EP4609733A1

EP4609733A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4609733A1
Application number: EP24164918.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Min Xu
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-01
Filing date: 2024-03-20
Publication date: 2025-09-03
Also published as: CN120570424A

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (100), for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the device (100) comprises: a conduit (112) extending within the device (100) through which an aerosol may pass; and a lid (114) arranged to selectively provide access to the conduit (112). The lid (114) comprises: a condensate collection chamber (128) arranged to receive an aerosol which passes from the conduit (112) and to collect condensate which forms from the aerosol; and a channel (130) which extends from the condensate collection chamber (128). The channel (130) is arranged such that, at least when the device (100) is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses within at least a portion of the channel (130) falls back into the condensate collection chamber (128).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device.

Background

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

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device, for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the device comprises:

a conduit extending within the device through which an aerosol may pass; and
a lid arranged to selectively provide access to the conduit; wherein the lid comprises:
- a condensate collection chamber arranged to receive an aerosol which passes from the conduit and to collect condensate which forms from the aerosol; and
- a channel which extends from the condensate collection; wherein the channel is arranged such that, at least when the device is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses within at least a portion of the channel falls back into the condensate collection chamber.

The upright orientation may be the orientation of the device in which the lid is arranged at the bottom of the device.
The conduit may at least partially define an air flow path through the device.
The condensate collection chamber may be provided within and/or at least partially define an air flow path through the device. The condensate collection chamber may be arranged at an end of the conduit.
At least a portion of the channel may extend at least partially upwardly such that, when the device is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses in the channel falls back into the condensate collection chamber. The at least a portion of the channel may be a portion of the channel extending directly from the condensation collection chamber.
The conduit may extend along a first axis, and at least a portion of the channel may extend in a direction which is at least partially (e.g. substantially) parallel to the first axis.
The channel may extend at least partially around a circumference of an outlet from which aerosol may pass into the condensate collection chamber.
The channel may extend around the entire circumference of the outlet.
At least part of the channel may follow a curved path.
A portion of the channel which is adjacent the condensate collection chamber may be sloped with respect to the condensate collection chamber.
The channel may be in fluid communication with an external environment via at least one vent aperture.
The channel may extend from the condensate collection chamber to a further space which is separate from the condensate collection chamber. The further space may be a hollow volume within the device.
The further space may be in fluid communication with an external environment via at least one vent aperture. The further space may be defined by an empty volume within the device. The empty volume may be in the form of a chamber or cavity within the device. The empty volume may be formed within the lid, within another part of the device, or be defined between the lid and an adjacent part of the device.
The aerosol provision device may further comprise a mouthpiece and the lid may be arranged on an opposite end of the aerosol provision device to the mouthpiece.
The lid may be movable between an open position and a closed position, and in the open position, the condensate collection chamber may be accessible from an external environment.
The lid may be pivotally mounted to the aerosol provision device so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position.
The aerosol provision device may comprise an internal housing, and the channel may be defined by a gap between a wall of the lid and the internal housing.
The internal housing may comprise a recess into which a wall of the lid extends and the channel may be defined by a gap between the wall and a surface of the recess.
The condensate collection chamber may have a volume of at least 15 ml, e.g. at least 20 ml, e.g. at least 30 ml.
A first portion of the channel may extend in a first direction and a second portion of the channel may extend in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction.
The device may comprise a heating arrangement (e.g. a heating element) arranged to heat an aerosol-generating material contained within the device in use.
According to another aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device, for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises:

a conduit extending within the device and through which an aerosol may pass; and
a lid arranged to selectively provide access to the conduit; wherein the lid comprises:
- a condensate collection chamber arranged to receive the aerosol which passes from the conduit and to collect condensate which forms from the aerosol,
- wherein the condensate collection chamber has a volume of at least 15 ml.

Any of the features of the various embodiments set out above may equally be applied to this aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side-on view of an aerosol provision device;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through the aerosol provision device, shown in Figures 1 and 2, showing part of the conduit and the lid;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through part of the aerosol provision device, shown in earlier Figures, focussing on the outlet end of conduit and the lid;
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through part of the aerosol provision device, shown in earlier Figures, showing the lid in a closed position;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through part of the aerosol provision device, shown in earlier Figures, showing the lid in an open position.

