AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

Described is an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the system including an optical arrangement provided by the system and including at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source; an aerosol-generating material contained within the system; wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material or a target material.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2021/052785, filed Oct. 26, 2021, which claims priority from GB Application No. 2017562.6, filed Nov. 6, 2020, each of which hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to non-combustible aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).

BACKGROUND

Electronic aerosol delivery systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol-generating material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporization. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise an aerosol generation chamber containing an aerosol generator, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporize a portion of aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol in the aerosol generation chamber. As a user inhales on the device and electrical power is supplied to the aerosol generator, air is drawn into the device through inlet holes and into the aerosol generation chamber where the air mixes with the vaporized aerosol-generating material and forms a condensation aerosol. There is a flow path between the aerosol generation chamber and an opening in the mouthpiece so the incoming air drawn through the aerosol generation chamber continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the vapor/condensation aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

Some existing approaches utilize resistive heating elements to generate an aerosol, where the resistive heating element generates heat in response to an electrical current being applied thereto.

Such approaches often require an electrical connection to be established between the resistive heating element and a controller and/or power supply.

SUMMARY

Various approaches are described which seek to help address some of these issues.

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the system comprising: an optical arrangement provided by the system and comprising at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source; an aerosol-generating material contained within the system; wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a receptacle for an aerosol provision systems configured to receive a plurality of light beams from the aerosol provision system comprising an optical arrangement configured to generate the plurality of light beams, the receptacle comprising: an aerosol-generating material contained within the receptacle; wherein the receptacle is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the receptacle, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol generator apparatus for an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol generator apparatus comprising: an optical arrangement comprising at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source; wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of an aerosol-generating material and/or a target material.

According to a fourth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided means for generating an aerosol, the means comprising: optical means configured to generate a plurality of light beams; and an aerosol-generating material; wherein the optical means are configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within a system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material and/or target material.

According to a fifth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol provision system, the method comprising: providing an optical arrangement in the system, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams; and providing an aerosol-generating material contained within the system, wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol precursor material and/or a target material, wherein the method further comprises generating the plurality of light beams.

Further respective aspects and features are defined by the appended claims.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents in cross-section an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C schematically represent in cross-section views through a cartridge part in accordance with the example aerosol provision system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A, and 3B schematically represent in cross-section views through a cartridge part in accordance with the example aerosol provision system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 schematically represents in cross-section an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 schematically represents in cross-section an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 schematically represents in cross-section an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 schematically represents a method of generating an aerosol by an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed/described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed/described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with vapor provision system/device, electronic vapor provision system/device, vapor delivery system/device, electronic vapor delivery system/device, aerosol provision system/device, electronic aerosol provision system/device, aerosol delivery system/device, and electronic aerosol delivery system/device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms “vapor” and “aerosol”, and related terms such as “vaporize”, “volatilize” and “aerosolize”, may generally be used interchangeably.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device (sometimes referred to as a control part) and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

Aerosol provision systems often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable part (also referred to as a control unit) and a replaceable/disposable cartridge part (also referred to as a consumable or consumable part). Often the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol-generating material and the reusable part will comprise the power supply (e.g. rechargeable battery), activation mechanism (e.g. button or puff sensor), and control circuitry. However, it will be appreciated these different parts may also comprise further elements depending on functionality. For example, for a so-called hybrid device the cartridge part may also comprise or be connectable to an additional flavor material or aerosol-modifying agent. For example the flavor material may be a portion of tobacco, provided as an insert (“pod”) to add flavor to an aerosol generated elsewhere in the system. The flavor material or aerosol modifying agent may be a substance that is able to modify aerosol in use. The agent may modify aerosol in such a way as to create a physiological or sensory effect on the human body. Example aerosol modifying agents are actives, flavorants and sensates. A sensate creates an organoleptic sensation that can be perceived through the senses, such as a cool or sour sensation.

The flavor material may be removable so it can be replaced, for example to change flavor or because the usable lifetime of the flavor material is less than the usable lifetime of the aerosol generating components of the cartridge. The reusable device part will often also comprise additional components, such as a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. In some examples, flavor materials may include tobacco materials or materials including tobacco extracts and/or nicotine, although it should be appreciated that any suitable material for providing a flavor may be used.

For modular devices a cartridge and control unit may be electrically and mechanically coupled together for use, for example using a screw thread, latching, bayonet fixing, or an interference fit with appropriately engaging electrical contacts. When the aerosol-generating material in a cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol-generating material, a cartridge may be removed from the control unit and a replacement cartridge attached in its place.

It is relatively common for aerosol provision systems, including multi-part devices, to have a generally elongate shape and, for the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein will be taken to comprise a generally elongate multi-part device employing disposable cartridges which include an aerosol-generating material.

It will be appreciated the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for different configurations of aerosol delivery systems, for example devices conforming to other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape or smaller form-factor devices such as so-called pod-mod devices. More generally, it will be appreciated embodiments of the disclosure may be based on aerosol provision systems configured to incorporate the principles described herein regardless of the specific format of other aspects of such aerosol provision systems.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an aerosol provision system 1 (such as an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette) in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. The aerosol provision system 1 comprises two main components, namely a reusable part 2 and a replaceable/disposable cartridge part 4.

In normal use the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 are releasably coupled together at an interface 6. When the cartridge part is exhausted (i.e. when aerosol-generating material, such as a liquid, in the cartridge part is depleted or substantially depleted) or the user simply wishes to switch to a different cartridge part, the cartridge part may be detached from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge part attached to the reusable part in its place. The interface 6 may provide structural and air path connection between the two parts and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, for example based around a screw thread, latch mechanism, or bayonet fixing with appropriately arranged mechanical contacts and openings for establishing the physical connection and air path between the two parts as appropriate. The specific manner by which the cartridge part 4 mechanically mounts to the reusable part 2 is not significant to the principles described herein, but for the sake of a concrete example is assumed here to comprise a latching mechanism, for example with a portion of the cartridge being received in a corresponding receptacle in the reusable part with cooperating latch engaging elements (not represented in FIG. 1). It will also be appreciated the interface 6 in some implementations additionally provide an electrical connection between the respective parts. For example, in some implementations there may be electronic components provided within the cartridge part which require power from the reusable part. Alternatively, the transfer of electrical power from the reusable part to the cartridge part may be wireless (e.g. based on electromagnetic induction), so that an electrical connection between the reusable part and the cartridge part is not needed.

In FIG. 1, the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 which may be formed of a plastics material. The cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge part and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the reusable part 2. The cartridge housing may be is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part couples to the reusable part 2. As an example the cartridge part may have a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 3 cm. However, it will be appreciated the specific geometry, and more generally the overall shapes and materials used, may be different in different implementations.

