[en] a method for continuously manufacturing aerosol generating articles includes: (i) providing a continuous web or a continuous strip of an aerosol generating substrate; (ii) providing a continuous web of susceptor material; (iii) continuously cutting the continuous web of susceptor material to form a plurality of susceptor patches; (iv) consecutively applying the patches to a surface of the continuous web or continuous strip of aerosol generating substrate with a predefined and constant spacing between each successive patch; and forming the web or strip of aerosol generating substrate and the patches into a continuous rod. step (iii) uses a rotary cutting unit including a support drum supporting the continuous web of susceptor material around its periphery and a cutting drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutting elements around its periphery. the cutting elements cooperate with the support drum to shear cut the continuous web of susceptor material to form the patches. [en] 1. a method for continuously manufacturing aerosol generating articles, the method comprising: (i) providing a continuous web or a continuous strip of an aerosol generating substrate;(ii) providing a continuous web of susceptor material;(iii) continuously cutting the continuous web of susceptor material to form a plurality of susceptor patches;(iv) consecutively applying the plurality of susceptor patches to a surface of the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate with a predefined and constant spacing between each successive susceptor patch; and(v) forming the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate and the plurality of susceptor patches into a continuous rod;wherein step (iii) is performed using a rotary cutting unit comprising a support drum supporting the continuous web of susceptor material around its a periphery thereof and a cutting drum having a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutting elements around its a periphery thereof, wherein the plurality of cutting elements cooperate with the support drum to shear cut the continuous web of susceptor material to form the plurality of susceptor patches.
2. the method according to claim 1, wherein step (iii) comprises uniformly cutting the continuous web of susceptor material at a predefined and constant spacing so that each of the plurality of susceptor patches has substantially the same length in a direction of travel of the continuous web of susceptor material.
3. the method according to claim 1, wherein the support drum includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses around its periphery and the plurality of cutting elements on the cutting drum cooperate with the circumferentially spaced recesses during rotation of both the support drum and the cutting drum to shear cut the continuous web of susceptor material to form the plurality of susceptor patches.
4. the method according to claim 1, wherein the support drum is a suction drum and the continuous web of susceptor material and one or more of the plurality of susceptor patches are supported around the periphery of the suction drum by a suction force.
5. the method according to claim 4, wherein the predefined and constant spacing between each successive susceptor patch is obtained by permitting relative movement between the continuous web of susceptor material and the support drum for a predetermined period of time immediately after cutting the continuous web of susceptor material to form a susceptor patch.
6. the method according to claim 4, wherein the relative movement between the continuous web of susceptor material and the support drum is obtained by reducing the suction force applied to the continuous web of susceptor material.
7. the method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of susceptor patches has substantially the same dimensions.
8. the method according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the plurality of susceptor patches is between 5 mm and 50 mm.
9. the method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined and constant spacing between each successive susceptor patch is between 1 mm and 20 mm.
10. the method according to claim 1, wherein step (iv) comprises adhering the plurality of susceptor patches to the surface of the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate.
11. the method according to claim 1, wherein step (iv) comprises pressing the plurality of susceptor patches onto the surface of the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate.
12. the method according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate provided in step (i) is a substantially flat surface with a centre line, and step (iv) comprises consecutively applying the plurality of susceptor patches to the substantially flat surface substantially along the centre line.
13. the method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: (vi) cutting the continuous rod to form a plurality of individual aerosol generating articles each comprising at least one of the plurality of susceptor patches.
14. the method according to claim 13, wherein step (vi) comprises cutting the continuous rod at a position between adjacent ones of the plurality of susceptor patches.
15. the method according to claim 14, wherein step (vi) comprises cutting the continuous rod substantially at a midpoint between adjacent ones of the plurality of susceptor patches.
16. the method according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the plurality of susceptor patches is between 10 mm and 30 mm.
17. the method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined and constant spacing between each successive susceptor patch is between 2 mm and 10 mm.
18. the method according to claim 1, wherein step (iv) comprises pressing the plurality of susceptor patches onto the surface of the continuous web or the continuous strip of the aerosol generating substrate using a cam roller (76).


[en] an aerosol generating device comprising a reservoir (2), a heater (3), an air path (5) comprising an air inlet (51) for air admission into the air path (5), and an air outlet (52) from which an aerosol exits. the aerosol generating device comprises an air inlet cover (7) arranged in the air path (5), upstream of the heater (3), and an aerosol outlet cover (8) arranged in the air path (5), downstream of the heater (3), the air inlet cover (7) and the aerosol outlet cover (8) being movable between a first position in which it prohibits the passage of a liquid into the air path (5) and a second position in which it allows the passage of a fluid into the air path (5), the air inlet cover (7) and the aerosol outlet cover (8) being made of shape memory material and moving from the first position to the second position when they reach a predetermined temperature. [en] claims 1. an aerosol generating device comprising a reservoir (2) adapted to contain a liquid aerosol substrate to be vaporized by a heater (3) of the aerosol generating device, an air path (5) comprising an air inlet (51) for air admission into the air path (5), and an air outlet (52) from which an aerosol formed by vaporization of the liquid aerosol substrate exits, the air path (5) having a region of fluid communication (53) with the reservoir (2) allowing the passage of the liquid aerosol substrate, the heater (3) being arranged in the region of fluid communication (53) of the air path (5), wherein the aerosol generating device comprises an air inlet cover (7;107) arranged in the air path (5) upstream of the heater (3), and an aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) arranged in the air path (5) downstream of the heater (3), the air inlet cover (7; 107) and the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) being movable between a first position preventing the passage of a liquid into the air path (5) and a second position enabling the passage of a fluid into the air path (5), the air inlet cover (7; 107) and the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) being made of shape memory material and moving from the first position to the second position when they reach a predetermined temperature.
2. aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature is between 30 degrees centigrade and 130 degrees centigrade
3. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air inlet cover (7; 107) and the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) are located substantially at a similar distance from the heater (3).
4. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) is farther from the heater (3) than the air inlet cover (7; 107).
5. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the heater (3), the air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) are connected to an electric power source (4) of the aerosol generating device so that when the heater (3) is supplied with electric current from the electric power source (4), the electric current passes through the air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) and causes heating by joule effect of said air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (8; 108).
6. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 to 5, wherein the air inlet cover (107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (108) comprises a seal (174, 184) that is adapted to be compressed between the air inlet cover (107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (108) and a wall of the air path (5) when said air inlet cover (107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (108) is in the first position.
7. aerosol generating device according to claim 6, wherein air inlet cover (107) and/or the aerosol outlet cover (108) is formed by the assembly of a layer of shape memory material (173, 183) and a layer of elastic material (174, 184) forming the seal, which layer of elastic material (174, 184), preferably silicone, covers at least partially the layer of shape memory material (173, 183).
8. aerosol generating device according to claim 1 to 7, wherein the air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) comprises a fixed edge (71; 171) attached to a wall of the air path (5) and a free edge (72; 172) that rests against the wall of the air path (5) when the air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) is in the first position and that moves away from the wall of the air path (5) when the air inlet cover (7; 107) and/or aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) is moving from the first position to the second position, with the air inlet cover (7. 107) and/or aerosol outlet cover (8; 108) deforming.


