Abstract
A method of forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system, and a system for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system, the method comprising: submerging at least a portion of a heating element (1) in a deposition liquid (6): submerging at least a portion of an auxiliary electrode (4) in the deposition liquid (6): and supplying a voltage between the heating element (1) and the auxiliary electrode (4) to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element (1) by electrophoretic deposition.
Claims
1. A method of forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system, the method comprising: submerging at least a portion of a heating element in a deposition liquid; submerging at least a portion of an auxiliary electrode in the deposition liquid; and supplying a voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary electrode to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the deposition liquid comprises a polysaccharide, and optionally one or more of: water; nicotine; a flavourant; an aerosol former; and an acid.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the deposition liquid comprises sodium alginate, and optionally one or more of: calcium carbonate; and iron(II).
4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising submerging a reference electrode in the deposition liquid, and wherein the step of supplying a voltage comprises supplying a voltage between the heating element, the auxiliary electrode, and the reference electrode to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition.
5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of cleaning the heating element, and optionally wherein the step of cleaning the heating element comprises at least one of: brushing the heating element with a brush; scraping the heating element with a scraper; submerging at least a portion of the heating element in a cleaning liquid; and electrically cleaning the heating element by: submerging a cleaning auxiliary electrode in the cleaning liquid; submerging at least a portion of the heating element in the cleaning liquid; and supplying a voltage between the heating element and the cleaning auxiliary electrode to electrically clean aerosol-forming substrate from the heating element.
6. A system for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system, the system comprising: a heating element; an auxiliary electrode; and a deposition liquid, wherein the system is configured to supply a voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary electrode to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition when at least a portion of the heating element and at least a portion of the auxiliary electrode are submerged in the deposition liquid.
7. A system according to claim 7, wherein the deposition liquid comprises a polysaccharide, and optionally one or more of: water; nicotine; a flavourant; an aerosol former; and an acid.
8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the deposition liquid comprises sodium alginate, and optionally one or more of: calcium carbonate; and iron(II).
9. A system according to claim 6, further comprising a reference electrode, and wherein the system is configured to supply a voltage between the heating element, the auxiliary electrode and the reference electrode when at least a portion of the heating element, at least a portion of the auxiliary electrode, and at least a portion of the reference electrode are submerged in the deposition liquid to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition.
10. A system according to claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a cleaner configured to remove aerosol-forming substrate from the heating element, and optionally wherein the cleaner comprises at least one of: a brush; a scraper; a cleaning liquid; and an electrical cleaning arrangement, comprising: a cleaning liquid; and a cleaning auxiliary electrode, wherein the system is configured to supply a voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary cleaning electrode when at least a portion of the heating element and at least a portion of the cleaning auxiliary electrode are submerged in the cleaning liquid to remove aerosol-forming substrate from the heating element.
11. A system according to claim 6, wherein the system further comprises an aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating element is removably couplable to the aerosol-generating device, and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power supply configured to supply power to the heating element when the heating element is coupled to the aerosol-generating device to heat the aerosol-forming substrate deposited on the heating element to generate an aerosol.
12. A system according to claim 6, wherein the system further comprises an aerosol-generating device, wherein the heating element is an integral part of the aerosol-generating device, and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a power supply configured to supply power to the heating element to heat the aerosol-forming substrate deposited on the heating element to generate an aerosol.
13. A system according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol-generating device further comprises the auxiliary electrode, and wherein the power supply of the aerosol-generating device is configured to supply the voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary electrode.
14. A system according to claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a deposition device the deposition device is configured to electrically couple to the heating element, and wherein: the deposition device comprises: a housing defining a cavity holding the deposition liquid; the auxiliary electrode; and a power supply arranged to supply the voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary electrode when the heating element is electrically coupled to the deposition device.
15. A deposition device configured to be electrically coupled a heating element of an aerosol-forming system, the deposition device comprising: a housing defining a cavity holding a deposition liquid; an auxiliary electrode arranged in the cavity and at least partially submerged in the deposition liquid; and a power supply arranged to supply a voltage between the heating element and the auxiliary electrode to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element when the heating element is electrically coupled to the deposition device, and at least a portion of the heating element is submerged in the deposition liquid.
