EP4620332A1

EP4620332A1 - Aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: EP4620332A1
Application number: EP24164644.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Damyn Musgrave
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-19
Filing date: 2024-03-19
Publication date: 2025-09-24
Also published as: WO2025196149A1

Abstract

An aerosol provision system 2 comprising an article 6 comprising an aerosol generating material 14 and at least one electrical power consuming element 12, and an aerosol provision device 4 configured to receive the article 6. When the article 6 is received by the aerosol provision device 4 an interface 18 is formed between the aerosol provision device 4 and the article 6. The aerosol provision device 4 and article 6 together form at least one capacitor 20A, 20B, at the interface 18, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device 4 to the article 6 for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element 12.

Description

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device and an article for use with 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 by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called "heat not burn" products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

From a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising:

an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element; and
an aerosol provision device configured to receive the article;
wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device:
- an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article; and
- the aerosol provision device and article together form at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material.
Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises at least one electrically conductive element, wherein the article comprises at least one electrically conductive element, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the at least one capacitor.
Optionally, at least a portion of the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the at least one power consuming element.
Optionally, the at least one electrically powered element is a discrete component electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive element of the article.
Optionally, the at least one capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors.
Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the plurality of capacitors.
Optionally, the plurality of capacitors comprises at least three capacitors, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device comprises at least three electrically conductive elements.
Optionally, each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and respective portions of a single electrically conductive element of the article.
Optionally, the respective portions are those portions which are adjacent the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device when the article is received by the device.
Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the article comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between respective ones of the plurality of conductive elements of the device and the plurality of conductive elements of the article.
Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element is electrically connected to at least two of the electrically conductive elements of the article.
Optionally, the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device comprises at least three electrically conductive elements, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive elements of the article comprises at least three electrically conductive elements.
Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a plurality of electrical power consuming elements, and wherein each of the plurality of electrical power consuming elements is electrically connected to a different pair of the at least three electrically conductive elements of the article.
Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive element a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive element of the article through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.
Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a plurality of electrical power consuming elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which of the plurality of electrical power consuming elements a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device.
Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the at least one power consuming element by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device.
Optionally, where the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, this may comprise connecting at least one electrically conductive element to the power supply and connecting at least one electrically conductive element to an electrical ground. Alternatively, it may comprise connecting two electrically conductive elements of the device to the power supply, and supplying a first one of the electrically conductive elements with a first electrical signal and a second one of the electrically conductive elements with a second electrical signal that is in anti-phase with the first electrical signal.
Optionally, the power supply is configured to supply an alternating current. Optionally, the alternating current has a frequency in the range of 50 MHz to 5 GHz (end points inclusive).
Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to electrically isolate any of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the aerosol provision device which are not being used to transfer electrical power to the at least one power consuming element. For example, two of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the aerosol provision device may be connected to the power supply and the remaining electrically conductive elements may be electrically isolated from the power supply.
Optionally, the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are spaced at least partially (e.g. fully) around, and/or spaced along a length of, the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.
Optionally, each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements extend substantially around the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.
Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises an article receiving portion configured to receive the article, wherein the article receiving portion defines a receiving axis along which the article is received by the device, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are spaced around, and/or spaced along the length of, the receiving axis.
Optionally, when received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article are separated from one another by an electrically insulative medium.
Optionally, the article comprises at least one layer formed from an electrically insulative material, and wherein the layer at least partially provides the electrically insulative medium.
Optionally, the electrically insulative medium is at least partially provided by an air gap formed at the interface when the article is received by the device.
Optionally, the layer is an outermost layer of the article.
Optionally, the article comprises a support on which the least one electrically conductive element of the article, and/or the at least one electrical power consuming element, is arranged.
Optionally, the support defines an outer surface of the article.
Optionally, the support forms an outermost layer of the article.
Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, and/or the at least one electrical power consuming element, are provided by an electrically conductive layer arranged on the support.
Optionally, the electrically conductive layer is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article also forms the electrical power consuming element, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive layer a current is caused to flow through, when the article is received by the device, by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive layer through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.
Optionally, the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive ink or paint.
Optionally, the electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) is formed from carbon. The electrically conductive element may be formed from amorphous carbon and/or a graphene ink.
Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device is formed from copper or aluminium. Any other highly electrically conductive material (e.g. metal) may be utilised.
Optionally, the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the power consuming element, and wherein the electrically conductive element comprises an electrically conductive material mixed within the aerosol generating material. The electrically conductive material and the aerosol generating material may be considered to form a composite body of material.
Optionally, the article has a tubular form which defines an axis, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) extends at least 300 degrees, e.g. at least 315 degrees, e.g. at least 330 degrees, e.g. at least 345 degrees, e.g. substantially 360 degrees around the axis. Optionally, the article has a hollow core.
Optionally, the article comprises an axis and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article extends substantially 360 degrees around the axis.
Optionally, the electrically conductive layer extends substantially along the entire length of a portion of the article received by the aerosol provision device during use.
According to a second aspect there is provided an aerosol provision device for receiving, in use, an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element, wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, in use, an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article, and the aerosol provision device, together with the article, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.
Any appropriate features of embodiments of the aerosol provision system according to the first aspect, set out above, may equally be applied to this second aspect.
According to a third aspect there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:

an aerosol generating material; and
an electrical power consuming element;
wherein, in use, when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, an interface is formed between the article and the aerosol provision device, and the article, together with the aerosol provision device, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

