KR20240067109A - Aerosol delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mouthpiece (33) for an aerosol delivery system (1). Mouthpiece 33 includes an aerosol outlet channel 62 for delivering aerosol to the user of mouthpiece 33. The mouthpiece includes at least one portion 300 configured to change its appearance in response to a predetermined event occurring or being determined to occur. Such predetermined circumstances may be a change in residual power from power source 16, or a temperature value determined to exceed a predetermined temperature. In this way, portion 300 may allow the user to identify the occurrence of a predetermined situation while still using mouthpiece 33.

Description

Aerosol delivery system

This disclosure relates to, but is not limited to, aerosol delivery systems, such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g., electronic cigarettes, etc.).

Electronic aerosol delivery systems often employ electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or, more commonly, aerosol delivery devices. Such aerosol delivery systems typically include an aerosolizable material (also called an aerosol-generating material), such as a fluid or a reservoir of liquid containing a formulation containing nicotine (but not necessarily); It possesses a solid material, such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapor/aerosol is generated for inhalation by the user, for example through thermal evaporation. Accordingly, an aerosol presentation system will typically include an evaporator (also called an aerosol generator), such as a heating element, arranged to aerosolize a portion of the aerosolizable material to generate a vapor.

Once the vapor is generated, the vapor can be passed through a flavoring material to add flavor to the vapor (if the aerosolizable material is not itself flavored) and then (flavored). Vapor may be delivered from the aerosol delivery system to the user through a mouthpiece.

A potential drawback of existing aerosol delivery systems and associated aerosol delivery devices is that it may be problematic for the user to quickly identify specific features or operations occurring within them. Accordingly, various approaches are described herein that seek to help solve or alleviate some of the problems discussed above through the provision of a mouthpiece, whereby the mouthpiece is provided in advance to notify the user that a predetermined situation has occurred. Includes parts whose appearance changes in response to defined situations.

In this way, the part can provide a convenient visual cue or prompt that a predetermined situation has occurred, and the user can accordingly respond as needed, while still being able to place his or her mouth over the mouthpiece. This allows any required action to be taken more quickly.

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments, a mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system is provided, the mouthpiece comprising an aerosol exit channel for delivering an aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece responding to a predetermined situation. Includes parts configured to change appearance.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a mouthpiece according to the first aspect, and the aerosol delivery system further comprising a vaporizer for generating an aerosol. and the aerosol outlet channel is configured to receive the aerosol generated by the evaporator.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and a control unit, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of certain embodiments, a method is provided for changing the appearance of a portion from a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising changing the appearance of the portion in response to a predetermined situation.

The features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to embodiments of the invention in specific combinations described herein as well as other aspects of the invention as appropriate. It will be understood that they can be combined.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings:
1 shows a schematic perspective view of an aerosol delivery system including a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device (shown separately) according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of the components of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
Figures 3A-3C schematically show various cross-sectional views of the housing portion of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
Figures 4a and 4b schematically represent perspective and top views of the dividing wall elements of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
Figures 5a-5c schematically show two perspective views and a top view of the elastic plug of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
Figures 6A and 6B schematically show perspective and top views of the bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol delivery system of Figure 1;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece including a portion configured to change the appearance of the portion usable with the aerosol delivery systems described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B , according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; It is shown schematically.
FIG. 7B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the mouthpiece of FIG. 7A as taken across cross-section A-A' as shown in FIG. 7A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
8A schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece in a first configuration and including a portion configured to change its appearance, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8B schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mouthpiece of FIG. 8A in a second configuration, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
9A schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece in a first configuration and including a portion configured to change its appearance, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9B schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mouthpiece of FIG. 9A in a second configuration, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
10A schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece in a first configuration and including a portion configured to change its appearance, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10B schematically illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the mouthpiece of FIG. 10A in a second configuration, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11A schematically shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece, as taken over an equivalent cross-section (A-A') as shown in FIG. 7A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11B schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the mouthpiece, when taken over an equivalent cross-section (A-A') as shown in FIG. 7A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.
12 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a mouthpiece that may illustrate some of the internal structures of the mouthpieces described herein, according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.
Figure 13 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the mouthpiece, when taken over an equivalent cross-section (A-A') as shown in Figure 7A, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure; The mouthpiece includes a (removable) visibility limiting portion that limits the visibility of the appearance changing portion from the mouthpiece.

Aspects and features of specific examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally, and they are not discussed/described in detail for the sake of brevity. Accordingly, it will be understood that aspects and features of the devices and methods discussed herein, which are not described in detail, may be implemented in accordance with any prior art for implementing such aspects and features.

This disclosure relates to non-flammable aerosol delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes). According to the present disclosure, "non-combustible" An aerosol delivery system is a system in which the constituent aerosolizable materials of the aerosol delivery system (or components thereof) are not combusted or burned to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolizable materials, which may also be referred to herein as aerosol-generating materials or aerosol precursor materials, are materials that are capable of generating an aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. In some embodiments, aerosolizable materials can be flavored.

Throughout the description below, the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be understood that these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system. Electronic cigarettes are also known as vaping devices or electronic nicotine delivery systems (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolizable material is not required.

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

Typically, a (non-flammable) aerosol delivery system may comprise a cartridge/consumable part and a body/reusable/aerosol delivery device part, which is configured to releasably engage with the cartridge/consumable part.

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

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

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

The active ingredient may include one or more physiologically and/or olfactory active ingredients incorporated into the aerosolizable material to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory response in the user. The active ingredient may be selected from, for example, nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active ingredients may occur naturally or be obtained synthetically. The active ingredients are, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as vitamin B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or compositions thereof. It may contain ingredients, derivatives, or combinations. The active ingredients may include components, derivatives or extracts of tobacco or other botanicals. In some embodiments, the active ingredient is a physiologically active ingredient, nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g., nicotine ditartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, It may be selected from other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active ingredient is an olfactory active ingredient and, where local regulations permit, a "flavor" that can be used to produce a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensory impression in a product for adult consumers. and/or "flavoring" In some cases, these ingredients may be referred to as flavors, flavoring agents, flavoring agents, thermal agents, thermogenic agents, and/or sweeteners. These include naturally occurring flavoring ingredients, plants, extracts of plants, synthetically obtained ingredients, or combinations thereof (e.g. tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen. , cherries, berries, red berries, cranberries, peaches, apples, oranges, mangoes, clementines, lemons, limes, tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumbers, blueberries, mulberries, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery. , cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood oil, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel nut, hookah, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon. Oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, Coffee, hemp, mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazelnuts, hibiscus. , bay, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano. ), paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, turmeric, coriander, myrtle, cassis, valerian. , pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena. (verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or irritants, sugars and/or Sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives , such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, herbal medicines, or breath fresheners. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural components or blends thereof. These may be in any suitable form, e.g., a liquid such as an oil, a solid such as a powder, or a gas, one or more extracts (e.g. licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile). (chamomile), fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry (cherry), berry, peach, apple, drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, Cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil ), vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang ), sage, fennel, allspice, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavor enhancers, bitter receptor sites Bitterness receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar analogues (e.g. sucralose, acesulfame potassium) acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol or mannitol. )) and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals or breath freshening agents. These may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. These may be in any suitable form, for example oil, liquid, or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavoring material may include menthol, spearmint, and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and/or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavor includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavor includes flavor components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, flavor is a sensation intended to achieve a somatosensory sensation that is generally chemically induced and perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or instead of the scent or taste nerves. These may include agents that provide heating, cooling, tingling, and numbing effects. A suitable thermogenic 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.

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

One or more other functional ingredients may include one or more of pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

As mentioned above, aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) can often include a modular assembly that includes both reusable parts (main body - aerosol delivery device) and replaceable consumable (cartridge) parts. Devices that follow this type of two-part modular construction can generally be referred to as two-part devices. Additionally, electronic cigarettes generally have an elongated shape. To provide a specific example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein may include a generally elongated two-component device of this type using consumable parts. However, the basic principles described herein are compatible with other electronic cigarette configurations, such as devices conforming to other overall geometries, for example based on so-called box-mod high-performance devices, which typically have a more boxy shape. It will be appreciated that the same can be adopted for modular devices comprising more than two components, for example.

Accordingly, from the foregoing, with reference to FIG. 1 , a schematic perspective view of an exemplary aerosol delivery system (e-cigarette) 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. Terms relating to the relative positions of various aspects of an electronic cigarette (e.g., terms such as top, bottom, above, below, top, bottom, etc.) refer to the electronic cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). is used herein with reference to the orientation. However, it will be understood that this is purely for ease of explanation and is not intended to indicate that there is any required orientation for the electronic cigarette when used.

The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system) 1 comprises two main components: a cartridge 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4. The aerosol presentation device 4 and cartridge 2 are shown separate in Figure 1, but are coupled together in use.

The cartridge 2 and the aerosol presentation device 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between them. The particular manner in which the mechanical and electrical connections are established is not of primary importance to the principles described herein and may be in accordance with conventional techniques, such as through threaded, bayonet, latched or friction-fit mechanical fasteners. It can be set based on, as appropriate, appropriately arranging the electrical contacts/electrodes to establish an electrical connection between the two parts. For example, in the electronic cigarette 1 shown in Figure 1, the cartridge includes a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52 and an interface end 54, and an interface end portion 6 of the interface end of the cartridge. is coupled to the aerosol presentation device by inserting it into the receptacle 8/receiving section of the corresponding aerosol presentation device. The interfacial end portion 6 of the cartridge is a close fit so as to be in the receptacle 8 and includes protrusions 56 which form a receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8. It engages corresponding detents in the interior surface of the cartridge to provide releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device. Electrical contact is made between the aerosol presentation device and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts (not shown in Figure 1) on the bottom of the cartridge and corresponding spring contact pins (not shown in Figure 1) at the base of the receptacle 8. A connection is established. As mentioned above, the particular way in which the electrical connection is established is not critical to the principles described herein, and in fact some implementations may have no electrical connection at all between the cartridge and the aerosol delivery device, which may be reusable, for example. This is because the power transfer from the component to the cartridge may be wireless (eg, based on electromagnetic induction technologies).