Description
[0279] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0280] FIGS. 1a and 1b are schematic illustrations of simplified systems for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system in accordance with this disclosure;
[0281] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a heating element and a deposition device in accordance with this disclosure;
[0282] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the heating element and deposition device of FIG. 2, wherein the heating element is received in the deposition device;
[0283] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic illustrations of an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and the heating element of FIG. 2, in accordance with this disclosure;
[0284] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a cleaning device in accordance with this disclosure;
[0285] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a deposition device including a cleaner in accordance with this disclosure;
[0286] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a deposition device including a cleaner in accordance with this disclosure;
[0287] FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic illustrations of an aerosol-generating device in accordance with this disclosure;
[0288] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a cartridge for an aerosol-generating system and a deposition device in accordance with this disclosure;
[0289] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the cartridge and the deposition device of FIG. 9, wherein the cartridge is received in the deposition device; and
[0290] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of the cartridge of FIG. 9 and an aerosol-generating device, wherein the cartridge is received in the aerosol-generating device.
[0291] FIGS. 1a and 1b show two different systems for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system according to this disclosure.
[0292] FIG. 1a shows a two electrode system for depositing an aerosol-forming substrate on a heating element by electrophoretic deposition to form an aerosol-generating component. The system comprises a heating element 1, which acts as a working electrode, and an auxiliary electrode 4. The heating element 1 is formed from platinum, and the auxiliary electrode 4 is formed from silver chloride. The heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 are partially submerged in a deposition liquid 6. The deposition liquid 6 is a solution comprising water as the solvent, sodium alginate (AlgNa), particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3), an aerosol-former in the form of propylene glycol, and nicotine. The deposition liquid comprises the desired components of the aerosol-forming substrate, which in this embodiment are propylene glycol (the aerosol former), water, and nicotine. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the deposition liquid may comprise different components. For example, the deposition liquid may comprise a different polysaccharide than sodium alginate. For example, the deposition liquid may comprise a different aerosol-former than propylene glycol. For example, the deposition liquid may comprise a different active ingredient than nicotine. For example, the deposition liquid may comprise one or more of a flavourant and an acid.
[0293] Each of the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 are connected to a power supply (not shown), which is arranged to supply a voltage between the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4. A controller (not shown) controls the supply of power to the heating element 1, the auxiliary electrode 4. When the voltage is supplied between the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4, an electric field is established in the deposition liquid 6. The electric field in the deposition liquid 6 causes migration of charged particles 7 in the deposition liquid 6 towards the heating element 1. Charged particles 7 attracted to the heating element 1 are deposited on the surface of the heating element 1, forming a layer of aerosol-forming substrate on the surface of the heating element 1. For this deposition liquid 6, the sodium alginate in the deposition liquid 6 gelates at the heating element 1 to form a hydrogel that is deposited on the heating element 1. The hydrogel traps propylene glycol, water and nicotine, such that the hydrogel deposited on the heating element comprises the desired components for the aerosol-forming substrate.
[0294] FIG. 1b shows a three electrode system for forming an aerosol-generating component, comprising a heating element 1, which acts as a working electrode, an auxiliary electrode 4, and a reference electrode 5. The system of FIG. 1b is substantially similar to the system of FIG. 1a, and like features are denoted with like reference numerals. The system of FIG. 1b differs from the system of FIG. 1a only in that the system of FIG. 1b comprises the reference electrode 5. The reference electrode 5 is formed from platinum. The reference electrode 5 is partially submerged in the deposition liquid 6, and is connected to the power supply (not shown). The power supply is arranged to supply a voltage between the heating element 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5.
[0295] A controller (not shown) controls the supply of power to the heating element 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5. A stable and known voltage is supplied from the power supply to the auxiliary electrode 4. A voltage is supplied between the heating element 1 and the reference electrode 5, which is measured against the voltage supplied to the auxiliary electrode 4. The rate of electrical deposition of aerosol-forming substrate occurring at the heating element 1 is determined by the controller from the measured voltage between the reference electrode 5 and the auxiliary electrode 4, and the voltage between the reference electrode 5 and the heating element 1 is adjusted in response to the determined rate of electrical deposition of aerosol-forming substrate occurring at the heating element 1.