Any appropriate features of embodiments of the aerosol provision system according to the first aspect, set out above, may equally be applied to this third aspect.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

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

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram for the aerosol provision system shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an article in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the article shown in Fig. 3 together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements of a corresponding aerosol provision device;
Figs. 5-7 each show a schematic representation of the system shown in Fig. 4 with power being transferred to the article via different capacitors of the system;
Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an article in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the article shown in Fig. 8 together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements of a corresponding aerosol provision device;
Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of the system shown in Fig. 9 with power being transferred to the article via two capacitors of the system; and
Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a an article in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements, of a corresponding aerosol provision device, arranged such that they are spaced along the length of the article;
Fig. 12 shows a circuit diagram for an alternative embodiment of an aerosol provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a body of aerosol generating material comprising an electrically conductive material mixed therein.

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 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, 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 a schematic view of an aerosol provision system 2 (e.g. a non-combustible aerosol provision system) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the aerosol provision system 2 comprises an aerosol provision device 4 (hereinafter "device 4") configured to receive an article 6 (i.e. a consumable). The aerosol provision device 4 may be a non-combustible aerosol provision device. In some embodiments, as depicted, the device 4 comprises an article receiving portion 8 configured to receive the article 6. The article receiving portion 8 may have any suitable form, e.g. it may be in the form of a cavity or chamber within a housing 10 of the device 4.
The article 6 comprises at least one electrical power consuming element 12 (hereinafter "power consuming element 12"). In some embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be in the form of a heating element configured (e.g. arranged) to heat an aerosol generating material 14 of the article 6. Such a heating element may be considered to be an aerosol generator. The power consuming element 12 may be in the form of a resistive heating element. However, it will be appreciated that the power consuming element 12 may comprise any suitable power consuming element 12. For example, the power consuming element 12 may comprise a light emitting diode (LED). Such an LED may light up to provide a user with an indication that the article 6 is generating an aerosol, for example. In some embodiments, the article 6 further comprises a mouthpiece 16, around which a user may place their mouth in order to inhale an aerosol generated within the article 6. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece may be provided by the device 4 itself.
As depicted in Figure 1, when the article 6 is received by the device 4, e.g. when the article 6 is arranged within the article receiving portion 8, an interface 18 is formed between device 4 and the article 6. The interface 18 may form between an outer surface of the article 6 and an adjacent facing surface of the article receiving portion 8. There may be a small gap, e.g. an air gap, between the outer surface of the article 6 and the internal wall of the article receiving portion 8. However, in some embodiments, at least some parts of the article 6 may contact the internal wall of the article receiving portion 8 at the interface 18 such that there is no air gap between the article 6 and the device 4. The interface 18 nonetheless forms between the device 4 and the article 6 irrespective of whether or not there is a gap between the device 4 and article 6.
When the article 6 is received by the device 4, the device 4 and article 6 together form at least one capacitor at the interface 18. In some embodiments, the device 4 and article 6 form a plurality of capacitors at the interface 18, e.g. comprising a first capacitor 20A and a second capacitor 20B, as depicted in Figure 1. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B are configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the device 4 to the article 6 for powering the power consuming element 12. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B may be considered to provide a wireless electrical connection between the device 4 and the article 6. Whilst the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 utilises a plurality of capacitors (first and second capacitors 20A, 20B), some embodiments may utilise only a single capacitor, as discussed further below in relation to Figure 11.
In some embodiments, as depicted in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device 4 comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements comprising a first electrically conductive element 22A and a second electrically conductive element 22B. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, whereby two capacitors are formed, the article 6 may comprise an electrically conductive element 24 which may comprise a first portion 24A and a second portion 24B. The first and second portions 24A, 24B may be portions of a single electrically conductive element 24 (i.e. portions of a single piece of material), as depicted in Figure 1. When the article 6 is suitable received by the device 4, the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 align with respective ones of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. The first portion 24A of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the first electrically conductive element 22A of the device 6, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the first capacitor 20A. Similarly, the second portion 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the second electrically conductive element 22B of the device 4, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the second capacitor 20B.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, each of the plurality of capacitors 20A, 20B is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and respective portions (first and second portions 24A, 24B) of a single electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. The respective portions 24A, 24B are the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which are adjacent respective ones of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 (when the article 6 is received by the device 4). Specifically, the first and second portions 24A, 24B are the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which experience an electric field generated by the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 when they are supplied with electrical power, in use.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, when the article 6 is received by the device 4, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device 6, i.e. the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, are separated from the at least one electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, e.g. the first and second portions 24A, 24B thereof, by an electrically insulative medium. In some embodiments, the electrically insulative medium may comprise the air 19 in the air gap in the interface 18. In addition, or alternatively, in some embodiments a layer 21 (e.g. an outermost layer) of the article 6 may be made from an electrically insulative material, e.g. paper or card, and thus provide the electrically insulative medium. As will be appreciated, the provision of two electrically conductive elements (e.g. the first electrically conductive element 22A and the first portion 24A of the electrically conductive element 24) suitable separated by an electrically insulative medium results in the formation of a capacitor. This applies to both the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B described above. The electrically insulative medium may have a relative permittivity in the range of 1 to 5 (end-points inclusive).
