elastic element 100 may comprise a resilient foot 130 that extends around the electrode 10 to grip the electrode 10. According to some particular embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 5A-5B, the resilient foot 130 may form part of the second portion 104 (and / or part of the second plate 104A).

[0063] As mentioned above, one of the primary functions of the elastic element 100 is to transfer power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14. It is therefore contemplated that the elastic element 100 may include a conductive material (e.g., but not limited to, a metal) to transfer the power received by the electrode 10 to the vaporizer 14. As may be inferred and understood, this may be accomplished by having a conductive material applied onto the elastic element (e.g., as a coating extending around a surface of the elastic element or by having a strip of conductive material disposed / applied onto the elastic element) and / or by the elastic element being made from a conductive material.

[0064] According to some embodiments, in order to further secure the elastic means 100 in its place relative to the cartridge 2, the elastic means 100 may comprise at least one fastening point 128, such as a hole or fastener for fastening the elastic means 100 to another object (such as the cartridge 2). According to some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 5A-5B, the fastening point 128 may be located on the second part 104 and / or on the second plate 104A. According to some particular embodiments, if desired, the at least one fastening point 128 may comprise multiple fastening points to further secure the elastic means 100. In the very particular embodiment in which the elastic element 100 is configured to function as a circlip that extends around the electrode 10 to grip the electrode 10, each fastening point 128 may also function as a point at which a circlip can be gripped to place the circlip around the electrode 10, as shown in the embodiment of Figures 5A-5B (in this case each fastening point 128 comprises a hole extending through each elastic foot 130).

[0065] Staying with the fixation of the elastic means 100, and with reference to Figs. 6A-7, according to some embodiments, the electrode 10 may comprise a cover member 136 defining a recess 138 configured to receive the second portion 104 of the elastic element 100 to limit the elastic element 100 from being removed from the electrode 10. As mentioned above, the primary purpose of the cover member 136 is to receive the elastic element 100 to limit the elastic element 100 from being removed from the electrode 10. In that respect, it will therefore be appreciated that the recess 138 may take any necessary shape to achieve this function. According to some particular embodiments, the recess 138 may define a slot that may define a substantially rectangular cross section. To further fix the elastic element 100, the cover member 136 according to some embodiments may be configured to grip the second portion 104 of the elastic element 100 to maintain the second portion 106 in contact with the electrode 10. With reference to some very specific embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 6A-7, the cover member 136 may be configured to grip the second portion 106 of the resilient element 100 to maintain the second portion 106 in contact with the first end 10A of the electrode 10. According to some specific embodiments to limit any upward separation / lifting of the resilient element relative to the electrode 10, the recess 136 may define a tapered or trapezoidal cross-section 140 to limit removal of the second portion 106 from the electrode 10 and / or to limit any movement of the second portion 106 in a direction towards the vaporizer 14, in use. Such a configuration is shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0066] According to some embodiments in which a cover member 136 is employed, in some particular embodiments, the cover member 136 may comprise a keyed surface 142 for preventing the cover member 136 from rotating relative to the electrode 10. The shape of this keyed surface 142 may appreciably take any necessary shape to achieve this effect. In that regard, and according to some embodiments such as those shown in Figures 6A-6C, the keyed surface 142 may be configured to engage against a portion of the cartridge 2, such as a wall of the air channel 32. Thus, the exact shape of the keyed surface 142 may vary as needed, so long as the surface is capable of assisting in preventing the cover member 136 from rotating relative to the electrode 10. In that regard, as possible non-limiting examples, the keyed surface 142 may comprise a flat surface (as shown in the embodiment of Figures 6A-6C), a castellated surface, or may comprise recesses and / or protrusions for engaging corresponding protrusions and / or recesses of an object (e.g., cartridge 2) against which the keyed surface is configured to be placed in use.

[0067] It should be noted that a further function of the cover member 136, if present, may be to limit the ingress of steam / moisture around the electrode 10, which may ultimately cause undesirable corrosion of the electrode 10. With that in mind, the cover member 136 according to some embodiments may be configured to extend around the first end 10A of the electrode 10. Again, the cover member 136 may be made of a material that is conceptually relatively electrically insulating and relatively impermeable to moisture. Thus, according to some embodiments, the cover member may be made of plastic. In that very particular (non-limiting) embodiment, a cover member 136 made of glycol-modified polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (PCTG) has been found to provide the cover member 136 with particularly favorable properties in the above respect.