[en] a method for charging a rechargeable battery of a device, such as an electronic cigarette, involves acquiring historical data relating to the rechargeable battery from a memory unit in the device, wherein the historical data relate to at least one previous charging operation. the method involves measuring one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied and determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data. an action is then performed on the device based on the determined state of health. [en] 1. a method of charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring historical data relating to the rechargeable battery, wherein the historical data relate to at least one previous charging operation and/or to a default data set;measuring one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during or following a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied;determining a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; andperforming an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined state of health.
2. the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more measured parameters include one or more of a charging voltage and a charging current.
3. the method of claim 1, wherein the one or more measured parameters include open circuit voltage in the rechargeable battery.
4. the method of claim 1, comprising the step of logging the one or more measured parameters as a new entry in the historical data.
5. the method of claim 1, further comprising the step of identifying the electronic cigarette.
6. the method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises displaying a notification if the state of health is outside a normal range.
7. the method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery occurs during or following a pre-charging period of a predetermined duration or in which the rechargeable battery is charged up to a predetermined state of charge, in which a charging voltage is applied.
8. the method of claim 7, wherein the rechargeable battery is rested following the pre-charging period, and the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed during or after the rechargeable battery is rested.
9. the method of claim 7, wherein the rechargeable battery is at least partially discharged, following the pre-charging period, and the step of measuring the one or more parameters is performed during the at least partial discharge.
10. the method of claim 9, wherein the rechargeable battery is discharged by connecting it to a resistive load that is separate to a main electrical heating element in the electronic cigarette.
11. the method of claim 7, wherein the action comprises charging the rechargeable battery, following the pre-charging period, if the state of health is within a normal range.
12. the method of claim 7, wherein the action comprises charging the rechargeable battery in a modified mode, in which at least one charging parameter is modified in comparison to normal charging, following the pre-charging period, if the state of health is outside a normal range.
13. the method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises disabling the charging of the rechargeable battery if the state of health is in an unacceptable range.
14. a system for charging a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, the system comprising at least one processor configured to: acquire historical data relating to the rechargeable battery from a memory unit, wherein the historical data relate to at least one previous charging operation and/or to a default data set;measure one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during or following a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied;determine a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; andperform an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined state of health.
15. a computer readable memory medium comprising executable instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: acquire historical data relating to a rechargeable battery of an electronic cigarette, wherein the historical data relate to at least one previous charging operation and/or to a default data set;measure one or more parameters related to the charging of the rechargeable battery during or following a charging period in which a charging voltage is applied;determine a state of health of the rechargeable battery based on the one or more measured parameters and the historical data; andperform an action on the electronic cigarette based on the determined state of health.


[en] electronic smoking device (1) comprising at least one input (2) for a smokable substance (3), a mouth piece (4) and a heating section (5) being arranged in between the input (2) and the mouth piece (4), wherein the device (1) also comprises a substance transport path (s) from the input (2) to the heating section (5), and a fluid flow path (f) from the heating section (5) to the mouth piece (4).according to the invention the electronic smoking device (1) comprises a grinder (6), which is also arranged in the substance transport path (s) between the input (2) and the heating section (5), wherein a smokable substance (3) inserted into the device (1) is crushed by the grinder (6) into pieces, to be releasable into the heating section (5). [en] 1. electronic smoking device (1) comprising at least one input (2) for a smokable substance (3), a mouth piece (4) and a heating section (5) being arranged in between the input (2) and the mouth piece (4), wherein the device (1) also comprises a substance transport path (s) from the input (2) to the heating section, and a fluid flow path (f) from the heating section (5) to the mouth piece (4)characterized in that the electronic smoking device (1) comprises a grinder (6), which is also arranged in the substance transport path (s) between the input (2) and the heating section (5), wherein a smokable substance (3) inserted into the device (1) is crushed by the grinder (6) into pieces of smokable substance (7), to be releasable into the heating section (5).
2. electronic smoking device according to claim 1,characterized in that the substance transport path (s) and fluid flow path (f) are connected to each other, thereby creating a continuous flow path from the input (2) to the mouth piece (4).
3. electronic smoking device according to claim 2,characterized in that the connection point of the substance transport path (s) and fluid flow path (f) is arranged in the heating section (5).
4. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the input (2) and mouth piece (4), and thereby the substance transport path (s) and fluid flow path (f) are arranged in the same area, or next to each other in the hull of the electronic smoking device (1).
5. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the grinder (6) comprises at least one knife (10) which chops the smokable substance (3) into pieces (7).
6. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the grinder (6) comprises a milling mechanism which grinds the substance into pieces (7).
7. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that the input (2) is configured to accept the smokable substance (3) as a compressed tobacco product in one continuous part.
8. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that the pieces (7) are smaller than 5mm, preferably smaller than 2mm, and most preferred smaller than 1mm.
9. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the electronic smoking device (1) comprises a first transport mechanism (8a) to transport the smokable substance (3) along the substance transport path (s) from the input (2) to the grinder (6).
10. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-9, characterized in that the electronic smoking device (1) comprises a second transport mechanism (8b) to transport the smokable substance (3) along the substance transport path (s) from the grinder (6) to the heating section (5).
11. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-10, characterized in that the heating section (5) heats the pieces (7) to form an inhalable smoke (11) for a consumer.
12. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-11, characterized in that the electronic smoking device (1) further comprises a power supply unit (9), preferably in form of a battery.
13. electronic smoking device according to at least one of the claims 1-12, characterized in that the electronic smoking device (1) comprises a filter element (10), preferably arranged between the heating section (5) and the mouth piece (4) to filter smoke (11) which flows along the fluid flow path (f).
14. electronic smoking device according to claim 13,characterized in that the filter element (10) comprises a porous structure, wherein harmful constituents from smoke (11) flowing through the filter element (10) are filtered out and thereby excluded from the smoke.
15. a method for vaporizing a smokable substance (3) with an electronic smoking device (1) according to claims 1-14, characterized in thatfirst the smokable substance (3) is inserted along the substance transport path (s) and through the input (2) into the device (1);then the smokable substance (3) is crushed by the grinder (6) into pieces (7); afterwards the pieces (7) are released from the grinder (6) along the substance transport path (s) into the heating section (5);the pieces (7) are heated in the heating section (5) to release an inhalable smoke (11) for a consumer which exits the device (1) along the fluid flow path (f) through the mouthpiece (4).


[en] the invention relates to a closure (8) for an opening (2) of an oven (4), preferably an oven (4) of a smoking device (1), wherein the closure (8) comprises a stretchable material. furthermore, the invention relates to a smoking device (1) comprising such a closure (8) and a method for closing an oven (4) comprising the steps of extending a closure (8) from a contracted state to a stretched state, and detachably fixing an end (8b) of the closure (8) at least indirectly to the oven (4). [en] 1. a closure (8) for an opening (2) of an oven (4), preferably an oven (4) of a smoking device (1),characterized in that the closure (8) comprises a stretchable material.
2. the closure (8) according to claim 1,characterized in that the closure (8) is reversibly switchable between a contracted state and a stretched state, wherein the length (l2) of the closure in a longitudinal direction in the stretched state is preferably greater than in the contracted state (l1).
3. the closure according to claim 1 or 2,characterized in that the closure (8) comprises a first (8a) end which is at least indirectly permanently connected to the oven (4) and a second end (8b), which is at least indirectly detachably connected to the oven (4).
4. the closure according to claim 3,characterized in that the second end (8b) is detachably connected to the oven (4) by a coupling device (14, 16) comprising a coupling member (14, 16) selected from a group comprising a hook, a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener, a button, a loop, an eyelet, an eye and an adhesive.
5. the closure according to claim 3 or 4,characterized in that the first end (8a) is rotatably connected to the oven (4) and/or the device (1).
6. the closure according to any of claims 2 - 5,characterized in that a first area of the closure (8) has a first color in its contracted state and a second color, which is different to the first color, in its stretched state.
7. the closure according to claim 6,characterized in that the first area is a surface of the closure (8), preferably the visible surface facing away from the oven chamber (4), wherein the first area preferably has a defined pattern, which is preferably selected from a group comprising stripes, circles, a symbol, preferably a symbol indicating an opened or closed state, an alphabetic character and letters.
8. the closure according to any of claims 2 - 7,characterized in that the length (l(2)) of the closure (8) in a longitudinal directions in the stretched state is greater than its length (l(1)) in the contracted state by a factor of greater than or equal to 1.1, preferably greater than or equal to 1.2, more preferably greater than or equal to 1.5, most preferably greater than or equal to 2 and preferably less than or equal to 20, preferably less than or equal to 15, more preferably less than or equal to 10, most preferably less than or equal to 5.
9. the closure according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the stretchable material is selected from a group comprising a textile, a silicon and an elastomer, which preferably comprises a strain sensitive material which preferably changes its optical properties depending on the applied strain.
10. the closure according to any of claims 3 - 9,characterized in that the length (l1) of the closure in the contracted state is shorter than the shortest distance between the opening (2) of the oven (4) and a point at which the first end (8a) is connected to the oven (4) and/or the device (1).
11. a system (1) comprising an oven having a first opening and a closure (8) according to any preceding claims for closing this first opening (2).
12. the system according to claim 11,characterized in thatthe oven (4) is an electric oven and preferably an oven (4) of a smoking device (1).
13. the system according to claim 11 or 12,characterized by a housing (6), which surrounds the oven at least in parts and preferably isolates the oven (4) thermally.
14. the system according to any of claims 11 - 13,characterized in that a coupling member (16) for detachably connecting a second end (8b) of the closure (8) to the oven (4) and a point at which a first end (8a) is connected to the oven (4) and/or the device (1) are located at opposite sides of the oven (4) and/or the opening (2) of the oven (4).
15. the system according to claim 11 - 14,characterized by a battery (12), preferably a rechargeable battery, which is electrically connected with the oven (4).


