EP4623711A1

EP4623711A1 - Article for use with an aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4623711A1
Application number: EP24167642.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas WOODMAN; David Roberts; Richard Hepworth; Marcus Hartley
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-03-28
Filing date: 2024-03-28
Publication date: 2025-10-01
Also published as: WO2025202444A2; WO2025202444A3

Abstract

An article (300) for use with an aerosol provision device (100) is provided. The article (300) comprises a housing (306) and aerosol generating material (302). The housing (306) is configured to be manipulated from a relatively collapsed condition to a relatively expanded condition. In the relatively expanded condition the housing (306) defines an airflow passage (316).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article for use with an aerosol provision device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol provision system.

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 article for use with an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing; and aerosol generating material, wherein the housing is configured to be transformed from a relatively collapsed condition to a relatively expanded condition, wherein in the relatively expanded condition the housing defines an airflow passage.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing; and aerosol generating material, wherein the housing defines a substantially pillow box shape.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use in an aerosol provision device comprising: a housing; and aerosol generating material, wherein the housing comprises an array of tubular airflow passages.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively collapsed condition is a storage condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively expanded condition is a usable condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing is configured to be manipulated from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition
In an embodiment of any of the above, the article is a consumable article. In an embodiment of any of the above, the article is a single-use article.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may comprise a support and the aerosol generating material may be supported by the support.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be a solid material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may comprise a gel.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be a non-liquid material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the article may comprise an aerosol generating material layer comprising the aerosol generating material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material layer may be on the support.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be bonded to the support.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support may comprise a material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support may comprise a support layer.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support layer may comprise at least one of a paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be indirectly mounted on the support layer.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support may comprise a heating layer.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the heating layer may comprise the material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the heating layer may be a susceptor layer.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support may comprise a foil.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the foil may be aluminium foil.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support layer may enclose the susceptor layer.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the susceptor layer may comprise an array of susceptor portions.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the susceptor portions may be discrete susceptor portions.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may comprise an array of aerosol generating material regions.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be continuous.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be discontinuous.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may form a substrate. In an embodiment of any of the above, the support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may define a laminate.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the volume of the airflow passage may be configured to increase when the housing is transformed from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the article in the relatively collapsed condition is free from an airflow passage.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the airflow passage may be a tubular airflow passage in the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the tubular airflow passage may comprise a polygonal cross-sectional shape.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the polygonal shape may be at least one of quadrilateral and hexagonal.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the tubular airflow passage may comprise a substantially convex shape.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the polygonal shape may be a symmetric lens shape.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may comprise a first major housing panel and a second major housing panel.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the first and second major housing panels may be at least substantially planar in the relatively collapsed condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the first and second major housing panels may be arced in the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, at least one housing panel may bow outwardly in the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, outer edges of the housing may define a maximum extent of the housing.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the outer edges may define fold lines.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the article may comprise a biasing member arranged to bias the housing into the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the biasing member may comprise an open pore material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the biasing member may be resilient.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be resilient.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be biased into the relatively collapsed condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the article may comprise a retention element configured to retain the housing in the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the retention element may comprise an end panel of the housing.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the retention element may comprise an airflow aperture.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be biased into the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be arranged to transform from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition on removal of the article from a packaging for at least partially containing the article.
In an embodiment of any of the above, in the relatively collapsed condition, the article may be substantially planar.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may define a closed loop.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be transformable from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively open useable condition by a user applying a compressive force on the housing.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may comprise a reticulated structure.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may comprise a honeycomb structure.
In an embodiment of any of the above, in the relatively expanded position, the aerosol generating material may be exposed to the airflow passage.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may define at least one prism.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the or each prism may be open at both ends.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be transformable from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition by a user applying a compression force in a direction transverse to an axis of the or each prism.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may define a plurality of parallel prisms.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the or each prism may be a hexagonal prism.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the or each prism may be a quadrilateral prism.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be provided on an interior surface of the or each prism.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol generating material may be provided on an interior surface of the or each airflow passage.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing may be configured to be transformed from a relatively collapsed condition to a relatively expanded condition in which the housing defines an airflow passage.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively collapsed condition is a storage condition. In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively expanded condition is a usable condition.
