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
  • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
  • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
• • 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 electronic aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).
• nicotine delivery systems e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like.
• Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through heat vaporisation.
• An aerosol source for an aerosol provision system may thus comprise a heater having a heating element arranged to receive source liquid from the reservoir, for example through wicking / capillary action. While a user inhales on the device, electrical power is supplied to the heating element to vaporise source liquid in the vicinity of the heating element to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user.
• Such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece end of the system.
• such aerosol provision systems deliver aerosols having certain characteristics that may be a function of different aspects of the aerosol provision system itself and/or of the user's inhalation on the aerosol provision system.
• characteristics may be inherent to the aerosol provision system, and thus not capable of being changed in order to meet a particular user's demands or preferences.
• some characteristics may vary depending on the user's inhalation of the aerosol provision system, and therefore although variable, are not necessarily variable in a reliable or consistent manner.
• an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material
• the aerosol provision system including an aerosol-generating material storage portion for storing an aerosol-generating material; an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage portion; an air path extending from an air inlet to an outlet, wherein the aerosol generator is arranged at least partly in the air path; and an air path direction adjustor configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator.
• the air path direction adjustor is configured to switch between a first configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator and a second configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a second direction relative to the aerosol generator, the first direction being different to the second direction.
• the first and second configurations are set such that aerosol generated and delivered to the user when the air path direction adjustor is in the first configuration has a different average particle size to aerosol generated and delivered to the user when the air path direction adjustor is in the second configuration.
• the first direction is a direction that is at, or substantially at, 90° to the second direction.
• the first direction is a direction that is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to a plane of the aerosol generator that, in use, is configured to generate aerosol such that the air flow along the first direction is perpendicular to, or substantially perpendicular, to the plane of the aerosol generator.
• the air path direction adjustor when the air path direction adjustor is in the first configuration, the air path is arranged such that the flow of air along the air path impinges upon the plane of the aerosol generator that, in use, is configured to generate aerosol.
• the second direction is a direction that is parallel, or substantially parallel, to a plane of the aerosol generator that, in use, is configured to generate aerosol such that the air flow along the second direction is parallel, or substantially parallel, to the plane of the aerosol generator.
• the air path direction adjustor is, or comprises, a component that is moveably mounted with respect to a housing of the aerosol provision system, and wherein the air path direction adjustor is in the first configuration when the air path direction adjustor is moved to a first position and is in the second configuration when the air path direction adjustor is moved to a second position.
• the air path direction adjustor comprises a first subsection of the air path and a second subsection of the air path, wherein the air path direction adjustor is configured to select between fluidly coupling the first subsection of the air path to the air path and fluidly coupling the second subsection of the air path to the air path, wherein the first and second subsections of the air path are different from one another.
• the air path direction adjustor comprises the first and second subsections of the air path such that, in use, air flows through the air path direction adjustor along either of the first or second subsections of the air path.
• the air path direction adjustor is, or comprises, a rotatable component, and wherein the rotatable component is capable of being rotated about an axis of the rotatable component to the first and second positions.
• the rotatable component is a cylinder
• the cylinder comprises a baffle extending from one side of the cylinder, wherein the baffle is arranged such that the baffle guides the flow of air in the air path in either of the first configuration or the second configuration such that the flow of air is substantially along the first direction or second direction.
• the air path direction adjustor comprises or is coupled to an actuator capable of moving the air path direction adjustor between the first and second positions.
• the aerosol provision system comprises a cartridge and an aerosol provision device, wherein the cartridge and the aerosol provision device are releasably engaged with one another, wherein the cartridge comprises the aerosol-generating material storage portion, the aerosol generator, and the air path direction adjustor, wherein the air path direction adjustor is accessible to a user when the cartridge is disengaged with the aerosol provision device.
• the air path direction adjustor is configured to be capable of switching to a third configuration between the first configuration and the second configuration, in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator is able to flow in the first direction relative to the aerosol generator and in the second direction relative to the aerosol generator.
• the air path direction adjustor is capable of varying the proportion of air flowing along the first direction and the second direction in the vicinity of the aerosol generator in order to adjust the average particle size of the aerosol generated.