Within the cartridge housing 42 is a reservoir 44 that contains liquid aerosol-generating material. The liquid aerosol-generating material may be conventional, and may be referred to as e-liquid. The liquid reservoir 44 in this example has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner cartridge wall 58 that defines an air path 52 through the cartridge part 4. The reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the e-liquid. The reservoir 44 may be formed in accordance with conventional techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally molded with the cartridge housing 42.

The cartridge part comprises a wick 46 which extends transversely across the cartridge air path 52 with at least one end extending into the reservoir 44 of e-liquid through openings in the inner cartridge wall 58. The wick 46 is an example of an aerosol-generating material transfer element, and different aerosol-generating material transfer elements may be used in implementations using different aerosol-generating materials or in some other implementations may be omitted completely.

In FIG. 1, the wick 46 is shown oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 (i.e., the wick 46 extends into and out of the page). The aforementioned openings in the inner cartridge wall 58 are therefore not shown in FIG. 1. The openings in the inner cartridge wall 58 are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 46 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the liquid reservoir into the cartridge air path without unduly compressing the wick, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance. The e-liquid in the reservoir 44 infiltrates the wick 46 through the at least one end of the wick extending into the reservoir 44 and is drawn along the wick by surface tension/capillary action (i.e. wicking). In some examples, the wick 46 may be made of any conventional material such as woven or unwoven cotton or glass filaments. In other examples, the wick 46 may be provided by a porous material such as a ceramic material or woven metal fibers. Additionally, while FIG. 1 depicts an elongated wick which extends transversely across the cartridge air path 52, in other examples, the wick 46 may be a flattened structure which may be provided adjacent to a surface of the inner cartridge wall 58.

The reusable part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 that supports other components of the reusable part 2 and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the cartridge part 4. The reusable part further comprises a battery 26 for providing operating power for the aerosol provision system, control circuitry 20 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol provision system, a user input button 14, an inhalation sensor (puff detector) 16, which in this example comprises a pressure sensor located in a pressure sensor chamber 18, and a visual display 24. The outer housing 12 may further define an air inlet 28 for the aerosol provision system which is fluidly connected to the pressure sensor chamber 18 and, also, which is fluidly connected with an air inlet of the cartridge part 4 when the cartridge part 4 and reusable part 2 have been attached.

The outer housing 12 of the reusable part 2 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross-sectional area generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge part 4, so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6. In this example, the reusable part has a length of around 6 cm so the overall length of the aerosol provision system when the cartridge part and reusable part are coupled together is around 10 cm. However (and as already noted) it will be appreciated that the overall shape and scale of an aerosol provision system implementing an embodiment of the disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.

The air inlet 28 connects to an air path 30 through the reusable part 2. The reusable part air path 30 in turn connects to the cartridge air path 52 across the interface 6 when the reusable part 2 and cartridge part 4 are connected together. The pressure sensor chamber 18 containing the pressure sensor 16 is in fluid communication with the air path 30 in the reusable part 2 (i.e. the pressure sensor chamber 18 branches off from the air path 30 in the reusable part 2). Thus, when a user inhales on the mouthpiece opening 50, there is a drop in pressure in the pressure sensor chamber 18 that may be detected by the pressure sensor 16, and also air is drawn in through the air inlet 28, along the reusable part air path 30, across the interface 6, through the vapor generation region where aerosol-generating material such as e-liquid is vaporized and becomes entrained in the air flow, along the cartridge air path 52, and out through the mouthpiece opening 50 for user inhalation.

The battery 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, for example a USB connector.

The user input button 14 in this example is a conventional mechanical button, for example comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact. In this regard, the input button may be considered to provide a manual input mechanism for the aerosol provision device, but the specific manner in which the button is implemented is not significant. For example, different forms of mechanical button or touch-sensitive button (e.g. based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques) may be used in other implementations. The specific manner in which the button is implemented may, for example, be selected having regard to a desired aesthetic appearance.

The display 24 is provided to give a user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, for example current power setting information, remaining battery power, and so forth. The display may be implemented in various ways. In this example the display 24 comprises a conventional pixelated LCD screen that may be driven to display the desired information in accordance with conventional techniques. In other implementations the display may comprise one or more discrete indicators, for example LEDs, that are arranged to display the desired information, for example through particular colors and/or flash sequences. More generally, the manner in which the display is provided and information is displayed to a user using the display is not significant to the principles described herein. Some embodiments may not include a visual display and may include other means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol provision system, for example using audio signaling or haptic feedback, or may not include any means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the aerosol provision system.

The control circuitry 20 is suitably configured/programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision system to provide functionality in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure as described further herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the aerosol provision system in line with the established techniques for controlling such devices. The control circuitry (processor circuitry) 20 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision system's operation in accordance with the principles described herein and other conventional operating aspects of aerosol provision system, such as display driving circuitry and user input detection. It will be appreciated the functionality of the control circuitry 20 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.

In this example the aerosol provision system 1 comprises a user input button 14 and an inhalation sensor 16. The control circuitry 20 may be configured to receive signaling from the inhalation sensor 16 and to use this signaling to determine if a user is inhaling in the aerosol provision system and also to receive signaling from the input button 14 and to use this signaling to determine if a user is pressing (i.e. activating) the input button. The control circuitry 20 may only cause aerosol to be generated when signaling from both the user input button 14 and inhalation sensor 16 are present. These aspects of the operation of the aerosol provision system (i.e. puff detection and button press detection) may in themselves be performed in accordance with established techniques (for example using conventional inhalation sensor and inhalation sensor signal processing techniques and using conventional input button and input button signal processing techniques). Other example aerosol provision systems may have only one of a user input button 14 and an inhalation sensor 16. In further examples, an aerosol provision system may have neither a user input button or an inhalation sensor depending on the configuration and operation of the system.

In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, the aerosol provision system 1 comprises an optical arrangement 70 comprising one or more components configured to generate and direct generated light towards a spatial point 76 located at or adjacent to a portion of an aerosol-generating material (such as the e-liquid described above) to be vaporized and/or at a target material which may be in contact with a aerosol-generating material. The optical arrangement 70 is an example of an aerosol generator and is configured to cause generation of an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.

As described above, the control circuitry 20 is configured to cause the generation of aerosol in response to receiving the appropriate signaling. The optical arrangement 70 generates light from one or more irradiative light sources 71 in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 upon determination by the control circuitry that a user is inhaling or intends to inhale (e.g. based on a signal from the inhalation sensor 16 and/or actuation of the input button 14).