In accordance with embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising an article according to any of the above and an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device comprising: a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol generating material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol provision device may comprise a receptacle arranged to at least partially receive the article.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol provision device may comprise a receptacle arranged to fully receive the article.
In an embodiment of any of the above, a cross-sectional shape of the receptacle may be substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the article in the relatively expanded condition.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece arranged to define an airflow passage in combination with the airflow passage of the article.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol provision device may comprise a plurality of heating arrangements, each heating arrangement configured to heat a different portion of the aerosol generating material.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the aerosol provision device may be configured to activate the heating arrangements sequentially.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the plurality of heating arrangements may be spaced along an axial extent of the receptacle.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the plurality of heating arrangements may be spaced circumferentially about the receptacle.
In an embodiment of any of the above, a minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 0.9 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.34 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.4 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.54 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.6 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.8 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at least 1.84 mm.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at most 2.34 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at most 2.2 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at most 2.1 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at most 2.0 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension of the airflow passage may be at most 1.9 mm.
The airflow path may be free of obstructions.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the article of any of the above and a packaging arranged to at least partially contain the article in the relatively collapsed condition, wherein the housing of the article is arranged to transform from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition on removal of the article from the packaging.
In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively collapsed condition is a storage condition. In an embodiment of any of the above, the relatively expanded condition is a usable condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of an article for use with an aerosol provision device in a relatively collapsed condition;
Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the article of Figure 1 in a relatively expanded condition;
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an aerosol provision device configured to accommodate the article of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of part of an aerosol provision system comprising an article for use with an aerosol provision device and a part of the aerosol provision device;
Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the aerosol provision system of Figure 4;
Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of a heating assembly of an aerosol provision device; and
Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of part of an article for use with an aerosol provision device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
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 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 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.
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 semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.
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 particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as active substances, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent. The aerosol-generating film may be a continuous film or a discontinuous film, such an arrangement of discrete portions of film on a support. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially tobacco free.
The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet.
The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise exothermic material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
A susceptor is a heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The aerosol provision device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.
Non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable aerosol generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry). The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.
Induction heating is a process in which an electrically-conductive object, referred to as a susceptor, is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. The process is described by Faraday's law of induction and Ohm's law. An induction heater may comprise an electromagnet and a device for passing a varying electrical current, such as an alternating current, through the electromagnet. When the electromagnet and the object to be heated are suitably relatively positioned so that the resultant varying magnetic field produced by the electromagnet penetrates the object, one or more eddy currents are generated inside the object. The object has a resistance to the flow of electrical currents and when such eddy currents are generated in the object, their flow against the electrical resistance of the object causes the object to be heated. This process is called Joule, ohmic or resistive heating.
Magnetic hysteresis heating is a process in which an object made of a magnetic material is heated by penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field. A magnetic material can be considered to comprise many atomic-scale magnets, or magnetic dipoles. When a magnetic field penetrates such material, the magnetic dipoles align with the magnetic field. Therefore, when a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field, for example as produced by an electromagnet, penetrates the magnetic material, the orientation of the magnetic dipoles changes with the varying applied magnetic field. Such magnetic dipole reorientation causes heat to be generated in the magnetic material.
When an object is both electrically-conductive and magnetic, penetrating the object with a varying magnetic field can cause both Joule heating and magnetic hysteresis heating in the object. Moreover, the use of magnetic material can strengthen the magnetic field, which can intensify the Joule heating.
Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an article 300 comprising aerosol generating material 302. The article 300 is configured for use with an aerosol provision device 100, as shown in Figure 3, for generating aerosol from the aerosol generating material 302, as shown in Figure 2. The article 300 and aerosol provision device 100 together form an aerosol provision system 10 as shown in Figure 4.