• an article for use with an aerosol provision device wherein the article is adapted to releasably couple to the aerosol provision device to form an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material
• the article including an aerosol-generating material storage portion for storing an aerosol-generating material; an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage portion; an air path extending from an air inlet to an outlet, wherein the aerosol generator is arranged at least partly in the air path; and an air path direction adjustor configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator.
• the air path direction adjustor is configured to switch between a first configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator and a second configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a second direction relative to the aerosol generator, the first direction being different to the second direction.
• a method for adjusting the configuration of an air path direction adjustor of an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol-generating material storage portion for storing an aerosol-generating material, an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage portion, and an air path extending from an air inlet to an outlet, wherein the aerosol generator is arranged at least partly in the air path, wherein the method including adjusting the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator using the air path direction adjustor by switching between a first configuration of the air path direction adjustor in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator and a second configuration of the air path direction adjustor in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a second direction relative to the aerosol generator, the first direction being different to the second direction.
• 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.
• 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 non-combustible aerosol provision system is a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device, electronic cigarette 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
• e-cigarette is sometimes used but this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapour) provision 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.
• 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.
• 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-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former.
• a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present.
• a solvent such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film.
• the aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former.
• a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present.
• the aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material.
• the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
• the aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm.
• the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.
• the aerosol-generating film may be continuous.
• the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material.
• the sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet.
• the shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous.
• the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support.
• the support may be planar or non-planar.
• the aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.
• a binder such as a gelling agent
• a solvent such as water
• an aerosol-former such as one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered
• the slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.
• the amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material.
• the amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.
• the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.
• the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.
• the active substance comprises nicotine. In some implementations, 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 is 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.
• flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma 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, whiskey, gin, tequi
• 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.
• the one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
• An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
• the aerosol provision systems comprise a modular assembly including an aerosol provision device (sometimes referred to as a reusable part) and an article comprising aerosol-generating material (sometimes referred to as a consumable or a replaceable part).
• the aerosol provision systems may comprise a one-piece arrangement where the article and aerosol provision device are integrally formed.
• 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 or an exothermic power source.
• the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic 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.
• 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 (or storage portion), an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• a consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
• the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
• 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.
• 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.
• the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
• the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
• the aerosol provision system is one in which a source liquid as the aerosol-generating material is vaporised to generate an aerosol for user inhalation.
• the article is more commonly referred to as a cartridge.
• the cartridge mechanically engages with the aerosol provision device as described above.
• the principles of the present disclosure are applicable to aerosol provision systems capable of vaporising different aerosol-generating materials, such as solids or gels, as described above. More generally, the principles of the present disclosure apply to aerosol provision systems for use with any suitable aerosol-generating materials.
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an aerosol provision system 1 provided in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure.
• the aerosol provision system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 2 and a replaceable / disposable cartridge 4 (which is an example of a consumable or article).
• the aerosol provision system 1 of Figure 1 is an example of a modular construction of an aerosol provision system 1.
• the aerosol provision device 2 and the cartridge 4 are able to engage with or disengage from one another at an interface 6.
• the principles of the present disclosure also apply to other constructions of the aerosol provision system 1, such as one-part or unitary constructions where the device 2 and cartridge 4 may be integrally formed (or in other words, the aerosol provision device 1 is provided with an integrally formed aerosol-generating material storage area or portion).
• the aerosol provision system 1 is generally elongate and cylindrical in shape.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may be sized so as to approximate a cigarette.
• the general size and shape of the aerosol provision system 1 is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may conform to different overall shapes; for example, the aerosol provision device 2 may be based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more box-like shape.
• the device 2 comprises components that are generally intended to have a longer lifetime than the cartridge 4. In other words, the device 2 is intended to be used, sequentially, with multiple cartridges 4.
• the cartridge 4 comprises components (such as aerosol-generating material) that are consumed when forming an aerosol for delivery to the user during use of the aerosol provision system 1.
• the device 2 and the cartridge 4 are releasably coupled together at the first interface 6.
• the cartridge 4 may be removed from the device 2 and a replacement cartridge 4 attached to the device 2 in its place.
