A NON-COMBUSTIBLE AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Abstract

A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from a consumable including aerosol-generating material is disclosed. The non-combustible aerosol provision device includes a first chamber configured to receive a first consumable including aerosol-generating material, the first consumable having a first size and a second chamber distinct from the first chamber configured to receive a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the second consumable having a second size different to the first size.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2022/052469, filed Feb. 3, 2022, which claims priority from GB Application No. 2101473.3, filed Feb. 3, 2021, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a non-combustible aerosol provision device.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from a consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising: a first chamber configured to receive a first consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the first consumable having a first size; and a second chamber, distinct from the first chamber, configured to receive a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the second consumable having a second size different to the first size.

The first chamber may be dimensioned differently to the second chamber.

The first chamber may comprise a shorter length than the second chamber.

The first chamber may comprise a larger width than the second chamber.

Each of the chambers may comprise a tube arranged to receive a respective substantially cylindrical consumable comprising aerosol-generating material.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise a first opening through which the first consumable is removably insertable into the first chamber and a second opening through which the second consumable is removably insertable into the second chamber.

The first opening and the second opening may be at a same side of the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

The first opening and the second opening may be arranged in a common plane.

The non-combustible aerosol provision may further comprise a cover, which is movable between a first position and a second position, the cover closing at least one of the first and second chambers when in the first position and opening at least one of the first and second chambers when in the second position.

The cover may close the first and the second chambers when in the first position and may open the first and second chambers when in the second position.

The first chamber may comprise a first longitudinal axis and the second chamber may comprise a second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis may be substantially parallel.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a longitudinal device axis and the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis may be substantially parallel with the longitudinal device axis.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise an aerosol generator system for, in use, generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber and for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber.

The aerosol generator system may comprise a first aerosol generator for generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber and a second aerosol generator for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber.

The aerosol generator system may be configured so that only one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator is operable at any given time.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise a selector for selecting which of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator is operable at any given time.

The non-combustible aerosol provision device may further comprise a user operable input device and the selector may select which of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator is operable in response to user input received from the user operable input device.

In accordance with a second aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising the non-combustible aerosol provision device according to the first aspect; and at least one of a first consumable comprising aerosol-generating material for inserting into the first chamber and a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material for inserting into the second chamber.

Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating a consumable comprising aerosol generating material.

FIG. 2a shows a first schematic perspective view of a second non-combustible aerosol provision device for heating a consumable comprising aerosol generating material with a consumable inserted therein.

FIG. 2b shows a second schematic perspective view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device without a consumable inserted therein.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cut-away perspective view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device.

FIG. 4a shows a schematic sectional side view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device with a first consumable inserted in a first chamber.

FIG. 4b shows a schematic sectional side view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device with a second consumable inserted in a second chamber.

FIG. 5a shows a further schematic sectional side view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device.

FIG. 5b shows a first schematic plan view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device with a first consumable inserted in the first chamber and a second schematic plan view of the second non-combustible aerosol provision device with the second consumable inserted in the second chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of a first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100. The first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 comprises a housing 101 that houses the various components of the first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100.

The first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 comprises a first chamber 102a configured to receive a first consumable (not shown in FIG. 1) having a first size and a second chamber 102b, distinct from the first chamber 102a, configured to receive a second consumable having a second size different from the first size. The first and second consumables each comprises aerosol generating material.

It should be noted that, herein, reference to consumables of different sizes refers to consumables which are intended to be a different size to another, and does not, for example, refer to consumables which are intended to be the same size but differ in size by some small amount due to, e.g., manufacturing tolerances.

The consumables of different sizes may be different types of consumable.

In some examples, the first chamber 102a and the second chamber 102b each comprises a respective longitudinal axis (L1, L2) which axes are substantially parallel with each other.

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance 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 comprise one or more active substances and/or flavors, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of 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

The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, coloring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

The first and second consumables (not shown) are for inserting, one at any given time, into the first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100. When the first consumable is inserted into the first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 it is inserted into the first chamber 102a and when the second consumable is inserted into the first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 it is inserted into the second chamber 102b.

The first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 is for causing aerosol to be generated from the aerosol generating material in whichever of the first and second consumables articles is inserted into the first non-combustible aerosol provision device. The first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100 is hereafter referred to as the device 100.

