Abstract: [en] a method for manufacturing an aerosol generation device includes forming an intermediate sub-assembly by fixing a heater sub-assembly against a power-and-control sub-assembly, the heater sub-assembly including a heater and a heating chamber wherein the heater is arranged in the heater sub-assembly to supply heat to the heating chamber, and the power-and-control sub-assembly including an electrical power source and control circuitry configured to control the supply of electrical power from the electrical power source to the heater; attaching an access sub-assembly to the intermediate sub-assembly, the access sub-assembly including means for opening and closing access to the heating chamber; and attaching a housing sub-assembly to the intermediate sub-assembly, the housing sub-assembly including a housing for at least a part of the intermediate sub-assembly. also provided is a power-and-control sub-assembly, a sub-assembly including a heater sub-assembly fixed against a power-and-control sub-assembly, and an aerosol generation device.

[en] 1. a method for manufacturing an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: forming an intermediate sub-assembly by fixing a heater sub-assembly against a power-and-control sub-assembly, the heater sub-assembly comprising a heater and a heating chamber wherein the heater is arranged in the heater sub-assembly to supply heat to or in the heating chamber, and the power-and-control sub-assembly comprising an electrical power source and control circuitry configured to control the a supply of electrical power from the electrical power source to the heater; andattaching a housing sub-assembly to the intermediate sub-assembly, the housing sub-assembly comprising a housing for at least a part of the intermediate sub-assembly.
2. the method according to claim 1, further comprising forming the power-and-control sub-assembly by: aligning a heater sub-assembly support frame and an electrical power source support frame with a first pcb therebetween, the first pcb having a component of the control circuitry mounted thereon; andattaching the heater sub-assembly support frame to the electrical power source support frame.
3. the method according to claim 2, wherein: the first pcb is connected to a second pcb by a flexible pcb portion, andforming the power-and-control sub-assembly further comprises wrapping the flexible pcb portion around the heater sub-assembly support frame and attaching the second pcb to the heater sub-assembly support frame such that the heater sub-assembly support frame is between the first pcb and the second pcb.
4. the method according to claim 2, wherein two or more of the heater sub-assembly support frame, the electrical power source support frame and the first pcb each comprise first guide members, and aligning the heater sub-assembly support frame and the electrical power source support frame with the first pcb therebetween comprises aligning the first guide members.
5. the method according to claim 1, further comprising forming the power-and-control sub-assembly using only snap-fit or press-fit mechanical connections.
6. the method according to claim 4, wherein the heater sub-assembly and the power-and-control sub-assembly each comprise second guide members, and fixing the heater sub-assembly against the power-and-control sub-assembly comprises aligning the second guide members.
7. the method according to claim 1, wherein fixing the heater sub-assembly against the power-and-control sub-assembly comprises attaching a mounting cap to one or both of the heater sub-assembly and the power-and-control sub-assembly, and wherein the heater sub-assembly, the power-and-control sub-assembly and the mounting cap are adapted to interlock with each other such that, when the mounting cap is attached to the one or both of the heater sub-assembly and the power-and control sub-assembly, the heater sub-assembly is fixed against the power-and-control sub-assembly.
8. the method according to claim 1, wherein attaching the housing sub-assembly to the intermediate sub-assembly consists only of using an attachment means to attach a point on the housing to a point on the intermediate sub-assembly.
9. the method according to claim 9, wherein the attachment means is a fastening means.
10. the method according to claim 10, wherein the fastening means is a screw.
11. the method according to claim 1, further comprising attaching an access sub-assembly to the intermediate sub-assembly, the access sub-assembly comprising means for opening and closing access to the heating chamber.
12. the method according to claim 11, wherein the access sub-assembly and the intermediate sub-assembly are adapted to form one or more snap-fit or press-fit connections with each other.
13. a sub-assembly for manufacturing an aerosol generation device, the sub-assembly comprising a heater sub-assembly fixed against a power-and-control sub-assembly, wherein the power-and-control sub-assembly comprises an electrical power source and control circuitry configured to control a supply of electrical power from the electrical power source to a heater, the heater sub-assembly comprises the heater and a heating chamber, and the heater is arranged in the heater sub-assembly to supply heat to or in the heating chamber.
14. the sub-assembly according to claim 13, wherein the power-and-control sub-assembly comprises a heater sub-assembly support frame attached to an electrical power source support frame with a first pcb therebetween, the first pcb having a component of the control circuitry mounted thereon.
15. the sub-assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first pcb is connected to a second pcb by a flexible pcb portion, the flexible pcb portion is wrapped around the heater sub-assembly support frame, andthe second pcb is attached to the heater sub-assembly support frame such that the heater sub-assembly support frame is between the first pcb and the second pcb.
16. the sub-assembly according to claim 13, wherein the control circuitry comprises a pcb having exposed electrical contacts for testing and/or for connection to the heater sub-assembly.
17. the sub-assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a mounting cap attached to one or both of the heater sub-assembly and the power-and-control sub-assembly, wherein the heater sub-assembly, the power-and-control sub-assembly and the mounting cap are adapted to interlock with each other such that the heater sub-assembly is fixed against the power-and-control sub-assembly.
18. an aerosol generation device comprising the sub-assembly of claim 13 as an intermediate sub-assembly, and further comprising: a housing sub-assembly comprising a housing for at least a part of the intermediate sub-assembly, wherein the housing sub-assembly is attached to the intermediate sub-assembly.
19. the aerosol generation device according to claim 18, further comprising an access sub-assembly comprising means for opening and closing access to the heating chamber, wherein the access sub-assembly is attached to the intermediate sub-assembly.
20. the aerosol generation device according to claim 19, wherein the sub-assembly further comprises a mounting cap attached to one or both of the heater sub-assembly and the power-and-control sub-assembly, wherein the heater sub-assembly, the power-and-control sub-assembly and the mounting cap are adapted to interlock with each other such that the heater sub-assembly is fixed against the power-and-control sub-assembly, wherein the access sub-assembly is only attached to the mounting cap.


Abstract: [en] an aerosol generation device has a body, a closure, a resilient element and a rigid element. the body has an aperture through which an aerosol substrate is receivable into the aerosol generation device. the closure is moveable relative to the aperture between a closed position in which the closure covers the aperture and an open position in which the aperture is substantially unobstructed by the closure. the rigid element has a first end arranged to cooperate with the closure and a second end pivotally coupled to the body such that the rigid element rotates relative to the body as the closure moves between the closed position and the open position. the resilient element is mounted on the rigid element and is arranged to provide a resilient force that biases the closure towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.

[en] 1. an aerosol generation device comprising: a body having an aperture through which an aerosol substrate is receivable into the aerosol generation device;a closure moveable relative to the aperture between a closed position in which the closure covers the aperture and an open position in which the aperture is substantially unobstructed by the closure;a rigid element having a first end arranged to cooperate with the closure and a second end pivotally coupled to the body such that the rigid element rotates relative to the body as the closure moves between the closed position and the open position; anda resilient element mounted on the rigid element, the resilient element being arranged to provide a resilient force that biases the closure towards at least one of the closed position and the open position.
2. the aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element is arranged to be displaced with the closure in a first direction as the closure moves between the closed position and the open position, and wherein at least a first end of the resilient element is arranged to move in a second direction as the closure moves between the closed position and the open position, the second direction being transverse to the first direction.
3. the aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein the second direction is parallel to a length of the rigid element between the first end thereof and the second end thereof.
4. the aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein the second direction extends towards the body from the closure.
5. the aerosol generation device according to claim 1, the rigid element having a traveller arranged to move in a direction extending between the first end and the second end of the rigid element as the closure moves between the closed position and the open position, the traveller cooperating with the resilient element to transfer the resilient force between the resilient element and the closure.
6. the aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element deforms in order to provide the resilient force, a direction of the deformation being guided by the rigid element.
7. the aerosol generation device according to claim 0, wherein the direction of the deformation is parallel to a length of the rigid element between the first end and the second end of the rigid element.
8. the aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient element is a helical compression spring.
9. the aerosol generation device of claim 8, wherein the rigid element comprises a shaft on which the helical compression spring is located.
10. the aerosol generation device of claim 1, further comprising a guide, wherein a carriage is arranged to move along the guide as the closure moves between the open position and the closed position, the carriage being arranged to interact with the closure.
11. the aerosol generation device of claim 0, wherein the resilient element is arranged to provide the resilient force so as to bias the carriage towards a side of the guide.
12. the aerosol generation device of claim 1, wherein the closure is stable in each of the closed position and the open position.
13. the aerosol generation device of claim 1, wherein the closure is further moveable from the open position to an activation position at which the aerosol generation device is operable to initiate an activation signal.
14. the aerosol generation device of claim 0, wherein the resilient element is arranged to provide the resilient force so as also to bias the closure away from the activation position.
15. the aerosol generation device of claim 1, wherein the resilient element is arranged so as to deform in at least one of: a direction out of a plane defined by the aperture; a direction aligned with an axis of the aperture; and/or a direction aligned with a direction in which the aerosol substrate is receivable when the closure is moved between the closed position and the open position.
16. the aerosol generation device of claim 10, wherein the guide provides an arc-shaped or linear guiding path.
17. the aerosol generation device of claim 11, wherein the side of the guide is away from the body.
18. the aerosol generation device of claim 12, wherein the resilient element is arranged so as to bias the closure towards the closed position from a first range of positions between the closed position and the open position and to bias the closure towards the open position from a second range of positions between the closed position and the open position, the first range of positions of the closure being closer to the closed position than the second range of positions and the second range of positions of the closure being closer to the open position than the first range of positions.


