RU2825850C2 - Evaporation system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking devices.

SUBSTANCE: evaporation system comprises a control device or the first and the second control devices having: an outer casing of the device forming an outer wall of the device, a distal end of the device, and a proximal end of the device that includes an opening formed therein; a device chamber formed by an inner frame of the device having at least a side wall of the chamber and a bottom wall of the chamber, an opening at the proximal end of the device allowing access to the chamber of the device; a battery of the device located in the outer case of the device; a printed wiring board assembly of the device located inside the outer casing of the device; electrical connectors of the device located in the chamber of the device; and an element of external connection of the device; a cartridge or the first and the second cartridges comprising: a container defined by an outer wall of the container, which includes a closed end and an opposite end containing a wall having an opening formed therein, the container being configured to contain a liquid composition; a mouthpiece formed by the outer wall of the mouthpiece which includes a proximal end with an outlet and a distal end which interacts with the container; a heater; a liquid transfer element at least partially inserted into an opening formed in the wall of the opposite end of the container, the liquid transfer element being effective to supply the liquid composition from the container to the heater, and electrical contacts; moreover, the cartridge is configured to interact with the control device in such a way that at least a part of the cartridge capacity is placed inside the chamber of the device to form a vaporization system in functional combination with the electrical contacts of the cartridge electrically interacting with the electrical connectors of the device.

EFFECT: possibility of individualized evaporation characteristics for the consumer.

20 cl, 9 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, and in particular to aerosol delivery devices that can use heat generated by electrical energy to produce an aerosol (e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes). The smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which may include materials that can be made or obtained from tobacco, or otherwise include tobacco, wherein said precursor is capable of forming an inhalable substance for human consumption.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Over the years, a variety of smoking devices have been proposed as an improvement or alternative to smoking products that require the combustion of tobacco. It is understood that many of these devices have been designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, but without delivering significant amounts of the incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from the combustion of tobacco. To this end, a variety of smoking products, aroma generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat a vaporizable material or attempt to provide the sensations of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes without significantly burning tobacco. See, for example, the various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources disclosed in the art as described in U.S. Patent No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Also see, for example, the various types of electrically powered smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources referenced by trademark and trade information in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/170,838 to Bless et al., filed February 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference.

It is preferable to provide an evaporation system that provides the consumer with the possibility of improved individual adjustment. It is also preferable to provide an evaporation system that includes a plurality of elements that are interchangeable so that the consumer has a single system with interchangeable parts that provides various evaporation properties that may be desired by the consumer.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods for making such devices and elements of such devices. The present invention, in particular, may relate to aerosol delivery systems formed from one or a plurality of cartridges that are designed with the possibility of interchangeable attachment to one or a plurality of devices, which in turn are designed with the possibility of attachment to an external connector (for example, for charging and/or data or information transfer).

In one or more embodiments, the present invention may provide an evaporation system. In an example of an embodiment, such evaporation may comprise: a control device having: an outer casing of the device that forms an outer wall of the device, a distal end of the device and a proximal end of the device that includes an opening formed therein; a chamber of the device formed by an inner frame of the device that has at least a side wall of the chamber and a bottom wall of the chamber, an opening in the proximal end of the device that provides access to the chamber of the device; a battery of the device located in the outer casing of the device; a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) of the device located inside the outer casing of the device; electrical connectors of the device located in the first chamber of the device so that they are not located on the bottom wall of the chamber; and an external connection element of the device; a cartridge comprising: a container formed by an outer wall of the container that includes a proximal end and a closed distal end, wherein the container is configured to contain a liquid composition; a mouthpiece formed by an outer wall of the mouthpiece, which includes a near end with an outlet opening and a far end that interacts with the near end of the container; a heater; a liquid transfer element; and electrical contacts that are not located on the closed far end of the container; wherein the cartridge is configured to interact with the control device in such a way that at least part of the cartridge container is located inside the chamber of the device to form an evaporation system in functional combination with the cartridge electrical contacts electrically interacting with the electrical connectors of the device. In additional embodiments, such an evaporation system can be formed with respect to one or more of the following positions, which can be combined in any number and order.

The evaporation system may comprise a first control device and a second control device, wherein the first control device and the second control device are designed with the possibility of interchangeable connection with the cartridge in such a way that at least part of the cartridge capacity is designed with the possibility of separate placement in each of the first chamber of the device, present in the first device, and the second chamber of the device, present in the second device, with the formation of an evaporation system in a functional combination, wherein the first control device differs from the second control device.

The first control device may differ from the second control device in one or more of the following aspects: the first device comprises an outer casing of the first device, and the second device comprises an outer casing of the second device, wherein each of the outer casing of the first device and the outer casing of the second device is made of a different material; the first device comprises a battery of the first device, and the second device comprises a battery of the second device, wherein the battery of the first device differs from the battery of the second device; the first device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the first device, and the second device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the second device, wherein the printed circuit board assembly of the first device differs from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device; and the first device comprises an external connection element of the first device, and the second device comprises an external connection element of the second device, wherein the external connection element of the first device differs from the external connection element of the second device.

The battery of the first device may differ from the battery of the second device in one or more of the following: battery type, maximum voltage, and capacity.

The printed circuit board assembly of the first device may differ from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device in one or more of the following: memory, user programmability, heater control, and feedback functionality.

The control device may include a device window present in the outer casing of the device, wherein said window is located to provide visual access to the device chamber.

The control device may include a light source of the device and at least one opening passing through the outer casing of the device through which light from the light source of the device is visible.

The outer wall of the cartridge container can be transparent or translucent.

The distal end of the mouthpiece of the cartridge may include a rim wall that is inserted from the wall of the mouthpiece and that interacts with the interior region of the proximal end of the container.

The mouthpiece may include an inner upper wall between the near end and the far end, and also includes an inner lower wall between the upper wall and the far end of the mouthpiece.

The mouthpiece wall, the inner top wall and the inner bottom wall can form an evaporation chamber in which the heater is located.

The top wall may include an opening through which steam from the evaporation chamber passes to the outlet.

The bottom wall may include a passage through which the liquid transfer element passes between the heater and the container.

Electrical contacts can be located in the wall of the mouthpiece.

The wall of the mouthpiece may include a protruding portion located between its near end and its far end.

Electrical contacts may be located in the wall of the mouthpiece between the protruding portion and the far end of the mouthpiece.

The opening at the near end of the device may include a recess with an inwardly projecting projection.

The protruding portion of the mouthpiece may be designed to be at least partially positioned in the recess so as to contact the inwardly protruding projection.

One or more of the following conditions may be met: the protruding portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly protruding projection comprises a metal component configured to magnetically attract; the inwardly protruding projection comprises a magnetic component, and the protruding portion comprises a metal component configured to magnetically attract; the protruding portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly protruding projection comprises a magnetic component.

The cartridge may contain an air inlet located in the outer wall of the mouthpiece.

The control device may include a pressure relief hole located in the internal frame of the device.

The system may comprise a first cartridge and a second cartridge that is different from the first cartridge.

The first cartridge may include a first heater, and the second cartridge may include a second heater that is different from the first heater.

The first cartridge may include a first container having a first volume, and the second cartridge may include a second container having a second volume that differs from the first volume of the first container.

The first cartridge may include a first liquid transfer element, and the second cartridge may include a second liquid transfer element that is different from the first liquid transfer element.

The evaporation system may also comprise an external connector configured to make electrical contact with an external connection element of the control device.

The present invention includes, without limitation, the following embodiments.

Embodiment 1: An evaporation system comprising: a control device having: an outer casing of the device forming an outer wall of the device, a distal end of the device and a near end of the device which includes an opening formed therein; a chamber of the device formed by an inner frame of the device having at least a side wall of the chamber and a bottom wall of the chamber, an opening in the near end of the device providing access to the chamber of the device; a battery of the device located in the outer casing of the device; a printed circuit board assembly of the device located inside the outer casing of the device; electrical connectors of the device located in the first chamber of the device so that they are not located on the bottom wall of the chamber; and an external connection element of the device; a cartridge comprising: a container formed by an outer wall of the container which includes a near end and a closed far end, wherein the container is configured to contain a liquid composition; a mouthpiece formed by an outer wall of the mouthpiece, which includes a near end with an outlet opening and a far end that interacts with the near end of the container; a heater; a liquid transfer element; and electrical contacts that are not located on the closed far end of the container; wherein the cartridge is designed with the possibility of interacting with the control device in such a way that at least part of the cartridge capacity is placed inside the chamber of the device to form an evaporation system in functional combination with the cartridge electrical contacts that electrically interact with the electrical connectors of the device.

