Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
  • A24F40/465—Shape or structure of electric heating means specially adapted for induction heating
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery system, an induction assembly for use in the aerosol delivery system, a cartridge comprising a susceptor, a device part for use with the induction assembly, and a method for operating the aerosol delivery system.
• the cartomiser generally includes a reservoir of liquid and an atomiser for vaporising the liquid. These parts may collectively be designated as an aerosol source.
• the atomiser generally combines the functions of porosity or wicking and heating in order to transport liquid from the reservoir to a location where it is heated and vaporised.
• the control unit generally includes a battery for supplying power to operate the system. Electrical power from the battery is delivered to activate the heater, which heats up to vaporise a small amount of liquid delivered from the reservoir. The vaporised liquid is then inhaled by the user.
• the components of the cartomiser can be intended for short term use only, so that the cartomiser is a disposable component of the system, also referred to as a consumable.
• the control unit is typically intended for multiple uses with a series of cartomisers, which the user replaces as each expires.
• Consumable cartomisers are supplied to the consumer with a reservoir pre-filled with liquid, and intended to be disposed of when the reservoir is empty.
• the reservoir is sealed and designed not to be easily refilled, since the liquid may be difficult to handle. It is simpler for the user to replace the entire cartomiser when a new supply of liquid is needed.
• cartomisers are straightforward to manufacture and comprise few parts, whilst providing a suitable amount of vapour upon activation of the heater. They can hence be efficiently manufactured in large quantities at low cost with minimum waste without comprising the user's vaping experience. Cartomisers of a simple design which allow for efficient heating are hence of interest.
• an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol delivery system comprising: an induction assembly comprising an induction element disposed about a longitudinal axis, wherein the induction element is operable to induce current flow in a susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to aerosolise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor; and a cartridge comprising a reservoir for the aerosol generating substrate and the susceptor, wherein the susceptor is disposed about the longitudinal axis and at least partly within the induction element.
• the susceptor is configured to extend around a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and optionally wherein the susceptor is configured to extend around the entirety of the circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
• the susceptor comprises a tube element comprising a tube longitudinal axis extending between respective ends of the tube element, wherein the tube longitudinal axis is co-aligned with the longitudinal axis; optionally wherein the tube element comprises a circularly symmetric tube element.
• the susceptor comprises a first susceptor surface defining at least a part of an air pathway.
• the air pathway is co-aligned with the longitudinal axis.
• the air pathway is a peripheral air pathway, the first susceptor surface defining at least a part of the peripheral air pathway, the peripheral air pathway provided between the susceptor and the induction element.
• the susceptor is formed of a material having a capillary structure configured to wick a liquid aerosol generating substrate; wherein optionally the susceptor is formed of one of a wire wool, mesh or metal foam.
• the susceptor comprises a planar element, the planar element having a thickness in the range of one or more of 20 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m, 30 ⁇ m to 60 ⁇ m, and 40 ⁇ m to 55 ⁇ m.
• the susceptor is offset from the induction element by an offset distance, wherein the offset distance is one or more of a range of less than 3 mm, a range of less than 2 mm, a range of less than 1.5 mm, and a range of less than 1 mm.
• the reservoir is for a liquid aerosol generating substrate
• the cartridge is configured to supply liquid aerosol generating substrate from the reservoir to the susceptor; wherein optionally the cartridge comprises a liquid transport element configured to wick the liquid aerosol generating substrate towards the susceptor.
• the cartridge comprises one or more liquid flow channels for guiding liquid aerosol generating substrate from the reservoir; and / or the cartridge comprises a sub-reservoir provided at or towards an opposite end of the susceptor to the reservoir, the sub-reservoir configured to hold a smaller volume of liquid aerosol generating substrate than the reservoir, and wherein the cartridge is configured to supply liquid from the sub-reservoir to the susceptor.
• the aerosol delivery system comprises a mouthpiece for use in an aerosol delivery system, wherein the mouthpiece comprises an outlet and a cavity configured to accommodate at least a portion of the cartridge; wherein optionally the mouthpiece comprises an opening mechanism configured to allow the mouthpiece to be moved between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the cavity is at least partially exposed in order to allow a cartridge to be inserted and / or removed, and wherein the second configuration is configured to retain a cartridge provided within the cavity.
• the aerosol delivery system comprises control circuitry for controlling the supply of power to the induction element, wherein the control circuitry is configured to drive the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to a first temperature so as to vaporise the portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to drive the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature and lower than a temperature required to vaporise the portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• a cartridge for use in an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate comprising: a reservoir for the aerosol generating substrate; and a susceptor disposed about a longitudinal axis, wherein the susceptor is configured to be at least partially inserted into an induction assembly comprising an induction element disposed about the longitudinal axis, wherein the induction element is operable to induce current flow in a susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to aerosolise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• a method of generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate in an aerosol delivery system comprising an induction assembly and a cartridge, wherein the induction assembly comprises an induction element disposed about a longitudinal axis and wherein the cartridge comprises a reservoir for the aerosol generating substrate and the susceptor, the method comprising: inserting the susceptor into a receiving cavity of the induction assembly, wherein the susceptor is disposed about the longitudinal axis and at least partly within the induction element when the susceptor is inserted into the receiving cavity; driving the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor and so vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• an aerosol delivery system for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol delivery system comprising an induction assembly comprising an induction element disposed about a longitudinal axis, wherein the induction element is operable to induce current flow in a susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to aerosolise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor, and a cartridge comprising a reservoir for the aerosol generating substrate and the susceptor, wherein the susceptor is disposed about the longitudinal axis and at least partly within the induction element.
• a system as described above comprises a susceptor which can be efficiently heated due to the positioning of both the susceptor and the induction element around the same longitudinal axis.
• the magnetic field generated by the induction element in use is strongest towards the longitudinal axis around which it is disposed, and hence disposing a susceptor around the same longitudinal axis causes the susceptor to be exposed to a relatively strong magnetic field when a current is applied through the induction element.
• delivery system is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user, and includes non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and
• a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
• the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• 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.
• END electronic nicotine delivery system
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
• a heat-not-burn system is a tobacco heating system.
• 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.
• 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.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
• the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller.
• the power source may, for example, be an electric power source.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised.
• either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.
• the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.
• the active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
• the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
• the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
• the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
• the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
• the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.
• the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
• the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.
• the active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof.
• the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof.
• botanical includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like.
• the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically.
• the material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.
• Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon
• the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v.,Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v.,Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens
• the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.
• the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
• the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
• the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.
• flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch,
• the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
• the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
• the flavour comprises eugenol.
• the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco.
• the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.
• the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect.
• a suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.
• Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
• the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
• the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
• the one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
• 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 comprise a susceptor.
• a susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field.
• the susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.
• the heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material.
• the susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
• the device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
• An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
• FIG. 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale) of an example aerosol/vapour delivery system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the system 10 has a generally elongate shape in this example, extending along a longitudinal axis, and comprises two main components, namely a control or power component, section or unit 20 (sometimes also referred to as an aerosol/vapour delivery device), and a cartridge assembly or section 30 (sometimes referred to as a cartomiser or clearomiser) carrying aerosolisable substrate material and operating as a vapour-generating component.
• a control or power component section or unit 20
• a cartridge assembly or section 30 sometimes referred to as a cartomiser or clearomiser
• the cartridge 30 includes a reservoir 33 containing a source liquid (sometimes called a liquid aerosol generating material) or other aerosolisable substrate material comprising a formulation such as liquid or gel from which an aerosol is to be generated, for example containing nicotine.
• a source liquid sometimes called a liquid aerosol generating material
• the source liquid may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising roughly equal measures of water and propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as flavourings. Nicotine-free source liquid may also be used, such as to deliver flavouring.
• a solid substrate (not illustrated), such as a portion of tobacco or other flavour element through which vapour generated from the liquid is passed, may also be included.
• the reservoir 33 has the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which source liquid can be stored such that the liquid is free to move and flow within the confines of the tank.
• the reservoir 33 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the source liquid is consumed, otherwise, it may have an inlet port or other opening through which new source liquid can be added by the user.
• the cartridge 30 also comprises a susceptor 34 (sometimes called a heater, a susceptor heater or a susceptor heating element) for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the source liquid stored in the reservoir tank 33.
• the susceptor 34 is intended for heating via induction, which will be described further below.
• a liquid transfer or delivery arrangement such as a wick or other porous element 35 may be provided to deliver source liquid from the reservoir 33 to the heater 34.
• a wick 5 may have one or more parts located inside the reservoir 33, or otherwise be in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir 33, so as to be able to absorb source liquid and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the wick 35 that are adjacent or in contact with the heater 34. This liquid is thereby heated and vaporised, to be replaced by new source liquid from the reservoir for transfer to the heater 34 by the wick 35.
• the wick may be thought of as a bridge, path or conduit between the reservoir 33 and the heater 34 that delivers or transfers liquid from the reservoir to the heater. Terms including conduit, liquid conduit, liquid transfer path, liquid delivery path, liquid transfer mechanism or element, and liquid delivery mechanism or element may all be used interchangeably herein to refer to a wick or corresponding component or structure.
• a heater and wick (or similar) combination is sometimes referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly, and the reservoir with its source liquid plus the atomiser may be collectively referred to as an aerosol source.
• Other terminology may include a liquid delivery assembly or a liquid transfer assembly, where in the present context these terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a vapour-generating element (vapour generator) plus a wicking or similar component or structure (liquid transport element) that delivers or transfers liquid obtained from a reservoir to the vapour generator for vapour / aerosol generation.
• vapour generator vapour generator
• wicking or similar component or structure liquid transport element
• the wick 35 may be an entirely separate element from the heater 34.
• the heater 34 may be configured to be porous and able to perform at least part of the wicking function directly (a metallic mesh or foam, for example).
• the susceptor 34 (sometimes called susceptor heating element or heater) may comprise a capillary structure configured to wick a liquid aerosol generating substrate.
• the vapour generating element may be an inductively heated susceptor element 34 that operates by inductive heating to heat and vapourise an aerosol generating material.
• an atomiser can be considered as one or more elements that implement the functionality of a vapour-generating or vaporising element able to generate vapour from source liquid delivered to it, and a liquid transport or delivery element able to deliver or transport liquid from a reservoir or similar liquid store to the vapour generator by a wicking action / capillary force.
• An atomiser is typically housed in a cartridge component of a vapour generating system.
• liquid may be dispensed from a reservoir directly onto a vapour generator with no need for a distinct wicking or capillary element.
• the liquid delivery element 35 may comprise any suitable wicking material.
• it may be made from fibres which are grouped, bunched, wadded, woven or non-woven into a fabric or a fibrous mass, where interstices are present between adjacent fibres to provide a capillary effect for absorbency and wicking.
• fibre materials include cotton (including organic cotton), ceramic fibres and silica fibres. Other suitable materials are not excluded and will be apparent to the skilled person.
• the liquid delivery element 35 comprises a solid porous element, such as a porous ceramic material or a porous foam.
• a porous ceramic material comprises a network of tiny pores or interstices which is able to support capillary action and hence provide a wicking capability to absorb liquid from a reservoir and deliver it to the vicinity of the heater for vaporisation.
• the cartridge 30 comprises a housing 36 defining a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion having an opening or air outlet 12 through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the susceptor 34.
• the outer surface of the housing 36 may be shaped to accommodate a user's lips to enable a user to more easily form a seal around the air outlet 12 with their mouth.
• the cartridge 30 may not include or otherwise define a mouthpiece. Instead, in some examples, a mouthpiece may connect to the cartridge 30, or the cartridge 30 may be received within a cavity of the device part 20 (e.g. defined by the induction assembly 40) such that the cartridge 30 is entirely enclosed by the device part 20 which itself provides or is attached to a mouthpiece.
• the power component or device part 20 (sometimes called a device or control part because it typically contains control circuitry) includes a power supply 25, such as a cell or battery, and which may be re-chargeable, to provide power for electrical components of the system 10, in particular to apply power to an induction element or work coil 42 (described in more detail below) to inductively heat the susceptor 34.
• a power supply 25 such as a cell or battery, and which may be re-chargeable, to provide power for electrical components of the system 10, in particular to apply power to an induction element or work coil 42 (described in more detail below) to inductively heat the susceptor 34.
• controller 28 such as a printed circuit board and/or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the aerosol delivery system 10.
• the control electronics / circuitry 28 operates the induction element 42 using power from the power supply 25 when vapour is required, for example in response to a signal indicative of a user pressing a button (not shown) or from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 10 during which air enters through one or more air inlets 14 (e.g. provided at a junction between the device part 20 and the cartridge 30).
• the induction element 42 When the induction element 42 is operated, the induction element 42 inductively heats the susceptor 34 to a suitable temperature in order to vaporise source liquid delivered from the reservoir 33 by the liquid delivery element 35 to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening 12 in the mouthpiece of the cartridge housing 36.
• the aerosol is carried from the aerosol source to the mouthpiece outlet 12 along one or more air channels defining an air pathway 16 (for example, see the arrows depicted in Figure 1 ) that connect the air inlet 14 to the aerosol source to the air outlet when a user inhales on the air outlet 12.
• the device part 20 comprises a frame, or support structure 22 (sometimes called a device frame or support) which is configured to support, retain or position various components of the device part 20, including the power supply 25 and the control circuitry 28.
• the frame 22 may also support other components not shown such as a wired connection port and PCB for charging (and optionally, communication), user interface elements (e.g. buttons, LEDs, display screens, haptic feedback units), and / or wireless communication components.
• the frame 20 can be provided by a single component, or may comprise a number of frame components which are combined to form the frame 20.
• the device part 20 comprises an outer housing 24 and / or an end cap 26.
• the outer housing 24 may be a tubular structure or wrap, which is configured to contain the components of the device part 20.
• the frame 22 containing the power supply 25 and the control circuitry 28 can be inserted into the outer housing 24, or the outer housing 24 can be provided around the outside of the frame 22.
• an end cap 26 is provided at one end of the outer housing 24 (e.g. after insertion of the frame 20 containing the power supply 25 and the control circuitry 28) to seal the outer housing 24 (e.g. to protect the components on the inside of the outer housing 24 from the ingress of water and dust).
• the induction element or work coil 42 may be provided as part of an induction assembly 40 which comprises a support structure or housing 44 which is configured to position or contain the induction element or work coil 42 (i.e. the support structure 44 supports the induction element 42).
• the induction assembly 40 is formed by integrally molding the support structure 44 around the inductive work element 42, whereas in other examples the support structure 44 provides a scaffolding to which the inductive work element is attached or fixed.
• the induction assembly 40 comprises a support 44 having a tube portion disposed about said longitudinal axis of the induction element 42, wherein the tube portion comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the induction element 42 is provided between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube portion, and wherein the inner wall defines a receiving cavity 49 in which a susceptor 34 is at least partly located, when a portion of the cartridge 30 comprising the susceptor 34 (or a part of the susceptor 34) is inserted into the receiving cavity 49.
• the induction assembly 40 comprises a ferrite shield 48, such as a film, foil or sheet, which may be retained in position by the support structure 44.