The optical arrangement 70 comprises one or more irradiative light sources 71 such as one or more LEDs and/or one or more lasers, although the skilled person will appreciate that other light sources may be suitable for use in accordance with the present disclosure.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the optical arrangement 70 is configured to direct different light beams generated by the one or more light sources 71 to the spatial point 76. In this regard, by light beam it is meant light that propagates in a substantially similar direction, albeit with some slight divergence or convergence which may be a dependent on the specific light source 71 used (for example, light generated by a laser typically has a low divergence/convergence). As such a light beam can be described as a directional projection of light energy radiating through a medium (for example glass, plastic, acrylic, air or vacuum). The plurality of light beams intersect at the spatial point 76.

In this regard, the light intensity at the spatial point 76 where the light beams intersect is a combination of the light intensity of each individual light beam intersecting at the spatial point 76.

Accordingly, at the spatial point 76, the power per unit area (intensity) is much greater which, when presented with a substance that absorbs the irradiated light, results in a greater transfer of energy to that substance. In other words, if one were to position a substance to be heated at the spatial point 76, then said substance would receive more energy per second (and thus potentially heat quicker and to a higher temperature) than if the substance were positioned at a location along any one of the light beams that did not intersect with another light beam.

In this way, each of the individual light beams of the plurality of light beams generated by the optical arrangement 70 of the aerosol provision system 1 can be provided with a power that is insufficient to cause generation of aerosol from an aerosol-generating material (i.e., a relatively low power or low intensity), while the combined power (intensity) at the spatial intersection 76 can be set to be sufficient to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating-material.

Such a configuration can help improve user safety when using a light source as a mechanism for generating aerosol, as such an arrangement provides reduced intensity light beams at locations other than the spatial point 76, meaning any inadvertent exposure to one of the light beams reduces or eliminates damage/harm to the user when exposed to said beams. Indeed, the intensity of each of the individual light beams can be set to a value which may be deemed relatively safe to humans based on local regulations/industry standards for light sources.

Hence, at the spatial point 76 is provided the aerosol-generating material (e.g., the e-liquid) or a target material which may be in contact with the aerosol-generating material. In some examples, a target material may be comprised of a material susceptible to heating by absorption of light directed from the optical arrangement and to correspondingly heat aerosol-generating material in contact with the optical arrangement by, at least, conduction. For instance, the target material may be a metallic plate/disk, etc., which is arranged adjacent to the aerosol-generating material (or the wick 46 holding the aerosol-generating material). In some examples, the target material may be configured to retain and/or to supply an aerosol-generating material ready for vaporization by light directed from the optical arrangement 70. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a target material may be the wick 46 which acts to transport and hold an aerosol-generating material by capillary action. In alternative implementations, a transparent region (e.g., a glass well) may be provided in which liquid aerosol-generating material is provided, wherein the spatial point 76 is provided inside the transparent region (e.g., inside the glass well). A range of different options exist for providing the spatial point 76 relative to the aerosol-generating material will be appreciated by the skilled person, but it should be understood broadly that either the aerosol-generating material or a target material designed to transfer energy/heat to the aerosol-generating material is provided at the spatial point 76. In respect of the light source(s) 71 suitable light source(s) 71 may be employed within the principles of the present disclosure. For a given substance (which may be the aerosol-generating material or a target material in contact with the aerosol-generating material), the light source(s) are selected such that, firstly, the aerosol-generating material or target material can sufficiently absorb the light, and secondly, such that the combination of light beams at the spatial point 76 provides sufficient energy to cause the aerosol-generating material or target material to heat to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol to be generated by the aerosol-generating material. The exact type and/or number and/or operational characteristics of the light source(s) 71 will depend on the energy (or more particularly the power) required to aerosolize the aerosol generating material in the particular arrangement. For instance, this may depend on the type of aerosol generating material, the mass of aerosol generating material to be heated, the energy transfer efficiency of the system, the distance the light beams have to travel in the specific system (i.e., the energy loss per unit distance), etc. The skilled person would be able to identify suitable light source(s) 71 based on empirical testing or mathematical modelling of the various aerosol provision systems. One might expect a power in the range of approximately 2 to 8 W, e.g., 5 W, to be sufficient to vaporize a small quantity of liquid (e.g., a few ml of liquid). The light source(s) 71 may be configured to output light beams having a combined power at the spatial point 76 totaling around 2 to 8 W in these implementations.

The plurality of light beams may be provided in different ways. In some examples, any one or each of the light sources 71 may be configured to each generate a plurality of light beams, for example with the light emitted from a light source 71 by being passed through one or more beam splitters to split the emitted light into a plurality of lower intensity light beams. In these examples, a relatively higher powered/intensity light source is used to generate a plurality of lower power/intensity light beams. In other examples, a beam from one light source 71 is not split but is instead already provided at a relatively low power/intensity. In these examples, a plurality of light sources 71 are required to achieve the desired power/intensity at the spatial point 76.

The optical arrangement 70 is configured to direct the light beams to the spatial point 76 within the system. The optical arrangement 70 may include a plurality of optical components configured to direct each of the light beams. For example, the components may include light propagating channels 72 which may comprise a light guide such as a fiber optic cable, or a plastic or acrylic material having a suitable refractive index, or may be a cavity or void through which the light propagates. The channel 72 may also act as a collimator in some examples. In the example of FIG. 1, each light beam of the plurality of light sources 71 is directed by a different light propagating channel 72 towards the spatial point 76. The optical arrangement 70 may comprise further optical components (not shown) such as lenses, mirrors, gratings or any other suitable optical elements for directing or otherwise controlling the light beam.

In examples where the channel 72 includes a light guide, light beams directed into the light guide in accordance with the examples are effectively channeled from a first end 73 of the light guide, which may be adjacent a light source 71, to a second end 74 of the light guide. Light may be reflected within the light guide by total internal reflection and/or by a coating (i.e. a reflective or mirror coating) provided on a surface of the light guide, such that the light is able to travel between the first and second ends 73,74 with substantially no loss.

In examples where the optical arrangement 70 includes a cavity or void forming a channel 72, certain surfaces of the void may be coated with a reflective coating such that the optical arrangement 70 is configured to channel light from a first end 73 of the void, which may be adjacent a light source 71, to a second end 74 of the void. In these examples the first and/or the second ends 73, 74 may be provided with a window through which the light may be input or output, respectively. Windows of these examples may prevent dust and other contaminants from entering the void and potentially settling on the inner surfaces of the void.

The channel 72 is configured such that light emitted from the second end 74 of the channel is directed through a spatial point 76 which may be located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material. In some examples, the second end 74 can be considered to have a surface having a normal which is aligned with the spatial point 76 such that a light beam from emitted channel 72 having a propagation direction which is substantially parallel to the normal is directed towards the spatial point 76. By spatial point 76 it is meant that light is directed towards an abstract point, region or area relative to the aerosol provision system that can be defined using for example coordinates. It will be appreciated that a light beam in accordance with examples of the present disclosure may have a spread perpendicular to the propagation direction of the respective light beam. As such, only a portion of a respective light beam may pass through the spatial point (if unimpeded), whilst a different portion may pass substantially adjacent to the spatial point (if unimpeded).