Embodiment 2: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, comprising a first control device and a second control device, wherein the first control device and the second control device are designed with the possibility of interchangeable connection with a cartridge in such a way that at least part of the cartridge capacity is designed with the possibility of separate placement in each of the first chamber of the device, present in the first device, and the second chamber of the device, present in the second device, with the formation of an evaporation system in a functional combination, wherein the first control device differs from the second control device.

Embodiment 3: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the first control device differs from the second control device in one or more of the following aspects: the first device comprises an outer casing of the first device, and the second device comprises an outer casing of the second device, wherein each of the outer casing of the first device and the outer casing of the second device are made of a different material; the first device comprises a battery of the first device, and the second device comprises a battery of the second device, wherein the battery of the first device differs from the battery of the second device; the first device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the first device, and the second device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the second device, wherein the printed circuit board assembly of the first device differs from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device; and the first device comprises an external connection element of the first device, and the second device comprises an external connection element of the second device, wherein the external connection element of the first device differs from the external connection element of the second device.

Embodiment 4: The evaporative system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the battery of the first device differs from the battery of the second device in one or more of the following: battery type, maximum voltage, and capacity.

Embodiment 5: The evaporative system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the printed circuit board assembly of the first device differs from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device in one or more of the following: memory, user programmability, heater control, and feedback functionality.

Embodiment 6: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the control device includes a device window located in the outer casing of the device, wherein said window is located to provide visual access to the chamber of the device.

Embodiment 7: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the control device includes a light source of the device and at least one opening passing through the outer casing of the device through which light from the light source of the device is visible.

Embodiment 8: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the outer wall of the cartridge container is transparent or translucent.

Embodiment 9: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the distal end of the mouthpiece of the cartridge includes a rim wall that is inserted from the wall of the mouthpiece and that interacts with the interior region of the proximal end of the container.

Embodiment 10: The evaporation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the mouthpiece includes an inner top wall between the near end and the far end, and also includes an inner bottom wall between the top wall and the far end of the mouthpiece.

Embodiment 11: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the mouthpiece wall, the inner upper wall and the inner lower wall form an evaporation chamber in which a heater is located.

Embodiment 12: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the top wall includes an opening through which vapor from the evaporative chamber passes to the outlet.

Embodiment 13: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the bottom wall includes a passage through which the liquid transfer element passes between the heater and the container.

Embodiment 14: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrical contacts are located in the wall of the mouthpiece.

Embodiment 15: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the wall of the mouthpiece includes a protruding portion located between its near end and its far end.

Embodiment 16: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the electrical contacts are located in the wall of the mouthpiece between the protruding portion and the distal end of the mouthpiece.

Embodiment 17: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the opening at the proximal end of the device includes a recess with an inwardly projecting projection.

Embodiment 18: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the protruding portion of the mouthpiece is configured to be at least partially received in the recess so as to contact the inwardly projecting projection.

Embodiment 19: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, in which one or more of the following conditions are met: the projecting portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly projecting projection comprises a metallic component configured to magnetically attract; the inwardly projecting projection comprises a magnetic component, and the projecting portion comprises a metallic component configured to magnetically attract; the projecting portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly projecting projection comprises a magnetic component.

Embodiment 20: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the cartridge comprises an air inlet located in the outer wall of the mouthpiece.

Embodiment 21: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, wherein the control device comprises a pressure reduction opening located in the internal frame of the device.

Embodiment 22: An evaporative system according to any preceding embodiment, comprising a first cartridge and a second cartridge that is different from the first cartridge.

Embodiment 23: The evaporative system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first cartridge includes a first heater and the second cartridge includes a second heater that is different from the first heater.

Embodiment 24: The evaporation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first cartridge includes a first container having a first volume, and the second cartridge includes a second container having a second volume that is different from the first volume of the first container.

Embodiment 25: The evaporation system of any preceding embodiment, wherein the first cartridge includes a first liquid transfer element and the second cartridge includes a second liquid transfer element that is different from the first liquid transfer element.

Embodiment 26: An evaporation system according to any preceding embodiment, also comprising an external connector configured to make electrical contact with an external connection element of the control device.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present invention includes any combination of two, three, four or more of the above embodiments, as well as combinations of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in the present description, regardless of whether such features or elements are explicitly combined in the description of a particular embodiment herein. The present invention is intended to be read as a whole, so that any individual features or elements of the disclosed invention in any of its aspects and embodiments should be considered as combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Having therefore described the present invention in the general terms set forth above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a device according to additional embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to additional embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a partial sectional view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an external connector according to embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to examples of its implementations. These examples of implementations are described in such a way that this disclosure thoroughly, completely and fully conveys the scope of the invention to a person skilled in the art. In fact, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the embodiments given herein; on the contrary, these embodiments are given so that the present invention complies with applicable legal requirements. In this description and in the appended claims, a grammatical construction indicating that an element is given in the singular also implies the plural, unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise.

As described below, embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention relate to aerosol delivery systems or vaporization systems, wherein these terms are used interchangeably herein. Aerosol delivery systems according to the disclosure of the present invention use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent and/or without significantly chemically changing the material) to form an inhalable substance; and components of such systems are in the form of articles that are most preferably sufficiently compact to be considered portable devices. In other words, use of components of the preferred aerosol delivery systems does not result in the formation of smoke, i.e., from by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use of these preferred systems results in the formation of vapors formed during the process of vaporization or evaporation of certain components included therein. In various embodiments, components of the aerosol delivery systems may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and said electronic cigarettes may include tobacco and/or tobacco-derived components and thus deliver tobacco-derived components in the form of an aerosol.

Aerosol generating means of certain embodiments can provide a variety of sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, types of tastes and aromas, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, rituals of use, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or smoking pipe that are caused by lighting and burning tobacco (and then inhaling the tobacco smoke) without any significant combustion of any of their components. For example, a user of an aerosol generating means according to the disclosure of the present invention can hold and use this means in a manner similar to how a smoker uses a traditional type of smoking article, by drawing on one end of said means to inhale the aerosol generated by this means, by taking or making draws at selected intervals of time, and the like.

The proposed aerosol delivery devices may also be characterized as vapor-generating articles or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices may be adapted to deliver one or more substances (e.g., flavoring agents and/or pharmaceutical active ingredients) in a form or state suitable for inhalation. For example, the inhalable substances may be substantially in the form of a vapor (e.g., a substance that is in the gaseous phase at a temperature below its critical point). According to another embodiment, the inhalable substances may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used in this application is intended to refer to vapors, gases and aerosols of a form or type that are suitable for inhalation by a person, regardless of whether they are or are not visible and have or do not have a shape that can be considered "smoke-like".

Aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention most preferably comprise some combination of a power source (e.g., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating, and stopping the supply of power to generate heat, such as by controlling an electrical current from the power source to other components of the article - e.g., a microcontroller or a microprocessor), a heater or heat-generating element (e.g., an electrical resistive heating element or a material configured to generate heat as a result of eddy currents by induction, which alone or in combination with one or more additional elements may be generally referred to as an "atomizer"), an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., typically a liquid capable of forming an aerosol upon the application of sufficient heat, such ingredients are commonly referred to as "smoke juice", "e-liquid", and "e-juice"), and a mouthpiece or mouthpiece region for allowing a puff to be taken through the aerosol delivery device to inhale the aerosol (e.g., a defined flow path air through the product so that the generated aerosol can be removed from it after a puff is taken).

More specific parameters, configurations and arrangements of components in the aerosol delivery systems according to the disclosure of the present invention will be understood based on the description of the invention provided below in this document. In addition, the selection and arrangement of various components of the aerosol delivery systems can be understood by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such as those representative products referenced in the "Background of the Art" section of the disclosure of the present invention.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention relates to an evaporation system that is formed by a plurality of elements that provide interchangeability of parts to provide a user-defined combination of parts. For example, the evaporation system may comprise one control device and at least two different cartridges that can be interchangeably used with at least one control device to provide different evaporation characteristics. As a further example, the evaporation system may comprise at least two different control devices that can be interchangeably used with at least one cartridge to provide different evaporation characteristics. Most preferably, as another example, the evaporation system may comprise at least two different control devices that can be interchangeably used with at least two different cartridges to provide different evaporation characteristics. The structural and functional elements that form two or more control devices that differ from each other are apparent from the further description of the evaporation system provided herein. Similarly, the structural and functional elements that form two or more cartridges that differ from each other are also apparent from the further description of the evaporation system provided in this document. There is no limitation on the number of control devices and cartridges that can be used interchangeably in the evaporation system, provided that certain standardized elements are provided, as described further in this document. In addition to the control device(s) and the cartridge(s), the evaporation system also includes an external connector that is interchangeably used with one or more control devices. The external connector can be characterized as a charging cord, a communication cord, or the like, and is further described in this document.