[0296] FIGS. 2-4 show a system for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system according to this disclosure.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 2, the system comprises a heating element 1, provided on an electrically insulative substrate 2. The heating element 1 and electrically insulative substrate 2 form an aerosol-generating component 3 of the aerosol-generating system when aerosol-generating substrate is deposited on the heating element 1. The aerosol-generating component 3 may be considered to be a cartridge of the aerosol-generating system.
[0298] Also as shown in FIG. 2, the system comprises a deposition device 10. The deposition device 10 comprises a housing 11 defining a cavity 12 holding a deposition liquid 6. The deposition liquid 6 is the same deposition liquid as described above with reference to FIG. 1a.
[0299] A connector 14 for coupling the deposition device 10 to the aerosol-generating component 3 is arranged in the cavity 12, submerged in the deposition liquid 6. The connector 14 comprises an electrical contact pad 15 which is configured to electrically couple with the heating element 1 when the aerosol-generating component 3 is coupled to the connector. An auxiliary electrode 4, and a reference electrode 5 are also arranged in the cavity 16 and at least partially submerged in the deposition liquid 6.
[0300] The housing 11 further defines an opening 16 at an upper end of the deposition device 10 to enable the aerosol-generating component 3 to be inserted into the cavity 12. A closure 17 is slidably coupled to the housing 11 and is slidably movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position, the opening 16 is open to allow insertion of the aerosol-generating component 3 into the cavity 12, and removal of the aerosol-generating component 3 from the cavity 12. In the closed position, the closure 17 covers the opening 16 to prevent insertion of the aerosol-generating component 3 into the cavity 12 and removal of the aerosol-generating component 3 from the cavity 12. A liquid tight seal is provided between the closure 17 and the housing 11 in the closed position, so that the deposition liquid 6 cannot escape from the cavity 12 when the closure 17 is in the closed position. It will be appreciated that the closure 17 may be movable in any suitable manner between the open and closed position. In some embodiments, the closure 17 may be rotatably movable between the open position and the closed position. In some embodiments, the closure 17 may be removable from the housing 11.
[0301] The deposition device 10 further comprises a power supply 18, in the form of a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The power supply 18 is arranged to supply power to the electrical contact pad 15, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5. The deposition device 10 further comprises a controller 19, which is configured to control the supply of power to the electrical contact pad 15, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5.
[0302] FIG. 3 shows the aerosol-generating component 3 received in the cavity 12 of the deposition device 10, with the closure 17 in the closed position to prevent removal of the aerosol-generating component 3 from the cavity 12. The aerosol-generating component 3 is coupled to the connector 14 of the deposition device 10, and the heating element 1 is fully submerged in the deposition liquid 6, and is electrically coupled to the electrical contact pad 15. In this configuration, the system is ready to deposit aerosol-forming substrate onto the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition. The deposition device 10 and the aerosol-generating component 3 form a three electrode system, as described above with reference to FIG. 1b.
[0303] The deposition device 10 further comprises a switch (not shown). When the switch is activated by a user, the controller 19 supplies power to the electrical contact pad 15, which supplies power to the heating element 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5. The controller supplies a voltage between the heating element 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5 as described above with reference to FIG. 1b, to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition 1.
[0304] FIG. 4a shows an aerosol-generating device 20, which is configured to couple with the aerosol-generating component 3 of FIGS. 2 and 3 to form an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a housing 21, which defines a cavity 22 for receiving the aerosol-generating component 3. A mouthpiece 23 is removably couplable to the housing 21 of the aerosol-generating device 21, and covers the cavity 22 when coupled to the housing 21 to retain the aerosol-generating component 3 in the cavity 22. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a power supply 24, in the form of a rechargeable lithium ion battery, which is arranged to be electrically coupled to the heating element 1 of the aerosol-generating component 3 when the aerosol-generating component 3 is received in the cavity 22. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a controller 25, which controls the supply of power to the heating element 1 of the aerosol-generating component.
[0305] FIG. 4b shows the aerosol-generating system ready for use, with aerosol-forming substrate deposited on the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition of the aerosol-generating component 3, the aerosol-generating component 3 received in the cavity 22, and the mouthpiece 23 coupled to the housing 21. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a puff sensor (not shown), which activates the aerosol-generating device 20 when it detects a user puffing on the mouthpiece 23. In use, when a user activates the device by puffing on the mouthpiece 23, the controller 25 supplies power from the power supply 24 to the heating element 1 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, which is delivered to the user through the mouthpiece 23.