• the interface 6 provides a structural connection between the device 2 and cartridge 4 and may be established in accordance with suitable techniques, for example based around a screw thread, latch mechanism, bayonet fixing or magnetic coupling.
• the interface 6 may also provide an electrical coupling between the device 2 and the cartridge 4 using suitable electrical contacts. The electrical coupling may allow for power and / or data to be supplied to / from the cartridge 4.
• the cartridge 4 may be refillable. That is, the cartridge 4 may be refilled with aerosol-generating material when the cartridge 4 is depleted, using an appropriate mechanism such as a one-way refilling valve or the like. The cartridge 4 may be removed from the device 2 in order to be refilled. In other examples, the cartridge 4 may be configured so as to be refilled while attached to the device 2.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may be provided with a suitable mechanism, such as a one-way valve or the like, to enable the integrated cartridge 4 (or integrated aerosol-generating material storage area) to be refilled with aerosol-generating material.
• a suitable mechanism such as a one-way valve or the like
• the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42, an aerosol-generating material storage area 44, an aerosol generator 48, an aerosol-generating material transport component 46, an outlet or opening 50, an air path 52 and an air path direction adjustor 60.
• the cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge 4 and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the device 2.
• the cartridge housing 42 is formed from a suitable material, such as a plastics material or a metal material.
• the cartridge housing 42 is generally circularly symmetric about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge 4 couples to the device 2.
• the cartridge 4 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm.
• the cartridge 4 comprises a first end, broadly defined by the interface 6, and a second end which is opposite the first end and includes the opening 50.
• the second end including the opening is intended to be received in / by a user's mouth and may be referred to as a mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4.
• an aerosol-generating material storage area 44 which may be referred to herein as a reservoir 44.
• the cartridge 4 of Figure 1 is configured to store a liquid aerosol-generating material, which may be referred to herein as a source liquid, e-liquid or liquid.
• the source liquid may contain nicotine and / or other active ingredients, and / or one or more flavours, as described above. In some implementations, the source liquid may contain no nicotine.
• the reservoir 44 is suitably configured to hold or retain liquid therein.
• the reservoir 44 in this example has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defines an air path 52 through the cartridge 4.
• the reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the liquid.
• the reservoir 44 may be formed in accordance with suitable techniques, for example it may comprise a plastics material and be integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.
• the cartridge 4 further comprises an aerosol generator 48.
• the aerosol generator 48 is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material (e.g., the source liquid).
• the aerosol generator 48 is shown highly schematically in Figure 1 .
• the aerosol generator 48 may also be provided adjacent an aerosol-generating material transport component (not shown), which is configured to transport the aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 44 (e.g., reservoir 44) to the aerosol generator 48.
• the aerosol-generating material transport component may be integrated with the aerosol generator 48 to form a combined aerosol generator and aerosol-generating material transport component.
• the aerosol generator 48 is configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol generator 48 is a heater 48.
• the heater 48 is 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.
• the heater 48 may take the form of an electrically resistive wire or trace intended to have electrical current passed between ends thereof, or a susceptor element which is intended to generate heat upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field.
• the aerosol generator 48 is a combined heater and aerosol-generating material transport element.
• the heater may take the form of an electrically conductive trace, such as a nickel chrome alloy (Cr20Ni80) trace.
• the aerosol-generating material transport element is a porous substrate, such as a porous ceramic, where the electrically conductive trace disposed on a surface of the porous ceramic (to thereby act as the heater).
• the heater and porous substrate may be formed from a single component, e.g., a plurality of sintered steel fibres forming a planar structure.
• the porous substrate is configured to transport aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage area 44 (reservoir 44) to the heater.
• the aerosol generator 48 is arranged in the cartridge air path 52 such that a region of the cartridge air path 52 around the aerosol generator 48 in effect defines a vaporisation region for the cartridge 4.
• This vaporisation region (or aerosol generation region) is the region of the cartridge 4 where vapour is initially generated and aerosol initially formed.
• electrical power may be supplied to the aerosol generator 48 to vaporise an amount of liquid provided to the aerosol generator 48 from the reservoir 44.
