AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Info

Publication number: 20240260661
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 7, 2022
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2024
Inventors: Matthew Paul WRIGHT (Cambridge Cambridgeshire), Thomas Daniel BROMBOSZCZ (Cambridge Cambridgeshire), Frank Graydon ARMSWORTHY (Morrisville, NC), Sean Patrick DOWLING (Morrisville, NC), David CLEMENS (Morrisville, NC), Ludmila WEST (Morrisville, NC), Luke WARREN (London), Ross CABOT (London), Anton KORUS (Derby Derbyshire)
Application Number: 18/566,945

Abstract

An aerosol provision device 702 is disclosed comprising a lid portion 706, a base portion 708 and a securing mechanism 710, wherein the securing mechanism 710 is configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708 so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article. The lid portion 706 and the base portion 708 are configured to hold the aerosol generating article in position in between the lid portion 706 and the base portion 708.

Description

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase Entry of PCT/EP2022/065379 filed Jun. 7, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/202.444 filed Jun. 11, 2021 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/263,448 filed Nov. 2, 2021, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device, an aerosol provision system and a method of generating an aerosol.

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 by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol provision systems, which cover the aforementioned devices or products, are known. Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation. It is known to use induction heating systems as heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium. An induction heating system generally consists of a magnetic field generating device for generating a varying magnetic field, and a susceptor or heating material which is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the suitable medium.

Conventional aerosol provision devices comprise a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod shaped consumable is inserted.

However, next generation devices are contemplated wherein a consumable having a shape other than cylindrical is used, such as a consumable comprising a flat substrate. The flat substrate may comprise the susceptor to be heated by penetration with the varying magnetic field, such as an aluminium substrate, and may be inserted into an aerosol provision device. A problem may arise with such contemplated arrangements in that the susceptor may move, in use, in an undesirable manner relative to the aerosol provision device.

It is therefore desired to provide an improved aerosol provision device.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a lid portion;

- a base portion; and
- a securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article; wherein the lid portion and the base portion are configured to hold the aerosol generating article, in use, in position in between the lid portion and the base portion.

According to various embodiments an aerosol provision device is provided having a securing mechanism which is arranged to engage with the lid and base portions of the aerosol provision device in order to hold an aerosol generating article, in use, in position in between the lid portion and the base portion so as to prevent e.g. undesirable movement of a susceptor which forms part of the aerosol generating article.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises one or more heating elements, and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article along a direction towards or away from the one or more heating elements; wherein the base portion and/or the heating portion comprise the one or more heating elements.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured such that, in use, an aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of aerosol generating regions is located so that one or more aerosol generating regions are located adjacent a heating element of the one or more heating elements, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a rotating device configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, the aerosol generating article relative to the heating element so that one or more aerosol generating regions are moved into proximity to the heating element, and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to enable the aerosol generating article to be rotated relative to the heating element whilst preventing relative movement of the aerosol generating article in a direction other than rotation about the rotation axis.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises one or more heating elements defining a planar surface, and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position parallel to the planar surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the substantially planar aerosol generating article along a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surface.

Optionally, the one or more heating elements comprise substantially planar heating elements.

Optionally, the lid portion and/or the base portion comprise one or more walls configured to form, when the lid portion is engaged with the base portion, an aerosol chamber, wherein, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more walls on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article such that a separation between the one or more heating elements and the substantially planar aerosol generating article is maintained across the substantially planar aerosol generating article.

Optionally, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article through: (i) a circumference or perimeter of the one or more walls; and/or (ii) a plurality of radial struts of the one or more walls extending towards the inside of the aerosol chamber.

Optionally, in use, the one or more walls are configured to embed or partially cut into an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article.

Optionally, the one or more walls comprise one or more partially deformable regions.

Optionally: (i) the circumference or perimeter of the one or more walls comprise one or more partially deformable regions; and/or (ii) the plurality of radial struts of the one or more walls comprise one or more partially deformable regions.

Optionally, the lid portion and/or the base portion comprise one or more pillars, wherein, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more pillars on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article such that a separation between the one or more heating elements and the substantially planar aerosol generating article is maintained across the substantially planar aerosol generating article.

Optionally, in use, the one or more pillars are configured to embed or partially cut into an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article.

Optionally, the one or more pillars comprise one or more partially deformable regions.

Optionally, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more walls and/or the one or more pillars on to a first region of a substantially planar aerosol generating article which does not comprise aerosol generating material and not on to a second region of the substantially planar aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material.

Optionally, the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article at a distance of less than 10 μm from the one or more heating elements.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises a hinge; wherein the lid portion is connected to the base portion through the hinge so as to form a clamshell arrangement; wherein the device is configured to receive an aerosol generating article when the hinge is in an open position; and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article when the hinge is in a closed position.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises a clamping mechanism configured to clamp the lid portion to the base portion so as to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises one or more magnetic elements configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Optionally, the one or more magnetic elements comprises one or more magnets in one of the lid portion and the base portion, and a magnetic material in the other of the lid portion and the base portion.

Optionally, the one or more magnetic elements comprise a magnetic strut configured to clamp the lid portion to the base portion.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises a snap-fit mechanism comprising a snap-fit element in one of the lid portion and the base portion configured to snap-fit engage with a reciprocal receiving element in the other of the lid portion and the base portion.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises one or more clasps configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises one or more first gripping elements in the lid portion and/or the base portion configured to respectively grip one or more second gripping elements in the lid portion and/or the base portion so as to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Optionally, the securing mechanism comprises a cam lock configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Optionally, the cam lock comprises an off-centre cam configured to roll down so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.

Optionally, the lid portion and/or base portion comprises a plenum for forming an aerosol forming chamber, wherein the off-centre cam is configured to roll down to exert a force on the plenum so as to in hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article by the plenum so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device further comprises a slidable platform configured to extend outwards from the device to receive an aerosol generating article; wherein the slidable platform is configured to retract into the device so as to insert the aerosol generating article into the device; and wherein the slidable platform is connected to the off-centre cam such that the off-centre cam is configured to roll down as the slidable platform retracts into the device.

Optionally, the slidable platform is configured to receive the aerosol generating article when the hinge is in the open position, wherein the slidable platform is configured to retract into the device as the hinge is taken from the open position to the closed position.

Optionally, the lid portion comprises an integral mouthpiece.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises one or more heating elements defining a curvilinear surface, and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article along a direction towards or away from the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements.

Optionally, the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article having a surface substantially conforming to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements.

Optionally, the aerosol provision device further comprises control circuity to control the one or more heating elements, the control circuity configured to generate an amount of aerosol from one or more aerosol generating regions of an aerosol generating article by heating at least one of the one or more heating elements, wherein each of the one or more aerosol generating regions corresponds to a respective heating element of the one or more heating elements.

Optionally, the one or more heating elements comprise one or more induction heating elements comprising one or more induction coils for generating a varying magnetic field so as to heat, in use, one or more susceptor elements of an aerosol generating article held in position by the securing mechanism.

According to another aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

- an aerosol provision device as described above; and
- an aerosol generating article for use with the aerosol generating device, wherein the aerosol generating article comprises portions of aerosol generating material.

According to another aspect there is provided a method of generating an aerosol comprising:

- providing an aerosol provision device as described above;
- inserting an aerosol generating article between the lid portion and the base portion; and
- engaging, with the securing mechanism, the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position the aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device comprising a plurality of heating elements and an aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material and FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device comprising a single heating element and an aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material;

FIG. 2A is a top-down view of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2B is an end-on view along the longitudinal (length) axis of the aerosol generating article and FIG. 2C is a side-on view along the width axis of the aerosol generating article;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional, top-down view of the heating elements of the aerosol provision device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of an exemplary touch sensitive panel for operating various functions of the aerosol provision system;

FIG. 5 is an example of a cross-section of a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an aerosol generating article, the aerosol provision device comprising a plurality of induction coils and the aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material and corresponding susceptor portions;

FIG. 6A is a top-down view of the aerosol generating article of FIG. 5, FIG. 6B is an end-on view along the longitudinal (length) axis of the aerosol generating article and FIG. 6C is a side-on view along the width axis of the aerosol generating article;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an aerosol provision device having a lid portion and a base portion, wherein the lid portion is closed and FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an aerosol provision device, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a rotating device configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, an aerosol generating article relative to a heating element of the aerosol provision device and wherein the lid portion is open;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an aerosol provision device, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a rotating device configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, an aerosol generating article relative to a heating element of the aerosol provision device and wherein the lid portion is open and a circular planar aerosol generating article is shown being inserted into the aerosol provision device, FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a rotating device configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, an aerosol generating article relative to a heating element of the aerosol provision device and wherein the lid portion is open and a circular planar aerosol generating article is located on a base portion of the aerosol provision device and FIG. 8C shows a base portion of an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9A shows an aerosol provision device having a securing mechanism comprising a magnetic strut which is configured to clamp a lid portion of the aerosol provision device to a base portion of the aerosol provision device and FIG. 9B shows an aerosol provision device having a securing mechanism comprising a magnetic strut which is configured to clamp a lid portion of the aerosol provision device to a base portion of the aerosol provision device; and

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of an aerosol provision device comprising a securing mechanism comprising a slidable clasp which is configured to engage a lid portion of the aerosol provision device with a base portion, FIG. 10B shows the aerosol provision device with the slidable clasp removed and FIG. 10C shows the aerosol provision device in an open position.