[0306] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show various cleaners configured to remove aerosol-forming substrate from a heating element of an aerosol-generating component.
[0307] FIG. 5 shows a cleaning device 30. The cleaning device 30 comprises a brush 31 at one end, for brushing aerosol-forming substrate off of a heating element. the cleaning device 30 further comprises a scraper 32 at the opposite end to the brush 31. The scraper is configured to scrape aerosol-forming substrate off of a heating element. The cleaning device 30 is configured to be used manually by a user. In other words, the user holds and operates the brush 31 and the scraper 32 with their hand. In use, a user cleans the heating element of the aerosol-generating component before proceeding to deposit new aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition.
[0308] FIG. 6 shows a deposition device 10 comprising a cleaner. The deposition device 10 is substantially the same as the deposition device 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and like reference numerals are used to describe like features. The deposition device 10 of FIG. 6 differs from the deposition device 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3 only in that the deposition device 10 of FIG. 6 comprises a cleaner.
[0309] The cleaner of the deposition device 10 of FIG. 6 comprises a cleaning cavity 34 defined by the housing of the deposition device 10. The cleaning cavity 34 holds a cleaning liquid 35. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid is a water based cleaning solution. It will be appreciated that any cleaning liquid suitable for removing aerosol-forming substrate from a heating element may be used. An opening 36 is provided in the housing to enable the aerosol-generating component 3 to be inserted into the cleaning compartment 34, and removed from the cleaning compartment 34. A closure 37 is also provided, and is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the cover 37 is rotated away from the opening 36 to enable an aerosol-generating component to be inserted into the cleaning cavity 34, and removed from the cleaning cavity 34. In the closed position, the cover 37 is rotated over the opening 36 to cover the opening 36 and prevent insertion of an aerosol-generating component into the cleaning cavity 34 and removal of an aerosol-generating component from the cleaning cavity 34. A liquid tight seal is provided between the housing of the deposition device and the closure 37 in the closed position to prevent the cleaning liquid from escaping from the cleaning compartment 34.
[0310] FIG. 7 also shows a deposition device 10 comprising a cleaner. The deposition device 10 is substantially the same as the deposition device 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and like reference numerals are used to describe like features. The deposition device 10 of FIG. 7 differs from the deposition device 10 of FIGS. 2 and 3 only in that the deposition device 10 of FIG. 7 comprises a cleaner.
[0311] The cleaner of the deposition device 10 of FIG. 7 comprises a cleaning cavity 34 defined by the housing of the deposition device 10. The cleaning cavity 34 is substantially similar to the cavity 12, and is provided with a similar opening and closure. The cleaning cavity 34 holds a cleaning liquid 36. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid is a deposition liquid, which similar to the deposition liquid 6 in the cavity 12. A connector 37, with an electrical contact pad, an auxiliary electrode 38, and a reference electrode 39 are provided in the cleaning cavity 34, submerged in the cleaning liquid 36. The connector 37, auxiliary electrode 38 and reference electrode 39 are identical to the connector 14, auxiliary electrode 4, and reference electrode 5 in the cavity 12, and are similarly connected to the power supply 18 and the controller 19. The controller is configured to control the supply of voltage between the heating element of the aerosol-generating component connected to the connector 37, the auxiliary electrode 38, and the reference electrode 39 to clean aerosol-forming substrate from the heating element. The voltage supplied between the heating element of the aerosol-generating component connected to the connector 37, the auxiliary electrode 38, and the reference electrode 39 is generally opposite to the voltage supplied between the heating element of the aerosol-generating component connected to the connector 14, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5 to deposit aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition. Such a voltage establishes an electric field in the deposition liquid which causes the aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element to migrate away from the heating element.
[0312] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a system for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system according to this disclosure. The system comprises a deposition device 10, and an aerosol-generating device 20.
[0313] As shown in FIG. 8b, the deposition device 10 in this embodiment comprises a container holding a deposition liquid 6. The deposition liquid 6 is the same deposition liquid as described above with reference to FIG. 1a. The container of the deposition device 10 is sized to receive a portion of the aerosol-generating device 20, as shown in FIG. 8b.
