Abstract: A machine forms a whip from a length of cable. The machine includes a clamping assembly, a notching assembly, and a cutting assembly. The clamping assembly includes a pad which can be move into and out of a cable travel space. The notching assembly includes a notching saw which cuts an outer jacket of the cable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Movement of the pad also causes movement of the notching saw to move into the cable travel space or into a raised position. The cutting assembly includes a cutting tool which transversely cuts the conductors of the cable.

Abstract: An electronic vapor provision system (EVPS) can include a sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative of an interaction with the EVPS; a timer; and an interaction detection processor; wherein the EVPS is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode, the first mode consuming less power than the second mode, the EVPS is configured to wake from the first mode into the second mode if the interaction detection processor detects a signal from the sensor indicative of an interaction, and the EVPS is configured to modify one or more operational parameters of the EVPS in the second mode in dependence upon a duration of time that the EVPS was in the first mode.

Abstract: An electronic vapor provision system (EVPS) including a skin surface feature detection unit configured to generate information about at least a first skin surface feature of a user of the EVPS; and a user identification processor configured to identify a user based on information from the skin surface feature detection unit; wherein the EVPS is configured to modify one or more operational parameters of the EVPS responsive to the user identified by the user identification processor based on the information from the skin surface feature detection unit

Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices comprising a power unit and a cartridge that is configured for engagement with the power unit. In particular, the cartridge can be configured for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof so as to be insertable into a chamber of the power unit in a plurality of different orientations. Further, the aerosol delivery device can include processing circuitry that can be configured for detection of the cartridge orientation and execution of a control function assigned to the respective orientation.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a power source, a heating element, a switch coupled to and between the power source and the heating element, and processing circuitry coupled to the switch. The processing circuitry outputs a PWM signal during a heating time period to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to the heating element to power the heating element. The processing circuitry outputs a pulse of known current to the heating element, and measure voltage across the heating element, between adjacent pulses of the PWM signal. And the processing circuitry calculates the resistance of the heating element based on the known current and the voltage, calculates the temperature of the heating element based on the resistance, and adjusts a duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices and cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridge comprises a mouthpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the mouthpiece having an exit portal defined therethrough, a tank defining a proximal end and a closed distal end, the tank being configured to contain a liquid composition that includes a distinctive characteristic, and a heater configured to heat the liquid composition. The distal end of the mouthpiece is configured to engage the proximal end of the tank, and when the cartridge is coupled with the aerosol delivery device at least one feature of the cartridge, or at least one feature of the control device, or at least one feature of both the cartridge and the control device, provides a visual indication of a color associated with the distinctive characteristic.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include one or more testing modules including a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, processing circuitry operably coupled to the one or more testing modules, and an impedance-based interface module configured to detect insertion of the aerosol provision device into the test fixture and automatically transition the aerosol provision device to a locked state. The processing circuitry may be configured to provide a transition signal to the aerosol provision device to transition the aerosol provision device between the locked state and an unlocked state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry.

Abstract: An aerosol provision device is provided that includes a coupler or receptacle, and circuitry. The coupler or receptacle is structured to separately and individually engage articles of different types including consumables with aerosol-generating material, and non-consumables without aerosol-generating material. The non-consumables have target electrical resistances associated with respective settings of the aerosol provision device. The circuitry includes processing circuitry configured to detect engagement of an article with the coupler or receptacle and thereby the aerosol provision device. The processing circuitry is configured to measure an electrical resistance of the article that indicates the article is a non-consumable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control device that includes an outer housing defining a cartridge receiving chamber, and further includes a power source and a control component, and a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece, a tank, a heating assembly, and a bottom cap. The mouthpiece defines an exit portal in an end thereof, and the tank is configured to contain a liquid composition therein. The cartridge is configured to be removably coupled with the receiving chamber of the control device, and the heating assembly defines a vaporization chamber and is configured to heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. The heating assembly comprises a substantially planar heating member and a liquid transport element, wherein the heating member is installed in a bowed orientation.

