Vapour Generating Systems

Abstract

An aerosol generating system includes a cartridge containing a supply of aerosol generating material and an aerosol generating device for receiving the cartridge. When the cartridge is received in the aerosol generating device, projections on the cartridge enter a set of recesses in the device and exert pressure on a pressure-responsive surface disposed in the base of the recesses, whereby the correct insertion of an authentic cartridge can be determined. The pressure-responsive surface may be part of a plate that moves in response to the exerted pressure to complete an electrical power circuit or a test circuit. Preferably, the pattern of recesses requires the complementary projections to be arranged in the shapes of letters, symbols or other patterns capable of conveying visual information, for example a trade mark of the supplier of authentic cartridges.

1 . An aerosol generating system comprising:
 a cartridge comprising a supply of aerosol generating material; and   an aerosol generating device for receiving the cartridge;   
       wherein:
 the cartridge comprises one or more projections; 
 the aerosol generating device comprises one or more recesses configured to receive the one or more projections when the cartridge is received in the aerosol generating device; and 
 the aerosol generating device further comprises a pressure-responsive surface disposed in a base of a first set of the one or more of the recesses for detecting pressure exerted by one or more of the one or more projections when received in the first set of recesses, wherein the pressure-responsive surface is a surface of a plate configured to move in response to pressure applied to the pressure-responsive surface and thereby to complete an electrical circuit. 
 
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is mounted such that pressure applied unevenly to the pressure-responsive surface is configured to cause the plate to tilt and thereby fail to complete the electrical circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cartridge comprises an electrically powered aerosol generator;   the aerosol generating device comprises a source of electrical power; and   the electrical circuit is configured, when complete, to supply current from the power source to the aerosol generator.   
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the aerosol generating device comprises a source of electrical power and a controller; and   the controller is configured to supply current from the power source to the electrical circuit to verify that the cartridge is received correctly in the aerosol generating device.   
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set of recesses comprises all of the one or more recesses. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , comprising a second pressure-responsive surface disposed at a base of a second set of the one or more of the recesses for detecting pressure exerted by one or more of the projections when received in the second set of recesses, the second set of recesses being distinct from the first set of recesses. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the projections are in the shapes of letters, symbols or other patterns capable of conveying visual information. 
     
     
         8 . A method of activating an aerosol generating system that comprises:
 a cartridge comprising a supply of aerosol generating material and comprises one or more projections; and   an aerosol generating device for receiving the cartridge, the aerosol generating device comprising one or more recesses and a pressure-responsive surface disposed in a base of a first set of the one or more of the recesses, wherein the pressure-responsive surface is a surface of a plate configured to move in response to pressure applied to the pressure-responsive surface and thereby to complete an electrical circuit;   the method comprising:   inserting the cartridge into the aerosol generating device such that one or more of the projections are received in the first set of recesses; and   activating the aerosol generating system when the pressure-responsive surface detects pressure exerted by one or more of the one or more projections received in the first set of recesses.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of activating the aerosol generating system is carried out in response to completion of the electrical circuit.