• a ferrite shield 48 such as a film, foil or sheet, which may be retained in position by the support structure 44.
• the ferrite shield may be inserted or embedded into the support structure 44, or wrapped around an outer surface of the support structure 44.
• a ferrite shield can be used to inhibit magnetic flux in the direction of the shield from the induction element 42, when power is supplied to the induction element 42.
• the ferrite shield 48 is disposed about a circumference of the induction element 42. In some examples, the ferrite shield 48 comprises a film, foil or sheet. In some examples, the ferrite shield 48 is inserted or embedded into a support 44 for the induction element 42. In some examples, the ferrite shield 48 comprises a sleeve surrounding a support 44 for the induction element 42.
• the induction assembly 40 is a fixed or permanent component of the device part 20.
• the support structure 44 can be integrally formed with the frame 22 of the device part 20.
• the induction assembly 40 and the device part 20 are separate connectable parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of aerosol delivery system 10.
• the components 20, 40 are joined together when the system 10 is in use by cooperating engagement elements (for example, a screw or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the power section 20 and the induction assembly 40.
• the electrical connectivity can be required in order to provide electrical power to the induction element 42 when the control circuitry 28 determines that power should be supplied to the induction element 42.
• the control circuitry is at least for controlling the supply of power to the induction element, wherein the control circuitry is configured to drive the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor and so vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• an interchangeable induction assembly 40 improves the ease of replacing the induction assembly 40 in the case of damage or wear, as well as potentially also allowing for customisation of a system 10 by allowing a user to replace an induction assembly with a different induction assembly with an alternate configuration for operation with a different susceptor 34 arrangement (e.g. provided by a cartridge 30 having a different configuration).
• the device part (power section or control unit) 20 and the cartridge (cartridge assembly) 30 are separate connectable parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of aerosol delivery system 10.
• the components 20, 30 are joined together when the system 10 is in use by cooperating engagement elements (for example, a screw or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical connectivity (and in some examples electrical connectivity) between the power section 20 and the cartridge assembly 30.
• a portion of the outer housing 24 can be an engagement element (not shown) configured to engage with a corresponding engagement (not shown) of the cartridge 30 provided by a portion of the cartridge housing 36.
• the induction assembly 40 may facilitate the connection between the device part 20 and the cartridge 30.
• the induction assembly 40 and the cartridge 30 may include cooperating engagement elements (for example, a screw or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical (and optionally electrical) connectivity between the induction assembly 40 and the cartridge 30 to indirectly connect the cartridge 30 to the device part 20 (including electrical connectivity if necessary) via the induction assembly 40.
• electrical connectivity can be omitted from the connection between the cartridge 30 and the device part 20 if no parts requiring electrical power are located in the cartridge 30.
• the cartridge 30 and induction assembly 40 are shaped (e.g. the cartridge housing 36 and the induction support 44, respectively) so that when they are connected, there is an appropriate exposure of the susceptor 34 to flux generated by the induction element 42 for the purpose of generating current flow in the material of the heater.
• the induction element 42 is disposed about a longitudinal axis and the susceptor 34 is disposed about the same longitudinal axis and at least partly within the induction element 42, when the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 are connected. Said longitudinal axis may be the same as a longitudinal axis of the system 10.
• susceptor 34 is located or position with respect to the longitudinal axis.
• a longitudinal axis it is meant that the susceptor 34 is positioned to with respect to an origin through which the longitudinal axis extends.
• the susceptor 34 may be disposed (or positioned or located) radially outward from the longitudinal axis (whilst still being within the induction element 42). Inductive heating arrangements are discussed further below.
• the susceptor 34 is provided to be radially inwards of the longitudinal axis in comparison to the induction element 42 which is radially outwards from the susceptor 34.
• the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 are coaxial; for example, as shown in figure 1 .
• the susceptor 34 can be closely aligned with the regions internal to the induction element 42 which have a high magnetic field when power is supplied to the induction element 42, and therefore a susceptor 34 provided within the induction element 42 and disposed about the same longitudinal axis is exposed to significant magnetic flux along the length of the susceptor 34.
• the susceptor 34 is configured to extend around a circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e. with respect to which the induction element 42 and susceptor 34 are positioned/disposed). In other words, the susceptor 34 extends around at least a portion of a periphery of a region or zone defined with respect to an origin through which the longitudinal axis extends.
• the susceptor 34 is configured to extend around the entirety of the circumference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
• the susceptor 34 extends in an cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to surround an entire periphery tangential to the longitudinal axis in the perpendicular cross-section.
• the susceptor 34 comprises a tube element (e.g. a sheet curved into a cylinder).
• the tube element comprises a cross-section which surrounds an entire periphery tangential to the longitudinal axis in the perpendicular cross-section.
• the susceptor 34 formed from a tube element comprises a tube longitudinal axis extending between respective ends of the tube element, wherein the tube longitudinal axis is co-aligned with the longitudinal axis.
• the tube element is co-aligned or co-parallel with the longitudinal axis of the
• the tube element comprises a circularly symmetric tube element (e.g. an annular cylinder).
• the tube element has an inner diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm and / or an axial length (i.e. corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the tube element) in the range of 3 mm to 25 mm.
• the tube element has an inner diameter in the range of 1.5 mm to 3 mm and / or an axial length (i.e. corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the tube element) in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm.
• a portion of the cartridge 30 containing the susceptor 34 may be provided adjacent a portion of the induction assembly 40 proximal to the induction element 42.
• aspects of the disclosure relate to inductive heating.
• This is a process by which an electrically conducting item, typically made from metal, is heated by electromagnetic induction via eddy currents flowing in the item which generates heat.
• An induction element 42 e.g. work coil
• the conducting item i.e. susceptor 34
• the field penetrates the item and induces electric eddy currents.
• An attractive feature of induction heating is that no electrical connection to the conducting item is needed; the requirement instead is that a sufficient magnetic flux density is created in the region occupied by the item.
• this is beneficial since a more effective separation of liquid and electrical current can be effected.
• Induction heating is effective for the direct heating of an electrically conductive item, as described above, but can also be used to indirectly heat non-conducting items.
• the need is to provide heat to liquid in the porous wicking part of the atomiser in order to cause vaporisation.
• the electrically conducting item is placed adjacent to or in contact with the item in which heating is required, and between the work coil and the item to be heated. The work coil heats the conducting item directly by induction heating, and heat is transferred by thermal radiation or thermal conduction to the non-conducting item.
• the conducting item is termed a susceptor.
• the heating component can be provided by an electrically conductive material (typically metal) which is used as an induction susceptor to transfer heat energy to a liquid proximal to the atomiser (e.g. held by a wick 35 and / or the susceptor 34 itself).
• an electrically conductive material typically metal
• induction susceptor to transfer heat energy to a liquid proximal to the atomiser (e.g. held by a wick 35 and / or the susceptor 34 itself).
• the susceptor 34 (sometimes called heater or susceptor heating element) may usefully be formed from a suitable material, which is electrically resistive/conductive, in other words able to carry an electrical current. This enables the heater to have its temperature increased by exposure to a magnetic field generated by a high frequency alternating current in a work coil, by induction effects as noted above, where the magnetic flux induces eddy currents in the heater material.
• the susceptor comprises a planar element, the planar element having a thickness in the range of one or more of 20 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m, 30 ⁇ m to 60 ⁇ m, and 40 ⁇ m to 55 ⁇ m.