Abstract: [en] a layer-structure includes at least a base layer with a top surface and a top layer, wherein the top layer is arranged above the base layer in a height direction, wherein a first color section is partially provided in and/or on the top surface of the base layer, the first color section and the top surface of the base layer having a luminance contrast, wherein the luminance contrast, defined as weber contrast, has a value that is at least 0.20, and wherein the first color section and the top surface of the base layer are covered by the top layer, so that a watermark visual appearance is provided.

[en] 1. a layer-structure, comprising at least a base layer with a top surface and a top layer, wherein the top layer is arranged above the base layer in a height direction, wherein a first color section is partially provided in and/or on the top surface of the base layer, the first color section and the top surface of the base layer having a luminance contrast, wherein the luminance contrast, defined as weber contrast, has a value that is at least 0.20, and wherein the first color section and the top surface of the base layer are covered by the top layer, so that a watermark visual appearance is provided.
2. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the value of the luminance contrast, defined as weber contrast, is at least 0.25.
3. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the top layer consists of a metallic gloss ink composition comprising metallic particles.
4. the layer-structure according to claim 3, wherein: the metallic gloss ink composition is printed on the top surface of the base layer and the first color section.
5. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the first color section is provided as line textures and/or solid design elements.
6. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the first color section consists of an ink composition, said ink composition being printed on the top surface of the base layer.
7. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the first color section has a color with a tone value range between 50 percent and 100 percent.
8. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: a bottom surface of the top layer is in contact with the first color section and the top surface of the base layer.
9. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: a primer layer is arranged between the base layer and the top layer in the height direction of the layer-structure.
10. the layer-structure according to claim 9, wherein: the primer layer is in contact with the top surface of the base layer, the first color section and a bottom surface of the top layer, covering the top surface of the base layer and the first color section.
11. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: the top layer is continuous and/or has a uniform thickness throughout.
12. the layer-structure according to claim 1, wherein: at least a second color section is provided in and/or on the top surface of the base layer.
13. the layer-structure according to claim 12, wherein: the first color section consists of an ink composition, said ink composition being printed on the top surface of the base layer, and the at least second color section consists of the same ink composition as the first color section.
14. a method of producing a layer-structure, comprising the steps: a) providing a base layer with a top surface;b) providing a first color section in and/or on parts of the top surface of the base layer;c) providing a top layer above the base layer in a height direction of the layer-structure, covering the first color section and the top surface of the base layer;wherein the first color section and the top surface of the base layer have a luminance contrast, wherein the luminance contrast, defined as weber contrast, has a value that is at least 0.20.
15. the method according to claim 14, comprising the additional step: d) providing a primer layer between the base layer and the top layer;wherein the step d) is conducted after the step b).
16. a packaging material comprising the layer-structure according to claim 1.
17. a packaging comprising a folded blank of the packaging material according to claim 16.
18. the layer-structure according to claim 12, wherein: the first color section consists of an ink composition, said ink composition being printed on the top surface of the base layer, and the at least second color section consists of a different ink composition than the first color section, having a different color and/or different components.


Abstract: [en] an aerosol generating device including: a housing having a mouth end and an opposing end, the opposing end having a vent hole; a battery within the housing, the battery having a vent point in an outer surface of the battery, the vent point arranged such that fluid is released preferentially from the vent point during degassing of the battery; and a fluid directing arrangement within the housing. the fluid directing arrangement is configured to define a fluid flow path from the vent point of the battery to the vent hole of the housing.

[en] 1. an aerosol generating device comprising: a housing comprising a mouth end and an opposing end, the opposing end comprising a vent hole;a battery within the housing, the battery comprising a vent point in an outer surface of the battery, the vent point arranged such that fluid is released from the vent point during degassing of the battery; anda fluid directing arrangement within the housing, the fluid directing arrangement configured to define a fluid flow path from the vent point of the battery to the vent hole of the housing.
2. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the vent point is positioned at one end of the battery and the fluid directing arrangement comprises an annular support positioned between said one end of the battery and the vent hole such that the fluid flow path is directed through the annular support from the vent point towards the vent hole.
3. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the vent point is positioned at one end of the battery, the device further comprising: a vibrator element positioned adjacent to said one end of the battery; wherein the fluid directing arrangement comprises a vibrator element support which is configured to hold the vibrator element and direct the fluid flow path around the vibrator element from the vent point to the vent hole.
4. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the fluid directing arrangement further comprises: a baffle positioned between a side surface of the battery and an adjacent inner surface of the housing to seal a space between the battery and the housing and restrict a fluid flow towards the mouth end of the housing.
5. the aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the baffle comprises a concave surface directed towards the vent hole in the housing such that a fluid flow towards the baffle is redirected in an opposing direction towards the vent hole.
6. the aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the fluid directing arrangement further comprises a deflector plane positioned adjacent to the vent point of the battery, the deflector plane configured to redirect a fluid towards the baffle.
7. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a vibrator element positioned between a side surface of the battery and an adjacent inner surface of the housing.
8. the aerosol generating device of claim 4, further comprising a vibrator element positioned between a side surface of the battery and an adjacent inner surface of the housing, and wherein the baffle is a support for the vibrator element.
9. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising an absorbent pad.
10. the aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the absorbent pad is annular and positioned adjacent to the vent point of the battery.
11. the aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the fluid directing arrangement comprises an annular support and the absorbent pad is positioned within the annular support.
12. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a sticker positioned over the vent hole on an outer surface of the housing, the sticker configured to be displaced to open the vent hole during degassing of the battery.
13. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a cavity within the housing adjacent to the vent point configured to receive a fluid expelled from the battery during degassing.
14. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a battery support frame which holds the battery, the battery support frame positioned across an internal volume of the housing so as to seal the battery in one portion of the internal volume of the housing.
15. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the vent hole comprises a supporting element arranged across the vent hole to prevent opposing edges of the vent hole from closing.
16. a housing for an aerosol generating device, the housing comprising a mouth end, an opposing end comprising a vent hole; and a fluid directing arrangement within the housing, wherein the fluid directing arrangement is configured to define a fluid flow path from the vent hole of the housing to a vent point in an outer surface of a battery when the battery is received within the housing, the vent point for releasing fluid during degassing of the battery.


Abstract: [en] an insert for a packet of smoking articles includes a substantially rigid and flat support structure; at least one breath freshening article disposed on the support structure; and an outer cover configured to enclose the support structure and the at least one breath freshening article. a packet of smoking articles is also provided including the insert.