The article 300 is shown in a relatively collapsed condition. The relatively collapsed condition is a storage condition, and defines a relatively collapsed storage condition. The article 300 is a consumable article. The article 300 is a single-use article. In embodiments, the article 300 may be reusable.
In embodiments, the article 300 may be provided in the relatively collapsed condition and may be transformed into a relatively expanded condition. The relatively expanded condition is a usable condition, and defines a relatively expanded usable condition. In embodiments, the article 300 may be transformed into the relatively expanded condition. The relatively collapsed condition may be referred to herein as the storage condition and the relatively expanded condition may be referred to as the expanded condition herein for brevity. Such transformation may be due to manipulation by a user, resilience of at least a part of the article 300 or interaction of the article 300 with another apparatus such as on insertion of the article 300 into an aerosol provision device or removal of the article 300 from a packaging. In embodiments, the article 300 is manufactured in the relatively expanded condition. In embodiments, the article 300 is manufactured in the relatively collapsed condition. In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 300 provides a substantially two-dimensional configuration which may be transformed to provide a three-dimensional shape in the usable condition. In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 300 may have a generally planar configuration. This may allow the article to occupy less space for storage and transport.
The article 300 comprises a housing 306. The aerosol generating material 302 is on the housing 306. The aerosol generating material 302 is bonded to the housing 306. The housing 306 provides structural support to the aerosol generating material 302. The housing 306 is a support supporting the aerosol generating material 302. In embodiments, there may be one or more intermediate layers between the aerosol generating material 302 and the housing 306.
The aerosol generating material 302 is a gel. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 is a solid material, for example reconstituted tobacco. The aerosol generating material 302 defines an aerosol generating layer.
The aerosol generating material 302 is bonded to the support. The housing 306 comprises a support layer. The support layer may comprise at least one of a paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material. The support layer and aerosol generating material 302 form a laminate. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 may be indirectly mounted on the support layer, for example with an intermediate layer interposed between the aerosol generating material 302 and the support layer.
In embodiments, the article 300 comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material 302. The support may comprise the heating element. The heating element may comprise a material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The support may comprise a heating layer. The heating layer may comprise the material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating layer may be a susceptor layer. The heating layer may comprise a foil. The foil may be aluminium foil. The support layer may enclose the susceptor layer. The support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may form a substrate. The support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may define a laminate. The heating element may be omitted.
In embodiments, the heating element may be a resistive heating element. The heating element may be configured to be contacted by a device contact of an aerosol provision device to cause electrical current to pass through the heating element to heat the heating element. In embodiments, the article 300 may comprise exposed electrical contacts connected to the heating element and configured to be contacted by a device contact of an aerosol provision device to cause electrical current to pass through the heating element to heat the heating element.
In embodiments, the susceptor layer may comprise an array of susceptor portions. The susceptor portions may be discrete susceptor portions. The aerosol generating material 302 may comprise an array of aerosol generating material regions. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 may be continuous. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 may be discontinuous.
In embodiments, the housing 306 comprises one or more of paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, foil and a laminate thereof. The housing 306 is deformable. The housing 306 is flexible. The term flexible as used herein indicates that the housing 306 can be deformed from one shape to another by manipulation by a user. The housing 306 is semi-rigid. The term semi-rigid as used herein indicates that the housing 306 is self-supporting, and does not collapse or change shape under its own weight.
The housing 306 comprises a first layer 308 and a second layer 310. In embodiments, the housing 306 may comprise more than two layers. The aerosol generating material 302 is provided between the first layer 308 and the second layer 310. The first and second layers 308, 310 define an exterior of the article 300. In embodiments, the first and second layers 308, 310 are formed of a single sheet of material folded back on itself and joined, for example with adhesive. In embodiments, the first and second layers 308, 310 are formed of two or more sheets of material joined together, for example with adhesive. The first and second layers 308, 310 are planar and rectangular in the relatively collapsed condition. Lateral edges of the first and second layers 308, 310 define lateral edges 314 of the article 300. As used herein, the term 'lateral edge' refers to one of the longer edges of the first and second layers 308, 310 or article 300. The first and second layers 308, 310 are joined at their lateral edges, for example by adhesive or by being a unitary folded sheet or otherwise.
