Storage for refilling supplies of the aerosol dispensing system

Abstract

A reservoir for refilling an item of an aerosol dispensing system comprises a reservoir body configured to store aerosol-generating material and a movable component within the reservoir body. The movable component is configured to move within the reservoir body as the aerosol-generating material is delivered from the reservoir. In response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the reservoir body: a piercing component located on the reservoir body is configured to puncture the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material; or a piercing component located on the movable component is configured to puncture the reservoir to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage unit for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic vapor delivery systems, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), generally possess an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a solid material, such as a tobacco-based product, or a formulation typically containing nicotine, from which an aerosol for inhalation by a user is generated, for example, through thermal evaporation. Accordingly, the aerosol delivery system will typically include an aerosol generator, for example, a heating element, arranged to aerosolize a portion of the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in the aerosol-generating region of an air channel through the aerosol delivery system. As the user inhales into the device and power is supplied to the aerosol generator, air is drawn into the device through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel into the aerosol generation area, where the air mixes with the evaporated aerosol generator to form a condensation aerosol. The air drawn in through the aerosol generation area continues along the air channel to the mouthpiece, carrying a portion of the aerosol with it, and exits through the mouthpiece for inhalation by the user.

[0003] Aerosol delivery systems typically comprise a modular assembly having two main functional parts: an aerosol delivery device and an article. Typically, the article includes consumable aerosol generating materials and an aerosol generator (heating element), while the aerosol delivery device part will include items with a longer lifespan, such as a rechargeable battery, device control circuitry, and user interface features. The aerosol delivery device may also be referred to as a reusable part or battery section, and the article may be referred to as a consumable, disposable / replaceable part, cartridge, or cartomizer.

[0004] The aerosol dispensing device and the article are mechanically coupled together at an interface for use, for example, using screw threads, bayonets, latched, or friction fit fixtures. If the aerosol generating material within the article is depleted or if the user wishes to switch to a different article with a different aerosol generating material, the article can be removed from the aerosol dispensing device, and a replacement article can be attached to the device in place. Alternatively, some articles are configured so that the article can be refilled with more aerosol generating material after the aerosol generating material within the article is depleted, thereby allowing the article to be reused. In this example, the user can refill the article using a separate reservoir of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material used to refill the article may be the same or different from the previous aerosol generating material within the article, thereby allowing the user to change to a different aerosol generating material without purchasing a new article.

[0005] Refilling an item with aerosol-generating materials allows the item to be used with aerosol-generating materials that were not present in the item at the time of manufacture and sale. While this allows the item to be refilled with different types of aerosol-generating materials, it may enable misuse or abuse of the item because it further ensures that the item is refilled with appropriate aerosol-generating materials. Refilling an item with aerosol-generating materials that are not intended for use with a specific item or are inappropriate for that item may cause damage to the item or cause harm to the user.

[0006] Various approaches to help resolve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above are described herein.

[0007] The present disclosure is defined in the appended claims.

[0008] According to some embodiments described herein, a reservoir for refilling articles of an aerosol delivery system is provided, and the aerosol delivery system comprises a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol generating material, and a movable component within the reservoir body. The movable component is configured to move within the reservoir body as the aerosol generating material is delivered from the reservoir. In response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the reservoir body: a piercing component located on the reservoir body is configured to puncture the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol generating material; or a piercing component located on the movable component is configured to puncture the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol generating material.

[0009] The reservoir may include a reservoir outlet, and the aerosol-generating material is delivered from the reservoir through the reservoir outlet. A piercing component located on the reservoir body may include a needle. A movable component includes a seal and a stopper, and the stopper may include an opening at the end of the stopper positioned toward the reservoir outlet, and the needle may be configured to pierce the seal and pass through the opening at the end of the stopper.

[0010] The storage body may include an opening on one side of the storage body opposite the storage outlet. The storage body may include a neck configured to engage with a rechargeable device, and the storage outlet may be located in the neck.

[0011] A movable component may include a neck configured to be fitted inside the neck of a reservoir body. A piercing component located on the reservoir body may include a needle in the reservoir outlet, and the needle is configured to puncture the end of the neck of the movable component positioned toward the reservoir outlet when the neck of the movable component is located inside the neck of the reservoir body. The movable component includes a seal and a stopper, and the neck of the movable component may be located over the seal and the stopper may include a neck configured to be fitted inside the neck of the seal.

[0012] The movable component can be configured to move toward the reservoir outlet as the aerosol-generating material is delivered from the reservoir.

[0013] The predetermined position may be close to the storage outlet.

[0014] The piercing component may be positioned on a movable component and includes one or more spikes.

[0015] According to some embodiments described herein, a storage unit for refilling an article of an aerosol delivery system is also provided, wherein the storage unit comprises: a storage unit body configured to store an aerosol generating material; a movable component located within the storage unit body and configured to move within the storage unit body as the aerosol generating material is transferred from the storage unit, and at least one of the movable component and the storage unit body is configured to be perforated to prevent the storage unit from being refilled with the aerosol generating material.

[0016] The movable component and / or storage body may be configured to be pierced by a piercing component on a refill dock for refilling articles of the aerosol delivery system.

[0017] According to some embodiments described herein, a system for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system is also provided, the system comprises a refill dock configured to receive a reservoir, and a piercing component and a reservoir as described above, wherein the piercing component is configured to pierce at least one of a movable component and a reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with an aerosol generating material.

[0018] These and other modes will become apparent from the following detailed description. In this regard, certain sections of the description may not be read separately from other sections. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described merely as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol delivery system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary article for use in the aerosol delivery system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary rechargeable device and a storage for recharging the article exemplified in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4a to 4c are schematic diagrams of additional examples of storage for recharging articles of an aerosol supply system. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments are discussed and described herein. Some aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments may be implemented orally and are not discussed or described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of articles and systems discussed herein that are not described in detail may be implemented according to any prior art for implementing such aspects and features.

[0021] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems that may also be referred to as aerosol delivery systems such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description, the terms "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may be used from time to time, but it will be understood that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery systems and electronic aerosol delivery systems.

[0022] As mentioned above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise a modular assembly that includes both a reusable part (aerosol delivery device) and a replaceable (disposable) or refillable cartridge part referred to as an article. Systems following this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part systems or devices. Additionally, electronic cigarettes generally have an elongated shape. To provide specific examples, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein will be considered to include this type of generally elongated two-part system utilizing refillable cartridges. However, it will be understood that the basic principles described herein can be equally applied to other electronic cigarette configurations, such as modular systems comprising more than two parts, as devices corresponding to other overall shapes, such as so-called box-mod high-performance devices that typically have a more boxy shape.

[0023] As described above, the present disclosure relates to rechargeable devices for articles of aerosol delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (but is not limited thereto).