The device 100 comprises an aerosol generator system 104a, 104b for causing aerosol to be generated from the aerosol generating material in whichever of the first and second consumables is inserted into the first non-combustible aerosol provision device 100.

In one example, the aerosol generator system 104a, 104b comprises a first aerosol generator 104a for generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber 102a and a second aerosol generator 104 for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber 102b.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the or each aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the or each aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

Accordingly, in some examples the first aerosol generator 104a is a first heating arrangement 104a configured to provide energy for heating the aerosol generating material in a first consumable received in the first chamber 102a and the second aerosol generator comprises a second heating arrangement 104b configured to provide energy for heating the aerosol generating material in a second consumable received in the second. chamber 102b. In these examples, the first chamber 102a and the second chamber 102b are heating chambers.

In some examples, each of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b comprises one or more resistive heating elements arranged in thermal contact with the respective first 102a and second 102b chambers. The flow of current against the electrical resistance of the one or more resistive heating elements generates heat. This process is called Joule, ohmic, or resistive heating.

In some examples, each of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b is an induction heating arrangement and is configured to generate a varying magnetic field in order to inductively heat a susceptor. An induction heating arrangement may comprise one or more inductors through which an alternating current is passed to generate the varying magnetic field. In some examples, the first 104a and second 104b aerosol generators each comprise one or more susceptors. In other examples, each of the first 104a and second 104b aerosol generators do not comprise a susceptor and one or more susceptors may instead be provided as part of/with consumables intended for use with the device 100.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. A device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

The device 100 comprises a power source 106. The power source 106 supplies electrical power to the various components of the device 100. In some examples, the power source 106 is a battery. In some examples, the power source 106 comprises a battery and a DC-DC converter, and power is supplied from the battery through the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter may allow the power supply 106 to supply power at a different voltage to the voltage of the battery. In some examples, the device 100 may comprise a DC to AC converter for converting a DC current from e.g. a battery to AC current, for example, to supply power to one or more inductors of the first 104a and second 104b heating arrangements where these heating arrangements are an induction heating arrangement. In the following examples, the power source 106 is referred to simply as the battery 106.

In the example of FIG. 1, the device 100 comprises control circuitry 108 configured to control various aspects of the operation of the device 100 including the aerosol generator system 104a, 104b. In this example, the control circuitry 108 is a control processor 108 in data communication with a computer readable memory 110. The control circuitry 108 controls the various operations of the device, for example, by executing instructions stored on the computer readable memory 110. For example, the control circuitry 108 may control the delivery of electrical power from the battery 106 to the first aerosol generator 104a and second aerosol generator 104b by controlling various electrical component such as switches and the like (not shown in FIG. 1).

The device 100 further comprises a user input device 109 which is electrically connected to the control circuitry 108 and by means of which a user can operate the device 100. Examples of a suitable user input device 109 include one or more buttons, a track pad and a touch screen although any suitable device may be used.

In some examples, the control circuitry 108 controls the aerosol generator system 104a, 104b so that only one of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b is operable at any given time. In some examples, the control circuitry 108 selects which of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b is operable in response to a user input signal received from the user input device 109. In other examples, the control circuitry 108 selects which of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b is operable in response to a signal received from a sensor (not shown) that senses which of the first 102a and second 102b chambers a consumable has been inserted into.

In the example of FIG. 1, the device 100 comprises a retention apparatus 112. The retention apparatus 112 is configured to hold in position, one at a time, consumables intended for use with the device 100. For example, the retention apparatus 112 holds in position a first consumable received in the first chamber 102a or a second consumable received in the second chamber 102b. The retention apparatus 112 may comprise any suitable retention arrangement, for example, a clamping arrangement. In some examples, the retention apparatus 112 comprises a first retention arrangement (not shown) for retaining the first consumable in the first chamber 102a and a separate second retention arrangement (not shown) for retaining the second consumable in the second chamber 102b.

It will be appreciated that the device 100 may comprise other components not shown in FIG. 1, such as ventilation inlets/outlet, a charging port, etc. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is merely a schematic sketch showing a number of components that may be included in the device 100. FIG. 1 is not intended to communicate particular positions of various components. For example, the retention apparatus 112 may be provided in any position within/or the device 100 so long as it functions to hold in position a consumable received in the chamber 102.