[0314] As shown in FIG. 8a, the aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a housing 21, which defines a cavity 22 comprising a heating element 1, and an auxiliary electrode 4. The heating element 1 comprises a planar sheet of platinum, and the auxiliary electrode 4 comprises a layer of silver chloride applied to the inner surface of the housing 21 defining the cavity 22. The auxiliary electrode 4 circumscribes the heating element 1, with a gap between the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 to accommodate deposition liquid 6 when the aerosol-generating device 20 is received in the deposition device 10. The heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 form a two electrode system, as described above with reference to FIG. 1a.
[0315] The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a mouthpiece 23, which is removably couplable to the housing 21 of the aerosol-generating device 20, and covers the cavity 22 when coupled to the housing 21. The mouthpiece 23 is removable so that the mouthpiece does not come into contact with the deposition liquid 6 when the aerosol-generating device 20 is received in the deposition device 10.
[0316] The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a power supply 24, in the form of a rechargeable lithium ion battery, which is electrically coupled to the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a controller 25, which controls the supply of power to the heating element 1, and the auxiliary electrode 4. The controller 25 is configured to control the supply of power to the heating element 1 to heat an aerosol-forming substrate deposited on the surface of the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition to form an aerosol. The controller 25 is also configured to supply a voltage between the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition when the aerosol-generating device 20 is received in the deposition device 10, and at least a portion of the heating element and a portion of the auxiliary electrode are submerged in the deposition liquid 6.
[0317] The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a puff sensor (not shown), which activates the device when it detects a user puffing on the mouthpiece 23. In use, when the mouthpiece 23 is coupled to the housing 21, and when a user activates the device by puffing on the mouthpiece 23, the controller 25 supplies power from the power supply 24 to the heating element 1 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, which is delivered to the user through the mouthpiece 23.
[0318] To prepare the aerosol-generating device 20 for use, the mouthpiece 23 is uncoupled from the housing 21, and a proximal end of the aerosol-generating device 20 is inserted into the container of the deposition device 10 and submerged in the deposition liquid 6. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating device 20 comprises the cavity 22, the heating element 1, and the auxiliary electrode 4. When the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device 20 is submerged in the deposition liquid 6, the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 are also submerged in the deposition liquid 6. The deposition device 10 and the aerosol-generating device 20 form a two electrode system, as described above with reference to FIG. 1a. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a switch (not shown), which enables a user to instruct the controller 25 to supply a voltage between the heating element 1 and the auxiliary electrode 4 to deposit an aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition. When the proximal end of the aerosol-generating device 20 is submerged in the deposition liquid 6, the user activates the switch to deposit aerosol-forming substrate on the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition. When aerosol-forming substrate is deposited on the heating element 1 by electrophoretic deposition, the heating element 1 and the aerosol-forming substrate form an aerosol-generating component, and the aerosol-generating device 20 forms an aerosol-generating system that is ready for use.
[0319] FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show a system for forming an aerosol-generating component of an aerosol-generating system according to this disclosure.
[0320] As shown in FIG. 9, the system comprises a plurality of heating elements 1, provided on an electrically insulative substrate 2. In this embodiment, the plurality of heating elements 1 comprise six heating elements, spaced apart from each other at regular intervals across the electrically insulative substrate 2. Each heating element 1 comprises a rectangular strip of platinum. An auxiliary electrode 4 is arranged at one end of the electrically insulative substrate 2. The auxiliary electrode 4 comprises a rectangular sheet of silver chloride. A reference electrode 5 is arranged adjacent to the auxiliary electrode 4 on the electrically insulative substrate 2. The reference electrode 5 comprises a rectangular strip of platinum. The plurality of heating elements 1, electrically insulative substrate 2, auxiliary electrode 4, and reference electrode 5 are housed within a mouthpiece 23. The mouthpiece is configured to enable a user to puff on the mouthpiece to receive aerosol. The plurality of heating elements 1, electrically insulative substrate 2, auxiliary electrode 4, reference electrode 5 and mouthpiece 23 form an aerosol-generating component 3 of the aerosol-generating system when aerosol-generating substrate is deposited on the plurality of heating elements 1. The aerosol-generating component 3 may be considered to be a cartridge that is couplable to an aerosol-generating device to form an aerosol-generating system, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0321] The system for forming an aerosol-generating component further comprises a deposition device 10, as shown in FIG. 9. The deposition device 10 is substantially similar to the deposition device 10 described above with reference to FIG. 2, and like features are denoted with like reference numerals.