[en] 1. an insert for a packet of smoking articles comprising: a substantially rigid and flat support structure;at least one breath freshening article disposed on the support structure; andan outer cover configured to enclose the support structure and the at least one breath freshening article.
2. the insert of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a cardboard stiffener or a plastic stiffener.
3. the insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one breath freshening article is a plurality of breath freshening strips.
4. the insert of claim 3, wherein the plurality of breath freshening strips are stacked on top of one another.
5. the insert of claim 3, wherein the plurality of breath freshening strips are arranged as a sheet or band of strips with each strip attached to its adjacent strip or strips via a line of weakness.
6. the insert of claim 1, wherein the outer cover is a wrapper disposed on opposing surfaces of the support structure and is configured to form a peripheral seal around the support structure so as to protect the at least one breath freshening article.
7. the insert of claim 6, wherein the wrapper is made of a heat sealable paper or a heat sealable foil.
8. the insert of claim 6, wherein the wrapper is configured to stick to at least one of the surfaces of the support structure forming a median seal such that the insert is divided into two pockets on either side of the median seal, each pocket configured to contain a stack of breath freshening articles of the at least one breath freshening article.
9. the insert of claim 6, wherein the wrapper comprises at least one opening mechanism formed in the peripheral seal along a longitudinal direction.
10. the insert of claim 9, wherein the at least one opening mechanism comprises an incision formed at an edge of the peripheral seal such that the wrapper can be opened by tearing the peripheral seal along the incision.
11. the insert of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the insert is less than 3 mm.
12. a packet of smoking articles comprising the insert of claim 1.
13. the packet of claim 12, wherein the insert is configured to be placed between an inner frame and a liner of the packet.
14. the packet of claim 12, wherein a number of the at least one breath freshening article in the insert is at least equal to a number of smoking articles in the packet.
15. a method of manufacturing a packet of smoking articles comprising a step of inserting the insert of claim 1 into a packet of smoking articles.


Abstract: [en] a heating assembly (200) for an aerosol generating device (100) is disclosed. the heating assembly (200) comprises: a tubular heating chamber (202) comprising an opening (204) for receiving an aerosol substrate; and a thin film heater (207) that is wrapped around an outer surface (203) of the heating chamber (202) and configured to supply heat to the heating chamber (202). the thin film heater (207) comprises a flexible heating element (208) and a first electrically insulating backing film (206) comprising mica. the flexible heating element (208) is adhesively coupled to a first side (209) of the first electrically insulating backing film (206) and an opposing second side (211) of the first electrically insulating backing film (206) contacts the outer surface of the heating chamber (203).

[en]       claims   1. a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a tubular heating chamber comprising an opening for receiving an aerosol substrate; and a thin film heater that is wrapped around an outer surface of the heating chamber and configured to supply heat to the heating chamber, wherein the thin film heater comprises a flexible heating element and a first electrically insulating backing film comprising mica, and wherein the flexible heating element is adhesively coupled to a first side of the first electrically insulating backing film and an opposing second side of the first electrically insulating backing film contacts the outer surface of the heating chamber.
2. the heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first electrically insulating backing film comprises at least one of: muscovite; and phlogopite.
3. the heating assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first electrically insulating backing film comprises a mica paper.
4. the heating assembly of claim 3, wherein the mica paper is impregnated with a binder.
5. the heating assembly of claim 4, wherein the binder comprises: resin; woven cloth or web; or non-woven cloth or web.
6. the heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the binder comprises resin, and wherein the resin comprises: silicone resin, polyester; polytetrafluoroethylene (ptfe); or polyether ether ketone (peek).
7. the heating assembly of claim 5, wherein the binder comprises non- woven cloth or web, and wherein the non-woven cloth or web comprises at least one of: glass; and polyester.
8. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first electrically insulating backing film has a thickness of less than 120 pm.
9. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the first electrically insulating backing film is a phlogopite mica tape having a thickness between 80 and 120 pm.
10. the heating assembly of claim 9, wherein the tape has a dielectric strength of more than 1.1 kv/layer.
11. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the thin film heater comprises a second electrically insulating backing film disposed on an opposing side of the heating element to the first electrically insulating backing film such that the heating element is at least partially enclosed between the first electrically insulating backing film and the second electrically insulating backing film.
12. the heating assembly of claim 11, wherein the second electrically insulating backing film comprises mica.
13. the heating assembly of claim 12, wherein the second electrically insulating backing film is a phlogopite mica tape having a thickness between 80 and 120 pm.
14. the heating assembly of claim 13, wherein the tape has a dielectric strength of more than 1.1 kv/layer.
15. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible heating element comprises a metal resistive track.
16. the heating assembly of claim 15, wherein the metal resistive track is a chemically etched metal resistive track.
17. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the flexible heating element is adhesively coupled to the first side of the first electrically insulating backing film using a silicon-based adhesive.
18. the heating assembly of any preceding claim, further comprising: a heat shrink film that is wrapped around the thin film heater to secure the thin film heater to the heating chamber.
19. the heating assembly of claim 18, wherein the heat shrink film comprises: polyimide; or polyether ether ketone (peek).
20. the heating assembly of any of the preceding claims, wherein the thin film heater is wrapped around an outer surface of the heating chamber having a diameter of less than 10 mm, preferably comprised between 6.5 mm and 9 mm, more preferably 7 and 8.5 mm.


Abstract: [en] a method of enabling an operation of an aerosol generation device including at the aerosol generation device: determining whether an aerosol generation device held operation enablement message is valid or invalid, and enabling the operation if the aerosol generation device held operation enablement message is determined to be valid, at the personal computing device attempting to obtain a server generated operation enablement message, transmitting the server generated operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device if the server generated operation enablement message is obtained, and generating a personal computing device generated operation enablement message and transmitting the personal computing device operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device if the server generated operation enablement message is not obtained. the aerosol generation device uses whichever of the operation enablement messages it receives from the personal computing device as the aerosol generation device held operation enablement message.

[en] 1. a method for enabling an operation of an aerosol generation device, comprising the steps of: attempting to obtain a server generated operation enablement message,transmitting the server generated operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device if the server generated operation enablement message is obtained, andgenerating a personal computing device generated operation enablement message and transmitting the personal computing device generated operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device if the server generated operation enablement message is not obtained.
2. the method of claim 1, wherein the server generated operation enablement message remains valid for a first period of time and the personal computing device generated operation enablement message remains valid for a second period of time, the first period of time being longer than the second period of time.
3. the method of claim 1, further comprising the step: storing the server generated operation enablement message if successfully obtained.
4. the method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving an aerosol generation device originating operation enablement request; and in responsetransmitting the server generated operation enablement message or the personal computing device generated operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device.
5. the method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing an unlock interface to a user; andupon the user successfully unlocking the unlock interface, transmitting the personal computing device generated operation enablement message to the aerosol generation device.
6. (canceled)
7. the method of claim 1, wherein the step of attempting to obtain the server generated operation enablement message comprises transmitting an operation enablement request to a remote server.
8. the method of claim 1, wherein the server generated operation enablement message and/or the personal computing device generated operation enablement message comprise data indicative of a time to be valid for.
9-10. (canceled)
11. the method of claim 1, further comprising the steps: receiving, at the aerosol generation device, and using the server generated operation enablement message or the personal computing device generated operation enablement message as an aerosol generation device held operation enablement message;determining whether the aerosol generation device held operation enablement message is valid or invalid, andenabling the operation if the aerosol generation device held operation enablement message is determined to be valid.
12. the method of claim 1, further comprising the step: disabling the operation of the aerosol generation device, wherein the disabling of the operation of the aerosol generation device is performed at an end of a period of time commencing from a time at which the operation of the aerosol generation device is enabled.
13. the method of claim 7, further comprising the steps: receiving an/the operation enablement request;authenticating a user of the aerosol generation device;generating the server generated operation enablement message;digitally signing the server generated operation enablement message such that the server generated operation enablement message comprises verifiable data; andtransmitting the server generated operation enablement message such that the operation of the aerosol generation device is enabled when the aerosol generation device determines that the verifiable data of the server generated operation enablement message is authentic.
14. the method of claim 1, wherein the server generated operation enablement message is stored on a personal computing device, and wherein the server generated operation enablement message is stored in a browser storage of a web browser of the personal computing device.
15. (canceled)
16. the method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of: on the remote server;receiving the operation enablement request to generate the server generated operation enablement message;authenticating a user of the aerosol generation device;generating the server generated operation enablement message;digitally signing the server generated operational enablement message such that the server generated operational enablement message comprises verifiable data; andtransmitting the server generated operation enablement message.
17. the method of claim 16, wherein the operation enablement request to generate the server generated operation enablement message comprises data indicative of an age of a user of the aerosol generation device.
18-20. (canceled)
21. the method of claim 1, wherein the server generated operation enablement message comprises verification information and/or verifiable data.
22. the method of claim 21, wherein the verification information comprises a public key of a public/private key pair and the verifiable data comprises a digital signature signed using a private key of the public/private key pair.
23. the method of claim 22, wherein the public/private key pair is a public/private key pair generated at a remote server.
24-25. (canceled)
26. the method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of: on the personal computing device:launching a progressive web application on the web browser;accessing the browser storage of the web browser, the browser storage storing one or more consumer apparatus identifiers each corresponding to a candidate aerosol generation device;determining one of the candidate consumer apparatus as the selected aerosol generation device with which to open a short-range wireless communication connection;receiving the consumer apparatus identifier corresponding to the selected aerosol generation device and causing the personal computing device to open the short-range wireless communication connection between the personal computing device and the selected aerosol generation device using the received consumer apparatus identifier corresponding to the selected aerosol generation device.
27-29. (canceled)
30. the method of claim 26, wherein the personal computing device receives, from the selected aerosol generation device, an indication of a functioning of the selected aerosol generation device via the short-range wireless communication connection.
31. (canceled)
32. the method of claim 30, further comprising the step of: on the personal computing device:transmitting the indication of the functioning of the selected aerosol generation device to a remote server via a long-range communication connection.
33. the method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of: prior to transmitting the indication of the functioning of the selected aerosol generation device to the remote server:determining whether the long-range communication connection is available to the personal computing device; andin response to determining that the long-range communication connection is available to the personal computing device, causing the long-range communication connection to be set up between the personal computing device and the remote server.
34-38. (canceled)