As schematically illustrated in Figure 1, the power consuming element 12 may be part of (e.g. integrally formed with/by) the electrically conductive element 24. In other words, in some embodiments, a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 may (e.g. the first and/or second portion 24A, 24B) may function to facilitate capacitive power transfer (e.g. it may be considered to be a capacitive element) and at least a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 may also form the power consuming element 12. The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which forms the power consuming element 12 may depend on where the capacitors are formed on/by the electrically conductive element 24. In some embodiments, the entire electrically conductive element 24 may be capable of consuming power and thus the entire electrically conductive element 24 may also provide the power consuming element. The electrically conductive element 24 may be electrically resistive and thus any portion of the electrically conductive element 24 through which a current flows, during use, may function to provide the power consuming element 12.
In other embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be separate (e.g. provided as a physically separate component) to the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In such embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be electrically connected to the electrically conductive element 24, e.g. by any suitable means, e.g. electrically conductive wiring or tracks within the article 6.
In some embodiments, as shown in embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the device 4 may comprise a controller 26 (or any other suitable control circuitry) configured to control the supply of electrical power to the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4, and thereby control the supply of power to the article 6, specifically its power consuming element 12. The device 4 may further comprise a power source 28, e.g. in the form of a battery, configured to supply electrical power for consumption. The device 4 may further comprise a user interface 30 which may comprise an indicator means (e.g. a display screen and/or one more LEDs) and/or one or more user input means, e.g. in the form of one or more buttons. The user interface 30 may allow a user to control operation of the device 4, e.g. allow the user to power ON the device 4.
Figure 2 depicts an electrical circuit diagram of the system 2 shown in Figure 1, with the device 4 and article 6 shown in dashed lines to show the distribution of the electrical components between the device 4 and the article 6. As depicted in this Figure, the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B are electrically connected to the power consuming element 12 of the article 6. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B may be connected to an alternating current (A.C.) power supply 32. The A.C. power supply may supply current having a frequency in the range 50 MHz to 5 GHz (end points inclusive) With reference back to Figure 1, the controller 26 may be configured to provide an A.C. current to the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. In some embodiments, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 or other suitable circuitry or devices, may be configured to convert a direct current (D.C.) electrical power supply from the power source 28 into an A.C. power supply 32. As will be appreciated, the electrical circuit diagram shown in Figure 2 is merely illustrative of the electrical circuit formed between the device 4 and the article 6. In practice, the AC power supply 32 may have one terminal which provides an A.C. voltage and the second terminal may be electrically grounded, or tied to a ground of the power source 28. Alternatively, each of the terminals of the A.C. power supply 32 may supply an anti-phase voltage which is separated from a ground of the power source 28.
Operation of the system 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to both Figures 1 and 2. When the article 6 is received by the device 4, as shown in Figure 1, the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 align with the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and are separated therefrom by the layer 21 and the air 19 in the air gap. This results in the formation of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. The controller 26 may then supply, e.g. following operation of the user interface 30 or following any other suitable trigger, the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 with A.C. power 32. When supplied with power, the presence of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B formed between the device 4 and article 6, will facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the device 4, across the interface 18, to the article 6. The electrical power transferred to the article 6, by the first and second capacitor 20A, 20B, may then be consumed by the power consuming element 12 of the article. When in the form of a heating element, the power consuming element 12 may function to heat the aerosol generating material 14 thereby generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user.
The system 2, set out above, facilitates the transfer of electrical power to the article 6 without necessarily requiring physical electrical contact between the article 6 and the device 4. Accordingly, more generally, the system 2 may be considered to facilitate wireless electrical power transfer from the device to the article 6 using at least one capacitor. The use of at least one capacitor to transfer power from the device 4 to the article 6 may reduce the number of electrical contacts required on the device 4 in order to transfer electrical power to the article 6. A reduction in the number of electrical contacts required on the device may reduce the chance of the system failing due to a build-up of material, e.g. dirt, condensate, etc, on the contacts which would prevent electrical transfer to the article. In at least some embodiments, e.g. where at least two capacitors are provided (as in Figures 1 and 2), the provision of electrical contacts on the article and device, for power transfer to the article, may be omitted entirely.
The avoidance of the use of physical electrical contacts as a means for transferring power from the device to the article may avoid the need to achieve accurate alignment of the article within the device, as the capacitors 20A, 20B may be formed as long as there is a sufficient amount of the electrically conductive element 24, of the article, which lies adjacent the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. Complete alignment may thus not be required. This may improve the ease of use of the system 2 for a user.
Further to the above, capacitive power transfer, as a means for transferring electrical power from the device 4 to the article 6, may produce less radiation, at least when compared to inductive heating arrangements (for example), and thus the device 4 may require less shielding in this regard. Additionally, the Applicant has recognised that capacitive power transfer is highly efficient, particularly at relatively small separations between the electrically conductive elements 22A-22B of the device 4 and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 4, as may be achieved in the system 2 set out above. A highly efficient power transfer may minimise power loss within the system 2, thereby potentially increasing the number of sessions of use the power source 28 can supply power for.
The system 2 shown in Figure 1 is schematic to illustrate the general concept of the invention. It will be appreciated that the article 6 and/or the device may have any suitable shape and form. The interface 18 formed between the article 6 and device 4 may depend on the specific shape and form of the article 6 and the shape and form of the article receiving portion 8. For example, in some embodiments, the article 6 may be substantially tubular and thus the interface 18 may be a generally cylindrically shaped interface. In other embodiments, the article 6 may be substantially planar (e.g. flat), and thus the interface 18 may be substantially planar. The interface 18 may comprise a plurality of interfaces e.g. multiple faces of a substantially planar article 6.