[0024] FIG. 1 is a very schematic drawing (not scaled) of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (10), such as an e-cigarette, to which embodiments are applicable. The aerosol delivery system (10) has a generally cylindrical shape extending along the longitudinal axis or y-axis as indicated by the axes (however, embodiments of the invention are applicable to e-cigarettes composed of other shapes and arrangements), and comprises two main components, namely an aerosol delivery device (20) and an article (30).

[0025] Each of the aerosol providing device (20) and article (30) includes an interface (22, 24) so ​​that the aerosol providing device (20) and article (30) are mechanically coupled for use. As previously described, the interfaces may include screw threads, bayonets, latch couplings, or friction-fit fittings, and the interface (24) on the aerosol providing device (20) and the interface (24) on the article (30) each include a complementary fitting or fixture that enables the aerosol providing device (20) and article (30).

[0026] The article (30) comprises or is composed of an aerosol generating material (32), some or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. The article (30) may include one or more other components such as an aerosol generating material storage area (39), an aerosol generating material delivery component (37), an aerosol generating area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece (35), a filter, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0027] The article (30) may also include an aerosol generator (36), such as a heating element that emits heat to cause the aerosol generating material (32) to generate an aerosol when used. The aerosol generator (36) may include, for example, a combustible material, a material that can be heated by electrical conduction, or a susceptor. It should be noted that the aerosol generator (36) may be part of the aerosol providing device (20), and then the article (30) may include an aerosol generating material storage area (39) for the aerosol generating material (32) so that the aerosol generating material (32) can be transferred from the aerosol providing device (20) to the aerosol generator (36) when the article (30) is coupled to the aerosol providing device (20) through interfaces (22, 24).

[0028] An aerosol generating material is a material capable of generating an aerosol when energized, irradiated, or heated in any other way, for example. The aerosol generating material (32) may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel that may or may not contain, for example, active substances and / or flavorants. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material (32) may include an "amorphous solid," which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e., non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material capable of containing some fluid, such as a liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material (32) may comprise, for example, about 50 wt%, 60 wt%, or 70 wt% of an amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt%, or 100 wt% of an amorphous solid.

[0029] The aerosol-forming material comprises one or more components such as one or more active substances and / or flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming agents, and optionally one or more other functional materials such as pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0030] The active substance used herein may be a physiologically active material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may be selected from, for example, nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active substance may occur naturally or be obtained by synthesis. The active substance may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6, B12, or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or their constituents, derivatives, or combinations. The active substance may include one or more constituents, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or other botanicals.

[0031] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0032] The aerosol providing device (20) includes a power source (14), such as a battery, configured to supply power to the aerosol generator (36). In this example, the power source (14) is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type commonly used in, for example, electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring the provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery (14) may be charged via a charging port (not shown) which may include, for example, a USB connector.

[0033] The aerosol dispensing device (20) includes a device control circuit (28) configured to control the operation of the aerosol dispensing system (10) and to provide normal operating functions according to established techniques for controlling an aerosol dispensing system such as electronic cigarettes. The device control circuit (processor circuit) (28) may be considered to logically include various subunits / circuit elements associated with different modes of electronic cigarette operation. For example, depending on the functions provided in different embodiments, the device control circuit (28) may include a power control circuit for controlling the power supply from the power source (14) to the aerosol generator (36), a user programming circuit for establishing configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other function units / circuit-related functions according to the normal modes of operation of electronic cigarettes and the principles described herein. It will be understood that the function of the device control circuit (28) can be provided in various different ways, for example, by using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more suitably configured custom integrated circuit(s) / circuits / chips(s) / chipsets(s) configured to provide the desired function.

[0034] The aerosol dispensing device (20) includes one or more air inlets (21). When in use, when a user inhales into the mouthpiece (35), air is drawn into the aerosol dispensing device (20) through the air inlets (21) and into the aerosol generator (36) along the air channel (23), where the air is mixed with the evaporated aerosol generating material (32) to form a condensed aerosol. The air drawn in through the aerosol generator (36) continues along the air channel (23) to the mouthpiece (35), carrying a portion of the aerosol together, and exits through the mouthpiece (35) for inhalation by the user. Alternatively, one or more air inlets (21) may be included in the article (30) so that the air channel (23) is fully retained within the article (30).

[0035] As a specific example, the article (30) comprises a housing (e.g., formed of a plastic material), an aerosol generating material storage area (39) formed within the housing to hold an aerosol generating material (32) (in this example, may be a liquid that may or may not hold nicotine), an aerosol generating material delivery component (37) (in this example, glass or cotton fibers configured to deliver liquid from the storage using capillary action, for example, or a wick formed of a ceramic material), an aerosol generating area holding an aerosol generator (36), and a mouthpiece (35). Although not illustrated, a filter and / or an aerosol modifier (e.g., a flavoring material) may be located within or near the mouthpiece (35). The aerosol generator (36) of the present example includes a heater element formed of an electrically resistive material (e.g., NiCr8020) that is spirally wrapped around an aerosol generating material delivery component (37) and positioned in an air channel (23). The area around the heating element and the wick combination is the aerosol generating area of ​​the article (30).

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary article (30) for use in the aerosol delivery system (10) illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the same reference numerals are used for similar elements between the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 1 and the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2. According to the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 1, the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an aerosol generating material storage area (39) for storing an aerosol generating material (32), an aerosol generating material delivery component (37), an aerosol generating area having an aerosol generator (36), and a mouthpiece (35).

[0037] The article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured to be recharged and reused. In other words, the aerosol generating material storage area (39) of the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2 can be recharged with aerosol generating material (32) when some or all of the aerosol generating material (32) held in the aerosol generating material storage area (39) is consumed or depleted. To facilitate the recharging or replenishment of the aerosol generating material (32), the article (30) has a recharging tube (33) extending between the aerosol generating material storage area (39) and the outside or outer surface of the housing of the article (30), thereby creating a recharging orifice (34). The aerosol generating material (32) can be inserted into the aerosol generating material storage area (39) through the recharging orifice (34) and the recharging tube (33). However, it will be understood that such configuration of the refill tube (33) and refill orifice (34) is not essential, and that the article (30) may include any other suitable means to facilitate the refilling of the aerosol generating material storage area (39) with the aerosol generating material (32).

[0038] The refill orifice (34) and / or the refill tube (33) may be sealed, for example, with a cap, a one-way valve, or a diaphragm valve to ensure that the aerosol generating material (32) does not leak out of the refill orifice (34). In other words, the refill orifice (34) may include a cap, a one-way valve, or a diaphragm valve. The refill orifice (34) is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being on the same end or surface (310) of the article (30) as the interface (22) with the air channel (23) and the aerosol providing device (20), but this is not mandatory. The recharge orifice (34) may be positioned at the end (320) of the article (30) containing the mouthpiece (35), for example, near the outlet of the air channel (23) on the mouthpiece (35), and accordingly, the recharge tube (33) extends between the end (320) of the article (30) containing the mouthpiece (35) and the aerosol generating material storage area (39). In this case, the article (30) does not need to be separated from the aerosol generating device (20) to recharge the article (30) with the aerosol generating material (32), because when the article (30) is coupled to the aerosol providing device (20) through the interfaces (22, 24), the recharge orifice (34) is not obstructed by the aerosol generating device (20).