In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 300 is planar. In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 300 is a flat strip. As used herein, the term planar refers to a component which has a depth significantly smaller than its length and width. In the relatively collapsed condition, the exterior of the article 300 has a length L, a width W and a depth D. The width W is perpendicular to the length L and the depth D is perpendicular to each of the length L and the width W. In this embodiment, the length L is greater than the width W, and the width W is greater than the depth D. The depth D is less than 30%, less than 20% or less than 10% of the width W. The depth D is less than 30%, less than 20% or less than 10% of the length L. The planar shape of the article 300 in the relatively collapsed condition may provide more spatially efficient packing of the article for storage. In embodiments, the article 300 is not planar in the storage condition: for example, only a part of the article 300 may be planar in the storage condition.
In this embodiment, in the storage condition, the exterior of the article 300 is a rectangular cuboid, so that the article 300 is elongate with a substantially rectangular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the length L may be equal or substantially equal to the width W, so that the article 300 is not elongate as such. In some such embodiments, the exterior of the article 300 may be a square cuboid. In some embodiments, the exterior of the article 300 may be other than cuboid. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of the edges of the exterior of the article 300 may be bevelled or rounded. In some embodiments, the article 300 may have other than a substantially rectangular cross-section, such as an elliptical cross-section. In embodiments, the article 300 is a rod. In embodiments, the article 300 is substantially cylindrical.
Figure 2 shows the article 300 in a relatively expanded condition. The housing 306 is configured to be transformed from the storage condition to the usable condition by a user applying a compressive force on the housing 306. Such transformation may be referred to as manipulation. In embodiments, the force may not be a compressive force. For example, the housing 306 may comprise grippable portions which the user may pull to deform the housing 306 into the usable condition. In embodiments, the user may not need to apply a force to the article 300 to deform the article 300 from the storage condition to the usable condition. For example, at least a part of the housing 306 may be resilient and biased into the usable condition. The article 300 may be stored in a packaging (not shown) in the storage condition and may spring into the usable condition on removal from the packaging. The article 300 may be transformed into the usable condition on insertion into an aerosol provision device. In embodiments, the article 300 may not be resilient but may be transformed into the usable condition on removal from a packaging, for example by being forced through a gap in the packaging which is narrower than a maximum dimension of the article 300, so as to apply a compressive force to the article 300.
The housing 306 comprises an inner web 312. The inner web 312 comprises a plurality of sheets of material extending between the first and second layers 308, 310 of the housing 306. The inner web 312 defines a branched structure. In the storage condition, the inner web 312 is substantially flat. In the usable condition, the inner web 312 is expanded, such that portions of the inner web 312 are at angles to one another and the inner web 312 occupies significant three-dimensional space. The inner web 312 has an axial extent the same as an axial extent of the first and second layers 308, 310. The inner web 312 and the first and second layers 308, 310 together define a reticulated structure. In the usable condition, the first and second layers 308, 310 of the housing 306 are separated and define a space therebetween. The inner web 312 divides the space defined between the first and second layers 308, 310 into a plurality of airflow passages 316. In embodiments, the inner web 312 may be omitted.
The inner web 312 and the first and second layers 308, 310 of the housing 306 are deformable along fold lines. In embodiments, at least one of the inner web 312, the first layer 308 and the second layer 310 are scored to provide the fold lines. This may assist the article 300 to reliably adopt the usable condition, for example when manipulated by a user. In embodiments, the inner web 312 and first and second layers 308 310 may be substantially rigid between the fold lines. The fold lines extend in an axial direction of the article 300. The fold lines extend from a proximal end 300a of the article 300 to a distal end 300b of the article 300.