An example of an embodiment of a first control device 100 for use in an evaporative system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and an example of an embodiment of a second control device 200 for use in an evaporative system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. Since the evaporative system may include a plurality of control devices, both of the first control device 100 and the second control device 200 are shown; however, in one or more embodiments, only one control device may be necessary for the present evaporative system, for example, when a plurality of different cartridges may be included in the evaporative system.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first control device 100 comprises an outer casing 102 of the first device, which forms an outer wall 104 of the first device, a distal end 106 of the first device and a near end 108 of the first device. The near end 108 of the first device includes an opening 110, which provides access to a chamber 112 of the first device, which is formed by an internal frame 114 of the first device. In some embodiments, the internal frame 114 of the first device may include an opening 115 for reducing pressure, configured to transfer pressure differences through it to a sensor 143 located in the device 100 when air is drawn into the chamber 112 of the first device.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the second control device 200 comprises an outer casing 202 of the second device, which forms an outer wall 204 of the second device, a distal end 206 of the second device and a near end 208 of the second device. The near end 208 of the second device includes an opening 210, which provides access to a chamber 212 of the second device, which is formed by an internal frame 214 of the second device. In some embodiments, the internal frame 214 of the second device may include an opening 215 for reducing pressure, configured to transfer pressure differences through it to a sensor 243 located in the device 200 when air is drawn into the chamber 212 of the second device.

When the evaporation system of the present disclosure comprises two (or more) control devices, it is understood that the control devices will differ from each other in one or more respects. For example, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is evident that the outer casing 202 of the second device is larger in size than the outer casing 102 of the first device. There may also be additional differences between the respective control devices, as discussed further herein.

The main properties of the control devices are also apparent from FIG. 3, which shows a partial section of the first control device 100. As shown, the first control device 100 also includes a battery 116 of the first device, located in the outer casing 102 of the first device, and also includes an element 118 of the external connection of the first device. Preferably, the element 118 of the external connection of the first device is located at the far end 106 of the outer casing 102 of the first device. The electrical connectors 120 of the first device are located in the chamber 112 of the first device and, as shown, are provided in the side walls 114a of the internal frame 114 of the first device, wherein the frame defines the boundaries of the chamber 112 of the first device. However, it is clear that the electrical connectors 120 of the first device can be located in the lower wall 114b of the internal frame 114 of the first device. Moreover, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device can be provided in any position on the side walls 114a or the bottom wall 114b of the inner frame 114 of the first device. For example, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device can be located at a point on the side walls 114a between the near end 108 of the outer casing 102 of the first device and the bottom wall 114b of the inner frame 114 of the first device. In addition, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device can be located between the middle of the side walls 114a and the near end 108 of the outer casing 102 of the first device (i.e. in the upper half of the side walls). Alternatively, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device can be located between the middle of the side walls 114a and the bottom wall 114b of the inner frame 114 of the first device (i.e. in the lower half of the side walls). In some embodiments, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device are not explicitly provided in or on the bottom wall 114b of the inner frame 114 of the first device. In such embodiments, the electrical connectors 120 of the first device are, in particular, instead provided in or on the side walls 114b or provided on the near end 108 of the outer casing 102 of the first device.

Although FIG. 3 shows the first control device 100, it is understood that the elements described in FIG. 3 may also be present in the second control device 200, as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the second control device 200 may include a battery 216 of the second device, located in the outer casing 202 of the second device, and also includes an element 218 of the external connection of the second device. Preferably, the element 218 of the external connection of the second device is located at the distant end 206 of the outer casing 202 of the second device. The electrical connectors 220 of the second device are located in the chamber 212 of the second device and, as shown, are provided in the side walls 214a of the inner frame 214 of the second device, wherein the frame defines the boundaries of the chamber 212 of the second device. However, it is understood that the electrical connectors 220 of the second device may be located in the bottom wall 214b of the inner frame 214 of the second device. Moreover, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device can be provided in any position on the side walls 214a or the bottom wall 214b of the inner frame 214 of the second device. For example, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device can be located at a point on the side walls 214a between the near end 208 of the outer casing 202 of the second device and the bottom wall 214b of the inner frame 214 of the second device. In addition, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device may be located between the middle of the side walls 214a and the near end 208 of the outer casing 202 of the second device (i.e., in the upper half of the side walls). Alternatively, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device may be located between the middle of the side walls 214a and the bottom wall 214b of the inner frame 214 of the second device (i.e., in the lower half of the side walls). In some embodiments, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device are not explicitly provided in or on the bottom wall 214b of the inner frame 214 of the second device. In such embodiments, the electrical connectors 220 of the second device are, in particular, instead provided in or on the side walls 214b or provided on the near end 208 of the outer casing 202 of the second device.

The various components of the aerosol delivery device of the present invention may be selected from components described in the art and commercially available. Examples of batteries that may be used according to the invention are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0028766 to Peckerar et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As is evident from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the chamber 112 of the first device and the chamber 212 of the second device are elements separate from the outer casing 102 of the first device and the outer casing 202 of the second device, respectively. In other words, the chamber is not simply an internal space that is formed by the outer casing. On the contrary, the internal frame that forms the chamber exists independently and separately from the outer casing. The opening in the chamber may coincide with the opening at the near end of the outer casing. Thus, the internal frame may be a completely different element that is attached to the outer casing. Alternatively, the internal frame and the outer casing may be formed continuously. However, in any case, the side walls that form the internal frame are located inside the outer casing and are separated from it.

The outer casing 102 of the first device and the outer casing 202 of the second device can be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, ceramics, glass or the like. Preferably, the chamber 114 of the first device and the chamber 214 of the second device are formed from the same material that are used to form the outer casing 102 of the first device and the outer casing 202 of the second device, however, different materials can be used. The choice of materials, as indicated above, can also extend to the outer casing of the device for any additional control device (any additional control devices), which is included in the evaporation system.

The system disclosed in the present document may comprise a single control device (for example, the first control device 100 or the second control device 200 or a similar additional control device). Such a single control device may be configured to be interchangeably connected with a plurality of cartridges to form a plurality of different evaporative systems. For example, the first control device may be configured to be interchangeably connected with the first cartridge to form a first functional evaporative system having a first set of characteristics, and the first control device may be configured to be interchangeably connected with the second cartridge to form a second functional evaporative system having a second set of characteristics. Such evaporation may comprise two different cartridges, three different cartridges, or even more different cartridges that are interchangeable with the first control device.

The system disclosed in the present document may comprise a plurality of control devices (for example, the first control device 100 or the second control device 200 and, if necessary, a third control device or even more control devices). The plurality of control devices may be configured to be interchangeably connected to at least one cartridge to form a plurality of different evaporative systems. For example, the first control device may be configured to be interchangeably connected to the first cartridge to form a first functional evaporative system having a first set of characteristics, and the second control device may be configured to be interchangeably connected to the first cartridge to form a second functional evaporative system having a second different set of characteristics.

There is no limitation on the number of control devices and the number of cartridges that can be used in the evaporation system. A single control device can be separately and interchangeably combined with two, three, four, five or even more cartridges, each of which has different characteristics, to form a functional evaporation system consisting of a plurality of different systems (for example, control device one with cartridge one, control device one with cartridge two, etc.). Similarly, a single cartridge can be separately and interchangeably combined with two, three, four, five or even more control devices, each of which has different characteristics, to form a functional evaporation system consisting of a plurality of different systems (for example, control device one with cartridge one, control device two with cartridge one, etc.). In addition, a plurality of control devices, each having different characteristics, can be separately and interchangeably combined with a plurality of cartridges, each having different characteristics, to form a functional evaporation system consisting of a plurality of different systems (for example, control device one with cartridge one, control device one with cartridge two, control device two with cartridge one, control device two with cartridge two, etc.). Thus, the evaporation system of the disclosure of the present invention can be formed with any number of control devices and any number of cartridges, provided that the evaporation system includes at least two different types of one of the components (i.e. at least two different control devices and/or at least two different cartridges). Factors for determining what causes the difference between two control devices and for determining what causes the difference between two cartridges are further described herein, and even additional distinguishing factors can be realized based on knowledge of the disclosure of the present invention.