The propagation direction of a light beam entering a channel 72 may be different to the propagation direction of a light beam exiting the channel 72. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a light beam is emitted into a first end 73 of the channel 72 by a light source 71 in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 1. The light beam is then emitted from a second end 74 of the channel 72 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 1. The channel 72 may be curved or angled to change the propagation direction of the light beam within the channel 72. The light beam may be reflected or scattered off the curved or angled face of the channel 72 towards the second end 74. As previously stated faces of the channel such as the curved or angled face may have a mirror or reflective finish to enhance the reflection of light within the channel 72 and thus effect a change in the direction of the light beam.

In some examples, the curvature of the channel may be selected to maximize total internal reflection. Fiber optic cables, or a suitable material, may be placed in the channel, where the fiber optic cables may be curved accordingly.

By curving or bending the channel 72, the optical arrangement 70 may be configured so that light beams may be provided to the channel 72 having a first propagation direction and emitted from the channel 72 having a second propagation direction. The second propagation direction may be selected so that the light beams emitted from the second end 74 of the channel 72 are emitted at or approximately so, to a longitudinal axis of the device 1 and in particular a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel formed by inner cartridge wall 58.

Advantageously, by emitting light beams at 90°, or approximately so, to a longitudinal axis of the (substantially cylindrical) airflow channel, the light beams will not be transmitted out of the device 1 directly as the propagation direction of each light beam will coincide with a component of the device, for example an opposing side of inner cartridge wall 58. Any light of the light beams which is emitted from the device 1 (for example, through the mouthpiece outlet 50) will have had to have scattered or reflected off one or more surfaces and therefore is likely to be of a significantly reduced intensity (e.g. due to dispersion or absorption).

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical arrangement 70 may comprise components in both the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4. For example, the channel 72 may have a first portion in the reusable part 2 and a second portion in the cartridge part 4, which in FIG. 1 can broadly be defined by the line indicating the interface 6. The optical arrangement 70 is configured to generate light beams from the light sources 71 and direct them into the first portion of the channel provided in the reusable part 2 (to the left of the interface 6 in FIG. 1). The first portion of the channel 72 provided by the reusable part 2 and the second portion of the channel provided by the cartridge part 4 (to the right of the interface 6 in FIG. 1) are configured so that light may be emitted from the first portion into the second portion, when the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 are connected together. Light beams are transmitted along the second portion of the channel 72 and exit the second end 74 directed towards the spatial point 76. While FIG. 1 shows a channel 72 having a curve in the second portion of the channel 72, in other example devices a curve may be provided in the first portion of the channel (in the reusable part 2) either instead of or in addition to the curve in the second portion of the channel 72.

It will be appreciated that the interface 6 will be configured to provide the connection between different portions of channels 72. In some examples, ends of one or both of the portions of a channel 72 may be provided with a window at the interface 6. Where the channel 72 is provided by a void or cavity, a window prevents dust or other contaminants from entering the respective portion. In some examples, only one of the portions of the channel may be provided with a window at the interface. For example, a window may be provided in the first portion as the reusable part 2 has a relatively longer usage lifetime than the cartridge 4 and therefore may be susceptible to contaminant build up over time. In contrast, if the cartridge part 4 is disposable then significant amounts of contaminant may not build up during the usage lifetime of the cartridge part 4. In some examples, one of the two portions of a channel 72 may comprise a light guide while the other of the two portions may comprise a void or cavity defining the channel 72. For example, if the cartridge part 4 is disposable, providing a channel 72 in the form of a void or cavity (i.e. absent of material) reduces material usage. Furthermore, not providing the second portion of the channel 72 with a window at the interface 6 may further reduce material usage. In contrast, the first portion of the channel 72 in the reusable part 2 may be unchanged over the lifetime of the aerosol-generating device.

As shown in FIG. 1, each light beam of the plurality of light beams is directed by a different light propagating channel 72 towards the spatial point 76 such that each light beam will, at least partially, intersect the spatial point 76 unless impeded. For example light beams may be impeded by the aerosol-generating material and/or the target material (e.g. a wick 46) dependent on the position of the spatial point 76 with respect to the aerosol-generating material and/or the target material. Each of the plurality of light beams has a different propagation direction. As such, in the absence of any further reflections or scattering, the plurality of light beams intersect with each other only at the spatial point 76.

As detailed above, the wick 46 may be arranged or configured to provide liquid such that in use liquid vaporized by light beams from the optical arrangement 70 may be replenished. Electrical power may be supplied to the light sources 71 (for example, by the control circuitry 20 or in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20) to generate light beams which are directed towards the spatial point 76 to vaporize an amount of e-liquid (aerosol-generating material) which has been drawn to the vicinity of the spatial point 76 by the wick 46. Vaporized e-liquid may then become entrained in air drawn along the cartridge air path 52 from the vaporization region and out of a mouthpiece outlet 50 for user inhalation, broadly in the manner described above.

Each light source 71 may deliver a light beam having a particular power (e.g. energy per unit of time) to the spatial point 76 (unless impeded by for example the vaporizing material)). Each light beam may be considered to have a respective intensity which is dependent upon the particular light source 71 and its efficiency (subject to energy losses in the optical arrangement 70). The intensity at the spatial point 76 may be considered to be the combined sum of the intensity of each respective light beam. Hence, a target power or amount of energy to be delivered can be supplied to the spatial point 76 by a combination of lower power light sources. For example, in FIG. 1 each light source 71 may be configured to generate light beams 71 supplying half of the target power to the spatial point 76. For example, in the case of two light sources 71, each light source may generate a beam having a power of 2.5 W at the spatial point 76 to provide a total combined power delivery of around 5 W at the spatial point. Advantageously, this may firstly allow optical components to be used that are not compatible with higher power light beams (e.g. which may be cheaper materials or materials manufactured to a lower tolerance) and secondly reduces the risk of damage or harm to a user of the aerosol provision device 1 from a light beam. In other words, unless the user places a body part (for example an eye) at the spatial point 76, the light will be at a significantly reduced intensity.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views through a cartridge part 4 which may be used with the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 1. In contrast to the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show a cross-sectional view in a plane perpendicular to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 and to a longitudinal axis of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1. Certain features of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are substantially similar to those of FIG. 1 and will not be described in detail.