[0039] The article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2 also includes an article control circuit (38) configured to control the operation of the article (30) and store parameters and / or data associated with the article (30). Parameters associated with the article (30) may include, for example, a serial number and / or stock tobacco unit (SKU) for the article (30) or other means for identifying the article (30) and / or the type of the article (30), the manufacturing and / or expiration date of the article (30), an indication of the number of times the article (30) has been refilled, the capacity of the aerosol generating material storage area (39) and / or the amount of aerosol generating material remaining in the aerosol generating material storage area (39). Parameters associated with the article (30) may include data regarding the aerosol generating material stored in the aerosol generating material storage area (39), such as the concentration and / or amount of one or more ingredients, components and / or one or more flavorants within the aerosol generating material. As described above in relation to the device control circuit (28), the article control circuit (38) may be provided in various ways using, for example, one or more appropriately programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more appropriately configured custom integrated circuit(s) / circuit(s) / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide desired functionality. For example, the article control circuit (38) may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on chip (SoC).

[0040] Additionally, the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2 includes one or more connectors (31), such as contact electrodes, connected to an aerosol generator (36) and an article control circuit (38) via electrical wiring. In use, the article (30) is coupled to an aerosol generating device (20), and the connectors (31) are matched with connectors on the aerosol generating device, thereby allowing power and current to be supplied from the battery (14) of the aerosol generating device (20) to the aerosol generator (36) and the article control circuit (38). As illustrated in FIG. 2, one or more connectors (31) may be located at the end (310) of the article (30) that is the same as the interface (22). Alternatively, one or more connectors (31) may form part of the interface (22) or be located on a different surface of the article (30) relative to the interface (22), for example, on a sidewall of the article (30) adjacent to the end (310) having the interface. It will be understood that one or more connectors (31) may be located on any surface of the article (30) to provide a fixture or fitting complementary to the equivalent connectors (22) on the aerosol providing device (20) and / or recharge device (40) as described in more detail below.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a recharge device (40) and a storage (50) for an article of an aerosol supply system such as the article (30) exemplified in FIG. 2. The storage (50) is a disposable / replaceable part that holds an aerosol generating material (52). The recharge device (40) facilitates the transfer of the aerosol generating material (52) from the storage (50), which is coupled to the recharge device, to the article (30), which is coupled to the recharge device, in order to recharge or replenish the aerosol generating material storage area (39) of the article (30) with the aerosol generating material. In other words, the recharge device (40) described herein is a recharge device for the article (30) of the aerosol supply system (10). Then, the item (30) can be reused as part of the aforementioned aerosol supply system (10), while the storage (50) can be discarded when the aerosol generating material (52) in the storage (50) is depleted. This allows a single item (30) to be recharged using one or more storages, thereby increasing the number of uses of the single item (30).

[0042] The rechargeable device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 may be considered a desktop rechargeable device (40). A desktop rechargeable device is a rechargeable device designed for regular use on or near a single location on a desk, table, or other solid surface due to its size and power requirements. For example, the desktop rechargeable device (40) may include an external power supply, such as mains power or a supply unit, to which the rechargeable device (40) can be coupled, attached, or otherwise connected. Additionally, the rechargeable device (40) may include an internal power source, such as a battery, configured to supply power to the components of the rechargeable device (40) in the event that the external power supply is unavailable during operation or is unexpectedly cut out.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the rechargeable device (40) may also include a flat surface (410) to facilitate storage of the desktop rechargeable device on other flat surfaces, such as a desk, table, or other solid surface. This allows the desktop rechargeable device (40) to be stably seated and leveled on other surfaces. The flat surface (410) may include a non-slip mat or coating to prevent the desktop rechargeable device from being knocked or pushed. The non-slip mat may be made of rubber or any other suitable material having a high coefficient of friction. More generally, the desktop rechargeable device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 has a flat surface (410) at a first end of the rechargeable device (40) and a second surface (420) at a second end of the rechargeable device (40). The second end is opposite the first end, so that the main axis or length of the recharge device (40) extends between the first end and the second end. When the first end and the flat surface (410) are positioned on a horizontal surface or otherwise positioned (e.g., aligned with the x-axis in FIG. 3), the main axis or length of the recharge device (40) extends vertically (aligned with the y-axis in FIG. 3) between the first end and the second end. Thus, the flat surface (410) can be considered as the base, bottom, or foot of the recharge device (40), while the second surface (420) can be considered as the top or upper surface of the recharge device (40).

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the recharge device (40) includes an article interface (42) configured to receive an article (30). The article interface (42) may include a slot, tray, opening, or aperture on the recharge device (40) into which the article (30) is placed or coupled. Alternatively, the article interface (42) may include a lead or other cable that can be attached to or otherwise connected to the article (30). Although one article interface (42) is illustrated in FIG. 3, the recharge device (40) may include more than one, for example, three, five, or ten article interfaces (42), depending on the specific design of the recharge device (40). In this case, two or more of the item interfaces (42) may be different so that the recharge device (40) can accommodate different types of items, or two or more of the item interfaces (42) may be the same so that the recharge device (40) can accommodate multiple items of the same type.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the article interface (42) is configured to receive the article (30) when the article (30) is separated from the aerosol providing device (20). As presented above with reference to FIG. 1, when used as an aerosol providing system (10), the aerosol providing device (20) and the article (30) are mechanically coupled together through the interfaces (22, 24). The article interface (42) is configured such that, before the article (30) is received by the article interface (42), the article is detached, disconnected, or otherwise separated from the aerosol providing device (20) so that only the article (30) is received by the article interface (42) (in other words, the aerosol providing system (20) is not received by the article interface (42)). This means that the aerosol providing device (20) is not required for the article (30) to be refilled with the aerosol generating material (32).

[0046] Additionally, the recharge device (40) includes one or more storage interfaces (46) configured to accommodate a storage (50). In the same manner as described above with respect to the item interface (42), each of the storage interfaces (46) may include a slot, tray, opening, or aperture on the recharge device (40) to which the storage (50) is placed or coupled. Alternatively, each storage interface (46) may include a lead or other cable that can be attached to or otherwise connected to the storage (50). Although two storage interfaces (46) are illustrated in FIG. 3, this is not mandatory, and the recharge device (40) may include fewer or more, for example, one, three, five, or ten storage interfaces (46), depending on the specific design of the recharge device (40).