FIGS. 2a to 5b illustrate a second non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The second non-combustible aerosol provision device 200 is hereafter referred to as the second device 200. The second device 200 may comprise any of the features of the first device 100 which have been described above with reference to FIG. 1 and discussion of these features will not be repeated here. Like figure references will be used to denote those features already described with reference to FIG. 1.

The second device 200 comprises a first end 220, often referred to as a mouth or proximal end 220, and a second end 222 which is sometimes referred to herein as a distal end 222. Although not shown in the Figures, the second device 200 may comprise an on/off button to allow the user to switch the second device 200 on and off as desired.

The second device 200 comprises the housing 101 (in the form of an outer cover) which surrounds and houses various components of the second device 200. The housing 101 further comprises a top panel 206 at the mouthpiece end 220 and a bottom panel 207 at the distal end 222. The top panel 206 and bottom panel 207 may be permanently or removably fixed to the housing 101. Such a removable connection allows access to the internal components of the second device 200 for servicing and repairs. In an example, the panels 206 and 207 may be constructed of a plastics material which may be made by injection molding or other technique. Other materials such as metals and glass may be used. The housing 101 may be constructed of the same materials as the panels 206 and 207, or if desired, of different materials. For example, the housing 101 may be constructed of aluminum, and the panels 206 and 207 of a plastic material, or vice versa.

The top panel 206 comprises a first opening 204 and a second opening 205 which in this example lie in a common plane. In this example, the first opening 204 and the second opening 205 are on the same side (i.e. the top panel 205) of the second device 200 but in other examples the first opening 204 may be on one side (e.g. the top panel 205) and the second opening 205 may be on a different side (e.g. the bottom panel 207) of the second device 200. A first consumable 226 is insertable through the first opening 204 into a first chamber 102a and a second consumable 210 is insertable through the second opening 205 into a second chamber 102b. As is the case with the first device 100 described with respect to FIG. 1, only one of the first 226 and second 210 consumables is intended to be inserted into the second device 200 at any given time, dependent upon which of the first 226 and second 210 consumables a user selects for use in the second device 200 in a user session.

When one or other of the first 226 and second 210 consumables is inserted into the second device 200, a proximal end of that consumable extends outside of the second device 200 for insertion into a user's mouth.

The first 226 and second 210 consumables are dimensioned differently from each other. In this example, the first consumable 226 is shorter and wider than is the second consumable 210. In other examples, dimensions of the first consumable 226 and the second consumable 210 may differ in other ways.

The second device 200 comprises an aerosol generator system (not illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 5b) which is the same as the aerosol generator system 104a, 104b of the first device 100 described above with respect to FIG. 1. In the particular example of the second device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 5b, the aerosol generator system comprises a first aerosol generator 104a for generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber 102a and a second aerosol generator 104b for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber 102b.

In this example, each of the first aerosol generator 104a and the second aerosol generator 104b comprises a respective heater and hence each of the first 102a and second 102b chambers is a heating chamber and will be referred to as such below.

In this example, each of the first 102a and second 102b heating chambers is a cylindrical heating chamber and they are housed together within a single heat insulation jacket 224. The heat insulation jacket 224 may take any suitable form or comprise any suitable material but in this example it is a steel vacuum insulation jacket.

In this example, the second device 200, the first heating chamber 102a and the second heating chamber 102b comprise respective longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel with each other.

The first heating chamber 102a has a diameter 216 (as best shown in FIG. 5b) and a length 218 (as best shown in FIG. 4b) and the second heating chamber 102b has a diameter 220 (as best shown in FIG. 5b) and length 222 (as best shown in FIG. 4a). As such, the first 102a and second 102b heating chambers are arranged to accommodate the first 226 and second 210 consumables of different sizes.

In this example, the first heating chamber 102a has a shorter length 218 than the length 222 of the second heating chamber 102b. Additionally, the first heating chamber 102a has a larger diameter 216 than the diameter 220 of the second heating chamber 102b. As discussed above, a user may select which of the first 226 and second 210 consumable articles they wish to use and insert that consumable into the appropriate one of the first 102a and second 102b heating chambers.