As explained briefly above, the article 6 may have any suitable shape and form. Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of an article 3 having a generally tubular form. Such a tubular article 3 may be received by a device 4 comprising an article receiving portion 8 which may be in the form of a generally cylindrically shaped cavity within the device 4. As depicted in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the article 6 may comprise a support 34 on which the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be arranged. The electrically conductive element 24 may be attached to the support 34 in any suitable manner, e.g. through printing, spraying or through the use of an adhesive. In embodiments wherein the article 6 is tubular, the support 34 may similarly be tubular. However, it will be appreciated that the support 34 may have any other suitable form.
In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the power consuming element 12 may be arranged on the support 34. In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the power consuming element 12 may be integrally provided with the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. The electrically conductive element 24 and/or the power consuming element 12, which may be integrally formed within the electrically conductive element 24, may be in the form of an electrically conductive layer on the support 34, as shown in Figure 3. The article 6, as depicted in Figure 3, may thus be considered to have a layered structure. The layered structure may comprise a first layer in the form of a support 34, a second layer in the form of the electrically conductive element 24 and third layer comprising the aerosol generating material 14. Each of these layers may be substantially (e.g. fully) tubular. The article 6 may define a hollow core 36. When the aerosol generating material 14 is heated, to generate an aerosol, the aerosol may flow along the hollow core 36 and out of the article 6.
In some embodiments, the support 34 may be formed from an electrically insulative material, e.g. paper or card, and may thus serve to provide at least part of the electrically insulative medium between the electrically conductive element 24 of the article and the electrically conductive element(s) of the device 4. The support 34 may define the layer 21 of the article 6 shown in Figure 1. In some embodiments, the support 34 may define an outer surface of the article 6, as shown in Figure 3. The support 34 may be an outermost layer of the article 6. In this regard, the support 34 may thus function as a support structure on which the other components of the article 6, e.g. the electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material, may be arranged whilst simultaneously also functioning as an electrically insulative medium.
Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the article 6 is tubular having a hollow core 36, the article 6 may instead be in the form of a substantially solid rod, without a hollow core. In such embodiments, when the aerosol generating material 14 is heated, the generated aerosol may escape the article 6 by any suitable means, e.g. through apertures extending through the article 6.
In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the tubular form of the article 6 may define an axis 38. The electrically conductive element 24 may extend at least 300 degrees, e.g. at least 315 degrees, e.g. at least 330 degrees, e.g. at least 345 degrees, e.g. substantially 360 degrees, e.g. a full 360 degrees, around the axis 38. As an example, the article 6 may be formed from a flat sheet which is rolled into a cylindrical form. In such an arrangement, the electrically conductive element 24 may extend substantially 360 degrees around the axis 38, except for a small angular extent around the axis 38 where two ends of the flat sheet meet to form the cylinder. These two ends may be considered to be a joint, which may be in the form of a fold joint. In such an example, the extent to which the electrically conductive element 24 does not extend around the axis 38 may, for example, be up to 10 degrees, e.g. up to 5 degrees. The article may be substantially rotationally symmetric, at least with respect to the presence of the electrically conductive element 24. As a result, depending on the configuration of the electrically conductive elements of the device 4, it may be possible to insert the article into the device 4 in any angular orientation. This may make use of the system 2 easier for a user. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24 may extend along the entire length L of a portion of the article 6 which is received by the device 4 during use. This may be the case irrespective of the form of the article 6.
Whilst the article 6 shown in Figure 3 has a circular cross-section, in a plane extending perpendicular to the axis 38, the article 6 may instead have any other shape of cross-section. For example, the article 6 may have an elliptical, square, or a hexagonal cross-section.
In any of the embodiments described herein, the electrically conductive element 24, in the form of a layer, may comprise an electrically conductive ink or paint. The use of an electrically conductive ink or paint may provide a convenient means for providing the electrically conductive element 24 on the support 34. For example, long rolls of a support 34 may be printed with the electrically conductive ink or paint, to form the electrically conductive element 24 thereon, before the aerosol generating material 14 is then applied. The roll of support 34, with the electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material 14 layered thereon, may then be cut to size. In embodiments which are in a tubular format (as shown in Figure 3), the support 34 may then be formed into a tubular shape. In other embodiments, e.g. wherein the article 6 is substantially planar, the support 34 may instead be left in a planar format.
With reference back to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24, in the form of an electrically conductive layer, is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In a similar manner to the embodiments described above with respect to Figure 1, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 also forms the electrical power consuming element 12.
Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system 2 utilising the article 6 having a tubular form, as shown in Figure 3. Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 2, only two capacitors were provided, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 6 at least three capacitors are provided. The presence of at least three capacitors within the device 4 facilitates the supply of power to different portions of the power consuming element 12, as described in more detail below.
For clarity, only the article 6 and the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G of the device 4 are shown in Figure 4. As depicted in this Figure 4, in some embodiments the device 4 may comprise a plurality of electrically conductive elements, e.g. at least three electrically conducive elements. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the device 4 comprises a first electrically conductive element 22A, a second electrically conductive element 22B, a third electrically conductive element 22C, a fourth electrically conductive element 22D, a fifth electrically conductive element 22E, a sixth electrically conductive element 22F and a seventh electrically conductive element 22G. Each of the first to seventh electrically conductive elements 22A-22G form respective first to seventh capacitors 20A-20G with adjacent portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, when the article 6 is received by the device 4. Each of the adjacent portions 24A-24G corresponds to the portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which faces the corresponding electrically conductive element 22A-22G of the device 4, when the article 6 is received by the device 4.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are spaced at least partially around (e.g. fully around in the embodiment shown in Figure 4) the article 6 when the article 6 is received by the device 4. With reference back to Figure 1 and with continued reference to Figure 4, the article receiving portion 8 of the device 4 may define a receiving axis along which the article 6 is received by the device 4. The receiving axis may be substantially aligned with the axis 38 of the article 6 shown in Figure 4. The plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 may be spaced around the receiving axis. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be arranged such that they are equiangularly spaced around the article 6, when the article 6 is received by the device 4, as shown in Figure 4. Whilst seven electrically conductive element 22A-22G are shown, it will be appreciated that the device 4 may comprise any suitable number of electrically conductive elements.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the plurality of capacitors comprises seven capacitors 20A-20G (i.e. at least three capacitors). The plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device 4 may correspond to (e.g. define) the number of capacitors. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the article 6 comprises a single electrically conductive element 24 which is capable of forming the plurality of capacitors together with the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device 4.