Abstract: [en] a method for producing filters for smoking articles includes: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface; providing an outer wrapper; wrapping the outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface; obtaining a wrapped filter rod; cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer and inner wrapped filter rod segments, wherein first and second outer wrapped filter rod segments include the first and second filter rod ends, respectively, and have a length being less than 10 percent of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; and obtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.

[en] 1. a method for producing filters for smoking articles, comprising the steps: providing a filter rod, the filter rod having a cylinder shape with a first filter rod end, a second filter rod end and a circumferential filter rod surface;wrapping an outer wrapper around the filter rod along a filter rod circumferential direction covering at least parts of the circumferential filter rod surface to obtain a wrapped filter rod;cutting the wrapped filter rod perpendicular to a filter rod longitudinal direction into outer wrapped filter rod segments and an inner wrapped filter rod segment, wherein the outer wrapped filter rod segments include a first outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the first filter rod end and a second outer wrapped filter rod segment comprising the second filter rod end, each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment having a length being less than 10 percent of a total length of the filter rod and/or less than 10 mm; andobtaining the inner wrapped filter rod segments as the filters and disposing the outer wrapped filter rod segments.
2. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes obtaining at least two inner wrapped filter rod segments.
3. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8 percent of the total length of the filter rod.
4. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 8 mm.
5. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the outer wrapper is fixed to the filter rod by a glueing connection, wherein the glueing connection is arranged on an inner surface of the outer wrapper, the inner surface of the outer wrapper being in contact with the circumferential filter rod surface.
6. the method according to claim 5, wherein: at least parts of the inner surface of the outer wrapper are self-adhesive.
7. the method according to claim 1, wherein: an outer surface of the outer wrapper is printed.
8. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the filter rod comprises a filter tow and a plug wrap.
9. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the filter rod comprises a fibrous material, the fibrous material being selected from the group of cellulose acetate, cellulose, flax, hemp, cotton and polylactic acid.
10. the method according to claim 1, further comprising: a first flavoring element and a second flavoring element arranged inside the filter rod, wherein a central plane of the filter rod extending perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction defines a first side and a second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element is arranged on the first side of the filter rod and the second flavoring element is arranged on the second side of the filter rod, wherein the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are each arranged at a distance to the central plane, the distance being between 3 mm and 20 mm.
11. the method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 5 mm and 15 mm.
12. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the outer wrapper consists of a paper, carton and/or cardboard material, wherein the outer wrapper (30) is textured, structured, coated and/or perforated.
13. the method according to claim 1, wherein: length of the outer wrapper in the filter rod longitudinal direction is the same as the total length of the filter rod in the filter rod longitudinal direction.
14. the method according to claim 1, wherein: when the step of cutting the wrapped filter rod includes cutting the filter rod and/or the outer wrapper perpendicular to the filter rod longitudinal direction.
15. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4 percent of the total length of the filter rod.
16. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3.85 percent of the total length of the filter rod.
17. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is less than 4 mm.
18. the method according to claim 1, wherein: the length of each of the first outer wrapped filter rod segment and the second outer wrapped filter rod segment is 3 mm.
19. the method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is between 8 mm and 12 mm.
20. the method according to claim 10, wherein: the distance at which each of the first flavoring element and the second flavoring element are arranged to the to the central plane of the filter rod is 10 mm.


Abstract: [en] the invention concerns an aerosol generating device for vaping comprising an outer case (8), an atomizer (2) to create an inhalable vapor, a battery (4) and a microcontroller (6), characterized in that at least a controlling part of an external surface (10) of the outer case is electrically resistive, and in that the device comprises: an generating unit (18b) generating an electric field (20) in the controlling part; a mapping unit (28b) establishing a time dependent map of the electric field or the electrical potential distribution in the controlling part; an analyzing unit to detect variations in the map representative of the presence and/or movements of a user's finger on the outer case controlling part, then to determine a specific interaction of the user with the controlling part, to compare the detected specific interaction with registered patterns associated with commands, and to send the corresponding command to the microcontroller.

[en]     claims   1. aerosol generating device for vaping comprising an outer case (8) which accommodates an atomizer (2) for heating a vaporizable substance to create an inhalable vapor, a power source (4) for powering the atomizer, a microcontroller (6) supplied by the power source (4), with a controlling unit (60) for controlling the atomizer (2), and a user interface enabling a user to send commands to the controlling unit (60), characterized in that at least a part of an external surface of the outer case, referred to as the controlling part of the outer case, is made of an electrically resistive material, and in that the user interface comprises:   - an electric field-generating unit (18a, 18b) configured to generate an electric field (20) in the controlling part of the outer case according to a reference map,   - a mapping unit (28a, 28b, 30, 32) configured to establish a time dependent map of the electric field or the electrical potential distribution in the controlling part of the outer case,   - an analyzing unit (34, 36, 38) configured to detect perturbations and/or variations over a time period in the map, representative of the presence and/or movements of a user’s finger on the controlling part of the outer case, the analyzing unit being further configured to determine a specific interaction of the user with the controlling part of the outer case, to compare the detected specific interaction with registered patterns associated with corresponding commands and, if the detected specific interaction matches a registered pattern, to send the corresponding command to the controlling unit (60) of the microcontroller.
2. aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the controlling part of the outer case (8) extends along the entire external surface (10) of the outer case.
3. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrically resistive of the controlling part is chosen among any material having a surface resistivity comprised between 500 ohms and 100m ohms per square, conducting plastics, abs or a polycarbonates loaded with metallic or carbon-based particles, electrically insulating materials coated with electrically conducting paint, solid materials first covered with a dielectric paint and subsequently covered with an electrically conducting paint.
4. aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electric field-generating unit is configured to provide a voltage in the order of 1 to 10v dc or 1 to 10v ac with a frequency up to 500khz.
5. aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electric field-generating unit includes two generating electrodes (18a, 18b) connected to the microcontroller (6) and supplied by the power source (4), the two generating electrodes contacting an internal face (12) of the outer case at two opposite points of the controlling part, the two generating electrodes being set at two different constant electrical potentials.
6. aerosol generating device according to claim 5, wherein each of the generating electrodes includes a spring loaded pogo pin, the spring urging the pogo pin in contact with the internal face (12) of the outer case.
7. aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mapping unit includes a plurality of measuring points distributed on the controlling part of the outer case, with, for each measuring point, a pair of electrical contacts (28a, 28b), and a measuring unit (30) for frequently measuring the electrical potential difference between the two electrical contacts of each pair.