The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol delivery system) has a generally elongated shape extending along the longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol delivery device, the overall length of the e-cigarette (along the longitudinal axis) in this example is approximately 12.5 cm. The overall length of the aerosol delivery device is about 9 cm, and the overall length of the cartridge is about 5 cm (i.e., there is a distance between the interfacial end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol delivery device when they are coupled together). There is an overlap of 1.5 cm). The electronic cigarette has a cross-section that is generally oval and is largest around the middle of the electronic cigarette and tapers in a curved manner towards the ends. The cross section around the middle of the electronic cigarette has a width of about 2.5 cm and a thickness of about 1.7 cm. One end of the cartridge has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 0.6 mm, while the other end of the e-cigarette has a width of about 2 cm and a thickness of about 1.2 cm. In this example the outer housing of the e-cigarette is formed of plastic. It will be understood that the specific size and shape of the e-cigarette and the material from which the e-cigarette is made are not primarily critical to the principles described herein and may differ in different implementations. That is, the principles described herein can be equally adopted for electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes and/or materials.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the aerosol presentation device 4 may be broadly conventional in terms of its functionality and general construction techniques. In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol presentation device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 comprising a receptacle wall 12 defining a receptacle 8 for receiving the end of the cartridge as mentioned above. In this example the outer housing 10 of the aerosol delivery device 4 has a generally oval cross-section matching the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at their interface to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. have The end portion 6 and the receptacle 8 of the cartridge 2 are symmetrical when rotated by 180°, so that the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol presentation device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol-presenting device air inlet openings 14 (i.e., holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with the air inlet 50 for the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol presentation device. A different one of the openings 14 is aligned with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in different orientations. Some implementations may not have any degree of rotational symmetry such that the cartridge can be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in only one orientation, while other implementations may allow the cartridge to be coupled to the aerosol delivery device in more orientations. It will be appreciated that it is possible to have a higher degree of rotational symmetry so that

The aerosol delivery device includes a battery 16 to provide operating power for the electronic cigarette, control circuitry 18 to control and monitor operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button 20, an indicator light 22, and It further includes a charging port (24).

The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, such as a type commonly used in electronic cigarettes and other applications that require the provision of relatively high currents for relatively short periods of time. . Battery 16 may be recharged via charging port 24, which may include, for example, a USB connector.

The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button and includes, for example, a spring-loaded component that can be pressed by the user to establish electrical contact in the lower circuitry. In this regard, an input button can be considered an input device for detecting user input, for example to trigger aerosol generation, and the particular way the button is implemented is not critical. For example, mechanical buttons (e.g., based on capacitive or optical sensing technologies) or other types of touch-sensitive buttons may be used in other implementations, or there may be no button and the device may use a puff to trigger aerosol generation. You can rely on a puff detector.

Indicator light 22 is provided to provide the user with a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, such as operating status (e.g., on/off/standby), and other characteristics such as battery life or fault conditions. do. Different characteristics may, for example, be displayed via different colors and/or different flash sequences, generally according to conventional techniques.

Control circuitry 18 is suitably configured/programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operating functions in accordance with established techniques for controlling the electronic cigarette. The control circuitry (processor circuitry) 18 can be considered to logically contain various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the electronic cigarette. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different implementations, control circuitry 18 may include power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the battery/power source to the cartridge in response to user input, User programming circuitry for setting configuration settings (e.g., user-defined power settings), as well as other functional units/circuitry-related functions in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes. , for example, may include a display driving circuit such as an indicator and a user input detection circuit. The functionality of control circuitry 18 may be implemented in a variety of different ways—e.g., one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured custom integrated circuit(s) configured to provide the desired functionality. It will be understood that using /circuit/chip(s)/chipset(s) - may be provided as.

Figure 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the cartridge 2 (disassembled along the longitudinal axis L). Cartridge (2) includes a housing portion (32), an air channel seal (34), a dividing wall element (36), an outlet tube (38), an evaporator/heating element (40), an aerosolizable material transport element (42), It includes a plug 44 and an end cap 48 with contact electrodes 46. Figures 3-6 schematically represent some of these components in more detail.

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

Figure 4a is a schematic perspective view of the dividing wall element 36 viewed from below. Figure 4b is a schematic cross-sectional view through the upper portion of the dividing wall element 36 viewed from below.

Figure 5a is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from above, and Figure 5b is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of the plug 44 along the longitudinal axis L as viewed from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e., viewed from above with respect to the orientation in Figures 1 and 2).

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

In this example, housing portion 32 includes a housing outer wall 64 and a housing inner tube 62, wherein the housing outer wall 64 and housing inner tube 62 are a single molding of polypropylene. is formed The housing outer wall 64 defines the exterior of the cartridge 2, and the housing inner tube 62 defines part of the air channel through the cartridge. The housing portion is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge, except for the mouthpiece opening/aerosol outlet 60, which is in fluid communication with the housing inner tube 62, from the mouthpiece 33 and the mouthpiece end of the cartridge ( 52) and is closed. The housing portion 32 includes an opening in the side wall that provides an air inlet 50 for the cartridge. In this example the air inlet 50 has an area of approximately 2 mm2. The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 has corresponding detents within the inner surface of the receptacle wall 12 that define the receptacle 8 to provide releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol presentation device. It includes protrusions 56 discussed above that engage with the ridges. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing portion has additional protrusions that act to provide an abutment stop for positioning the dividing wall element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. Includes field (66). The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 has latch recesses 68 arranged to receive latch projections 70 corresponding to the end cap for securing the end cap to become a housing part when the cartridge is assembled. It further includes holes that provide.

The outer wall 64 of the housing portion 32 includes a double-walled section 74 that defines a gap 76 in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. Gap 76 provides a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. In this example, the double-walled section 74 of the housing portion 32 has an air gap running within the outer wall 64 of the housing parallel to the longitudinal axis with a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of approximately 3 mm2. They are arranged to define channels. The gap/portion of air channel 76 defined by the double-walled section of the housing portion extends down to the open end of the housing portion 32.

The air channel seal 34 is generally a silicone molding in the form of a tube with a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes circumferential ridges 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these are not visible in FIG. 2 . When the cartridge is assembled, the air channel seal 34 is mounted on the housing inner tube 62, the end of which extends partially into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. do. The through hole 80 in the air channel seal has a diameter of approximately 5.8 mm in the relaxed state, while the end of the housing inner tube 62 has a diameter of approximately 6.2 mm, such that the air channel seal 34 is positioned within the housing. A seal is formed when stretched to receive the inner tube 62. This seal is made possible by ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.

The outlet tube 38 includes a tubular section made of, for example, ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, with an internal diameter of about 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of about 0.2 mm. The lowermost end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots 88 with an end of each slot having a semicircular recess 90 . When the cartridge is assembled, outlet tube 38 is mounted on the outer surface of air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal in its relaxed state is approximately 9.0 mm, such that a seal is formed when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is made possible by ridges 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34 . Collar 80 on air channel seal 34 provides a stop for outlet tube 38.

The aerosolizable material transport element 42 comprises a capillary wick and the evaporator (aerosol generator) 40 comprises a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to a section of resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the evaporator includes electrical leads 41 which are connected to an end cap 54 through holes in the plug 44. Electrodes 46 allow power to be supplied to the vaporizer through an electrical interface that is established when the cartridge is connected to the aerosol presentation device. Evaporator leads 41 may include the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may include a different material (e.g., a lower-resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. there is. In this example, heater coil 40 includes nickel iron alloy wire and wick 42 includes bundles of glass fibers. The vaporizer and aerosolizable material transport element may be provided according to any conventional techniques and may comprise different forms and/or different materials. For example, in some implementations, the wick may include a fibrous or solid ceramic material and the heater may include a different alloy. In other examples, the heater and wick may be combined, such as in the form of porous and resistive materials. More generally, it will be understood that the particular nature of the aerosolizable material transport element and vaporizer is not critical to the principles described herein.

When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received in the semicircular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38 such that the central portion of the wick around which the heating coil is wound is inside the outlet tube, while the end portions of the wick are inside the outlet tube. It is on the outer side of the outlet tube 38.

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

The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 conforms to the inner surface of the housing portion 32 such that the plug 44 forms a seal with the housing portion 32 when the cartridge is assembled. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 conforms to the inner surface of the outlet tube 38 so that when the cartridge is assembled, the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of opposite slots 108, with an end of each slot having a semicircular recess 110. Extending laterally (i.e., in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot of the inner wall 104 is configured to receive a section of the aerosolizable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. This is the designated cradle section (112). The slots 108 and semi-circular recesses 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44, and the slots 88 and semi-circular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38, Slots 88 of the individual cradle 112 with respective semi-circular recesses of the outlet tube and plug cooperating to define holes through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. arranged to accommodate. The size of the holes provided by the semicircular recesses through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes corresponds closely to the size and shape of the aerosolizable material transport element, but is slightly smaller, so that the elasticity of the plug 44 A degree of compression is provided. This allows aerosolizable material to be transported along the aerosolizable material transport element by capillary action while limiting the extent to which aerosolizable material that is not transported by capillary action can pass through the openings. As mentioned above, the plug 44 includes additional openings 114 in the base portion 100 and when the cartridge is assembled the contact leads 41 for the evaporator open those openings 114. pass through The lowermost portion of the base portion of the plug includes spacers 116 that maintain an offset between the end cap 48 and the lowermost remaining surface of the base portion. These spacers 116 comprise openings 114 through which the electrical contact leads 41 for the evaporator pass.

