Abstract: A holder for an inhaler article. The holder comprises a housing comprising a housing cavity. The holder further comprises an engagement member located at least partially within the housing cavity. The engagement member is movable relative to the housing between an upstream position and a downstream position. The engagement member comprised a first follower member. The housing comprises a first guide and a first latch, the first follower member is arranged to follow the first guide between a first position, a second position, and a third position. The first latch is arranged such that the first follower member may pass from the first position to the second position, but may not return to the first position without first passing the third position. An inhaler system comprises a holder and an inhaler article.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for an aerosol-generating system including a housing having an air outlet and an air inlet upstream of the housing air outlet; and a cartridge disposed within the housing. The cartridge includes a fluid-permeable heating element within a cartridge body; a cartridge air inlet; a cartridge air outlet; and an airflow path extending from the cartridge air inlet to the cartridge air outlet, via the fluid-permeable heating element. At least a portion of the cartridge may move between a first position, in which air from the housing air inlet is blocked from flowing to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet; and a second position, in which an unrestricted airflow path exists from the housing air inlet to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for an aerosol-generating system including a housing having an air outlet and an air inlet upstream of the housing air outlet; and a cartridge disposed within the housing. The cartridge includes a fluid-permeable heating element within a cartridge body; a cartridge air inlet; a cartridge air outlet; and an airflow path extending from the cartridge air inlet to the cartridge air outlet, via the fluid-permeable heating element. At least a portion of the cartridge may move between a first position, in which air from the housing air inlet is blocked from flowing to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet; and a second position, in which an unrestricted airflow path exists from the housing air inlet to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet.

Abstract: A holder for an inhaler article that includes a sleeve positioned within a housing cavity, a piercing element, and a lockout mechanism. The sleeve comprises a sleeve cavity arranged to receive the inhaler article. The sleeve is movable within the housing cavity between a first and second position. The piercing element is arranged to pierce the inhaler article received within the sleeve when the sleeve is moved from the first position to the second position. The lockout mechanism comprises a guide, a follower member coupled to the sleeve, and a retaining section. The follower member is arranged to move along the guide into the retaining section as the sleeve moves from the second position and back to the first position. The retaining section is arranged to hold the follower member when the sleeve has returned back to the first position, thus retaining the sleeve in the first position.

Abstract: A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system is provided, including a cartridge main body including a cartridge air outlet; a storage container within the body and containing a supply of liquid aerosol-forming substrate; a heating element disposed at a first end of the body and in fluid communication with the container; and a cartridge cap including a cartridge air inlet, a top portion to cover the first end of the body and the heating element, and a side portion extending from the top portion and over a part of a side portion of the body and including an engagement portion to releaseably engage with a corresponding portion of the body, and, when the engagement portion is disengaged from the body, the cartridge cap is configured to move relative to the body between a first position, which blocks air from flowing, and a second position, in which an airflow path exists.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating device is provided, including an electrical power supply; an electronic circuit board; an external electrical power contact; an electrical power line, configured to electrically couple the external electrical power contact to the electronic circuit board; and a ground plane including an elongate conductive member connected to a negative terminal of the electrical power supply and being configured to electrically couple the power supply to the electronic circuit board, and to structurally retain the electrical power supply and the electronic circuit board, configured to electrically couple the power supply to the electronic circuit board and to structurally retain the power supply and electronic circuit board, the ground plane being further configured to electrically insulate the electrical power line from the elongate conductive member, and to mechanically couple the electrical power line to the elongate conductive member.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for an aerosol-generating system including a housing having an air outlet and an air inlet upstream of the housing air outlet; and a cartridge disposed within the housing. The cartridge includes a fluid-permeable heating element within a cartridge body; a cartridge air inlet; a cartridge air outlet; and an airflow path extending from the cartridge air inlet to the cartridge air outlet, via the fluid-permeable heating element. At least a portion of the cartridge may move between a first position, in which air from the housing air inlet is blocked from flowing to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet; and a second position, in which an unrestricted airflow path exists from the housing air inlet to the housing air outlet, via the cartridge air inlet, the fluid-permeable heating element, and the cartridge air outlet.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating device is provided, including an electrical power supply; an electronic circuit board; an external electrical power contact; an electrical power line, configured to electrically couple the external electrical power contact to the electronic circuit board; and a ground plane including an elongate conductive member connected to a negative terminal of the electrical power supply and being configured to electrically couple the power supply to the electronic circuit board, and to structurally retain the electrical power supply and the electronic circuit board, configured to electrically couple the power supply to the electronic circuit board and to structurally retain the power supply and electronic circuit board, the ground plane being further configured to electrically insulate the electrical power line from the elongate conductive member, and to mechanically couple the electrical power line to the elongate conductive member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, or the like to an edge of a keyboard or any protruding edge. The apparatus includes a body, a clamping edge adjustably attached to the body, and a movable slide movably attached to the body. The movable slide has a slide face facing the clamping edge such that a gap is formed between the slide face and the clamping edge. One or more springs bias the movable slide against the clamping edge to grip the protruding edge to which the pointing device is attached. The clamping edge can be attached to the body at different positions to accommodate protruding edges of different thickness.