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3, one or more storage interfaces (46) may be positioned above the item interface (42). In other words, one or more storage interfaces (46) are positioned at a higher position than the item interface (42) so that, when in use, the transfer of the aerosol generating material (52) from the storage (50) to the item (30) is assisted by gravity, thereby reducing the energy required to transfer the aerosol generating material (52). The x-axis illustrated in FIG. 3 is aligned horizontally, and the y-axis illustrated in FIG. 3 is aligned vertically. The first end of the recharge device (40) includes a flat surface (410) that allows the recharge device to be positioned on a horizontal surface. As illustrated in FIG. 3, one or more storage interfaces (46) are positioned further from the flat surface (410) than above the item interface (42) (in other words, by a greater distance along the main axis or length of the recharge device (40). This ensures that when the flat surface (410) is placed on another flat surface (e.g., a horizontal surface), as in the case of the desktop rechargeable device described above, the flat surface (410) is aligned with the x-axis (or horizontal direction), and one or more storage interfaces (46) are positioned higher than the item interface (42).

[0048] Additionally, the recharge device (40) includes a recharge control circuit (48) configured to control the operation of the recharge device (40). In particular, the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to facilitate the transfer of an aerosol generating material (52) from a storage (50) to an item (30). As described above in relation to the device control circuit (28), the recharge control circuit (48) may be provided in various ways using, for example, one or more appropriately programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more appropriately configured custom integrated circuit(s) / circuit(s) / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide desired functionality. For example, the recharge control circuit (48) may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on chip (SoC).

[0049] The recharge device (40) also includes a housing (400) that holds and encloses the components of the recharge device (40). As illustrated in FIG. 3, an article interface (42) and one or more storage interfaces (46) are located on the inside side of the housing (400) of the recharge device. Thus, the article interface (42) is configured to enclose one or more storage interfaces (46) and an article (30) that are configured to enclose the storage (50) on the inside side of the housing (400) of the recharge device (40) while the aerosol generating material (52) is transferred from the storage (50) to the article (30). The item interface (42) and / or storage interfaces (46) may include a door, cover, or flap that can be closed when the item (30) and storage (50) are each received by the item interface (42) and one or more storage interfaces (46) so that the item (30) and storage (50) are completely held or otherwise enclosed within the housing (400) of the recharge device (40).

[0050] As described above, the storage (50) includes an aerosol generating material (52) to be delivered to the article (30) by a recharging device (40) to recharge or replenish the aerosol generating material (32) in the aerosol generating material storage area (39) of the article (30).

[0051] The storage (50) illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes a storage control circuit (58) configured to control the storage (50) and store parameters and / or data associated with the storage (50). Parameters associated with the storage (50) may include, for example, data indicating the amount of aerosol generating material (52) stored in the storage (50), data regarding the aerosol generating material (52) stored in the storage (50), such as one or more constituents within the aerosol generating material (52), and the concentration and / or amount of constituents and / or one or more flavoring agents. Data may also include identifiers such as a serial number and / or SKU for the storage (50) or other means identifying the type of the storage (50) and / or the storage (50), and data of the manufacturing date and / or expiration date of the storage (50). As previously described in relation to the device control circuit (28), the storage control circuit (58) may be provided in various ways using, for example, one or more appropriately programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more appropriately configured custom integrated circuit(s) / circuit(s) / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide desired functionality. For example, the storage control circuit (58) may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a system on chip (SoC). Alternatively, the storage control circuit (58) may include a code printed on the storage, such as a barcode or QR code, or an NFC chip or other form of passive tag.

[0052] The reservoir (50) may have a volume of 10 ml or more, for example, 20 ml, 50 ml, or 100 ml. In other words, when the reservoir (50) is filled with an aerosol generating material (52), the reservoir is configured to hold 10 ml or more of the aerosol generating material (52). Then, at least one of the one or more reservoir interfaces (46) is configured to receive the reservoir having a volume of 10 ml or more.

[0053] The storage (50) may also have a volume larger than that of the article (30). For example, the volume of the storage may be at least 5 times, for example, 10 times, 20 times, or 50 times larger than the volume of the article. In other words, when the storage is filled with the aerosol generating material (52), it is configured to hold a volume of the aerosol generating material (52) that is at least 5 times larger than the aerosol generating material storage area (39) of the article (30). This allows the same storage (50) to be used to refill the article at least 5 times. Then, at least one of the one or more storage interfaces (46) is configured to accommodate a storage having a volume that is at least 5 times larger than the volume of the article configured to be accommodated by the article interface (42).

[0054] The recharge device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes one or more connectors (41), such as contact electrodes, connected to a recharge control circuit (48) and a power source (not illustrated) via electrical wiring. The connectors (41) are positioned in proximity to or as part of the article interface (42). This facilitates communication between the recharge control circuit (48) and the article control circuit (38); the connectors (31) on the article (30) match the connectors (41) on the recharge device (40) when the article (30) is received by the article interface (42), thereby allowing power to be supplied from the recharge device (40) to the article control circuit (38) and electrical signals to be transmitted between the recharge control circuit (48) and the article control circuit (38). The connectors (41) may be arranged on the article interface (42) in a pattern and position that matches / mirrores the connectors (31) on the article (30) to facilitate the matching of the connectors (31) on the article (30) and the connectors (41) on the recharge device (40) when the article (30) is received by the article interface (42).

[0055] In the same way, the recharge device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes one or more connectors (47), such as contact electrodes, positioned in proximity to or as part of each storage interface (46) and connected via electrical wiring to a recharge control circuit (48) and a power source (not illustrated). The connectors (47) match the connectors (51) on the storage (50) when the storage (50) is received by the storage interface (46), thereby allowing power to be supplied from the recharge device (40) to the storage control circuit (58) and allowing electrical signals to be transmitted between the recharge control circuit (48) and the storage control circuit (58). The connectors (47) can be arranged for the storage interface (46) in a pattern and position that matches / mirrores the connectors (51) on the storage (50) and mirrors the connectors (47) on the recharge device (40) to facilitate alignment between the connectors (51) on the storage (50) and the connectors (47) on the recharge device (40) when the storage (50) is accommodated by one of the storage interfaces (46).

[0056] In the present invention, the connectors (31, 41, 47, 51) are described as physical electrical connectors between the article, the rechargeable device, and the storage, but in an alternative embodiment, one or more of the electrical connections between the individual components may be wireless connections, such as NFC, RFID, or inductive coupling.

[0057] The recharge device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes a recharge outlet (44) located near or as part of the article interface (42), a recharge inlet (45) located near or as part of each of the storage interfaces (46), and a duct (43) connecting each recharge inlet (45) to the recharge outlet (44). The recharge outlet (44) is configured to align with a recharge orifice (34) on the article (30) when the article is received by the article interface (42), and each recharge inlet (45) is configured to align with a storage outlet (55) when the storage (50) is received by the corresponding storage interface (46). The duct (43) is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material (52) from each recharge inlet (45) to the recharge outlet (44), thereby providing a transfer path for the aerosol-generating material (52) from the storage (50) through the recharge device (40) and to the article (30).