The provision of a plurality of capacitors, e.g. the seven capacitors 20A-20G, shown in Figure 4, may allow for different portions of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 (and thus the power consuming element 12 in this embodiment) to be supplied with electrical power. As will now be described below, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 thereof, may be configured to control the supply of electrical power to the at least one power consuming element 12 by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are connected to a power supply 28 of device 4. The supply of electrical power using the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be achieved by forming a suitable current path between appropriate pairs of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G. This may be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, one of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be connected to electrical power and another of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be grounded. Alternatively, the controller 26 may supply a first electrical signal to one of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G and supply a phase inverted electrical signal to another of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G. When two of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are electrically connected, as set out above, the remaining electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be electrically isolated from the supply of power, i.e. they may be considered to be floating. This may ensure that such electrically conductive elements do not draw a current and thus do not result in the generation of heat. These principles may be applied to any of the embodiments described herein.
The supply of power will be described below in relation to Figures 5 to 7 which show schematic views (from above) of the system 2 shown in Figure 4 depicting how the first to seventh capacitors 20A-20G may be utilised to provide power to aerosolise different portions of the aerosol generating material 14. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 thereof, may control which portions of the electrically conductive element 24 (e.g. which portion of the layer of electrically conductive element 12) a current is caused to flow through. This may be achieved by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are connected to the power supply of the device 4.
The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which electrical current flows through may thus form the power consuming element 12 or define the portion of the power consuming element 12 through which a current flows. The portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24 and the power consuming element 12 may thus only be defined when the article 6 is received by the device 4, as they are ultimately defined by the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4. In this regard, the entire electrically conductive element 24 may be considered to be a power consuming element 12, as any portion thereof may have current flow through it depending on which electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are supplied with power. Alternatively, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be considered to comprise a plurality of power consuming elements 12 each extending between respective portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24.
With reference to Figure 5, the controller 26 may supply the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 with electrical power (e.g. AC power). As set out above, this may involve connecting one of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B to ground, or it may involve supplying one of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B with an electrical signal which is in anti-phase with the electrical signal supplied to the other electrically conductive element. The remaining electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B may be electrically isolated from the power supply. Control over which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are supplied with electrical power may be achieved by switching arrangement, which may, for example be integrally formed within the controller 26. The first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4, together with the corresponding first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative, form the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B, facilitate the transfer of power to the article 6. As will be appreciated, when supplied with electrical power in this manner, a current will be caused to flow through a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. This portion may form power consuming element 12 (or be considered to be a portion of the power consuming element 12) which, when in the form of a heating element, may act to heat the aerosol generating material 14 which is adjacent the portion through which current flows. The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 through which the current flows through is shown with hatched markings in Figure 5.
It may be desirable to heat a different portion of the aerosol generating material 14, e.g. when the portion heated in the configuration shown in Figure 5 is exhausted (i.e. when it has all been aerosolised). To achieve this, as shown in Figure 6, the controller 26 may instead provide electrical power to the second electrically conductive element 22B and the third electrically conductive element 22C, of the device 4. The second and third electrically conductive element 22B, 22C of the device 4 together with the corresponding second and third portions 24B, 24C of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative, form the first and second capacitors 20B, 20C. As a result, electrical power will be transferred over to the article 6 and an electrical current will be caused to pass through the portion electrically conductive element 24 between the first and second portions 24B, 24C. As above, this portion may form the power consuming element 12 (or be considered to be a portion of the power consuming element) which, when in the form of a heating element, will act to heat the portion of the aerosol generating material 14 adjacent said portion.
As will be appreciated, any combination of capacitors 20A-20G may be provided with electrical power to cause current to flow through any desired portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. As an example, Figure 7 depicts the scenario whereby the first and third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22C of the device are provided with electrical power by the controller 26. As a result, electrical power is transferred across the first and third capacitors 20A, 20C, and a current is caused to flow between the first and third portions 24A, 24C of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In this scenario, the current is caused to pass through a larger portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, between the first and third portions 24A, 24C. When the electrically conductive element 24 also forms the power consuming element 12, e.g. in the form of a heating element, this may cause the heating of a larger portion of the aerosol generating material 14 which may result in the generation of a larger amount of aerosol.
