An electronic cigarette includes a shell and a mouthpiece. The external wall of the shell has an air inlet. An atomizer and a liquid-supply are in contact with each other. The air inlet, atomizer, and an aerosol passage are interconnected.

Provided is an aerosol generating device which is capable of optimizing the timing at which aerosol generation is stopped. This aerosol generating device 100 includes: a power source 114 which supplies power in order to atomize an aerosol source and/or heat a flavor source; a sensor 106 which outputs a measurement value indicating a first physical quantity for controlling the power supplied; and a controller 130 which acquires the measurement value output by the sensor 106, stores a profile of the measurement value, and controls the supplied power by controlling a second physical quantity different to the first physical quantity, on the basis of the acquired measurement value and at least a part of the stored profile of the measurement value.

Provided is an aerosol generating device which is capable of stopping aerosol generation at an appropriate timing. This aerosol generating device includes a power source which supplies power in order to atomize an aerosol source and/or heat a flavor source; a sensor which outputs a measurement value for controlling the power supplied; and a circuitry which controls the power supplied from the power source on the basis of the measurement value. The circuitry controls to increase a power supply amount per unit time in response to a first condition that the measured value is equal to or larger than a first threshold being satisfied, and to decrease the power supply amount per unit time in response to a second condition that the measured value is less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold and a third condition which is different from the first condition and the second condition being satisfied.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

In one embodiment, there is provided a humidification chamber for use in a medical humidification system. The humidification chamber may comprise: a base and a top linked by a side wall to define the chamber, the chamber being configured to contain a volume of water; a gases inlet configured to receive a gases flow from a gases source; and a gases outlet, wherein the gases inlet is orientated relative to the side wall to introduce the gases flow to the humidification chamber at a direction substantially tangential to the side wall of the humidification chamber.

A composite wick is provided for use in a micro-vaporizer having a fluid reservoir and a heating element. The composite wick comprises a wick body positionable so that its upstream surface is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the downstream surface is disposed in opposition to a surface of the heating element. The wick body comprises at least one base wick structure having a plurality of tortuous passages that collectively provide a capillary effect to draw fluid from the reservoir and transport it toward the downstream surface. The wick body further comprises an active material positioned within the wick body so that vaporizable fluid drawn through the wick body contacts and interacts with the active material. The active material is selected to impart a desired characteristic to the vaporizable fluid.

An electronic smoking article includes a liquid aerosol formulation, a heater operable to at least partially volatilize the liquid aerosol formulation and form an aerosol and a tubular filter segment downstream of the heater. The tubular filter segment is operable to selectively filter aerosol particles and vapors from the aerosol.

A flavored vapor generator (100, 200, 300, 400) used for an electronic smoking apparatus (10) comprises a housing; a liquid retention material (155, 255) which is filled, soaked or immersed with a flavored liquid and received inside the housing; an electric heater (150, 350, 450) for heating the liquid retention material (155, 255) to generate flavored vapor; and a sensor (156, 356, 456) for monitoring soaking or wetness conditions of the liquid retention material (155, 255) and providing signals for determining whether the flavored liquid in the liquid retention material (155, 255) is exhausted or almost exhausted.

A composite wick is provided for use in a micro-vaporizer having a fluid reservoir and a heating element. The composite wick comprises a wick body positionable so that its upstream surface is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the downstream surface is disposed in opposition to a surface of the heating element. The wick body comprises at least one base wick structure having a plurality of tortuous passages that collectively provide a capillary effect to draw fluid from the reservoir and transport it toward the downstream surface. The wick body further comprises an active material positioned within the wick body so that vaporizable fluid drawn through the wick body contacts and interacts with the active material. The active material is selected to impart a desired characteristic to the vaporizable fluid.