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 a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system. 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 an aerosol to a user. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms “vapor” and “aerosol”, and related terms such as “vaporize”, “volatalize” and “aerosolize”, may generally be used interchangeably.

In some implementations, 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. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” is sometimes used but this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapor) provision 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.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article (sometimes referred to as a consumable) for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

Non-combustible aerosol provision systems often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable article. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry). The power source may, for example, be an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.

An aerosol generating component (aerosol generator) is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some implementations, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosol generating material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosol generating material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

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 semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavorants.

The aerosol generating material may be present on or in a carrier support (or carrier component) to form a substrate. The carrier support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted aerosolizable material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.

In some implementations, the aerosol generating article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol generating material or an area for receiving aerosolizable material. In some implementations, the aerosol generating article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece, or alternatively the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece which communicates with the aerosol generating article. The area for receiving aerosol generating material may be a storage area for storing aerosolizable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. The aerosol provision system 1 comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 2 and an aerosol generating article 4.

The aerosol provision device 2 comprises an outer housing 21, a power source 22, control circuitry 23, a plurality of aerosol generating components 24, a receptacle or aerosol forming chamber 25, a mouthpiece end 26, an air inlet 27, an air outlet 28, a touch-sensitive panel 29, an inhalation sensor 30, and an end of use indicator 31.

The outer housing 21 may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material. The outer housing 21 is arranged such that the power source 22, control circuitry 23, aerosol generating components 24, receptacle 25 and inhalation sensor 30 are located within the outer housing 21. The outer housing 21 also defines the air inlet 27 and air outlet 28, described in more detail below. The touch sensitive panel 29 and end of use indicator are located on the exterior of the outer housing 21.

The outer housing 21 further includes a mouthpiece end 26. The outer housing 21 and mouthpiece end 26 are formed as a single component (i.e. the mouthpiece end 26 forms a part of the outer housing 21). The mouthpiece end 26 is defined as a region of the outer housing 21 which includes the air outlet 28 and is shaped in such a way that a user may comfortably place their lips around the mouthpiece end 26 to engage with air outlet 28. In FIG. 1A, the thickness of the outer housing 21 decreases towards the air outlet 28 to provide a relatively thinner portion of the aerosol provision device 2 which may be more easily accommodated by the lips of a user. In other implementations, however, the mouthpiece end 26 may be a removable component that is separate from but able to be coupled to the outer housing 21, and may be removed for cleaning and/or replacement with another mouthpiece end 26.

The power source 22 is configured to provide operating power to the aerosol provision device 2. The power source 22 may be any suitable power source, such as a battery. For example, the power source 22 may comprise a rechargeable battery, such as a Lithium Ion battery. The power source 22 may be removable or form an integrated part of the aerosol provision device 2. In some implementations, the power source 22 may be recharged through connection of the aerosol provision device 2 to an external power supply (such as mains power) through an associated connection port, such as a USB port (not shown) or via a suitable wireless receiver (not shown).

The control circuitry 23 is suitably configured or programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision device 2 to provide certain operating functions of aerosol provision device 2. The control circuitry 23 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision devices' operation. For example, the control circuitry 23 may comprise a logical sub-unit for controlling the recharging of the power source 22. Additionally, the control circuitry 23 may comprise a logical sub-unit for communication e.g. to facilitate data transfer from or to the aerosol provision device 2. However, a primary function of the control circuitry 23 is to control the aerosolization of aerosol generating material, as described in more detail below. It will be appreciated the functionality of the control circuitry 23 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. The control circuitry 23 is connected to the power supply 23 and receives power from the power source 22 and may be configured to distribute or control the power supply to other components of the aerosol provision device 2.

In the described implementation, the aerosol provision device 2 further comprises a receptacle 25 which is arranged to receive an aerosol generating article 4. The aerosol generating article 4 comprises a carrier component 42 and aerosol generating material 44. The aerosol generating article 4 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2A to 2C. FIG. 2A is a top-down view of the aerosol generating article 4, FIG. 2B is an end-on view along the longitudinal (length) axis of the aerosol generating article 4, and FIG. 2C is a side-on view along the width axis of the aerosol generating article 4.

The aerosol generating article 4 comprises a carrier component 42 which in this implementation is formed of card. The carrier component 42 forms the majority of the aerosol generating article 4, and acts as a base for the aerosol generating material 44 to be deposited on.

The carrier component 42 is broadly cuboidal in shape has a length l, a width w and a thickness te as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. By way of a concrete example, the length of the carrier component 42 may be 30 to 80 mm, the width may be 7 to 25 mm, and the thickness may be between 0.2 to 1 mm. However, it should be appreciated that the above are exemplary dimensions of the carrier component 42, and in other implementations the carrier component 42 may have different dimensions as appropriate. In some implementations, the carrier component 42 may comprise one or more protrusions extending in the length and/or width directions of the carrier component 42 to help facilitate handling of the aerosol generating article 4 by the user.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-C, the aerosol generating article 4 comprises a plurality of discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 disposed on a surface of the carrier component 42. More specifically, the aerosol generating article 4 comprises six discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44, labelled 44a to 44f, disposed in a two by three array. However, it should be appreciated that in other implementations a greater or lesser number of discrete portions may be provided, and/or the portions may be disposed in a different array (e.g. a one by six array). In the example shown, the aerosol generating material 44 is disposed at discrete, separate locations on a single surface of the component carrier 42. The discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 are shown as having a circular footprint, although it should be appreciated that the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 may take any other footprint, such as square or rectangular, as appropriate. The discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 have a diameter d and a thickness t_aas shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The thickness t_amay take any suitable value, for example the thickness t_amay be in the range of 50 μm to 1.5 mm. In some embodiment, the thickness t_ais from about 50 μm to about 200 μm, or about 50 μm to about 100 μm, or about 60 μm to about 90 μm, suitably about 77 μm. In other embodiments, the thickness t_amay be greater than 200 μm, e.g. from about 50 μm to about 400 μm, or to about 1 mm, or to about 1.5 mm.

The discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 are separate from one another such that each of the discrete portions may be energised (e.g. heated) individually or selectively to produce an aerosol. In some implementations, the portions of aerosol generating material 44 may have a mass no greater than 20 mg, such that the amount of material to be aerosolized by a given aerosol generating component 24 at any one time is relatively low. For example, the mass per portion may be equal to or lower than 20 mg, or equal to or lower than 10 mg, or equal to or lower than 5 mg. Of course, it should be appreciated that the total mass of the aerosol generating article 4 may be greater than 20 mg.

The aerosol generating article 4 may comprise a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material all formed form the same aerosol generating material. Alternatively, the aerosol generating article 4 may comprise a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material 44 where at least two portions are formed from different aerosol generating material.

The receptacle 25 is suitable sized to removably receive the aerosol generating article 4 therein. Although not shown in FIG. 1A, the aerosol provision device 2 may comprise a lid portion and a base portion which are configured to engage with one another by a securing mechanism, as will be described in detail later. Various configurations for the lid and base portions are considered, for example, although not shown in FIG. 1A, the aerosol provision device 2 may comprise a hinged door or removable part of the outer housing 21 to permit access to the receptacle 25 such that a user may insert and/or remove the aerosol generating article 4 from the receptacle 25. The hinged door or removable part of the outer housing 21 may also act to retain the aerosol generating article 4 within the receptacle 25 when closed. When the aerosol generating article 4 is exhausted or the user simply wishes to switch to a different aerosol generating article 4, the aerosol generating article 4 may be removed from the aerosol provision device 2 and a replacement aerosol generating article 4 positioned in the receptacle 25 in its place. Alternatively, the aerosol provision device 2 may include a permanent opening that communicates with the receptacle 25 and through which the aerosol generating article 4 can be inserted into the receptacle 25. In such implementations, a retaining mechanism for retaining the aerosol generating article 4 within the receptacle 25 of the aerosol provision device 2 may be provided. As will be understood, the retaining mechanism may comprise a securing mechanism configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article 4. For example, the lid portion and the base portion may be configured so as to hold the aerosol generating article 4 in position in between the lid portion and the base portion.

As seen in FIG. 1A, the aerosol provision device 2 comprises a number of aerosol generating components 24. In the described implementation, the aerosol generating components 24 are heating elements 24, and more specifically resistive heating elements 24. Resistive heating elements 24 receive an electrical current and convert the electrical energy into heat. The resistive heating elements 24 may be formed from, or comprise, any suitable resistive heating material, such as NiChrome (Ni20Cr80), which generates heat upon receiving an electrical current. In one implementation, the heating elements 24 may comprise an electrically insulating substrate on which resistive tracks are disposed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, top-down view of the aerosol provision device 2 showing the arrangement of the heating elements 24 in more detail. In FIGS. 1A and 3, the heating elements 24 are positioned such that a surface of the heating element 24 forms a part of the surface of the receptacle 25. That is, an outer surface of the heating elements 24 is flush with the inner surface of the receptacle 25. More specifically, the outer surface of the heating element 24 that is flush with the inner surface of the receptacle 25 is a surface of the heating element 24 that is heated (i.e. its temperature increases) when an electrical current is passed through the heating element 24.