• Aerosol is delivered to the user via the outlet 50 provided at the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4.
• the user may place their lips on or around the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 and draw air / aerosol through the outlet 50. More specifically, air is drawn into and along the air path 52, past the aerosol generator 48 where aerosol is entrained into the air, and the combined aerosol / air is then inhaled by the user through the opening 50.
• Figure 1 shows the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 as being an integral part of the cartridge 4, a separate mouthpiece component may be provided which releasably couples to the end of the cartridge 4.
• the device 2 comprises an outer housing 12, an optional indicator 14, an inhalation sensor 16 located within a chamber 18, a controller or control circuitry 20, a power source 26, an air inlet 28 and an air path 30.
• the device part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the aerosol provision system 1, a power source 26 for providing operating power for the aerosol provision system 1, a controller or control circuitry 20 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the aerosol provision system 1, and an inhalation sensor (puff detector) 16 located in a chamber 18.
• the device 2 further comprises an optional indicator 14.
• the outer housing 12 may be formed, for example, from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross-section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge 4 so as to provide a smooth transition between the two parts at the interface 6.
• the device 2 has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the aerosol provision system 1 when the cartridge 4 and device 2 are coupled together is around 12 cm.
• the overall shape and scale of an aerosol provision system 1 implementing the present disclosure is not significant to the principles described herein.
• the outer housing 12 further comprises an air inlet 28 which connects to an air path 30 provided through the device 2.
• the device air path 30 in turn connects to the cartridge air path 52 across the interface 6 when the device 2 and cartridge 4 are connected together.
• the interface 6 is also arranged to provide a connection of the respective air paths 30 and 52, such that air and/or aerosol is able to pass along the coupled air paths 30, 52.
• the device 2 does not comprise an air path 30 and instead the cartridge 4 comprises the air path 52 and a suitable air inlet which permits air to enter into the air path 52 when the cartridge 4 and device 2 are coupled.
• the power source 26 in this implementation is a battery 26.
• the battery 26 is rechargeable and may be, for example of the kind normally used in aerosol provision systems and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods.
• the battery 26 may be, for example, a lithium ion battery.
• the battery 26 may be recharged through a suitable charging connector provided at or in the outer housing 12, for example a USB connector. Additionally or alternatively, the device 2 may comprise suitable circuitry to facilitate wireless charging of the battery 26.
• the control circuitry 20 is suitably configured / programmed to control the operation of the aerosol provision system 1.
• the control circuitry 20 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units / circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the aerosol provision system's operation and may be implemented by provision of a (micro)controller, processor, ASIC or similar form of control chip.
• the control circuitry 20 may be arranged to control any functionality associated with the system 1.
• the functionality may include the charging or re-charging of the battery 26, the discharging of the battery 26 (e.g., for providing power to the aerosol generator 48), in addition to other functionality such as controlling visual indicators (e.g., LEDs) / displays, communication functionality for communicating with external devices, etc.
• the control circuitry 20 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB). Note also that the functionality provided by the control circuitry 20 may be split across multiple circuit boards and / or across components which are not mounted to a PCB, and these additional components and / or PCBs can be located as appropriate within the aerosol provision device. For example, functionality of the control circuit 20 for controlling the (re)charging functionality of the battery 26 may be provided separately (e.g. on a different PCB) from the functionality for controlling the discharge of the battery 26.
• PCB printed circuit board
• the interface 6 provides an electrical connection between the device 2 and the cartridge 4. More particularly, electrical contacts on the device 2, which are coupled to the power source 26, are electrically coupled to electrical contacts on the cartridge, which are coupled to the aerosol generator 48. Accordingly, under suitable control by the control circuitry 20, electrical power from the power source 26 is able to be supplied from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48, thereby allowing the aerosol generator 48 to vaporise liquid.
• the aerosol provision device 2 comprises a chamber 18 containing the inhalation sensor 16, which in this example is a pressure sensor 16.
• the inhalation sensor 16 may be any suitable sensor, such as an air flow sensor, for sensing when a user inhales on the mouthpiece end of the cartridge 4 and subsequently draws air along the air paths 30, 52. Accordingly, the presence of the chamber 18 is optional and its presence may depend on the characteristics of the selected inhalation sensor 16.