• the thickness of a sheet providing the susceptor 34 may be in the range of about 20 ⁇ m to about 70 ⁇ m, for example about 30 ⁇ m to about 60 ⁇ m, or about 40 ⁇ m to about 55 ⁇ m. These values may be the total thickness of the sheet including any supporting elements or coatings. If the thickness is insufficient, the heater may lack adequate structural integrity, although this may be compensated by additional components (e.g. support components).
• a susceptor for a heater 34 has a simple rectangular shape, which can be manipulated into a particular configuration (e.g. by curving the surface of the shape) such as tube.
• an element providing a susceptor may have an alternative shape such as a non-rectangular, polygonal shape or a circular or elliptical shape . This may be particularly useful where heating is intended to be focussed at particular zones or portions within the cartridge 30.
• the susceptor can be provided with a shape that corresponds to zones which are incident with relatively large magnetic flux from the induction element.
• the susceptor 34 is not provided by a sheet (i.e. defined by two dimensions and a thickness of a relatively small order of magnitude in comparison to the two dimensions) and may, for example, be instead provided by a block element having a thickness of a similar order of magnitude to the two dimensions defining the planar surface of the susceptor 34; the element or block formed of a suitable electrically conductive material, with adequate resistance to enable heating by induction effects via induced eddy currents.
• the susceptor 34 may comprise an inductively heatable material such as wire wool or mesh (e.g. a (ferritic) stainless steel mesh) or a metal foam (e.g. nickel foam or cupro-nickel foam) formed into an appropriate shape.
• a block e.g. provided by stainless steel mesh or nickel foam
• a block may have a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm.
• the stainless steel mesh or nickel foam may have a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 1 mm.
• the stainless steel mesh or nickel foam may have a thickness in the range of 0.25 to 0.6 mm.
• the purpose of the holes is to enable the generated vapour to more easily escape from the atomiser (e.g. wick and susceptor) into the aerosol chamber to be collected by the airflow through the aerosol chamber.
• the atomiser e.g. wick and susceptor
• the generated vapour can flow through the perforations into the free space of the air pathway 16 adjacent to the heater 34.
• a range for the total area then taken up the perforations may be in the range of about 5% to 30%, for example about 20% of the total heater material area, for example. In any case, it is useful that the total area of the perforations does not exceed about 50%, due to manufacturing restrictions. Also, too large an open area (total area of the perforations) may lead to poor inductive coupling in the event that induction heating is used, while too small an open area makes it difficult for generated vapour to escape from the wick 35.
• the number density of the plurality of apertures varies from an end of the susceptor (e.g. an end portion of a tube providing the susceptor) towards a centre of the susceptor (e.g. the middle portion of a tube between the end portions).
• the density of the plurality of apertures varies from a peripheral edge of the surface of the susceptor 34 (e.g. at one end of a tube providing the susceptor 34) towards a centre of the surface of the susceptor 34 (e.g. towards the centre of a tube providing the susceptor 34).
• the density of the plurality of apertures increases from the end of the susceptor towards the centre of the susceptor 34. In other words, in some examples, the density of the plurality of apertures increases from the peripheral edge of the surface of the susceptor 34 towards a centre of the surface of the susceptor 34.
• the plurality of apertures or perforations are arranged in a pattern. In some examples, the plurality of apertures or perforations are randomly positioned.
• the wick 35 comprises an inductively heatable material such as a stainless steel mesh or a nickel foam.
• Said wick 35 formed of an inductively heatable material may also provide the heater 34 component (e.g. a combined wick-heater atomiser) or may be in addition to the heater 34 (e.g. the wick part of an atomiser formed of a wick 35 and heater 34).
• the heater 34 component e.g. a combined wick-heater atomiser
• the wick 35 When the wick 35 is placed in the flux of the magnetic field, the field penetrates the item and induces electric eddy currents. These flow in the item, and generate heat according to current flow against the electrical resistance of the item via Joule heating, in the same manner as heat is produced in a resistive electrical heating element by the direct supply of current.
• the wick 35 is able to contribute to the heating of the liquid and may also retain residual or latent heat between puffs, which can act to reduce the amount of energy or time required to heat the susceptor 34 to a vaporisation temperature on a subsequent puff.
• the wick 35 may have a large mass, in comparison to the susceptor 34, which acts to store latent heat, while the relatively low mass of the susceptor 34 allows for rapid heating of the susceptor 34.
• a stainless steel mesh or nickel foam providing a wick 35 has a shape corresponding to the susceptor 34.
• a wick 35 and a susceptor 34 may both comprise annular or tubular shapes, where the wick 35 has an inner diameter which is slightly larger than an outer diameter of the susceptor 34, if the susceptor 34 is provided within the wick 35; or where the wick 35 has an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the susceptor 34, if the susceptor 34 is provided outside of the wick 35.
• susceptor 34 formed of a thin sheet like material e.g. 50 ⁇ m metal sheet
• the susceptor 34 can comprise a layer on an external surface of the wick 35, such as an inner surface or an outer surface of an annular wick 35.
• the cartridge 30 and induction assembly 40 are shaped so that a portion of the cartridge 30 is received within a cavity or void 46 of the induction assembly 40 when the cartridge 30 and induction assembly 40 are connected.
• Said cavity or void 46 may be termed a receiving cavity 46.
• the receiving cavity 46 is defined by a housing or support 44 of the induction assembly 40.
• the support 44 may comprise an inner surface defining the shape of the receiving cavity 46.
• a portion of the support 44 defining part of the receiving cavity 46 may be a tubular support.
• the induction element 42 is formed by of a conductive element or component embedded within or provided on a surface of the support 44 defining the receiving cavity 46 (e.g. within a tubular part of the support 44).
• the induction element 42 is provided such that a portion of the cartridge 30 inserted into the receiving cavity 46 is within the coil of the induction element 42.
• a portion of the cartridge 30 comprising the susceptor 34 is provided within the coil of the induction element 32 when the cartridge 30 is received in the receiving cavity.
• an AC electric current is passed through the helical induction coil 42 which results in the generation of a varying magnetic field which generates eddy currents within a susceptor 34 of a cartridge 30 thereby rapidly heating the susceptor 34, which may result in aerosol being generated.
• the coil of the induction element 42 may have a constant number of turns per unit length (i.e. along the axis) or the number of turns per unit length may be different at different sections of the coil of the induction element 42.
• a coil can be considered to have a total length which can be subdivided into two or more sections.
• a coil comprises two equal sections (i.e. the length of the first section is the same as the length of the first section, and the number of turns per unit length in the first section is the same as the number of turns per unit length in the second section).
• the number of turns per unit length may be greater in the first section than the number of turns per unit length in the second section, or vice versa.
• a coil may comprise a plurality of sections and wherein at least some of the sections may have a different or the same number of turns per unit length.
• the induction element 42 comprises two or more separate and distinct coils, each of which may have a same or different number turns per unit length and / or total length. The variation in the number of turns can increase or decrease the rate at which the susceptor 34 is heated (e.g. the rate at which the susceptor can reach a maximum operating temperature). Such an arrangement may provide asymmetrical heating of susceptor materials within a cartridge 30 along the length of the cartridge which is received within the receiving cavity 46, if desired.
• the induction assembly 40 comprises a first induction element 42 and a second induction element both of which are disposed about the same longitudinal axis.
• a first portion of the susceptor 34 is located at least partly within the first induction element and a second portion of the susceptor 34 is located at least partly within the second induction element.
• the first and second induction elements are operable to induce current flow in the second portion of the susceptor to inductively heat the first and second portions of susceptor 34, respectively.
• the first and second induction elements may have a same length, diameter and number of turns per unit length (including any variation in the number of turns per unit length), or alternatively one or more of the length, diameter, number of turns per unit lengths (including variation in the number of turns per unit length) may differ between the different induction elements.