[en] the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system (100) comprising an aerosol-generating device (2) and an aerosol-generating article (1). the aerosol-generating device (2) of the invention comprises a cavity defining a virtual cavity axis, the cavity having an opening (3) for insertion of an aerosol-generating article (1) in an insertion position, and a heating assembly arranged to heat, said cavity comprising identification information arranged in or on said article (1). the aerosol-generating device (2) comprises detection means configured to read identification information of the aerosol-generating article (1) in insertion position in the cavity when the detection means are displaced manually relative to the aerosol generation article and the device further comprises an activation switch configured upon activation to turn the detection means in a reading mode. [en]       claims   1. an aerosol-generating system (100) comprising an aerosolgenerating article (1) comprising identification information arranged in or on the article and an aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a cavity (250) defining a virtual cavity axis (252), the cavity (250) having an opening (3) for insertion of said aerosol-generating article (1) in an insertion position, and a heating assembly (240) arranged to heat said cavity (250), wherein said aerosol-generating device (2) further comprises detection means (220, 220’) configured to read identification information of the aerosolgenerating article (1) in its insertion position in the cavity (250) when the detection means are displaced relative to the aerosol generation article (1) and the device (2) further comprises an activation switch (20, 20’) configured upon activation to turn the detection means in a reading mode.
2. an aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the activation switch (20, 20’) is configured to be activated by the displacement of the detection means (220, 220’).
3. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activation switch (20, 20’) comprises mechanical means for being manually moved by a user between an off position to an on position of the switch.
4. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the detection means is configured to be slidable along and/or rotatable around the virtual cavity axis. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it comprises a cavity rim (4) and the activation switch (20) is arranged at or next to the cavity rim. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detection means are configured to read the identification information of the aerosol-generating article (1) and the device further comprises a control unit (230) configured to receive information-related input from the detection means and control at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device to perform an operation based on the received information-related input. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection means comprise a rotatable member (20) arranged at or above the opening of the cavity, said rotatable member comprising a reading element (220, 220’) being arranged to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the cavity axis. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the rotatable member (20) is ring shaped and comprises an annular surface comprising the reading element (220, 220’). the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the detection means comprises a linearly displaceable member (20’) comprising a reading element; the displaceable member being above or next to the cavity (250) and arranged to move along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (252) of the cavity. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detection means (220, 220) comprise a displaceable member (20, 20’) comprising a reading element; the displaceable member being configured to perform a spiral or helicoidal movement at least partially about the cavity axis (252). 11. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the detection means comprise at least one light emitter (221) and at least one light detector (222), for emitting and detecting electromagnetic waves respectively to and from a code or indicia (10) of the article containing the identification information.   12. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 11 wherein said electromagnetic waves are uv light, visible light or infrared light beams.   13. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 11, wherein said electromagnetic waves have a frequency from 0.1 to 10 thz.   14. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said detections means comprise more than two light emitters and/or more than two light detectors.   15. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the identification information is contained in an indicum (10) comprising at least one array of structures arranged according to an optically readable pattern or code.   16. the aerosol-generating system (100) according to claim 15, wherein the indicium (10) comprises one of the following typical classes:   - a reflecting indicium and/or a diffracting indicium;   - an indicium that comprises at least one waveguide or at least one resonating waveguide;   - a partially transparent indicium;   - an indicium that comprises an adaptation layer to assure the adhesion on the outer surface of the article, 22 or a combination of different types of said typical classes of indicia. an aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a cavity (250) defining a virtual cavity axis (252), the cavity (250) having an opening (3) for insertion of an aerosol-generating article (1), and a heating assembly (240) arranged to heat said cavity (250), wherein said device (2) further comprises detection means (220, 220’) arranged outside said cavity (250) and that are displaceable relative to the cavity axis (252), the device (2) further comprising an activation switch (20, 20’) configured upon activation to turn the detection means in an optical reading mode.


[en] an aerosol generating device (10) comprises a heating assembly (12). the heating assembly (12) comprises a heating compartment (14) arranged to receive an aerosol generating article (16) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (38). the aerosol generating device (10) further comprises a gripper mechanism (18) configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16) in the heating compartment (14) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14). the gripper mechanism (18) comprises a gripper (20) moveable between a disengaged position (22) and an engaged position (24) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14). in the disengaged position (22), an aerosol generating article (16) can be received into and removed from the gripper (20) and in the engaged position (24) the gripper (20) is configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16). the gripper (20) comprises a shape-memory alloy, wherein below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a first configuration (26) defining the disengaged position (22) and at or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a second configuration (28) defining the engaged position (24). the first configuration (26) includes a first helical coil (30), and the second configuration (28) includes a second helical coil (32). the diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil (32). [en] claims 1. an aerosol generating device (10) comprising: a heating assembly (12), wherein the heating assembly (12) comprises a heating compartment (14) arranged to receive an aerosol generating article (16) comprising an aerosol generating substrate (38); and a gripper mechanism (18) configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16) in the heating compartment (14) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14), wherein the gripper mechanism (18) comprises a gripper (20) moveable between a disengaged position (22) and an engaged position (24) based on the temperature of the heating compartment (14), wherein in the disengaged position (22) an aerosol generating article (16) can be received into and removed from the gripper (20) and in the engaged position (24) the gripper (20) is configured to engage an aerosol generating article (16), wherein the gripper (20) comprises a shape-memory alloy, wherein below a transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a first configuration (26) defining the disengaged position (22) and at or above the transition temperature the shape-memory alloy has a second configuration (28) defining the engaged position (24), wherein the first configuration (26) includes a first helical coil (30), and the second configuration (28) includes a second helical coil (32), wherein the diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the second helical coil (32).
2. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage a first section (36) of the aerosol generating article (16), wherein the first section (36) comprises the aerosol generating substrate (38).
3. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 2, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage only the first section (36).
4. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein, when the gripper (20) is in the engaged position (24), the gripper (20) is configured to engage the first section (36) having a maximum first section volume and also to engage the first section (36) having a minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate (38) having been vapourised by a vaping session.
5. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of the first helical coil (30) is greater than the diameter of the first section (36) having the maximum first section volume; and wherein the diameter of the second helical coil (32) is less than the diameter of the first section (36) having the maximum first section volume.
6. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of the second helical coil (32) is less than the diameter of the first section (36) having a minimum first section volume caused by most of, or all, the aerosol generating substrate (38) having been vapourised by a vaping session.
7. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claim 2 to 6, wherein the heating assembly (12) is configured such that, in use, only the first section (36) of the aerosol generating article (16) is received within the heating compartment (14).
8. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claim 2 to 7, wherein the heating assembly (12) is configured such that, in use, a second section (40) of the aerosol generating article (16) is outside the heating compartment (14), wherein the second section (40) includes a vapour outlet channel (42).
9. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the axial length of the first helical coil (30) is less than the axial length of the second helical coil (32).
10. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper (20) provides a heater (13) of a heating assembly (12) of the aerosol generating device (10).
11. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the heater (13) is a resistive heating element of a resistive heating assembly.
12. an aerosol generating device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the heater (13) is an inductively heatable susceptor of an induction heating assembly.
13. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the gripper (20) is separate and distinct from a heater (13) of a heating assembly (12) of the aerosol generating device (10).
14. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper (20) is disposed inside the heating compartment (14) at or towards the base (34) of the heating compartment (14).
15. an aerosol generating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transition temperature is at least 50 degrees centigrade and below the vaporisation temperature of the aerosol generating substrate (38).