With reference to Figures 4-7, when any given pair of electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are connected to the power supply 28, the remaining electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be electrically isolated from the power supply 28. This is illustrated in Figures 5-7 as a broken line connecting the respective electrically conductive element 22A-22G to the controller 26. This is merely illustrative, and the electrical isolation of the respective electrically conductive element 22A-22G may be achieved in any suitable manner, e.g. by a switching arrangement incorporated within the controller 26. Electrically isolating the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the aerosol provision device 4 which are not actively being used to transfer electrical power to the article 6 may prevent such ones of electrically conductive elements 22A-22G from drawing an electrical current from the power supply 28 and thus prevent transferring electrical power to parts of the article 6 which is not desired.
As will be appreciated, the formation of three or more capacitors as shown in the embodiment of Figure 4 may permit control over which portions of the aerosol generating material 14 are heated. This may allow different portions of the aerosol generating material 14 to be heated in different sessions, which may achieve a more consistent sensory experience across each session.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 4-7, the power consuming element 12 of the article 6 may be considered to be a single power consuming element 12 which has a plurality of addressable portions (i.e. portions which can be individually supplied with power) or instead it may be considered to comprise a plurality of power consuming elements (i.e. sub-elements). Each power consuming element may be considered to correspond to a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 extending between respective portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24 which form the capacitors 20A-20G. As explained above, the device 4 may control which of the power consuming elements a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are connected to a power supply 28 of the device 4, i.e. which are supplied with electrical power.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, seven electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are provided in the device 4. However, it will be appreciated that any number of electrically conductive elements may be utilised.
Whilst a tubular article 6 has been described above, it will be appreciated that the article 6 may have any suitable form/shape. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, the article 6 may be substantially planar (e.g. substantially flat). In such embodiments, the article 6 may, similarly to the embodiments described above, comprise a support 34 onto which the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be arranged. As with previous embodiments, the support 34 may be formed from an electrically insulative material. As with embodiments described above, the electrically conductive element 24 may also form the power consuming element 12. In a similar manner to the embodiments described above, the aerosol generating material 14 may be arranged on top of (adjacent) the electrically conductive element 24. Each of the support 34, electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material 14 may be in the form of a layer. The article 6 shown in Figure 8 may thus be considered to have a layered structure.
Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the article 6 shown in Figure 8 in combination with a plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of a corresponding device 4. Other features of the device 4 are omitted for clarity purposes. In a similar manner to the tubular embodiment shown in earlier Figures and described above, in the system 2 shown in Figure 9, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 comprises first to fifth portions 24A-24E which correspond to the first to fifth electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device 4. When the article 6 is received by the device 4 as shown in Figure 9, the first to fifth electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device and the first to fifth portions 24A-24E of electrically conductive element of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative and/or any air gap, together form the first to fifth capacitors 20A-20E.
As shown in the embodiment of Figure 9, in some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device 4 may be spaced along a length L of the article 6 when the article is received by the aerosol provision device 4. Any suitable spacing may be provided. In some embodiments, the article 6 comprises an axis 38. The device 4 may similarly comprise a receiving axis, which may be aligned with the axis 38 of the article 6. The electrically conductive elements 22A-22E may thus be spaced along the length of the axis 38, as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 10 shows a side-on schematic view of the system 2 shown in Figure 9, demonstrating the transfer of power to the article 6, using the first and second capacitors 22A, 22B. As shown in this Figure, the controller 26 may supply electrical power to each of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. As a result of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B, that are formed by the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B and the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 4, electrical power will be transferred across to the article 6. This will cause a current to flow in the portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 which extends between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. As with previous embodiments, this portion may define the power consuming element 12 (or define a portion of the power consuming element 12), which may be a heating element (e.g. a resistive heating element). As a result, in some embodiments, this will cause heating of the aerosol generating material 14 in the region adjacent the power consuming element 12 between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. As will be appreciated, any combination of the first to fifth capacitors 22A-22E may be supplied with electrical power to cause current to flow through any appropriate portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 11, five electrically conductive elements 22A-22E are present in the device 4, any number of electrically conductive elements (and thus capacitors) may be present.
Using a device 4 and article 6, similar to that shown in Figures 9 and 10, the Applicant has successfully achieved heating of the electrically conductive element 24 (and thus the aerosol generating material 14 adjacent thereto) to 200 °C within approximately 2 seconds, and a maximum temperature in excess of 350 °C. Such temperatures are suitably high for generating aerosol from the aerosol generating material 14, and the operational times are sufficiently low so as to be acceptable to a typical user. In the specific example set out above, the electrically conductive element 24 had a sheet resistance of 93 ohms/sq under DC, and 5.91 ohms with 24.92 pF of capacitance (between each of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6) at 434 Mhz. In this example, 10 W of power was successfully transferred to the electrically conductive element 24 and thus the aerosol generating material 14. This arrangement transferred power capacitively using two device electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. Accordingly, this example demonstrates the successful transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device 4 to the article 6 for the generation of an aerosol. It will be appreciated that the values set out above are merely exemplary and any suitable components having appropriate sheet resistances etc may be chosen depending on the specifics of the device and the article being used.