[0058] The recharge outlet (44) is illustrated in FIG. 3 as being on the same end or surface as the connectors (41) and the article interface (42), but this is not mandatory. The recharge outlet (44) may be located near the article interface (42) or anywhere within the article interface (42) relative to the connectors (41) so that the recharge outlet (44) aligns with the recharge orifice (34) on the article (30), while the connectors (41) on the recharge device (40) align with the connectors (31) on the article (30) when the article (30) is received by the article interface (42). Similarly, the recharge inlet (45) may be located near or anywhere within the respective storage interface (46) for the connectors (47) so that the recharge inlet (45) aligns with the storage outlet (55) on the storage (50), while the connectors (47) on the recharge device (40) align with the connectors (51) on the storage (50) when the storage (50) is received by the storage interface (46).

[0059] Furthermore, as described above, the recharge device (40) may be configured to accommodate different types, designs, or configurations of the article (30) using the same article interface (42). In this case, to facilitate the same article interface (42) accommodating different types, designs, or configurations of the article (30), multiple configurations of connectors (41) and / or recharge outlets (44) may exist in proximity to or within the article interface (42). Likewise, to facilitate the same storage interface (46) accommodating different types, designs, or configurations of the storage (50), multiple configurations of connectors (47) and / or recharge inlets (45) may exist in proximity to or within each storage interface (46). Alternatively or additionally, the configuration of the connectors (47) and / or recharge inlets (45) located near or within one or more of the storage interfaces (46) may differ so that different storage types are accommodated by the different storage interfaces (46) of the same recharge device (40).

[0060] One or more of the recharge outlet (44), recharge inlets (45), storage outlet (55) and duct (43) may also include means for controlling the delivery speed and / or delivery direction of the aerosol generating material (52), for example, a ball valve, needle valve or diaphragm to control the delivery speed and / or a one-way valve such as a check valve or non-return valve to control the delivery direction. For example, a one-way valve may be located at or near each of the recharge outlet (44), recharge inlets (45), and storage outlets (55) to ensure that the aerosol generating material (52) can be transferred from the storage (50) to the recharge device (40) and from the recharge device (40) to the article (30), while a single ball valve or diaphragm may be located on or within the duct (43) of the recharge device (40) to control the flow rate of the aerosol generating material (52) from the storage (50) through the recharge device (40) into the article (30). Likewise, a ball valve or diaphragm may be positioned in close proximity to each recharge inlet (45) to independently control the transfer rate of the aerosol generating material (52) into each recharge inlet (45) or the aerosol generating material (52) from each recharge inlet (45) into the duct (43). For example, this may allow the recharge control circuit (48) to prevent the first aerosol generating material (52) from being transferred from the first reservoir (50), while allowing the second aerosol generating material (52) to be transferred from the second reservoir (50) to the item (30).This also allows the recharge control circuit (48) to facilitate the transfer of the first aerosol generating material (52) from the first storage (50) and the second aerosol generating material (52) from the second storage (50) to the article (30) at different transfer rates, thereby allowing the aerosol generating material (32) to be produced at different concentrations in the article (30) holding a mixture of the first aerosol generating material (52) and the second aerosol generating material (52).

[0061] The recharge device (40) illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes a device interface (49) configured to accommodate an aerosol providing device (20). As previously described, the article interface (42) is configured to accommodate the article (30) when the article (30) is separated from the aerosol providing device (20), so that the aerosol providing device (20) is not accommodated by the article interface (42). Then, the aerosol providing device (20) may be accommodated by a separate device interface (49) as illustrated in FIG. 3. This allows the device interface (49) and the article interface (42) to be located separately on the recharge device (40), for example, on different sides of the recharge device (40), so that the aerosol providing device (20) can be coupled to the recharge device (40) independently of the article (30). As previously mentioned, this also means that an aerosol providing device (20) is not required for the article (30) to be refilled with an aerosol generating material (32).

[0062] The device interface (49) may be configured to accommodate the aerosol providing device (20) to supply power from the recharge device (40) to the aerosol providing device (20). This power may be used, for example, to recharge the power or battery (14) of the aerosol providing device (20) and to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals between the recharge control circuit (48) and the device control circuit (28). This allows the user to use the recharge device (40) as a means of charging the aerosol providing device (20) while the aerosol generating material (32) is being replenished in the article (30), thereby reducing the number of related devices required to operate and maintain the aerosol providing system (10). The device interface (49) may be a wired interface, such as using electrical connectors as described above, or a wireless interface, such as inductive or capacitive coupling. The device interface (49) may also be configured for the transfer of data between the recharge control circuit (48) and the device control circuit (28). The recharge control circuit (48) may be configured to read data from the aerosol providing device (20), and / or write data to the aerosol providing device (20), and, for example, to perform a software update, thereby installing an updated version of the software on the device control circuit (28).

[0063] As described above, the recharge device (40) facilitates the transfer of an aerosol generating material (52) from a storage unit (50) that can be coupled to the recharge device (40) to an article (30) that can be coupled to the recharge device (40) in order to recharge or replenish the article (30) so that it can be reused as part of the aerosol supply system (10). In particular, the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol generating material (52) from the storage unit (50) to the article (30) in response to detecting that the article (30) has been received by the recharge device (40).

[0064] As a specific example, when a storage (50) is received by one of the storage interfaces (47), the connectors (47) located near or on the corresponding storage interface (46) are matched with the connectors (51) on the storage (50), and the recharge inlet (45) located near or on the corresponding storage interface (46) is matched with the storage outlet (55). When an article (30) is received by the article interface (42), the connectors (41) located near or on the article interface (42) are matched with the connectors (31) on the article (30), and the recharge outlet (45) is matched with the recharge orifice (34) on the article (30). Then, the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material (52) from the storage (50) to the duct (42) of the recharge device (40) through the storage outlet (51) and the recharge inlet (45), and to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material (52) from the duct (42) of the recharge device (40) to the aerosol-generating material storage area (39) of the item (30) through the recharge outlet (44), the recharge orifice (34), and the recharge tube (33).

[0065] In examples where the recharge device (40) has a plurality of storage interfaces (46), the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to selectively facilitate the transfer of an aerosol generating material (52) from a storage (50) received by one of the storage interfaces (46), for example, in response to a decision that only one of the storage interfaces (46) has received a storage (50), or in response to a decision based on the selection of a specific storage (50) to which the aerosol generating material (52) is to be delivered, for example, user input or one or more parameters of each of the storages (50) stored in the individual storage control circuit (58). In this case, the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to accept the selection of one or more storage interfaces (46) from the user of the recharge device (40), and to selectively facilitate the transfer of an aerosol generating material (52) to an item (30) when the item (30) is coupled to the recharge device from each storage (50) connected to one of the one or more selected storage interfaces (46). In other words, the recharge control circuit (48) is configured to transfer only the aerosol generating material (52) from the storage (50) connected to the selected storage interface (46), and to prevent the aerosol generating material (52) from being transferred from any other storage (50) connected to the recharge device (40).