[en] a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising a heating chamber (25) having an opening for receiving an aerosol substrate, said heating chamber (25) comprising a first tubular portion (14) made from ceramic material and, at least one second tubular portion (20) made from metallic material or thermal-resistant plastic, and heating element (16) configured to heat said first tubular portion (14). the at least one second tubular portion (20) is connected to an end of the first tubular portion (14). [en] claims 1. a heating assembly for an aerosol generating device, comprising: a heating chamber (25) having an opening for receiving an aerosol substrate, said heating chamber (25) comprising: a first tubular portion (14) made from ceramic material and, at least one second tubular portion (20) made from metallic material or thermal-resistant plastic, a heating element (16) configured to heat said first tubular portion (14), said at least one second tubular portion (20) being connected to an end of the first tubular portion (14).
2. the heating assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second tubular portion (20) is made from stainless steel or peek (polyether ether ketone).
3. the heating assembly according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said second tubular portion (20) is abutted to said end of the first tubular portion (14).
4. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first tubular portion (14) has a thinned end portion (15) forming a shoulder (19), said at least one second tubular portion (20) having an end bearing against said shoulder (19).
5. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one second tubular portion (20) covers a circumferential surface of the first tubular portion (14) located on the side of the end of said first tubular portion (14).
6. the heating assembly according to claim 5, wherein said circumferential surface of said first tubular portion (14) which is covered by said at least one second tubular portion (20) is an inner surface (18) of said first tubular portion (14).
7. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first tubular portion (14) and said at least one second tubular portion (20) are connected by a tight fit.
8. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said first tubular portion (14) and said at least one second tubular portion (20) are sealed, preferably by brazing.
9. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said first tubular portion (14) represents between 10 percent and 90 percent of a length of said heating chamber (25), preferably about 50 percent of the length of the heating chamber (25).
10. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein ceramic material of said first tubular portion (14) is aluminum nitride.
11. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said heating element (16) is formed as a meandrous pattern on the first tubular portion (14).
12. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said first tubular portion (14) comprises one or more flattened regions that extend in an axial direction of the heating chamber (25).
13. the heating assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising two second tubular portions (20), wherein said two second tubular portions (20) are connected to the first tubular portion (14) respectively at a first end of the first tubular portion (14) and a second end of the first tubular portion (14) which is axially opposite the first end, and said two second tubular portions (20) being spaced in an axial direction of the heating chamber (25).
14. the heating assembly according to claim 13, wherein said first tubular portion (14) is centered between a first end of said heating chamber (25) and a second end of the heating chamber (25) which is axially opposite the first end.
15. the heating assembly according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein said heating element (16) extends axially on the first tubular portion (14) between second tubular portions (20).
16. the heating assembly according to claim 1, comprising two second tubular portions (20), wherein said two second tubular portions (20) are connected to the first tubular portion (14) respectively at a first end of the first tubular portion (14) and a second end of the first tubular portion (14) which is axially opposite the first end, and said two second tubular portions (20) being spaced in an axial direction of the heating chamber (25), and wherein said second tubular portions (20) are made from stainless steel or peek (polyether ether ketone).
17. an aerosol generating device comprising a battery (5) and a heating assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said heating element (16) is electrically supplied by the battery (5).


[en] this invention relates to an e-vaping device comprising: a recess (3) for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), a heater (4) disposed close to or against said recess (3) so as to heat said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), an optical device (2) which is disposed in a hole of a wall (30) of said recess (3) so as to detect a change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) corresponding to a change of state of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), wherein said optical window (24) protrudes into said recess (3) so as to be brushed by said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), upon insertion into said recess (3) and/or upon removal from said recess (3), of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), wherein said optical window (24) comprises, on each side of said optical window (24), along longitudinal direction of said recess (3), a beveled extension (23, 25) so as to make progressive said insertion and said removal of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article. [en]  claims ing device comprising: a recess (3) for receiving an aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), a heater (4) disposed close to or against said recess (3) so as to heat said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), an optical device (2): o which is disposed in a hole of a wall (30) of said recess (3) so as to detect a change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat- not-burn consumable article (1) corresponding to a change of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) going: ¦ from new state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has not yet been heated by said heater (4),¦ to used state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has been heated so much by said heater (4) that said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) is used and should be replaced by a new aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), o and which comprises: ¦ an optical window (24), ¦ an optical source (21), ¦ an optical detector (22), • which are disposed relatively to one another so that a light beam can successively: o be emitted by said optical source (21), o go through said optical window (24), o be reflected by said external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), o go back through said optical window (24), o be received by said optical detector (22), wherein said optical window (24) protrudes into said recess (3) so as to be brushed by said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), upon insertion into said recess (3) and/or upon removal from said recess (3), of said aerosol generating heat- not-burn consumable article (1), wherein said optical window (24) comprises, on each side of said optical window (24), along longitudinal direction of said recess (3), a beveled extension (23, 25) so as to make progressive said insertion and said removal of said aerosol generating heat- not-burn consumable article. e-vaping device according to claim 1, wherein at least half of said optical window (24) protrudes into said recess (3) so as to be brushed by said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) upon insertion and/or upon removal of said aerosol generating heat- not-burn consumable article (1). e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein said optical window (24) protrudes into said recess (3) by at least 0.5mm, or by at least 1mm, or by at least 2mm, or by at least 3mm. e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein said beveled extension (23, 25) presents an angle ranging from 15 degrees to 45 degrees, or an angle ranging from 20 degrees to 40 degrees, or an angle which is about 30 degrees, said angle being defined with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) of the recess (3). e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein said optical device (2) is at least partly inserted within a wall (30) of said recess (3), preferably within a peripheral wall (30) of said recess (3). e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein: said recess (3) is elongate and includes a closed bottom (32) at one longitudinal end and an opening (31) at the other longitudinal end by which said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) can be inserted into said e-vaping device, said optical device (2) is disposed closer to said closed bottom (32) than to said opening (31), preferably closer to said closed bottom (32) than to middle position between said closed bottom (32) and said opening (31), said optical device (2) is preferably away from said closed bottom (32) by a distance of at least 5mm. e-vaping device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein: said optical device (2) is disposed so as to detect a change of color of external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) corresponding to a change of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) going: o from new state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has not yet been heated by said heater (4), o to used state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has been heated so much by said heater (4) that said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) is used and should be replaced by a new aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1). e-vaping device according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein: said optical device (2) is disposed so as to detect a change of reflectivity or a change of color of a tag located on external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not- burn consumable article (1) corresponding to a change of said aerosol generating heat- not-burn consumable article (1) going: o from new state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has not yet been heated by said heater (4), o to used state, where said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) has been heated so much by said heater (4) that said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) is used and should be replaced by a new aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1). e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein said optical device (2) faces a peripheral wall of said external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1). e-vaping device according to any of preceding claims, wherein it also comprises: either an alarm emitting a warning when said optical device (2) has detected said change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1), and/or a security impeding said heater (4) to heat further or again said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1). e-vaping device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein: said optical source (21) emits a single light beam, said optical detector (22) detects said change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) by detecting a variation in absolute intensity of received light from said single light beam reflection. ing device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein it comprises: two of said optical sources (21) emitting respectively simultaneously two light beams of respectively different chromatic ranges, two of said detectors (22) detecting said change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) by respectively detecting a variation in relative intensities of light received respectively from said two light beams. ing device according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein it comprises: two of said optical sources (21) emitting respectively alternatively two light beams of respectively different chromatic ranges, said single detector (22) detecting said change of reflectivity at external surface (10) of said aerosol generating heat-not-burn consumable article (1) by detecting a variation in relative intensities of light received alternatively from said two light beams.