The heating elements 24 are arranged such that, when the aerosol generating article 4 is received in the receptacle 25, each heating element 24 aligns with a corresponding discrete portion of aerosol generating material 44. Hence, in this example, six heating elements 24 are arranged in a two by three array broadly corresponding to the arrangement of the two by three array of the six discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. However, as discussed above, the number of heating elements 24 may be different in different implementations, for example there may be 8, 10, 12, 14, etc. heating elements 24. In some implementations, the number of heating elements 24 is greater than or equal to six but no greater than 20.

More specifically, the heating elements 24 are labelled 24a to 24f in FIG. 3, and it should be appreciated that each heating element 24 is arranged to align with a corresponding portion of aerosol generating material 44 as denoted by the corresponding letter following the references 24/44. Accordingly, each of the heating elements 24 can be individually activated to heat a corresponding portion of aerosol generating material 44. While the heating elements 24 are shown flush with the inner surface of the receptacle 25, in other implementations the heating elements 24 may protrude into the receptacle 25. In either case, the aerosol generating article 4 contacts the surfaces of the heating elements 24 when present in the receptacle 25 such that heat generated by the heating elements 24 is conducted to the aerosol generating material 44 through the carrier component 42.

In some implementations, to improve the heat-transfer efficiency, the receptacle 25 may comprise components which apply a force to the surface of the carrier component 42 so as to press the carrier component 42 onto the heater elements 24, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat transfer via conduction to the aerosol generating material 44. As will be understood, the lid portion of the aerosol provision device 2 may be configured to engage with the base portion by ways of a securing mechanism, such that the lid portion and/or the base portion comprise the components which apply a force to the surface of the carrier component 42 so as to press the carrier component 42 onto the heater elements 42. Various configurations of the lid portion, base portion, and corresponding securing mechanism will be described in detail later.

Additionally or alternatively, the heater elements 24 may be configured to move in the direction towards/away from the aerosol generating article 4, and may be pressed into the surface of carrier component 42 that does not comprise the aerosol generating material 44. In embodiments wherein the aerosol generating article 4 is configured to move in a specified or desired direction relative to the heater elements 24, the securing mechanism configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position the aerosol generating article to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article does so by preventing relative movement in a direction other than in the specified or desired direction. For example, in embodiments wherein the aerosol generating article 4 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis relative to the heater elements 24 (as described below in relation to FIG. 1B), e.g. so as to present to the heater elements 24 a fresh region of aerosol generating material on the aerosol generating article 4, the securing mechanism may be configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to still enable the aerosol generating article 4 to be rotated relative to the heater elements 24 whilst preventing relative movement of the aerosol generating article 4 in a direction other than rotation about the rotation axis.

In use, the aerosol provision device 2 (and more specifically the control circuitry 23) is configured to deliver power to the heating elements 24 in response to a user input. Broadly speaking, the control circuitry 23 is configured to selectively apply power to the heating elements 24 to subsequently heat the corresponding portions of aerosol generating material 44 to generate aerosol. When a user inhales on the aerosol provision device 2 (i.e. inhales at mouthpiece end 26), air is drawn into the aerosol provision device 2 through air inlet 27, into the receptacle 25 where it mixes with the aerosol generated by heating the aerosol generating material 44, and then to the user's mouth via air outlet 28. That is, the aerosol is delivered to the user through mouthpiece end 26 and air outlet 28.

The aerosol provision device 2 of FIG. 1A includes a touch-sensitive panel 29 and an inhalation sensor 30. Collectively, the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 act as mechanisms for a receiving a user input to cause the generation of aerosol, and thus may more broadly be referred to as user input mechanisms. The received user input may be said to be indicative of a user's desire to generate aerosol.

The touch-sensitive panel 29 may be a capacitive touch sensor and can be operated by a user of the aerosol provision device 2 placing their finger or another suitably conductive object (for example a stylus) on the touch-sensitive panel 29. In the described implementation, the touch-sensitive panel 29 includes a region which can be pressed by a user to start aerosol generation. The control circuitry 23 may be configured to receive signalling from the touch-sensitive panel 29 and to use this signalling to determine if a user is pressing (i.e. activating) the region of the touch-sensitive panel 29. If the control circuitry 23 receives this signalling, then the control circuitry 23 is configured to supply power from the power source 22 to one or more of the heating elements 24. Power may be supplied for a predetermined time period (for example, three seconds) from the moment a touch is detected, or in response to the length of time the touch is detected for. In other implementations, the touch sensitive panel 29 may be replaced by a user actuatable button or the like.

The inhalation sensor 30 may be a pressure sensor or microphone or the like configured to detect a drop in pressure or a flow of air caused by the user inhaling on the aerosol provision device 2. The inhalation sensor 30 is located in fluid communication with the air flow pathway (that is, in fluid communication with the air flow path between inlet 27 and outlet 28). In a similar manner as described above, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to receive signalling from the inhalation sensor and to use this signalling to determine if a user is inhaling on the aerosol provision system 1. If the control circuitry 23 receives this signalling, then the control circuitry 23 is configured to supply power from the power source 22 to one or more of the heating elements 24. Power may be supplied for a predetermined time period (for example, three seconds) from the moment inhalation is detected, or in response to the length of time the inhalation is detected for.

In the described example, both the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 detect the user's desire to begin generating aerosol for inhalation. The control circuitry 23 may be configured to only supply power to the heating element 24 when signalling from both the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 are detected. This may help prevent inadvertent activation of the heating elements 24 from accidental activation of one of the user input mechanisms. However, in other implementations, the aerosol provision system 1 may have only one of a touch sensitive panel 29 and an inhalation sensor 30.

These aspects of the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 (i.e. puff detection and touch 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 touch sensor and touch sensor signal processing techniques).

In some implementations, in response to detecting the signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30, the control circuitry 23 is configured to sequentially supply power to each of the individual heating elements 24. More specifically, the control circuitry 23 is configured to sequentially supply power to each of the individual heating elements 23 in response to a sequence of detections of the signalling received from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30. For example, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to supply power to a first heating element 24 of the plurality of heating elements 24 when the signalling is first detected (e.g. from when the aerosol provision device 2 is first switched ON). When the signalling stops, or in response to the predetermined time from the signalling being detected elapsing, the control circuitry 23 registers that the first heating element 24 has been activated (and thus the corresponding discrete portion of aerosol generating material 44 has been heated). The control circuitry 23 determines that in response to receiving subsequent signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 that a second heating element 24 is to be activated. Accordingly, when the signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 is received by the control circuitry 23, the control circuitry 23 activates the second heating element 24. This process is repeated for remaining heating elements 24, such that all heating elements 24 are sequentially activated.

Effectively, this operation means that for each inhalation a different one of the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 is heated and an aerosol generated therefrom. In other words, a single discrete portion of aerosol generating material is heated per user inhalation.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol provision device 2 may comprise a movement mechanism configured for moving the aerosol generating article to align a discrete or fresh portion of the aerosol generating article with one or more heating elements of the aerosol provision device 2.

For example, FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an aerosol provision device 2. The aerosol provision device 2 has an aerosol generating article 4, which comprises aerosol generating medium 44, within the aerosol provision device 2. The combination of the aerosol provision device 2 and the aerosol generating article 4 form an aerosol provision system 1.

The aerosol generating article 4 has a first surface 112 which includes aerosol generating medium. In the described implementation, the aerosol generating article includes a carrier layer 111 (sometimes referred to herein as a carrier or a substrate supporting layer) which has a first surface on which the aerosol generating medium is disposed. In this implementation, a combination of the surface of the carrier layer 111 and of the aerosol generating material forms the first surface 112 of the aerosol generating article 4. In the described implementation, the aerosol generating medium may be arranged as a plurality of doses 44 of the medium. The aerosol generating article 4 has a second surface 116 on the opposite side to the first surface 112. The first surface 112 and second surface 116 may be smooth or rough. The second surface 116 may be formed by the carrier layer 111.

The aerosol provision device 2 has a source of energy for heating a heating element 24 which is arranged to face the second surface 116 of the aerosol generating article 4. The source of energy for heating the heating element 24 is an element of the aerosol provision device 2 which transfers energy from a power source, such as a battery (not shown), to the aerosol generating medium to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating medium 44. In the example described below, the source of energy for heating the heating element 24 is a heater, e.g. a resistive heater, that supplies energy (in the form of heat) to the aerosol generating medium to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating medium. The aerosol provision device 2 has a movement mechanism 130 arranged to move the aerosol generating article 4, and in particular portions 44 (or, in some cases, doses) of aerosol generating medium. The portions 44 of aerosol generating medium are preferably rotationally movable relative to the heating element 24 such that portions of the aerosol generating medium are presented, in this case individually, to the heating element 24. The aerosol provision device 2 is arranged such that at least one dose 44 of the aerosol generating medium is rotated around an axis A at an angle 0 to the second surface 116. Control circuitry 23 is configured to actuate both the heating element 24 and the movement mechanism 130 such that the aerosol generating article 4 rotates so as to align a discrete portion 44 with the heating element 24. The aerosol generating article 4 in this implementation is substantially flat. The carrier layer 111 of article 4 in this implementation may be formed of partially or entirely of paper or card.