In this example, the first heating chamber 102a comprises a first hollow tube 214 for receiving the first consumable 226 and the second heating chamber 102b comprises a second hollow tube 215 for receiving the second consumable 210. Each of the first 214 and second 215 hollow tubes comprises a heat conductive material, for example, a metal, for example, steel.

The shorter length of the first heating chamber 104a is provided by locating a raised platform 240 at the distal end of the first hollow tube 214. When the first consumable 226 is received in the first hollow tube, a distal end of the first consumable 226 abuts against the raised platform 240.

In contrast, when the second consumable 210 is received in the second hollow tube 215, a distal end of the second consumable 210 abuts against an inner surface of a back panel 242 of the housing 101.

The height of the raised platform 240 may be selected so that the mouth or proximal ends of the first consumable 226 and the second consumable 210 extend the same distance from the housing 101.

In this example, each of the first heating arrangement 104a and the second heating arrangement 104b comprises a respective flexible heating foil. A first flexible heating foil 104a is wrapped around an outer surface of the first tube 214 and, likewise, the second flexible heating foil 104b is wrapped around an outer surface of the second tube 215. The first flexible heating foil 104a and the second heating flexible foil 104b are each electrically connected to a power supply (not shown in FIGS. 2a to 5b) via control circuitry (not shown in FIGS. 2a to 5b) housed in the housing 101 for a user to control the operations of the first heating arrangement 104a and the second heating arrangement 104b via a user input device (not shown in FIGS. 2a to 5b).

The device 200 further comprises a lid 208 which is moveable relative to the top panel 206 to close the first 204 and second 205 openings when no consumable is inserted. In FIG. 2a, the lid 208 is shown in an open configuration and in FIG. 2b in a closed configuration. For example, a user may cause the cap 208 to slide in the direction of arrow “A” to open the first 204 and second 205 openings.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the disclosure. Further embodiments of the disclosure are envisaged. For example, a third heating chamber having a third length and diameter could be included. Or it may be possible to envisage a heating chamber and article that is non-cylindrical. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A non-combustible aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from a consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising:

a first chamber configured to receive a first consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the first consumable having a first size; and

a second chamber, distinct from the first chamber, configured to receive a second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material, the second consumable having a second size different from the first size.

2. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is dimensioned differently than the second chamber.

3. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber comprises a shorter length than the second chamber.

4. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 2, wherein the first chamber comprises a larger width than the second chamber.

5. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first chamber and the second chamber comprises a tube arranged to receive a respective substantially cylindrical consumable comprising the respective aerosol-generating material.

6. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, further comprising a first opening through which the first consumable is removably insertable into the first chamber and a second opening through which the second consumable is removably insertable into the second chamber.

7. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim wherein the first opening and the second opening are at a same side of the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

8. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 6, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged in a common plane.

9. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that is movable between a first position and a second position, the cover closing at least one of the first chamber or the second chamber when in the first position and opening at least one of the first chamber or the second chamber when in the second position.

10. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 9, wherein the cover closes the first chamber and the second chamber when in the first position and opens the first chamber and the second chamber when in the second position.

11. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber comprises a first longitudinal axis and the second chamber comprises a second longitudinal axis and the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are substantially parallel.

12. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 11, wherein the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises a longitudinal device axis and wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are substantially parallel with the longitudinal device axis.

13. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an aerosol generator system for, in use, generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber and for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber.

14. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol generator system comprises a first aerosol generator for generating aerosol from the first consumable when the first consumable is received in the first chamber and a second aerosol generator for generating aerosol from the second consumable when the second consumable is received in the second chamber.

15. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 14, wherein the aerosol generator system is configured so that only one of the first aerosol generator or the second aerosol generator is operable at any given time.

16. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 15, further comprising a selector for selecting which of the first aerosol generator or the second aerosol generator is operable at any given time.

17. The non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 16, further comprising a user operable input device, wherein the selector selects which of the first aerosol generator or the second aerosol generator is operable in response to user input received from the user operable input device.

18. A system comprising:

the non-combustible aerosol provision device according to claim 1; and

at least one of the first consumable comprising aerosol-generating material for inserting into the first chamber and the second consumable comprising aerosol-generating material for inserting into the second chamber.