• each additional induction element may be the same as, or differ from, one or more other induction elements.
• the first portion of the susceptor 34 and the second portion of the susceptor 34 are portions of a single susceptor.
• the susceptor 34 may be a tube component extending into both the first and second induction elements.
• the first portion of the susceptor 34 is distinct and separate from the second portion of the susceptor 34.
• each portion of the susceptor 34 may be a separate component such as a separate tube component.
• the induction element 42 is formed by a resistive wire, such as a nickel or cupronickel wire, which is configured or arranged into a shape such as a spiral or helix (e.g. a spiral coil or a helical coil).
• the induction element is a litz coil.
• a resistive wire providing the induction element 42 is provided in a support 44 which acts to retain the resistive wire in a particular shape (e.g. a three-dimensional spiral).
• the resistive wire may be embedded in the support.
• a resistive wire providing the induction element 42 is substantially free-standing in that the resistive wire is able to support an orientation and configuration with respect to an anchor location (i.e.
• an induction element 42 formed by a spiral coil has a diameter in the range of 3 mm to 10 mm and/ or an axial length of 2 mm to 15 mm. In some examples, an induction element 42 formed by a spiral coil (or helical coil) has a diameter in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and/ or an axial length of 3 mm to 10 mm.
• the induction element 42 may be printed or deposited on a portion of a substrate or support 44.
• a laser is used to activate the surface of the support 44, which may comprises a thermoplastic material such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) which may have been doped with a metallic inorganic compound.
• PEEK polyetheretherketone
• the laser creates one or more laser activated regions upon the support 42 which can then be further metallised using e.g. an electroless plating process to build up one or more conductive layers of e.g. copper.
• an induction element 42 may be deposited upon a tubular portion of a support 44 so as to form a spiral induction coil or a helical induction coil (i.e. a spiral coil or a helical coil).
• the induction element has a diameter in the range of 5 mm to 10mm and/ or an axial length of 2 mm to 15 mm. In some examples, the induction element has a diameter in the range of 5 mm to 10mm and/ or an axial length of 3 mm to 10 mm.
• This advantageously can reduce the size of the support 42 required compared to a support 42 which is suitable for retaining a resistive wire providing an induction element 42 and can therefore enable the induction assembly 40 to be provided in a more compact arrangement.
• the portion of the induction assembly 40 containing the induction element 42 is part of the support structure 44 or housing (sometimes called the support 44 as above) of the induction assembly 40.
• the support structure 44 may surround the induction element 42 thereby providing a protective housing for the induction element and / or to support or maintain the position of the induction element 42 within the induction assembly 40.
• at least a portion of the induction element 42 may not be covered by the support structure 44. In such examples, the induction element 42 may be exposed to ambient air.
• the support 44 can provide other functionality such as facilitating the attachment of the induction assembly 40 to the control part 20.
• the distance separating the susceptor 34 (e.g. the outer surface of the susceptor 34) from the induction element 42 (e.g. the inner diameter of the spiral shape of the induction element 42) is sometimes called the coupling distance.
• the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 effectively form a pair in which the induction element 42 is inductively coupled to the susceptor and is able to transmit or transfer energy to the susceptor 34 when a current is applied to the induction element 42.
• the coupling distance relates to the distance across which energy is transferred from the induction element 42 to the susceptor. The further away the susceptor 34 is (i.e. the larger the coupling distance), the greater the loss in energy.
• the coupling distance is in the range of less than 3 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance is in the range of less than 3 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance is in the range of less than 1.5 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance is in the range of less than 1 mm.
• the coupling distance can be described by the offset distance relating to the distance separating the susceptor 34 from the induction element 42.
• the offset distance is the distance separating a closest surface of the susceptor 34 from the induction element 42.
• the offset distance is the average distance separating the outer surface of the susceptor 34 from the induction element 42, where the outer surface is a surface facing towards a portion of the induction element 42 (e.g. not a surface which is facing towards the central axis).
• the susceptor is offset from the induction element by an offset distance in a range of less than 3 mm.
• the susceptor is offset from the induction element by an offset distance in a range of less than 2 mm.
• the susceptor is offset from the induction element by an offset distance in a range of less than 1.5 mm.
• the susceptor is offset from the induction element by an offset distance in a range of less than 1 mm.
• the relationship of different portions of the susceptor 34 to the induction element can be defined by their own coupling distance.
• the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 are both defined by a fixed diameter from a same origin point (e.g. the axis around which the induction element 42 is formed)
• the coupling distance is substantially constant.
• the shape of the susceptor 34 does not match the shape of the induction element 42 (e.g. the susceptor 34 and / or the induction element 42 are not circularly symmetric)
• different portions of the susceptor 34 may have different coupling distances and therefore heated differently by the magnetic field.
• the aerosol delivery system 10 comprises an air pathway 16 defined in part by a volume between a portion of the cartridge 30 received in the receiving cavity 46 and a surface of the induction assembly 40 defined by the support 44. Said portion of the air pathway 16 is provided between the inlet 14 and a vapour/aerosol generation portion of the air pathway provided within the cartridge 30.
• the separation (e.g. coupling distance) of the susceptor 34 and the induction assembly 40 is set at least in part by the width or size of the portion of the air pathway 16 formed between the cartridge 30 and induction assembly 40, with the air pathway 16 in this region of the system 10 needing to be sized to allow adequate air flow.
• the separation of the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm.
• the requirements of the aerosol pathway and the coupling distance need to be balanced against one another when determining the sizing and positioning of the various items.
• the coupling distance is in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm
• the separation of the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 is in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, where the separation of the susceptor 34 and the induction assembly 40 is less than or equal to the coupling distance.
• the separation of the separation of the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 is in the range of up to 0.5 mm, and preferably less than 0.2mm.
• a small separation of the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 may cause an interference fit to be formed which aids in retaining the cartridge 30 with the induction assembly 40.
• the cartridge 30 is configured to provide a portion of the air pathway 16 on an opposing side of the susceptor 34 to the side closest to the induction element 42.
• the air pathway 16 is not provided between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 but is instead further from the induction element 42 than the susceptor 34.
• the susceptor 34 may be considered to comprise a first susceptor surface defining at least a part of an air pathway 16.
• an air pathway it is meant that the first susceptor surface defines a void or space through which air (or aerosol/vapour) can flow.
• the air pathway is co-aligned with the longitudinal axis about which the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 are disposed.
• the air pathway 16 is provided in the susceptor 34, central to cartridge 30.
• the susceptor 34 comprises a hollow body, wherein the air pathway extends through the hollow body.
• the portion of the air path 16 may be provided within a channel defined by a tubular susceptor 34.
• the width of the air pathway 16 can be increased without increasing the coupling distance.
• the width of the air pathway is limited in order to prevent the susceptor 34 from being spaced too far from the induction element 42 thereby increasing the coupling distance (e.g. the width may be less than 1.5mm, preferably less than 1.2 mm, and more preferably less than 1.1mm).
• the air pathway 16 on the other side of the susceptor 34 e.g.
• the air pathway 16 can be larger because the air pathway 16 constrained primarily by the dimensions of the induction element 42 (e.g. diameter of a spiral coil) and the susceptor 34 (e.g. diameter of a tube), both of which could be increased to accommodate a wider air path; thereby allowing a reduced resistance to draw during an inhalation.
• the induction element 42 e.g. diameter of a spiral coil
• the susceptor 34 e.g. diameter of a tube
• the susceptor 34 defines a portion of an air pathway 16 (e.g. central to a tubular or annular susceptor 34) having a width in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. In some examples, the susceptor 34 defines a portion of an air pathway 16 (e.g. central to a tubular or annular susceptor 34) having a width in the range of 1.4 mm to 2 mm. It will be appreciated that for a susceptor 34 provided in the form of a circularly symmetric tube, the width of the air pathway 16 within the susceptor 34 is equivalent to the diameter of the inner channel of the tube.