The end cap 48 includes a polypropylene molding with a pair of gold-plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.

The ends of the electrode posts 44 on the bottommost side of the end cap are close to the same plane as the interface end 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48. These are parts of the electrodes to which correspondingly aligned spring-loaded contacts within the aerosol-providing device 4 are connected when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol-providing device 4 . The ends of the electrode posts on the inner side of the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 and into the holes 114 of the plug 44, through which the contact leads 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly oversized relative to the holes 114 and are provided at their upper ends to enable insertion into the holes 114 of a plug which is held in pressurized contact with the contact leads for the evaporator by the plug. Includes chamfer.

The end cap has an upright wall 120 that conforms to the interior surface of the base section 124 and housing portion 32. The upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing portion 32 so that the latch projections 70 snap-fit the end cap 48 to the housing portion when the cartridge is assembled. To fit, it engages with the latch recesses 68 of the housing portion 32. The top of the upright wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts the peripheral portion of the plug 44, and the lower surface of the spacers 116 on the plug also abuts the base section 124 of the plug, thus abutting the end When the cap 48 is attached to the housing portion, the end cap is pressed against the elastic portion 44 to maintain the end cap in a slightly compressed state.

The base portion 124 of the end cap 48 has a peripheral lip 126 beyond the base of an upright wall 112 having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the outer wall of the housing portion at the interface end of the cartridge. Includes. The end caps also include upright locating pins 122 that align with corresponding locating holes 128 in the plug to help establish their relative positions during assembly.

The dividing wall element 36 comprises a single molding of polypropylene and includes a dividing wall 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections in a direction from the dividing wall 130 towards the interface end of the cartridge. . The dividing wall element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the dividing wall is arranged around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments, dividing wall element 36 may be formed integrally with outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages the lower surface of the dividing wall 130, which in turn engages the upper surface of the housing portion 32. It engages projections 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64. Accordingly, the dividing wall 130 prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32, i.e. the dividing wall 130 is fixedly positioned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the projections 66 of the housing part and , thereby providing a plug with a fixed surface for pushing. The collar 132, formed by the protrusions from the dividing wall, has a first pair of opposing protrusions/tongues ( 134). The protrusions from the dividing wall 130 engage corresponding ones of the cradle sections 112 in the plug 44 when the cartridge is assembled to further define an opening through which the aerosolizable material transport element passes. A pair of configured cradle sections 136 are further provided.

When the cartridge 2 is assembled, an air channel is formed extending from the air inlet 50 through the cartridge to the aerosol outlet 60. Starting from an air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing part 32, a first section of the air channel is formed by a gap 76 formed by a double-walled section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. is provided, and extends past the plug 44 from the air inlet 50 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge. The second portion of the air channel is provided by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third part of the air channel is provided by a hole 106 through the plug 44. The fourth part of the air channel is provided by a section in the inner wall 104 of the outlet tube and plug around the evaporator 40 . This fourth portion of the air channel may also be referred to as the aerosol/aerosol generating zone, which is the primary zone where aerosols are generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation zone may be referred to as the air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remainder of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by an outer housing inner tube 62, located at the end of the mouthpiece 33, connecting the air channel to the aerosol outlet 60. The air channel from the aerosol generating zone, which will become the aerosol outlet, may be referred to as the aerosol outlet section of the air channel.

Additionally, when the cartridge is assembled, a reservoir 31 for aerosolizable material is formed by the space outside the air channel and inside the housing part 32. It can be filled during manufacturing, for example via a filling hole, which is then sealed, or by other means. The specific properties of the aerosolizable material, such as in terms of its composition, are not of primary importance to the principles described herein and, in general, any conventional aerosolizable material of the type normally used in electronic cigarettes. can be used. The present disclosure may refer to liquids as aerosolizable materials, which may be conventional e-liquids as mentioned above. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolizable material that has the ability to flow and may comprise a liquid, gel, or solid, where, in the case of a solid, a plurality of solid particles are considered as the bulk. It can be considered to have flow capacity.

The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by a plug (44). The reservoir comprises a first zone above the dividing wall 130 and a second zone below the dividing wall 130 within the space defined between the external wall of the plug and the air channel. The aerosolizable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 has semicircular recesses 108, 90 of the plug 44 and outlet tube 38 and cradle sections of the plug 44 and the dividing wall element 36. (112, 136) - these pass through openings in the walls of the air channels provided by interlocking as discussed above. Accordingly, the ends of the aerosolizable material transport elements extend into the second zone of the reservoir, from which they deliver the aerosolizable material through the openings of the air channels to the evaporator 40 for subsequent vaporization. Suction.

In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the aerosol-providing device 4 and the aerosol-providing device activated to power the cartridge via contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Power is then transferred to the evaporator 40 through connection leads 41. Accordingly, the evaporator is electrically heated to evaporate a portion of the aerosolizable material from the aerosolizable material transport element in the vicinity of the evaporator. This generates aerosols in the aerosol generating zone of the air path. Aerosolizable material Aerosolizable material that evaporates from the transport element is replaced by more aerosolizable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporizer is activated, the user inhales the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge. This allows air to be drawn to either side where the aerosol presentation device air inlet 14 is aligned with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge (this will depend on the orientation in which the cartridge is inserted within the aerosol presentation device receptacle 8). Air then enters the cartridge through the air inlet 50, passes along the gap 76 in the double-walled section 74 of the housing part 32, and into the base part 100 of the plug 44. It passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48 before entering the aerosol generating zone surrounding the evaporator 40 through the hole 106 in the evaporator 40. The incoming air mixes with the aerosol generated from the evaporator to form a condensed aerosol, which then flows into the outlet tube 38 and inside the housing portion 62 before exiting through the mouthpiece outlet/aerosol outlet 60 for user inhalation. ) is aspirated.

1-6B above, it can be seen a possible embodiment configuration of an aerosol delivery system 1 configured to generate an aerosol suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure (potentially with other types of aerosol delivery system). You can.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-13, the present disclosure also provides a mouthpiece 33, which mouthpiece may be, for example, any of those from the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6B. The same may be usable with any of the cartridges 2 or aerosol delivery systems 1 described herein. At a general level, the mouthpiece 33 may include a (appearance changing) portion 300 configured to change its appearance in response to predetermined circumstances. As will be explained in due course, it is envisioned that these predetermined situations may be a wide variety of different ones, depending on the intent for the portion 300. By way of example only, and according to some embodiments, the predetermined situation may include: i) a composition of the aerosol-generating material that is determined to match a predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material; ii) the amount of aerosol-generating material determined to be below a predetermined amount; iii) change in residual power from the power source (e.g., power source 16 as described above); and/or iv) a temperature value representing a temperature of the aerosol generator 40 that exceeds (or is determined to exceed) a predetermined temperature. Accordingly, at this general level, it can be understood that portion 300 may be configured to indicate to the user that a predetermined situation (whatever this situation may be) has occurred. In this way, portion 300 can provide the user with a convenient visual cue or prompt that a predetermined situation has occurred, so that the user can respond as needed and more quickly take any required action. Importantly, to the extent that the mouthpiece 33 can include portion 300, in certain instances, this allows the user to react to the situation while the user still holds the mouse over the mouthpiece 33. It can be easily accepted.

Accordingly, keeping in mind the general disclosure above, it will be appreciated that portion 300 may be positioned in an area or region of mouthpiece 33 that is suitable for a user to view portion 300 .

Accordingly, referring to this disclosure from the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 7A-13 , according to some embodiments, mouthpiece 33 may include at least one outer surface 302, which may be configured according to some specific embodiments to include portion 300 .

With respect to the shape of the at least one outer surface 302, it will be appreciated that this shape may vary depending on the particular shape of the device to which the mouthpiece is configured to be attached. According to some embodiments, such as those shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 7A-13, mouthpiece 33 may include an end 304, in some embodiments of which mouthpiece 33 has At least one outer surface 302 is configured to be inclined toward the end 304 of the mouthpiece 33. With this particular geometry, the mouthpiece 33 accommodates the lips of the user's mouth in an ergonomic manner, in particular to better prevent any aerosols from escaping between the user's mouth and the mouthpiece 33. It may be a shape for

With regard to the delivery of any aerosol from the mouthpiece 33, at a general level the mouthpiece 33 has an aerosol outlet channel 62 (hereinafter also referred to as an external housing inner tube) for delivering the aerosol to the user of the mouthpiece. (described as (62)). In connection with such aerosol outlet channel 62 , the mouthpiece 33 may also include an outlet 60 for receiving aerosol from the aerosol outlet channel 62 . This outlet 60 can be positioned at any desired location on the mouthpiece 33 to better position the outlet 60 closest to the user's mouth when the mouthpiece 33 is in use. , according to some embodiments (such as those shown in the figures), end 304 of mouthpiece 33 may include an outlet 60. For any such end 304 , in accordance with some embodiments, the end 304 of the mouthpiece 33 may be configured to direct any aerosols emitted from the mouthpiece 33 to the user's body. It may be substantially flat to better avoid impeding entry into the mouth.