Abstract: [en] the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device comprising a primary liquid reservoir, a secondary liquid reservoir and a mouthpiece sequentially arranged one after another. the primary liquid reservoir comprises an aerosolisable liquid which is transportable towards the secondary liquid reservoir through at least one opening thereby creating a liquid flow path. the aerosol generating device further comprises at least one aerosol generating unit arranged in the liquid flow path for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece thereby creating an aerosol flow path. the primary liquid reservoir further comprises a variable volume surrounded by an at least in part non-rigid surrounding wall which is mechanically deformable and/or extendable. the aerosolisable liquid is extractable and/or refillable of the primary liquid reservoir through the opening to the aerosol generating unit during pressurization of the primary liquid reservoir. the aerosolisable liquid occupies the entire volume of the primary liquid reservoir and/or the primary liquid reservoir is sealed in gas-tight manner.

[en]     aerosol generating device with an at least in part non-rigid e-liquid reservoir   claims   1. an aerosol generating device (1) comprising a primary liquid reservoir (2), a second ary liquid reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (4) sequentially arranged one after another, wherein the primary liquid reservoir (2) comprises an aerosolisable liquid (5) which is transportable towards the secondary liquid reservoir (3) through at least one opening (9) thereby creating a liquid flow path (if), wherein the aerosol generating device (1) further comprises at least one aerosol generating unit (6) arranged in the liquid flow path (if) for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece (4) thereby creating an aerosol flow path (af), characterized in that the primary liquid reservoir (2), which is mechanically deformable and/or extendable, comprises a variable volume (7) surrounded by an at least in part non-rigid surround ing wall (8), wherein the aerosolisable liquid is extractable to the aerosol generating unit (6) during pressurization of the primary liquid reservoir (2) and/or the primary liq uid reservoir (2) is refillable through the opening (9), wherein the aerosolisable liquid (5) occupies the entire volume (7) of the primary liquid reservoir (2) and/or the pri mary liquid reservoir (2) is sealed in gas-tight manner.
2. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the primary liquid reservoir (2) is a flexible bag.
3. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surrounding wall (8) comprises a concertina bladder structure.
4. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the primary liquid reservoir (2) is a tube.
5. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the surrounding wall (8) comprises a rigid cylindrical shape which is connected to a deformable and/or an adjustable bottom.
6. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (9) is a nozzle (9a), preferably a one way nozzle (9a), which seals the primary liquid reservoir (2) against the liquid flow path (if), wherein the nozzle (9) is a connection between the primary liquid reservoir (2) and the secondary liquid reservoir (3).
7. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit (6) comprises means (6a) for generating aerosol, prefera bly a heater.
8. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit (6) is arranged between the primary liquid reservoir (2) and the secondary liquid reservoir (3).
9. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary liquid reservoir (3) comprises at least one channel () which leads the generated aerosol from the aerosol generating unit (6) to the mouthpiece.
10. a primary liquid reservoir (2) of an aerosol generating device (l)according to claim 1, characterized by a variable volume (7) surrounded by an at least in part non-rigid surrounding wall (8) which is mechanically deformable and/or extendable, wherein the aerosolisable liquid is extractable and/or refillable of the primary liquid reservoir (2) through the opening (9) to the aerosol generating unit (6) during pressurization of the primary liquid reser- voir (2), wherein the aerosolisable liquid (5) occupies the entire volume (7) of the pri mary liquid reservoir (2) and/or the primary liquid reservoir (2) is sealed in gas-tight manner
11. a method for manufacturing an aerosol generating device (1) comprising a primary liquid reservoir (2), a secondary liquid reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (4), wherein the primary liquid reservoir (2) comprises an aerosolisable liquid (5) which is transporta ble towards the secondary liquid reservoir (3) through at least one opening (9) thereby creating a liquid flow path (if) comprising following steps: providing the primary and secondary liquid reservoirs (2, 3) and the mouth piece (4); arranging the primary liquid reservoir (2) sequentially after the secondary liq uid reservoir (3); connecting the primary liquid reservoir (2) to the secondary liquid reservoir (3) with the opening (9); connecting the secondary liquid reservoir (3) to the mouthpiece (4); installing the primary and secondary liquid reservoirs (2, 3) and the mouth piece (4) in a housing.
12. method for manufacturing the aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 13, characterized by arranging an aerosol generating unit (6) at least in the secondary liquid reservoir (3).
13. method for manufacturing the aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 12, characterized by arranging the aerosol generating unit (6) between the primary and the secondary liq uid reservoir (3).
14. a method for refilling the primary liquid reservoir (2) according to claimsl - 12 comprising following steps providing a refilling reservoir comprising an refillable aerosolisable liquid; arrange the refilling reservoir to the mouthpiece (4); applying pressure to the primary liquid reservoir (2) with the refilling reservoir, wherein the aerosolisable liquid flows from the refilling reservoir through the mouthpiece (4) to the opening (9).
15. an aerosol generating device (1) comprising a primary liquid reservoir (2), a second ary liquid reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (4) sequentially arranged one after another, wherein the primary liquid reservoir (2) comprises an aerosolisable liquid (5) which is transportable towards the secondary liquid reservoir (3) through at least one opening (9) thereby creating a liquid flow path (if), wherein the aerosol generating device (1) further comprises at least one aerosol generating unit (6) arranged in the liquid flow path (if) for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece (4) thereby creating an aerosol flow path (af), characterized in that the primary liquid reservoir (2), which is mechanically deformable and/or extendable, comprises a variable volume (7) surrounded by an at least in part non-rigid surround ing wall (8), wherein the aerosolisable liquid is extractable to the aerosol generating unit (6) during pressurization of the primary liquid reservoir (2) and/or the primary liq uid reservoir (2) is refillable through the opening (9), wherein the aerosolisable liquid (5) occupies the entire volume (7) of the primary liquid reservoir (2) and/or the pri mary liquid reservoir (2) is sealed in gas-tight manner, wherein the aerosol generating unit (6) is arranged between the primary liquid reservoir (2) and the secondary liquid reservoir (3).
16. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit represents an initial section of the aerosol flow path.
17. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit is arranged parallel to the opening of the primary liquid reservoir.
18. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 15 - 17, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit is formed as a heating ring, preferably comprising a nar row through-hole.
19. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 15 - 18, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit preferably seals the opening of the primary liquid reservoir in a one-way (single use) manner being in fluid connection to the mouthpiece and the secondary liquid reservoir.


Abstract: [en] the present invention relates to an aerosol generating device (1) comprising a first reservoir (2), a second reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (7) sequentially arranged one after another along a predefined direction (v). the first reservoir comprises an aerosolisable liquid which is transportable towards the second reservoir through at least one opening (5) thereby creating a liquid flow path (lf). the aerosol generating device further comprises at least one aerosol generating unit (8) arranged in the second reservoir for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece thereby creating an aerosol flow path (af). according to the invention, the first reservoir comprises a mechanically deformable failure area (9) which allows a predefined transportation of the aerosolisable liquid along the liquid flow path as consequence of a force application (cf) on the first reservoir. the invention relates also to a first reservoir comprising a failure area.

[en]       aerosol generating device comprising a reservoir with a failure area   claims   1. an aerosol generating device (1) comprising a first reservoir (2), a second reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (7) sequentially arranged one after another along a predefined direction (v), wherein the first reservoir (2) comprises an aerosolisable liquid which is transportable towards the second reservoir (3) through at least one opening (5) thereby creating a liquid flow path (if), wherein the aerosol generating device (1) fur ther comprises at least one aerosol generating unit (8) arranged in the second reser voir (3) for generating inhalable aerosol which flows to the mouthpiece (4) thereby creating an aerosol flow path (af), characterized in that the first reservoir (2) comprises a mechanically deformable failure area (9) which al lows a predefined transportation of the aerosolisable liquid along the liquid flow path (if) as consequence of a force application (cf) on the first reservoir (2).
2. aerosol generating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the force (cf) can be effected at least in part along a longitudinal and/or transversal direction (l, t) of the aerosol generating device (1) resulting a compression of the aerosol generating device (1) and extraction of the aerosolisable liquid, wherein the longitudinal and transversal directions (l, t) are perpendicular to the predefined di rection (v) of the aerosol generating device (1) and to each other.
3. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first reservoir (2) of the aerosol generating device (1) is deformable at least in part along the longitudinal (l) and/or transversal (t) direction.
4. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (11) of the aerosol generating device (1) is deformable at least in part along the longitudinal (l) and/or transversal (t) direction.
5. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force (cf) can be effected at least in part along or against the predefined direction (v).
6. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerosol generating unit (8) comprises means for generating aerosol, preferably a coil (8a), also preferably a heater.
7. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouthpiece (7) is movable with respect to the housing of the aerosol generating device (1) along and/or against the predefined direction (v), wherein the mouthpiece (7) provides force (cf) on the first reservoir (2) and/or the failure area (9).
8. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fibrous material, preferably a wick, comprised in the second reservoir (3) supplies the aerosol generating unit (8) with the aerosolisable liquid.
9. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first reservoir (2) comprises a non-rigid material at least in part.
10. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second reservoir (3) comprises at least one channel () which leads the generated aerosol from the aerosol generating unit (6) to the mouthpiece (7).
11. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (5) is a nozzle (5a), preferably a one way nozzle (5a), which seals the first reservoir (2) against the liquid flow path (if).
12. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (5) is a mechanical and fluidic connection between the first reservoir (2) and the second reservoir (3).
13. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mouthpiece (7) is connected movably to the housing (11).
14. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the breaking point is a notch, a perforation or a scribe mark which decisively weakens the failure area (9) by the notch effect.
15. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the failure area (9) is connected to an external safety mark or indicator.
16. aerosol generating device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first reservoir (2) comprises means for determining the fill level of the aerosolisa- ble liquid in the first reservoir..
17. a first reservoir (2) for an aerosol generating device (1), wherein the first reservoir (2), a second reservoir (3) and a mouthpiece (4) of the aerosol generating device (1) are sequentially arranged one after another along a predefined direction (v), wherein the first reservoir (2) comprises an aerosolisable liquid (5) which is transportable towards the second reservoir (3) through at least one opening (9) thereby creating a liquid flow path (if), characterized in that the first reservoir (2) comprises a mechanically deformable failure area (9) which al lows a predefined transportation of the aerosolisable liquid along the liquid flow path (if) as a consequence of a force application (cf) on the first reservoir (2).


Abstract: [en] an aerosol generation device (1) comprises an aerosol generation unit (5) transforming an aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user, a wireless communication interface (6) having wireless communications with a communication equipment (2), a digital user interface (7) receiving user inputs for controlling the aerosol generation unit (5), and a controller (8) controlling the digital user interface (7) according to a current status of the wireless communication interface (6) depending on the establishment, or not, of a wireless communication with the communication equipment (2).

[en]       claims   1. aerosol generation device (1) comprising: an aerosol generation unit (5) arranged for transforming an aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user, a wireless communication interface (6) arranged for having wireless communications with a communication equipment (2), and a digital user interface (7) arranged for receiving user inputs at least for controlling said aerosol generation unit (5), wherein the aerosol generation device further comprises: a controller (8) arranged for controlling said digital user interface (7) according to a current status of said wireless communication interface (6) depending on the establishment, or not, of a wireless communication with said communication equipment (2), and wherein said digital user interface (7) is arranged for receiving text information input by said user and defining user inputs, and said controller (8) is further arranged for controlling said wireless communication interface (6) to transmit said text information received by said digital user interface (7) to said communication equipment (2).
2. aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein said controller is operable to switch said digital user interface (7) between an inactive mode, forbidding its use by said user when said wireless communication interface (6) has a first status, and an active mode, allowing receiving user input(s) when said wireless communication interface (6) has a second status.
3. aerosol generation device according to claim 2, wherein said digital user interface (7) is arranged for displaying a keyboard for receiving user input(s) in said active mode.
4. aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein said digital user interface (7) comprises a multi-touch digital screen displaying said keyboard.
5. aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 2 to   4, wherein said controller (8) is arranged for switching automatically said digital user interface (7) from said inactive mode to said active mode when said current status goes from said first status to said second status.
6. aerosol generation device according to any one of claims 2 to   5, wherein said wireless communication interface (6) has said first status when there is no wireless communication established between said wireless communication interface (6) and said communication equipment (2), and has said second status when a wireless communication has been established between said wireless communication interface (6) and said communication equipment (2).
7. aerosol generation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wireless communication interface (6) is arranged to communicate with said communication equipment (2) using a bluetooth human interface device hid profile.
8. aerosol generation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said controller (8) is further arranged for unlocking or locking said aerosol generation device (1) depending on said current status of said wireless communication interface (6).
9. aerosol generation device according to claim 8 taken in combination with any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said controller (8) is arranged for unlocking said aerosol generation device (1) to enable aerosol generation by said aerosol generation unit (5) when said current status is said second status.
10. aerosol generation device according to claim 8 or 9 taken in combination with any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said controller (8) is arranged for locking said aerosol generation device (1) to prohibit aerosol generation by said aerosol generation unit (5) when said current status is said first status.
11. aerosol generation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generation device constitutes an electronic cigarette.
12. method intended for being performed in an aerosol generation device (1) comprising an aerosol generation unit (5) arranged for transforming an aerosol-forming material into an aerosol that may be inhaled by a user, a wireless communication interface (6) arranged for having wireless communications with a communication equipment (2), a digital user interface (7) arranged for receiving user inputs at least for controlling said aerosol generation unit (5), and a controller (8) arranged for controlling said digital user interface (7), wherein the method comprises:   - controlling said digital user interface (7) according to a current status of said wireless communication interface (6) depending on the establishment, or not, of a wireless communication with said communication equipment (2),   - receiving text information input by said user using said digital user interface, and   - transmitting said text information received by said digital user interface (7) to said communication equipment (2).
13. method according to claim 12, wherein controlling said digital user interface (7) according to a current status of said wireless communication interface (6) comprises:   - determining whether a wireless communication has been established between said wireless communication interface (6) and said communication equipment (2), and if so   - switching said digital user interface (7) into an active mode to receive user input(s).
14. method according to claim 13, wherein said switching induces displaying a keyboard with said digital user interface (7) to receive text information input by said user and defining user inputs, when said digital user interface (7) is in said active mode.
15. method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the method further comprises: unlocking said aerosol generation device (1) to enable aerosol generation by said aerosol generation unit (5) if a wireless communication has been established between said aerosol generation device (1) and said communication equipment (2).


Abstract: [en] an aerosol generation device (200) for heating a consumable (300) comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate (310). the device comprises: a body (210) comprising a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion, the heating chamber comprising a first side wall (212), a first end wall (214) and a penetrative heater (216) protruding from the first end wall into the heating chamber, wherein the penetrative heater is arranged such that, when a consumable is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate; an inner chamber (230) adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber and adapted to receive the consumable, the inner chamber comprising a second side wall (232) and a second end wall (234) connected to the second side wall; wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around the penetrative heater; and a cap (220) adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.