[0068] With respect to the elastic member 100 as described herein and shown in the embodiment of Figures 4A-7, it is contemplated (as discussed above) that the elastic member 100 may be used in conjunction with any of the other previously described features of the aerosol delivery system 1 described with reference to Figures 1-3, such as, but not limited to, the porous member 16, the vaporizer 14, and any of the other features of the cartridge 2 or control unit 4 shown in Figures 1-3, which together form the aerosol delivery system 1 described herein.

[0069] Thus, an aerosol delivery system has been described that includes a vaporizer for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, an electrode for receiving power, and an elastic element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transmitting power between the electrode and the vaporizer.

[0070] Also described is a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and a control unit, where the cartridge comprises a vaporizer for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, an electrode for receiving power from the control unit, and a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transferring power between the electrode and the vaporizer.

[0071] An aerosol delivery system 1 has also been described that comprises a vaporizer 14 for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material and an electrode 10 for receiving electrical power. The aerosol delivery system 1 also comprises a resilient element 100 electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and the electrode 10 for transferring electrical power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14. The aerosol delivery system 1 may comprise a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4, where the electrode 10, the vaporizer 14, and the resilient element 100 are disposed within the cartridge 2. The control unit 4 may comprise a power source for providing electrical power to the electrode 10 to provide energy to the vaporizer 14.

[0072] However, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the elastic element 100 described herein need not be used specifically in only an aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4. Thus, the elastic element 100 can conceptually be used in any aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate vapor from an aerosolizable material.

[0073] In this regard, and more broadly, it is contemplated that the elastic element 100 described herein may have a broader application for transferring power from a first object to another object configured to receive power (also configured to be at least partially supported by the elastic element such that the elastic element is configured to act as a load-bearing element for the second object). In other words, the elastic element 100 need not be specifically for use with the electrode 10 (first object) and the vaporizer 14 (second object). Thus, a power transfer system may also be described herein, comprising a first object for receiving power, a second object, and an elastic element electrically connected to the first object and the second object and configured to transfer power between the first object and the second object, the second object being configured to be supported (e.g., at least partially or completely) by the elastic element, such that the second object is held in a compressed state between the first object and the second object. Although not required, according to some of these embodiments, the first object may include an electrode 10 and / or the second object may include a vaporizer 14 for generating vapor from the aerosolizable material.

[0074] It will be appreciated that when the elastic element 100 is configured for use in such a power transmission system, the elastic element 100 may comprise any of the features and / or functionality described herein, for example (but not limited to) the elastic element 100 may comprise a cover member 136 (for positioning / extending around a first object) and / or a cantilever portion 106, an elastic foot 130 for extending around a first object, and / or an elastic portion 100 defining an S-shape.

[0075] It will also be appreciated that with respect to the elastic elements 100 described herein, one or more elastic elements 100 may be provided as required depending on the number of electrodes 10 (first objects). Thus, although the description has been given primarily with reference to the operation of a single elastic element 100, it will be appreciated that in practice more than one elastic element 100 may be used as required, such as there being one elastic element for each electrode 10 provided (as will be noticed in Figures 4A-7). In that regard, purely for the avoidance of any doubt, where more than one elastic element 100 is provided, the multiple elastic elements 100 may all be electrically connected to a single vaporizer 14 (second object) and / or may be electrically connected to separate vaporizers 14 (second objects) for each electrode 100 depending on the particular application of the elastic elements 100. In that regard, and with reference to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4A-6C, according to some particular embodiments, an aerosol delivery system 1 can be provided that includes a vaporizer 14 for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, a plurality of electrodes 10 for receiving power, and a plurality of elastic elements 100, each elastic element 100 electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and a respective one of the electrodes 10 to transfer power between a respective one of the electrodes 10 and the vaporizer 14.

[0076] To address various problems and advance the art, the present disclosure shows, by way of example, various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the present disclosure are merely representative of embodiments and are not exhaustive or exclusive of all embodiments. These embodiments are presented solely to aid in the understanding and teaching of the claimed invention(s). The advantages, embodiments, examples, features, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered as limitations on the present disclosure as defined by the claims or as limitations on the equivalents of the claims, but rather, it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. It is therefore understood that the features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims in other combinations than those expressly set forth in the claims. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0077] For example, while the present disclosure has been described with reference to a "liquid" or "fluid" in the cartridge / aerosol delivery system, it will be understood that the liquid or fluid may be replaced with any aerosolizable material. Similarly, where an aerosolizable material is used, it will be understood that in some embodiments the aerosolizable material may include a liquid or fluid.