An example of an embodiment of a first cartridge 300 for use in an evaporative system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5, and an example of an embodiment of a second cartridge 400 for use in an evaporative system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. Both of the first cartridge 300 and the second cartridge 400 are shown because the evaporative system may include a plurality of cartridges; however, it is understood that in one or more embodiments, only one cartridge may be necessary for the present evaporative system, for example, when a plurality of different control devices may be included in the evaporative system.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the first cartridge 300 comprises a container 301, which is formed by an outer wall 303 of the container, which includes a near end 305 and a distant end 307, which is closed. Thus, the container 301 can be characterized in that the wall 303 of the container is a side wall, which is continuous around the container, and the distant end 307 forms a lower wall. The distant end 307 of the container 301 can also form a lower end of the cartridge 300. The container is configured to contain a liquid composition for evaporation, i.e. an electronic liquid or an aerosol precursor composition, which can be configured as otherwise described in this document. The first cartridge 300 may also comprise a mouthpiece 309, which is formed by an outer wall 311 of the mouthpiece, which includes a near end 313 with an outlet 315 and a far end 317, which cooperates with the near end 305 of the container 301. Although the mouthpiece 309 is described as a separate element from the container 301, it is understood that the wall 303 of the container may extend over a greater distance to form an integral mouthpiece. Thus, the mouthpiece may be attached to the container, or the mouthpiece may be integral with the container.

The first cartridge 300 is also shown in FIG. 7. As shown, the cartridge 300 also includes a heater 319 and a liquid transfer element 321 that extends between the heater and the liquid 323 contained inside the container 301. The heater 319 and the liquid transfer element 321 may be implemented as separate elements that are fluidly connected, or may be implemented as a combined element. Moreover, the heater 319 and the liquid transfer element 321 may be formed from any structure as otherwise described herein. The first cartridge 300 also includes one or more electrical contacts 325 that are configured to electrically connect the heater 319 to the battery (116, 216) in one of the control devices (100, 200).

The additional cartridge 400 is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 and can be characterized as being a second cartridge 400 in that it differs from the first cartridge 300 in at least one aspect. Thus, with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the components of the first cartridge 300 can be characterized as being a first container 301, a first mouthpiece 309, a first heater 319, and so on. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the second cartridge 400 differs from the first cartridge 300 in terms of the size of the cartridge, i.e., the second container 401 is larger than the first container 301 in the first cartridge, and the second mouthpiece 409 is larger than the first mouthpiece 309 in the first cartridge. However, as described further herein, the two cartridges can differ in various ways.

In FIG. 6 and in FIG. 8, the second cartridge 400 comprises a second container 401, which is formed by an outer wall 403 of the container, which includes a near end 405 and a distant end 407, which is closed. Thus, the second container 401 can be characterized in that the wall 403 of the container is a side wall, which is continuous around the container, and the distant end 407 forms a bottom wall. The distant end 407 of the container 401 can also form a lower end of the cartridge 400. The second container is configured to contain a liquid composition for evaporation, i.e. an electronic liquid or an aerosol precursor composition, which can be configured as otherwise described in this document. The second cartridge 400 may also comprise a second mouthpiece 409, which is formed by an outer wall 411 of the mouthpiece, which includes a near end 413 with an outlet opening 415 and a far end 417, which interacts with the near end 405 of the second container 401.

As can be seen from FIG. 8, the second cartridge 400 also includes a second heater 419 and a second liquid transfer element 421 that extends between the second heater and the liquid 423 contained inside the container 401. The second heater 419 and the second liquid transfer element 421 may be implemented as separate elements that are fluidly connected, or may be implemented as a combined element. Moreover, the second heater 419 and the second liquid transfer element 421 may be formed from any structure as otherwise described herein. The second cartridge 400 also includes one or more electrical contacts 425 that are configured to electrically connect the second heater 419 to the battery (116, 216) in one of the control devices (100, 200).

The liquid transfer element (321, 421) can be formed from one or more materials configured to transfer liquid, for example, by capillary action. The liquid transfer element can be formed, for example, from fibrous materials (for example, organic cotton, cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose fabric, fiberglass), porous ceramics, porous carbon, graphite, porous glass, sintered glass beads, sintered ceramic beads, capillary tubes or the like. Thus, the liquid transfer element (321, 421) can be any material that comprises a network of open pores (i.e. a plurality of pores that are interconnected so that a fluid can flow from one pore to another in a plurality of directions through the element). As further described herein, some embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention may, in particular, relate to the use of non-fibrous transfer elements. Thus, fibrous transport elements may be expressly excluded. Alternatively, combinations of fibrous transport elements and non-fibrous transport elements may be used. Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components for supporting an aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0216232 to Bless et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, various absorbent materials, as well as the design and operation of these absorbent materials in certain types of electronic cigarettes, are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the fluid transfer element (321, 421) may be partially or completely formed from a porous monolith, such as a porous ceramic, porous glass, or the like. Examples of monolithic materials suitable for use in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure are described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/988,109, filed January 5, 2016, and U.S. Patent No. 2014/0123989 to LaMothe, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The porous monolith may form a substantially solid wick.

Various embodiments of materials capable of generating heat when an electric current is supplied to them can be used to form a heater (319, 419). In some embodiments, the heater (319, 419) can be a wire coil. Examples of materials from which the wire coil can be made include fechral (FeCrAl), nichrome, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi ₂ ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al) ₂ ), titanium, platinum, silver, palladium, silver-palladium alloys, graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., foams and carbon-based filaments). In additional embodiments, the heater (319, 419) can be formed from conductive ink, boron-doped silicon dioxide and/or ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Other types of heaters, such as laser diodes or micro heaters, may also be used. The laser diode may be configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths that may be tuned to vaporize the aerosol precursor composition and/or tuned to heat a liquid transport element by which the aerosol precursor composition may be provided for vaporization. The laser diode, in particular, may be arranged to deliver electromagnetic radiation within a chamber, and the chamber may be configured to capture the radiation (e.g., a black body or a white body). Suitable micro heaters are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the microheaters may comprise a substrate (e.g., quartz, silicon dioxide) with a heater track thereon (e.g., a resistive element such as Ag, Pd, Ti, Pt, Pt/Ti, boron-doped silicon, or other metals or metal alloys), which may be printed or otherwise applied to the substrate. A passivation layer (e.g., aluminum oxide or silicon dioxide) may be applied over the heater track. In particular, the heater (319, 419) may be substantially planar. Such heaters are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0345633 to DePiano et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

The outer wall (303, 403) of the container can be made at least partially transparent or translucent, so that the liquid (323, 423) contained therein is visible from the outside. Thus, the entire outer wall (303, 403) of the container can be transparent or translucent. Alternatively, only one side of the outer wall (303, 403) of the container can be transparent or translucent, while the remaining parts of the outer wall of the container can be substantially opaque. In some embodiments, the outer wall (303, 403) of the container may be substantially opaque, and the strip (for example, from about 1 mm wide to about 20 mm wide or from about 2 mm wide to about 18 mm wide or from about 5 mm wide to about 15 mm wide) extending from the near end (305, 405) of the container (301, 401) to the far end (307, 407) of the container may be transparent or translucent. In additional embodiments, the outer wall (303, 403) of the container may be colored. The color may be configured so that the liquid (323, 423) inside the container (301, 401) is still visible, or the color may be configured so that the outer wall (303, 403) of the container is substantially opaque.

In one or more embodiments, the mouthpiece (309, 409) of the cartridge (300, 400) may be configured to interact with the container (301, 401). For example, as shown in FIG. 5-8, the distal end (317, 417) of the mouthpiece (309, 409) may include a rim wall (i.e., the rim wall 330 of the first mouthpiece and the rim wall 430 of the second mouthpiece), which is at least partially inserted from the outer wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece, wherein the rim wall may be configured to interact with an interior region of the proximal end (305, 405) of the outer wall (303, 403) of the container. The rim wall may have a length of about 1 mm to about 20 mm, about 2 mm to about 18 mm, or about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The rim wall (311, 411) may interact with the outer wall (303, 403) of the container only by friction fit, or the rim wall may be substantially permanently attached to the outer wall of the container, such as by welding or gluing.