[en] an aerosol generating device, electronic communication device and method there is provided a method of connecting a user to an extended reality environment for an aerosol inhalation session comprising: determining a state of an aerosol generating device; facilitating connection of the user to the extended reality environment based on the determined state. there is also provided an aerosol generating device. there is also provided an electronic communication device. [en] claims 1. a method of connecting a user to an extended reality environment for an aerosol inhalation session comprising: determining a state of an aerosol generating device (100); facilitating connection of the user to the extended reality environment based on the determined state.
2. the method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the state of the aerosol generating device (100) comprises determining that the aerosol generating device (100) is activated.
3. the method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the state of the aerosol generating device (100) comprises determining that the aerosol generating device (100) is in a heating mode.
4. the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising determining that the aerosol generating device (100) is an authenticated device and the step of facilitating connection of the user to the extended reality environment is also based on this determination.
5. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising determining that a consumable of the aerosol generating device (100) is within a predetermined group of authenticated consumables and the step of facilitating connection of the user to the extended reality environment is also based on this determination.
6. the method according to any preceding claim, comprising: requesting an access code from a server (300); receiving the access code; and using the access code to access the extended reality environment hosted by the server (300).
7. the method according to claim 6, wherein the step of facilitating connection comprises: pairing the aerosol generating device (100) with an electronic communication device (200), wherein the step of determining the state of the aerosol generating device (100) occurs after the aerosol generating device (100) is paired with the electronic communication device (200), wherein the electronic communication device (200) communicates with the server (300) to obtain the access code.
8. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user accesses the extended reality environment using an extended reality headset (400).
9. the method according to claim 8, comprising: using one or more sensors of the extended reality headset (400) to track the aerosol generating device (100) and/or aerosol that is generated using the aerosol generating device (100); and simulating the aerosol generating device (100) and/or the aerosol in the extended reality environment.
10. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising permitting interaction between the user and the environment and/or other users, within the extended reality environment.
11. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: accessing a sub-session of the extended reality environment, wherein the sub-session access is based on one or more of: location, age, gender, aerosol generating device type, consumable type, and interests.
12. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: determining a characteristic of the user during the aerosol inhalation session and adjusting the extended reality environment based on the determined characteristic.
13. the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: detecting an input action from the user; and adjusting the extended reality environment based on the detected input action.
14. an apparatus for connecting a user to an extended reality environment, wherein the apparatus is configured to: determine a state of an aerosol generating device; and facilitate connection of the user to the extended reality environment based on the determined state.
15. the apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises an aerosol generating device (100) and/or an electronic communication device (200).


[en] an aerosol generating device includes a heating chamber having a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating medium; a heating element extending along a length of the cavity and configured to heat the aerosol generating medium; a base plate that is moveable along the length of the cavity and is in contact with the heating element to provide an electrical contact, where movement of the base plate changes the position of the electrical contact; and one or more electrical connections configured to deliver electrical energy to the heating element so as to heat a portion of the heating element according to the position of the electrical contact. [en] 1. an aerosol generating device comprising: a heating chamber comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol generating medium;a heating element extending along a length of the cavity and configured to heat the aerosol generating medium, wherein the heating element comprises a single variable heater length for heating the aerosol generating medium;a base plate that is moveable along the length of the cavity and is in contact with the heating element to provide an electrical contact, where movement of the base plate along the cavity changes a position of the electrical contact along a length of the heating element; andone or more electrical connections configured to deliver electrical energy to the heating element so as to heat a portion of the heating element according to the position of the electrical contact.
2. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein movement of the electrical contact along the single variable heater length directly varies an amount of electrical energy delivered to the heating element.
3. the aerosol generating device of claims 1, wherein the base plate comprises a ground connection configured to act as a return path for the delivered electrical energy.
4. the aerosol generating device of claim 3, wherein the ground connection is in contact with a wall of the heating chamber.
5. the aerosol generating device of claim 4, wherein the wall of the heating chamber is configured to extend the return path for the electrical energy.
6. the aerosol generating device of claim 5, wherein the wall of the heating chamber comprises a guide configured to engage with the ground connection.
7. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the base plate is configured to move under contact with the aerosol generating medium as the aerosol generating medium is received in the heating chamber.
8. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the base plate is movable to an extraction position for removing a used aerosol generating medium from the heating chamber.
9. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a power control configured to adjust the electrical energy provided to the heating element depending on the position of the electrical contact.
10. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, further comprising a position control arranged to control a position of the base plate.
11. the aerosol generating device of claim 10, wherein the position control is a manual control or an electronically controlled drive.
12. the aerosol generating device of claim 10, wherein the position control comprises a biasing member arranged to provide a restoring force to the base plate toward an opening in the heating chamber through which the aerosol generating medium is received.
13. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the heating element extends through a plate opening in the base plate.
14. the aerosol generating device of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises a heating blade, the heating blade configured to pierce the aerosol generating medium when received in the heating chamber.
15. the aerosol generating device of claim 14, wherein the heating blade comprises a piercing end directed towards an opening of the heating chamber.


[en] the invention concerns an aerosol generating device configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a flat-shaped heating chamber (50); the heating chamber (50) being configured to receive the flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a heating plate (70) forming at least partially a wall (54a, 54b) of the heating chamber (50); the heating plate (70) comprising a ceramic part (72) and a metal part (74) different from the ceramic part (72) and engaged with this ceramic part (72), both parts (72, 74) being arranged to heat the flat-shaped tobacco article (12). [en] claims 1. an aerosol generating device (11) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a flat-shaped heating chamber (50); the heating chamber (50) being configured to receive the flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a heating plate (70) forming at least partially a wall (54a, 54b) of the heating chamber (50); the heating plate (70) comprising a ceramic part (72) and a metal part (74) different from the ceramic part (72) and engaged with this ceramic part (72), the metal part (74) forming a metal flat surface portion (74s), both parts (72, 74) being arranged to heat the flat-shaped tobacco article (12).
2. the aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the ceramic part (72) extends around the metal part (74).
3. the aerosol generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ceramic part (72) defines a recess portion (78) receiving the metal part (74), the recess portion (78) preferably being a blind hole and having a depth substantially equal to 50 percent of a depth (d70) of the heating plate (70).
4. the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ceramic part (72) and the metal part (74) engaged with the ceramic part (72) form a flat surface (76) designed to be in contact with or face the flat-shaped tobacco article (12), the flat surface (76) comprising the metal flat surface portion (74s).
5. the aerosol generating device according to claim 4, wherein the metal part (74) forms at least 50 percent, preferably at least 60 percent and advantageously at least 70 percent, of the total area of the flat surface (76).
6. the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the recess portion (78) forms a shape complementary to the external shape of the metal part (74) to tightly fit the metal part (74).
7. the aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the recess portion (78) forms a substantially parallelepiped shape with rounded corners.
8. the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating plate (70) is designed to extend substantially along the whole area of a tobacco portion (15) comprised in the flat-shaped tobacco article (12).
9. the aerosol generating device according to claim 8, wherein both ceramic and metal parts (72, 74) are designed to be in contact with or face said tobacco portion (15) of the flat-shaped tobacco article (12).
10. the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ceramic part (72) is configured to be heated by thermal conduction by the metal part (74).
1 1. the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating chamber (50) comprises two heating plates (70) forming at least partially opposite walls of the heating chamber.
12. the aerosol generating device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heating chamber (50) further comprises a heating element configured to heat the ceramic part (72).
13. the aerosol generating device according to claim 12, wherein the heating element is a resistive heating element arranged adjacent to the ceramic part (72), advantageously a heating track or a polyimide film heater arranged adjacent to the ceramic part (72), for example on an external surface of the ceramic part (72).
14. the aerosol generating device according to claim 13, wherein the heating element comprises a magnetic element and a plurality of susceptors comprised in the ceramic part (72), the magnetic element being able to cause heating of the plurality of susceptors by magnetic induction.
15. method for controlling an aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of heating the metal part (74), the heated metal part (74) heating the ceramic part (72) by thermal conduction.


