Capsule including thermochromic material and aerosol-generating devices including the same

Abstract

A capsule for an aerosol-generating device is configured to provide a visual distinction as to whether it is new or used. The capsule may include a housing configured to contain an aerosol-forming substrate and a first thermochromic material on an outer surface of the housing of the capsule. The first thermochromic material may be configured to undergo a visual change in response to a temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding a first upper threshold temperature.

1 . A capsule for an aerosol-generating device, the capsule comprising:
 a housing configured to contain an aerosol-forming substrate; and   a first thermochromic material on an outer surface of the housing of the capsule, the first thermochromic material configured to undergo a visual change in response to a temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding a first upper threshold temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising a heater within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first upper threshold temperature is in a range of about 60° C. to about 80° C. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermochromic material is configured to undergo a reversible visual change in response to the temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding the first upper threshold temperature such that the visual change is reversed in response to a reduction of the temperature of the first thermochromic material to below the first upper threshold temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermochromic material is configured to undergo an irreversible visual change in response to the temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding the first upper threshold temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second thermochromic material on the outer surface of the housing of the capsule, the second thermochromic material configured to undergo a visual change in response to a temperature of the second thermochromic material exceeding a second upper threshold temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The capsule of  claim 6 , wherein the second upper threshold temperature is greater than about 80° C. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule of  claim 6 , wherein the second upper threshold temperature is different from the first upper threshold temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule of  claim 6 , wherein
 the first thermochromic material is configured to undergo an irreversible visual change in response to the temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding the first upper threshold temperature, and   the second thermochromic material is configured to undergo a reversible visual change in response to the temperature of the second thermochromic material exceeding the second upper threshold temperature such that the visual change is reversed in response to a reduction of the temperature of the second thermochromic material to below the second upper threshold temperature.   
     
     
         10 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermochromic material is included in a sticker on the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermochromic material is printed on the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The capsule of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a polymer, and the first thermochromic material is intermixed with the polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The capsule of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer exhibits thermal stability between about 120° C. and about 220° C. 
     
     
         14 . The capsule of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic elastomer or polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . The capsule of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a moisture sticker on the outer surface of the housing,   wherein the moisture sticker is configured to undergo a visual change in response to exposure to moisture.   
     
     
         16 . An aerosol-generating device comprising:
 a body portion including a power supply element; and   a capsule configured to be received by the body portion, the capsule including,
 a housing configured to contain an aerosol-forming substrate, and 
 a first thermochromic material configured to undergo a visual change in response to a temperature of the first thermochromic material exceeding a first upper threshold temperature. 
   
     
     
         17 . The aerosol-generating device of  claim 16 , wherein the capsule further includes electrical contacts configured to electrically contact the power supply element. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol-generating device of  claim 16 , wherein the capsule includes a heater. 
     
     
         19 . The aerosol-generating device of  claim 16 , wherein the body portion includes a heater. 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol-generating device of  claim 16 , wherein the body portion includes a window.