[0322] The deposition device 10 of FIG. 9 comprises a housing 11 defining a cavity 12 holding a deposition liquid 6. The deposition liquid 6 is the same deposition liquid as described above with reference to FIG. 1a.
[0323] A connector 14 for coupling the deposition device 10 to the cartridge 3 is arranged in the cavity 12, submerged in the deposition liquid 6. The connector 14 comprises a plurality of electrical contact pads configured to electrically couple with the plurality of heating elements 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5 of the cartridge 3 when the cartridge is coupled to the connector 14.
[0324] The housing 11 further defines an opening 16 at an upper end of the deposition device 10 to enable the cartridge 3 to be inserted into the cavity 12. A closure 17 is rotatably coupled to the housing 11 and is rotatably movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position, the opening 16 is open to allow insertion of the cartridge 3 into the cavity 12, and removal of the cartridge 3 from the cavity 12. In the closed position, the closure 17 covers the opening 16 to prevent insertion of the cartridge 3 into the cavity 12 and removal of the cartridge 3 from the cavity 12. A liquid tight seal is provided between the closure 17 and the housing 11 in the closed position, so that the deposition liquid 6 cannot escape from the cavity 12 when the closure 17 is in the closed position.
[0325] The deposition device 10 further comprises a power supply 18, in the form of a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The power supply 18 is arranged to supply power to the electrical contact pad 15 of the connector 14. The deposition device 10 further comprises a controller 19, which is configured to control the supply of power to the electrical contact pads 15.
[0326] FIG. 10 shows the cartridge 3 received in the cavity 12 of the deposition device 10, with the closure 17 in the closed position to prevent removal of the cartridge 3 from the cavity 12. The cartridge 3 is coupled to the connector 14 of the deposition device 10, and the plurality of heating elements 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5 are fully submerged in the deposition liquid 6, and are each electrically coupled to one of the electrical contact pads of the connector 14. In this configuration, the system is ready to deposit aerosol-forming substrate onto each of the plurality of heating elements 1 by electrophoretic deposition. The deposition device 10 and the cartridge 3 form a three electrode system, as described above with reference to FIG. 1b.
[0327] The deposition device 10 further comprises a switch (not shown). When the switch is activated by a user, the controller 19 supplies power to the electrical contact pads, which supplies power to each of the plurality of heating elements 1, the auxiliary electrode 4, and the reference electrode 5. The controller supplies a voltage between the auxiliary electrode 4 and the plurality of heating elements 1, and the reference electrode 5 and the plurality of heating elements 1, as described above with reference to FIG. 1b, to deposit aerosol-forming substrate on each one of the plurality of heating elements 1 by electrophoretic deposition.
[0328] FIG. 11 shows an aerosol-generating device 20, which is configured to couple with the cartridge 3 of FIGS. 9 and 10 to form an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating device 20 comprises a housing 21, which is configured to couple with the cartridge 3. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a power supply 24, in the form of a rechargeable lithium ion battery, which is arranged to electrically couple to each one of the plurality of heating elements 1 of the cartridge when the cartridge 3 is coupled to the aerosol-generating device 20. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a controller 25, which is configured to selectively control the supply of power from the power supply 24 to each one of the plurality of heating elements 1 of the cartridge.
[0329] FIG. 11 shows the aerosol-generating system ready for use, with aerosol-forming substrate deposited on each one of the plurality of heating elements 1 of the cartridge 3 by electrophoretic deposition, and the cartridge 3 coupled to the aerosol-generating device 20. The aerosol-generating device 20 further comprises a puff sensor (not shown), which activates the aerosol-generating device 20 when it detects a user puffing on the mouthpiece 23. In use, when a user activates the device by puffing on the mouthpiece 23, the controller 25 selectively supplies power from the power supply 24 to each one of the plurality of heating elements 1 to heat the aerosol-forming substrate deposited on the heating element by electrophoretic deposition to generate an aerosol, which is delivered to the user through the mouthpiece 23.
[0330] For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ?5% of A.