The examples of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C depict different examples of cartridge parts 4 having light-propagating channels 72 (or a portion thereof), where each channel 72 is part of an optical arrangement 70 and is configured to receive a light beam and to emit said light beam from a second end 74 such that they are directed at a spatial point 76. The spatial points 76 may coincide with a wick 46 and/or aerosol-generating material which may be supplied by the wick 46 from a liquid reservoir 44 formed between an outer cartridge wall 42 and an inner cartridge wall 58. As such the spatial points 76 in each of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are located at or adjacent to a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material (e.g. the wick) which may be in contact with an aerosol-generating material.

For each example, the inner cartridge wall 58 additionally defines the air passage or channel 52 through the cartridge part 4. When, in normal use, a user inhales on the device 1, air from an air inlet 28 (not shown) of the device 1 travels through the air channel 52, past the wick 46 and aerosol-generating material towards a mouthpiece outlet 50 (not shown). As previously described the optical arrangement 70 may generate light in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 upon determination by the control circuitry 20 that a user is inhaling or intends to inhale (e.g. based on a signal from the inhalation sensor 16 and/or actuation of the input button 14). Light beams generated in response to such a signal are directed by the light-propagating channels 72 towards the spatial point to vaporize the aerosol-generating material, such as an e-liquid, which is at or adjacent to the spatial point 76. The aerosol-generating material is vaporized and becomes entrained in the air flow and travels along the cartridge air path 52, and out through the mouthpiece opening 50 for user inhalation.

The channels 72 may be provided substantially in the liquid reservoir 44 such that an outer surface of the materials forming the outer walls of channels 72 partially defines the extent (e.g. a boundary) of the liquid reservoir 44. The materials forming the outer walls of channels 72 may be selected from materials known to be compatible (e.g. inert) with aerosol-generating material and/or the outer surface of the channels 72 adjacent to the reservoir 44 may be coated with a material known to be compatible with the aerosol-generating material. It will be appreciated that the particular material or coating used may differ depending on the nature of the aerosol-generating material.

In alternative examples, the channels 72 may be provided in the inner cartridge walls 58; for example they may be formed as an internal void or cavity within the inner cartridge wall 58 which may be configured to provide the channels 72; for example said voids or cavities may be filled or coated with a material or a fiber optic cable or mirror component may be inserted into the cavity.

The example cartridge part 4 of FIG. 2A has two light-propagating channels 72 which are provided on opposing sides of the inner cartridge wall 58 and spatial point 76 such that the light beams directed from each have anti-parallel propagation directions.

In contrast the example cartridge part 4 of FIG. 2B has three light-propagating channels 72 which are provided at various positions around the inner cartridge wall 58 and spatial point 76 such that the light beams directed from each have a different non-parallel propagation direction.

It will be appreciated that while the cartridge parts of FIGS. 2A and 2B have two and three light-propagating channels 72, in other examples there may be more light-propagating channels 72. For example, in some examples there may be four or more light propagating channels 72. Furthermore, arrangements of light-propagating channels (irrespective of the number of light-propagating channels) may have different levels of symmetry. In some examples, light channels may be arranged so that the propagation direction of light beams emitted from the light channels have rotational symmetry around the spatial point 76 (for example, if there are three light channels, the light beams may propagate in a plane but with vectors differing by 120°). In some examples, the light channels may be arranged to have mirror symmetry with respect to a mirror plane passing through the spatial point 76.

In some other examples there may be no symmetry with regard to the propagation direction of the light beams emitted from the light channels 72. The example cartridge part 4 of FIG. 2C has two light-propagating channels 72 which are provided on a single side (e.g. half) of the inner cartridge wall 58 (with respect to the wick 46 and/or aerosol-generating material. Advantageously, the light beams emitted from different light channels 72 are directed on to substantially the same surface of the aerosol-generating material and/or wick 46 which increases the heating of the aerosol-generating material at that location. It will be appreciated that while the cartridge parts of FIG. 2C has two light-propagating channels 72, in other examples there may be more light-propagating channels 72. For example, in some examples there may be three or more light propagating channels 72.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views through a cartridge part 4 in accordance with the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 1. The cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is in the same plane as the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. The features of FIGS. 3A and 3B are substantially similar to those of FIG. 1, and are indicated by similar reference signs accordingly. These features will not be described in detail, and only the differences will be described below.

In contrast to the example cartridge part 4 shown in FIG. 1, in the example cartridge parts 4 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the optical arrangement 70 is configured so that light beams are provided to the channels 72A and 72B having first propagation directions and are emitted from the channels 72A, 72B having second propagation directions which are not at 90° to the longitudinal axis of the device 1.

For both the examples of FIGS. 3A and 3B the optical arrangement 70 is configured to generate light beams in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 and to direct the generated light beams via the light-propagating channels 72 towards the spatial point 76 to vaporize the aerosol-generating material, such as an e-liquid, which is at or adjacent to the spatial point 76. The aerosol-generating material is vaporized and becomes entrained in the air flow and travels along the cartridge air path 52, and out through the mouthpiece opening 50 for user inhalation. As shown the spatial point 76 coincides with a wick 46 and a aerosol-generating material supplied by the wick 46 from a liquid reservoir 44 which is formed between an outer cartridge wall 42 and an inner cartridge wall 58. It will be appreciated that in other examples, there may not be a wick 46 and/or a liquid reservoir 44 and that these are provided merely as one example implementation.

In the example of FIG. 3A, the optical arrangement 70 is configured so that the second propagation direction of the light beam has an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device 1 and/or a longitudinal axis of the (substantially cylindrical) airflow channel 52 which prevents the propagation of light beams directly out of the device 1. Advantageously any light of the light beams which is emitted from the device 1 (for example, through the mouthpiece outlet will have had to have scattered or reflected off of one or more surfaces and is likely to of significantly reduced intensity (e.g. due to dispersion or absorption). It will be appreciated that the minimum angle of the second propagation direction of the light beam, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the which prevents light beams from propagating directly out of the device 1 will be determined by the width of the channel 52 and the distance from the emission point of the second end 74 of the channel 72 to the device outlet (e.g. mouthpiece outlet 50). For a cylindrical air channel 52 the minimum allowable angle that prevents a light beam from being emitted directly from the device 1 can be calculated using the equation θ_min=tan⁻¹ (channel width/distance from emission point to outlet). As such, if the emission point of the second end 74 is relatively close to the mouthpiece outlet then the minimum allowable angle will be larger. In contrast if the emission point of the second end is relatively far away from the mouthpiece outlet 50 then the minimum allowable angle is smaller. Additionally, if the width increases the minimum allowable angle increases.