[en]     claims   1. an aerosol generation device for heating a consumable comprising a columnar portion of aerosol substrate, the device comprising: a body comprising a heating chamber for heating the columnar portion, the heating chamber comprising a first side wall, a first end wall and a penetrative heater protruding from the first end wall into the heating chamber, wherein the penetrative heater is arranged such that, when a consumable is inserted into the heating chamber, the penetrative heater penetrates into the columnar portion of aerosol substrate; an inner chamber adapted to be removably inserted into the heating chamber and adapted to receive the consumable, the inner chamber comprising a second side wall and a second end wall connected to the second side wall; wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around the penetrative heater; and a cap adapted to hold the inner chamber in the heating chamber.
2. an aerosol generation device according to claim 1, wherein the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.
3. an aerosol device according to claim 2, wherein the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a material with a thermal conductivity of at least 25 w/m.k.
4. an aerosol generation device according to claim 3, wherein the second side wall and/or the second end wall comprises a metallic material or graphite.
5. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap comprises an inhibitor portion adapted to prevent the inner chamber from moving while the cap is engaged with the body.
6. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap comprises an opening adapted to receive the consumable and to allow the consumable to be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber.
7. an aerosol generation device according to claim 6, wherein the cap further comprises an outer tubular portion arranged to fit over at least part of the body in the holding position of the inner chamber.
8. an aerosol generation device according to claim 7, wherein the cap comprises an inner tubular portion arranged to abut against the inner chamber in position in the heating chamber.
9. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner chamber comprises a flange adapted to remain outside the heating chamber.
10. an aerosol generation device according to claim 9, wherein a thermal conductivity of the flange is substantially lower than a thermal conductivity of the second side wall and the second end wall.
11. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a side heater arranged to supply heat into the heating chamber through the first side wall.
12. an aerosol generation device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second side wall and the second end wall are adapted to reflect heat within the heating chamber.
13. an aerosol generation device according to claim 12, wherein respective inner surfaces of the second side wall and the second end wall comprise a heat reflective layer or a heat reflective coating.
14. an aerosol generation device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the first side wall and first end wall comprise a heat resistant material.
15. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating chamber comprises a tubular insulation.
16. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the body.
17. an aerosol generation device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap or the inner chamber comprises an attachment part for releasably attaching the inner chamber to the cap.
18. an aerosol generation device according to claim 17, wherein the cap or the inner chamber are attached by a friction fit or screw fit connection.
19. a chamber adapted to be inserted as an inner chamber into a heating chamber of an aerosol generation device and adapted to receive a consumable, the chamber comprising a side wall and an end wall, wherein the second end wall comprises an aperture adapted to fit around a penetrative heater of the heating chamber, and the second end wall and the second side wall are adapted to spread heat from the penetrative heater.


Abstract: [en] tobacco product for an aerosol generating device, wherein the tobacco product comprises an aerosolizable agent and a shell, the aerosolizable agent being encapsulated by the shell, wherein the shell comprises a hydrocolloidal material, is fluid tight at an ambient storage temperature of the tobacco product and decomposable by heat. according to the invention the aerosolizable agent comprises tobacco particles and an aerosol former which are aerosolizable by heat.

[en] 1. tobacco product (2) for an aerosol generating device (1), wherein the tobacco product (2) comprises an aerosolizable agent (3) and a shell (4), the aerosolizable agent (3) being encapsulated by the shell (4), wherein the shell (4) comprises a hydrocolloidal material, is fluid tight at an ambient storage temperature of the tobacco product (2) and decomposable by heat,characterized in that, the aerosolizable agent (3) comprises tobacco particles (5) and an aerosol former (6) which are aerosolizable by heat.
2. tobacco product (2) according to claim 1,characterized in that, the shell has a maximum thickness of 100 microns, preferably between 1 and 40 microns and most preferably between 1 and 10 microns.
3. tobacco product (2) according to claim 1 or 2,characterized in that, wherein the tobacco particles (5) have a mean particle size (d90) equal to or less than 100 microns, preferably equal to or less than 50 microns and most preferably equal to or less than less than 30 microns.
4. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the aerosol former (6) comprises at least one of the following ingredients: • polyhydric alcohols or diols such as polypropylene glycol (pg), triethylene glycol, 1-3-butanediol and/or glycerin• esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mon-, di- or triacetate triethyl citrate or myristates including ethyl myristate and/or isopropyl myristate• aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids, such as methyl stearate, dimethyldodecanedioate and/or dimethyl tetradecanedioate
5. tobacco product (2) according to claim 4,characterized in that, the aerosol aerosolizable agent (3) further comprises at least one of the following binder and/or gelling agents: • gum, such as gellan gum, xanthan gum, arabic gum, locust bean gum and/or agar agar• cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (hpmc), hydroxypropyl cellulose (hpc), carboxymethyl cellulose (cmc), hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose (mc), or ethyl cellulose• polysaccharides such as starches• organic acids such as alginic acid• conjugate base salts of organic acids such as sodium-alginate, agar, or pectins.
6. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that, the shell (4) comprises a hydrocolloidal material which has a melting point of at least 50 degrees centigrade, preferably 60 degrees centigrade, and more preferably 70 degrees centigrade, and a maximum melting point of 100 degrees centigrade, preferably 90 degrees centigrade, and more preferably 80 degrees centigrade
7. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that, shell (4) comprises at least one of the following hydrocolloidal materials: alginate, cellulose, gelatin, carrageenan, gelan gum, guar gum, arabic gum,xanthan gum, pectin and/or combinations the materials.
8. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that, the tobacco product (2) comprises at least one non-tobacco flavour and/or a tobacco flavour distinct from the tobacco powder.
9. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that, the aerosol former (6) comprises a semi-liquid and/or pasty consistency.
10. tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that, the tobacco product (2) comprises particles, preferably metal particles, which generate heat on contact with an induction field.
11. aerosol generating article (7) with a tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol generating article (7) comprises at least one tobacco section (11) and at least one filter section (9) with a filter (9a), and/or at least one hollow tubular element (20) between the tobacco section (11) and the filter section (9),characterized in that, the aerosol generating article (7) further comprises at least one cavity (8, 21), wherein the tobacco product (2) is arranged inside the cavity (8, 21).
12. aerosol generating article (7) according to claim 11,characterized in that, the cavity (8) is arranged inside the filter section (9), preferably inside the filter (9a).
13. aerosol generating device (1) for using a tobacco product (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 -10,characterized in that, the aerosol generating device (1) comprises a cavity (10) which is configured to accept the tobacco product (2) and to heat the tobacco product by a heating element (12) to a temperature at which the shell is decomposed and the tobacco particles (5) and aerosol former (6) of the aerosolizable agent (3) are aerosolizable.
14. method for generating an inhalable aerosol (13) with a tobacco product (2) according to one of the claims 1 -10,characterized in that, tobacco product (2) is first arranged inside the cavity (10) of the aerosol generating device (1), and afterwards the cavity (8) is heated to a temperature at which the aerosolizable agent (3) releases an inhalable aerosol (13).
15. method for generating an inhalable aerosol (13) according to claim 14,characterized in that, the shell (4) of the tobacco product (2) is first decomposed by heat, before the inhalable aerosol (13) which is released by the aerosolizable agent (3) dissipates into an aerosol outlet of the device (1) or of an aerosol generating article (7).


Abstract: [en] a cartridge for use in a personal vaporizer device, especially for use in an electronic cigarette, includes a housing which encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized in the personal vaporizer device, the housing having an opening in the top portion, a membrane compartment set into the opening in the top portion of the housing and attached to the inner walls of the housing, and a permeable membrane element held in the membrane compartment, the permeable membrane element being configured to convey liquid from the reservoir to opening in the top portion of the housing by capillary action.