• the induction element 42 comprises a spiral induction coil having a diameter in the range of 3 mm to 10 mm (or 5 to 10 mm) and/ or an axial length (i.e. height defined by an axis around which the spiral is wound) of 2 mm to 15 mm (or 3 to 10 mm).
• the susceptor 34 comprises a tubular shape having an inner diameter of 0.5 mm to 5 mm and / or an axial length (i.e. a height defined by an axis of a longitudinal extension of the tube) of 3 mm to 25 mm.
• the susceptor 34 comprises a tubular shape having an inner diameter of 1.5 mm to 3 mm and / or an axial length (i.e.
• the susceptor 34 is formed by a tubular shape having a longer axial length than the induction element 42 formed by the spiral induction coil.
• the diameter of the induction element 42 formed by the spiral induction coil is greater than the diameter of the tubular susceptor 34, to allow the susceptor 34 to be received within the induction element 42 (and in some examples, to allow a portion of an air pathway 16, and /or other elements of the system 10 to be provided between the induction element 42 and the susceptor 34).
• a liquid transport element 35 provides liquid to a second susceptor surface on an opposing side of the susceptor 34 to the first susceptor surface.
• liquid can be supplied to the susceptor 34 via the liquid transport element 35 and then when the liquid is vaporised and the liquid is able to pass through the susceptor 34 (e.g. by one or more apertures extending through the susceptor 34) from the second susceptor surface to the first susceptor surface.
• the Figure 1 design is merely an example arrangement, and the various parts and features may be differently distributed between the power section 20 and the cartridge assembly section 30, and other components and elements may be included.
• the two sections may connect together end-to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Figure 1 , or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side-by-side arrangement.
• the system may or may not be generally cylindrical and/or have a generally longitudinal shape. Either or both sections or components may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir is empty or the battery is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the reservoir and recharging the battery.
• FIG 2 is an exploded view of an example induction assembly 40 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the exploded view of the induction assembly 40 depicts an example support structure or housing 44 (sometimes called support), an induction coil 42 (e.g. an example of an induction element 42), and a ferrite shield 48.
• the example housing 44 comprises a (tubular) receiving portion 46 and a base portion 45. Aspects of the induction assembly 40 may be as described in relation to Figure 1 .
• the receiving portion 46 is configured to define the receiving cavity 49 into which a portion of the cartridge 30, containing a susceptor 34, is received when the cartridge 30 and the induction assembly 40 are joined.
• the receiving portion 46 may have a tubular or annular shape where an inner void is configured to define the receiving cavity 49.
• the configuration of the receiving portion 46 corresponds to the configuration of the portion of a cartridge 30 received in cavity 49 of the receiving portion 46.
• the receiving portion 46 may be in the shape of a circularly symmetric tube.
• the receiving portion 46 may be configured to provide a cavity 49 having a cross-section of the same shape.
• the cross-section of the receiving portion 46 may be slightly larger than that of the portion of the cartridge 30, in order to allow airflow between the receiving portion 46 and the cartridge 30.
• the receiving portion 46 of Figure 2 additionally comprises a spiral recess 47 for receiving a spiral coil.
• the induction assembly 40 is formed by providing an suitable induction element 42 (i.e. a spiral coil in this example) in the spiral recess 47 (and optionally surrounding or sleeving with a ferrite shield 48).
• the spiral recess 47 of receiving portion 46 may extend between the first and second opposing faces as shown, or the spiral recess 47 may be internal to the housing 44 (i.e. to encapsulate an induction element 42).
• the receiving portion 46 will not comprise the spiral recess 47, and may instead comprise a recess of a different configuration or a surface upon the induction element 42 can be formed.
• the base portion 45 comprises attachment features 43 configured to facilitate the connection of the housing 44 to a control part 20 having corresponding attachment features (i.e. the control part 20 of Figure 1 ).
• the attachment features 473 allow an induction assembly 40 to be reversibly connected to a control part, such that the induction assembly 40 can be removed and replaced without damaging the control part or the induction assembly 40.
• the attachment features 43 may be omitted (e.g. the housing 44 may be integrally formed with a housing of the control part), or the attachment features 43 may be configured to provide a permanent attachment which is not intended to be reversed (i.e. disconnected).
• the base portion 45 may also facilitate the electronic connection of the induction element 40 to the control part 20.
• the base portion 45 comprise through holes 41 for respective ends of a wire coil providing the induction element 42, or for electrodes connecting to the induction element 42.
• said through holes 41 extend from a top surface of the base portion 45 to a bottom surface in order to allow the wire ends or electrodes to pass through the base portion 45 towards the interface with the device part 20.
• FIG 3 is a exploded perspective drawing of an example cartridge 30 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the cartridge 30 may be for use with an induction assembly 40 comprising the support 44 of Figure 2 .
• the cartridge 30 comprises an upper housing 361, a lower housing 362, a seal 363, a susceptor 34, and a liquid transport element 35 (sometimes called a wick).
• Various aspects of the cartridge 30 may be as described in relation to Figure 1 .
• the liquid transport element or wick 35 of Figure similarly comprises a tube formed of a suitable wicking material (e.g. cotton or a synthetic material).
• the susceptor 34 of Figure 3 is received within the wick 35 of Figure 3 such that the wick 35 is able to supply liquid to an outer surface of the susceptor 34.
• the inner surface of the susceptor 34 defines a portion of the air pathway 16 passing through the cartridge 30.
• the generated vapour can flow inwardly through the perforations 345 into the free space of the air pathway 16 defined by the surface of the susceptor 34.
• the liquid transport element 35 is formed from a magnetically heatable material, such as a steel mesh or a nickel foam.
• the liquid transport element 35 can additionally heat up in response to the generation of a magnetic field by the induction element 42.
• the liquid transport element can be formed from a susceptor material.
• the volume and mass of the liquid transport element 35 is significantly greater (for example, the liquid transport element 35 has a width of 0.5 to 2mm, in contrast to a width of 20 ⁇ m to 70 ⁇ m for the susceptor 34).
• the liquid transport element 35 takes longer to heat up (e.g.
• the susceptor 34 can provide rapid heating to a vaporisation temperature due to its lower mass and preferential position, whilst a magnetically heatable liquid transport element 35 can absorb energy which would otherwise be lost, and latent heat, which may raise the ambient temperature of the aerosol generating material between vaporisations leading to a decrease in the amount of heating required for the susceptor 34 to reach a vaporisation temperature for a suitable aerosol generating material.
• the cartridge 30 of Figure 3 further includes a housing 36 formed of an upper housing 361, a lower housing 362, and a seal 363.
• the upper housing 361 may instead be called a downstream or mouth-end housing in that it provides the portion of the housing that is towards the mouthpiece outlet 12.
• the upper housing 361 is configured to have a mouthpiece shape comprising the outlet 12 for a user to inhale through.
• the lower housing 362 may instead be called an upstream or device-end housing in that it provides the portion of the housing that is towards the inlet 14 of the system 10, and towards the position of the device or control part 20 when the cartridge 30 is connected to a control part 20.
• the lower housing 362 is configured to define a portion of the cartridge 30 (e.g. a protrusion) which is received into the receiving cavity 49 of the induction assembly 40.
• the susceptor 34 (and optionally the liquid transport element 35) is provided in the lower housing 362 such that when the cartridge 30 is connected to the induction assembly 40, at least a portion of the susceptor 34 is provided within the induction element 42 (e.g. within a spiral coil of the induction element 42).
