Abstract: A cartridge configured for use with an aerosol-generating device is provided, including a power supply, control circuitry, a detector including a light source and light sensor, and a cavity configured to receive the cartridge, the cartridge including: a container; an electrically operated heater; an aerosol forming chamber; and a taggant having an identifiable spectroscopic signature that the detector of the aerosol-generating device can use to distinguish the aerosol-generating article from other articles.

Abstract: A heating assembly for heating an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, the heating assembly including: a heater including an electrically resistive heating element; and a heater mount coupled to the heater, the electrically resistive heating element including a first portion and a second portion configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the electrically resistive heating element the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than the second portion as a result of the electrical current, and the heater mount surrounding the second portion of the electrically resistive heating element and being formed from a moulded polymeric material. An aerosol-generating device including a housing and the heating assembly is also provided. An aerosol-generating system including the aerosol-generating device is also provided.

Abstract: A charger may be used as a social recharge hub that charges aerosol-generating devices and facilitate social connections. The charger may be able to charge a plurality of batteries concurrently or simultaneously. The charger may capable of associating a battery identifier of one or more batteries to a user. The user may also be associated with an aerosol-generating device and to a mobile user device. The charger may establish a connection with the mobile user device and communicate to the mobile user device using a communication interface. User data, such as preferences, interests, and even music, may be communicated from the mobile user device to the charger and may be used to facilitate social opportunities for the user, particularly in a public or social space with other users, or to make the space around the user more comfortable.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, the front housing portion including a front end portion having a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including a taggant having a spectroscopic signature; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to identify aerosol-generating articles that may be usable with the system, the detector being able to determine the spectroscopic signature of the taggant.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating smoking device, is provided, including: a heater configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the heater including an electrically resistive heating element and a heater substrate, the electrically resistive heating element including a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material different than the first material, configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the electrically resistive heating element, the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than the second portion as a result of the electrical current.

Abstract: A device (100) for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heater (160), a receptacle inlet (143) and outlet (147), and an air inlet channel (170). The heater includes a heating element, an internal surface, and an external surface. The internal surface defines at least a portion of a receptacle (140) configured to receive the aerosol-forming substrate or a cartridge comprising the aerosol-forming substrate. The receptacle inlet is in communication with, and upstream of, the receptacle. The receptacle outlet is in communication with, and downstream of, the receptacle. The air inlet channel is in communication with an ambient environment and the receptacle inlet. The air inlet channel defines a tortuous path between the ambient environment and the receptacle inlet. The air inlet channel is positioned relative to the heater to cause air in the tortuous path to be heated by the heater.

Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one heating element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: a housing having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion, the front housing portion including a front end portion having a cavity configured to receive an aerosol-generating article including a taggant having a spectroscopic signature; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to identify aerosol-generating articles that may be usable with the system, the detector being able to determine the spectroscopic signature of the taggant.

Abstract: The method includes forming an elongated array by first connecting first distal ends of first heating elements to each other to form a first end of the elongated array, and second connecting second distal ends of the first heating elements to each other to form a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of the first heating elements of the elongated array bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An electrically operated aerosol-generating system is provided, including: an aerosol-generating article including at least one component incorporating a taggant within a material of the component, the taggant including an identifiable spectroscopic signature; a cavity configured to at least partially receive the aerosol-generating article; at least one heating element; a power supply configured to supply power to the at least one heating element; electrical hardware connected to the power supply and the at least one heating element; and a detector configured to detect a presence of the aerosol-generating article in the cavity and to distinguish the aerosol-generating article from other articles configured for use with the aerosol-generating system, based on the taggant incorporated within the material of the aerosol-generating article, in which the electrical hardware is configured to establish a heating protocol for the heating element based on the particular aerosol-generating article distinguished by the

Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one healing element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.

Abstract: The heating array includes first heating elements arranged in an elongated array, the first heating elements spanning from a first end to a second end of the elongated array, a midsection of each one of the first heating elements bowing concentrically outward from a radial centerline running longitudinally through the first end and the second end, the first heating elements being configured to flex concentrically inward when a hoop force is applied to sides of the elongated array.

Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system includes a secondary unit capable of receiving a smoking article having an aerosol-forming substrate. The secondary unit includes at least one heating element and an interface for connection to a primary power supply for supplying electrical power to the at least one heating element during a pre-heating mode, to increase the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate to an operating temperature. The secondary unit further includes a secondary power supply arranged to supply electrical power to the at least one heating element during a smoking mode, to maintain the temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate at substantially the operating temperature. The secondary unit also includes secondary circuitry. The electrically heated smoking system optionally includes a primary unit.

Abstract: A shisha device (10) comprises an aerosol-generating element (11) for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate (12). The shisha device also comprises a vessel (17) spaced from the aerosol-generating element and defining an interior for housing a volume of liquid. The vessel comprises a head space outlet (15). The shisha device also comprises an aerosol conduit (21) positioned between the aerosol-generating element and the interior of the vessel. The aerosol conduit comprises a proximal end portion defining a proximal opening (24) positioned to receive airflow from the aerosol-generating element, a distal end portion defining a distal opening (26) positioned in the interior of the vessel, and a ventilation opening (30) positioned between the proximal and distal end portions. A ratio between the total aperture area of the ventilation opening and a transverse cross-sectional area of the aerosol conduit positioned proximate to the ventilation opening is at most 1:1000.

Abstract: A ground plane is provided, including: a monolithic elongated conductive member, a first portion of the monolithic elongated conductive member forming a cavity configured to receive a power supply, a plurality of second portions of the monolithic elongated conductive member respectively forming resilient elements extending over the cavity and configured to retain the power supply within the cavity, and a plurality of third portions of the monolithic elongated conductive member respectively forming parallel pins configured to receive an electronic circuit board. An electrically operated aerosol generating device including the ground plane, a method of forming a ground plane, and a method of forming an electrically operated aerosol generating device are also provided.

Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.

Abstract: A method for supplying products for electrically operated smoking systems is provided, including: delivering to a remote user device from a central server over a network connection order option information associated with a vending machine; receiving an order from the remote user device, the order including an indication of a product available from the vending machine, and user identification information; retrieving registered user information, including user authentication information associated with user identification information; receiving user authentication information from a user; and if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, delivering the product to the user at the vending machine.

Abstract: A shisha device includes a vessel, an aerosol-generating element in fluid communication with the vessel, and a chamber between the vessel and the aerosol-generating element. The chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel and the aerosol-generating element. The chamber comprises an inlet configured to accelerate air containing aerosol that flows through the inlet from the aerosol-generating element.