The aerosol generating article 4 in FIG. 1B has a number of (e.g. five) doses (or portions) 44 of aerosol generating medium. In other examples, the aerosol generating article 4 may have greater or fewer doses 44 of aerosol generating medium. In some examples, the aerosol generating article 4 may have the doses 44 of aerosol generating medium arranged in discrete doses as shown in FIG. 1B.

In other examples, the doses 44 may be in the form of a disc, which may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction of the aerosol generating article 4. In still other examples, the doses 44 may be in the form of an annulus, a ring or any other shape. The aerosol generating article 4 may or may not have a rotationally symmetrical distribution of doses 44 at the first surface 112 about the axis A. A symmetrical distribution of doses 44 would enable equivalently positioned doses (within the rotationally symmetrical distribution) to receive an equivalent heating profile from the heating element 24 upon rotation about the axis A, if desired.

The aerosol generating article 4 of the present example includes aerosol generating medium disposed on the carrier layer 111 of the aerosol generating article 4. However, in other implementations, the aerosol generating article 4 may be formed exclusively of aerosol generating medium i.e. in some implementations, the aerosol generating article 4 may consist entirely of aerosol generating medium. In yet other implementations, the aerosol generating article 4 may have a layered structure from a plurality of materials. In one example, the aerosol generating article 4 may have a layer formed from at least one of thermally conductive material, inductive material, permeable material or impermeable material.

In some implementations, the carrier layer 111 of the substrate may be, or may include, a metallic element that is arranged to be heated by a varying magnetic field. In such implementations, the source of energy for heating element 24 may include an induction coil, which, when energised, causes heating within the metallic element of the aerosol generating article 4. The degree of heating may be affected by the distance between the metallic element and the induction coil.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1B operates by indexing (or moving) the plurality of doses of aerosol generating material to the heating element 24. While this arrangement of FIG. 1B may have a slight increase in the complexity of the movement mechanism 130 to provide movement to the aerosol generating article 4, there are benefits to be had by virtue of there only being one heating element 24 required to heat a plurality of portions of aerosol generating medium. For example, the single heating element 24 in the arrangement of FIG. 1B requires only one control mechanism (such as control circuitry 23) rather than a plurality of heaters requiring a plurality of control mechanisms. As such, this arrangement can reduce the cost and control complexity in relation to the operation and control of the heating element 24.

The shape of the aerosol provision device 2 may be cigarette-shape (longer in one dimension than the other two) or may be other shapes. In an example, the aerosol provision device 2 may have a shape that is longer in two dimensions than the other one, for example like a compact-disc player or the like. Alternatively, the shape may be any shape that can suitably house the aerosol generating article 4, source of energy for heating element 24 and the movement mechanism 130.

Other than the single heating element 24 and movement mechanism 130 configured to rotate the aerosol generating article 4 of FIG. 1B in place of the plurality of heating elements 24 of FIG. 1A, it will be understood that the aerosol provision device of FIG. 1B may comprise one or more of the other features described in relation to FIG. 1A, e.g. such as the inhalation sensor 30.

Referring now back to FIG. 1A, in other implementations, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to activate the first heating element 24 a plurality of times (e.g. two) before determining that the second heating element 24 should be activated in response to subsequent signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30, or activate each of the plurality of heating elements 24 once and when all heating elements 24 have be activated once, detection of subsequent signalling causes the heating elements to be sequentially activated a second time.

Such sequential activations may be dubbed “a sequential activation mode”, which is primarily designed to deliver a consistent aerosol per inhalation (which may be measured in terms of total aerosol generated, or a total constituent delivered, for example). Hence, this mode may be most effective when each portion of the aerosol generating material 44 of the aerosol generating article 4 is substantially identical i.e. portions 44a to 44f are formed of the same material.

In some other implementations, in response to detecting the signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30, the control circuitry 23 is configured to supply power to one or more of the heating elements 24 simultaneously. For example, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to supply power to one or more of the heating elements 24 such that two or more portions of the aerosol generating material 44 may be heated per inhalation.

In such implementations, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to supply power to selected ones of the heating elements 24 in response to a predetermined configuration. The predetermined configuration may be a configuration selected or determined by a user. For example, the touch-sensitive panel 29 may comprise a region that permits the user to individually select which of the heating elements 24 to activate when signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 is received by the control circuitry 23. In some implementations, the user may also be able to set the power level for each heating element 24 to be supplied to heating element 24 in response to receiving the signalling.

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of the touch-sensitive panel 29 in accordance with such implementations. FIG. 4 schematically shows outer housing 21 and touch-sensitive panel 29 as described previously. The touch-sensitive panel 29 comprises six regions 29a to 29f which correspond to each of the six heating elements 24, and a region 29g which corresponds to the region for indicating that a user wishes to start inhalation or generating aerosol as described previously. The six regions 29a to 29f each correspond to touch-sensitive regions which can be touched by a user to control the power delivery to each of the six corresponding heating elements 24. In the described implementation, each heating element 24 can have multiple states, e.g. an OFF state in which no power is supplied to the heating element 24, a low power state in which a first level of power is supplied to the heating element 24, and a high power state in which a second level of power is supplied to the heating element 24 where the second level of power is greater than the first level of power. However, in other implementations, fewer or greater states may be available to the heating elements 24. For example, each heating element 24 may have an OFF state in which no power is supplied to the heating element 24 and an ON state in which power is supplied to the heating element 24.

Accordingly, a user can set which heating elements 24 (and subsequently which portions of aerosol generating material 44) are to be heated (and optionally to what extent they are to be heated) by interacting with the touch-sensitive panel 29 in advance of generating aerosol. For example, the user may repeatedly tap the regions 29a to 29f to cycle through the different states (e.g. OFF, low power, high power, OFF, etc.). Alternatively, the user may press and hold the region 29a to 29f to cycle through the different states, where the duration of the press determines the state.

The touch-sensitive panel 29 may be provided with one or more indicators for each of the respective regions 29a to 29f to indicate which state the heating element 24 is currently in. For example, the touch-sensitive panel may comprise one or more LEDs or similar illuminating elements, and the intensity of the LEDs signifies the current state of the heating element 24. Alternatively, a colored LED or similar illuminating element may be provided and the color indicates the current state. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive panel 29 may comprise a display element (e.g. which may underlie a transparent touch-sensitive panel 29 or be provided adjacent to the regions 29a to 29f of the touch-sensitive panel 29) which displays the current state of the heating element 24.

When the user has set the configuration for the heating elements 24, in response to detecting the signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 (and more particularly region 29g of touch-sensitive panel 29) and inhalation sensor 30, the control circuitry 23 is configured to supply power to the selected heating elements 24 in accordance with the pre-set configuration.

Accordingly, such simultaneous heating element 24 activations may be dubbed “a simultaneous activation mode”, which is primarily designed to deliver a customisable aerosol from a given aerosol generating article 4, with the intention of allowing a user to customise their experience on a session-by-session or even puff-by-puff basis. Hence, this mode may be most effective when portions of the aerosol generating material 44 of the aerosol generating article 4 are different from one another. For example, portions 44a and 44b are formed of one material, portions 44c and 44d are formed of a different material, etc.

Accordingly, with this mode of operation, the user may select which portions to aerosolize at any given moment and thus which combinations of aerosols to be provided with.

In both of the simultaneous and sequential activation modes, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to generate an alert signal which signifies the end of use of the aerosol generating article 4, for example when each of the heating elements 24 has been sequentially activated a predetermined number of times, or when a given heating element 24 has been activated a predetermined number of times and/or for a given cumulative activation time and/or with a given cumulative activation power. In FIG. 1A, the aerosol provision device 2 includes an end of use indicator 31 which in this implementation is an LED. However, in other implementations, the end of use indicator 31 may comprise any mechanism which is capable of supplying an alert signal to a user. The end of use indicator 31 may be an optical element to deliver an optical signal, a sound generator to deliver an aural signal, and/or a vibrator to deliver a haptic signal. In some implementations, the indicator 31 may be combined or otherwise provided by the touch-sensitive panel (e.g. if the touch-sensitive panel includes a display element). The aerosol provision device 2 may prevent subsequent activation of the aerosol provision device 2 when the alert signal is being output. The alert signal may be switched OFF and the control circuitry 23 reset, when the user replaces the aerosol generating article 4 and/or switches OFF the alert signal via a manual means such as a button (not shown).

In more detail, in implementations where the sequential mode of activation is employed, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to count the number of times signalling from either one or both of the touch-sensitive panel 29 and inhalation sensor 30 is received during a period of usage, and once the count reaches a predetermined number, the aerosol generating article 4 is determined to reach the end of its life. For example, for an article 4 comprising six discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44, the predetermined number may be six, twelve, eighteen, etc. depending on the exact implementation at hand.

In implementations where the simultaneous mode of activation is employed, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to count the number of times one or each of the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 is heated. For example, the control circuitry 23 may count how many times a nicotine containing portion is heated, and when that reaches a predetermined number, determine an end of life of the aerosol generating article 4.