• An induction element 42 as discussed above in relation to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , is configured to generate a magnetic field that primarily (or dominantly) extends within the coil of the induction element 42. As a result, the inductive heating is strongest for a susceptor which is placed within the induction element 42.
• the induction element 42 may have a first length parallel to an axis (e.g. the axis central to the spiral coil), and the susceptor 34 may have a second length also parallel to the axis (e.g. axis central to the spiral coil may be co-aligned with the axis of a tube defining the susceptor 34).
• the first length may be shorter than the second length and hence a portion of the susceptor 34 may not be received within the induction element 42, and therefore the heating will be substantially less for the portion of the susceptor 34 which is not received the induction element 42 because the magnetic flux is weaker outside of the induction element 42. Instead the heating may be primarily by conduction from the portion of the susceptor 34 which is within the induction element 42, and aerosol generation may therefore be reduced in the portions of the susceptor 34 which are not within the induction element 42.
• the one or more liquid flow channels 37 which may be called liquid pathways or conduits, are provided adjacent to the liquid transport element 35 (or the susceptor 34 where the susceptor 34 is configured to provide the function of a liquid transport element).
• the one or more liquid flow channels 37 extend from the reservoir 33 along a surface of the liquid transport element 35 and act to facilitate the ingress of liquid aerosol generating material into the liquid transport element 35.
• this may improve the supply of liquid to the entirety of the liquid transport element 35 by increasing the surface area into which the liquid aerosol generating material can enter the liquid transport element 35.
• the liquid can only enter the liquid transport element 35 via the portion of the liquid transport element 35 in contact with the reservoir 33, on examples, where a liquid flow channel 37 (or multiple channels) is present, the liquid can additionally enter the liquid transport element 35 along the surface of the liquid transport element 35 adjacent to the channel 37.
• one or more of the liquid flow channels 37 are elongated channels (e.g. cavities or voids having a length which is significantly greater that a width). In some examples, the liquid flow channels 37 are elongated channels extending from the reservoir 33 towards the end of the cartridge 30 which is adjacent the control part 20 in use. In some examples, the liquid flow channels 37 are elongated channels extending from the reservoir 33 along the entire length of the liquid transport element 35, or to a furthest extremity of the liquid transport element 35 from the reservoir 33. In some examples, one or more of the liquid flow channels 37 are linear channels (i.e. extending in a straight line). In some examples, one or more of the liquid flow channels 37 include curves and bends (e.g. winding channels).
• the liquid transport element 35 in order to ensure that liquid is drawn into the liquid transport element 35, the liquid transport element 35 is configured to cause a capillary effect having a capillary drive force that is stronger than the capillary drive force of the liquid flow channel 37.
• the liquid transport element 35 may be formed of a material having channels or pores of a porous network which are smaller in dimension (e.g. width) than the width of the one or more liquid flow channels 37.
• this may prevent a portion of the liquid transport element 35 which is distal from the reservoir 33 from being under-saturated (e.g. sub-optimally saturated) during a subsequent activation of the induction element 42, particularly where there is only a relatively short duration between puffs by a user (e.g. activations of the induction element 42).
• the cartridge 30 comprises a sub-reservoir 331 provided at or towards an opposite end of the susceptor 34 to the reservoir 33, the sub-reservoir 331 configured to hold a smaller volume of liquid aerosol generating substrate than the reservoir 33, and wherein the cartridge 331 is configured to supply liquid from the sub-reservoir 331 to the susceptor 34.
• the cartridge 30 is configured such that the sub-reservoir 331 can supply liquid to a distal end of the susceptor 34 in comparison to the end of the susceptor closest to the reservoir 33.
• the sub-reservoir 331 may be provided by the housing 36 of the cartridge 30 or a different structural component of the cartridge 30.
• the sub-reservoir 331 can be provided by injection moulding the housing 36 to have a shape defining the sub-reservoir 331.
• the sub-reservoir 331 may be an annular reservoir extending around the air pathway 16, similarly to the reservoir 33.
• there may be more than one sub-reservoir 331 e.g. two sub-reservoirs on opposing sides of the cartridge 30).
• the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.005 ml to 0.1 ml (e.g. the total volume of the sub-reservoir 331). In some examples, the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.01 ml to 0.05 ml. In some examples, the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.015 ml to 0.02 ml.
• the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid corresponding to an amount of liquid aerosol generating material vaporised in a number of puffs (or fractions of a puff). For example, an example system could vaporise approximately 0.09ml of liquid aerosol generating material during an average puff (e.g. over a 3 second period in which the induction element 42 is activated to heat the susceptor 34). As such a sub-reservoir 331 configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.015 ml to 0.02 ml can hold enough liquid for approximately 2 puffs.
• the reservoir 33 is configured to hold around 2 ml of liquid (e.g. the total volume of the reservoir 33).
• the reservoir 33 may be configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 1 ml to 4 ml.
• the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid corresponding to a fraction of the total volume of the reservoir 33.
• the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.2 % to 2.5 % of the total volume of the reservoir 33.
• the sub-reservoir 331 is configured to hold a volume of liquid in the range of 0.5 % to 1.5% of the total volume of the reservoir 33.
• the sub-reservoir 331 comprises or is formed of a capillary material.
• the sub-reservoir 331 may comprise a structure having capillary channels or a capillary material may be inserted into the sub-reservoir 331.
• a capillary material of the sub-reservoir 331 may exert a lower capillary driving force to a capillary driving force exerted by the liquid transport element 35 to enable liquid to be drawn into liquid transport element 35 from the sub-reservoir 331.
• the opening mechanism 56 allows the mouthpiece 50 to be moved between a first configuration in which the cavity 51 is at least partially exposed in order to allow a cartridge 30 to be inserted and / or removed, and a second configuration in which the cavity 51 is substantially closed (except for via openings for the air pathway 16) in order to retain and / or protect a cartridge 30 provided within the cavity 51.
• the first configuration may be termed an open or accessible configuration because the cavity 51 is open and accessible to a user
• the second configuration may be termed a closed or inaccessible configuration because the cavity 51 is closed and inaccessible to a user.
• a portion of the housing 36 of the cartridge 30 is additionally provided between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42, and the air pathway 16 is defined (bounded or bordered) by the portion of the housing 36 (e.g. an engagement portion 364 as discussed below) in combination with the first susceptor surface (e.g. they define different sides of the peripheral air pathway 16 adjacent to the first susceptor surface).
• the susceptor 34 is a tubular or annular component 34 which may be formed as described in relation to figure 1 .
• the susceptor 34 may be formed from a sheet of a suitable inductively heatable metal which is rolled or curved into a tube shape, or the susceptor 34 may be formed from a mesh or foam of a suitable inductively heatable material.
• a susceptor 34 is formed of a planar element which is curved or rolled to provide a cylindrical body.
• the susceptor 34 may be heated inductively when a current is supplied to the induction element 42.
• Liquid aerosol generating material adjacent or within the susceptor 34 is aerosolised or vaporised when the susceptor 34 reaches a suitable temperature, and may flow through perforations in the surface of the susceptor 34 (e.g. as described in relation to Figure 3 ), and into the air pathway 16. Once in the air pathway 16, the aerosol/vapour can flow towards an outlet 12 of the system 10 for inhalation by a user.
• the air pathway 16 adjacent to the susceptor 34 is defined by a surface of the susceptor 34 and a surface of an engagement portion 364 of the cartridge 30 which is configured to be inserted into the receiving cavity 49 of the induction assembly 40.