In the example of FIG. 3B, the optical arrangement 70 is configured so that the second propagation direction of the light beam has an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the device 1 and/or a longitudinal axis of the (substantially cylindrical) airflow channel 52 which allows the propagation of light beams directly out of the device 1. While the second propagation direction of the light beams is such that the light beams are not scattered or reflected by the channel walls 58 before they are emitted from the device 1, the device 1 still advantageously provides safety benefits given that second propagation directions of the light beams are not parallel with each other. That is, in this example, the propagation direction of the light beam emitted from each light source is substantially unchanged as it propagates along the channel towards to the spatial point 76. As such, even if the light beams are emitted directly from the airflow channel 52, they will diverge. As a result, a user looking down the mouthpiece outlet 50 will receive the combined power of the light beams only if they place there eyeball within the immediate vicinity of the outlet (and if the light beams do not scatter or reflect off other objects such as a wick 46 or the aerosolizable material). The equation θ_min=tan⁻¹ (half eye width/distance from emission point to user eye) can be used to calculate a minimum allowable angle which prevents a light beam from directly intercepting a portion of the eye when the eye is positioned at a reasonable distance directly opposite an outlet of the device. For example, assuming that an eye has a width of at most 6 cm, and that the user may hold the mouthpiece outlet 50 within 5 cm of the eye to allow them to look down the mouthpiece outlet then a minimum allowable angle may be at least approximately 30° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel (notwithstanding the distance travelled by the light beam within the device 1). This would ensure that light beams emitted from the outlet would be incident with portions of the user surrounding the eye (when the eye is directly opposite the aperture) rather than the eye itself. If a user is expected to hold the device within 1 cm of their eye (and the light beams travel at least 1 cm within the device before emission) then the minimum allowable angle may be approximately 56° with respect to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel. Furthermore, even if the light beams have a second propagation direction having an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the airflow channel of less than the minimum allowable angle, then the light beams will still diverge (as they are configured to not be parallel) and as such the light beams will not be incident on the same portion of the eye. As a result, the energy deposited on a particular portion of the eye is less that the total energy deposited and as such potential damage to the eye may be substantially reduced as the energy is deposited over a greater area.

It will be appreciated that the light beams may in practice scatter or reflect from the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material, such as the wick 46, that are located either proximately to the spatial point or otherwise in the beam path of one or more of the light beams.

As such the risk to a user may be lessened by the interaction of the light beam with the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material. However, it may be that a portion of the light beam does not interact with the aerosol-generating material, a target material or any other component, or it may be that the cartridge part 4 has been damaged such that the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material have been displaced from their normal locations. As such configurations of the optical arrangements 70 in accordance with FIGS. 3A and 3B can lead to significant safety improvements.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol provision system 1. Certain features of FIG. 4 are substantially similar to those of FIG. 1 and will not be described in detail. In contrast to the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 1 which has two light sources 71, the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 4 has a single light source 71.

The optical arrangement 70 of the example system 1 of FIG. 4 comprises a beam splitter 80 configured to generate two distinct light beams from the single light beam generated by the light source 71. Any conventional beam splitter may be used; for example a beam splitter may comprise a cube formed from two prisms, or a half silvered mirror or a sheet of glass or plastic having a thin metal coating. In principle the beam splitter is configured to allow 50% of incident light (e.g. from the light source 71) to be transmitted and 50% of the incident light to be reflected at a boundary provided by the beam splitter which is arranged at 45° to the propagation direction of the incident light. The transmitted light propagates in the direction of the incident light while the reflected light propagates perpendicular to the incident light. It will be appreciated that the properties of the beam splitter can be adjusted to adjust the proportion of light in the reflected and transmitted component.

As shown the optical arrangement 70 comprises channels 72 (which may contain light guide materials) for the initial light beam and each of the split light beams. In other examples, the beam splitter 80 may be provided as part of or adjacent to the light source 71 such that there is no need for an initial channel 72. Furthermore, while FIG. 4 shows two channels 72 for directing two distinct light beams; in other examples, the optical arrangement 70 may be configured to direct further light beams through the spatial point 76. The further light beams may be provided by one or more further light sources 71 (not shown) and/or by the use of further beam splitters 80 (not shown) which are configured (e.g. positioned) to either split light beams which have already been split once, or which a split light beam of a further light source 71. It will be appreciated that the optical arrangements 70 in accordance with the example of FIG. 4 may also be combined with other example optical arrangements 70 such as those shown in FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C.

In the example of FIG. 4, the light propagating channels 72 of the optical arrangement 70 are configured so that light beams have a first propagation direction in the channel 72 after the beam splitter 80 and a second propagation direction after they are emitted from the channel 72. As shown, the channels may include mirrors 82 (or mirrored surfaces) which are configured to reflect the light beams around a corner of the channel. For example, the corners of the channels are depicted as approximately 90°. Mirrors 82 may be provided at 45° to the incident light beam (before the corner) so that the reflected light (after the corner) is at 90° to the incident light. It will be appreciated that corners of 90° are just an example and that one or more mirrors 82 can be arranged as necessary to redirect light through the channel 72. It will be appreciated that the planar mirrors 82 of FIG. 4 are interchangeable and/or combinable with the curved channel faces described in relation to FIG. 1.

In the example of FIG. 4 the light beams are emitted into a receiving cavity or receptacle 60 of the reusable part 2 which is a cavity for receiving the cartridge part 4 containing the aerosol-generating material. The interface 6 facilitates the connection of the cartridge part 4 within the receiving cavity 60 of the reusable part 2. An advantage of the example optical arrangement 70 depicted in FIG. 4 is that even when the cartridge part 4 is not present, the spatial point 76 through which the plurality of light beams pass (in the absence of any intermediate material) is within the device 1 (i.e. within the reusable part 2). In some other examples, not shown rather than inserting a cartridge part 4, a aerosol-generating material may be provided without a housing into the receiving cavity 60. The aerosol-generating material may be directly illuminated by the light beams generated and emitted by the optical arrangement 70.

Furthermore the optical arrangement 70 is configured so that the light beams are emitted from the second end 74 of the channel 72 at 90°, or approximately so, to a longitudinal axis of the device 1 and in particular to the direction in which the cartridge part 4 is received into the receiving cavity. Advantageously, by emitting light beams at 90°, or approximately so, to receiving direction of the cavity (e.g. the light beams are in the plane of an aperture into which the cartridge part 4 is received), the light beams will not be transmitted out of the device 1 directly as the propagation direction of each light beam will coincide with a component of the device, for example a wall of the receiving cavity 60.

In some other examples, the channels 72 may be configured to emit light beams having second propagation directions which are not at 90° to the direction in which the cartridge part 4 is received into the receiving cavity. In these other examples, the channels 72 may be configured in accordance with the channels 72 of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

As shown, the spatial point 76 is a location within the receiving cavity 60 through which the plurality of light beams pass. When a cartridge part 4 is inserted, at least partially, into the receiving cavity 60, the spatial point 76 will be located at or adjacent to a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material which may be in contact with a aerosol-generating material. As such, when the optical arrangement 70 generates light in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 (upon determination by the control circuitry that a user is inhaling or intends to inhale), light beams are directed towards the spatial point 76 and are incident with a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material.