• the pressure sensor 16 is in fluid communication with the air path 30 in the device 2 (e.g. the chamber 18 branches off from the air path 30 in the device 2). Thus, when a user inhales on the opening 50, there is a drop in pressure in the chamber 18, which if sufficient, is detected by the pressure sensor 16.
• the aerosol provision system 1 is controlled to generate aerosol in response to detecting an inhalation by a user. That is, when the pressure sensor 16 detects a drop in pressure in the pressure sensor chamber 18, the control circuitry 20 responds by causing electrical power to be supplied from the battery 26 to the aerosol generator 48 sufficient to cause vaporisation of the liquid held within the wick 46. This is an example of an aerosol provision system which is said to be "puff actuated”.
• the pressure sensor 16 may be used to start and / or end the power supply to the aerosol generator 48 (e.g., when the pressure sensor detects the absence of an inhalation).
• the aerosol provision system 1 includes a button or other user actuatable mechanism.
• the control circuitry 20 caused power to be supplied to the aerosol generator 48 as described above.
• the button may be used to start and / or end power supply to the aerosol generator 48 (e.g., when the button is released by the user).
• both a button (or other user actuatable mechanism) and an inhalation sensor 16 may be used to control the delivery of power to the heater 48, e.g., by requiring both the button press and a pressure drop indicative of an inhalation to be present before supplying power to the aerosol generator 48.
• the power source 26 in the aerosol provision device 2 is a rechargeable battery 26.
• the aerosol provision device 2 is intended to be used with multiple cartridges (or multiple refills of an integrally formed reservoir 44)
• the lifetime of the aerosol provision device 2 is able to be extended and thus the aerosol provision device 2 is capable of being used with more cartridges 4 than would otherwise be possible with a non-rechargeable battery of a similar size or capacity.
• the battery 26 is rechargeable, the physical size of the battery 26 may be reduced thereby allowing for smaller scale aerosol provision devices 2 without compromising on an overall lifetime usage of the aerosol provision system 1.
• the aerosol provision system 1 (and in the described implementation, the cartridge 4) is provided with an air path direction adjustor 60.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is configured to switch between a first configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator 48 and a second configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 flows in a second direction relative to the aerosol generator 48, where the first direction is different to the second direction.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 of Figure 1 comprises a plurality of channels, where the plurality of channels can broadly be considered to fall into one of two categories; a first category in which air that exits the channels is broadly directed along a first direction relative to the aerosol generator 48, and a second category in which air that exits the channels is broadly directed along a second direction relative to the aerosol generator 48.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is configured to selectively couple either of the first category of channels or the second category of channels to the air path 52. That is to say, the first category of channels of the air path direction adjustor 60, when selected, form a part of the air path 52 from the inlet of the cartridge 4 to the mouthpiece outlet 50.
• the moveable air path selector 62' is rotated to a second position relative to the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60 such that a channel (not shown, but for example, the second channel 66) extending through the moveable air path selector 62' aligns with the one or more outlets 61a provided on a side (curved) surface of the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60.
• the air path selector 62' may be moved (rotated) using an actuator, which in this example is an actuator arm 62a that protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical air path selector 62'.
• the position of the actuator arm 62a is accordingly different in each of the first and second configurations, as seen in Figures 6 and 7 respectively.
• the actuator arm 62a may be configured such that a user is able to manually actuate the actuator arm 62a in order to change the (rotational) position of the moveable air path selector 62' relative to the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60.
• Figure 8 represents a graph showing results in average particle sizes of aerosol from a cartridge 4, similar to that shown in Figures 5 to 7 , when the cartridge 4 is placed in the first configuration (vertical dashed columns) and in the second configuration (diagonal line columns). The graph was obtained when subjecting the cartridge to an air flow rate of 18.3 ml/s.
• the graph of Figure 8 shows three different parameters; the DX (10 Average), the DX (50 Average) and the DX (90 Average).
• DX (10 Average) is a parameter indicating that 10% of the analysed sample, in this case aerosol, comprises particles having a particle size (or diameter) smaller than this value.
