Cartridge comprising a thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element

Abstract

A replaceable cartridge is provided. The replaceable cartridge comprises a liquid storage portion comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The replaceable cartridge comprises a vaporiser configured to vaporise the liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The replaceable cartridge comprises a thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element in thermal contact with the vaporiser, the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element having a temperature threshold beyond which the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element performs a chromatic change.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A replaceable cartridge comprising:
 a liquid storage portion comprising a liquid aerosol-forming substrate;   a vaporiser configured to vaporise the liquid aerosol-forming substrate, the vaporiser comprising a wick configured to absorb the liquid aerosol-forming substrate;   a thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element in thermal contact with the vaporiser, the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element having a temperature threshold beyond which the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element performs a chromatic change;   a cartridge air inlet;   a cartridge air outlet, the cartridge air inlet and the cartridge air outlet being arranged to define an air flow route between the cartridge air inlet and the cartridge air outlet, the cartridge air outlet being configured to allow the exit of vaporised liquid aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element comprises a main body.   
     
     
         17 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the liquid storage portion is annular and defines an inner passageway surrounded by the liquid storage portion, wherein the air flow route comprises the inner passageway and wherein the cartridge air outlet is disposed at a downstream end of the inner passageway. 
     
     
         18 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 17 , wherein vaporiser is disposed at an upstream end of the inner passageway. 
     
     
         19 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element comprises a layer of thermo-chromatic material printed on the main body. 
     
     
         20 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the main body comprises a porous ceramic. 
     
     
         21 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element comprises a porous layer, the porous layer comprising a temperature-sensitive material. 
     
     
         22 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein wick comprises a thermo-conductive material. 
     
     
         23 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element comprises an absorbing material. 
     
     
         24 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the wick comprises a peripheral wall extending along the longitudinal direction of the replaceable cartridge and wherein the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element is disposed at least partially around the peripheral wall of the wick. 
     
     
         25 . The replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 , wherein the chromatic change is irreversible. 
     
     
         26 . An aerosol-generating system comprising:
 the replaceable cartridge of  claim 16 ,   a reusable aerosol-generating device comprising a power supply configured to provide power to the vaporiser.   
     
     
         27 . The aerosol-generating system of  claim 26 , wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a control unit configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the vaporiser. 
     
     
         28 . The aerosol-generating system of  claim 27 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine or estimate the temperature of the vaporiser, the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element or both the vaporiser and the thermo-chromatic and thermo-conductive element and to stop the supply of power from the power supply to the vaporiser when the determined or estimated temperature exceeds a pre-determined threshold stored in the control unit. 
     
     
         29 . The aerosol-generating system of  claim 28 , wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a display or audible alarm, the control unit being configured to change a warning signal emitted by the display or audible alarm when the determined or estimated temperature exceeds the pre-determined threshold stored in the control unit.