[0078] Additionally, while the present disclosure has been described with reference to a heater / heating element being present in the cartridge / aerosol delivery system, it will be appreciated that, according to some embodiments, the heating element may be replaced by a vaporizer or some other aerosol generating component. Similarly, such an aerosol generating component according to some embodiments may comprise, among other things, a heater or heating element.

[0079] The present disclosure also provides embodiments as described in the following numbered clauses. 1. An aerosol delivery system comprising: a vaporizer for generating a vapor from the aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving electrical power; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transferring the power between the electrode and the vaporizer; An aerosol delivery system comprising: 2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the elastic element has a first portion proximate to the vaporizer and a second portion proximate to the electrode. 3. The aerosol delivery system of clause 2, wherein the first portion is in contact with the vaporizer. 4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 3, wherein the first portion comprises a first plate. 5. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 2 to 4, wherein the second portion comprises a second flat plate. 6. The aerosol delivery system of clause 5, when further dependent on clause 4, wherein the first plate is parallel to the second plate. 7. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 2 to 6, wherein the second part is in contact with the electrode. 8. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 2 to 7, wherein the second portion has a primary recess that receives a primary portion of the electrode. 9. An aerosol delivery system described in any one of clauses 2 to 8, wherein the elastic element has a third portion, the third portion being disposed between the first portion and the second portion and in contact with the electrode. 10. The aerosol delivery system of claim 9, wherein the third portion comprises a third plate. 11. The aerosol delivery system of clause 10, when further dependent on clause 4 or 5, wherein the third plate is parallel to at least one of the first plate and the second plate. 12. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the third portion comprises a secondary recess for receiving a secondary portion of the electrode. 13. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the electrode is configured to rest on the elastic element at at least one position from the elastic element. 14. The aerosol delivery system of clause 13, when further dependent on clause 2, wherein the at least one location includes the second portion. 15. An aerosol delivery system according to clause 13 or 14, when further dependent on clause 9, wherein the at least one location includes the third portion. 16. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the electrode has at least one recess for receiving the elastic element. 17. The aerosol delivery system of claim 16, wherein the at least one recess in the electrode comprises a plurality of recesses. 18. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the electrode extends between a first end of the electrode and a second end of the electrode, and the first end of the electrode is positioned closer to the vaporizer than the second end of the electrode is positioned to the vaporizer. 19. The aerosol delivery system of clause 18, when further dependent on clause 16, wherein the at least one recess is disposed between the first end of the electrode and the second end of the electrode. 20. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 18 or 19, when further dependent on clause 9, wherein the first end of the electrode is positioned between the first portion and the third end of the elastic element. 21. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 20, wherein the elastic element is configured to apply at least one of a biasing force and / or a compressive force to the vaporizer. 22. The aerosol delivery system of claim 21, wherein the at least one of the biasing force and the compressive force acts in a direction away from the electrode. 23. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 22, wherein the elastic element is biased into engagement with the vaporizer. 24. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 23, wherein the elastic element comprises a leaf spring. 25. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 24, wherein the elastic element defines an S-shape. 26. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 25, wherein the elastic element is configured to act as a circlip extending around the electrode to grip the electrode. 27. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 26, wherein the elastic element has elastic feet extending around the electrode to grip the electrode. 28. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 27, wherein the elastic element is held in a compressed state by the electrode. 29. An aerosol delivery system as described in any one of clauses 1 to 28 when further dependent on clause 2, wherein the electrode comprises a cover member defining a recess configured to receive the second portion of the elastic element to restrict the elastic element from coming off the electrode. 30. The aerosol delivery system of clause 29 when further dependent on clause 18, wherein the cover member extends around the first end of the electrode. 31. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 29 or 30, wherein the cover member is configured to grip the second portion of the elastic element to maintain the second portion in contact with the electrode. 32. The aerosol delivery system of clause 31, when further dependent on clause 18, wherein the cover member is configured to grip the second portion of the elastic element to maintain the second portion in contact with the first portion of the electrode. 33. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 29 to 32, wherein the cover member is provided with a keyed surface to prevent rotation of the cover member relative to the electrode. 34. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the cover member is made of plastic. 35. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 29 to 34, wherein the cover member is made of glycol-modified polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCTG). 36. An aerosol delivery system described in any one of clauses 1 to 35, wherein the elastic element comprises a conductive material to transfer the power received by the electrode to the vaporizer. 37. The aerosol delivery system of claim 36, wherein the conductive material is deposited on the elastic element. 38. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 36, wherein the elastic element is made from the conductive material. 39. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1-38, further comprising a porous member for use in holding an aerosolizable material to be vaporized using the vaporizer. 40. An aerosol delivery system as described in clause 39, wherein the elastic element is configured to at least partially support the porous member such that the elastic element is held in a compressed state between the porous member and the electrode. 41. The aerosol delivery system of clause 39 or 40 when further dependent on clause 2, wherein the first portion defines a cantilever portion on which the porous member is supported. 42. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 41, when further dependent on clause 2, wherein the first portion defines a cantilever portion on which the vaporizer is supported. 43. An aerosol delivery system described in any one of clauses 1 to 42, wherein the elastic element is configured to at least partially support the vaporizer such that the elastic element is held in a compressed state between the vaporizer and the electrode. 44. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 43, wherein the vaporizer comprises a heating element. 45. The aerosol delivery system of any one of clauses 1 to 44, further comprising a reservoir for an aerosolizable material, the vaporizer configured to receive the aerosolizable material from the reservoir. 46. ​​The aerosol delivery system according to any one of clauses 1 to 45, further comprising a cartridge and a control unit, the electrode, the vaporizer, and the elastic element are disposed within the cartridge; An aerosol delivery system, wherein the control unit comprises a cartridge receiving section including an interface configured to cooperatively engage with the cartridge to releasably couple the cartridge to the control unit, and the control unit further comprises a power source for supplying power to the electrode to supply energy to the vaporizer. 47. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising the cartridge and a control unit; a vaporizer for generating a vapor from the aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving power from the control unit; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transferring the power between the electrode and the vaporizer; A cartridge comprising:

Claims

1. a vaporizer for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, the vaporizer comprising a heating element; a porous member for use in holding an aerosolizable material to be vaporized using said vaporizer; an electrode for receiving electrical power; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transferring the power between the electrode and the vaporizer, the resilient element being biased into engagement with the vaporizer and including a conductive material for transferring the power received by the electrode to the vaporizer; 1. An aerosol delivery system comprising: the resilient element comprises a first portion proximate to the vaporizer and a second portion proximate to the electrode, the first portion contacting the vaporizer, the first portion comprising a first plate, the first portion defining a cantilever portion on which the vaporizer is supported; An aerosol delivery system, wherein the elastic element is configured to apply at least one of a biasing force and / or a compressive force to the vaporizer, the at least one of the biasing force or compressive force acting in a direction away from the electrode.

2. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1 , wherein the second portion comprises a second plate.

3. 3. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the electrode comprises at least one recess for receiving the elastic element.

4. 4. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the electrode extends between a first end of the electrode and a second end of the electrode, the first end of the electrode being positioned closer to the vaporizer than the second end of the electrode.

5. An aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic element is held in a compressed state by the electrode.

6. The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive material is a coating on the elastic element.

7. The aerosol delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic element is made from the conductive material.

8. 8. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, wherein the elastic element is configured to at least partially support the vaporizer such that the elastic element is held in a compressed state between the vaporizer and the electrode.

9. 9. The aerosol delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir for an aerosolizable material, the vaporizer configured to receive the aerosolizable material from the reservoir.

10. Further comprising a cartridge and a control unit, the electrode, the vaporizer, and the elastic element are disposed within the cartridge; The aerosol delivery system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control unit comprises a cartridge receiving section including an interface configured to cooperatively engage with the cartridge to releasably couple the cartridge to the control unit, and the control unit further comprises a power source for supplying power to the electrode to supply energy to the vaporizer.

11. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, a vaporizer for generating vapor from an aerosolizable material, the vaporizer comprising a heating element; a porous member for use in holding an aerosolizable material to be vaporized using said vaporizer; an electrode for receiving power from the control unit; a resilient element electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode for transferring the power between the electrode and the vaporizer, the resilient element being biased into engagement with the vaporizer and including a conductive material for transferring the power received by the electrode to the vaporizer; A cartridge comprising: the resilient element comprises a first portion proximate to the vaporizer and a second portion proximate to the electrode, the first portion contacting the vaporizer, the first portion comprising a first plate, the first portion defining a cantilever portion on which the vaporizer is supported; A cartridge, wherein the resilient element is configured to exert at least one of a biasing force and / or a compressive force on the vaporizer, the at least one of the biasing force or compressive force acting in a direction away from the electrode.

Images