Detailed Description

As 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 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.
According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system (sometimes referred to as "an 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.
In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device (sometimes referred to herein as an "aerosol provision device") and a consumable (sometimes referred to as an "article") for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
In some embodiments, 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.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source (e.g. an energy storage device) and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, 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.
In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable (sometimes referred to herein as an "article receiving portion"), an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
In some embodiments, 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.
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 generating 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.
Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision device 100 (hereinafter "device 100") for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section through the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 1. With reference to both Figures, in broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat an article 110 which comprises an aerosol generating material. Heating of the article 110 may generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. The article 110 may be a replaceable article.
With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 may define a proximal end 116, and a distal end 118. In some embodiments, the article 110 may be inserted into the device 100 at the proximal end 116, and a user may place their mouth around an exposed end of the article 110. As such, the proximal end 116 may also be referred to as the mouth end. In Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 is shown in an upright orientation. The upright orientation may be considered to be the position in which a longitudinal axis 200 of the device 100, running from the proximal end 116 to the distal end 118 of the device 100 is parallel to the vertical direction, with the proximal end 116 at the top of the device 100, and the distal end 118 at the bottom of the device 100. The longitudinal axis 200 may be referred to as a first axis.
It will be understood that, where used herein, terms such as top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal etc should be understood as relative terms, referring to the upright orientation which is shown in the Figures.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 100 comprises a body 102. The body 102 may be considered to be a housing 102 which houses the various components of the device 100. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 108. The aerosol generator 108 may be considered to provide a heating arrangement. The aerosol generator 108 may comprise an inductive heating arrangement and/or a resistive heating arrangement. An inductive heating arrangement may, for example, comprise a susceptor (e.g. in the form of a cylindrical tube) surrounded by at least one inductor coil. A resistive heating arrangement may, for example, comprise one or more resistive tracks.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the article aperture 104 may be formed at the proximal end 116. In other embodiments, the article aperture 104 may be located elsewhere on the device 100. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an article receiving portion 107 configured to receive the article 110. In the embodiment shown, the aerosol generator 108 may be considered to form/define the article receiving portion 107. The article receiving portion 107 may be in the form of a cavity within the device 100 suitably dimensioned to receive the article 110.
As depicted in Figures 1 and 2, the article 110 may define a mouthpiece 111 which is arranged at the proximal end 116 when the article 110 is inserted into the device 100. In other embodiments, the device 100 may define the mouthpiece. As will be appreciated, a user may place their mouth over the mouthpiece 111 during use and inhale an aerosol which is generated by heating of the article 110.
The device 100 may comprise an air inlet 106, arranged at any suitable position, configured to allow air to pass into the device 100, e.g. into the device 100 and through to the article 110 contained therein. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the air inlet 106 may be formed at the distal end 118 of the body, opposite the article aperture 104. The air inlet 106 may have any suitable form that allows air to flow into the device 100. An airflow path may be defined between the air inlet 106 and the article 110 when inserted into the device 100. In some embodiments, an airflow path may be defined between the air inlet 106 and the article aperture 104. The airflow path may be defined by an article receiving portion of the aerosol generator 108 which is fluidly connected to the article aperture 104, and a conduit 112 which is fluidly connected both to the article receiving portion of the aerosol generator 108, and to the air inlet 106. When the article 110 is inserted into the device 110, the air flow path within the aerosol generator 108 may be defined at least partially within the article 110 itself.
As shown, the device 100 comprises an lid 114 (e.g. an openable lid 114) which is configured to selectively allow access to the conduit 112. The lid 114 may at least partially define/comprise the air inlet 106. In addition, or in alternative to at least partially defining an air flow path through the device 100, the conduit 112 may allow a user to gain access within the device 100, e.g. to permit cleaning thereof. For example, a user may open the lid 114, and clean the conduit 112, or indeed the aerosol generator 108 to which the conduit 112 is connected. The conduit 112 may, therefore, be considered to be a cleanout tube. The conduit 112 may have any suitable form. In some embodiments, however, the conduit 112 is substantially cylindrical.
In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the (article receiving portion 107 of the) aerosol generator 108 where it may be heated by one or more (e.g. heating) components of the aerosol generator 108. The article 110 and the device 100 together form an aerosol provision system 101.
In some embodiments, the device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn ON and/or turn OFF the device 100 (e.g. so as to cause the generate of an aerosol or stop the generation of an aerosol) by operating the user-operable control element 150.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the device 100 focussing on the conduit 112, and lid 114. In some embodiments, at least part of the lid 114 may substantially match the shape of the conduit 112, such that the lid 114 can be aligned with the conduit 112. The conduit 112 may be formed as an elongate tube which extends from the article receiving portion 107 of the aerosol generator 108 to the air inlet 106. The conduit 112 may extend along a first axis which may be the longitudinal axis 200 of the device 100. The device 100 may comprise an internal housing 120. The internal housing 120 may at least partially define the conduit 112. The internal housing 120 may comprise a plurality of sub-parts which together form the internal housing 120. In some embodiments, the conduit 122 may be defined by a separate (e.g. dedicated) component which is inserted into the internal housing 120.
As shown in Figure 3, the lid 114 may define an internal face 113, and an external face 115. The lid 114 may comprise a lid wall 122 which may form a structure located on the inside face 113 of the lid 114. The lid wall 122 may define a condensate collection chamber 128. It will be appreciated, however, that the condensate collection chamber 128 may be formed in any other suitable manner within the lid 114. As depicted in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the air inlet 106 may comprise at least one, e.g. a plurality, of apertures formed in the lid 114. These apertures may permit the flow of air into the device 100, e.g. into the article 110 contained therein.
Figure 4 shows a close-up of the cross-section shown in Figure 3, focussing on an outlet 119 of the conduit 112 and the lid 114. As shown, the condensate collection chamber 128, formed within the lid 114, is arranged below the outlet 119 of the conduit 112. As will be appreciated, by arranging the condensate collection chamber 128 below the outlet 119 in this manner, the condensate collection chamber 128 may collect any aerosol, or condensate, which passes out through the outlet 119. It will be appreciated, however, that the condensate collection chamber 128 does not need to be arranged directly below the outlet 119 of the conduit 112 as depicted, and may instead be arranged in any other suitable position whereby it is capable of collecting a condensate that forms within the device 100.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the device 100 comprises a channel 130 which is defined (e.g. formed) between the lid 114, e.g. the lid wall 122, and the internal housing 120. The channel 130 extends from the condensate collection chamber 128 into a further space 132 (e.g. an empty volume 132 within the device 100). In this regard, the condensate collection chamber 128 may be considered to be a first space (i.e. a first empty volume within the device 100). In some embodiments, as shown, the further space 132 may be in fluid communication with the external environment via a vent aperture 134. In this regard, a fluid flow path between the condensate collection chamber 128 and the external environment is formed. In some embodiments, the further space 132 may be in fluid communication with a further (e.g. contained) chamber within the device 100 and/or the further space 132 may itself comprise a further chamber within the device 100. In some embodiments, the channel 130 may instead extend directly to the external environment (i.e. the outside air/space which surrounds the device 100).
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the aperture(s) of the air inlet 106 may be partially defined by the vent aperture 134. In such embodiments, the vent aperture 134 may thus allow air to pass into the device 100 and allow air to pass out of the device 100. In some embodiments, the vent aperture 134 may be separate to the aperture(s) of the air inlet 106. In some embodiments, the vent aperture 134 may, for example, be formed as an at least partially annular slot/hole. The external surface of the lid 114 may define an at least partially annular recess 136 in which the vent aperture 134 may be positioned. The annular recess 136 may help to stop the vent aperture 134 from being blocked, for example by debris, or by a user's hand.
In some embodiments, the lid wall 122 may have an approximately cylindrical form 124. An internal surface 126 of the lid wall 122 (e.g. the approximately cylindrical form 124) may at least partially define the condensate collection chamber 128.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the internal housing 120 may define a recess 138 (e.g. in an annular form) which is configured to partially receive the lid wall 122 when the lid 114 is in the closed position. As depicted in Figure 4, the portion of the lid wall 122 which extends into the recess 138 may be physically smaller than the recess 138 and as a result the channel 130 is formed (e.g. defined) by the gap between the lid wall 122 and the surface 139 of the recess 138, i.e. the channel 130 is formed (e.g. defined) by the space within the recess 138 which is not occupied by the portion of the lid wall 122 which extends therein. The surface 139 of the recess 138 may be considered to be the portion of a surface of the recess 138 which faces the lid wall 122 when the lid wall 122 extends therein.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, a first portion 140 of the channel 130 may follow a curved path. In some embodiments, the channel 130 may be rotationally symmetric about the longitudinal axis 200. As such, it will be understood that the channel 130 may extend around the entire circumference of the outlet 119 such that the first portion 140 of the channel 130 shown in Figure 4 is approximately bowl shaped. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the first portion 140 of the channel 130 may extend at least partially upwardly (e.g. substantially upwardly, e.g. entirely upwardly, e.g. vertically) from the condensate collection chamber 128 (e.g. partially parallel to the longitudinal axis 200) when the device 100 is in an upright orientation (as shown in the Figures). In some embodiments, a second portion 142 of the channel 130 extends horizontally (e.g. in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 200). In some embodiments, a third portion 144 of the channel 130 extends vertically (e.g. downwardly from the second portion 142, e.g. parallel to the longitudinal axis 200). The third portion 144 may extend into the further volume 132. The third portion 144 may be considered to extend in a second direction which is substantially opposite to a first direction in which the first portion 140 of the channel 130 extends. As will be appreciated the channel 130 may follow any other suitable profile.