[0066] Although not exemplified, in some examples, the recharge device (40) may include another receptacle for storing an aerosol generating material (52) received from a tank, container, or storage (50) when, for example, the article (30) is not received by the article interface and the storage (50) is received by the storage interface (46), thereby allowing the storage (50) to be separated from the storage interface (46) before the article (30) is received by the article interface (42). In this case, the aerosol generating material (52) is stored in the receptacle of the recharge device (40) until such time that it can be delivered to the article (30) received by the article interface (42). In this case, the control circuit (48) of the recharge device (40) is configured to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol-generating material (52) from the storage (50) to the receptacle, and then separately to facilitate the transfer of the aerosol-generating material (52) from the receptacle to the article (42).

[0067] The receptacle of the recharge device (40) may also be used to facilitate mixing of the aerosol generating material (52) before it is transferred to the article (30). For example, if the first storage interface (46) receives a first storage (50) holding the first aerosol generating material (52) and the second storage interface (46) receives a second storage (50) holding the second aerosol generating material (52), the recharge control circuit (48) may be configured to facilitate the transfer of the first aerosol generating material (52) from the first storage (50) to the receptacle and to facilitate the transfer of the second aerosol generating material (52) from the second storage (50) to the receptacle. Then, the first aerosol generating material (52) and the second aerosol generating material (52) can be mixed within a receptacle, and the mixture of the first aerosol generating material (52) and the second aerosol generating material (52) is delivered to an article (30).

[0068] FIGS. 4a through 4c are schematic diagrams of additional examples of storage tanks for refilling articles of an aerosol supply system such as the article (30) illustrated in FIG. 2. The same reference numerals are used for similar elements between the storage tank illustrated in FIG. 3 and the storage tanks illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c.

[0069] The storage units (50) illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c include a storage body (500) configured to store an aerosol generating material (52). In other words, the storage body (500) provides a housing or container that defines a storage storage area (520) for storing the aerosol generating material (52), so that the aerosol generating material (52) can be contained and stored inside the storage body (500).

[0070] Each of the storage units (50) illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c includes a movable component (530, 540). The movable component (530, 540) is located within the storage unit body (500). In other words, the movable component (530, 540) is completely contained within the storage unit body (500). The movable component may include one or more of a seal (530) and a stopper (540). In other words, the movable component may be a seal (530) as described in more detail below, a stopper (540) as described in more detail below, or a combination of a seal (530) and a stopper (540) as described in more detail below.

[0071] Each of the storage units (50) illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c includes a seal (530) and a stopper (540). The seal (530) and the stopper (540) are each located within the storage unit body (500). In other words, the seal (530) and the stopper (540) are completely contained within the storage unit body (500). The seal (530) and the stopper (540) form part of the storage unit storage area (520) (i.e., a surface defining the perimeter), and thus the volume of the storage unit storage area (520) is defined by the location of the seal (530) and / or stopper (540) within the storage unit body (500).

[0072] The sealing portion (530) includes one or more pins (531) extending radially outward from the sealing portion. The pins are configured to contact, touch, or otherwise interact with the inner surface (502) of the storage body (500) to provide a seal that prevents the aerosol generating material (52) from passing between the inner surface (502) of the storage body (500) and the sealing portion (530), or from passing around or across the sealing portion (530). For example, the sealing portion (530) may include a plurality of pins (531) to provide a labyrinth-type seal between the sealing portion (530) and the storage body (500). Thus, the sealing portion (530) provides a leak-free surface of the storage storage area (520).

[0073] The stopper (540) includes a flange (541) at one end of the stopper, for example, at the end of the stopper (540) opposite the storage outlet (55). The flange (541) extends radially outward from the stopper and is configured to contact, touch, or otherwise interact with the inner surface (502) of the storage body (500). The stopper (540) is radially smaller than the seal (530) and thus the stopper (540) is substantially located inside the seal (530). For example, both the stopper (540) and the seal (530) may be cup- or cone-shaped, and the stopper (540) is configured to be stacked inside the seal (530). This allows the seal (530) to be manufactured from a flexible or deformable material such as rubber or low-density plastic material, while the stopper (540) can be manufactured from a harder material, so that the seal (530) provides a fluid-tight interface between the stopper (540) and the seal (530). Then, the flange (541) is configured to extend outward from the stopper (540) (and seal (530)) so that the flange (541) and the pins (531) extend to substantially the same radial position.

[0074] As described above, when in use, the reservoir (50) is used to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system. The aerosol generating material (52) is transferred from the reservoir (50) through the reservoir outlet (55) (i.e., from the reservoir storage area (520)) to the contents (30) via the refill device (40). As the aerosol generating material (52) is transferred from the reservoir (50), a movable component (i.e., a seal (530) and / or a stopper (540)) is configured to move within the reservoir body (500), for example, toward the reservoir outlet (55). Since the seal (530) and the stopper (540) form part of the reservoir storage area (520), the volume of the reservoir storage area (520) will change as the aerosol generating material (52) is transferred from the reservoir (50). For example, the aerosol generating material (52) may be drawn out of the storage (50) or otherwise sucked in. In this case, due to the pressure reduction within the storage storage area (520) caused by the aerosol generating material (52) being delivered from the storage (50), the seal (530) and the stopper (540) are configured to move within the storage body (500).

[0075] In another example, a force may be applied to the seal (530) and / or stopper (540), for example, by a plunger of the recharge device (40) or other movable component, to move the seal (530) and stopper (540) within the storage body (500) toward the storage outlet (55). This movement of the movable component (seal (530) and stopper (540)) toward the storage outlet (55) reduces the volume of the storage storage area (520) and thereby increases the pressure within the storage storage area (520), thereby allowing the aerosol generating material (52) to be delivered from the storage (50). As illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c, the storage body (500) may have an opening (501) on one side of the storage (50), for example, opposite the storage outlet (55). Then, to apply force to one or more of the seal (530) and the stopper (540), a plunger or other movable component may be inserted through the opening (501), thereby moving the seal (530) and the stopper (540) toward the storage outlet (55) when the aerosol generating material (52) is delivered from the storage (50).

[0076] In response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the reservoir body, a piercing component positioned on the reservoir body is configured to pierce the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. In other words, the movable component (e.g., seal (530)) is configured to be pierced, broken, or otherwise irreversibly damaged to prevent the reservoir (50) from being refilled with aerosol-generating material (52). Alternatively, in response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the reservoir body, a piercing component positioned on the movable component is configured to pierce the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. In other words, movable components (e.g., stopper (540) and / or seal (530)) are configured to pierce, break, or otherwise irreversibly damage the reservoir body (500) to prevent the reservoir (50) from being refilled with aerosol generating material (52). Both of these approaches ensure that only the aerosol generating material (52) originally contained within the reservoir (50) (i.e., the aerosol generating material (52) provided when the reservoir (50) was manufactured and sold) can be used to refill the item (30) of the aerosol supply system, thereby preventing malicious or incorrect replenishment or refilling of the reservoir (50) using any additional aerosol generating material (52).