Alternatively, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to separately count for each discrete portion of aerosol generating material 44 when that portion has been heated. Each portion may be attributed with the same or a different predetermined number and when any one of the counts for each of the portions of aerosol generating material reaches the predetermined number, the control circuitry 23 determines an end of life of the aerosol generating article 4.

In either of the implementations, the control circuity 23 may also factor in the length of time the portion of aerosol generating material has been heated for and/or the temperature to which the portion of the aerosol generating material has been heated. In this regard, rather than counting discrete activations, the control circuitry 23 may be configured to calculate a cumulative parameter indicative of the heating conditions experienced by each of the portions of aerosol generating material 44. The parameter may be a cumulative time, for example, whereby the temperature to which the material is used to adjust the length of time added to the cumulative time. For example, a portion heated at 200° C. for three seconds may contribute three seconds to the cumulative time, whereas a portion heated at 250° C. for three seconds may contribute four and a half seconds to the cumulative time.

The above techniques for determining the end of life of the aerosol generating article 4 should not be understood as an exhaustive list of ways of determining the end of life of the aerosol generating article 4, and in fact any other suitable way may be employed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

In the implementation of the aerosol provision system 1 described above, a plurality of (discrete) portions of aerosol generating material 44 are provided which can be selectively aerosolized using the aerosol generating components 24. Such aerosol provision systems 1 offer advantages over other systems which are designed to heat a larger bulk quantity of material. In particular, for a given inhalation, only the selected portion (or portions) of aerosol generating material 44 are aerosolized leading to a more energy efficient system overall.

In heated systems, several parameters affect the overall effectiveness of this system at delivering a sufficient amount of aerosol to a user on a per puff basis. On the one hand, the thickness of the aerosol generating material 44 is important as this influences how quickly the aerosol generating material 44 reaches an operational temperature (and subsequently generates aerosol). This may be important for several reasons, but may lead to more efficient use of energy from the power source 22 as the heating element may not need to be active for as long compared with heating a thicker portion of material. On the other hand, the total mass of the aerosol generating material 44 that is heated affects the total amount of aerosol that can be generated, and subsequently delivered to the user. In addition, the temperature that the aerosol generating material 44 is heated to may affect both how quickly the aerosol generating material 44 reaches operational temperature and the amount of aerosol that is generated.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system 200 in accordance with another arrangement. The aerosol provision system 200 includes components that are broadly similar to those described in relation to FIG. 1A. However, the reference numbers have been increased by 200. For efficiency, the components having similar reference numbers should be understood to be broadly the same as their counterparts in FIGS. 1A-B and 2A-C unless otherwise stated.

The aerosol provision device 202 comprises an outer housing 221, a power source 222, control circuitry 223, induction heating elements such as induction coils 224a, a receptacle or aerosol forming chamber 225, a mouthpiece end 226, an air inlet 227, an air outlet 228, a touch-sensitive panel 229, an inhalation sensor 230 and an end of use indicator 231. The induction heating elements may comprise one or more of: (i) a flat spiral coil, wherein the spiral coil comprises a circular or ovular spiral, a square or rectangular spiral, a trapezoidal spiral, or a triangular spiral; (ii) a multi-layered induction arrangement wherein subsequent full or partial turns of the coil are provided on adjacent layers, optionally wherein a first layer is spaced from a second layer in a first direction and a third layer is spaced from the second layer in the opposite direction to reside in or close to the first layer such that the multi-layered induction arrangement forms a staggered structure; or (iii) a three-dimensional inductor coil, such as a regular helix or a conically shaped inductor coil, optionally with a varying helical pitch. The aerosol provision device 202 may comprise a lid portion, a base portion and a securing portion which are substantially similar to those described above in relation to FIG. 1A.

The aerosol generating article 204 comprises a carrier component 242, aerosol generating material 244, and susceptor elements 244b, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 6A to 6C. FIG. 6A is a top-down view of the aerosol generating article 204, FIG. 6B is an end-on view along the longitudinal (length) axis of the aerosol generating article 204 and FIG. 6C is a side-on view along the width axis of the aerosol generating article 204.

FIGS. 5 and 6A-C represent an aerosol provision system 200 which uses induction to heat the aerosol generating material 244 to generate an aerosol for inhalation. In the described implementation, the aerosol generating component 224 is formed of two parts namely, induction coils 224a which are located in the aerosol provision device 202 and susceptors 224b which are located in the aerosol generating article 204.

Accordingly, each aerosol generating component 224 comprises elements that are distributed between the aerosol generating article 204 and the aerosol provision device 202.

Induction heating is a process in which an electrically-conductive object, referred to as a susceptor, is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. The process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varying magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of electrical currents. Therefore, when such eddy currents are generated in the object, their flow against the electrical resistance of the object causes the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, ohmic, or resistive heating.

A susceptor is a heating 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. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material can be considered to comprise many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for example as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the varying applied magnetic field. Such magnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.

When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Moreover, the use of magnetic material can strengthen the magnetic field, which can intensify the Joule heating.

In the described implementation, the susceptors 224b are formed from an aluminium foil, although it should be appreciated that other metallic and/or electrically conductive materials may be used in other implementations. As seen in FIG. 6C, the carrier component 242 comprises a number of susceptors 224b which correspond in size and location to the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 244 disposed on the surface of the carrier component 242. That is, the susceptors 224b have a similar width and length to the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 244.

The susceptors 224b are shown embedded in the carrier component 242. However, in other implementations, the susceptors 224b may be placed on the surface of the carrier component 242. In another implementation (not shown), a susceptor may be provided as a layer substantially covering the carrier component 242.

The aerosol provision device 202 comprises a plurality of induction coils 224a shown schematically in FIG. 5. The induction coils 224a are shown adjacent the receptacle 225, and are generally flat coils arranged such that the rotational axis about which a given coil is wound extends into the receptacle 225 and is broadly perpendicular to the plane of the carrier component 242 of the aerosol generating article 204. The exact windings are not shown in FIG. 5 and it should be appreciated that any suitable induction coil may be used.

The control circuitry 223 comprises a mechanism to generate an alternating current which is passed to one or more of the induction coils 224a. The alternating current generates an alternating magnetic field, as described above, which in turn causes the corresponding susceptor(s) 224b to heat up. The heat generated by the susceptor(s) 224b is transferred to the portions of aerosol generating material 244 accordingly.

As described above in relation to FIGS. 1A-B and 2A-C, the control circuitry 223 is configured to supply current to the induction coils 224a in response to receiving signalling from the touch sensitive panel 229 and/or the inhalation sensor 230. Any of the techniques for selecting which heating elements 24 are heated by control circuitry 23 as described previously may analogously be applied to selecting which induction coils 224a are energised (and thus which portions of aerosol generating material 244 are subsequently heated) in response to receiving signalling from the touch sensitive panel 229 and/or the inhalation sensor 230 by control circuitry 223 to generate an aerosol for user inhalation.

Although the above has described an induction heating aerosol provision system where the induction coils 224a and susceptors 224b are distributed between the aerosol generating article 204 and the aerosol provision device 202, an induction heating aerosol provision system may be provided where the induction coils 224a and susceptors 224b are located solely within the aerosol provision device 202. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, the susceptors 224b may be provided above the induction coils 224a and arranged such that the susceptors 224b contact the lower surface of the carrier component 242.

Thus, FIG. 5 describes a more concrete implementation where induction heating may be used in an aerosol provision device 202 to generate aerosol for user inhalation to which the techniques described in the present disclosure may be applied.

Although the above has described a system in which an array of aerosol generating components 24 (e.g. heater elements) are provided to energise the discrete portions of aerosol generating material , in other implementations, the aerosol generating article 4 and/or an aerosol generating component 24 may be configured to move relative to one another. That is, there may be fewer aerosol generating components 24 than discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44 provided on the carrier component 42 of the aerosol generating article 4, such that relative movement of the aerosol generating article 4 and aerosol generating components 24 is required in order to be able to individually energise each of the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44. For example, a movable heating element 24 may be provided within the receptacle 25 such that the heating element 24 may move relative to the receptacle 25. In this way, the movable heating element 24 can be translated (e.g. in the width and length directions of the carrier component 42) such that the heating element 24 can be aligned with respective ones of the discrete portions of aerosol generating material 44. This approach may reduce the number of aerosol generating components 42 required while still offering a similar user experience.

Although the above has described implementations where discrete, spatially distinct portions of aerosol generating material 44 are deposited on a carrier component 42, it should be appreciated that in other implementations the aerosol generating material may not be provided in discrete, spatially distinct portions but instead be provided as a continuous sheet of aerosol generating material 44. In these implementations, certain regions of the sheet of aerosol generating material 44 may be selectively heated to generate aerosol in broadly the same manner as described above. However, regardless of whether or not the portions are spatially distinct, the present disclosure described heating (or otherwise aerosolizing) portions of aerosol generating material 44. In particular, a region (corresponding to a portion of aerosol generating material) may be defined on the continuous sheet of aerosol generating material based on the dimensions of the heating element 24 (or more specifically a surface of the heating element 24 designed to increase in temperature). In this regard, the corresponding area of the heating element 24 when projected onto the sheet of aerosol generating material may be considered to define a region or portion of aerosol generating material. In accordance with the present disclosure, each region or portion of aerosol generating material may have a mass no greater than 20 mg, however the total continuous sheet may have a mass which is greater than 20 mg.