Figure 11 depicts a schematic representation of another embodiment of a system 2 comprising a device 4 which comprises a first, second and third electrically conductive element 22A, 22B, 22C. Other features of the device 4 have been omitted for clarity, but the device 4 may comprise the features of the device 4 described above with reference to Figure 1. As depicted, the system 2 comprises an article 6 which is the same as the article 6 described above with regard to Figure 3. The article 6 is tubular and comprises a support 34 onto which an electrically conductive element 24 (which also defines the power consuming element 12) and aerosol generating material 14 are arranged.
In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the electrically conductive elements of the device 4, i.e. the first to third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C, may be arranged such that they are spaced along the length L of the article 6 when it is received by the device, as depicted in Figure 11. The electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 together with corresponding portions of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article, separated by the support 34 which may be electrically insulative and an air gap, form first, second and third capacitors 20A, 22B, 22C.
As will be appreciated, when any pair of the first, second or third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 are supplied with electrical power, a current will be caused to flow along the length L of the article 6, through the electrically conductive element 24, between the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which provide the electrically conductive elements of the article 6. This portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may act as the power consuming element 12 (or a portion of the power consuming element 12), which may be a resistive heating element. In such embodiments, it may be possible to heat different portions along the length of the article 6 by controlling which of the first to third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C are supplied with electrical power. As will be appreciated, any number of electrically conducive elements on the device 4 may be provided and three electrically conductive elements have been shown merely for exemplary purposes.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, each of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 extend substantially (fully) around the article 6. This may permit the article 6 to be received by the device 4 in any angular orientation.
Figure 12 depicts an electrical circuit of an aerosol provision system 2 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Features of the system 2, such as the device 4 and article 6 are shown in dashed line to show the relative distribution of the electrical components of the circuit. As depicted, in some embodiments, a single capacitor 20A may be formed between the device 4 and the article 6. In order to complete the electrical circuit so as to supply the power consuming element 12 of the article 6 with electrical power, the article may comprise a first contact 40 and the device 4 may comprise a second contact 42. When the article 6 is received by the device 4, the first and second contacts 40, 42 may come into physical engagement with one another, thereby closing the electrical circuit as shown in this Figure. As such, when an A.C. current is supplied by the A.C. power source 32, electrical power will be transferred across a first interface 18A wirelessly using the capacitor 20A, and power may be transferred across a second interface 18B in a non-wireless manner, via the first and second contacts 40, 42. It will be appreciated that the device 4 and article 6 may have any suitable configuration in this embodiment. The power consuming element 12 may similarly be in the form of a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material 14.
Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a body of aerosol generating material 14 which comprises an electrically conductive material 23 mixed therein. The body of aerosol generating material 14 and electrically conductive material 23 may be considered to be a composite body of material. The electrically conductive material 23 mixed within the aerosol generating material 14 may form an electrically conductive element 24 extending through the aerosol generating material 14. Similarly to other embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24 may also provide the power consuming element 12. The body of material comprising the aerosol generating material 14 with the electrically conductive material mixed therein (e.g. dispersed therein) may be considered to be monolithic.
Integrating the heating element 12 within the aerosol generating material in this manner may improve heat transfer from the heating element 12 to the aerosol generating material 14, thereby generating aerosol more quickly and/or efficiently. The body of material comprising the electrically conductive material 23 mixed within the aerosol generating material 14 may be considered to be an electrically conductive body of material. The electrically conductive material 23 may comprise any suitable material for mixing with the aerosol generating material 14. For example, the electrically conductive material 23 may comprise graphene.
Mixing the electrically conductive material 23 in with the aerosol generating material 14, so as to form the electrically conductive element 24, comprising the heating element 12, may provide a convenient means for producing an article 6 with the necessary features to facilitate capacitive power transfer and heating of the aerosol generating material of an article 6. This may speed up and/or reduce the cost of manufacture of the article 6.
The body of material shown in Figure 13 may be arranged on a support 34 as shown in previous embodiments and may be formed into any suitable shape so as to form any suitable article 6.
In the various embodiments described above, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are schematically depicted as individual elements. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 may indeed be physically separate elements. However, in other embodiments, some or all of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be individually addressable portions of a single electrically conductive element. The controller 26 may be configured to individually address respective portions of the single electrically conductive element of the device 4.
In any of the embodiments described above the electrically conductive elements of the device may be plate-like and be considered to capacitive plates. Similarly, the electrically conductive element of the article may be plate-like and thus be considered to provide a capacitive plate. In this regard, each of the capacitors formed between the electrically conductive elements of the device and the corresponding portions of the article may be considered to be a parallel-plate capacitor.
In each of the embodiments described above, the article 6 comprises a single electrically conductive element 24 portions of which form capacitors with the electrically conductive elements of the device 4. In other embodiments, the article 6 may comprise a plurality of discrete electrically conductive elements. The power consuming element(s) 12 may be separate to and electrically connected to each of the discrete electrically conductive elements. In some embodiments, the device 4 may comprises at least three discrete electrically conductive elements, and the article may comprise at least three corresponding electrically conductive elements. The at least one electrical power consuming element may comprise a plurality of discrete electrical power consuming elements, and each of the discrete electrical power consuming elements may be electrically connected to a different pair of the at least three discrete electrically conductive elements of the article. In such embodiments, where a plurality of discrete electrically conductive elements are provided in the article, each of the plurality of capacitors may be formed between respective ones of the plurality of conductive elements of the device and the plurality of conductive elements of the article. The discrete electrically conductive elements and/or the discrete power consuming elements may, for example, be formed by printing an electrically conductive layer onto specific portions of a support, which may comprise a paper or card layer.
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 system comprising:
an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element; and