Abstract: A charger for an electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device, which may include aerosol delivery devices provides functionality for authentication, including age verification. Such devices may be restricted based on age or other factors that require some form of authentication, verification, and/or identification to satisfy the restriction. The accessory or charger may provide or connect with a verification system for confirming an age of a user. If the authentication or verification is not satisfied, the charger or accessory will not charge the device, rendering it unusable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control device that includes an outer housing defining a cartridge receiving chamber, and further includes a power source and a control component, and a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece, a tank, a heating assembly, and a bottom cap. The mouthpiece defines an exit portal in an end thereof, and the tank is configured to contain a liquid composition therein. The cartridge is configured to be removably coupled with the receiving chamber of the control device, and the heating assembly defines a vaporization chamber and is configured to heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. An inlet airflow is defined by a gap between the cartridge and the control device that originates at an interface between an outer peripheral surface the mouthpiece and control device.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided. The aerosol delivery device includes a power source, an aerosol production component, a sensor to produce measurements of atmospheric air pressure in an air flow path through at least one housing, and a switch coupled to and between the power source and the aerosol production component. The aerosol delivery device also includes processing circuitry that determines a difference between the measurements of atmospheric air pressure and a reference atmospheric air pressure. Only when the difference is at least a threshold difference, the processing circuitry outputs a signal to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect an output voltage from the power source to the aerosol production component to adjust power provided to the aerosol production component to a power target that is variable according to a predetermined relationship between the difference and the power target.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

Abstract: A control device according to some embodiments of the disclosure includes one or more motors directed by the control device to form whip(s) from a length of a cable by causing the cutting of the cable in accordance with specifications based at least in part on whip information. An interface communicates the whip information between the control device and a user device.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing aerosol provision devices may include a housing, a plurality of testing modules disposed at the housing where each of the testing modules includes a cavity configured to receive a portion of an aerosol provision device, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the testing modules. Each of the testing modules may be configured to interface with an assembly of a respective one of the aerosol provision devices to transition the assembly between an initial state and a transitioned state during a functional test controlled by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to conduct the functional test of at least two of the testing modules simultaneously.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a power source, a heating element, a switch coupled to and between the power source and the heating element, and processing circuitry coupled to the switch. The processing circuitry outputs a PWM signal during a heating time period to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect the output voltage to the heating element to power the heating element. The processing circuitry outputs a pulse of known current to the heating element, and measure voltage across the heating element, between adjacent pulses of the PWM signal. And the processing circuitry calculates the resistance of the heating element based on the known current and the voltage, calculates the temperature of the heating element based on the resistance, and adjusts a duty cycle of the PWM signal when the temperature deviates from a predetermined target.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided. The aerosol delivery device includes a power source, an aerosol production component, a sensor to produce measurements of atmospheric air pressure in an air flow path through at least one housing, and a switch coupled to and between the power source and the aerosol production component. The aerosol delivery device also includes processing circuitry that determines a difference between the measurements of atmospheric air pressure and a reference atmospheric air pressure. Only when the difference is at least a threshold difference, the processing circuitry outputs a signal to cause the switch to switchably connect and disconnect an output voltage from the power source to the aerosol production component to adjust power provided to the aerosol production component to a power target that is variable according to a predetermined relationship between the difference and the power target.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device and a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device. In various implementations, the aerosol delivery device comprises a control device that includes an outer housing defining a cartridge receiving chamber, and further includes a power source and a control component, and a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece, a tank, a heating assembly, and a bottom cap. The mouthpiece defines an exit portal in an end thereof, and the tank is configured to contain a liquid composition therein. The cartridge is configured to be removably coupled with the receiving chamber of the control device, and the heating assembly defines a vaporization chamber and is configured to heat the liquid composition to generate an aerosol. An inlet airflow is defined by a gap between the cartridge and the control device that originates at an interface between an outer peripheral surface the mouthpiece and control device.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods that can be used to identify an antigen or epitope region of an antigen specific for a disease or other condition. Such methods incorporate k-mer binding statistics to serum antibody from condition and control cohort samples to predict the suitability of antigen sequences identified as relevant to the disease or condition as antigen markers. Also disclosed herein are systems for performing the same.