[en] the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device (2) and an aerosol-generating article (1), the aerosol-generating device (2) comprising at least one light source (210) for emitting light (300) into a cavity (200) of the device (2) and for illuminating at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article (1). at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article (1) is configured so that light (400, 400', 4000) is scattered and/or transmitted and/or diffused and/or re-emitted to the outside of the aerosol- generating device (2). the invention relates also to an aerosol generating device (2) that comprises at least one light source (210) for emitting light (300) into the cavity (200) and for illuminating the cavity (200). the light source (210) is configured such that, in operation, at least a portion of light (400) is scattered and/or diffused and/or transmitted and/or re-emitted from said cavity (200) to the outside of the aerosol-generating device (2). [en]
claims an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device (2) and an aerosol-generating article (1) comprising a consumable segment (1 b), the aerosol-generating device (2) comprising a power supply section, arranged in an outer body part (110), and a cavity (200) defining a cavity axis (208), the cavity (200) having an opening (202), defining an opening centre (202a), accessible at the outer body part, said consumable segment (1 b) being inserted, at least partially, in the cavity (200) wherein said aerosol-generating device (2) comprises at least one light source (210) configured for emitting light (300) in the cavity (200) and for illuminating, in operation, at least a portion of the article (1) and wherein at least a portion of the aerosol-generating article is configured for scattering and/or diffusing and/or transmitting and/or re-emitting light (400) to the outside of said aerosol-generating device (2). the aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 wherein the consumable segment (1 b) comprises a tobacco substrate (11). the aerosol-generating system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the aerosol-generating device is configured so that light (400) that is scattered and/or diffused and/or transmitted and/or re-emitted by at least a portion of said aerosol-generating article (1) illuminates, in operation, outside of said device (2) a smoke cloud (1000) provided by the article (1). the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the total emitted light (4000) to the outside of said system has a spatial intensity profile (ip), relative to said opening center (202a), that has a solid angle (o) of at least it steradian (sr), preferably at least 2tt sr. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 5 wherein said total emitted light (4000) has a spatial intensity profile (ip), relative to said opening center (202a), that has a solid angle (o) of 4ttsr. the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
5 wherein the power density of emitted light (400, 430, 4000) is higher than 1 pw/sr, preferably higher than 1 mw/sr, more preferably higher than 10mw/sr. the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
6 wherein said aerosol-generating device (2) comprises an array of light sources (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220). the aerosol-generating system according to claim 7 wherein said array of light sources (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220) is arranged along a circumference of the wall (206) of said cavity (200). the aerosol-generating system according to claim 7 wherein said array of light sources (210-220) is arranged in the direction of the axial axis (208) of said cavity (200). the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
9 wherein at least one of said light sources (210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 218, 220, 251, 302, -220) is configured to emit a light beam (300, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 350, 352, 354, 356) inside the cavity (200), for illuminating a surface portion of a wrapper (100) of an inserted part of the article (1) in the aerosol- generating device (2). the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
10 comprising an optical waveguide (230) having an incoupling surface and at least one outcoupling surface, and wherein said at least one light source (210) is optically connected to said incoupling surface and wherein said at least one outcoupling surface (250, 251, 253, 255, 257) is arranged in said device (2) to direct light beams (350, 352, 354, 356) into said cavity (200).
12. the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
11 wherein the aerosol-generating device (2) comprises at least one further light source (210’, 211, 213, 215) and at least one window (500, 501, 503, 502, 504, 506) for transmitting, out of the device (2), at least one light beam (400’) provided by said at least one further light source (211, 213, 215).
13. the aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to
12 wherein the aerosol-generating device (2) comprises at least one sensor (600) that is electrically connected to said at least one light source (210) and configured to adapt the intensity and/or colour of the emitted light (310-320) of said at least one light source (210) in function of the electrical signal output of said sensor.
14. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 13 wherein said sensor (600) is a pressure sensor.
15. an aerosol-generating system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said aerosol generating article (1) comprises a surface portion which is configured for scattering and/or diffusing and/or transmitting and/or re-emitting light to the outside of said aerosol- generating device (2).
16. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the surface portion is part of a section (1 c) of the article (1) that does not comprise an aerosol generating substance (11).
17. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the surface portion of the article (1) comprises a light- reflecting, diffusing or scattering layer. 18. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the surface portion comprises a light-reflective pattern configured for reflecting light in an inclined direction towards the mouth-end of the article (1).
19. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the surface portion of the article (1) comprises a luminescent material to provide emitted light upon excitation by the light source.
20. the aerosol-generating system according to claim 15, wherein the surface portion of the article (1) comprises an optical prism.
21. the aerosol-generating system according to claims 15 to 20, wherein the surface portion of the article is part of the outer wrapper and/or a paper tube of the article.
22. an aerosol generating device (2) comprising a power supply section, arranged in an outer body part (110), and a cavity (200) defining a cavity axis (208), the cavity (200) having an opening (202) accessible at the outer body part, wherein the aerosol-generating device (2) comprises at least one light source (210) for emitting light (300) into the cavity (200) and for illuminating the cavity (200), and the light source (210) is configured such that, in operation, at least a portion of light (4000) is scattered and/or diffused and/or transmitted and/or re-emitted from said cavity (200) to the outside of the aerosol-generating device (2).
23. an aerosol generating device (2), wherein said scattered and/or diffused and/or transmitted and/or re-emitted light (4000) from said aerosol generating device (2) has a spatial angle of more than 2ttsr.