• a DX (10 Average) of say 1 ⁇ m means that 10% of the particles of the delivered aerosol have a particle size of 1 ⁇ m or less.
• DX (50 Average) and DX (90 Average) are parameters indicating that 50% and 90% of the analysed sample, in this case aerosol, comprises particles having a particle size (or diameter) smaller than these values respectively.
• the DX (10 Average), DX (50 Average), and DX (90 Average) may be alternatively referred to as D10, D50 and D90 in other literature.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is a component formed of two cylindrical parts (the main body 60a adapted to receive, coaxially, the moveable air path selector 62').
• the air path direction adjustor 60 may be configured differently from that shown, for example in terms of shape, size, etc.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is, or comprises, a component that is moveably mounted with respect to a housing of the aerosol provision system 1.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is in the first configuration when the air path direction adjustor 60 is moved to a first position and is in the second configuration when the air path direction adjustor 60 is moved to a second position.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 in effect, comprises a first subsection of the air path 52 (which may be formed from a first channel passing through the moveable air path selector 62' and the outlets 61b) and a second subsection of the air path 52 (which may be formed from a second channel passing through the moveable air path selector 62' and the outlet 61a).
• the first subsection of the air path i.e., a first channel passing through the moveable air path selector 62' and the outlets 61b
• the air path 52 is fluidly coupled to, and forms, the air path 52.
• the second subsection of the air path i.e., a second channel passing through the moveable air path selector 62' and the outlet 61a
• the first subsection and the second subsection are different from one another.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 is a cylinder having two air outlets 61b on the flat face of the main body 60a, and a single air outlet on the curved surface of the man body 60a.
• the number and/or positions of the outlets 61a, 61b on the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60 may be different from that shown.
• only a single opening 61b may be provided on the flat surface of the main body 60a, while in other implementations, more than two openings 61b may be provided.
• a plurality of openings 61a may be provided at different radial and/or axial positions of the main body 60a on the curved surface thereof. It should also be appreciated that moveable air path selector 62' may be correspondingly configured so as to couple the corresponding number of outlets in each of the first and second configurations.
• the air path direction adjustor 60 comprises a single outlet (such as outlet 61a) such that when the air flow exits the air path direction adjustor 60, the air is provided to one side of the air path direction adjustor 60 and substantially flows along a common direction toward the central axis of the cartridge 4 as it passes parallel to the surface of the aerosol generator 48 (before then passing along the remaining parts of the air path 52 towards the mouthpiece opening 50).
• a single outlet such as outlet 61a
• the air path direction adjustor 60 may be provided with a baffle 69 (or other guiding element) that may be arranged so as to guide or restrict the flow of the air in a particular direction (i.e., the second direction).
• Figure 9 schematically represents a modified air path direction adjustor 60' which includes a baffle 69.
• Figure 9 will broadly be understood from Figures 6 and 7 , and like components are shown with like reference signs. Only the differences are described herein.
• Figure 9 shows the air path direction adjustor 60' in the second configuration.
• the air flows out of the outlet 61a, along the side of the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60' and then along the flat surface of the main body 60a along a direction that is parallel to the aerosol generator 48 (not shown in Figure 9 ).
• This air flow as described previously is shown highly schematically in Figure 9 with the dashed arrows A.
• the air may pass along the left side of the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60' and along the flat surface of the main body 60a.
• the air flow path may be similar, but opposite, to the air path A.
• the cooling effect may be similar to the cooling effect experienced when the air path direction adjustor 60' is in the first configuration, and therefore the difference in the characteristics of the aerosol delivered when the air path direction adjustor 60' is in the first configuration and when the air path direction adjustor 60' is in the second configuration is reduced (and potentially to such an extent as to no longer be perceivable to a user).
• the above situation is also present, and in some instances increased, when a plurality of air outlets 61a are located on the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60' (for example, if two air outlets 61a are provided at opposite radial positions of the main body 60a of the air path direction adjustor 60'.
• the air path direction adjustor 60' is provided with a baffle 69 that extends from the end of the cylindrical main body 60a (in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the main body 60a).