• the engagement portion 364 is configured to form an interference fit with a wall of the induction assembly defining the receiving cavity 49. The engagement portion 364 may, in some examples, protect and / or conceal the susceptor 34 when the cartridge 30 is not engaged with the induction assembly 40.
• the air pathway 16 adjacent to the susceptor 34 is defined by a surface of the susceptor 34 and a surface of the induction assembly 40.
• the engagement portion 364 is omitted or is present only around one or more portions of the circumference of the susceptor 34. In these examples a smaller coupling distance may be achievable without increasing the resistance to draw of the air pathway 16 because the coupling distance is not increased by the width of the engagement portion 364 (at least for the regions or zones where the engagement portion 364 is not present).
• the coupling distance between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 (or the offset distance relating to the distance separating the surface of the susceptor 34 from the induction element 42) is in the range of less than 3 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 is in the range of less than 2 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 is in the range of less than 1.5 mm. In some examples, the coupling distance between the susceptor 34 and the induction element 42 is in the range of less than 1 mm.
• the air pathway 16 adjacent to the susceptor 34 has a width in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm.
• a width it is meant the distance separating a surface of the susceptor 34 from the opposing surface of the engagement portion 364 or the induction assembly 40 which defines the other side of the air pathway 16.
• the width is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the system 10.
• the air pathway 16 adjacent to the susceptor 34 has a width in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm.
• the liquid transport element 35 is formed of a single cylinder of material which is configured to provide liquid around an inner circumference of the susceptor 34.
• the liquid transport element 35 is formed of a annular structure.
• one or more liquid flow channels 37 may be provided internally to the liquid transport element 35 (i.e. within the annulus).
• the one or more liquid flow channels 37 may be provided by a portion of the housing 36 (e.g. particularly where the one or more liquid flow channels 37 are formed by a capillary channels in a structure), or may simply be provided as a result of the absence of the liquid transport element 35 in the centre of the annulus.
• the presence of one or more liquid flow channels 37 aid in supplying liquid along the length of the liquid transport element 35, and hence improve the supply of liquid to the susceptor 34 via the liquid transport element 35 (in particular the supply of liquid to the upstream end of the susceptor 34).
• a cartridge 30 having an air pathway 16 in accordance with Figure 6 may further comprise a sub-reservoir 331 as described in accordance with Figure 4 .
• a sub-reservoir 331 functions to improve the supply of liquid to the upstream end of the susceptor 34 (distal to the main reservoir 33).
• FIG 7 is a flow diagram depicting a method 100 of generating an aerosol from an aerosol generating substrate in an aerosol delivery system 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the aerosol delivery system 10 comprises a cartridge 30 and a device part 20 (sometimes called device, control unit or control part), wherein the cartridge 30 comprises a susceptor 34, and the control part 20 comprises an induction element 42, a power supply 25 and control circuitry 28.
• the system 10 and its components e.g. induction assembly 40, cartridge 30 and control part 20
• the method 100 starts with a first step 110 of inserting the susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49.
• the cartridge 30 is connected with the induction assembly 40 (or device part 20) to position the susceptor 34 within the induction element 42 (e.g. within a volume defined by a spiral coil forming the induction element 42). At least a portion of the susceptor 34 is provided in a portion of the cartridge 30 which will be inserted into the receiving cavity 49 of an induction assembly when the cartridge 30 is connected to the induction assembly 40; for example, as described in relation to Figures 1 to 6 .
• inserting a susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49 comprises inserting the whole of the susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49.
• inserting a susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49 comprises a portion of the susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49.
• the first step 110 may alternatively be termed as engaging the receiving cavity 49 of the induction assembly with the cartridge 30 to surround at least a portion of the susceptor 34.
• the relative movement (i.e. insertion) of the susceptor 34 into the receiving cavity 49 can also be described as the relative movement of the receiving cavity 49 with respect to the susceptor 34.
• the first step 110 may further be termed as providing (at least a portion of) the susceptor 34 within the receiving cavity 49.
• the method 100 continues with a step 120 of driving the induction element 42 to induce current flow in the susceptor 34 to inductively heat the susceptor 34 to inductively heat the susceptor to a first temperature, and so vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor 34.
• the induction element 42 may be driven to heat the susceptor 34 to at least a vaporisation temperature of an aerosol forming component of the aerosol generating substrate (e.g. a liquid from a reservoir 33).
• the temperature to which the susceptor is driven to vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor 34 can be considered a first temperature or a vaporisation or aerosolisation temperature.
• the first temperature is in the range of between 150°C and 300°C. In some examples, the first temperature is in the range of between 190°C and 220°C.
• step 120 is triggered by a user input.
• the user may engage a user input element.
• the user may interact with a user actuatable element, such as a button, or the user may inhale on the system (e.g. via the outlet 12) to trigger a puff sensor.
• the user input element could also be any sensor capable of identifying a user interaction (e.g. a capacitance sensor, a motion sensor, or an optical sensor).
• the user input element can be configured to send a signal to the control circuitry 28 indicating that a user input has occurred, and the control circuitry 28 can trigger step 120 (i.e.
• the maximum activation period is a period in the range of 6 to 15 seconds. In some examples, the maximum activation period is a period in the range of 7 to 12 seconds.
• the method 100 may, in some examples, end after step 120.
• the method 100 comprises a further step 115 of driving the induction element 42 to induce current flow in the susceptor 34 to inductively heat the susceptor 34 to a second temperature that is a lower temperature than the first temperature, and which is not sufficient to vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor 34.
• the second temperature is lower than a temperature required to vaporise the portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• the second temperature may be considered a preheat temperature.
• the second temperature is in the range of 80°C to 200°C.
• the second temperature is in the range of 120°C to 170°C.
• the method 100 comprises driving the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to a first temperature so as to vaporise the portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor, and wherein the method further comprises driving the induction element to induce current flow in a susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to a second temperature which is lower than the first temperature and lower than a temperature required to vaporise the portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.
• a stimulus may be indicative of a user's intention to begin a session of usage (e.g. a user's intention to take a series of puffs on the system 10 (by puff it is meant a user will inhale on the outlet 12 of the system 10).
• the method 100 comprises (the control circuitry 28) driving the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor to a second temperature in response to a stimulus, wherein the stimulus comprises one or more of a signal indicative of the insertion of at least a part of the susceptor into the induction element, and a signal indicative of a user's intention to begin a session of usage.
• a user input element may comprise one or more of a button, a capacitance sensor, a motion sensor, an optical sensor and a pressure sensor, or any other suitable input mechanism.
• the system 10 may enter a standby mode or a low power sleep mode.
• the control circuitry 28 may enter a standby mode where the control circuitry 28 periodically interrogates any user input elements for indications that the user is inhaling or intending to inhale on the device (or for other interactions relation to control of the system such as checking battery levels, changing heater temperature and turning off or resetting the device).
• the control circuitry 28 may turn the system 10 off or place the system 10 in a low power sleep mode.
• the aerosol delivery system comprising an induction assembly and a cartridge.
• the induction assembly comprises an induction element disposed about a longitudinal axis and the cartridge comprises a reservoir for the aerosol generating substrate and the susceptor.
• the method comprises inserting the susceptor into a receiving cavity of the induction assembly.
• the susceptor is disposed about the longitudinal axis and at least partly within the induction element when the susceptor is inserted into the receiving cavity.
• the method further comprises driving the induction element to induce current flow in the susceptor to inductively heat the susceptor and so vaporise a portion of the aerosol generating substrate in the vicinity of the susceptor.

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• 2024
  • 2024-02-23 EP EP24159453.0A patent/EP4606238A1/fr active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-02-20 WO PCT/GB2025/050328 patent/WO2025176990A1/fr active Pending

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