As shown in FIG. 4 a target material may be a wick 46 which acts to transport liquid and to retain a aerosol-generating material by capillary action. The wick 46 may be in connection with a liquid reservoir having a quantity of liquid aerosol-generating material. The wick material is configured to passively replenish liquid aerosol-generating material vaporized at the target location from liquid aerosol-generating material in the liquid reservoir. The cartridge part 4 may include one or more channels 72 configured to align with channels 72 of the control part 2 when the control part 2 and cartridge part 4 are attached. The channels 72 of the cartridge part 4 may facilitate the transmission of light beams towards the spatial point. In other examples, the cartridge part 4 may not include channels 72 and instead the light beams may for example be incident on an external surface of the cartridge part 4 or may be emitted into an air path 52 of the cartridge part 4.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol provision system 1. Certain features, indicated by like reference signs, of FIG. 5 are substantially similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 4 and will not be described in detail. The example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 5 has a target material 84 configured to absorb energy in response to illumination by one or more of a plurality of light beams.

The example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 5 has an optical arrangement 70 comprising two distinct light sources 71 and respective light propagating channels 72. It will be appreciated that in alternative examples, a beam splitter 80 as described in relation to FIG. 4 could be used to generate two light beams from a single light source 71 and/or additional light beams from one or more of the light sources 71 shown in FIG. 5. The light propagating channels 72 shown are linear channels. The channels 72 may be hollow cavities or may be filled with a medium in which light can propagate.

The walls of the channels 72 may be coated with a reflective material to prevent or reduce transmission out of the channel 72 except by the second end 74. A material may be provided in the channel having a refractive index (in contrast to the refractive index of an adjacent material) chosen to promote total internal reflections, for example by ensuring a large critical angle. In some examples, the light emitted by the light source 71 into the first end 73 may not substantially interact with the walls or outer surfaces of the channel 72. For example, light beams may be emitted from the light sources 71 such that the light is converging towards a point outside of the channel (for example spatial point 76). Said convergence may be facilitated by one or more focusing elements (e.g. lenses) provided in or at the first end 73 of the channel 72 or may be as a result of an inherent characteristic of the light source 71.

As shown in FIG. 5, the spatial point 76 is a location within the receiving cavity 60 through which the plurality of light beams pass. When a cartridge part 4 is inserted, at least partially, into the receiving cavity 60, the spatial point 76 will be located at or adjacent to a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material 84 which may be in contact with a aerosol-generating material. As such, when the optical arrangement 70 generates light in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 (upon determination by the control circuitry that a user is inhaling or intends to inhale), light beams are directed towards the spatial point 76 and are incident with a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material 84.

The target material 84 may be comprised of a material susceptible to heating by absorption of light directed from the optical arrangement and to correspondingly heat a aerosol-generating material in contact with the optical arrangement by, at least, conduction. In some examples, a target material may be configured to retain and/or to supply an aerosol-generating material at a target location ready for vaporization by light directed from the optical arrangement. As an example, the target material 84 may be provided by a plate, which may or may not be air permeable. Light beams incident with a first side of the plate are absorbed (at least in part) causing the plate to heat up. An aerosolizable material may be provided on a second side of the plate and may be heated by conduction when the plate is heated. The aerosolizable material will vaporize once it has been heated sufficiently. Dependent on the configuration of the cartridge part 4 and the aerosolizable material, the aerosolizable material at the second side of the plate may passively or actively be replenished from a reservoir 44 contained within the cartridge part 4, or the aerosolizable material adjacent to the second side may be depleted permanently when it is aerosolized (in these examples, a reservoir 44 is not provided in the cartridge part 4). An air channel 52 may be provided for aerosols to be drawn through towards the user after vaporization. The plate may be provided by any suitable material, for example a ceramic or metallic material.

In other examples, the target material 84 may be provided by a liquid permeable structure such as a mesh or a wick which may be formed of a woven or unwoven material. The target material 84 is saturated with aerosolizable material contained within the cartridge part 4. As the target material 84 is heated, the aerosolizable material is heated and may aerosolize once the aerosolizable material reaches a required temperature. The target material 84 may be configured to passively replenish the aerosolizable material from a reservoir 44 contained within the cartridge part 4. An air channel 52 may be provided for aerosols to be drawn through towards the user after vaporization. The liquid permeable structure may be provided by any suitable material, for example a ceramic or metallic material. For example, the liquid permeable structure may comprise woven or unwoven metal wires.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol provision system 1. Certain features, indicated by like reference signs, of FIG. 6 are substantially similar to those of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 and will not be described in detail. In contrast to the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 the example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 6 has an optical arrangement 70 configured to direct a first plurality of light beams towards a first spatial point 76A and a second plurality of light beams towards a second spatial point 76B.

The example aerosol provision system 1 of FIG. 6 has an optical arrangement 70 comprising two distinct light sources 71 and respective light propagating channels 72. Part way along each of the light propagating channels 72 (and within the cartridge part 4) a beam splitter 80 is provided which is configure to split a light beam emitted into the channel 72 into two light beams, a first of which is directed towards the first spatial point 76A and a second of which is directed towards the second spatial point 76B. It will be appreciated that while the beam splitters 80 are shown as being within the cartridge part 4, in an alternative arrangement the beam splitters 80 could be provided in the control part 2 instead. The channel 72 continues after the beam splitter 80 to direct the split light beams as necessary towards their respective target spatial points 76A, 76B.

The spatial points 76A, 76B will be located at or adjacent to a portion of aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material which may be in contact with aerosol-generating material. As such, when the optical arrangement 70 generates light in response to a signal from the control circuitry 20 (upon determination by the control circuitry that a user is inhaling or intends to inhale), light beams are directed towards the spatial points 76A, 76B (through second ends 74A and 74B of the channel 72) and are incident with a portion of a aerosol-generating material (such as an e-liquid) to be vaporized and/or at a target material. By having two different spatial points 76A, 76B vapor can be produced in two different regions of the cartridge part.

It will be appreciated that in other examples, the cartridge part 4 may be in accordance with the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 and as such the optical arrangement 70 may be provided substantially in the control part 2. Furthermore, FIG. 6 depicts mirrors 80 for directing the light beams towards the second ends 74B. In other examples, a curved channel or a fiber optic cable may be used instead.

FIG. 7 schematically represents a method of generating an aerosol (e.g. an inhalable medium) by a system for generating an aerosol in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. The method comprises a first operation S1 of providing an optical arrangement in the system, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams; a second operation S2 of providing an aerosol precursor material contained within the system, wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol precursor material; and a third operation S3 of generating the plurality of light beams.