[en] the present invention concerns an aerosol generating device configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a flat-shaped heating chamber (50); the heating chamber (50) being configured to receive the flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a first heating plate (70a) and a second heating plate (70b) forming at least partially opposite walls (54a, 54b) of the heating chamber (50); the heating plates (70a, 70b) being made from different materials having different thermal masses, the thermal mass of the second heating (70b) plate being greater than the thermal mass of the first heating plate (70a). [en] claims 1. an aerosol generating device (11) configured to operate with a flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a flat-shaped heating chamber (50); the heating chamber (50) being configured to receive the flat-shaped tobacco article (12) and comprising a first heating plate (70a) and a second heating plate (70b) forming at least partially opposite walls (54a, 54b) of the heating chamber (50); the heating plates (70a, 70b) being made from different materials having different thermal masses, the thermal mass of the second heating (70b) plate being greater than the thermal mass of the first heating plate (70a).
2. the aerosol generating device (1 1) according to claim 1, wherein each heating plate (70a, 70b) is arranged to be in contact or to face a tobacco portion (15) of the flatshaped tobacco article (12).
3. the aerosol generating device (1 1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first heating plate (70a) is made of metal and the second heating plate (70b) is made of ceramics.
4. the aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first heating plate (70a) forms a thin heating film.
5. the aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a controller configured to power the first heating plate (70a) according to a first heating profile and the second heating plate (70b) according to a second heating profile different from the first heating profile.
6. the aerosol generating device (1 1) according to claim 5, wherein each heating profile comprises an initial segment wherein the corresponding heating plate is powered.
7. the aerosol generating device (11) according to claim 6, wherein the initial segment ends upon expiring a predetermined time interval or upon achieving by the second heating plate (70b) a predetermined temperature.
8. the aerosol generating device (1 1) according to claim 7, wherein: - the duration of the predetermined time interval is comprised between 50 and 70 seconds and is substantially equal to 60 seconds; - the predetermined temperature is comprised between 260 degrees centigrade and 300 degrees centigrade and is substantially equal to 280 degrees centigrade
9. the aerosol generating device (1 1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each heating profile further comprises a secondary segment; the secondary segment of the first heating profile comprising turning off the powering of the corresponding heating plate (70a); and the secondary segment of the second heating profile comprising powering of the corresponding heating plate (70b).
10. method for controlling an aerosol generating device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising heating of each heating plate (70a, 70b) according to a heating profile determined based the thermal mass of this heating plate (70a, 70b).


[en] methods and apparatuses in the field of aerosol generation devices are disclosed. a method for authenticating a user by an aerosol generation device includes steps of: performing a first biometric measurement by applying a voltage to the user and measuring a bioimpedance response of the user to the voltage in order to obtain first measurement results; performing a second biometric measurement of the user in order to obtain second measurement results; performing a comparison of the first and second measurement results to stored user specific reference data; and authenticating the user based on the comparison. [en]     33   claims   1. a method for authenticating a user by an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: performing a first biometric measurement by applying a voltage to the user and measuring a bioimpedance response of the user to the voltage in order to obtain first measurement results; performing a second biometric measurement of the user in order to obtain second measurement results; performing a comparison of the first and second measurement results to stored user speci fic reference data; and authenticating the user based on the comparison.
2. the method according to claim 1, wherein the second biometric measurement includes a behavioural biometric measurement.
3. the method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first biometric measurement is comprised in a first type o f biometric measurements, and the second biometric measurement is comprised in a second type of measurements, and the second type of measurements is di f ferent from the first type o f measurements.
4. the method of any preceding claim, wherein the first biometric measurement is performed over a first period of time and the second biometric measurement is performed over a second period of time that overlaps with the first period of time.
5. the method of claim 4, wherein the first and second biometric measurements are performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. 34
6. the method of any preceding claim, wherein the second biometric measurement comprises at least one of: a measurement of a pressure exerted by the user; a measurement of hand movement or finger movement of the user; and a measurement of a length of time for which a switch o f the aerosol generation device is actuated by the user.
7. the method of claims 1 to 5, wherein: the second biometric measurement comprises a measurement of a pressure exerted by the user on a momentary switch provided with the aerosol device and/or a length of time for which the momentary switch is actuated.
8. the method of any preceding claim, further comprising: repeating performing of the first and second biometric measurements a fixed number of times, wherein the first and second measurement results comprise output results of each performance of the first and second biometric measurements.
9. the method of any preceding claim, further comprising: processing the first and second measurement results prior to the comparison, wherein the processing comprises at least one o f trans forming time domain measurements into the frequency domain, performing feature extraction, identi fying and discarding non-characteristic data, eliminating noise and compressing the results.
10. the method of any preceding claim, wherein the user speci fic reference data is speci f ic to the aerosol generation device.
11. the method of any preceding claim, wherein authenticating the user based on the compari son comprises unlocking the aerosol generation device for use only in a case where the user is success fully authenticated.
12. a method for calibrating an aerosol generation device, the method comprising: performing a first biometric measurement by applying a voltage to a user of the aerosol generation device and measuring a bioimpedance response of the user to the voltage in order to obtain first measurement results; performing a second biometric measurement of the user in order to obtain second measurement results; and storing the first and second measurement results as user speci fic reference data.
13. a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a control unit of an aerosol generation device, cause the control unit to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 12.   14 a power supply unit for an aerosol generation device, comprising a control unit conf igured to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 12.   15 an aerosol generation device comprising a power supply unit according to claim 14.


[en] an aerosol generation system comprises a consumable and an aerosol generation device. the consumable comprises a housing configured to contain an aerosol generating material, the housing having a first surface configured to engage with the aerosol generation device. the first surface comprises a breakable material configured to be broken upon interaction with piercing elements of the aerosol generation device, and a protective barrier configured to be resistant to the piercing elements. the breakable material and the protective barrier are arranged such that the protective barrier defines breakable regions in the first surface. the aerosol generation device comprises piercing elements arranged to pierce cooperating breakable regions in the first surface of the consumable, and to be inhibited from piercing a protective barrier in the first surface of the consumable. [en] 1. an aerosol generation system comprising a consumable for an aerosol generation device and an aerosol generation device configured to receive the consumable; wherein the consumable comprises a housing configured to contain an aerosol generating material, the housing having a first surface configured to engage with the aerosol generation device, the first surface comprising: a breakable material configured to be broken upon interaction with one or more piercing elements of the aerosol generation device; anda protective barrier configured to be resistant to the one or more piercing elements;wherein the breakable material and the protective barrier are arranged such that the protective barrier defines one or more breakable regions in the first surface; andwherein the aerosol generation device comprises: a chamber having an opening for receiving the consumable, and a base portion in the chamber, wherein the base portion divides the chamber to define a first chamber portion positioned closer to the opening, and a second chamber portion positioned farther away from the opening; andone or more piercing elements arranged on the base portion in the chamber, the one or more piercing elements configured to pierce one or more cooperating ones of the breakable regions in the first surface of the consumable, and the one or more piercing elements configured to be inhibited from piercing the protective barrier in the first surface of the consumable, such that:when the consumable is brought into connection with the aerosol generation device, and each of the one or more piercing elements align with one or more of the cooperating breakable regions in the first surface of the consumable, the aerosol generation device engages the consumable and the one or more piercing elements pierce the one or more cooperating breakable regions; andwhen the consumable is brought into connection with the aerosol generation device, and at least one piercing element aligns with the protective barrier of the first surface of the consumable, the aerosol generation device is inhibited from engaging the consumable.
2. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more breakable regions of the consumable are arranged to be aligned with cooperating piercing elements of the one or more piercing elements of the aerosol generation device such that the first surface is pierceable by the piercing elements when the arrangement of the breakable regions coincides with an arrangement of the piercing elements.
3. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more breakable regions of the consumable provide an airflow path into the housing when pierced by the one or more cooperating piercing elements.
4. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more breakable regions of the consumable are defined by one or more openings in the protective barrier.
5. the aerosol generation system of claim 4, wherein the first surface of the consumable comprises a layer of barrier material over a layer of breakable material, the barrier material forming the protective barrier and arranged such that the one or more openings in the protective barrier expose the breakable material to form the one or more breakable regions.
6. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the consumable comprises a cavity configured to receive a heating element of the aerosol generation device.
7. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the one or more piercing elements of the aerosol generation device have airflow channels therethrough arranged to provide an airflow into the consumable when the one or more piercing elements have pierced the cooperating breakable regions of the consumable.
8. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber portion of the aerosol generation device is configured to heat the consumable to generate an aerosol product, and the second chamber portion of the aerosol generation device is configured to pre-heat an airflow to the consumable.
9. the aerosol generation system of claim 8, wherein the aerosol generation device further comprises a heating element, wherein the heating element passes through an opening in the base portion such that a first heating element portion of the heating element is arranged in the first chamber portion to heat the consumable, and a second heating element portion of the heating element is arranged in the second chamber portion to pre-heat the airflow to the consumable.
10. the aerosol generation system of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the aerosol generation device is a moveable base configured to move along a length of the chamber.