[0077] The storage bodies (500) illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c include a neck (510) configured to engage with a recharge device (40). Then, a storage outlet (55) is positioned on the neck (510), so that an aerosol generating material (52) is delivered from the storage (50) through the neck (510). The neck (510) has a smaller cross-sectional area than the rest of the storage body (500), so that the neck (510) acts like a funnel around the storage outlet (55) to direct the aerosol generating material (52) into the storage outlet (55).

[0078] The storage bodies (500) illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4c are generally depicted as having a cylindrical shape, and the seal (530) and stopper (540) are depicted as having a circular cross-section, but this is not mandatory, and the storage body (500) and the movable components (i.e., the seal (530) and / or stopper (540)) may have any shape that can cooperate appropriately as described herein. In other words, the storage body (500), the seal (530), and the stopper (540) may have any cross-sectional shape as long as the cross-sectional shape of the storage body (500) and the cross-sectional shape of the seal (530) and the stopper (540) are complementary, and thus, as described herein, one or more of the seal (530) and the stopper (540) engage with or otherwise interact with the inner surface (502) of the storage body (500).

[0079] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate movable components (seals (530) and stoppers (540)) located at different positions inside the storage body (500) based on the number of times the storage (50) is used to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system.

[0080] FIG. 4a illustrates a reservoir (50) when it is filled with aerosol generating material (52). In other words, the reservoir is new and has not been used to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system. In this case, the seal (530) and the stopper (540) are positioned near the opening (501) at the first end of the reservoir body (500) so that the reservoir storage area (520) becomes its maximum possible volume. In other words, the maximum possible volume of the reservoir storage area (520) provides the reservoir (50) with a sufficient amount of aerosol generating material (52) to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system as many times as the reservoir is designed (e.g., 1, 5, 10, or 20 times). As described above, the storage unit may be designed to refill the contents of the aerosol dispensing system once, so that the storage unit can be a single-use storage unit, or the storage unit may be designed to refill the contents of the aerosol dispensing system multiple times, such as 2, 5, 10, or 20 times.

[0081] As described above, the movable components (seal (530) and stopper (540)) are configured to move within the storage body (500) as the aerosol generating material (52) is delivered from the storage (50). In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the seal (530) and stopper (540) move along the inner surface (502) of the storage body (500) toward the neck (510) and the storage outlet (55) (and away from the opening (501)) as the aerosol generating material (52) is delivered from the storage (50), thereby reducing the volume of the storage storage area (520). As can be seen by comparing FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, the seal (530) and stopper (540) of FIG. 4b are located away from the opening (501) within the reservoir body (500) and between the opening (501) within the reservoir body (500) and the neck (510), so that the volume of the reservoir storage area (520) of FIG. 4b is smaller than the volume of the reservoir storage area (520) of FIG. 4a. FIG. 4b illustrates the reservoir (50) when the aerosol generating material (52) in the reservoir (50) is depleted. In other words, the reservoir (50) has been used to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system, and there is little or no aerosol generating material (52) remaining in the reservoir (50), and therefore, the reservoir can no longer be used to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system. Accordingly, FIG. 4b illustrates a storage unit (50) at the end of its usable life, and in order to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system, the storage unit (50) must be discarded and a new or different storage unit (50) must be used. Accordingly, FIG. 4b illustrates a movable component (a seal (530) and a stopper (540)) positioned at a predetermined position, the predetermined position corresponding to the position of the movable component at the end of the storage unit's usable life.Comparing FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b, it can be seen that the movable component (seal portion (530) and stopper (540)) has moved from the position illustrated in FIG. 4a to the position illustrated in FIG. 4b (a predetermined position). As illustrated in FIG. 4b, the movable component (seal portion (530) and stopper (540)) is located near the neck (510) and the reservoir outlet (55). In other words, the predetermined position is at or near the reservoir outlet, and when the movable component is at the predetermined position, the movable component is located at or near the reservoir outlet. This means that the reservoir storage area (520) may have a possible minimum volume of zero or substantially zero. In other words, the possible minimum volume of the reservoir storage area (520) is sufficiently small so that there is insufficient aerosol generating material within the reservoir (50) to refill the contents of the aerosol supply system.

[0082] FIG. 4c illustrates in more detail the neck (510) of the storage body (500) when the seal (530) and the stopper (540) are in the position exemplified in FIG. 4b.

[0083] As illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4c, the movable component (seal portion (530)) includes a neck (533) at the end of the seal portion (530) positioned toward the storage outlet (55), and the stopper (540) includes a neck (543) at the end of the stopper (540) positioned toward the storage outlet (55). The neck (543) of the stopper (540) has an external size and shape corresponding to the internal size and shape of the neck (533) of the seal portion (530), so that the neck (543) of the stopper (540) is configured to be fitted inside the neck (533) of the seal portion (530). Then, the neck (533) of the movable component (sealing part (530)) has an external size and shape corresponding to the internal size and shape of the internal surface (502) inside the neck (510) of the storage body (500), so that the neck (533) of the sealing part (530) is configured to be fitted inside the neck (510) of the storage body (500). In other words, when the aerosol generating material (52) in the storage (50) is depleted, the neck (533) of the sealing part (530) and the neck (543) of the stopper (540) are positioned inside the neck (510) of the storage body (500).

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 4c, the stopper (540) includes an opening (544) at the end of the stopper (540) positioned toward the reservoir outlet (55) (i.e., the end of the neck (543) of the stopper (540). Then, a piercing component (551) positioned on the reservoir body is configured to pierce a movable component (seal portion (530)) to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. The piercing component (551) positioned on the reservoir body (500) may include a needle (551), but it will be recognized that other piercing components, such as a spike, a skewer, or a stake, may be used to pierce the movable component. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4c, the piercing component located on the reservoir body (500) includes a needle (551) located on the reservoir outlet (55) configured to pierce a movable component (seal portion (530)) to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. In other words, the needle (551) is configured to pierce, break, or otherwise irreversibly damage the movable component (seal portion (530)) to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. For example, the needle (551) may be configured to pierce the seal portion at the end of the neck (533) of the seal portion (530), which is located toward the reservoir outlet (55) and corresponds to the opening (544) at the end of the stopper (540). In other words, the needle (551) is configured to pierce the seal (530) and pass into the opening (544) at the end of the stopper (540). As described above, the seal (530) and the stopper (540) form part of the storage area (520) (i.e., a surface defining the perimeter).By perforating the end of the neck (533) of the sealing portion (530) at a position corresponding to the opening (544) at the end of the stopper (540), a flow path is created from the storage outlet (55), through the opening (544) at the end of the stopper (540), to the opening (501) within the storage body. This means that the storage area (520) is no longer in a fluid-sealed state and cannot hold aerosol-generating material. Therefore, any attempt to refill the storage (50) with aerosol-generating material (52) will cause the aerosol-generating material (52) to leak out of the storage (50) through the opening (501) within the storage body (500). Thus, this prevents the storage from being refilled with aerosol-generating material.