Although the above has described implementations where the aerosol provision device 2,202 can be configured or operated using the touch-sensitive panel 29,229 mounted on the aerosol provision device 2,202, the aerosol provision device 2,202 may instead be configured or controlled remotely. For example, the control circuitry 23,223 may be provided with a corresponding communication circuitry (e.g. Bluetooth) which enables the control circuitry 23,223 to communicate with a remote device such as a smartphone. Accordingly, the touch-sensitive panel 29,229 may, in effect, be implemented using an APP or the like running on the smartphone. The smartphone may then transmit user inputs or configurations to the control circuitry 23,223, and the control circuitry 23,223 may be configured to operate on the basis of the received inputs or configurations.

Although the above has described implementations in which an aerosol is generated by energising (e.g. heating) aerosol generating material 44,244 which is subsequently inhaled by a user, it should be appreciated in some implementations that the generated aerosol may be passed through or over an aerosol modifying component to modify one or more properties of the aerosol before being inhaled by a user. For example, the aerosol generating device 2,202 may comprise an air permeable insert (not shown) which is inserted in the airflow path downstream of the aerosol generating material 44,244 (for example, the insert may be positioned in the outlet 28,228). The insert may include a material which alters any one or more of the flavor, temperature, particle size, nicotine concentration, etc. of the aerosol as it passes through the insert before entering the user's mouth. For example, the insert may include tobacco or treated tobacco. Such systems may be referred to as hybrid systems. The insert may include any suitable aerosol modifying material, which may encompass the aerosol generating materials described above.

Although it has been described above that the heating elements 24 are arranged to provide heat to aerosol generating material (or portions thereof) at an operational temperature at which aerosol is generated from the portion of aerosol generating material , in some implementations, the heating elements 24 are arranged to pre-heat portions of the aerosol generating material to a pre-heat temperature (which is lower than the operational temperature). At the pre-heat temperature, a lower amount or no aerosol is generated when the portion is heated at the pre-heat temperature. In particular, in some implementations, the control circuity is configured to supply power/energy prior to the first predetermined period starting (i.e. prior to receiving the signalling signifying a user's intention to inhale aerosol). However, a lower amount of energy is required to raise the temperature of the aerosol generating material from the pre-heat temperature to the operational temperature, thus increasing the responsiveness of the system but at an increased total energy consumption. This may be particular suitable for relatively thicker portions of aerosol generating material e.g. having thicknesses above 400 μm, which require relatively larger amounts of energy to be supplied in order to reach the operational temperature. In such implementations, the energy consumption (e.g. from the power source 22) may be comparably higher, however.

It will be appreciated that, whilst each of the heating elements 24 may provide the same heating profile to a respective aerosol generating region 24, one or more of the heating elements 24 may instead be configured to provide a different heating profile to a respective aerosol generating region 24. For example, aerosol generating regions 24 located further from the mouthpiece 28 may be heated according to a heating profile that generates a greater amount of aerosol than for an aerosol generating region 24 located closer to the mouthpiece 28, which may offset additional loss of aerosol due to condensation along the increased distance of travel, providing a more consistent delivery of aerosol from different aerosol generating regions 24.

Although the above has described implementations in which the aerosol generating device 2,202 comprises an end of use indicator 31,231, it should be appreciated that the end of use indicator 31,231 may be provided by another device remote from the aerosol provision device 2,202. For example, in some implementations, the control circuitry 23,223 of the aerosol provision device 2,202 may comprise a communication mechanism which allows data transfer between the aerosol provision device 2,202 and a remote device such as a smartphone or smartwatch, for example. In these implementations, when the control circuitry 23,223 determines that the aerosol generating article 4,204 has reached its end of use, the control circuitry 23,223 is configured to transmit a signal to the remote device, and the remote device is configured to generate the alert signal (e.g. using the display of a smartphone). Other remote devices and other mechanisms for generating the alert signal may be used as described above.

In addition, when the portions of aerosol generating material are provided on a carrier component 42,242 the portions may, in some implementations, include weakened regions, e.g. through holes or areas of relatively thinner aerosol generating material , in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the carrier component 42,242. This may be the case when the hottest part of the aerosol generating material is the area directly contacting the carrier component (in other words, in scenarios where the heat is applied primarily to the surface of the aerosol generating material that contacts the carrier component 42,242). Accordingly, the through holes may provide channels for the generated aerosol to escape and be released to the environment/the air flow through the aerosol provision device 22,202 rather than causing a potential build-up of aerosol between the carrier component 42,242 and the aerosol generating material 44,244. Such build-up of aerosol can reduce the heating efficiency of the system as the build-up of aerosol can, in some implementations, cause a lifting of the aerosol generating material from the carrier component 42,242 thus decreasing the efficiency of the heat transfer to the aerosol generating material 44,244. Each portion of aerosol generating material44,244 may be provided with one of more weakened regions as appropriate.

In some implementations, the aerosol generating article 4,204 may comprise an identifier, such as a readable bar code or an RFID tag or the like, and the aerosol provision device 2,202 comprises a corresponding reader. When the aerosol generating article 4,204 is inserted into the receptacle 25,225 of the aerosol provision device 2,202, the aerosol provision device 2,202 may be configured to read the identifier on the aerosol generating article 4,204. The control circuitry 23,223 may be configured to either recognise the presence of the aerosol generating article 4,204 (and thus permit heating and/or reset an end of life indicator) or identify the type and/or the location of the portions of the aerosol generating material relative to the aerosol generating article 4,204. This may affect which portions the control circuitry 23,223 aerosolizes and/or the way in which the portions are aerosolized e.g. via adjusting the aerosol generation temperature and/or heating duration. Any suitable technique for recognising the aerosol generating article 4,204 may be employed.

In accordance with the present disclosure however, the inventors have found that in some instances aerosol provision devices 2,202 having one or more aerosol generating components designed to heat portions of aerosol generating material of the aerosol generating article 4,204 to generate aerosol can, in some instances, lead to inconsistencies in the amount or quality of aerosol being delivered to the user per puff even if the heating conditions of each of the one or more aerosol generating components are expected to be broadly the same.

For example, as discussed, the aerosol generating article 204 comprising aerosol generating material may include a substrate (for example, paper, card, foil) including a first and second side, with the aerosol generating material disposed on the first side of the substrate. The substrate in this instance may act as a carrier for the aerosol generating material. In some implementations, the substrate may be, or may include, a metallic element that is arranged to be heated by a varying magnetic field. In such implementations, the source of energy for heating may include an induction coil (such as induction coils 224a), which, when energised, causes heating within the metallic element of the substrate or article 4,204. The degree of heating may be affected by the distance between the metallic element and the induction coil. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a separation in the indicated z-direction between the induction coils 224a and the aerosol generating article 204. Accordingly, variation in this separation in the z-direction across the extent of the aerosol generating article 204 may alter the inductive coupling between each induction coil 224a and corresponding susceptor 224b of the aerosol generating article 204. This variation may lead to inconsistencies in the amount or quality of aerosol being delivered to the user per puff even if the heating conditions across different aerosol generating components of the aerosol generating article are expected to be broadly the same.

For example, without wanting to be bound by theory, in embodiments wherein the metallic element is mechanically flexible such as being formed of a metallic foil, the metallic foil may be subject to move under due to a force arising as a result of the varying magnetic field. For example, without wanting to be bound by theory, it is believed that the metallic foil will move up and down under the influence of a pulsed electromagnetic field.

Moreover, in embodiments wherein the aerosol generating article comprises a metallic foil laminated or otherwise adhered to a substrate, in use, the induced temperatures of the foil may be sufficient to melt the adhesive or laminate such that, the metallic foil becomes free to move relative to the aerosol provision device 202. As will be understood, the aforementioned may apply equally to embodiments comprising resistive heaters, in addition to or in place of, induction heaters.

Furthermore, the aerosol provision device 202 may comprise a wireless temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the aerosol generating article 204 in use. If there is a variation in the separation in the indicated z-direction between the induction coils 224a (or resistive heaters) and the aerosol generating article 204, as a consequence, the wireless temperature measurement may be inaccurate. Accordingly, there is a need to maintain a uniform separation between the induction coils 224a (or resistive heaters) and the aerosol generating article 204 so as to enable better wireless temperature sensing.

FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C show various perspective views of parts of an aerosol provision system 700 comprising in accordance with various embodiments. The aerosol provision system 700 comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 702 and an aerosol generating article 704 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B).

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the aerosol provision device 702 comprises a lid portion 706 and a base portion 708. The aerosol provision device 702 also comprises a securing mechanism 710. The securing mechanism 710 is configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708. Once engaged, the lid portion 706 and the bases portion 708 hold in position therebetween, in use, an aerosol generating article 704 (as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B) so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704.