[en] a vapour generating device (10) comprises: a wall (12) comprising an interior surface (12a) that defines a bore (14); a wick (18) located at a first end region of the bore (14) and arranged to receive a liquid (l); a first heater (22) arranged to vaporise the liquid (l) in the wick (18) to produce a vapour (v) in the bore (14); a mouthpiece (16) located at a second end region of the bore (14) and configured for a user to apply a suction force to draw the vapour (v) along the bore (14) from the wick (18) to the mouthpiece (16); a second heater (24) controllable to heat the interior surface (12a) in order to limit heat transfer from the vapour (v) in the bore (14) to the interior surface (12a); and a controller (26) configured to control the second heater (24) to heat the interior surface (12a) to maintain the temperature of the interior surface (12a) above a dew point of the vapour (v), thereby to prevent the vapour (v) from cooling to the dew point and condensing on the interior surface (12a). [en] 1. a vapour generating device (10) comprising: a wall (12) comprising an interior surface (12a) that defines a bore (14);a wick (18) located at a first end region of the bore (14) and arranged to receive a liquid (l);a first heater (22) arranged to vaporise the liquid (l) in the wick (18) to produce a vapour (v) in the bore (14);a mouthpiece (16) located at a second end region of the bore (14) and configured for a user to apply a suction force to draw the vapour (v) along the bore (14) from the wick (18) to the mouthpiece (16);a second heater (24) controllable to heat the interior surface (12a) in order to limit heat transfer from the vapour (v) in the bore (14) to the interior surface (12a); anda controller (26) configured to control the second heater (24) to heat the interior surface (12a) to maintain the temperature of the interior surface (12a) above a dew point of the vapour (v), thereby to prevent the vapour (v) from cooling to the dew point and condensing on the interior surface (12a).
2. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 1, comprising: a vapour temperature sensor (28a) located in the bore (14) and configured to detect a temperature of the vapour (v);a humidity sensor (28b) located in the bore (14) and configured to detect a relative humidity of the vapour (v); anda surface temperature sensor (28c) located at the interior surface (12a) and configured to detect a temperature of the interior surface (12a),wherein the controller (26) is configured to: determine the dew point of the vapour (v) based on the detected values of vapour temperature and relative humidity; andcompare the value of the dew point to the detected value of the temperature of the interior surface (12a), thereby to control the second heater (24) to heat the interior surface (12a) to maintain the temperature of the interior surface (12a) above the dew point.
3. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the controller (26) is configured to calculate the dew point based on the detected values of vapour temperature and relative humidity.
4. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the controller (26) is configured to infer the dew point from the detected values of vapour temperature and relative humidity, based on a range of values of vapour temperature and relative humidity that are stored in memory and are accessible by the controller (26).
5. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: each of a pre-determined value of the dew point and a pre-determined target value of interior surface temperature is stored in memory and is accessible by the controller (26), the pre-determined target value of interior surface temperature being greater than the pre-determined value of dew point; andthe controller (26) is configured to control the second heater (24) to heat the interior surface (12a) to maintain the temperature of the interior surface (12a) at or above the pre-determined target value of interior surface temperature.
6. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the second heater (24) is located between the wick (18) and the mouthpiece (16).
7. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second heater (24) is located between the interior surface (12a) of the wall (12) and an exterior surface (12b) of the wall (12).
8. a vapour generating device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the second heater (24) forms part of the wall (12), such that the second heater (24) comprises the interior surface (12a) of the wall (12).
9. a vapour generating device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second heater (24) comprises an element which extends continuously around a longitudinal axis of the bore (14) so as to fully surround the bore (14).
10. a vapour generating device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the second heater (24) comprises spaced-apart elements, each of the elements extending partially around a longitudinal axis of the bore (14) so as to partially surround the bore (14).
11. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (26) is configured to activate the first and second heaters (22, 24) at the same time.
12. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (26) is configured to activate at least one of the first and second heaters (22, 24) in response to application of said suction force by the user.
13. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (26) is configured to deactivate the first and second heaters (22, 24) at the same time.
14. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (26) is configured to deactivate at least one of the first and second heaters (22, 24) in response to cessation of said suction force by the user.
15. a vapour generating device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid (l) comprises propylene glycol, glycerine, flavourants, or nicotine.


[en] a method for continuously manufacturing aerosol generating articles includes: (i) providing a continuous web of an aerosol generating substrate, the continuous web including a substantially flat surface having a centre line; (ii) applying at least one susceptor patch to the substantially flat surface substantially along the centre line to leave an exposed region of the continuous web of aerosol generating substrate on each side of the at least one susceptor patch; (iii) cutting the exposed regions of the continuous web of aerosol generating substrate to form a plurality of aerosol generating strips on each side of the at least one susceptor patch; and (iv) forming the plurality of aerosol generating strips and the at least one susceptor patch into a continuous rod. [en] 1. a method for continuously manufacturing aerosol generating articles the method comprising: (i) providing a continuous web of an aerosol generating substrate, the continuous web including a substantially flat surface having a centre line;(ii) applying at least one susceptor patch to the substantially flat surface substantially along the centre line to leave an exposed region of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate on each side of the at least one susceptor patch;(iii) cutting the exposed regions of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate to form a plurality of aerosol generating strips on each side of the at least one susceptor patch; and(iv) forming the plurality of aerosol generating strips and the at least one susceptor patch into a continuous rod.
2. the a-method according to claim 1, wherein step (iii) is performed using a rotary cutter unit.
3. the a-method according to claim 2, wherein the rotary cutter unit includes a first cutting drum having circumferentially extending first cutting formations and a second cutting drum having circumferentially extending second cutting formations, and wherein the first and second cutting formations cooperate to cut the exposed regions of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate to form the plurality of aerosol generating strips.
4. the a-method according to claim 3, wherein the first cutting drum and the second cutting drum define therebetween a non-cutting region to accommodate the at least one susceptor patch and a part of the aerosol generating substrate to which the at least one susceptor patch is applied during step (ii).
5. the a-method according to claim 4, wherein the first cutting drum is formed without the first cutting formations in the non-cutting region, or the second cutting drum is formed without the second cutting formations in the non-cutting region, or both the first and second cutting drums are formed respectively without the first and second cutting formations in the non-cutting region.
6. the a-method according to claim 4, wherein the first cutting drum includes a circumferentially extending recess in a surface thereof in the non-cutting region, and wherein at least part of the at least one susceptor patch is accommodated in the circumferentially extending recess.
7. the method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of aerosol generating strips has a width of between approximately 0.5 mm and 2.0 mm.
8. the a-method according to claim 1, wherein step (ii) comprises adhering the at least one susceptor patch to the substantially flat surface of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate using an adhesive.
9. the method according to claim 1, wherein: step (ii) comprises consecutively applying a plurality of susceptor patches to the substantially flat surface of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate with a predefined and constant spacing between each successive susceptor patch;step (iii) comprises cutting the exposed regions of the continuous web of the aerosol generating substrate to form-a the plurality of aerosol generating strips on each side of each of the plurality of the susceptor patches; andstep (iv) comprises forming the plurality of aerosol generating strips and the plurality of susceptor patches into a continuous rod.
10. the a-method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: (v) cutting the continuous rod to form a plurality of individual aerosol generating articles each comprising at least one susceptor patch.
11. the a-method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one susceptor patch has a length of between 5 mm and 50 mm.