Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A reclosable cartridge assembly (10) for use in an aerosol-generating system comprises: a cartridge (12) extending longitudinally between end walls (22, 26); a housing (30, 32) enclosing the cartridge (12) and comprising: an upstream portion with an end wall (22) comprising an opening (42); and a downstream housing portion (32) with an end wall comprising an opening (44). One of the housing portions (30, 32) is rotatably fitted onto the cartridge (12). One of the cartridge end walls (22, 26) comprises a rupturable portion (38, 40) separable from the remainder of the end wall to expose an opening (42, 44) in the end wall. The rotatable housing portion (30, 32) is adapted to engage the rupturable portion (38, 40) such that, upon rotation from a storage position to a dispensing position, the housing portion (30, 32) breaks off the rupturable portion (38, 40) and exposes the opening (42, 44) in the end wall.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge assembly (10) for use in an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge assembly comprising: a cartridge (12) comprising at least a first compartment (18) extending along a longitudinal axis, the first compartment comprising an aerosol-generating compound and being sealed at a first end by a first frangible barrier (22) extending in respective planes transverse to the longitudinal axis; and at least a first piercing member (38) configured to rupture the first frangible barrier (22). The first piercing member (38) comprises: a first piercing body (40) having a cross-sectional surface area at least about 40 percent of a cross-sectional area of the at least one compartment (19); and a first channel (381, 382) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge through the first piercing body (40), the first channel (381, 382) having an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A reclosable cartridge assembly (10) for use in an aerosol-generating system comprises: a cartridge (12) extending longitudinally between end walls (22, 26); a housing (30, 32) enclosing the cartridge (12) and comprising: an upstream portion with an end wall (22) comprising an opening (42); and a downstream housing portion (32) with an end wall comprising an opening (44). One of the housing portions (30, 32) is rotatably fitted onto the cartridge (12). One of the cartridge end walls (22, 26) comprises a rupturable portion (38, 40) separable from the remainder of the end wall to expose an opening (42, 44) in the end wall. The rotatable housing portion (30, 32) is adapted to engage the rupturable portion (38, 40) such that, upon rotation from a storage position to a dispensing position, the housing portion (30, 32) breaks off the rupturable portion (38, 40) and exposes the opening (42, 44) in the end wall.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge assembly (10) for use in an aerosol-generating system, the cartridge assembly comprising: a cartridge (12) comprising at least a first compartment (18) extending along a longitudinal axis, the first compartment comprising an aerosol-generating compound and being sealed at a first end by a first frangible barrier (22) extending in respective planes transverse to the longitudinal axis; and at least a first piercing member (38) configured to rupture the first frangible barrier (22). The first piercing member (38) comprises: a first piercing body (40) having a cross-sectional surface area at least about 40 percent of a cross-sectional area of the at least one compartment (19); and a first channel (381, 382) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge through the first piercing body (40), the first channel (381, 382) having an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: An adaptor for securing a second object includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part, wherein the anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The anchoring part and the adjustment part define a common axis that is not perpendicular to the z direction, wherein the first control surface and possibly also the second control surface is/are helical with respect to the axis. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: An adaptor is secured to a first object. The adaptor includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part. The anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The first control surface or the second control surface or both is/are helical. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface. This is used to adjust the z position of the adjustment part relative to the first object, in connection with the orientation of the adjustment part being defined and possibly fixed by the function of the adaptor/the adjustment part.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: An adaptor for anchoring a second object with respect to a first object includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part. The anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface, and the adjustment part includes a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The anchoring part and the adjustment part define a common axis, and the first control surface or the second control surface or both is/are helical with respect to the axis, whereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is adjustable by rotating the adjustment part relative to the anchoring part around the axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface.

Abstract: An adaptor for securing a second object includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part, wherein the anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The anchoring part and the adjustment part define a common axis that is not perpendicular to the z direction, wherein the first control surface and possibly also the second control surface is/are helical with respect to the axis. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface.

Abstract: An adaptor is secured to a first object. The adaptor includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part. The anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The first control surface or the second control surface or both is/are helical. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface.