EP4604781A1

EP4604781A1 - An aerosol provision device and a method of heating an aerosol-generating material

Info

Publication number: EP4604781A1
Application number: EP23793789.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tom Woodman; Richard Hepworth
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-21
Filing date: 2023-10-19
Publication date: 2025-08-27
Also published as: TW202425833A; JP2025533992A; GB202215582D0; WO2024084010A1

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (6) for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material (26) when the aerosol generating material (26) is held in a predetermined position relative to the device (6) is disclosed. The device (6) comprises an aerosol generator (52), a controller (34), and a puff detection means (58). The aerosol generator (52) comprises a aerosol generator element and is configured to cause heating of aerosol-generating material (26) when activated. The aerosol generator (52) is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material (26) at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position. The puff detection means (58) is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and to generate a signal on detection of the characteristic of the puff, and the signal is transmitted to the controller (34). The controller (34) is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator (52); and the control of the aerosol generator (52) by the controller (34) is at least partially determined by the signal received by the controller (34) from the puff detection means (58).

Description

AN AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE AND A METHOD OF HEATING AN AEROSOLGENERATING MATERIAL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, a non-combustible aerosol provision device, and a method of heating an aerosol-generating material.

Background

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

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol generating material when the aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device. The device includes, a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position. The puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and to generate a signal on detection of the characteristic of the puff. The signal is transmitted to the controller. The controller is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator, and the control of the aerosol generator by the controller is at least partially determined by the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

In an embodiment of the above embodiment, the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs sequentially.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

The movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating means in the predetermined position may, in use, have the effect that the aerosol provision device of the present invention can function in an equivalent fashion to a traditional cigarette in that the aerosol provision device may continuously generate aerosol from the beginning of a user session to the end of that session. This is analogous to the lighting of a cigarette and it burning until it is extinguished or there is nothing left to burn.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, and those aerosol generator elements are in fixed positions relative to each other. In such embodiments all of the aerosol generator elements move relative to the predetermined position. Each aerosol generator element produces heat when activated.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the speed of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the time of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the direction of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the time of activation of the aerosol generator, the period for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile for the aerosol generator once activated.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is located in a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element is located at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of different aerosol generating elements causes the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the time period between the activation of aerosol generating elements, the time that the activation of the first aerosol generator element is to be activated, the sequence of aerosol generator elements to be activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is to be activated, and the heating profile for each aerosol generator element once activated. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board and the or each aerosol generator element includes at least one individually heatable circuit.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises an electrical resistance aerosol generator element.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises an etched film heater element.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises a printed heater element

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least part of an induction heater.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises an induction coil.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least one induction coil and at least one susceptor.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device is suitable for use with aerosol generating material that has a heatable surface that is heated to cause generation of aerosol, and the device is so configured that the movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material is parallel to or substantially parallel to the heatable surface of the aerosol generating material.

In an embodiment the above embodiment, the heatable surface is planar or substantially planar and the device is so configured that the movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material is in a plane parallel to or substantially parallel to the plane of the heatable surface of the aerosol generating material.

In other embodiments, the heatable surface is three dimensional (in contrast to a plane which is two dimensional), for example cylindrical, comprises a plurality of planes, for example a an elongate tube with a square cross-section, comprises a plurality of three dimensional surface that are joined to each other, or a mixture comprising at least one plane and at least one three dimensional surface. In such embodiments the aerosol generator is configured to move at least substantially parallel to the heatable surface. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device is so configured that the movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material is in or at least substantially in a single dimension, that is the movement is in a straight line.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device is so configured that the movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material is in or at least substantially in two dimensions, that is the movement is in a plane.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device is so configured that the movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material is in three dimensions.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is so configured that it includes a heat generating surface, and the heat generating surface of the aerosol generator is at least substantially parallel to the heatable surface of the aerosol generating material.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator is an induction heater and includes at least one induction coil, at least one induction coil is so configured that the longitudinal axis of the induction coil is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the heatable surface of the aerosol generating material intersected by the longitudinal axis of the induction coil.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, the volume of the puff.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and to generate a different signal on detection of each characteristic of the puff. The signals are transmitted to the controller. The transmission of the signal or signals to the controller may be by any known signal transmission method, for example electrical wires.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, and each puff detection means is in communication with the controller. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory. The schedules each comprise a set of instructions for the controller to follow when causing activation of the aerosol generator.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory. The schedules each comprise a set of instructions for the controller to follow when causing movement of the aerosol generator.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was implementing at the time of receipt of the signal generated by the puff detection means. As a result, the controller is responsive to the method of use of the device by a user.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to the operation of the device.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has been aerosolized.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportions of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that have not yet been aerosolized and that have been aerosolized. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an article and an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in which the article comprises aerosol generating material.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the article further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause the at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause the at least one display element of the article to display data relating to the operation of the device.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element of the article is configured to provide a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element of the article is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an article and an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect, in which the article comprises aerosol generating material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol generating material using an aerosol generating device in which the aerosol provision device comprises a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means. The aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device. The aerosol generator causes heating of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined positionl. The puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and, on detection of the characteristic of the puff, to generate a signal and transmit that signal to the controller. The controller controls at least one function of the aerosol generator, and the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the functioning of the aerosol generator in a predetermined way.

In an embodiment of the above embodiment which the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator element is physically moved relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the speed of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the time of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the direction of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the time of activation of the aerosol generator, the period for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile for the aerosol generator once activated.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the time period between the activation of aerosol generating elements, the time that the activation of the first aerosol generator element is to be activated, the sequence of aerosol generator elements to be activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is to be activated, and the heating profile for each aerosol generator element once activated.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, the volume of the puff.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and to generate a different signal on detection of each characteristic of the puff, and the signals are transmitted to the controller.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, and each puff detection means is in communication with the controller.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory. The schedules each comprise a set of instructions for the controller to follow when causing activation of the aerosol generator.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was implementing at the time of receipt of the signal generated by the puff detection means.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving. In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to the operation of the device.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element provides a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

In an embodiment of any of the above embodiments, the display element provides a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

The apparatus of the first, second and third aspects of the present disclosure can include one or more, or all, of the features described above, as appropriate. The method of the third aspect of the present disclosure can include one or more, or all, of the features described above, as appropriate.

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of certain examples, which are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will be described and explained by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of an aerosol generating system according to the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a schematic front and perspective view of an embodiment of an article for use with the aerosol generating system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a partially cut away view of the article of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of the aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a first schematic sectional view of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a schematic detail of an embodiment of a aerosol generator of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a schematic enlarged detail of the sectional view of Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a second schematic sectional view of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 ; Figure 9 shows a schematic view of the connections between various elements of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 10 shows a schematic front view of a second embodiment of the aerosol generating device of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 11 shows a schematic sectional view of the aerosol generating device of Figure 10.

Detailed Description

As used herein, an aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

As also used herein the term “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. Aerosol generating material may include any plant based material, such as any tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, 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. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. 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 an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

Apparatus is known that heats aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as an “aerosol generating device”, an “aerosol provision device”, a “heat-not-burn device”, a “tobacco heating product device” or a “tobacco heating device” or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporise an aerosol generating material in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating material may be in the form of or be provided as part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like which can be inserted into the apparatus. A heater for heating and volatilising the aerosol generating material may be provided as a “permanent” part of the apparatus.

An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol provision device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

A traditional cigarette is a cigarette in which tobacco is combusted.

In the following discussions of the accompanying drawings, where the same element is present in a more than one embodiment the same reference numeral is used for that element throughout, where there are similar elements similar reference numerals (the same numeral plus a multiple of 100) are used. With reference to Figure 1, an aerosol generating system 2 is comprised of an article (also known as a consumable) 4 and an aerosol generating device 6.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the article 4 includes a central cylindrical hollow core 8 and aerosol generating material 26. The core 8 is formed from a material that can support a coating of aerosol generating material 26 on the radially outer face of the core 8. In some examples, the core 8 is formed of a metal or metal alloy sheet material, for example aluminium foil. The aerosol generating material 26 forms a continuous and uniform coating on the outer surface of the core 8. The hollow core 8 defines a hollow passage which is so dimensioned that the core 8 is a sliding fit over the aerosol generating rod 24 of the aerosol generating device 6 which is described below.

A first end 12 of the core 8 is within an aperture extending at least partially through a truncated-conical first end element 10. The first end 12 of the core 8 is fixed within that aperture by friction, a physical fixing means, and I or an adhesive. Extending from the first end 12 in a direction away from the core 8 is a mouthpiece 28.

The second end 14 of the core 8 is within in an aperture which extends through a cylindrical second end element 16. The second end 14 of the core 8 is fixed with in that aperture by friction, a physical fixing means and I or an adhesive. The second end of the core 8 mouths through an end surface 16A of the second end element 16 so that access to the inside of the hollow core 8 may be gained through that mouth.

Supported on the radially outermost portions of the first and second end elements 10, 16 and extending between those outermost portions of the end elementslO, 16 is a cylindrical shell 18. An air passage 20 is defined by the radially outer surface of the aerosol generating material 26 on core 8 and the radially inner surface of the shell 18.

The second end element 16 includes one or more passages (not shown) which extend between the face 16A of the second end element 16 and the air passage 20.

The first end element 10 includes one or more passages (not shown) which extend between the face 10A of the first end element 10 and the mouthpiece 28 extending from the face 10B. There is thus created at least one air passage that passes from end face 16A through end element 16, along air passage 20, through end element 10, into mouthpiece 28 and out of an aperture (not shown) in the mouthpiece 28.

The second end element 16 also includes an indexing element (not shown) which is adapted to engage with a indexing element (also not shown) on the aerosol generating device 6 so that when the article 4 is positioned on the aerosol generating rod 24, the article 4 and as a result the aerosol generating material 26 are in a predetermined position relative to the aerosol generating device 6.

With reference to Figures 4 to 7, the aerosol generating device 6 is comprised of a handle 22 and an aerosol generating rod 24. The handle 22 includes an outer skin 30 which defines an inner space. Within that inner space is located a power source 32, for example a rechargeable battery, a control unit 34, and a motor 44. Set into the skin 30 is an input device 36 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a push button. Also set into the skin 30 is a display device 38. The control unit 34, power source 32, motor 44, input device 36 and display 38 are all electrically connected by suitable electrical connection means, for example wires.

The skin 30 includes a closed end 40, and an opposite end from which extends the aerosol generating rod 24.

The aerosol generating rod 24 includes a base 48, and a longitudinally extending cylindrical shell 42. The shell 42 is formed from a rigid material that is not a heat insulator, for example the shell 42 may be formed from aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

Within the shell 42 is a lead screw 46. A first end of the lead screw 46 is so engaged with the motor 44 that rotation of the motor 44 causes lead screw 46 to rotate around its longitudinal axis. The second end of lead screw 44 forms a stop element 54.

Also within the shell 42 is an aerosol generator in the form of a heater 52 which is in threaded engagement with the lead screw 46, and in a sliding engagement with a slide rail 56. As may be seen in Figure 6 the heater 52 engages with the lead screw 46 via threaded bore 60 and with the slide rail 56 via slot 62. This has the effect that the heater 52 is prevented from rotating with the lead screw 46 when it rotates by the slide rail 56 and thus the heater 52 travels along the lead screw 46. The direction of travel of the heater 52 (towards the handle 22 or away from the handle 22) is dependent on the direction of rotation of the motor 44.

The heater 52 is so dimensioned that the outer surface 64 of the heater is in sliding contact with the radially inner surface 66 of the shell 42. This optimises the heat transmission from the heater 52 to the shell 42.

The heater 52 is connected electrically to the controller and power source by a suitable connection means such as wires.

In some embodiments the heater comprises a single heating element (not shown) located on the surface 66 of the heater 52. The heater element extends around the surface 66 of the heater from adjacent one side of the intersection of the slot 62 with surface 66 to adjacent the other side of the intersection of the slot 62 with surface 66.

In other embodiments the heater comprises two or more heater elements (not shown) located on the surface 66 of the heater 52. The heater elements are in fixed positions adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the lead screw 46. Each of the heater elements extends around the surface 66 of the heater from adjacent one side of the intersection of the slot 62 with surface 66 to adjacent the other side of the intersection of the slot 62 with surface 66.

The base 48 of the aerosol generation rod is configured to engage with the end of the skin 30 which is opposite to the closed end 40. The base 48 includes one or more ribs or other upstanding features 50 which are so dimensioned and located that they prevent the face 16A of the second end element 16 from contacting the main part of the base 48 when the hollow core 8 of article 4 is slid onto the aerosol generation rod 24. This ensures that the above discussed one or more air passages through the second element end 16 are not blocked when the article 4 is engaged with the aerosol generation rod 24.

When the aerosol generation device 6 is in use, a user draws on the mouthpiece 28 and air is pulled through the passages through the mouthpiece 28, end elements 10 and 16, and the air passage 20. This causes one or more air flows 68 (shown in Figure 9). The base 48 supports a puff detection means 58. The indexing means (not shown) on the second end element 16 and the aerosol generation device 6 ensure that the puff detection means 58 is in an airflow 68, or an airflow 68 flows through the puff detection means 58.

The puff detection means 58 is configured to detect at least one characteristic of a users puff when the aerosol generation device is in use. Non-limiting examples of such characteristics are the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, the volume of the puff.

The puff detection means 58 is also configured to generate a signal and send that signal to the controller 34 when a puff characteristic is detected.

When the puff detection means 58 is configured to detect two or more different puff characteristics it is configured to generate a different signal for each characteristic. It will send those signals to the controller 34 when the different puff characteristics are detected. The signal or signals from the puff detector are sent to the controller via wires (not shown). In some non-illustrated embodiments there are a plurality of puff detection means, each of which is located in a position somewhere in an airflow 68.

The controller 34 is configured to control one or more functions of the heater 52. The function or functions of the heater 52 controlled by the controller 34 may be, without limitation, one or more of:

- The speed of movement of the heater 52 relative to the aerosol generating material 26. In the illustrated embodiment this is controlled by controlling the speed of rotation of the lead screw 46.

- The period of time over which the heater 52 moves relative to the aerosol generating material 26. This is controlled by controlling the means for moving the heater. In the illustrated embodiment this is controlled by controlling the activation and deactivation of the motor 44.

- The direction of movement of the heater 52 relative to the aerosol generating material. In the illustrated embodiment this is controlled by controlling the direction of rotation of the lead screw 46.

- The activation and deactivation of the heater 52. This is the supply of power to the heater 52 and the ceasing of the supply of power to that heater.

- The time of activation of the heater 52 relative to the detection of the puff characteristic. This is when the heater 52 is activated and deactivated relative to the time of detection of the puff.

- The period of time for which the heater 52 is activated.

- The heating profile for the heater once activated. The amount of power supplied to the heater may be varied over time to provide a varying heater temperature whilst the heater is activated.

If there are two or more heaters 52 one or more of the functions of the individual heaters 52 may be individually controlled by the controller 34.

With reference to Figure 9, the control of the heater 52 by the controller 34 is at least partially determined by the signal or signals 76 received by the controller 34 from the puff detection means 58.

The controller 58 comprises a memory 70. In memory 70 are stored one or more schedules or sets of instructions 84 for the activation of the heater 52, and one or more schedules or sets of instructions 82 for the movement of the heater 52. Each of the schedules 84 for the activation of the heater 52 cause the controller 34 to send signals 78 to the heater 52 relating to the activation of the heater 52 and I or to control the supply of electricity from the power source 32 (not shown in Figure 9) to the heater 52.

Each of the schedules 82 for the movement of the heater 52 cause the controller 34 to send signals 80 to the motor 44 relating to the activation of the motor 44 and I or to control the supply of electricity from the power source 32 to the motor 44.

The schedules 82, 84 are indexed by tables 72, 74 respectively. The tables 72, 74 are stored in the memory 70.

Table 72 relates each detected characteristic of a puff to a specific predetermined schedule 82 for the movement of the heater. Once the specific predetermined schedule 82 has been selected on the basis of the detected characteristic of the puff, the controller 34 implements the selected schedule 82.

Table 74 relates each detected characteristic of a puff to a specific predetermined schedule 84 for the movement of the heater. Once the specific predetermined schedule 84 has been selected on the basis of the detected characteristic of the puff, the controller 34 implements the selected schedule 84.

The controller 34 is so configured that if it is implementing a schedule 82, 84 and a further characteristic of a puff is detected by the puff detection means 58 and a signal 76 sent to the controller 34, the controller 34 will cease to implement the schedule 82, 84 that it was implementing and implement a new schedule 82, 84 determined by that new signal 78.

The controller is further configured to send one or more signals 86 to the display device 38. The signals 86 cause the display device 38 to be activated. The controller 34 may send the signals 86 when the heater 52 is one or both of activated and moving. The signals 86 may relate to the operation of the aerosol generation system 2. Additionally or alternatively the signals 86 may relate to the provision of a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning, or the proportion of the aerosol generating material 26 on the article 4 that has not yet been aerosolized.

In use, a user places an article 4 on the aerosol generation rod 24 and ensures that the indexing elements (not shown) on the article 4 and aerosol provision device 6 are engaged with each other and as such the article is correctly positioned relative to the aerosol provision device 6. The user then pushes the button that is input device 36 to send a start signal 88 to the controller 34. As a result of receipt of the start signal 88 the controller 34 either enters a standby mode in which it is waiting for a signal 76 from the puff detection means 58 or starts following a start up schedule. Once a signal 76 from the puff detection means 58 is received by the controller 34 the controller 34 will start following one or more of the schedules 82, 84 as discussed above.

With reference to Figures 10 and 11 , in an alternative embodiment aerosol generating device 106 is comprised of a handle 122 and an aerosol generating rod 124. The handle 122 includes an outer skin 130 which defines an inner space. Within that inner space is located a power source 132, for example a rechargeable battery, and a control unit 134. Set into the skin 130 is an input device 136 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a push button. Also set into the skin 130 is a display device 138. The control unit 134, power source 132, input device 136 and display 138 are all electrically connected by suitable electrical connection means, for example wires.

The skin 130 includes a closed end 140, and an opposite end from which extends the aerosol generating rod 124.

The aerosol generating rod 124 includes a base 148, and a longitudinally extending aerosol generator 143. The aerosol generator 143is formed from an internal support element (not shown) on which a plurality of aerosol generator elements in the form of heaters 152 are supported (for clarity not all of the heaters 152 are labelled).

Each of the heaters 152 are connected electrically to the control unit 134 and power source 132 by a suitable connection means such as wires.

As with the previously described embodiment (as shown in Figures 4 to 9 above), the base 148 of the aerosol generation rod 124 is configured to engage with the end of the skin 130 which is opposite to the closed end 140. The base 148 includes one or more ribs or other upstanding features 150 which are so dimensioned and located that they prevent the face 16A of the second end element 16 of the article 4 from contacting the main part of the base 148 when the hollow core 8 of article 4 is slid onto the aerosol generation rod 124. This ensures that the previously discussed one or more air passages through the second element end 16 are not blocked when the article 4 is engaged with the aerosol generation rod 124.

When the aerosol generation device 106 is in use, a user draws on the mouthpiece 28 and air is pulled through the passages through the mouthpiece 28, end elements 10 and 16, and the air passage 20. This causes one or more air flows equivalent to those shown in Figure 9. As with the previously described embodiment, the base 148 supports a puff detection means (not shown in Figures 10 and 11) which functions as previously described. The controller 134 is configured to control one or more functions of the aerosol generator 143. The function or functions of the aerosol generator 143controlled by the controller 134 may be, without limitation, one or more of:

- The time period between the activation of different heaters 152. In embodiments in which the controller or control unit 134 sequentially activates adjacent heaters 152 this has the effect of emulating the burning of a traditional cigarette in that the controller heats the aerosol generating material of the article 4 from one end to the other, and the heating can be fast or slow dependent on the control unit 132..

- The time that the activation of the first heaters 152 is to be activated. In some embodiments that time is the period of time between the control unit receiving a signal from the puff detector and the activation of the first heater 152 to be activated.

- The sequence of heaters 152 to be activated. In some embodiments the heaters 152 are activated from one end of the aerosol generator 143 to the other. In other embodiments a different sequence of activation of the heaters 152 occurs.

- The activation and deactivation time of each heater 152. This is the supply of power to each heater 152 and the ceasing of the supply of power to that heater.

- The heating profile for each heater 152 once activated. The amount of power supplied to one or more of the heaters 152 may be varied over time to provide a varying heater temperature whilst the heater 152 is activated.

If there are two or more heaters 152 to be activated at he same time, one or more of the functions of the individual heaters 152 may be individually controlled by the controller 134.

The control of the heaters 152 by the controller 134 and the use of a device 102 incorporating such heaters is as described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 9 above. In alternative non illustrated embodiments the heater may take any shape or form suitable for motion and/or transferring heat to the aerosol-generating material. In certain embodiments, the heater may comprise a hollow tube. A hollow tube may be particularly suitable for accommodating an article within the tube and allow effective transfer of heat from the heater to the aerosol-generating material. In other embodiments, the heater may comprise a plate, which may provide a substantially flat heat transfer surface. A flat, or plate-like, heater may be particularly suitable for transferring heat to flat or thin articles in which the aerosol-generating material is provided as a layer of material. For instance, the heater may be translated across a plane of motion above the flat article in order to transfer heat to different portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article.

In certain examples, the heater may comprise a homogeneous, or substantially homogeneous, material. In certain examples, the heater may comprise a mixture of materials. In certain examples, the heater may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: an electrically-conductive material, a magnetic material, and a magnetic electrically-conductive material.

In certain examples, the heater may be made from a metallic material. For example, the heater element may comprise a metal or a metal alloy.

In certain examples, the heater may comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: aluminium, gold, iron, nickel, cobalt, conductive carbon, graphite, plain-carbon steel, stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, copper, and bronze.

In certain examples, the heater may comprise a ceramic. In some examples, the heater may be made from a mixture of metallic and non-metallic materials. For example, the heater may be made from a metal material imbedded in a ceramic material. The ceramic material may be any suitable ceramic material, for example, but not limited to, at least one of the following: alumina, zirconia, yttria, calcium carbonate, and calcium sulphate.

In use, the heating system may cause the heater to heat up, i.e. increase in temperature. Heating the heater may be performed by any suitable heating arrangement. In certain examples, the heater may be maintained at a constant temperature as the heater is moved relative to the receptacle or the housing. In certain examples, the temperature of the heater may be varied as the heater is moved relative to the receptacle or the housing. In certain embodiments, the temperature of the heater may be varied when the at least one part of the heating system is located in a position such that heat may be transferred to the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material. In certain examples, the heating system may cause the heater to heat to a predetermined temperature before the heater begins moving. In certain examples, the heating system may be activated to cause the heater to heat up in response a user inhaling air through the device or by another means, for example by a switch.

In certain embodiments temperature and/or heat transfer sensor may be provided on the aerosol provision device in order to monitor the temperature of the aerosol-generating material of the article and/or heat transferred to the aerosol-generating material of the article. For example, a temperature sensor monitor may be installed inside the receptacle. In certain embodiments, a plurality of temperature and/or heat transfer sensors may be provided to monitor the temperature and/or heat transferred to the plurality of portions of the aerosolgenerating material, where each temperature and/or heat transfer sensor corresponds to a respective portion of the plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article.

In certain embodiments, the heater of the heating system may comprise an electrically resistive heater. The heating system may comprise circuitry for connecting the heater to the power source. In use, an electrical current from the power source may be passed through the electrically resistive heater to cause Joule heating of the heater. The electrically resistive heater may be any suitable material that forms an electrical conductor, for example a metallic material. When activated, in use, such that electrical current is passed through the electrically resistive heater, the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material may be heatable by the electrically resistive heater.

In certain embodiments, the heating system may comprise a thermal radiant heating system. In an example, the thermal radiant heating system may comprise a heat lamp that radiates thermal energy to the heater. For example, the thermal radiant heating system may comprise an infrared light source directed at the heater. For example, the thermal radiant heating system may comprise radiant heat sources such as LEDs or LASERS.

In certain embodiments, the heating system may comprise heating the heater by conduction. For example, a heat source may be placed in contact with the heater and activated when the aerosol provision system is in use.

In certain embodiments, the heating system may comprise an induction heating system. The heating system may use induction heating to cause heating of the at least one heater. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise the entirety of the induction heating system. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a portion of the components of the induction heating system. In certain embodiments, the article may comprise a portion of the induction heating system, such as at least one component of the induction heating system. Hence, in some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device and the article may comprise components of the heating system.

Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically-conductive object by electromagnetic induction. The process involves penetrating the electrically-conductive object with a varying magnetic field cause heating. The process is described by Faraday’s law of induction and Ohm’s law. Where the electrically conductive object is then used to heat another element then the electrically conductive object may be called a ‘susceptor’. The susceptor material may be formed of any suitable susceptor material, such as those materials identified hereinabove, for example at least one of, or any combination of, the following: iron, iron alloys such as stainless steel, mild steel, molybdenum, silicon carbide, aluminium, gold and copper.

In certain embodiments, the at least one heater may be a ‘susceptor’ in that it is heated by induction heating so that it may, in turn, may heat the aerosol-generating material of the article. The heating of the aerosol-generating material may primarily be by conducting or radiating heat to the aerosol-generating material from the heater, for example.

Arranging the heater as a susceptor may provide effective heating of the aerosolgenerating material, which, in certain examples, may be substantially non-conductive. Furthermore, arranging the heater as a susceptor may allow the heat pattern of the heat directed to the aerosol-generating material of the article to be controlled.

The induction heating system may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the electromagnet. The varying electric current in the electromagnet produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates the electrically-conductive object suitably positioned with respect to the electromagnet, generating eddy currents inside the object. The object has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the object to be heated by Joule heating, which may also be known as ohmic, or resistive heating. It has been found that, when the electrically-conductive object is in the form of a closed electrical circuit, magnetic coupling between the object and the electromagnet in use is enhanced, which results in greater or improved Joule heating.

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

When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Moreover, the use of magnetic material can strengthen the magnetic field, which can intensify the Joule and magnetic hysteresis heating. In cases where the heater comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the heater, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field.

In each of the above processes, as heat is generated inside the object itself, rather than by an external heat source by heat conduction, a rapid temperature rise in the object and more uniform heat distribution can be achieved, particularly through selection of suitable object material and geometry, and suitable varying magnetic field magnitude and orientation relative to the object. Thus, induction heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, may allow for rapid heating of the heater since heat is generated inside the heater (susceptor). Furthermore, as induction heating and magnetic hysteresis heating do not require a physical connection to be provided between the source of the varying magnetic field and the object, design freedom and control over the heating profile may be greater, and cost may be lower. Hence, there need not be any physical contact between the heater and the rest of the components of the inductive heating system allowing for enhanced freedom in construction, application, and reliability of the aerosol provision system.

In certain embodiments, the aerosol provision device may comprise a selector. The selector may be operable to permit the selection of the one or more portions of the aerosolgenerating material of the article, from a plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material, for heating by the heating system when the article is received in the receptacle.

In certain embodiments, the selector may be operable to permit the selection of one or more portions of a plurality of portions of the receptacle, where the one or more portions of the receptacle correspond to one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article when the article is received in the receptacle. In this way, the desired one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article, which have been chosen for heating by the heating system when the article is received in the receptacle, may be selected indirectly by selecting the one or more portions of the receptacle that geometrically correspond to the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material when the article is received in the receptacle. The selection can thus, in certain embodiments, be based on the known geometric relationship between the article and the receptacle of the device.

In certain examples, the selector may be used by a user to choose a particular portion of the aerosol-generating material of the article for heating by the heating system. The user may, for instance, wish to experience inhaling an aerosol having a particular flavour and, therefore, choose a particular portion of the aerosol-generating material of the article for heating. In other instances, the user may wish to experience inhaling an aerosol having a particular strength of taste and, accordingly, choose a particular portion of the aerosolgenerating material of the article for heating.

In certain examples, the selector may be operated by a user manually to choose a particular portion of the aerosol-generating material of the article for heating or choose particular portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating in a certain order. For example, switches may be provided on the device to permit the user to operate the selector.

In other examples, the selector may operate in a pre-defined manner once an article is received in the receptacle and, optionally, at the instigation of a user. For instance, the selector may be activated, once an article is received in the receptacle, to select particular portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating in a certain order. In some embodiments, the article may include an identifier, in which the identifier is operable to communicate the type, or model, of article to the non-combustible aerosol provision device when the article is received in the receptacle. The identifier may communicate to the noncombustible aerosol device information that indicates how, or in what order, particular portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. In other embodiments, a user may communicate to the non-combustible aerosol provision device, for instance through a user interface, information that indicates how, or in what order, particular portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. In other embodiments still, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may be pre-loaded with information that indicates how, or in what order, particular portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article are to be heated. For example, the information may be imputed to the non-combustible aerosol provision device when manufactured or when an order is placed by a product supplier.

A method of heating an aerosol-generating material may be provided. In certain embodiments, the method may be implemented in any of the aerosol provision systems described herein. In certain embodiments, the method may involve heating aerosolgenerating material of any of the articles described herein.

The method of heating an aerosol-generating material comprises: receiving an article comprising an aerosol-generating material in a receptacle of a non-combustible aerosol provision device, in which the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises a heating system; selecting one or more portions of a plurality of portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating by the heating system; moving at least one part of the heating system relative to the receptacle or the housing to a position such that the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material is heatable by the heating system; and heating the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In certain embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a housing and the method may, instead, comprise moving the at least one part of the heating system relative to the housing to a position such that the one or more portions of the aerosolgenerating material is heatable by the heating system. In certain embodiments, any of the movements relative to the receptacle as described herein may, instead, be movements of the heater relative to the housing. In certain embodiments, the at least one part of the heating system may comprise an heater as described herein. For example, the at least one part of the heating system may comprise a heater, such as a susceptor as described herein.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise moving the at least one part of the heating system relative to the receptacle to a position such that a second portion of the aerosol-generating material is heatable by the heating system. In some examples, the method may comprise heating the second portion of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise, for example following the movement to a position such that the second portion of the aerosol-generating material is heatable by the heating system: re-selecting the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material for heating by the heating system; moving the at least one part of the heating system relative to the receptacle to the position such that the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material is heatable by the heating system; and re-heating the one or more portions of the aerosol-generating material using the heating system. In this way, the amount of heat transferred to the one or portions of aerosol-generating material may be controlled and the temperature of the one or more portions of aerosol-generating material may be maintained at a desired temperature whilst, at the same time, the amount of heat transferred to the second portion of aerosol-generating material may be controlled and the temperature of the second portion of aerosol-generating material may be maintained at a second desired temperature. Furthermore, in this way, the at least one part of the heating system may be repeatedly moved to different positions proximate different portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article in order to maintain the desired respective temperatures of all the different portions of aerosol-generating material. For instance, in one example where the article is in the shape of an elongate rod, the at least one part of the heating system may be moved repeatedly backwards and forwards along the length of the rod to transfer heat into different portions of the aerosol-generating material of the article and thereby maintain the desired particular temperature in each those different portions.

STATEMENTS 1 An aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material when the aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device, in which the device comprises a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means in which the aerosol generator comprises a aerosol generator element and is configured to cause heating of aerosol-generating material when activated; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and to generate a signal on detection of the characteristic of the puff, and the signal is transmitted to the controller; the controller is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator; and the control of the aerosol generator by the controller is at least partially determined by the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

2 A device according to statement 1 in which the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

3 A device according to statement 1 or 2 in which the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

4 A device according to statement 3 in which the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, and those aerosol generator elements are in fixed positions relative to each other.

5 A device according to statement 3 or 4 in which the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the speed of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the time of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the direction of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the time of activation of the aerosol generator, the period for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile for the aerosol generator once activated. 6 A device according to statement 1 or 2 in which the aerosol generator is located in a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element is located at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of different aerosol generating elements causes the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

7 A device according to any of any of statements 1 to 6 in which at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board and at least one aerosol generator element is formed from at least one individually heatable circuit.

8 A device according to statement 7 in which the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

9 A device according to any of statements 1 to 8 in which at least one aerosol generator element comprises an electrical resistance heater element.

10 A device according to any of statements 1 to 9 in which at least one aerosol generator element comprises one of an etched film heater element and a printed heater element.

11 A device according to any of statements 1 to 10 in which at least one aerosol generator element comprises at least part of an induction heater.

12 A device according to any of statements 1 to 11 in which the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, and the volume of the puff.

13 A device according to any of statements 1 to 12 in which the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and to generate a different signal on detection of each characteristic of the puff, and the signals are transmitted to the controller.

14 A device according to any of statements 1 to 13 in which the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, and each puff detection means is in communication with the controller.

15 A device according to any of statements 1 to 16 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory. 16 A device according to any of statements 1 to 15 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

17 A device according to any of statements 1 to 16 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

18 A device according to any of statements 1 to 17 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

19 A device according to statement 17 or 18 in which the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was implementing at the time of receipt of the signal generated by the puff detection means.

20 A device according to any of statements 1 to 19 in which the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving.

21 A device according to statement 20 in which the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to the operation of the device.

22 A device according to statement 20 or 21 in which the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

23 A device according to any of statements 20 to 22 in which the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

24 An aerosol provision system comprising an article and an aerosol provision device according to any of statements 1 to 23, in which the article comprises aerosol generating material.

25 A method of generating aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device in which the aerosol provision device comprises a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means in which the aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device; the aerosol generator causes heating of aerosol-generating material; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff; on detection of the characteristic of the puff, the puff detection means generates a signal and transmits that signal to the controller; the controller controls at least one function of the aerosol generator; and the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the functioning of the aerosol generator in a predetermined way.

26 A method according to statement 25 in which the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

27 A method according to statement 25 or 26 in which the aerosol generator element is physically moved relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

28 A method according to statement 27 in which the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the speed of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the time of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the direction of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the time of activation of the aerosol generator, the period for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile for the aerosol generator once activated.

29 A method according to statement 25 or 26 in which the aerosol generator is located in a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element is located at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of different aerosol generating elements causes the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position. 30 A method according to statement 29 in which the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the time period between the activation of aerosol generating elements, the time that the activation of the first aerosol generator element is to be activated, the sequence of aerosol generator elements to be activated, the period for which each aerosol generator element is to be activated, and the heating profile for each aerosol generator element once activated.

31 A method according to any of statements 25 to 30 in which the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, the volume of the puff.

32 A method according to any of statements 25 to 31 in which the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff, the puff detection means generates a different signal on detection of each characteristic of the puff, and the signals are transmitted to the controller.

33 A method according to any of statements 25 to 32 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

34 A method according to any of statements 25 to 33 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

35 A method according to any of statements 25 to 34 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

36 A method according to any of statements 25 to 35 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of the puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected. 37 A method according to statement 35 or 36 in which the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was implementing at the time of receipt of the signal generated by the puff detection means.

38 A method according to any of statements 25 to 37 in which the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving.

39 A method according to statement 38 in which the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to the operation of the device.

40 A method according to statement 38 or 39 in which the display element provides a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

41 A method according to any of statements 38 to 40 in which the display element provides a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure.

Various aspects of the aerosol provision device, aerosol provision system and method of generation of aerosol disclosed in the various embodiments may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussed in the embodiments described above. This disclosure is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments. Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1 An aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material when the aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device, in which the device comprises a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means in which the aerosol generator comprises a aerosol generator element and is configured to cause heating of aerosol-generating material when activated; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff and to generate a signal on detection of the characteristic of the puff, and the signal is transmitted to the controller; the controller is configured to control at least one function of the aerosol generator; and the control of the aerosol generator by the controller is at least partially determined by the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means.

2 A device according to claim 1 in which the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

3 A device according to claim 1 or 2 in which the aerosol generator element is physically movable relative to the predetermined position to cause the heating of the aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position.

4 A device according to claim 3 in which the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, and those aerosol generator elements are in fixed positions relative to each other.

5 A device according to claim 3 or 4 in which the function of the aerosol generator controlled by the controller is one or more of the speed of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the time of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the direction of movement of the aerosol generator relative to the aerosol generating material, the activation of the aerosol generator, the time of activation of the aerosol generator, the period for which the aerosol generator is activated, and the heating profile for the aerosol generator once activated.

6 A device according to claim 1 or 2 in which the aerosol generator is located in a fixed position relative to the predetermined position, the aerosol generator comprises a plurality of aerosol generator elements, each aerosol generating element is located at a different position relative to the predetermined position, and activation of different aerosol generating elements causes the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position

7 A device according to any of any of claims 1 to 6 in which at least one aerosol generator comprises a printed circuit board and at least one aerosol generator element is formed from at least one individually heatable circuit.

8 A device according to claim 7 in which the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board.

9 A device according to any of claims 1 to 8 in which at least one aerosol generator element comprises one of an electrical resistance heater element, an etched film heater element, a printed heater element, and an induction heater.

10 A device according to any of claims 1 to 9 in which the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, and the volume of the puff. 11 A device according to any of claims 1 to 10 in which the puff detection means is configured to detect two or more characteristics of the puff and to generate a different signal on detection of each characteristic of the puff, and the signals are transmitted to the controller.

12 A device according to any of claims 1 to 11 in which the device comprises a plurality of puff detection means, and each puff detection means is in communication with the controller.

13 A device according to any of claims 1 to 12 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

14 A device according to any of claims 1 to 13 in which the controller comprises a memory, and one or more schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator are stored in the memory.

15 A device according to any of claims 1 to 14 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the activation of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

16 A device according to any of claims 1 to 15 in which the controller comprises a memory, one or more tables are stored in the memory, at least one table relates one or more characteristics of a puff to one or more predetermined schedules for the movement of the aerosol generator, and the controller implements the predetermined schedule that relates to the characteristic of the puff that has been detected.

17 A device according to claim 15 or 16 in which the predetermined schedule overrides any schedule that the controller was implementing at the time of receipt of the signal generated by the puff detection means. 18 A device according to any of claims 1 to 17 in which the device further comprises at least one display element, and the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to be activated when the aerosol generator is one or both of activated and moving.

19 A device according to claim 18 in which the controller is configured to cause at least one display element to display data relating to the operation of the device.

20 A device according to claim 18 or 19 in which the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of a traditional cigarette when the traditional cigarette is burning.

21 A device according to any of claims 18 to 20 in which the display element is configured to provide a visual representation of the proportion of the aerosol generating material on the consumable that has not yet been aerosolized.

22 An aerosol provision system comprising an article and an aerosol provision device according to any of claims 1 to 21 , in which the article comprises aerosol generating material.

23 A method of generating aerosol from a consumable comprising an aerosol-generating material using an aerosol-generating device in which the aerosol provision device comprises a aerosol generator, a controller, and a puff detection means in which the aerosol generating material is held in a predetermined position relative to the device; the aerosol generator causes heating of aerosol-generating material; the aerosol generator is configured to cause heating of aerosol generating material at at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position; the puff detection means is configured to detect a characteristic of a puff; on detection of the characteristic of the puff, the puff detection means generates a signal and transmits that signal to the controller; the controller controls at least one function of the aerosol generator; and the signal received by the controller from the puff detection means causes the controller to control the functioning of the aerosol generator in a predetermined way. 24 A method according to claim 25 in which the heating of aerosol generating material at the at least two different positions relative to the predetermined position occurs at different times.

25 A method according to claim 23 or 24 in which the detected characteristic of the puff is one of the start of the puff, the end of the puff, the period of time between the start and end of the puff, the period of time between puffs, the number of puffs in a given period of time, the drop of air pressure at the puff detection means resultant from the puff, the velocity of air passing the puff detector at a determined time in the period of the puff, the volume of the puff.