[en] 1. a cartridge for use in a personal vaporizer device, the cartridge comprising: a housing which encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized in the personal vaporizer device, the housing having an opening in a top portion;a membrane compartment set into the opening in the top portion of the housing and attached to the inner walls of the housing; anda permeable membrane element held in the membrane compartment, the permeable membrane element being configured to convey liquid from the reservoir to the opening in the top portion of the housing by capillary action.
2. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein the membrane compartment comprises a compartment wall having a plurality of compartment openings forming a sieve structure.
3. the cartridge of claim 2, wherein the compartment wall of the membrane compartment is one of or a combination of a side wall and a bottom wall.
4. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein the permeable membrane element is formed of a wicking material selected from one of or a combination of the group of an open cell polymer foam, a natural fibrous textile, a synthetic textile, porous ceramics, ceramic wools, silica twines, silica braids, a stainless steel mesh, and nanoporous material having an organic or inorganic framework supporting a regular, porous structure.
5. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the permeable membrane element is flush with a top rim of the housing.
6. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the permeable membrane element is sunk within the housing by a setback distance with respect to a top rim of the housing.
7. the cartridge of claim 5, further comprising: a tear-off film arranged over the top rim of the housing and sealing the permeable membrane element within the cartridge in a liquid-tight manner.
8. the cartridge of claim 6, further comprising: a tear-off film arranged over the top rim of the housing and sealing the permeable membrane element within the cartridge in a liquid-tight manner; anda sealing pad attached to a back of the tear-off film, the sealing pad having a thickness corresponding to the setback distance of the upper surface of the permeable membrane element.
9. the cartridge of claim 1, further comprising: a liquid retention barrier arranged within the reservoir, the liquid retention barrier preventing at least a partial amount of liquid in an upper portion of the reservoir from flowing back into a lower portion of the reservoir.
10. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing is substantially tubular in shape, the membrane compartment being set into a circular opening concentric with a circular cross-section of the housing.
11. the cartridge of claim 10, wherein the permeable membrane element is disc-shaped having a diameter between 50 percent and 90 percent of a diameter of the substantially tubular housing.
12. the cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing is made from a thermoplastic.
13. a personal vaporizer device, comprising: a vaporizer housing having a hollow chamber formed as a receptacle for a cartridge with a permeable membrane element, configured to convey liquid from a liquid reservoir of the cartridge to an opening in a top portion of the cartridge by capillary action;an atomizer section having a heating device configured to vaporize liquid conveyed from the liquid reservoir of the cartridge into the personal vaporizer device; anda mouthpiece connected to the vaporizer housing, the mouthpiece being configured to transfer vaporized liquid from the atomizer section through a mouthpiece opening to a user of the personal vaporizer device.
14. the personal vaporizer device of claim 13, further comprising: a vaporizer rear part configured to be removably attached to the vaporizer housing, thereby enclosing the receptacle for the cartridge.
15. the personal vaporizer device of claim 14, wherein the vaporizer rear part includes a battery compartment for an electric energy storage.
16. the personal vaporizer device of claim 13, wherein the heating device of the atomizer section is configured to be in direct contact with the permeable membrane element of the cartridge upon placing the cartridge into the receptacle of the vaporizer housing.
17. the personal vaporizer device of claim 13, wherein the atomizer section further includes a wick to which the heating device is connected, the wick having a wick contact surface being configured to be in direct contact with the permeable membrane element of the cartridge upon placing the cartridge into the receptacle of the vaporizer housing.
18. the personal vaporizer device of claim 17, wherein the wick is formed of a wicking material selected from one of or a combination of the group of silica twines, silica braids, cotton, a stainless steel mesh, and nanoporous material having an organic or inorganic framework supporting a regular, porous structure.
19. the personal vaporizer device of claim 17, further comprising: an electrical energy storage configured to deliver electric energy to the heating device, the heating device being an electrically resistive metal coil wound around the wick.
20. the personal vaporizer device of claim 13, wherein the atomizer section is arranged between the vaporizer housing and the mouthpiece of the personal vaporizer device.
21. the personal vaporizer device of claim 20, wherein the mouthpiece is connected to the vaporizer housing in such a way that air inlets to the atomizer section are arranged between the vaporizer housing and the mouthpiece of the personal vaporizer device.
22. the cartridge of claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic is polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, or polyethylene.
23. a personal vaporizer system, comprising: a cartridge comprising: a housing which encloses a reservoir for storing a liquid to be vaporized, the housing having an opening in a top portion;a membrane compartment set into the opening in the top portion of the housing and attached to inner walls of the housing; anda permeable membrane element held in the membrane compartment, the permeable membrane element being configured to convey liquid from the reservoir to the opening in the top portion of the housing by capillary action; anda personal vaporizer device comprising: a vaporizer housing having a hollow chamber formed as a receptacle for the cartridge;an atomizer section having a heating device configured to vaporize liquid conveyed from the reservoir of the cartridge into the personal vaporizer device; anda mouthpiece connected to the vaporizer housing, the mouthpiece being configured to transfer vaporized liquid from the atomizer section through a mouthpiece opening to a user of the personal vaporizer device.


Abstract: [en] an aerosol generating device (10) comprises a housing (16) defining a compartment (18) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (32) and a stationary heater (40) positioned adjacent to an outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) and arranged to heat a portion of the aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned adjacent to the heater (40). the aerosol generating device (10) further comprises a support element (44) for supporting the aerosol generating substrate (32), a capture element (50) and a release element (56). the cooperation between the support element (44), capture element (50) and release element (56) provides indexed rotational movement of the support element (44), and corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate (32), in the compartment (18) so that successive portions of the outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) are sequentially positioned adjacent to the stationary heater (40).

[en] 1. an aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a housing (16) defining a compartment (18) for receiving an aerosol generating substrate (32), the compartment (18) having an open end (20), a closed end (22) and a longitudinal axis extending between the open and closed ends (20, 22);a stationary heater (40) positioned adjacent to an outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) and arranged to heat a portion of the aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned adjacent to the heater (40);a support element (44) in the compartment (18) for supporting the aerosol generating substrate (32), the support element (44) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced first engaging formations (48);a capture element (50) fixed to an inner surface of the compartment (18), the capture element (50) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced second engaging formations (52);a release element (56) movable in the compartment (18) along the longitudinal axis upon actuation by a user, the release element (56) including a plurality of circumferentially spaced third engaging formations (58);wherein: the support element (44) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to provide indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate (32) in the compartment (18) to sequentially position portions of the outer surface (36) of the aerosol generating substrate (32) adjacent to the heater (40);the support element (44) is movable in the compartment (18) along the longitudinal axis between first and second positions and is biased to the first position, the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) cooperate when the support element (44) is in the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element (44) in the compartment (18), and the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) do not cooperate when the support element (44) is in the second position to allow rotational movement of the support element (44) in the compartment (18); andupon actuation of the release element (56) by a user, the third engaging formations (58) are configured to engage the first engaging formations (48) to move the support element (44) from the first position to the second position to disengage the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) and thereby permit indexed rotational movement of the support element (44), and corresponding indexed rotational movement of the aerosol generating substrate (32), in the compartment (18).
2. an aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the support element (44) is configured to engage the aerosol generating substrate (32) to retain the aerosol generating substrate (32) in the compartment (18) and such that the aerosol generating substrate (32) rotates in unison with the support element (44).
3. an aerosol generating device according to claim 2, wherein the support element (44) includes a retainer (46) to retain the aerosol generating substrate (32) on the support element (44).
4. an aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element (44) is positioned proximate the closed end (22) of the compartment (18).
5. an aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device (10) includes a biasing element (54) to bias the support element (44) to the first position, preferably wherein the biasing element (54) is positioned at the closed end (22) of the compartment (18).
6. an aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the third engaging formations (58) are configured to impart a rotational force to the first engaging formations (48) when the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) are disengaged to thereby rotate the support element (44) in the compartment (18).
7. an aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein each of the third engaging formations (58) includes an inclined surface (58a, 58b) which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18) and configured to impart said rotational force to the first engaging formations (48).
8. an aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the second engaging formations (52) are configured to impart a rotational force to the first engaging formations (48) during biased movement of the support element (44) from the second position to the first position to thereby rotate the support element (44) in the compartment (18).
9. an aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein each of the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) includes an inclined surface (48b, 52b) which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18), and wherein the inclined surfaces (48b, 52b) are configured to cooperate with each other to impart said rotational force.
10. an aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein each of the first and second engaging formations (48, 52) includes a flat surface (48a, 52a) which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the compartment (18), and wherein the flat surfaces (48a, 52a) are configured to cooperate with each other when the support element (44) is biased to the first position to prevent rotational movement of the support element (44) in the compartment (18).
11. an aerosol generating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element (44) is configured to rotate in substantially equal predetermined rotational increments.
12. an aerosol generating device according to claim 11, wherein each predetermined rotational increment corresponds substantially to a distance that the heater (40) extends around an inner surface of the compartment (18).
13. an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device (10) according to any preceding claim and an aerosol generating substrate (32) positioned in the compartment (18).
14. an aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the compartment (18) and the aerosol generating substrate (32) have a substantially circular cross-section.