The housing 306 defines an array of tubular airflow passages 316 in the usable condition. In embodiments, any number of airflow passages 316 may be provided, including a single airflow passage 316. Each tubular airflow passage 316 comprises a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Each tubular airflow passage 316 comprises a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. In embodiments, the polygonal cross-sectional shape may be quadrilateral or any suitable shape. Each airflow passage 316 is a prism open at both ends. As used herein, the term "prism" refers to a three-dimensional shape having a constant cross-sectional shape along its axial extent. The article 300 therefore comprises, in the usable condition, a plurality of parallel prisms. The housing 306 defines, in the usable condition, a reticulated structure. The housing 306 defines, in the usable condition, a honeycomb structure. The housing 306 is deformable from the storage condition to the usable condition by a user applying a compression force in a direction transverse to an axis of the or each prism. The compression force may be applied directly by the user, such as by squeezing the article 300 with the user's hand, or indirectly, such as by pulling or pushing the article through a gap which is narrower than a maximum dimension of the article 300. In embodiments, the housing 306 is deformable from the storage condition to the usable condition by a user applying a tensile force in a direction transverse to an axis of the or each prism.
The dimensions of the airflow passages 316 may affect the flow velocity and/or pressure of the air in the airflow passage during use, e.g. when inhaled by the user. It has been found that particular values of the dimensions result in more aerosol being produced and/or delivered to the user. This may be due to the flow velocity and/or pressure in the airflow passage 316 affecting the degree to which the aerosol generating material is heated (e.g. due to a cooling effect of air) and/or the amount of aerosol that is carried by the airflow to the mouth end and/or user. As such, if the airflow velocity is not large enough, insufficient aerosol may be carried by the airflow e.g. with aerosol droplets being deposited before the mouth end is reached. If the gap d is too small, the flow velocity may be too high, perhaps resulting in the aerosol generating material being heated to a lower temperature, thereby generating less aerosol.
In this embodiment, the minimum cross-sectional dimension d of each airflow passage 316 is greater than or equal to 0.9 mm. The minimum cross-sectional dimension refers to the smallest distance across the airflow passage 316, that is, perpendicular to an axial direction of the airflow passage 316. It has been found that d being greater than or equal to 0.9 mm may mean that the mass of aerosol delivered to the user is increased to a surprising degree, e.g. when compared to systems with d less than 0.9 mm. More surprisingly, it was found that d being greater than or equal to 1.34 mm further improved this effect. More surprisingly, it was found that d being greater than 1.8mm, such as being substantially equal to 1.84 mm, may result in a greater mass of aerosol being generated and/or delivered. The mass of aerosol delivered may plateau or decrease as d increases beyond 1.84 mm. In some embodiments, d may be less than or equal to 4mm, e.g. less than or equal to 2.5 mm, less than or equal to 2.34 mm, less than or equal to 2.2 mm, less than or equal to 2.1 mm, less than or equal to 2.0 mm, less than or equal to 1.9 mm. More aerosol may be delivered to the user as d is reduced from 4mm to 1.84 mm.
The airflow path 316 in embodiments is free of obstructions.
The aerosol generating material 302 is configured to be exposed to each airflow passage 316. The article 300 comprises an array of aerosol generating material regions. Aerosol generating material 302 is provided on an interior surface of each airflow passage 316. In embodiments, some airflow passages 316 may be free of aerosol generating material 302. The inner surfaces of the airflow passages 316 are coated with aerosol generating material 302. The aerosol generating material 302 is present on less than half of the surface area of each airflow passage 316. This may prevent portions of aerosol generating material 302 from adhering to each other in the storage condition, which may make it more difficult to manipulate the article 300 into the usable condition or may damage the article 300. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 may be present on more than half of the surface area of each airflow passage 316.
In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 302 is coated on the inner surfaces of the first and second layers 308, 310. This allows the aerosol generating material 302 to be positioned adjacent to the outer surfaces of the article 300, for more efficient heating. In embodiments, the inner web 312 may be free from aerosol generating material 302. This may provide a more efficient utilisation of the aerosol generating material 302 and may also reduce the chance of aerosol generating material 302 adhering to itself in the storage condition.