Although it has been described above that the aerosol provision system comprises an optical arrangement designed such that individual light beams generated by the optical arrangement have a lower power in substantially locations except for at the spatial point where the light beams intersect with the purpose of reducing or preventing harm/damage to a user's appendage/eye or to other objects, it should be appreciated that other safety mechanisms may also be employed alongside the above. For example, the aerosol provision device may be provided with a mechanism for detecting whether a cartridge part 4 is coupled to the aerosol provision device. For example, this may include a sensor such as an optical sensor for optically sensing the presence of the cartridge part or an electronic element such as a resistor or the like included on the cartridge part and electrically couples to the device when the cartridge part is coupled to the device. In the presence of the cartridge part, the control circuitry is configured to allow the optical arrangement to generate one or more light beams for causing vaporization of the aerosol-generating material. However, if the cartridge part is not detected, then the control circuitry may be configured to prevent the optical arrangement from generating the one or more light beams, even in response to a user instruction (e.g., a button push) signifying the user's desire to generate aerosol. This may further reduce the chances of the user inadvertently interacting with a light beam. Additionally, this may also help reduce electrical energy wastage by avoiding unnecessary activation of the optical arrangement.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the system comprising: an optical arrangement provided by the system and comprising at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source; an aerosol-generating material contained within the system; wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of the aerosol-generating material and/or a target material.

Also described are a receptacle for an aerosol provision system, an aerosol generator apparatus for an aerosol provision system, means for generating an aerosol, and a method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol provision system.

Whereas the embodiments discussed above have to some extent focused on devices having a liquid aerosol-generating material to generate the inhalable medium, as already noted the same principles may be adopted for devices based on other aerosolizable materials, for example solid materials, such as plant derived materials, such as tobacco derivative materials, or other forms of aerosolizable material, such as gel, paste or foam based aerosolizable materials. Thus, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine and/or flavorants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50 wt %, 60 wt % or 70 wt % of amorphous solid, to about 90 wt %, 95 wt % or 100 wt % of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may in some embodiments comprise a vapor- or aerosol-generating agent or a humectant. Example such agents are glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. A formulation comprising one or more aerosol generating agent(s) may be called an active herein.

Furthermore, and as already noted, it will be appreciated the above-described approaches may be implemented in aerosol provision systems, e.g. electronic smoking articles, having a different overall construction than that represented in FIG. 1. For example, the same principles may be adopted in an aerosol provision system which does not comprise a two-part modular construction, but which instead comprises a single-part device, for example a disposable (i.e. non-rechargeable and non-refillable) device. Furthermore, in some implementations of a modular device, the arrangement of components may be different. For example, in some implementations the control unit may also comprise the vaporizer with a replaceable cartridge providing a source of aerosolizable material for the vaporizer to use to generate aerosol.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which that which is claimed may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach that which is claimed. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilized and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the system comprising:

an optical arrangement provided by the aerosol provision system and comprising at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source; and

an aerosol-generating material contained within the aerosol provision system;

wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the aerosol provision system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of at least one of the aerosol-generating material or a target material.

2. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured such that a combined intensity of the plurality of light beams at the spatial point is sufficient to cause generation of an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material and wherein an intensity of each individual light beam of the plurality of light beams is less than the combined intensity at the spatial point.

3. The aerosol provision system of claim 1 wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least one beam splitter configured to split a light beam emitted from the at least one irradiative light source and incident on the at least one beam splitter to provide at least two light beams of the plurality of light beams each having different propagation directions.

4. The aerosol provision system of claim 3, wherein the optical arrangement comprises a single irradiative light source and the plurality of light beams arranged to intersect at the spatial point within the aerosol provision system are generated via the at least one beam splitter.

5. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the optical arrangement comprises a plurality of irradiative light sources, wherein each of the plurality of irradiative light sources is configured to generate a light beam of the plurality of light beams.

6. The aerosol provision system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of irradiative light sources are arranged such that emitted light beams from each of the plurality of irradiative light sources are directed into a receptacle with propagation directions which are non-parallel or anti-parallel with respect to each other.

7. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the optical arrangement comprises one or more optical elements, wherein each of the one or more optical elements is configured to change a propagation direction of one or more of the plurality of light beams within the optical arrangement.

8. The aerosol provision system of claim 7, wherein the optical elements are one or more of a mirror, a lens, a diffraction grating, a prism, or an optical fiber.

9. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises:

a receptacle for accommodating the aerosol-generating material and for receiving light emitted in use by the optical arrangement;

wherein the optical arrangement is arranged such that propagation directions of the plurality of light beams received into the receptacle intersect at a spatial point within the receptacle.

10. The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the optical arrangement is arranged such that the propagation directions of each of the plurality of light beams is incident with a wall of the receptacle after passing through the spatial point, in the absence of any intermediary material.

11. The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the optical arrangement is arranged such that the propagation directions of the plurality of light beams received into the receptacle are in a plane perpendicular to an airflow direction through the receptacle in normal use.

12. The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the receptacle comprises a container comprising the aerosol-generating material, the container replaceably attached to a control part of the aerosol provision system.

13. The aerosol provision system of claim 12, wherein control circuitry is arranged to detect whether the container is attached to the control part of the aerosol provision system or not, and when the control circuitry determines the container is not connected to the control part, the control circuitry is configured to prevent activation of the at least one light source of the optical arrangement.

14. The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the receptacle comprises a chamber of the aerosol provision system fluidly connected to an air inlet.

15. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured to position the aerosol-generating material at the spatial point.

16. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol-generating material is a liquid and the aerosol provision system comprises a wick for wicking the liquid to the spatial point.

17. A receptacle for an aerosol provision system configured to receive a plurality of light beams from the aerosol provision system comprising an optical arrangement configured to generate the plurality of light beams, the receptacle comprising:

an aerosol-generating material contained within the receptacle;

wherein the receptacle is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the receptacle, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of at least one of the aerosol-generating material or a target material.

18. An aerosol generator apparatus for an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the aerosol generator apparatus comprising:

an optical arrangement comprising at least one irradiative light source, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams from the at least one irradiative light source;

wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of at least one of an aerosol-generating material or a target material.

19. Means for generating an aerosol, the means comprising:

optical means configured to generate a plurality of light beams; and

an aerosol-generating material;

wherein the optical means are configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within a system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of at least one of the aerosol-generating material or target material.

20. A method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material by an aerosol provision system, the method comprising:

providing an optical arrangement in the aerosol provision system, the optical arrangement configured to generate a plurality of light beams;

providing an aerosol-generating material contained within the aerosol provision system, wherein the optical arrangement is configured to direct the plurality of light beams to intersect at a spatial point within the aerosol provision system, the spatial point located at or adjacent to at least a part of at least one of the aerosol precursor material or a target material; and

generating the plurality of light beams.