• the baffle 69 is arranged such that the baffle 69 acts to guide the flow of air in the aerosol provision system 1 such that the flow of air is substantially along the second (i.e. parallel) direction.
• the baffle acts to prevent the flow of air in a direction opposite the second direction (i.e., parallel to the surface of the aerosol generator 48), and instead the air is guides around the baffle 69, as schematically represented by the solid arrow B in Figure 9 . That is to say, the baffle 69 acts as an obstruction to the air flow, and as such, the air flow must flow around the baffle 69 in order to subsequently pass to the aerosol generator 48 / flow path 52 downstream of the aerosol generator 48.
• the baffle 69 is suitably configured, by virtue of flowing around the baffle 69, the air flow is capable of joining with the air flow along the second direction. Put another way, the air flow as shown by arrow B flows around the baffle 69 and then flows in the same direction as the air flow as shown by arrow A.
• the air path direction adjustor 60' may be provided with one or more baffles 69 (or guiding elements) that, in effect, reduces the number of directions that the air may flow relative to the surface of the aerosol generator 48 that primarily generates aerosol in use.
• baffles 69 may not be necessary in respect of the air flow in the perpendicular direction (i.e., the first configuration) owing to the fact that the first direction is parallel to the general direction along which air flows under suction from the user. In other words, the suction force may be sufficient to draw the air along the first direction without any significant deviation therefrom.
• baffles 69 and/or guiding elements may be used in order to provide air flow in a more uniform manner along the first direction.
• an aerosol provision system 1 is provided with an air path direction adjustor 60, 60' configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48.
• an air path direction adjustor 60, 60' configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48.
• Figure 10 represents an example method for adjusting the configuration of an air path direction adjustor 60, 60' of an aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.
• the method starts at step S1 where the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' is provided in a first configuration.
• the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' may be provided in the first configuration as a default, for example, when the aerosol provision system 1 and/or cartridge 4 is manufactured and sold.
• step S2 when the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' is actuated to the second configuration.
• the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator is subsequently altered. That is, when the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' is in the first configuration, air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator 48 when a user inhales on the aerosol provision system 1, while when the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' is in the second configuration, air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 when a user inhales on the aerosol provision system 1 flows in a second, different direction relative to the aerosol generator 48.
• the user may be required to remove or decouple the cartridge 4 (containing the air path direction adjustor 60, 60') from the aerosol provision device 2 in order to manually actuate the actuator or otherwise adjust the configuration of the air path direction adjustor 60, 60'.
• the actuator is located at a position of the cartridge 4 that is inaccessible to a user when the cartridge 4 and aerosol provision device 2 are coupled together.
• the actuator may be located at the interface 6.
• the cartridge 4 is configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the aerosol provision device 2, which thereby obscures a part of the cartridge 4 which contains the actuator arm 62a.
• the actuator or air path direction adjustor 60, 60' may be accessible even when the cartridge 4 is coupled to the aerosol provision device 2 and/or in implementations when the cartridge 4 and aerosol provision device 2 are integrally formed as a single, unitary system.
• the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' may be actuated electronically, e.g., through a motor or the like as described above.
• the aerosol provision system 1 may be used, i.e., inhaled on, by a user to generate and deliver aerosol to a user, with the air path direction adjustor 60, 60' in the second configuration.
• an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material
• the aerosol provision system including an aerosol -generating material storage portion for storing an aerosol-generating material; an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material from the aerosol-generating material storage portion; an air path extending from an air inlet to an outlet, wherein the aerosol generator is arranged at least partly in the air path; and an air path direction adjustor configured to selectively adjust the direction along which air flows in the vicinity of the aerosol generator, wherein the air path direction adjustor is configured to switch between a first configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a first direction relative to the aerosol generator and a second configuration in which air in the vicinity of the aerosol generator flows in a second direction relative to the aerosol generator, the first direction being different to the second direction.
• an article and method are also described.

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• 2024
  • 2024-07-15 EP EP24188565.6A patent/EP4681565A1/fr active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-07-07 WO PCT/GB2025/051491 patent/WO2026017967A1/fr active Pending

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