Abstract: According to at least one example a launch system is provided, including a carrier vehicle and at least one payload vehicle. The payload vehicle includes a payload propulsion system and aerodynamic lift surfaces designed for providing the payload vehicle with aerodynamic powered flight at a design subsonic cruise speed at a desired altitude. The carrier vehicle is configured for carrying the at least one payload vehicle at least up to the desired altitude, and further includes a solid rocket propulsion system for propelling the launch system to the desired altitude. The carrier vehicle is configured for providing a predetermined forward speed at the desired altitude, correlated to the design subsonic cruise speed. The carrier vehicle is configured for releasing the payload vehicle with respect to the carrier vehicle at the desired altitude and the predetermined forward speed. The design subsonic cruise speed is less than 0.7 Mach number, and, the desired altitude is greater than 3 km.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the c-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for targeted marketing. The marketing may be through communications with a computing device, such as a smartphone. For example, a smartphone application may be used for monitoring e-Cig usage and collecting data regarding the user and the usage. That data may result in targeted marketing. In another example, location information may also be used for targeted advertisements from a retailer.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for targeted marketing. The marketing may be through communications with a computing device, such as a smartphone. For example, a smartphone application may be used for monitoring e-Cig usage and collecting data regarding the user and the usage. That data may result in targeted marketing. In another example, location information may also be used for targeted advertisements from a retailer.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.

Abstract: According to at least one example a launch system is provided, including a carrier vehicle and at least one payload vehicle. The payload vehicle includes a payload propulsion system and aerodynamic lift surfaces designed for providing the payload vehicle with aerodynamic powered flight at a design subsonic cruise speed at a desired altitude. The carrier vehicle is configured for carrying the at least one payload vehicle at least up to the desired altitude, and further includes a solid rocket propulsion system for propelling the launch system to the desired altitude. The carrier vehicle is configured for providing a predetermined forward speed at the desired altitude, correlated to the design subsonic cruise speed. The carrier vehicle is configured for releasing the payload vehicle with respect to the carrier vehicle at the desired altitude and the predetermined forward speed. The design subsonic cruise speed is less than 0.7 Mach number, and, the desired altitude is greater than 3 km.

Abstract: An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.

Abstract: A cartomizer assembly of an electronic cigarette which is formed from automated assembly compatible parts comprises a container assembly including a container and a heater coil surrounding a wick in an airflow space of the container. The entire coil of the heater coil is inside the container and the heater coil is configured to heat liquid on the wick to generate an aerosol mist during a vaporization process. A liquid storage space is in liquid communication with the wick and is operable to supply liquid to the wick. The heater, the wick, and the container are shaped such that the heater and wick can be dropped into the container during automated assembly thereof and be directed to and located at a desired location in the container.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartoinizer.

Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes a battery section and a cartridge coupled to the battery section. The cartridge includes a reservoir and a heating coil. The battery section includes a controller. The controller is configured to: calculate a first value of a heat transfer time constant of the heating coil; calculate a second value of the heat transfer time constant of the heating coil; compute a difference between the first value and the second value; determine that the difference between the first value and the second value exceeds a threshold value; and output an indication that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted in response to determining that the difference between the first value and the second value exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include flavor enhancements to improve or add to the flavor of an e-Cig. The e-Cig cartomizer may include a flavor sticker, shell, booster, or mouthpiece that provides additional flavor to the user. In addition, the flavor enhancements may also provide or further enhance the smell of the e-Cig.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette comprises a battery portion that includes a battery which is operable to provide power to a heating element of the electronic cigarette, and a cartomizer coupled with the battery portion. The cartomizer comprises a solid core, and the heating element which vaporizes a portion of a liquefied portion of the solid core to form an aerosol mist that acts as a smoke replacement.

Abstract: An electronic vaping device includes: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid formulation; a vaporizer having a heating coil, the heating coil configured to heat liquid formulation drawn from the reservoir to generate a vapor; a controller electrically connected to the heating coil; and a power supply connected to the heating coil and the controller. The controller is programmed to determine that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted in response to determining that a computed value of the heat transfer time constant of the heating coil exceeds an average of a plurality of values of the heat transfer time constant calculated based on resistance values of the heating coil measured during a time interval by at least a threshold amount, and to cause the electronic vaping device to output an alert indicating that the liquid formulation in the reservoir is becoming depleted.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include flavor enhancements to improve or add to the flavor of an e-Cig. The e-Cig cartomizer may include a flavor sticker, shell, booster, or mouthpiece that provides additional flavor to the user. In addition, the flavor enhancements may also provide or further enhance the smell of the e-Cig.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include flavor enhancements to improve or add to the flavor of an e-Cig. The e-Cig cartomizer may include a flavor sticker, shell, booster, or mouthpiece that provides additional flavor to the user. In addition, the flavor enhancements may also provide or further enhance the smell of the e-Cig.

Abstract: An embossing die is created by printing multiple ink layers (530, 540) in superposition thereby to build up a printed relief pattern (510) in accordance with received design data specifying a design to be embossed. The design data is modified after receipt to introduce into the printed relief pattern to be built, one or more channels (610) which extend depth-wise through multiple ink layers of the printed relief pattern (510) and serve to fully or partially segment the printed relief pattern.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette (“e-Cig”) may include functionality for monitoring and controlling the thermal properties of the e-Cig. The system and method described herein may monitor a temperature based on a resistor (i.e. hot wire) near the wick and model the thermal cycle of an e-Cig. The model can be used for controlling the temperature of the e-Cig and preventing burning. The temperature control may dictate optimal conditions for atomization and smoke generation in an e-Cig while avoiding hotspots and burning to the atomizer or cartomizer.