In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 710 is configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708 so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article 704 comprising a metallic foil bonded to a substrate so as to prevent relative movement of the metallic foil with respect to the substrate of the aerosol generating article 704. That is, in use when the aerosol provision device 702 is configured to heat the aerosol generating article 704 so as to generate aerosol, the securing mechanism 710 is configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708 so as to hold in position therebetween the aerosol generating article 704 so as to prevent the metallic foil from moving relative to the substrate, such as to prevent partial or complete separation of the foil from the substrate. Therefore, relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704 is taken to also mean movement of one part of the aerosol generating article 704, such as a metallic foil, relative to another part of the aerosol generating article 704, such as a substrate or support.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision device 702 comprises one or more heating elements (for example heating element 732 as shown in FIGS. 8A-C). As shown in FIGS. 8A-C, the heating element 732 is provided within, or forms part of, the base portion 708. However, alternatively or in addition to, one or more heating elements may be provided in the lid portion 706. Accordingly, the lid portion 706 and the base portion 708 are engaged so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704 along a direction towards or away from the one or more heating elements 732, for example preventing movement of the aerosol generating article 704 along the z direction (when in use) away or towards the heating element 732 of aerosol provision device 702 as indicated in FIG. 8B. Although only one heater 732 is shown in FIGS. 8A-C, it will be understood that more than one heater 732, such as two or three heaters may be provided. In some embodiments, the one or more heating elements 732 comprise one or more induction heating elements comprising one or more induction coils for generating a varying magnetic field so as to heat, in use, one or more susceptor elements of an aerosol generating article 704 (such as a metallic foil) held in position by the securing mechanism 710. Alternatively, or in addition to, the one or more heating elements 732 may be resistive heating elements.

In embodiments, the one or more heating elements 732 define a planar surface, as shown in FIGS. 8A-C. In such embodiments, in use, the securing mechanism 710 is configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708 so as to hold in position parallel to the planar surface a substantially planar aerosol generating article 704 so as to prevent relative movement of the substantially planar aerosol generating article 704 along a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surface, such as along the z-direction as shown in FIG. 8B.

As will be understood, the one or more heating elements 732 may comprise substantially planar heating elements, such as a flat spiral induction coil. However, in other embodiments, the one or more heating elements 732 may be non-planar but which define a planar surface, such as a conical induction coil wherein the base of the conical coil defines the planar surface.

FIGS. 9A-9B show various perspective views of parts of an aerosol provision system 900 in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The aerosol provision system 900 includes components that are broadly similar to those described below in relation to FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C. However, the reference numbers begin with a ‘9’ instead of a ‘7’ such that reference numeral 902 denotes an aerosol provision device 902. For efficiency, the components having similar reference numbers should be understood to be broadly the same as their counterparts in FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C unless otherwise stated.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, 8A-8C, and 9A-9B, the aerosol provision device 702, 902 comprises a rotating device 736,936 which is configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, the aerosol generating article 704 (as indicated in FIG. 8B). The rotating device 736,936 is configured to rotate the aerosol generating article 704 relative to the heating element 732 so that one or more fresh aerosol generating regions of the aerosol generating article 704 are moved into proximity to the heating element 732. As will be understood, in embodiments comprising a rotating device 736,936, the securing mechanism 710 is configured to enable the aerosol generating article 704 to be rotated relative to the heating element 732 whilst preventing relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704 in a direction other than rotation about the rotation axis, such as in the z-direction as indicated in FIG. 8B.

In embodiments, the aerosol generating article 704 may comprise one or more tracks, wherein the lid portion 706 and/or base portion 708 are configured to apply a force along the one or more tracks in order to enable the aerosol generating article 704 to be rotated whilst preventing relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704 in a direction other than rotation about the rotation axis. In some embodiments, the one or more tracks may comprise regions of the aerosol generating article 704 which do not include any aerosol generating material . In some embodiments, the one or more tracks may comprise regions of the aerosol generating article 704 comprising metallic foil.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8B, the lid portion 706 may comprise a plenum 712 and a mouthpiece 714. The plenum 712 may comprise the mouthpiece 714. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 714 and plenum 712 may be integral with the lid portion 706. It will be understood that an integrated mouthpiece 714 and lid portion 706 ensures even compression on an aerosol generating article 704. That is, there is substantially no additional mechanical play or variance arising from a connection between the mouthpiece 714 and the lid portion 706 if they are a single integral piece. As a result, the force exerted by the lid portion 706 onto the aerosol generating article 704 is substantially constant across the upper lid-facing surface of the aerosol generating 704. Additionally or alternatively, the lid portion 706 may further comprise a lid insert 716 (see FIG. 8B), which may be configured to hold the plenum 712 and/or mouthpiece 714 to an outer housing of the lid portion 706 by one or more securing means, such as pins.

Referring again to FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C, the securing mechanism 710 may comprise a hinge 734 such that the lid portion 706 is connected to the base portion 708 through the hinge 734 so as to form a clamshell arrangement. That is, the aerosol provision device 702 may be configured to receive an aerosol generating article 704 when the hinge 734 is in an open position, e.g. as shown going from FIG. 8A to 8B. The securing mechanism 710 may be configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708 so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article 704 so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article 704 when the hinge 734 is in a closed position, e.g. as shown in FIG. 7A.

Still referring to FIGS. 7A-7B and 8A-8C, the securing mechanism 710 may comprise one or more magnetic elements configured to engage the lid portion 706 with the base portion 708. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the base portion 708 may comprise a magnet 720 configured to be magnetically attracted to corresponding magnetic receiving region 722 of the lid portion 706. Alternatively or additionally, the lid portion 706 may comprise one or more magnets 720 and the base portion may comprise corresponding magnetic receiving regions 722. Although only a single securing mechanism 710 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it will be understood that two or more such securing mechanisms may be provided so as to isotopically or evenly secure the lid portion 706 to the base portion 708.

In embodiments, the one or more magnets 720 may be formed from one or more of: neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets.

In embodiments, the one or more corresponding magnetic receiving regions 722 may comprise temporary magnets, for example, one or more of: iron, iron alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, cobalt, cobalt alloy, gadolinium, gadolinium alloy, dysprosium, and dysprosium alloy.

In embodiments, one of the lid portion 706 and base portion 708 may comprise an electromagnetic. In such embodiments, the electromagnet can be actuated so as to generate a magnetic field to attract one or more magnets 720 or magnetic receiving regions 722 in the other of the lid portion 706 and base portion 708. In embodiments, both the lid portion 706 and base portion 708 may each comprise an electromagnet so as to mutually attract each other upon actuation of the electromagnets. Control circuitry, such as control circuitry 23 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, may be configured so as to actuate the electromagnets.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the one or more corresponding magnetic receiving regions 722 may each comprise a recess for receiving a respective one of the one or more magnets 720. However, in embodiments, at least one of the one or more corresponding magnetic receiving regions 722 may be flat or flush with a base-facing wall of the lid portion 706 so as to engage with a respective one of the one or more magnets 720, wherein the respective one of the one or more magnets 720 is flat or flush with a lid-facing wall of the base portion 708. In some embodiments, all of the of the one or more magnets 720 and the one or more corresponding magnetic receiving regions 722 may be flat or flush.

In embodiments, the aerosol provision device 702 may also comprise a clamping mechanism configured to clamp the lid portion to the base portion so as to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

Turning now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, an aerosol provision system 900 comprising an aerosol provision device 902 having an additional or alternative securing mechanism 910 is shown. The securing mechanism 910 may comprise a magnetic strut 924 configured to clamp the lid portion 906 to the base portion 908, as shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B shows the aerosol provision system 900 with the securing mechanism 910 unattached and expanded upwards. As shown, the base portion may comprise one or magnets 926 or one or more magnetic regions 926 configured to cooperate with the magnetic strut 924 so as to clamp the lid portion 906 to the base portion 908.

FIGS. 10A-10C show various perspective views of parts of an aerosol provision system 1000 in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The aerosol provision system 1000 includes components that are broadly similar to those described below in relation to FIGS. 7A-7B, 8A-8C, and 9A-9B. However, the reference numbers begin with a ‘10’ instead of a ‘7’ or a ‘9’ such that reference numeral 1002 denotes an aerosol provision device 1002. For efficiency, the components having similar reference numbers should be understood to be broadly the same as their counterparts in FIGS. 7A-7B, 8A-8C, and 9A-9B unless otherwise stated.

In embodiments, the aerosol provision devices 2,202,702,902, 1002 as disclosed above may additionally or alternatively comprise a securing mechanism comprising a snap-fit mechanism. The snap-fit mechanism may comprise a snap-fit element in one of the lid portion 706,906,1006 and the base portion 708,908,1008 configured to snap-fit engage with a reciprocal receiving element in the other of the lid portion 706,906,1006 and the base portion 708,908,1008.

In embodiments, the aerosol provision devices 2,202,702,902, 1002 as disclosed above may additionally or alternatively comprise a securing mechanism comprising one or more first gripping elements in the lid portion 706,906,1006 and/or the base portion 708,908,1008 configured to respectively grip one or more second gripping elements in the lid portion 706,906,1006 and/or the base portion 708,908,1008 so as to engage the lid portion 706,906,1006 with the base portion 708,908,1008. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the lid portion 706 may comprise one or more first gripping elements in the form of a protrusion 728 configured to grip one or more second gripping elements in the form of a lip 730 provided in the base portion 708. As will be understood, the one or more first and second gripping elements 728,730 may be formed of a particular material which enables a secure grip between the respective gripping elements and also provides a seal to prevent aerosol from leaking or otherwise escaping from the aerosol provision device 702 when in use.