[0085] The needle (551) is configured to extend a certain distance from the storage outlet (55) (i.e., in a direction toward the opening (501) of the storage body (500)) to puncture the movable component (seal portion (530)) only when the movable component (seal portion (530)) is in a predetermined position as illustrated in FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c (i.e., when the aerosol generating material (52) in the storage (50) is depleted, and the neck (543) of the stopper (540) and the neck (533) of the seal portion (530) are located inside the neck (510) of the storage body (500). In other words, when the neck (533) of the sealing part (530) is positioned inside the neck (510) of the storage body (500), the needle (551) pierces the end of the neck (533) of the sealing part (530) positioned toward the storage outlet (55).

[0086] However, it will be noted that the piercing component (551) does not need to be located at the reservoir outlet (55). For example, the piercing component may be located on any internal surface of the reservoir body (500), such as a side wall or bottom surface of the reservoir body (500) adjacent to the neck (510), or inside the neck (510) but at a certain distance from the reservoir outlet (55). In order to ensure that the movable component is sufficiently pierced or damaged to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material, there may also be more than one, for example, two, five, or ten piercing components (551) in the reservoir body (500).

[0087] As described above, the piercing component (551) may be positioned on the movable component and configured to pierce the reservoir body (500) to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol-generating material. For example, the movable component may include one or more spikes, needles, skewers, or stakes, each configured to pierce the reservoir body (500). In this case, the piercing component (551) is positioned on the movable component and moves together with the movable component. When the movable component moves to a predetermined position, the piercing component (551) contacts and pierces a location on the reservoir body (500) to create a hole. This creates a flow path from the reservoir outlet (55) through the hole created by the piercing component within the reservoir body. This means that the reservoir storage area (520) is no longer in a fluid-sealed state and cannot hold the aerosol-generating material. Accordingly, any attempt to refill the reservoir (50) with aerosol generating material (52) will cause the movable component to move away from a predetermined position (i.e., toward the opening (501) within the reservoir body (500). The piercing component (551) moves together with the movable component, thereby opening the hole within the reservoir body (500), so that the aerosol generating material (52) can leak out of the reservoir (50) through the hole within the reservoir body (500). Thus, this prevents the reservoir from being refilled with aerosol generating material.

[0088] In other words, at least one of the movable component and the storage body (500) is configured to be perforated to prevent the storage (50) from being refilled with the aerosol generating material (52). In some cases, the movable component and / or the storage body (500) is configured to be perforated by a piercing component on a refill dock for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, such as the refill device (40) described above. For example, the piercing component may be positioned on the storage interface (46), so that the storage body (500) is pierced by the piercing component when the storage (50) is received by the storage interface (46). Alternatively, the piercing arrangement described above may be made with reference to FIGS. 4a through 4c, but with the piercing component positioned on the storage interface (46) rather than the storage outlet.

[0089] As described above, the present disclosure relates to a reservoir for refilling articles of an aerosol delivery system comprising a reservoir body configured to store an aerosol-generating material and a movable component within the reservoir body (but is not limited thereto). The movable component is configured to move within the reservoir body as the aerosol-generating material is delivered from the reservoir. In response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the reservoir body: a piercing component located on the reservoir body is configured to puncture the movable component to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol-generating material; or a piercing component located on the movable component is configured to puncture the reservoir body to prevent the reservoir from being refilled with the aerosol-generating material.

[0090] Therefore, a storage facility for recharging the items of the aerosol generating system was described.

[0091] The various embodiments described herein are presented merely to aid understanding and to teach the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative samples of the embodiments and are not comprehensive and / or exclusive. It should be understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents thereof, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, be composed of, or constitute essentially of other disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. Furthermore, the present disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but will be claimed in the future.

Claims

Claim 1 A storage for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, comprising: a storage body configured to store an aerosol generating material; a movable component within the storage body configured to move within the storage body as the aerosol generating material is delivered from the storage body, wherein in response to the movable component moving to a predetermined position within the storage body: a piercing component located on the storage body is configured to puncture the movable component to prevent the storage from being refilled with the aerosol generating material; or a piercing component located on the movable component is configured to puncture the storage body to prevent the storage from being refilled with the aerosol generating material. Claim 2 A storage for refilling an aerosol supply system, wherein, in claim 1, the storage further comprises a storage outlet, and the aerosol generating material is delivered from the storage through the storage outlet. Claim 3 In claim 2, the piercing component located on the storage body comprises a needle, a storage for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system. Claim 4 A reservoir for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in claim 3, the movable component comprises a seal and a stopper, the stopper comprises an opening at the end of the stopper positioned toward the reservoir outlet, and the needle is configured to puncture the seal and pass into the opening at the end of the stopper. Claim 5 A storage for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the storage body comprises an opening on one side of the storage body opposite the storage outlet. Claim 6 A storage for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the storage body comprises a neck configured to engage with a recharging device, and the storage outlet is located on the neck. Claim 7 In claim 6, the storage for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein the movable component comprises a neck configured to be fitted inside the neck of the storage body. Claim 8 A storage for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system according to claim 7, wherein the piercing component located on the storage body comprises a needle in the storage outlet configured to pierce the end of the neck of the movable component located toward the storage outlet when the neck of the movable component is located inside the neck of the storage body. Claim 9 A storage tank for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein the movable component comprises a seal and a stopper, and the neck of the movable component is positioned on the seal and the stopper is configured to fit inside the neck of the seal. Claim 10 A storage for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the movable component is configured to move toward the storage outlet as the aerosol generating material is delivered from the storage. Claim 11 A storage for refilling an aerosol supply system, wherein, in any one of claims 2 to 4, the predetermined position is located at or near the storage outlet. Claim 12 A storage for recharging an article of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the piercing component located on the movable component comprises one or more spikes. Claim 13 A storage for refilling an article of an aerosol supply system, comprising: a storage body configured to store an aerosol generating material; a movable component within the storage body configured to move within the storage body as the aerosol generating material is delivered from the storage; wherein at least one of the movable component and the storage body is configured to be perforated to prevent the storage from being refilled with the aerosol generating material. Claim 14 A storage for refilling articles of an aerosol supply system, wherein, in claim 13, one or more of the movable component and the storage body are configured to be perforated by a piercing component on a refill dock for refilling articles of an aerosol supply system. Claim 15 A system for recharging an article of an aerosol providing system, comprising: a recharging dock configured to accommodate a storage and including a piercing component; and a storage according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the piercing component is configured to pierce at least one of the movable component and the storage body to prevent the storage from being recharged with an aerosol generating material.

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