In some embodiments, the mouthpiece (309, 409) may form essentially only an open internal space through which the generated vapor may combine with air to form an aerosol for discharge through the outlet (315, 415) of the mouthpiece. In one or more embodiments, the mouthpiece (309, 409) may include one or more additional internal walls that may be configured to form one or more compartments of the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may include an internal upper wall between the near end and the far end, and also includes an internal lower wall between the upper wall and the far end in the mouthpiece. More specifically, as seen from FIG. 7, the first mouthpiece 309 may include a first internal upper wall 332 between the first near end 313 and the first far end 317. Similarly, as seen from FIG. 8, the second mouthpiece 409 may include a second inner upper wall 432 between the second near end 413 and the second far end 417. In addition, the first mouthpiece 309 may include a first inner lower wall 334 between the first inner upper wall 332 and the first far end 317 of the mouthpiece. Similarly, the second mouthpiece 409 may include a second inner lower wall 434 between the second inner upper wall 432 and the second far end 417 of the mouthpiece.

Two or more walls in the mouthpiece may be configured to form an evaporation chamber, within which a heater may be located. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the outer wall 311 of the first mouthpiece, the first inner upper wall 332 and the first inner lower wall 334 form a first evaporation chamber 342, in which the first heater 319 is located. Similarly, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the outer wall 411 of the second mouthpiece, the second inner upper wall 432 and the second inner lower wall 434 form a second evaporation chamber 442, in which the second heater 419 is located. One or more electrical contacts (325, 425) may be located inside a portion of the outer wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece that forms the evaporation chamber (342, 442); However, it is understood that one or more electrical terminals can extend from the heater (319, 419) to one or more electrical contacts located on another part of the outer wall of the mouthpiece or located on the outer wall (303, 403) of the container. For example, one or more electrical contacts (325, 425) can be located along the side of the outer wall (303, 403) of the container. If desired, the electrical contacts (325, 425) can be located at or in the distal end (307, 407) of the container (301, 401). In particular embodiments, the electrical contacts (325, 425) can be explicitly excluded from being located at or in the distal end (307, 407) of the container (301, 401) and, thus, also excluded from being located on or in the lower surface or the lower wall of the cartridge (300, 400). For this purpose, it is understood that the lower surface or lower wall of the cartridge (300, 400) can correspond to the distal end (307, 407) of the container (301, 401). The exclusion of the arrangement of electrical contacts (325, 425) at the distal end (307, 407) of the container (301, 401) can be useful for improving the interchangeability of various devices and cartridges described in this document. It is also clear that the position of the electrical contacts (325, 425) on the cartridge (300, 400) will substantially correspond to the position of the electrical connectors (120, 220) in the chamber (112, 212) of the device (100, 200). The electrical contacts (325, 425) can be characterized as passing through the outer wall (303, 403) of the container or through the outer wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece. Similarly, the electrical contacts (325, 425) can be characterized as located in the outer wall (303, 403) of the container or as located in the outer wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece so as to be open and configured to contact the electrical connectors (120, 220).

One or more walls of the mouthpiece may also contain one or more openings for the passage of one or more additional elements of the cartridge (300, 400) or the passage of the resulting vapor/aerosol. For example, the first inner upper wall 332 may include a first opening 333 for steam, through which the steam generated in the first evaporation chamber 342 may pass to the first outlet 315. Similarly, the second inner upper wall 432 may include a second opening 433 for steam, through which the steam generated in the second evaporation chamber 442 may pass to the second outlet 415. The opening (333, 433) for steam in the inner upper wall (332, 432) may be substantially located therein in the center and may be substantially aligned with the heater (319, 419) along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge (300, 400). As a further example, the first inner lower wall 334 may include a first passage 335 for a wick, through which the first element 321 for transferring liquid (for example, a wick) may pass between the first heater 319 and the liquid 323 in the first container 301. Similarly, the second inner lower wall 434 may include a second passage 435 for a wick, through which the second element 421 for transferring liquid (for example, a wick) may pass between the second heater 419 and the liquid 423 in the second container 401. The passage (335, 435) for a wick in the inner lower wall (334, 434) may be substantially located therein in the center and may be substantially aligned with the heater (319, 419) along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge (300, 400).

Two or more walls in the mouthpiece may be configured to form a cooling chamber, within which the generated aerosol may be provided with the possibility of expansion and/or the possibility of cooling before passing through the outlet opening. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the outer wall 311 of the first mouthpiece and the first inner upper wall 332 form a first cooling chamber 344, in which the generated vapor/aerosol from the first heater 319 is placed, in particular, in which the vapor/aerosol from the first evaporation chamber 342 is placed. Thus, the generated vapor/aerosol passes from the first evaporation chamber 342 through the first opening 333 for vapor into the first cooling chamber 344. Similarly, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the outer wall 411 of the second mouthpiece and the second inner upper wall 432 form a second cooling chamber 444, in which the generated steam/aerosol from the second heater 419 is placed, in particular, in which the steam/aerosol from the second evaporation chamber 442 is placed. Thus, the generated steam/aerosol passes from the second evaporation chamber 442 through the second opening 433 for steam into the second cooling chamber 444.

The evaporation chamber (342, 442) and the cooling chamber (344, 444) can be designed to have a specified relative volume ratio. In particular, the volume ratio of the evaporation chamber (342, 442) to the cooling chamber (344, 444) can be from about 2:1 to about 1:4, from about 1:1 to about 1:4, or from about 1:1.5 to about 1:3.

If desired, the mouthpiece (309, 409) can include one or more elements configured to reduce or prevent leakage of condensed liquid therefrom. For example, all or part of the inner region of the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece and/or the inner upper wall (332, 432) forming the cooling chamber (334, 444) can be formed from or include an absorbent or adsorbent material configured to retain liquid. Alternatively or additionally, all or part of the inner region of the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece and/or the inner upper wall (332, 432) forming the cooling chamber (334, 444) can be configured to direct liquid back to the chamber (342, 442) of the atomizer, for example by adding microchannels or the like.

In one or more embodiments, the cartridge (300, 400) may be configured such that the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece may include a projecting portion located between its near end (313, 413) and its far end (317, 417). For example, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the projecting portion 350 may be located and may extend circumferentially from the wall 311 of the mouthpiece around substantially the entire mouthpiece 309. The distance at which the projecting portion 350 extends from the wall 311 of the mouthpiece may be substantially uniform around the entire circumference of the mouthpiece 309. In some embodiments, the distance at which the projecting portion 350 extends from the wall 311 of the mouthpiece may vary at one or more points around the circumference of the mouthpiece 309. The entire cartridge 300 or the mouthpiece 309 individually may be formed with respect to a longitudinal axis (L), a first transverse axis (T1) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second transverse axis (T2) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first transverse axis. Thus, the entire cartridge 300 and/or the mouthpiece 309 can be formed with respect to the total length along the longitudinal axis (L), the total width along the first transverse axis (T1) and the total depth along the second longitudinal axis (T2). The length can be greater than the width, which in turn can be greater than the depth. The distance, by which the projecting part 350 extends laterally from the wall 311 of the mouthpiece, can be greater along the second transverse axis (T2) than along the first transverse axis (T1). Thus, in alternative embodiments, the total distance between the opposite outer edges of the projecting part 350 through the mouthpiece 309 along the first transverse axis (T1) can be greater than the total distance between the opposite edges of the projecting part through the mouthpiece along the second transverse axis (T2); the total distance between the opposite outer edges of the projecting portion 350 through the mouthpiece 309 along the first transverse axis (T1) may be substantially equal to the total distance between the opposite edges of the projecting portion through the mouthpiece along the second transverse axis (T2); or the total distance between the opposite outer edges of the projecting portion 350 through the mouthpiece 309 along the first transverse axis (T1) may be less than the total distance between the opposite edges of the projecting portion through the mouthpiece along the second transverse axis (T2). In particular embodiments, the distance (d2) between the wall 311 of the mouthpiece and the outer edge of the projecting portion 350 when measured along the second transverse axis (T2) may be greater than the distance (d1) between the wall of the mouthpiece and the outer edge of the projecting portion when measured along the first transverse axis (T1). The specified distances (d1, d2), in particular, can be measured approximately at the midpoint of each of the first transverse axis (T1) and the second transverse axis (T2).

With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the projecting portion 450 may be located and may extend circumferentially from the wall 411 of the mouthpiece around substantially the entire mouthpiece 409. The distance at which the projecting portion 450 extends from the wall 411 of the mouthpiece may be substantially uniform around the entire circumference of the mouthpiece 409. In some embodiments, the distance at which the projecting portion 450 extends from the wall 411 of the mouthpiece may vary at one or more points around the circumference of the mouthpiece 409. The entire cartridge 400 or the mouthpiece 409 individually may be formed with respect to a longitudinal axis (L), a first transverse axis (T1) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a second transverse axis (T2) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the first transverse axis. Moreover, the measurements described above with respect to the cartridge 300 in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 can be equally applied to the cartridge 400.