an aerosol provision device configured to receive the article;

wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device:
an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article; and

the aerosol provision device and article together form at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.
The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material.
The aerosol provision system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises at least one electrically conductive element, wherein the article comprises at least one electrically conductive element, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the at least one capacitor.
The aerosol provision system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the at least one power consuming element.
The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors.
The aerosol provision system of claim 5, when dependent on claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the plurality of capacitors.
The aerosol provision system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and respective portions of a single electrically conductive element of the article.
The aerosol provision system of claim 7, when dependent on claim 4, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive element a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive element of the article through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.
The aerosol provision system of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the article comprises a support on which the least one electrically conductive element of the article, and/or the at least one electrical power consuming element, is arranged.
The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, and/or the at least one electrical power consuming element, are provided by an electrically conductive layer arranged on the support.
The aerosol provision system of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive layer is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article also forms the electrical power consuming element, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive layer a current is caused to flow through, when the article is received by the device, by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive layer through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.
The aerosol provision system of any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive ink or paint.
The aerosol provision system of any of any preceding claim, wherein the article has a tubular form which defines an axis, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) extends substantially 360 degrees around the axis.
An aerosol provision device for receiving, in use, an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element, wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, in use, an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article and the aerosol provision device, together with the article, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.
An article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:
an aerosol generating material; and

an electrical power consuming element;

wherein, in use, when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, an interface is formed between the article and the aerosol provision device, and the article together with the aerosol provision device forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.