The operation of the aerosol provision device 100 will now be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, but particularly Figure 4. During use of the system 101, aerosol which forms in the aerosol generator 108, and which is not inhaled by a user, may flow down the conduit 112, and out of the conduit outlet 119 into the condensate collection chamber 128, as shown by arrow 151. This may occur, for example, at the end of a session of use. In some instances, aerosol may pass down into the condensate collection chamber 128 during use. At least some of this aerosol may exit the device 100 (e.g. into the external environment) in aerosolised form by flowing through the channel 130 (as shown by arrows 152), into the further space 132, and then out of the vent aperture 134 (as shown by arrows 154).
Since the aerosol generator 108 may generate significant heat in use, the contrasting colder temperature of the lid 114 may cause aerosol which reaches the lid 114 to condense and thus form a condensate (i.e. a liquid) on the lid wall 122. As the lid 114 may defines an inlet 134 for air from the external environment, the lid wall 122 may be relatively cold. This condensate may be unpleasant for a user if it is allowed to escape from the vent aperture 134 and so it is advantageous to reduce the leakage of such condensate from the device 100, e.g. from vent aperture 134.
The presence of the channel 130 arranged in the manner depicted may cause at least some of the condensate which forms within the channel 130 to fall back into and collect within the condensate collection chamber 128. The shape of the first portion 140 of the channel 130 (i.e. the way in which the first portion 140 of the channel extends at least partially upwardly (e.g. is sloped upwards from the condensate collection chamber 128)) may ensure that condensate which is formed on the lid wall 122 in the first portion 140 of the channel 130 may flow back down into the condensate collection chamber 128 and as such will not leak out of the vent aperture 134. The curved first portion 140 of the channel 130 may also encourage the flow of any condensate within the channel 130 back into the collection chamber 128. Reducing the amount of condensate which is able to escape the device may improve user experience.
It is envisaged that the condensate collection chamber 128 may contain an absorbent material (not shown) configured to absorb condensate which falls into the condensate collection chamber 128. This may further reduce the risk of condensate escaping the device 100, e.g. when the device 100 is tilted away from the vertical orientation shown.
The condensate collection chamber 128, which is below the outlet 119 of the conduit 112, may collect condensate which has already formed in the conduit 112 and which falls therefrom. The condensate collection chamber 128 may further collect any condensate which forms within the condensate collection chamber 128 itself, e.g. on any internal surface thereof, if an aerosol condenses therein.
The condensate collection chamber 128 may have a volume of 30 ml. In some embodiments, the condensate collection chamber 128 may have a volume of at least 15ml, or at least 20ml, or at least 30ml. A condensate collection chamber with a volume of at least 15ml may have sufficient volume to store condensate such that no, or very little, condensate is able to leak out of the vent aperture 134, thus improving the user experience. A condensate collection chamber with a volume of at least 15ml may provide sufficient volume for the collection of condensate for a relatively large number of sessions of use, e.g. at least 40 sessions. In some embodiments in which the condensate collection chamber 128 has a volume of at least 15 ml, the channel 130 discussed above may be omitted.
In embodiments, the first portion of the channel 130 may not follow a curved path. It will be understood that in order for the effect to be achieved of condensate flowing back into the condensate collection chamber, the channel 130 may only be arranged such that, at least when the device is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses within at least a portion of the channel falls back into the condensate collection chamber 128. It will thus be understood that configurations other than that shown in the Figures are possible, and are envisaged.
The lid 114 is openable in order to allow access to the conduit 112 and/or the condensate collection chamber 128, e.g. for cleaning of the conduit 112, the condensate collection chamber 128 and/or the channel 130. As such, the lid 114 may adopt (e.g. be moved between) a closed position, in which the conduit 112 and/or the condensate collection chamber 128 are not accessible from the external environment, and an open position, in which the conduit 112, and/or the condensate collection chamber 128 are accessible from the external environment. Providing the condensate collection chamber 128 within the lid 114 may advantageously provide access to the condensate collection chamber 128, e.g. to permit emptying thereof, when the lid 114 is moved into an open position.
Figure 5 shows the close-up cross-section from Figure 4, with the lid 114 in the closed position. Figure 6 shows the close-up cross-section from Figure 4, with the lid 114 in the open position. In some embodiments, the lid 114 is pivotally coupled to the body 102 of the device 100 via a hinge 156. The lid 114, or a part of the device 100 which the lid 114 comes into contact with, may comprise a catch (not shown) to temporarily secure the lid 114 in the closed position. Other configurations are envisaged, for example, the lid 114 may be entirely removable from the device 100.
The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

An aerosol provision device, for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the device comprises:
a conduit extending within the device through which an aerosol may pass; and

a lid arranged to selectively provide access to the conduit; wherein the lid comprises:
a condensate collection chamber arranged to receive an aerosol which passes from the conduit and to collect condensate which forms from the aerosol; and

a channel which extends from the condensate collection chamber;

wherein the channel is arranged such that, at least when the device is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses within at least a portion of the channel falls back into the condensate collection chamber.
The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of channel extends at least partially upwardly such that, when the device is held in an upright orientation, liquid which condenses in the channel falls back into the condensate collection chamber.
The aerosol provision device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conduit extends along a first axis, and wherein at least a portion of the channel extends in a direction which is at least partially parallel to the first axis.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel extends at least partially around a circumference of an outlet from which aerosol may pass into the condensate collection chamber.
The aerosol provision device of claim 4, wherein the channel extends around the entire circumference of the outlet.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least part of the channel follows a curved path.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the channel which is adjacent the condensate collection chamber is sloped with respect to the condensate collection chamber.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel extends from the condensate collection chamber to a further space which is separate from the condensate collection chamber.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the further space is in fluid communication with an external environment via at least one vent aperture.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein in the open position, the condensate collection chamber is accessible from an external environment.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises an internal housing, and wherein the channel is defined by a gap between a wall of the lid and the internal housing.
The aerosol provision device of claim 11, wherein the internal housing comprises a recess into which a wall of the lid extends and wherein the channel is defined by a gap between the wall and a surface of the recess.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the condensate collection chamber has a volume of at least 15 ml.
The aerosol provision device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion of the channel extends in a first direction and wherein a second portion of the channel extends in a second direction, substantially opposite to the first direction.
An aerosol provision device, for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises:
a conduit extending within the device and through which an aerosol may pass; and

a lid arranged to selectively provide access to the conduit; wherein the lid comprises:
a condensate collection chamber arranged to receive the aerosol which passes from the conduit and to collect condensate which forms from the aerosol,

wherein the condensate collection chamber has a volume of at least 15 ml.