Maintaining the geometry of the mouthpiece 33, the provided outer surface(s) 302 may be (in embodiments where more than one outer surface 302 is provided) straight, curved, or any combination thereof. there is. At least to the extent that any external surface can be curved, this may provide a more suitable surface for the user to place their lips during use. Likewise, as long as any external surface(s) can be curved, if this external surface(s) 302 includes a portion 300, this makes it possible to view the portion 300 at different angles and orientations. can be done more easily.

Accordingly, noting the above, in some embodiments, mouthpiece 33 may include at least one outer surface 302, which outer surface may include portion 300 according to some embodiments. It can be understood that it can be configured.

According to some embodiments, at least one outer surface 302 may include a plurality of outer surfaces 302. For example, and in accordance with some specific embodiments (e.g., those shown in FIGS. 7A-13 ), at least one outer surface 302 is adjacent to first outer surface 302A (e.g., in some cases on the first side 33A of the mouthpiece 33) and a second outer surface 302B (e.g., in some cases on the second side 33B of the mouthpiece 33—the second outer surface 302B). The side 33B may include -) opposite the first side 33A. If such first and second outer surfaces 302A; 302B are employed, to provide an element of symmetry to the mouthpiece 33, the first outer surface 302A according to some embodiments may have (FIGS. 7A-7A) 13) may represent a reflection of the second outer surface 302B, a mirror image thereof and/or include its reflection symmetry.

Accordingly, in embodiments where a plurality of exterior surfaces 302 are employed, any combination (or all of these exterior surfaces) may comprise portion 300 . Or put another way, according to some embodiments, portion 300 may include any number, combination, or all of these plurality of exterior surfaces (e.g., first exterior surface 302A and/or second exterior surface 302B). ) can be located on. Accordingly, in this manner, to best allow portion 300 to be viewed by the user when mouthpiece 33 is in use, portion 300 is conveniently positioned on one of these outer surface(s) 302. It will be appreciated that it can be positioned on any number of external surfaces.

For completeness, in some embodiments, more than one portion 300 may be provided, such that, in accordance with some specific embodiments (such as shown in the embodiment of Figure 12), the first portion 300 Portion 300A may be provided on/by/at one of the exterior surfaces (e.g., first exterior surface 302A), and second portion 300B may be provided on/by/at one of the exterior surfaces (e.g., first exterior surface 302A). It will be appreciated that the outer surfaces 302A may be provided on/by/one of the other. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the provision of more than one portion 300A; 300B makes it much easier for a user to identify that a predetermined situation has occurred through each such portion 300A; 300B. can do.

If more than one portion 300 is provided, in some embodiments, each portion may be configured to change in response to the same predetermined situation and/or to change in the same manner in response to the same predetermined situation. It will be understood that there is. In this way, the user can have several opportunities/parts to visually identify that a predetermined situation has occurred. Likewise, according to some additional/alternative embodiments, each portion 300 may be configured to change in response to a different predetermined situation and/or to change in a different manner relative to the other portion(s) 300. Accordingly, according to some very specific embodiments, portion 300 may include a first portion (e.g., first portion 300A) whose appearance is configured to change in response to a first predetermined situation; , and portion 300 may include a second portion (such as second portion 300B) whose appearance is configured to change in response to a second predetermined situation, which is different from the first predetermined situation. Likewise, according to some embodiments, portion 300 may include a first portion (e.g., first portion 300A) configured to change its appearance in response to a predetermined situation, and portion 300 It may include a second portion (such as second portion 300B) whose appearance is configured to change in response to a predetermined (same) situation. In such latter embodiments, it may be understood that, in some specific embodiments, the first and second portions may be configured to change in the same way in response to a predetermined (same) situation.

Accordingly, understanding the above, at a general level, one or more outer surface(s) 302 of the mouthpiece may therefore be a portion (e.g., as shown in any of the embodiments from the figures) It can be seen that it may include (300).

As for the size of the portion 300, it is set to an appropriate size so that it is appropriately visible on the mouthpiece 33, but it is distracting for the user to discern the information as a result of the appearance of the portion 300 changing during use. The idea is that it won't be so big that it gets worn out or becomes too difficult.

Keeping the above in mind, according to some embodiments, each portion may be elongate to allow the user to better discover portion 300. For any such length of portion 300, according to some embodiments, the (or each) portion 300 may be 55 mm or less; 50 mm or less; 40 mm or less; 30 mm or less; 25 mm or less; 20 mm or less; and/or a maximum length (LMAX) of less than or equal to 15 mm.

Likewise, according to some additional/alternative embodiments, the (or each) portion 300 may be 20 mm or less; 18 mm or less; 15 mm or less; 12 mm or less; and/or a maximum width (WMAX) of 10 mm or less.

Regarding any particular thickness for the (or each) part 300 , again this may be chosen so as not to cause the part 300 to occupy too much space on the mouthpiece 33 , which may therefore lead to some implementations. In the example, if the back portion 300 that protrudes excessively from the mouthpiece is too thick, there may be a risk of damage to the portion 300. Accordingly, according to some embodiments, the (or each) portion 300 is 10 mm or less; 8 mm or less; 6 mm or less; 4 mm or less; and/or a maximum thickness (TMAX) of 2 mm or less. With such a maximum thickness, the (or each) portion 300 can therefore act not to unduly occupy valuable space on the mouthpiece 33 .

In more general terms, according to some embodiments, this also means that the (or each) portion is less than or equal to 55 mm; 50 mm or less; 40 mm or less; 30 mm or less; 25 mm or less; 20 mm or less; and/or a maximum dimension of 15 mm or less. Here, by the term 'maximum dimension', it refers to the maximum length (LMAX); maximum width (WMAX); Alternatively, it may be understood to mean that none of the maximum thicknesses (TMAX) is greater than a specified amount.

When the mouthpiece is in use, with respect to the relative position of the mouthpiece to the user's mouth, the mouthpiece 33 ensures that the (or each) portion 300 is positioned appropriately proximate to the user's mouth, It may be configured so that changes in the appearance of the portion 300 can be more easily identified. Accordingly, in this regard, and in accordance with some embodiments, the (or each) portion 300 is no more than 60 mm from the end 304 of the mouthpiece 33; 50 mm or less; 40 mm or less; 30 mm or less; 20 mm or less; and/or less than 20 mm. The phrase 'not more than XX mm from the end' herein refers to any part of each part 300 that needs to be greater than the specified distance from the end 304 of the mouthpiece 33. can also be interpreted to mean that it is not located farther from the end 304 than the specified distance.

Regarding the geometry of the mouthpiece 33, it can be seen that, according to some embodiments, the mouthpiece 33 can be used as part of a wider cartridge 2. This is shown, for example, with reference to the embodiments from at least Figures 7A to 13. Depending on those embodiments in which the cartridge 2 is employed, in some embodiments thereof, the cartridge 2 has a first end 54 (e.g., the interface end 54 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B ). ), and may further include a second end opposite the first end 54. Cartridge 2 may also include a base portion 6 extending from first end 54 (e.g., interface end portion 6 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6B ), where base portion 6 ) is configured to engage the cartridge (2) with the aerosol provision device (4). In this way, the base portion 6 can be positioned between the first end 54 and the mouthpiece 33.

Although not necessarily, the dimensions of the base portion 6 allow the mouthpiece to fit better into the user's mouth, according to some specific embodiments (such as those shown in FIGS. 7A-11B ). To do this, the mouthpiece 33 may be wider than the base portion 6. Stated differently, the maximum width of the mouthpiece may be wider than the maximum width of the base portion 6. It can be seen that for some embodiments, end 52 (304) of mouthpiece 33 may define a second end of cartridge 2.

Returning to portion 300, according to some embodiments, better prevents portion 300 from being damaged during use, and/or according to some embodiments, to other parts beyond the user of mouthpiece 33. To position the portion 300 in a more discrete location that may be less visible to people, according to some embodiments the (or each) portion 300 is at least partially recessed into at least one of the at least one outer surface 302. It can be concave or completely concave. Stated differently, according to some embodiments, portion 300 may be at least partially (or completely) embedded within mouthpiece 33 . This can be seen, for example, in the embodiment of Figures 11A and 11B, wherein the (or each) outer surface 302; 302A has (individual) recesses for receiving the (individual) portions 300. Includes (306). In this way, and according to some specific embodiments thereof, portion 300 may be configured not to protrude from recess 306 .

Instead of (or in addition to) the use of any such recess 306, according to some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11A ), any unwanted damage to any provided portion 300 may be avoided. To prevent this, the mouthpiece 33 may include a window 308 that at least partially defines the portion 300 such that the portion 300 can be viewed through the window 308. Cover. Perceptually, if any such window 308 is provided, the window according to some embodiments may be suitably transparent to allow a user to view portion 300 through window 308. Accordingly, in this respect, according to some embodiments, the window may be substantially transparent and/or substantially translucent.

If any such window 308 is employed, outer surface(s) 302 may include a window 308 according to some embodiments, and/or a window 308 according to some embodiments. It will be appreciated that the surface may be positioned on or coplanar with at least one external surface as shown in the embodiment of Figure 11A. Recognizably also, if any such window 308 is employed (e.g., where first portion 300A and second portion 300B are employed), according to some specific embodiments, The window 308 according to may have a first window and a second window such that, in certain embodiments, the first outer surface 302A includes a first window and the second outer surface 302B includes a second window. Includes.

As mentioned above, in accordance with some embodiments provided herein, means may be provided to help make this portion 300 obscure to persons other than the user of mouthpiece 33. This makes it easier for people other than the user to view any output from portion 300 and/or any information for which portion 300 is configured to contain information (e.g., indicia as described). It can be advantageous to suppress it. With this in mind, in certain embodiments, such as those from FIGS. 11A and/or 11B (and also FIG. 13 ), the mouthpiece 33 may at least partially remove the (or each) portion 300. It will be appreciated that it may include at least one limited visibility portion 310 that covers and/or covers. In this way, the visibility limiting portion 310 may be configured to limit the visibility of the (or each) portion 300, such as limiting the visibility of this portion to a smaller number of predetermined angular positions. It can be configured. For example, in certain embodiments, the visibility limiting portion may be configured to allow portion 300 to be visible when viewed from the perspective of a user placing his or her mouth over mouthpiece 33 . Stated still another way, the visibility limiting portion limits the visibility of portion 300 from a first predetermined direction (e.g., direction V1 from the embodiment shown in FIG. 11B or FIG. 13), but from a first predetermined direction may be configured to allow visibility of portion 300 from a predetermined second direction that is not parallel to the direction (e.g., direction V2 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 11B or FIG. 13).

With regard to the structure of any such visibility limiting portion(s) 310, it can perceptibly take on a variety of different forms.

For example, according to some embodiments, the visibility limiting portion may include a polarized portion, such as a polarized screen, according to some more specific embodiments; polarizing layer; and/or a polarizing film.

According to some embodiments, the visibility limiting portion may be attached to and positioned on the appearance changing portion 300 . If window(s) 308 are employed, according to some embodiments thereof, the (or each) window may include a limited visibility portion 310 such that, in some specific embodiments thereof, The visibility limiting portion may be located on window 308 or may be embedded in window 308 (particularly in some embodiments, for example, where the visibility limiting portion includes a polarizing portion). In some embodiments, any provided window 308 may include a visibility limiting portion 310 (which is also part of any window 308 used in the aerosol delivery system 1, i.e. a portion ( Note that it can be used as a window configured to at least partially cover window 300, as well as configured to help limit the visibility of all information below window 308). As will be explained, so long as any display 330 is employed, the display according to some embodiments may include a visibility limiting portion 310 to at least partially cover and/or cover the display 330. there is.

Accordingly, by understanding any such use of the visibility limiting portion 310 , at a very general level, it can provide a mouthpiece 33 for an aerosol delivery system, the mouthpiece 33 having its appearance altered. Constituent part 300 (or display); and a visibility limiting portion that at least partially covers the appearance changing portion (or display). In this way, visibility limiting portion 310 may be configured to limit the visibility of portion 300 (or display).

The above disclosure, at a much more general level, can be recognizably adapted to any display or other portion from an aerosol delivery system configured to change during use. Accordingly, at a general level, also provided herein is an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising a portion 300 configured to change its appearance (e.g., a display), the aerosol delivery system comprising a portion 300 ) and further includes a visibility limiting portion 310 that at least partially covers. In this way, the visibility limiting portion 310 may be configured to limit the visibility of the (appearance changing) portion 300 .

A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device is also provided herein, the cartridge comprising a portion 300 (e.g., a display) configured to change its appearance, and at least partially forming portion 300. It includes a visibility limited portion 310 that covers.

Accordingly, understanding the foregoing, and if such visibility limiting portion 310 is employed, such visibility limiting portion 310 may include a portion configured to change the appearance of the mouthpiece 33, as described herein. ); Cartridge (2); Aerosol delivery device (4); and/or may be positioned on, form part of, and/or used with any form of the aerosol delivery system 1. In this way, visibility limiting portion 310 may help limit the visibility of portion 300 so that it is viewable from a smaller number of directions compared to if visibility limiting portion 310 were not employed. In this way, unwanted viewing of portion 300 by people around the intended user may be alleviated.

According to some embodiments, when moving away from any adopted visibility limiting portion 310 and returning to portion 300, portion 300 may at least partially surround the aerosol exit channel 62, or In some narrower embodiments it may be completely or completely enclosed. In this way, it may become easier to view portion 300 from different points around mouthpiece 33.

Accordingly, with reference to the above, it can be seen that depending on the desired application of the (or each) portion 300, the location and/or geometry of portion 300 may take a variety of different forms.

Referring to the application of portion 300, as previously mentioned above, the (or each) portion 300 may be responsive to a predetermined circumstance occurring, or responsive to a predetermined circumstance being determined to have occurred. It is envisioned that it can be configured to change its appearance. As to what may happen in these examples, it will be understood that this may again vary depending on the application of portion 300.

Keeping the above in mind, according to some embodiments (such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and 9A and 9B), a portion may be configured to change color in response to a predetermined situation. there is. By way of example only, such a configuration may be applied to embodiments where the predetermined situation includes a change in residual power from a power source (e.g., battery 16), as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B. You can. In this regard, for example, the predetermined situation may include a determination that the power source 16 contains less than a predetermined amount of residual power. In some specific embodiments, the predetermined amount may be a predetermined percentage of the maximum capacity of the power source, such as 80% in some very specific embodiments; 75%; 66.6% (i.e. 2/3); 60%; 50%; 40%; 33.3% (i.e. 1/3); 20%; 10%; and/or a predetermined percentage including 5%.

As for what a change of color is, it can also include a number of different changes, such as any change between any combination of the following colors: black; White; gray; Red; Orange; yellow; green; blue; pink; Or purple. 8A and 8B, in response to a determination that power source 16 contains less residual power than a predetermined amount, portion 300 turns green in response to the predetermined event occurring. It is configured to change to orange from .

Another application for portion 300, according to some embodiments (such as those shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B), may be a predetermined composition comprising a composition of the aerosol-generating material determined to match the predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material. It's about the situation. In such embodiments, for example, and at a more general level, the appearance of portion 300 may be configured to determine a first predetermined situation in which an occurrence occurs (e.g., the composition of the aerosol-generating material is consistent with the first predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material). may be configured to change in response to a decision to be made; The appearance of portion 300 may be configured to change in response to a first predetermined situation occurring (e.g., when the composition of the aerosol-generating material is determined to match a second predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material). An example of such embodiments is illustrated for the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B , wherein FIG. 9A displays a first color 312 (such as , beige) (e.g., the composition of the aerosol-generating material is determined to match a predetermined first composition of the aerosol-generating material (e.g., vanilla)), where FIG. ) is configured to change the appearance of the aerosol-generating material to a second color 314 (e.g., green) in response to the occurrence of a second predetermined situation (e.g., the composition of the aerosol-generating material is 2 determined to match the composition [e.g. mint or menthol].

Another application for portion 300, according to some embodiments (such as those shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B), relates to a predetermined situation involving a temperature value that exceeds or is determined to exceed a predetermined temperature. will be. According to some embodiments, such temperature value may represent the temperature of a particular component, such as the temperature of the aerosol generator 40 and/or the temperature of the detected aerosol, such as the temperature of the aerosol in the aerosol outlet channel 62. . Accordingly, in these and potentially other additional/alternative embodiments (e.g., the embodiments from FIGS. 9A-9B and 10A-10B ), in response to a predetermined situation, the appearance of the portion The silver tube 300 may be configured to change via portion 300 to display at least one indicia 316 . According to some specific embodiments, the indication may include a text string 318 (such as "OVERHEAT DECTED" in the embodiment of FIG. 10B); graphic symbols (320); warning symbol 322 (e.g., an exclamation mark surrounded by a warning triangle in the embodiment of Figure 10B); and/or any combination of the above. If an indication is provided, according to some particularly convenient embodiments such as the one shown in the embodiment of Figure 10b, the indication may be oriented towards the end 52 (304) of the mouthpiece 33. In this way, the user can more easily identify the markings while placing his or her mouth over this end (52; 304) of the mouthpiece.

It will be appreciated that instead of a temperature value determined to be above or above a predetermined temperature, a predetermined situation according to some embodiments may include a temperature value determined to be below or below the predetermined temperature. . Accordingly, such embodiments may allow the appearance of portion 300 to change in response to temperatures falling below this predetermined temperature. For example, in very specific embodiments, in response to the temperature falling below a predetermined temperature, the appearance of portion 300 may be configured to change to a predetermined color (e.g., blue or green), and/or It may be configured to display at least one indication 316 (e.g., a text string 318, such as text string 318 indicating 'temperature OK').

Notwithstanding the above potential applications for portion 300, other applications may also be provided, according to certain embodiments. For example, according to some embodiments, the predetermined condition may include the aerosol generator being operated for a period of time exceeding a predetermined threshold amount. In certain embodiments, this may be accomplished through any provided control circuitry 18 determining whether the aerosol generator 40 has been operated for a period of time exceeding a predetermined threshold amount.

According to some embodiments, another potential application for portion 300 may be to change its appearance when the amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in any given reservoir 31 is below a predetermined amount. Again, in certain embodiments where control circuitry 18 is employed, this may be accomplished in certain embodiments via any provided control circuitry 18 determining that the amount of aerosol generating material remaining in the reservoir is below a predetermined amount. You can. In such embodiments, in certain instances, the portion 300 may then display at least one indication 316 (e.g., 'LOW LIQUID LEVEL' and/or 'REFILL REFILL'). It can be configured to be changed through a part that displays a text string 318) indicating 'REQUIRED)'.

Accordingly, with reference to the foregoing, the (appearance changing) portion 300 may change its appearance in a number of different ways to meet at least one (or more than one) different predetermined situation(s) occurring. It can be understood that it can be configured to change.

As mentioned above, according to some embodiments, certain predetermined situations may be determined to have occurred through the use of control circuitry 18, which may be employed according to some embodiments. If so, in these embodiments, and at a general level, the control circuitry 18 may be configured to determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred; In response to determining that a predetermined situation has occurred, the output signal may be configured to change the appearance of portion 300.

Although not necessarily, at least one sensor 324 may also be provided to generate sensor data to help determine whether any given predefined situation(s) is occurring. Accordingly, for such embodiments, any provided control circuitry 18 receives sensor data from sensor 324; And may be further configured to process sensor data to determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred. As to what such a sensor is, this may perceptibly vary depending on what the predetermined event is.

For example, according to some embodiments, any provided sensor 324 may detect a temperature value, such as the temperature of aerosol generator 40 (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12 for temperature sensor 324A). same as bar); the temperature of the aerosol generating material transport element 42 (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12 for temperature sensor 324B); and/or a temperature sensor to determine ambient temperature (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12 for temperature sensor 324C).

Likewise, according to some additional/alternative embodiments, any provided sensor 324 may include a sensor 324D for generating sensor data indicative of the amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in reservoir 31. . Such sensor 324D may be recognisably located in any suitable location, including but not limited to sensor 324D being located in reservoir 31; configured to be in fluid communication with aerosol generating material from the reservoir (31); and/or configured to be exposed to aerosol generating material from reservoir 31 (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12).

For completeness, it will be understood that if any sensor(s) 324 are employed, each such sensor 324 may be positioned in any suitable location as required to perform its function. Accordingly, the mouthpiece 33; Cartridge (2); Aerosol delivery device (4); Alternatively, any given combination of aerosol delivery systems 1 may include sensor(s) 324. Indeed, this can be seen from the embodiment of FIG. 12 , where some of the sensors 324 are located within the cartridge 2 and some of the sensors 324 are located within the aerosol presentation device 4 .

Another application for portion 300 may be that the portion includes thermochromic material 328 . In this way, the thermochromic material is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., in very specific embodiments, caused by excessive heat in the aerosol generator 40 and/or (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12) in the aerosol outlet channel 62. ) caused by excessive heat of the aerosol-generating material and/or caused by excessive heat of the reservoir 31), the thermochromic material 328 from portion 300 of mouthpiece 33 has previously been removed. It may be configured to automatically change its appearance in response to a predetermined situation (e.g., the predetermined situation is the thermochromic material exceeding a predetermined temperature). In this way, the user can easily identify through a change in the color of the thermochromic material 328 from the mouthpiece 33 that a predetermined situation has occurred.

Another application for portion 300 , according to some embodiments, may be that mouthpiece 33 includes a display 330 , where portion includes a user interface 332 from display 330 . This is as shown, for example, in the embodiments from at least FIGS. 7A to 10B.

If any portion 300 is provided, according to some embodiments, portion 300 and/or any provided display 330 may be configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece. In this way, portion 300 and/or any provided display 330 can be cleaned or disinfected much more easily as required between uses. Perceptually, in some specific embodiments herein, portion 300 and/or any provided display 330 may have magnetic coupling; resilient clip; and/or to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece 33 (or other portion of the aerosol delivery system 1) via any other coupling not utilizing any form of mechanical fastener (such as a screw or bolt). It can be configured. In this manner, portion 300 and/or any provided display 330 may be configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece (or other portion of aerosol delivery system 1) in a fast and tool-free manner. You can.

Similarly, if any visibility limiting portion 310 is employed, such visibility limiting portion 310 is equally configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece (or other portion of the aerosol delivery system 1) as required. It can be. This may be the case, for example, where the visibility limiting portion 310 includes a shroud 320, or a cowling 320, which may be an appearance changing portion (e.g., as shown in the embodiment of Figure 13). 300), which is configured to be releasably connected to the aerosol delivery system, such as a portion of the casing 322 from the aerosol delivery system (which may, depending on the position of the corresponding appearance changing portion 300, be a mouthpiece, cartridge, etc. or may be part of the casing of an aerosol delivery device) is shown an embodiment of a visibility limiting portion 310 in the form of a shroud 320 configured to be releasably connected. According to some embodiments, for example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13 , casing 322 may include or be an exterior surface 302 .

In certain embodiments where a visibility limiting portion 310 is employed and such visibility limiting portion 310 is configured to be releasably attached to a portion of the aerosol delivery system, such attachment may, in some embodiments, be achieved through magnetic coupling 324 ( shown in the embodiment of Figure 13); elastic clip; and/or any other coupling that does not utilize any form of mechanical fastener (e.g., screws or bolts). In this manner, the visibility limited portion 300 can be easily and easily achieved with a quick and tool-free installation. It may be configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece (or other part of the aerosol delivery system 1) in a manner.

For those embodiments in which a visibility limiting portion 310 is employed, such as for the embodiment from FIG. 13 in which the visibility limiting portion 310 includes a shroud 320, thus the visibility limiting portion according to some embodiments. It can be understood that (310) may be rigid. In this way, the visibility limiting portion 310 may also serve to provide an element of protection against damage to the appearance modifying portion 300 in the event the aerosol delivery system falls.

Thus, appreciably, according to these embodiments, depending on whether this is to better protect the appearance-changing portion 300 from damage or to limit the visibility of the appearance-changing portion 300 (e.g. (e.g., only in a certain direction, such as the V2 direction and not the V1 direction, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13), according to some embodiments, the visibility limiting portion 310 extends at least partially over the contoured portion of the aerosol delivery system. and/or may extend at least partially around a contoured portion of the aerosol delivery system (also as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13).

However, it will be appreciated that any such visibility limiting portion 310 need not necessarily be releasably connected to the remainder of the aerosol delivery system. Accordingly, in such embodiments, visibility limiting portion 310 may be formed integrally with a portion of the aerosol delivery system (e.g., casing 322 or outer surface 302).

The visibility limiting portion 310 employed as mentioned above may be configured to help limit the visibility of the appearance changing portion 300 when in use. Accordingly, in order to further limit the visibility of the appearance modification portion 300 from the second end to only certain directions (e.g., the visibility of the appearance modification portion 300 when viewing the aerosol delivery system 1 from the second end) (to limit), the visibility limiting portion 310 according to some embodiments may include an aperture 326 for viewing an externally changing portion of the aerosol delivery system through the aperture 326 . In this way, and in accordance with some specific embodiments, aperture 326 is visible in a predetermined number of directions (e.g., direction V2 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13), but may be visible in other directions (e.g., , it may be configured not to be visible in the direction (V1) shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13). Accordingly, bearing in mind the above general disclosure, it can be seen that portion 300 can be used as part of a broader method, such as a method of altering the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece 33 of an aerosol delivery system 1. wherein the method includes changing the appearance of the portion 300 in response to a predetermined situation. This method may then form the basis for any other features described herein, as required, depending on the embodiment and the nature of the predetermined situation(s).

In view of the foregoing, a mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system is hereby described, the mouthpiece comprising an aerosol exit channel for delivering the aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece responding to a predetermined situation. Includes parts configured to change appearance.

Also described is an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol comprising a mouthpiece as described above, the aerosol delivery system further comprising an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol, and an aerosol outlet channel comprising an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol. It is configured to receive an aerosol.

Also described is a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system comprising a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece as described above.

A method of changing the appearance of a portion of the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system is described. The method includes changing the appearance of the part in response to a predetermined situation.

Additionally, related embodiments are described as presented in the last various sets of items herein.

A mouthpiece 33 for the aerosol delivery system 1 is also described. Mouthpiece 33 includes an aerosol outlet channel 62 for delivering aerosol to the user of mouthpiece 33. The mouthpiece includes at least one portion 300 configured to change its appearance in response to a predetermined event occurring or being determined to occur. Such predetermined circumstances may be a change in residual power from power source 16, or a temperature value determined to exceed a predetermined temperature. In this way, portion 300 may allow the user to identify the occurrence of a predetermined situation while still using mouthpiece 33.

In order to solve various problems and advance the art, this 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 a representative sample of embodiments and are not limited and/or exclusive. These advantages and features are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed invention(s). The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the disclosure as defined by the claims, or to equivalents of the claims. They should not be considered limitations, and 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 include, consist of, or consist of various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., with those specifically described herein and others; or may consist essentially of them, and thus it will be understood that the features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly recited in the claims. This disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

For example, any provided portion 300; display 302; As to how to power the sensors 324 (if they are employed at all), these components may be each powered using power supply 16, or may be powered from their own power source ( It will be understood that (not shown in the drawings).

Likewise, with regard to the positioning of any such components, it is understood that their positions may be provided anywhere within the aerosol delivery system 1 as may be required to enable them to provide their required function. You will understand. Indeed, and in relation to said (or each) part 300 , it is described herein as being part of a mouthpiece 33 , although in other more general embodiments it may be used as an aerosol delivery system; Cartridge (2); Aerosol delivery device (4); and/or any combination thereof may include the above (or each) portion 300 . Accordingly, at a very general level, there may consequently be provided herein an aerosol delivery system/cartridge/aerosol delivery device/mouthpiece, any of which comprises a portion 300 configured to change its appearance. . In some narrow embodiments, portion 300 may be configured to change in response to a predetermined situation. In such case, any of these embodiments may include any combination of features described herein, such as those described below with reference to the claims. Such feature or features may be considered collectively or separately from one another, even for combinations not explicitly described otherwise.

Additionally, for the sake of completeness, for the components employed herein, any power or signals transmitted thereto using a wired or wireless connection between control circuitry 18 and the individual components, as needed. It will be understood that this can be provided. In certain embodiments shown in Figure 12, for example, a wired connection is provided between the relevant components and the control circuitry 18, which is connected to the aerosol presentation device 4 and cartridge as shown in Figure 6B. (2) Through contact electrodes 46 positioned on each, the component extends across the interface end 54 when positioned in the cartridge 2.

Likewise, although many aerosol delivery system 1 embodiments are described herein as comprising a cartridge 2 and an aerosol delivery device 4, this means that the aerosol delivery system 1 essentially consists of a It is not necessarily the case to define a single component containing all the vaporization features and the aerosol presentation device 4 within this single component.

Items of the first set

One. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol delivery system comprising an appearance changing portion configured to change the appearance, and a visibility limiting portion that limits visibility of the appearance changing portion, the visibility limiting portion at least partially limiting the appearance changing portion. Cover.

2. In any preceding clause, the visibility limiting portion is rigid.

5. In any preceding clause, the visibility limiting portion includes a shroud.

6. In any of the preceding clauses, the visibility limiting portion extends at least partially over the contour modifying portion of the aerosol delivery system.

7. In any of the preceding clauses, the visibility limiting portion extends at least partially around the contour altering portion of the aerosol delivery system.

8. In any of the preceding clauses, the visibility limiting portion comprises an aperture for viewing the appearance changing portion of the aerosol delivery system through the aperture.

9. According to any of the preceding items, the aerosol delivery system includes a casing and the visibility limiting portion is connected to the casing.

10. Item 9, wherein the visibility limiting portion is configured to protrude outwardly from the casing when the visibility limiting portion is connected to the casing.

11. In any of the preceding items, the visibility limiting portion is releasably connected to the casing.

12. In accordance with any of the preceding items, the visibility limiting portion is formed integrally with the casing of the aerosol delivery system.

13. The aerosol delivery system of any of the preceding items further comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end.

14. The method of item 13, wherein the first end comprises a first mouthpiece end.

15. The method of item 13 or item 14, wherein the visibility limiting portion is configured to limit visibility of the appearance changing portion of the aerosol delivery system when viewing the aerosol delivery system from the second end.

16. In any of the preceding clauses, the visibility limiting portion includes a polarized portion.

17. The method of item 17, wherein the polarizing portion includes at least one of a polarizing screen, a polarizing layer, and a polarizing film.

18. According to any of the preceding items, the aerosol delivery system further comprises a window at least partially covering the appearance changing portion so that the appearance changing portion can be viewed through the window.

19. In item 18, the window completely covers the appearance change portion so that the appearance change portion can be observed through the window.

20. The method of item 18 or item 19, wherein the visibility limiting portion is located on the outer surface of the window.

21. In clause 18 or clause 19, when further dependent on clause 16, the polarization portion is embedded in the window.

22. The method of any one of clauses 18 to 21, when further dependent on clause 16, wherein the window comprises a polarizing portion.

23. The method of any one of items 18 to 22, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises at least one external surface, wherein the at least one external surface comprises a window.

24. The method of any one of items 18 to 23, wherein the window includes a first window and a second window.

25. The aerosol delivery system of any of the preceding items further includes a display, and the appearance changing portion includes a user interface from the display.

26. According to any of the preceding clauses, the appearance modifying portion comprises a thermochromic material.

27. In any of the preceding items, the appearance of the appearance changing portion is configured to change in response to a predetermined situation.

28. According to item 27, in response to a predetermined situation, the appearance of the appearance changing portion is configured to change through the appearance changing portion displaying at least one indication.

29. The item 28 of item 28, wherein the indication includes a text string.

30. The method of item 28 or item 29, wherein the indication includes a graphic symbol.

31. The method of any one of items 28 to 30, wherein the indication includes a warning symbol.

32. According to any one of items 27 to 31, the appearance changing portion is configured to change color in response to a predetermined situation.

33. The method of any one of items 27 to 32, wherein the predetermined situation includes a change in residual power from the power source.

34. The method of any one of items 27 to 33, wherein the predetermined situation includes the composition of the aerosol-generating material being determined to match the predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material.

35. The method of any one of items 27-34, wherein the predetermined situation includes determining that the amount of aerosol generating material is less than the predetermined amount.

36. The method of any one of items 27 to 35, wherein the predetermined situation includes the temperature value being determined to exceed the predetermined temperature.

37. In any preceding item, the appearance changing portion is elongated.

38. In accordance with any of the preceding clauses, the externally modified portion includes a maximum dimension of less than or equal to 40 mm.

39. The aerosol provision system of any of the preceding items further comprises a cartridge and an aerosol provision device configured to receive the cartridge.

40. The method of item 39, wherein the cartridge includes an appearance modifying portion and a visibility limiting portion.

41. The method of item 39 or item 40, wherein the aerosol delivery device includes an appearance modifying portion and a visibility limiting portion.

42. The method of any of the preceding items further includes a mouthpiece comprising an aerosol outlet channel for delivering aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece.

43. The method of item 42, wherein the mouthpiece includes an appearance changing portion and a visibility limiting portion.

44. The cartridge of clause 42 or clause 43, at least when further dependent on clause 39, comprises a mouthpiece.

45. According to any of the preceding items, the visibility limiting portion is configured to limit visibility of the appearance changing portion when viewing the aerosol delivery system from a first predetermined direction.

46. The method of item 45, wherein the visibility limiting portion is configured to enable visibility of the appearance changing portion when the aerosol delivery system is viewed from a second predetermined direction that is different from the first predetermined direction.

47. According to any of the preceding clauses, the aerosol delivery system includes a first mouthpiece end and a second end opposite the first end.

48. Item 47, when further dependent on item 46, wherein the first direction is configured to extend closer toward the mouthpiece end than the second direction is configured to extend toward the mouthpiece end.

49. The method of item 47 or item 48, wherein the aerosol delivery system extends along a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end.

50. The method of item 49, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

51. The method of item 49 or item 50, wherein the first direction is configured to be more aligned with the longitudinal axis than the second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

52. The method of any one of items 49 to 51, wherein the first direction is configured to extend at a gentler angle with respect to the longitudinal axis than the second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.

53. A mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system, the mouthpiece comprising an aerosol outlet channel for delivering the aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising:

an appearance changing portion configured to change the appearance; and

It includes a visibility restriction portion for limiting visibility of the appearance change portion, and the visibility restriction portion at least partially covers the appearance change portion.

54. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge comprising:

an appearance changing portion configured to change the appearance; and

It includes a visibility restriction portion for limiting visibility of the appearance change portion, and the visibility restriction portion at least partially covers the appearance change portion.

55. An aerosol delivery device for an aerosol delivery system, the aerosol delivery device comprising:

an appearance changing portion configured to change the appearance; and

It includes a visibility limiting portion for limiting visibility of the appearance changing portion, and the polarizing portion at least partially covers the appearance changing portion.

56. A visibility limiting portion for releasably connecting with an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, wherein the visibility limiting portion is configured to at least partially limit the visibility of an appearance changing portion of the aerosol delivery system when the visibility limiting portion is connected to the aerosol delivery system. do.

57. A visibility limiting portion for releasably connecting with an aerosol delivery device from an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, the visibility limiting portion at least partially reducing the visibility of an externally changing portion of the aerosol delivery system when the visibility limiting portion is connected to the aerosol delivery device. It is configured to be limited to.

58. A visibility limiting portion for releasably connecting with a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, wherein the visibility limiting portion is configured to at least partially limit the visibility of an externally changing portion of the cartridge to which the visibility limiting portion is connected to the cartridge. do.

59. 1. A method of limiting the visibility of an appearance changing portion configured to change appearance from an aerosol delivery system, the method comprising:

and using a visibility restriction portion to limit the visibility of the appearance change portion.

60. In item 59, the visibility restriction portion at least partially covers the appearance modification portion.

Second set of items

One. A mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system, wherein the mouthpiece includes an aerosol outlet channel for delivering the aerosol to a user of the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece includes a portion configured to change its appearance in response to a predetermined situation.

2. The method of item 1, wherein the mouthpiece includes at least one external surface.

3. The method of item 2, wherein each of the at least one outer surfaces slopes toward an end of the mouthpiece.

4. The method of item 3, wherein the end of the mouthpiece is substantially flat.

5. Item 3 or item 4, wherein the portion is located no more than 40 mm from the end of the mouthpiece.

6. The method of any one of items 2 through 5, wherein each of the at least one outer surfaces is curved.

7. The method of any one of items 2 to 6, wherein the at least one outer surface comprises the portion.

8. The method of any one of items 2 to 7, wherein the portion is at least partially recessed into at least one of the at least one outer surfaces.

9. The method of any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the portion is configured to at least partially protrude from at least one of the at least one external surfaces.

10. The method of any one of items 2 to 9, wherein the at least one outer surface is:

a first outer surface on a first side of the mouthpiece; and

and a second outer surface on a second side of the mouthpiece, the second side being opposite the first side.

11. The method of item 10, wherein at least one of the first and outer surfaces comprises a portion of a mouthpiece.

12. The method of item 10 or item 11, wherein both the first and second outer surfaces comprise the portion.

13. The method of any of the preceding items further comprising an outlet for receiving aerosol from the aerosol outlet channel.

14. Item 13, wherein at least when further dependent on any one of items 3 to 5, the end of the mouthpiece comprises an outlet.

15. According to any of the preceding clauses, the portion at least partially surrounds the aerosol exit channel.

16. In accordance with any of the preceding clauses, the portion is elongated.

17. According to any of the preceding clauses, the part includes a maximum dimension of 40 mm or less.

18. In accordance with any of the preceding clauses, the mouthpiece includes a display and the portion includes a user interface from the display.

19. In any of the preceding items, the portion is configured to change color in response to a predetermined situation.

20. According to any of the preceding clauses, the portion comprises a thermochromic material.

21. According to any of the preceding clauses, the portion is at least partially embedded within the mouthpiece.

22. In accordance with any of the preceding items, the mouthpiece includes a window, the window at least partially covering the portion to allow the portion to be viewed through the window.