The electrical contacts (325, 425), when located in the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece, can be preferably located longitudinally between the projecting part (350, 450) and the distal end (317, 417) of the mouthpiece (309, 409). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the projecting part (350, 450) can be located substantially in line with the inner upper wall (332, 432). Thus, the projecting part (35, 450) can be substantially parallel and/or can be located substantially in the same horizontal plane with the inner upper wall (332, 432). Preferably, the protruding part (350, 450) is located above the evaporation chamber (342, 442) and above the heater (319, 419) along the longitudinal axis (L) of the mouthpiece (309, 409).

The projecting part (350, 450) can cooperate with a corresponding projection on the control device (100, 200) to ensure proper connection of the cartridge (300, 400) with the control device. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the first device 100 can be designed such that the opening 110 at the near end 108 of the first device includes a recess with a first inwardly projecting projection 121. Thus, the recess can comprise a first rim wall 122, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device 100. The first rim wall 122 extends downwards from the near end 108 by a small distance, which can substantially correspond to the thickness of the projecting part (350, 450) of the cartridge (300, 400) and/or the thickness of an additional element, which can be located near the projecting part. For example, the first rim wall 122 defining the downwardly extending recess may have a height (i.e., when measured from the upper surface of the inwardly projecting projection 121 to the proximal end 108 of the first device) of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The first inwardly projecting projection 121 may have a width (i.e., the distance by which the projection extends inwardly from the rim wall 122 to the terminal end) of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The first inwardly projecting projection 121 may have a substantially constant width around the entire circumference of the opening 110. In some embodiments, the first inwardly extending projection 121 may be continuous and, thus, may be formed from one or a plurality of inwardly extending projections located at a distance around the opening 110.

With reference to FIG. 2, the second device 200 can similarly be designed such that the opening 210 at the near end 208 of the second device includes a recess with a second inwardly projecting projection 221. Thus, the recess can comprise a second rim wall 222, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second device 200. The second rim wall 222 extends downwardly from the second near end 208 by a small distance, which can substantially correspond to the thickness of the projecting part (350, 450) of the cartridge (300, 400) and/or the thickness of an additional element, which can be located near the projecting part. For example, the second rim wall 222 defining the downwardly extending recess may have a height (i.e., when measured from the upper surface of the inwardly projecting projection 121 to the proximal end 108 of the first device) of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The second inwardly projecting projection 121 may have a width (i.e., the distance by which the projection extends inwardly from the rim wall 122 to the terminal end) of from about 1 mm to about 8 mm, from about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. The second inwardly projecting projection 121 may have a substantially constant width around the entire circumference of the opening 110. In some embodiments, the second inwardly extending projection 121 may be continuous and, thus, may be formed from one or a plurality of inwardly extending projections located at a distance around the opening 110.

In one or more embodiments, the projecting portion (350, 450) of the mouthpiece (309, 409) is configured to be at least partially received in the recess formed by the rim wall (122, 222) so as to contact the inwardly projecting projection (121, 221). Thus, the lower surface of the projecting portion (350, 450) can be substantially in contact with the inwardly projecting projection (121, 221), and the outer edge of the projecting portion can be substantially adjacent to the rim wall (122, 222).

The projecting part (350, 450) and/or the inwardly projecting projection (121, 221) may be configured or may be configured to bias the cartridge (300, 400) for connection with the device (100, 200). For example, a magnetic connection may be used. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first cartridge 300 may include a first magnet 352 located adjacent to the lower surface of the first projecting part 350, and the second cartridge 400 may include a second magnet 452 located adjacent to the lower surface of the second projecting part 450. The magnet (352, 452) may extend substantially completely around the circumference of the mouthpiece (309, 409) or may be continuous so that it may be designed as one or a plurality of discrete magnets. The magnet (352, 452) can be attached by adhesion to the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece, can be attached by adhesion to the projecting part (350, 450), or can be attached by adhesion to both the wall of the mouthpiece and the projecting part. The inwardly projecting projection (121, 221) can be made of metal or another material to which the magnet (352, 452) will be attracted by magnetic force. In additional embodiments, the magnet (352, 452) can be located on the first device 100 or on the second device 200. More specifically, the magnet (352, 452) can be attached by adhesion to the inwardly extending projection (121, 221). In such embodiments, the projecting part (350, 450) can be made of metal or other material, to which the magnet (352, 452) will be attracted by magnetic force. In additional embodiments, the magnet (352, 452) can be located on the cartridge (300, 400), as well as the device (100, 200). Thus, the magnet located adjacent to the lower surface of the projecting part (350, 450) on the cartridge (300, 400) can be attracted by magnetic force to the magnet located adjacent to the upper surface of the inwardly projecting projection (121, 221) on the device (100, 200). When the magnet (352, 452) is located on the mouthpiece (309, 409), it is preferable that the total thickness of the magnet and the projecting portion (350, 450) is substantially identical to the height of the rim wall (122, 222) on the device (100, 200) so that the upper surface of the projecting portion is substantially flush with the proximal end (108, 208) of the device when the cartridge and the device are in interaction.

As described above, one or both of the first device 100 and the second device 200 (or even additional devices) can be configured to be interchangeably connected to one or both of the first cartridge 300 and the second cartridge 400 (or even additional cartridges) in such a way that at least part of the container (301, 401) can be separately located inside the chamber (112, 212) of the device (100, 200) to form an evaporation system in a functional combination. The evaporation system can be configured so that different combinations of the device (100, 200) and the cartridge (300, 400) result in a system with one or more different functionalities. Thus, two or more cartridges configured to be combined with one device can have one or more different designs and/or functions. Similarly, two or more devices configured to be combined with one cartridge can have one or more different designs and/or functions.

In some embodiments, an evaporation system comprising at least two devices and at least one cartridge may be configured such that the at least two devices differ from each other in one or more aspects. For example, a first control device may differ from a second control device in that each of the outer casing of the first device and the outer casing of the second device is made of a different material. As an additional example, each of the outer wall of the first device and the outer wall of the second device may have a different surface finish. In yet another example, a battery in the first device may differ from a battery in the second device (e.g., differing in one or more of the following: battery type, maximum voltage and capacity). In yet another example, a printed circuit board assembly in the first device may differ from a printed circuit board assembly in the second device (e.g., the printed circuit board assemblies may differ in one or more of the following: memory, user programmability, heater control capability and feedback functionality). In yet another example, an external connection element of the first device may differ from an external connection element on the second device.

In additional embodiments, the evaporation system comprising at least two cartridges and at least one device may be designed such that at least two cartridges differ from each other in one or more aspects. For example, the first cartridge may include a first heater, and the second cartridge may include a second heater that differs from the first heater. As another example, the first cartridge may include a first container that has a first volume, and the second cartridge may include a second container that has a second volume that differs from the first volume of the first container. In yet another example, the first cartridge may include a first liquid transfer element, and the second cartridge may include a second liquid transfer element that differs from the first liquid transfer element.

In some embodiments, the device (100, 200) can be designed so that at least a portion of the container (301, 401) is visible when the cartridge (300, 400) interacts with the device. As indicated above, at least a portion of the outer wall (303, 403) of the container can be designed at least partially transparent or translucent, so that the liquid (323, 423) contained therein is visible from the outside. Thus, the outer wall (104, 204) of the device (100, 200) can be designed to include a window through which the outer wall (303, 403) of the container and, if necessary, any liquid (323, 423) located in the container (301, 401) can be visible when the cartridge (300, 400) interacts with the device (100, 200). As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first window 135 is formed as a cutout in the outer wall 104 of the device 100, which is located near the near end 108 of the device. The window is preferably positioned to provide visual access to the chamber 112 of the first device. As shown in the drawing, the cutout has a substantially oval shape; however, it is understood that any shape is encompassed in the present document. In some embodiments, the window 135 may be formed as a recess extending from the near end 108 of the outer wall 104 of the device 100, at a distance to the far end 106 of the device. In other embodiments, the window 135 may be formed so as not to have any open borders and, thus, may clearly exclude a configuration with a recess, as described above. In particular embodiments, the window 135 may be explicitly excluded from the device 100. Moreover, the window 135 may be completely open, or the window may have a transparent element (e.g., made of glass or plastic) located in the opening formed by the window, or covering the window on one or both of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer wall 104 of the device 100.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the second window 235 is formed as a cutout in the outer wall 204 of the device 200, which is located near the near end 208 of the device. The window is preferably positioned to provide visual access to the chamber 212 of the second device. As shown in the drawing, the cutout has a substantially oval shape; however, it is understood that any shape is encompassed herein. In some embodiments, the window 235 may be formed as a recess extending from the near end 208 of the outer wall 204 of the device 200, at a distance to the far end 206 of the device. In other embodiments, the window 235 may be formed so as not to have any open borders and, thus, may clearly exclude a configuration with a recess, as described above. In particular embodiments, the window 235 may be explicitly excluded from the device 200. Moreover, the window 235 may be completely open, or the window may have a transparent element (for example, made of glass or plastic) located in the opening formed by the window, or covering the window on one or both of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer wall 204 of the device 200.