In embodiments, the aerosol provision device 2,202,702,902,1002 may additionally or alternatively comprise a securing mechanism comprising one or more clasps configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, securing mechanism 1010 may comprise a clasp such as a slidable clasp 1032 configured to configured to clamp the lid portion 1006 to the base portion 1008 so as to engage the lid portion 1006 with the base portion 1008. Alternatively or additionally, the securing mechanism 1010 may comprise a rotatable clasp.

In some embodiments, the lid portion and/or the base portion may comprise one or more walls configured to form, when the lid portion is engaged with the base portion, an aerosol chamber or an aerosol forming chamber. The lid portion and/or the base portion may uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more walls on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article such that a separation between one or more heating elements and the substantially planar aerosol generating article is maintained across the substantially planar aerosol generating article. That is, the aerosol provision device is configured to hold the area of aerosol generating article to be heated such that the z distance (e.g. the distance between the heating elements such as induction coils and a metallic foil of the aerosol generating article) is consistent across the area of the aerosol generating article. This can be achieved by configuring the aerosol provision device such that the walls forming the chamber within which the aerosol is formed uniformly clamp down on to the aerosol generating article.

In some embodiments, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion may uniformly apply a pressure on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article through: (i) a circumference or perimeter of the one or more walls; and/or (ii) a plurality of radial struts of the one or more walls extending towards the inside of the aerosol chamber. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the lid portion 706 may comprise one or more walls in the form of one or more protrusions 728, wherein the distal end of the one or more protrusions 728 may be configured to uniformly apply pressure on to the aerosol generating article 704 in use.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the aerosol provision device 702 may comprise radial struts 738 extending towards the inside of an aerosol forming chamber. In some embodiments, the radial struts 738 may be linear. However, additionally or alternatively, the radial struts 738 may be curvilinear. The one or more walls may configured to, in use, embed or partially cut into an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article. The one or more walls may comprise one or more partially deformable regions. For example, the partially deformable regions may interlink so as seal an aerosol forming chamber about the aerosol generating article. Moreover, the one or more partially deformable regions may ensure that a separation between one or more heating elements and the aerosol generating article is maintained across the aerosol generating article. The circumference or perimeter of the one or more walls may comprise one or more partially deformable regions, and/or the plurality of radial struts of the one or more walls may comprise one or more partially deformable regions.

The lid portion and/or the base portion may comprise one or more pillars. The lid portion and/or the base portion may uniformly apply a pressure, in use, through the one or more pillars on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article such that a separation between the one or more heating elements and the substantially planar aerosol generating article is maintained across the substantially planar aerosol generating article. That is, the one or more pillars may be finger-like, and may hold the aerosol generating article in place. The one or more pillars which may comprise one or more deformable regions. That is, the one or more pillars may be one or more deformable pillars may be finger-like, and may hold the aerosol generating article in place. For example, this may allow for easy insertion of the aerosol generating article into the aerosol provision device, whilst at the same time ensuring that the aerosol generating article can come within close proximity to the heater. As will be understood, it may be relatively easy for a user to insert the aerosol generating article into the aerosol provision device, because the one or pillars or “fingers” can be deformed to allow insertion of article, but after article has been inserted, the one or more pillars may push the consumable into a pre-determined position. The one or pillars or “fingers” may keep constant pressure on the consumable, thus maintaining a constant z-distance separation as discussed above. The one or more pillars may be configured to embed or partially cut into an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article. The lid portion and/or the base portion may uniformly apply, in use, a pressure through the one or more walls and/or the one or more pillars on to a first region of a substantially planar aerosol generating article which does not comprise aerosol generating material and not on to a second region of the substantially planar aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material . For example, the first region may comprise a susceptor (such as metallic foil) but is substantially free of aerosol generating material, whereas the second region may comprise a susceptor (such as metallic foil) as well as aerosol generating material .

According to various embodiments the securing mechanism may comprise a cam lock which is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion. The cam lock may comprise an off-centre cam which is configured to roll down so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article. The lid portion and/or the base portion may comprise a plenum for forming an aerosol forming chamber, wherein the off-centre cam is configured to roll down to exert a force on the plenum so as to in hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article by the plenum so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article. According to various embodiments, the aerosol provision device may further comprise a slidable platform which is configured to extend outwards from the aerosol provision device to receive an aerosol generating article. The slidable platform may be configured to retract into the aerosol provision device so as to insert the aerosol generating article into the aerosol provision device, wherein the slidable platform is connected to the off-centre cam such that the off-centre cam is configured to roll down as the slidable platform retracts into the aerosol provision device. The slidable platform may be configured to receive the aerosol generating article when the hinge is in the open position, wherein the slidable platform is configured to retract into the aerosol provision device as the hinge is taken from the open position to the closed position.

The one or more heating elements may define a curvilinear surface. For example, the one or more heating elements may comprise a flat spiral coil which has been rolled about a cylinder such that the surface defined by the flat spiral coil substantially conforms to the cylindrical surface. The securing mechanism may be configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article along a direction towards or away from the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements. The securing mechanism may be configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article having a surface substantially conforming to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements.

As will be understood, reducing the spacing between the aerosol generating article and the heater ensures better heating efficiency. According to various embodiments an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article may be held in position, in use, at a distance of less than 10 μm from one or more heating elements.

While the above described embodiments have in some respects focussed on some specific example aerosol generating systems, it will be appreciated the same principles can be applied for aerosol generating systems using other technologies. That is to say, the specific manner in which various aspects of the aerosol generating system function are not directly relevant to the principles underlying the examples described herein.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments. 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 the claimed invention(s). 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 device comprising:

a lid portion;

a base portion; and

a securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article; wherein the lid portion and the base portion are configured to hold the aerosol generating article, in use, in position in between the lid portion and the base portion.

2. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more heating elements, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article along a direction towards or away from the one or more heating elements and wherein the base portion and/or the heating portion comprise the one or more heating elements.

3. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in use, an aerosol generating article comprising a plurality of aerosol generating regions is located so that one or more aerosol generating regions are located adjacent a heating element of the one or more heating elements, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a rotating device configured to rotate, about a rotation axis, the aerosol generating article relative to the heating element so that one or more aerosol generating regions are moved into proximity to the heating element and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to enable the aerosol generating article to be rotated relative to the heating element whilst preventing relative movement of the aerosol generating article in a direction other than rotation about the rotation axis.

4. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more heating elements defining a planar surface, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position parallel to the planar surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the substantially planar aerosol generating article along a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar surface.

5. (canceled)

6. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lid portion and/or the base portion comprise one or more walls configured to form, when the lid portion is engaged with the base portion, an aerosol chamber, wherein, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more walls on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article such that a separation between the one or more heating elements and the substantially planar aerosol generating article is maintained across the substantially planar aerosol generating article.

7. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure on to a substantially planar aerosol generating article through: (i) a circumference or perimeter of the one or more walls; and/or (ii) a plurality of radial struts of the one or more walls extending towards the inside of the aerosol chamber.

8. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in use, the one or more walls are configured to embed or partially cut into an aerosol generating article or a substantially planar aerosol generating article.

9. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more walls comprise one or more partially deformable regions.

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in use, the lid portion and/or the base portion uniformly apply a pressure through the one or more walls and/or the one or more pillars on to a first region of a substantially planar aerosol generating article which does not comprise aerosol generating material and not on to a second region of the substantially planar aerosol generating article comprising aerosol generating material.

15. (canceled)

16. An aerosol provision device as claimed in any preceding claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a hinge, wherein the lid portion is connected to the base portion through the hinge so as to form a clamshell arrangement, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to receive an aerosol generating article when the hinge is in an open position and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article when the hinge is in a closed position.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a cam lock configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion.

25. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the cam lock comprises an off-centre cam configured to roll down so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.

26. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 25, wherein lid portion and/or base portion comprises a plenum for forming an aerosol forming chamber, wherein the off-centre cam is configured to roll down to exert a force on the plenum so as to in hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article by the plenum so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.

27. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises a slidable platform configured to extend outwards from the device to receive an aerosol generating article, wherein the slidable platform is configured to retract into the device so as to insert the aerosol generating article into the device and wherein the slidable platform is connected to the off-centre cam such that the off-centre cam is configured to roll down as the slidable platform retracts into the device.

28. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the slidable platform is configured to receive the aerosol generating article when the hinge is in the open position, wherein the slidable platform is configured to retract into the device as the hinge is taken from the open position to the closed position.

29. (canceled)

30. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more heating elements defining a curvilinear surface and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article along a direction towards or away from the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements.

31. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold proximal to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements, in use, an aerosol generating article having a surface substantially conforming to the curvilinear surface of the one or more heating elements.

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. An aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is configured to engage the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position, in use, an aerosol generating article comprising a metallic foil bonded to a substrate so as to prevent relative movement of the metallic foil with respect to the substrate of the aerosol generating article.

35. An aerosol provision system comprising:

an aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1; and

an aerosol generating article for use with the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating article comprising portions of aerosol generating material.

36. A method of generating an aerosol comprising:

providing an aerosol provision device as claimed in claim 1;

inserting an aerosol generating article between the lid portion and the base portion; and engaging, with the securing mechanism, the lid portion with the base portion so as to hold in position the aerosol generating article so as to prevent relative movement of the aerosol generating article.