23. The method of item 22, wherein the window is substantially transparent.

24. The method of item 23 or item 24, wherein the window is substantially translucent.

25. The method of any one of items 22 to 24, when further dependent at least on item 2, wherein the window is located on the at least one external surface.

26. The method of any one of items 22 to 25, wherein the window includes a first window and a second window.

27. Item 26, wherein at least when further dependent on item 10, the first outer surface comprises a first window and the second outer surface comprises a second window.

28. In any of the preceding items, the predetermined situation includes a change in residual power from the power source.

29. In any of the preceding items, the predetermined circumstances include the composition of the aerosol-generating material being determined to be consistent with the predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material.

30. In any of the preceding clauses, the predetermined situation includes where the amount of aerosol production is determined to be less than the predetermined amount.

31. In any of the preceding items, the predetermined situation includes the temperature value being determined to exceed the predetermined temperature.

32. In any of the preceding items, in response to a predetermined situation, the appearance of the portion is configured to change via the portion displaying at least one indication.

33. The item 32 of item 32, wherein the indication includes a text string.

34. The item 32 or item 33, wherein the indication includes a graphic symbol.

35. The method of any one of items 32 to 34, wherein the indication includes a warning symbol.

36. Any one of items 32 to 35, wherein when further dependent on item 3, the indication is configured to be oriented towards the end of the mouthpiece.

37. In any of the preceding items, the portion configured to change in appearance in response to a predetermined situation is:

configured to change the appearance of the portion in response to a first predetermined situation; and

and the external appearance of the portion is configured to change in response to a second predetermined situation that is different from the first predetermined situation.

38. In item 37,

The appearance of the portion is configured to change to a first appearance in response to a first predetermined situation; and

The appearance of the portion is configured to change to a second appearance in response to a second predetermined situation.

39. According to any of the preceding clauses, the portion is configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece.

40. According to any of the preceding clauses, the mouthpiece further comprises a polarizing portion at least partially covering said portion.

41. 1. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising a mouthpiece according to any preceding clause, the aerosol delivery system further comprising an aerosol generator for generating an aerosol, the aerosol outlet channel receiving an aerosol generated by the aerosol generator. It is designed to accommodate.

42. The method of item 41, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a mouthpiece.

43. The method of item 41 or item 42, further comprising a control circuit, the control circuit comprising:

determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred; and

In response to determining that a predetermined situation has occurred, it is configured to generate an output signal to change the appearance of the corresponding part.

44. The method of item 43, further comprising a sensor for generating sensor data, and the control circuitry comprising:

receive sensor data from a sensor;

It is further configured to process sensor data to determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred.

45. The method of item 44, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor and the sensor data comprises a temperature value representing temperature.

46. The clause 45, wherein the predetermined situation includes the temperature value being determined by the control circuitry to be below the predetermined temperature.

47. The method of item 45 or item 46, wherein the predetermined situation includes the temperature value being determined by the control circuitry to be above the predetermined temperature.

48. The method of any one of items 44 to 47, wherein the sensor data includes a temperature value representative of the temperature of the aerosol generator.

49. The method of any one of items 44 to 48, wherein the predetermined situation includes the control circuitry determining that the aerosol generator has been operated for a period of time exceeding a predetermined threshold amount.

50. The method of any one of items 41 to 49, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a reservoir for storing the aerosol generating material.

51. The method of item 50, wherein at least when further subject to item 44, the sensor data is indicative of the amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the reservoir, and the predetermined condition is such that the amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the reservoir is determined by the control circuitry. Includes those determined to be less than the amount.

52. The method of item 50 or item 51, wherein the predetermined circumstances include the control circuitry determining that the composition of the aerosol-generating material in the reservoir matches the first composition.

53. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, comprising a cartridge and a control unit, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece according to any one of items 1 to 40.

54. The method of item 53, wherein the cartridge is:

a first end, and a second end opposite the first end,

and a base portion extending from the first end, the base portion being configured to engage the cartridge with the control unit.

The base portion is positioned between the first end and the mouthpiece.

55. Item 54 wherein the mouthpiece is wider than the base portion.

56. Clause 53 or clause 54, when at least further dependent on clause 3, wherein the end of the mouthpiece defines a second end of the cartridge.

57. 1. A method of changing the appearance of a portion from a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system, comprising: It includes changing the appearance of the part in response to a predetermined situation.

58. The method of item 57, wherein changing the appearance of the portion includes changing the color of the portion.

59. The method of item 57 or item 58, wherein the mouthpiece includes a display and the portion includes a user interface from the display.

60. The method of any one of items 57-59, wherein the method further comprises control circuitry from the aerosol delivery system, the method comprising:

determining whether a predetermined situation has occurred; and

In response to determining that a predetermined situation has occurred, generating an output signal to change the appearance of the portion.

61. The method of item 60, further comprising control circuitry, the method comprising:

Receiving sensor data from a sensor from an aerosol delivery system;

and processing sensor data to determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred.

Claims (35)

A mouthpiece for an aerosol delivery system, comprising:
The mouthpiece includes an aerosol outlet channel for delivering the aerosol to the user of the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece comprising a portion configured to change its appearance in response to a predetermined situation,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to claim 1,
The mouthpiece includes at least one external surface,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to clause 2,
wherein the at least one outer surface comprises the portion,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the portion at least partially surrounds the aerosol outlet channel,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the mouthpiece includes a display, and the portion includes a user interface from the display.
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the portion is configured to change color in response to the predetermined situation,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The mouthpiece includes a window, the window at least partially covering the portion to enable the portion to be viewed through the window.
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to clause 7,
Further subject to at least claim 2, wherein the window is located on at least one external surface.
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The predetermined situation includes a change in remaining power from a power source,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The predetermined situation comprises a composition of the aerosol-generating material determined to match a predetermined composition of the aerosol-generating material,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein the predetermined situation comprises determining that the amount of aerosol production is less than a predetermined amount,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein the predetermined situation includes determining that the temperature value exceeds the predetermined temperature,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
In response to the predetermined situation, the appearance of the portion is configured to change with the portion displaying at least one indication.
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The part configured to change the appearance in response to a predetermined situation,
configured to change the appearance of the portion in response to a first predetermined situation; and
wherein the appearance of the portion is configured to change in response to a second predetermined situation that is different from the first predetermined situation,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to claim 14,
The appearance of the portion is configured to change to a first appearance in response to a first predetermined situation; and
The appearance of the part is configured to change to a second appearance in response to a predetermined second situation,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. According to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the portion is configured to be releasably attached to the mouthpiece,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
The mouthpiece further includes a polarized portion at least partially covering the portion,
Mouthpiece for aerosol delivery systems. An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol, comprising:
18. Comprising a mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol delivery system further comprises an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol, the aerosol outlet channel comprising an aerosol generator for generating the aerosol. Configured to accommodate,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to clause 18,
the aerosol delivery system further comprising a cartridge and an aerosol delivery device configured to receive the cartridge, the cartridge comprising the mouthpiece,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. The method of claim 18 or 19,
Further comprising a control circuit,
The control circuit unit,
determine whether a predetermined situation has occurred; and
In response to determining that a predetermined situation has occurred, to generate an output signal to change the appearance of that part.
composed,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to claim 20,
Further comprising a sensor for generating sensor data,
The control circuit unit,
receive sensor data from a sensor;
To process sensor data to determine whether a predetermined event has occurred
Consisting of additional,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to claim 21,
The sensor includes a temperature sensor, and the sensor data includes a temperature value representing temperature,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to clause 22,
wherein the predetermined situation includes a temperature value being determined by the control circuitry to be below the predetermined temperature,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. The method of claim 22 or 23,
wherein the predetermined situation includes a temperature value being determined by the control circuitry to be above the predetermined temperature,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24,
The sensor data includes a temperature value representing the temperature of the aerosol generator,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25,
wherein the predetermined situation includes the control circuitry determining that the aerosol generator has been operated for a period of time exceeding a predetermined threshold amount.
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26,
The aerosol delivery system further comprises a reservoir for storing aerosol generating material,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to clause 27,
At least further subject to claim 21, wherein the sensor data is indicative of an amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the reservoir, and wherein the predetermined condition is determined by the control circuitry to determine an amount of aerosol-generating material remaining in the reservoir. Including being determined to be less than the predetermined amount,
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. According to claim 27 or 28,
wherein the predetermined situation includes the control circuitry determining that the composition of the aerosol-generating material in the reservoir matches the first composition.
An aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, comprising:
Comprising a cartridge and a control unit, the cartridge comprising a mouthpiece according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
Cartridges for aerosol delivery systems. A method of changing the appearance of a portion from a mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system, comprising:
The method includes changing the appearance of the part in response to a predetermined situation,
A method of changing the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system. According to claim 31,
The step of changing the appearance of the part includes changing the color of the part,
A method of changing the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system. The method of claim 31 or 32,
wherein the mouthpiece includes a display, and the portion includes a user interface from the display.
A method of changing the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33,
The method further comprises control circuitry from the aerosol delivery system,
determining whether a predetermined situation has occurred; and
In response to determining that a predetermined situation has occurred, generating an output signal to change the appearance of the portion.
A method of changing the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system. According to clause 34,
The method further includes the control circuitry,
Receiving sensor data from a sensor from an aerosol delivery system;
Processing the sensor data to determine whether a predetermined event has occurred, comprising:
A method of changing the appearance of a portion from the mouthpiece of an aerosol delivery system.