In one or more embodiments, the first device 100 may include a first light source 139 and at least one opening 137 passing through the outer wall 104 of the first device, through which light from the first light source is visible. The first light source 139 may comprise, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide one or more colors of light. As shown in FIG. 3, the first light source 139 may be located directly on the printed circuit board (PCB) 141, which may include additional control components (for example, a microcontroller and/or memory components). The opening 137 can be provided in any desired shape and can be, in particular, located near the distal end 106 of the first device 100. The opening 137 can be completely open or can be filled, for example, with a light-guiding material, or can be covered with a transparent or translucent element (for example, glass or plastic) on one or both of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer wall 104 of the device 100. Similarly, the second device 200 can include a second light source 239 and at least one opening 237 passing through the outer wall 204 of the second device, through which light from the second light source is visible. The second light source 239 can comprise, for example, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide one or more colors of illumination. As shown in FIG. 4, the second light source 239 can be located directly on the printed circuit board (PCB) 241, in which additional control components (for example, a microcontroller and / or memory components) can be included. The opening 237 can be provided in any desired shape and can be, in particular, located near the distant end 206 of the second device 200. The opening 237 can be completely open or can be filled, for example, with a light guide material, or can be covered with a transparent or translucent element (for example, glass or plastic) on one or both of the inner surface and the outer surface of the outer wall 204 of the device 200. The aerosol delivery device most preferably contains a control mechanism for controlling the amount of electricity supplied to the heat-generating element during a puff. Representative types of electronic components, their structure and configuration, their features, and their general methods of operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0230117 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0060554 to by Collet et al., in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0270727 by Ampolini et al., and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257445 by Henry et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

An air flow sensor, a pressure sensor or the like may be included in the device. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first device 100 may include a sensor 143 on a printed circuit board 141. Configurations of a printed circuit board and a pressure sensor are, for example, described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0245658 to Worm et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The sensor 143 may be located anywhere inside the first device 100 to be exposed to an air flow and/or a pressure change that may signal a puff on the device and thus cause the battery 116 to supply power to the heater (319, 419) in the cartridge (300, 400). For example, the sensor 143 can be located in the region of the near end 108 of the device 100, for example, on the side walls 114a or the bottom wall 114b of the chamber 112 of the first device or near them. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, the second device 200 can include a sensor 243 on the printed circuit board 241; however, the sensor can be located anywhere in the second device 200, for example, as described directly below. Alternatively, in the absence of an air flow sensor, the heater (319, 419) can be activated manually, for example, by means of a push button. Additional representative types of sensing and detecting mechanisms, their structure and configuration, their components, and general methods of operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and PCT Publication No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick, which are incorporated herein by reference.

In use, when the cartridge (300, 400) is inserted into the chamber (112, 212) of the device, the fit may be such that air can pass between the outer surface of the wall (303, 403) of the container and the inner surface of the inner frame (112, 212) of the device. Thus, when the user puffs on the mouthpiece (309, 409), the air can pass between the outer surface of the wall (303, 403) of the container and the inner surface of the inner frame (112, 212) of the device, pass through the air inlet (320, 420) in the cartridge (300, 400), pass through the evaporation chamber (342, 442) to mix with the formed steam, pass through the cooling chamber (344, 444) and finally pass through the outlet (315, 415). The air inlet (320, 420) can be, in particular, located in the wall (311, 411) of the mouthpiece. Alternatively, the air inlet (320, 420) can be located in the wall (303, 403) of the container. The passage of air as defined above may be effective to cause a pressure reduction in the device (100, 200), which may be detected by the sensor (143, 243) through the pressure reduction opening (115, 215).

An input element may be included in the aerosol delivery device (and may replace or supplement the air flow or pressure sensor). An input device may be included to allow a user to control functions of the device and/or to output information to the user. Any component or combination of components may be used as an input to control a function of the device (100, 200). For example, one or more push buttons may be used as described in US Publication No. 2015/0245658 to Worm et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Similarly, a touch screen may be used as described in US Patent Application No. 14/643,626, filed March 10, 2015 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. As a further example, components configured to recognize gestures based on predetermined movements of the aerosol delivery device may be used as an input device. See US Publication No. 2016/0158782 by Henry et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the input device may comprise a computer or a computing device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. In particular, the aerosol delivery device may be wired to the computer or other device, such as by using a USB cable or a similar protocol. The aerosol delivery device may also communicate with the computer or other device acting as the input device via wireless communication. See, for example, the systems and methods for controlling a device via a read request, as described in US Publication No. 2016/0007561 to Ampolini et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In such embodiments, an application or other computer program may be used in conjunction with a computer or other computing device to input control commands to the aerosol delivery device, wherein such control commands include, for example, the ability to form an aerosol of a particular composition by selecting the nicotine content and/or the content of additional flavors to be included, selecting the total particulate matter (TPM) provided per puff, selecting a particular heating profile to be implemented, selecting a variable draw resistance, and the like.

Additional indicators (e.g., tactile feedback components, auditory feedback components, or the like) may be included in addition to or as an alternative to the LEDs. Additional representative types of components that provide visual signals or indicators, such as light emitting diode components, and their construction and use are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., 8,499,766 to Newton, and 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0020825 to Galloway et al. and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0216233 to Sears et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. It is understood that not all illustrated elements are necessary. For example, the light emitting diode may be omitted or replaced by another indicator, such as a vibration indicator. Similarly, the flow sensor may be replaced by a manual actuator, such as a push button.

In one or more embodiments, the evaporation system formed by any combination of one device or devices and one cartridge or more cartridges may further include an external connector 500 configured to be in electrical contact with each element of the external connection of the device (for example, the element 118 of the external connection of the first device and the element 218 of the external connection of the second device). The external connector 500 may include a first end 503 of the connector and a second end 505 of the connector connected to each other by a connection 507, which may be, for example, a cord of variable length. The first end 503 of the connector may be configured to electrically and, if necessary, mechanically connect to the device (100, 200). In particular, the first end 503 of the connector may include an insert wall 503a, which may be received in a cavity (for example, a first cavity 106a at the distal end 106 of the first device 100 or a second cavity 206b at the distal end 206 of the second device 200), present at the distal end (106, 206) of the device (100, 200). The external connector 500 may include a plurality of electrical pins 511 inside the insert wall 503a, configured to perform charging and/or transmit information with the element (118, 218) of external connection of the device. In some embodiments, the device (100, 200) may include a mechanical connector (for example, a first mechanical connector 119 and a second mechanical connector 219) near the external connection element (118, 218) of the device. The mechanical connector (119, 219) may be a magnet or a metal (or a similar element) that is configured to be magnetically attracted to a magnet. Thus, the first end 503 of the connector may similarly include a mechanical connection element 513 that is located between the insert wall 503a and the electrical pins 511. The mechanical connection element (513) may be a magnet or a metal (or a similar element) that is configured to be magnetically attracted to a magnet. The second end 505 of the connector may be configured to be connected to a computer or a similar electronic device or to be connected to a power source. As shown in the drawing, the second end 505 of the connector has a universal serial bus (USB) connection; however, another connection may also be provided and/or an adapter (e.g., a USB/AC adapter) may similarly be included. For example, an adapter including a USB connector at one end and a connector for a power supply at the opposite end is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

For aerosol delivery systems that are characterized as electronic cigarettes, the aerosol precursor composition most preferably includes tobacco or tobacco-derived components. In one respect, the tobacco may be in the form of tobacco pieces or pieces, such as finely divided, ground, or powdered tobacco strip. Tobacco balls, pellets, or other solid forms may be included, such as described in US Patent Publication No. 2015/0335070 to Sears et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In another respect, the tobacco may be in the form of an extract, such as a spray-dried extract, that includes many of the water-soluble components of tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco extracts may be in the form of a relatively high nicotine extract that also contains lesser amounts of other extracted tobacco-derived components. In another respect, the tobacco-derived components may be provided in a relatively pure form, such as certain tobacco-derived flavoring agents. On the one hand, the component that is obtained from tobacco and that can be used in a highly purified or substantially pure form is nicotine (e.g., pharmaceutical grade nicotine). In some embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition may contain nicotine in the form of a free base and/or a protonated form. Protonation may be provided by including one or more acids in the aerosol precursor composition. For example, organic acids such as levulinic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid may be included in the nicotine aerosol precursor in amounts up to equimolar (based on the total organic acid content) with nicotine. Any combination of organic acids may be used. For example, the aerosol precursor may comprise from about 0.1 to about 0.5 moles of any one or more of the above organic acids per mole of nicotine up to a concentration at which the total amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount of nicotine present in the aerosol precursor composition.

The aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition, may comprise various components, including, for example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavoring agents. Representative types of aerosol precursor components and compositions are also known and characterized in U.S. Patent No. 7,217,320 to Robinson and in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al.; 2013/0213417 to Chong; and 2014/0060554 to Collett et al.; 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al.; and No. 2015/0020830 to Koller, and WO 2014/182736 to Bowen et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that may be used include aerosol precursors that are included in the VUSE® product of RJ Reynolds Vapor Company, the ^BLU® product of Lorillard Technologies, the MISTIC MENTHOL product of Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product of CN Creative Ltd. Also preferred are the so-called "smoke juices" for electronic cigarettes, which are available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC. Still other examples of aerosol precursor compositions are sold under the trademarks BLACK NOTE, COSMIC FOG, THE MILKMAN E-LIQUID, FIVE PAWNS, THE VAPOR CHEF, VAPE WILD, BOOSTED, THE STEAM FACTORY, MECH SAUCE, CASEY JONES MAINLINE RESERVE, MITTEN VAPORS, DR. CRIMMY'S V-LIQUID, SMILEY E LIQUID, BEANTOWN VAPOR, CUTTWOOD, CYCLOPS VAPOR, SICBOY, GOOD LIFE VAPOR, TELEOS, PINUP VAPORS, SPACE JAM, MT. BAKER VAPOR and JIMMY THE JUICE MAN.

The amount of aerosol precursor included in the aerosol delivery system is such that the aerosol generating means has acceptable sensory and desired performance characteristics. For example, it is most preferred that a sufficient amount of aerosol forming material (e.g., glycerin and/or propylene glycol) is used to ensure the generation of a visible main stream of aerosol, which in many respects resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. The amount of aerosol precursor within the aerosol generating system may depend on factors such as the number of puffs desired on the aerosol generating means. In one or more embodiments, about 1 ml or more, about 2 ml or more, about 5 ml or more, or about 10 ml or more of the aerosol precursor composition may be included.

Other features, controls, or components that may be included in the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0163063 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0192623 by Tucker et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0298905 by Leven et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0180553 by Kim et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0000638 by Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0261495 by Novak et al., and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0261408 by DePiano et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, using the disclosures provided in the above description and the accompanying drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and that modifications and other embodiments should be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (21)

1. An evaporation system comprising: a control device or first and second control devices having: an outer casing of the device forming an outer wall of the device, a distal end of the device and a proximal end of the device which includes an opening formed therein; a chamber of the device formed by an inner frame of the device having at least a side wall of the chamber and a bottom wall of the chamber, an opening in the proximal end of the device providing access to the chamber of the device; a battery of the device located in the outer casing of the device; a printed circuit board assembly of the device located inside the outer casing of the device; electrical connectors of the device located in the chamber of the device; and an external connection element of the device; a cartridge or first and second cartridges comprising: a container formed by an outer wall of the container which includes a closed end and an opposite end comprising a wall having an opening formed therein, wherein the container is configured to contain a liquid composition; a mouthpiece formed by an outer wall of the mouthpiece, which includes a near end with an outlet opening and a far end that interacts with a container; a heater; a liquid transfer element at least partially inserted into an opening formed in the wall of the opposite end of the container, wherein the liquid transfer element is effective for supplying a liquid composition from the container to the heater, and electrical contacts; wherein the cartridge is designed with the possibility of interacting with the control device in such a way that at least part of the cartridge capacity is located inside the chamber of the device to form an evaporation system in functional combination with the cartridge electrical contacts electrically interacting with the electrical connectors of the device. 2. An evaporative system according to claim 1, comprising a first control device and a second control device, wherein the first control device and the second control device are designed with the possibility of an interchangeable connection with a cartridge in such a way that at least part of the capacity of the cartridge is designed with the possibility of separate placement in each of the first chamber of the device, present in the first device, and the second chamber of the device, present in the second device, with the formation of an evaporative system in a functional combination, wherein the first control device differs from the second control device. 3. The evaporation system of claim 2, wherein the first control device differs from the second control device in one or more of the following aspects: the first device comprises an outer casing of the first device, and the second device comprises an outer casing of the second device, wherein each of the outer casing of the first device and the outer casing of the second device are made of a different material; the first device comprises a battery of the first device, and the second device comprises a battery of the second device, wherein the battery of the first device differs from the battery of the second device; the first device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the first device, and the second device comprises a printed circuit board assembly of the second device, wherein the printed circuit board assembly of the first device differs from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device; and the first device comprises an external connection element of the first device, and the second device comprises an external connection element of the second device, wherein the external connection element of the first device differs from the external connection element of the second device. 4. The evaporative system of claim 3, wherein one or both of the following conditions are met: the battery of the first device differs from the battery of the second device in one or more of the following: battery type, maximum voltage, and capacity; the printed circuit board assembly of the first device differs from the printed circuit board assembly of the second device in one or more of the following: memory, user programmability, heater control, and feedback functionality. 5. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which one or both of the following conditions are met: the control device includes a window of the device, present in the outer casing of the device, wherein said window is located with provision of visual access to the chamber of the device; the control device includes a light source of the device and at least one opening passing through the outer casing of the device, through which light from the light source of the device is visible. 6. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which one or both of the following conditions are met: the outer wall of the cartridge container is transparent or translucent; the distal end of the mouthpiece of the cartridge includes a rim wall that is inserted from the wall of the mouthpiece and that interacts with the interior region of the near end of the container. 7. An evaporation system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which the heater is located inside the evaporation chamber. 8. An evaporation system according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, in which the electrical contacts are located in the wall of the mouthpiece. 9. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wall of the mouthpiece includes a protruding portion located between its near end and its far end. 10. An evaporation system according to claim 9, wherein the electrical contacts are located in the wall of the mouthpiece between the protruding portion and the distal end of the mouthpiece. 11. The evaporation system of claim 9, wherein the opening at the proximal end of the device includes a recess with an inwardly projecting projection. 12. An evaporation system according to claim 11, wherein the protruding portion of the mouthpiece is designed to be at least partially positioned in the recess so as to contact the inwardly protruding projection. 13. The evaporation system of claim 12, wherein one or more of the following conditions are met: the protruding portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly protruding projection comprises a metallic component configured to magnetically attract; the inwardly protruding projection comprises a magnetic component, and the protruding portion comprises a metallic component configured to magnetically attract; the protruding portion comprises a magnetic component, and the inwardly protruding projection comprises a magnetic component. 14. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the cartridge comprises an air inlet located in the outer wall of the mouthpiece. 15. An evaporative system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the control device comprises a pressure reduction opening located in the internal frame of the device. 16. An evaporative system according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising a first cartridge and a second cartridge that is different from the first cartridge. 17. The evaporative system of claim 16, wherein one or more of the following conditions are met: the first cartridge includes a first heater, and the second cartridge includes a second heater that differs from the first heater; the first cartridge includes a first container having a first volume, and the second cartridge includes a second container having a second volume that differs from the first volume of the first container; the first cartridge includes a first liquid transfer element, and the second cartridge includes a second liquid transfer element that differs from the first liquid transfer element. 18. An evaporation system according to any one of paragraphs 1-4, also comprising an external connector configured to make electrical contact with an external connection element of the control device. 19. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1-4, in which, when the cartridge interacts with the control device, a path for air flow is formed between the outer wall of the container and the inner frame of the device chamber of the device, passing through the air inlet in the cartridge. 20. An evaporation system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the opening formed in the wall of the opposite end of the container, the liquid transfer element and the heater are located centrally and aligned along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge.