Abstract: An aerosol-generating system is provided, including an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating article includes a first compartment having a first one of a volatile delivery enhancing compound source and a medicament source; and a second compartment having a second one of the volatile delivery enhancing compound source and the medicament source. The aerosol-generating device includes a cavity configured to receive the first compartment and the second compartment; and an external heater positioned about a perimeter of the cavity. The aerosol-generating device is configured to heat the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment has a lower temperature than the second compartment.

Abstract: An electrically heated smoking system for receiving an aerosol forming substrate includes a heater for heating the substrate to form the aerosol. The heater includes a heating element. The electrically heated smoking system and the heating element are arranged such that, when the aerosol forming substrate is received in the electrically heated smoking system, the heating element extends a distance only partially along the length of the aerosol forming-substrate, and the heating element is positioned towards the downstream end of the aerosol forming substrate.

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 method of using an aerosol-generating device having a reusable heating element and a battery to provide energy for heating the heating element is provided, the method including steps of: bringing the heating element into proximity to an aerosol-forming substrate; actuating the heating element through a first thermal cycle in which a temperature of the heating element is raised to a first temperature to heat the substrate sufficiently for an aerosol to be formed; removing the heating element from proximity to the substrate; docking the device in a docking station for recharging the battery; and when the device is docked in the docking station, actuating the heating element through a second thermal cycle in which the temperature of the heating element is raised to a second temperature, higher than the first temperature. An aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating system are also provided.

Abstract: A heating assembly for heating an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, including: a heater including an electrically resistive heating element and a heater substrate; and a heater mount coupled to the heater; wherein the heating element includes a first portion and a second portion configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the heating element, the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than the second portion as a result of the electrical current; and wherein the heater mount surrounds the second portion of the heating element.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method of administering nicotine to a user via inhalation of the nicotine through an aerosol generating device comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aerosol-generating device in which tobacco contained in the aerosol-generating device is electrically heated to a temperature of less than about 400 degrees Celsius; and (b) allowing the user to inhale the aerosol derived from the electrically heated tobacco; wherein the aerosol contains levels of nicotine that are about the same as the levels in combusted tobacco; and wherein the level of one or more harmful or potentially harmful constituents (HPHCs) other than nicotine in the aerosol is lower than the level in combusted tobacco.

Abstract: An electrical system is provided, including primary and secondary devices, the primary device including an electrical power source; a cavity to receive the secondary device; at least one electrical contact within the cavity to contact a corresponding contact on the secondary device when the secondary device is in the cavity, the electrical contact being electrically connected to the source; at least one data contact to transfer data between the primary and secondary devices; and a lid moveable between a first position to retain the secondary device in contact with the electrical and data contacts and a second position in which the secondary device is free to move out of contact with the electrical and data contacts, wherein in the first position the lid urges the secondary device into contact with the electrical and data contacts, and wherein the secondary device is keyed to the cavity of the primary device.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heating element including a first electrically conductive element electrically insulated from a second electrically conductive element by an electrically insulating portion. The first and second elements are elongate and are electrically connected to each other by an electrically resistive portion. At least one electrically conductive element and the electrically resistive portion are arranged such that they are at least partially in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.

Abstract: A heater for heating an aerosol-forming substrate includes a plurality of elongate heating elements arranged in an elongate array. The elongate array has a support end with a first dimension, a heating end with a second dimension and a middle portion with a third dimension. The array is arranged to heat the substrate to form an aerosol. The third dimension is greater than the first dimension and greater than the second dimension. An electrically heated aerosol generating system can include the heater.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes a heating element including a first electrically conductive element electrically insulated from a second electrically conductive element by an electrically insulating portion. The first and second elements are elongate and are electrically connected to each other by an electrically resistive portion. At least one electrically conductive element and the electrically resistive portion are arranged such that they are at least partially in contact with the aerosol-forming substrate.

Abstract: A method of using an aerosol-generating device is provided, including bringing a heating element of the aerosol-generating device into contact with an aerosol-forming substrate, raising a temperature of the heating element to a first temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate sufficiently to form an aerosol, removing the heating element from contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and heating the heating element to a second temperature, higher than the first temperature, to thermally liberate organic materials adhered to or deposited on the heating element. An aerosol-generating device is also provided, including a heating element coupled to a controller configured to heat the heating element to the first temperature and to the second temperature.

Abstract: A method of using an aerosol-generating device is provided, including bringing a heating element of the aerosol-generating device into contact with an aerosol-forming substrate, raising a temperature of the heating element to a first temperature to heat the aerosol-forming substrate sufficiently to form an aerosol, removing the heating element from contact with the aerosol-forming substrate and heating the heating element to a second temperature, higher than the first temperature, to thermally liberate organic materials adhered to or deposited on the heating element. An aerosol-generating device is also provided, including a heating element coupled to a controller configured to heat the heating element to the first temperature and to the second temperature.

Abstract: An aerosol generating device is provided, including a housing configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate having an internal cavity; a heating element configured to be received within the internal cavity of the substrate, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the heating element and to the housing being configured to move the heating element between a plurality of heating positions within the cavity. There is also provided an aerosol generating device including a housing configured to receive an aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element configured to heat a portion of the substrate, and a positioning mechanism configured to move the heating element from a first position next to a first portion of the substrate, to a second position remote from the substrate, and then to a third position next to a second portion of the substrate.

Abstract: An elongated aerosol-generating device configured to receive an aerosol-generating article is provided, including a heater extending longitudinally with respect to the device, being configured to heat the article and to penetrate an internal portion thereof; and an extractor configured to extract the article received in the device, being movably coupled to the device between operating and extraction positions, the operating position defined by the heater contacting the article, and the extraction position defined by the heater separated from the article, the extractor including a cavity to receive the article, a first aperture through an end-wall of the cavity and being configured to allow the heater to penetrate the cavity when the extractor is moved between the extraction and operating positions, wherein the extractor further defines an air-flow channel to allow air flow into the cavity, an inlet of the channel being positioned radially-outward of the first aperture.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device is provided, including a heating element coupled to a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to actuate the heating element through: a first thermal cycle in which a temperature of the heating element is raised to a first temperature to form an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate disposed in proximity to the heating element; a second thermal cycle in which the temperature of the heating element is raised to a second temperature, higher than the first temperature, to thermally liberate organic material adhered to or deposited on the heating element; and the second thermal cycle automatically when the aerosol-forming substrate is removed from contact with the heating element. A method of controlling an aerosol-generating device having a reusable heating element is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided an extractor for an aerosol-generating device configured to receive a smoking article including an aerosol-forming substrate and including a heater for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to form the aerosol. The extractor is configured to extract the smoking article received in the device, and includes a sliding receptacle configured to receive the smoking article, and a sleeve configured to receive the sliding receptacle. The sliding receptacle is slidable in the sleeve between a first position in which the substrate of the smoking article is positioned so as to be heated by the heater, and a second position in which the substrate is substantially separated from the heater. The sliding receptacle includes a support configured to support the substrate when the sliding receptacle and the smoking article are moved from the first position to the second position. There is also provided an electrically heated smoking system including the extractor.

Abstract: A heating assembly for heating an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, including: a heater including an electrically resistive heating element and a heater substrate; and a heater mount coupled to the heater; wherein the heating element includes a first portion and a second portion configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the heating element, the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than the second portion as a result of the electrical current; and wherein the heater mount surrounds the second portion of the heating element.

Abstract: A heating assembly for heating an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, including: a heater including an electrically resistive heating element and a heater substrate; and a heater mount coupled to the heater; wherein the heating element includes a first portion and a second portion configured such that, when an electrical current is passed through the heating element, the first portion is heated to a higher temperature than the second portion as a result of the electrical current; and wherein the heater mount surrounds the second portion of the heating element.

Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol-generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming article is provide, including a tubular portion configured to receive the aerosol-forming article; and a heater element including an end face, the heater element being disposed proximate an end of the tubular portion so that the end face is proximate an end of the aerosol-forming article when the aerosol-forming article is inserted into the tubular portion, the system being configured to supply a first amount of electrical energy to the heater element to heat the heater element to a first temperature and to supply a second amount of electrical energy to the heater element to maintain the heater element at a second temperature, and wherein a difference between the first and second temperatures is at least about 100° C.