This specification generally discloses a system and method configured to generate vapor samples from one or more smoking articles (e.g., cigarette, tobacco product, e-cigarette, or nicotine vapor product), in which such vapor sample may optionally be used for testing purposes. The system may be configured in a manner that reduces the likelihood of exposing particular mechanical components to the smoking article vapor, which may in turn reduce effects of fouling or corroding such components of the system over a period time.

This specification generally discloses a system and method configured to generate vapor samples from one or more smoking articles (e.g., cigarette, tobacco product, e-cigarette, or nicotine vapor product), in which such vapor sample may optionally be used for testing purposes. The system may be configured in a manner that reduces the likelihood of exposing particular mechanical components to the smoking article vapor, which may in turn reduce effects of fouling or corroding such components of the system over a period time.

Vapor data repositories and methods for providing vapor data are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a vapor data repository (VDR) may include memory for vapor production data (VPD) from a vaporizer device and memory for vapor content data (VCD). The VPD may include a sample identifier associated with material having an active ingredient and vaping parameters. The VCD may include concentration of active ingredient data captured by a vapor sample collection apparatus. Another embodiment of a VDR may include memory for vapor correlation data having relationships between VPD and VCD, in which the VPD has production parameters from a vape session, in which the VCD is generated from analysis of captured vaporized material from the vape session on the vaporizer device, and a processor processes requests for the vapor correlation data from users. Methods for providing vapor data are also provided.

A vaporizer device and method for accurate dosing includes a receptacle for holding material having an active ingredient and a heating element for heating the receptacle or air flowing through the receptacle. A controller is configured to receive vapor production information from sensors inside the vaporizer device and generates vapor production data having a sample identifier associated with the material. The vapor production data may also include receptacle temperature, vapor temperature, vapor flow rate, vapor pressure, vapor flow duration, vapor density, heating duration, material pack density, material age, and heating power. The device also has an electronic memory to store the vapor production data.

A vaporizer device and method for delivering an accurate dose. The vaporizer device has a receptacle for holding material having an active ingredient, a heating element for heating either the receptacle or air as it flows to the receptacle, an electronic storage memory for storing vapor correlation data, and a controller configured to control a vaporizer parameter according to instructions in the vapor correlation data and a requested dose of active ingredient, where the vaporizer parameter includes at least one of temperature, air flow rate, pressure drop, pressure differential, and duration per use. The method of using a vaporizer device includes providing material having an active ingredient, receiving a requested dose of active ingredient from a user, determining a vaporizer parameter to satisfy the requested dose according to instructions in vapor correlation data, and controlling the vaporizer parameter to provide the requested dose.

A vapor sample collection apparatus and method of vapor sample collection. The vapor sample collection apparatus has a connection port to connect a first end of a tube to an exhaust port of a vaporizer device, a vacuum pump connected to a second end of the tube, a manifold connected to the vacuum pump, and a vapor containment vessel for collecting a vapor sample, where the vacuum pump is configured to draw a predetermined pressure on the tube. The method of vapor sample collection includes connecting a connection port to an exhaust port of a vaporizer device, the connection port being attached to a first end of a tube, activating the vaporizer device to vaporize a sample containing an active ingredient, drawing a predetermined pressure on a second end of the tube using a vacuum pump, and collecting a vapor sample from the vaporizer device in a vapor containment vessel.

A vaporizer profile management system (VPMS) includes a vaporizer device with an electronic memory to store vapor production data (VPD) from a vape session, a communications interface to transmit the VPD to a computing platform, a vapor analyzing device to generate vapor content data (VCD) derived from vapor collected during the vape session from an exhaust port of the vaporizer device, and a computing platform that receives and processes the VPD and the VCD. A method for generating a vaporizer profile includes storing VPD from a vape session, transmitting the stored VPD to a computing platform, generating VCD derived from vapor collected during the vape session from an exhaust port of the vaporizer device, receiving the VPD and the VCD by the computing platform, and processing at the computing platform the VPD and the VCD to analyze and correlate the VCD with the VPD.

A sensor apparatus may include a conduit structure including an inner surface defining a conduit extending through an interior of the conduit structure, an inlet structure coupled to an end of the conduit structure, and a plurality of sensor devices in hydrodynamic contact with the conduit. The inlet structure may couple with an outlet end of an external tobacco element to hold the outlet end of the external tobacco element in fluid communication with an inlet opening of the conduit structure, such that the conduit structure may receive a generated aerosol from the external tobacco element at the inlet opening, and draw an instance of aerosol through the conduit towards an outlet opening. The instance of aerosol may include at least a portion of the generated aerosol. Each sensor device may generate sensor data indicating a pressure of the instance of aerosol through a separate portion of the conduit.

There is provided a machine for producing an aerosol-forming composition for an aerosol-generating system, the machine including a plurality of reservoirs configured to contain components of an aerosol-forming composition; a mixing mechanism in communication with the plurality of reservoirs; a controller connected to, and configured to control, the mixing mechanism; a user interface connected to the controller for a user to operate the machine, the mixing mechanism being configured to mix selective quantities of components from the plurality of reservoirs according to specified ratios to create an aerosol-forming composition; a testing mechanism including a heater assembly configured to vaporize a test sample to form an aerosol, and at least one outlet configured to deliver the aerosol to the user; and a transfer mechanism configured to deliver the test sample to the testing mechanism. There is also provided a machine and process for producing and delivering the test sample.

There is provided a machine for producing an aerosol-forming composition for an aerosol-generating system, the machine including a plurality of reservoirs configured to contain components of an aerosol-forming composition; a mixing mechanism in communication with the plurality of reservoirs; a controller connected to, and configured to control, the mixing mechanism; a user interface connected to the controller for a user to operate the machine, the mixing mechanism being configured to mix selective quantities of components from the plurality of reservoirs according to specified ratios to create an aerosol-forming composition; a testing mechanism including a heater assembly configured to vaporize a test sample to form an aerosol, and at least one outlet configured to deliver the aerosol to the user; and a transfer mechanism configured to deliver the test sample to the testing mechanism. There is also provided a machine and process for producing and delivering the test sample.