The article 300 provides a relatively large surface area due to the reticulated or honeycomb structure and due to the presence of an array of airflow passages. Aerosol generating material 302 may then be adhered to a relatively larger surface area, which may provide a longer usage session or a greater amount of aerosol. Formation of aerosol from the aerosol generating material 302 may further be made more efficient.
The division of the article 300 into a plurality of airflow passages 316, each of which includes a separate portion of aerosol generating material 302 may allow a plurality of different flavours to be provided or may allow the article 300 to be used for multiple use sessions while remaining fresh. For example, in each use session, aerosol generating material 302 in a different airflow passage 316 may be utilised.
The reticulated or honeycomb structure further allows the article 300 to be provided in the storage condition, which is relatively flat, and subsequently transformed into the usable condition. This may provide a more spatially efficient arrangement during manufacture, shipping and sale of the article 300. The hexagonal cross-section of the airflow passages 316 allows the airflow passages 316 to expand from a collapsed condition to an expanded condition on application of a compressive force to the lateral edges of the prisms.
In embodiments, the storage condition is not entirely flat, and the airflow passages 316 are present in the storage condition. In such embodiments, the volume of each airflow passage 316 may be configured to increase when the housing 306 is transformed from the storage condition to the usable condition. In embodiments, the article 300 in the storage condition is free from airflow passages, as the inner web 312 and first and second layers 308, 310 of the housing are in contact. This may increase a storage life of the article 300 by reducing or preventing exposure of the aerosol generating material 302 to air during storage, which may dry out or oxidise the aerosol generating material 302.
It is envisaged that the article 300 may be provided in the storage condition in a packaging (not shown). In embodiments, multiple articles 300 in the storage condition may be provided in a single packaging. A suitable packaging may have a rectangular cuboid form and may be made of card, paper, foil, plastic or any other suitable material. The packaging may be arranged to apply a compressive force to the or each article 300 within the packaging to retain the article 300 in the storage condition. This force may be applied as a reaction force to the resilience of the article 300. The packaging may surround the article 300 or plurality of articles 300.
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 is for use with the article of Figures 1 and 2. In embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 is for use with another article, for example the article 400 of Figure 7 as described below. The aerosol provision device 100 and the article 300 together form an aerosol provision system 10, for example as shown in Figure 4. In broad outline, the device 100 may be used to heat the article 300, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.
The aerosol provision device 100 is an elongate structure, extending along a longitudinal axis. Additionally, the aerosol provision device has a proximal end 104, which will be closest to the user (e.g. the user's mouth) when in use by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol provision device 100, as well as a distal end 106 which will be furthest from the user when in use. The proximal end 104 may also be referred to as the "mouth end". The aerosol provision device 100 also accordingly defines a proximal direction, which is directed towards the user when in use, i.e. in the direction from the distal end 106 to the proximal end 104. Further, the aerosol provision device 100 also likewise defines a distal direction, which is directed away from the user when in use, i.e. in the direction from the proximal end 104 to the distal end 106.
The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main body 101. A device housing 102 surrounds and houses various components of the main body 101. The device 100 also includes a button assembly 200, acting as a user interface, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the button assembly 200. The button assembly 200 includes button 107, as shown in Figure 3. The button assembly 200 may be assembled as part of the other assemblies of the aerosol provision device 100.
The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an electrical component connector 160, which can receive a cable to charge the device 100. For example, the connector 160 may be a charging port, such as a USB charging port. In embodiments, the connector 160 may be used additionally or alternatively to transfer data between the device 100 and another device, such as a computing device.
The device 100 comprises a power source 170, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. The battery is electrically coupled to the aerosol generator 150 to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller to heat the aerosol generating material.
The device 100 comprises an electronics module 112. The electronics module 112 may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may support at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory. The PCB may also comprise one or more electrical tracks to electrically connect together various electronic components of the device 100. For example, the battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100.
As used herein, the term one-piece component refers to a component of the device 100 which is not separable into two or more components following assembly of the device 100. As used herein, the term integrally formed refers to two or more features that are formed into a one-piece component during a manufacturing stage of the component.
The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a heating zone 105. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an opening 103 leading into the heating zone 105. Figure 4 shows the article 300 being inserted into the heating zone 105. Figure 5 shows the article fully inserted in the heating zone 105. The article 300 may be inserted through the opening 103 and may be retained within the heating zone 105. The article 300 may be heated by a heating element so that an aerosol or other inhalable medium may be generated which may then be inhaled by a user of the aerosol provision device 100.
In embodiments, the opening 103 is narrower than a maximum cross-sectional dimension of the article 300, such as a width or thickness of the article 300. Insertion of the article 300 through the opening 103 may therefore deform the article. Such deformation may cause the article 300 to enter the usable condition or may ensure that the article 300 fully enters the usable condition. For example, the user may initially deform the article 300 by applying a compressive or tensile force to the article 300 or the article 300 may comprise a resilient component and may spring out of the storage condition on removal from a packaging, but this may not cause the article 300 to fully enter the usable condition, but remain in an intermediate condition. On insertion through the opening 103, the article 300 may be further deformed such that it fully enters the usable condition. In embodiments, the article 300 may be inserted into the opening 103 in the storage condition and deformed by the opening 103 into the usable condition.
The heating zone 105 is arranged to conform to the article 300 in the usable condition. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a receptacle 108. The receptacle 108 defines the heating zone 105. A cross-sectional shape of the receptacle 108 is substantially the same as a cross-sectional shape of the article 300 in the usable condition.
The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a mouthpiece 122. The mouthpiece has been omitted for clarity in Figures 4 and 5. The mouthpiece 122 defines an outlet air channel 124. The outlet air channel 124 extends from the heating zone 105 to an exterior of the aerosol provision device 100. The mouthpiece 122 is movable relative to the main body 101 to open and close the opening 103. In embodiments, the mouthpiece 122 is removable from the main body 101. In embodiments, the mouthpiece 122 is joined to the main body 101 by one or more of a hinge, a push fit, a screw thread, a magnetic arrangement and any other suitable joining means. The mouthpiece 122 retains the article 300 in the heating zone 105. In embodiments, the mouthpiece is omitted. In embodiments, the mouthpiece is fixed relative to the main body 101. In embodiments, the mouthpiece does not close the opening 103. For example, the opening 103 may be provided on a lateral side of the device and may be closed by a movable panel or door.
In embodiments, the article 300 comprises the mouthpiece 122. In such embodiments, the article 300 may partly protrude from the receptacle 108 through the opening 103 to allow a user to draw directly on the article in use. In embodiments, the article 300 is configured to allow a user to cover an entire end of the article 300 with the user's mouth. For example, the article 300 may have a greatest width no greater than 4cm, 3cm or 2cm.
Figure 4 shows the article 300 being inserted into the heating zone 105 of the aerosol provision device 100. The mouthpiece 122 is omitted for clarity. Figure 5 shows the aerosol provision system 10 with the article 300 fully inserted in the heating zone 105 of the aerosol provision device 100. Again, the mouthpiece 122 is omitted for clarity. In embodiments, before insertion of the article 300 into the aerosol provision device 100, the user manipulates the article 300 from the storage condition to the usable condition.
Returning to Figure 3, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises an inlet air channel 180. The inlet air channel 180 extends from an air inlet 190 to the heating zone 105. The inlet air channel 180 extends through the main body 101. The inlet air channel 180 is arranged to direct airflow from an exterior of the aerosol provision device to the heating zone 105, where the airflow may enter the article 300 and entrain the generated aerosol for inhalation by a user. The air inlet 190 is in the distal end 106 of the main body 101. The inlet air channel 180 is defined by a flow path member 182. The flow path member 182 extends between the heating zone 105 and the air inlet 190. The flow path member 182 is tubular. The flow path member 182 defines a bore. The flow path member 182 extends in an axial direction along its length. In embodiments, the flow path member 182 follows a tortuous path. Other airflow arrangements are envisaged. For example, airflow may be provided between the receptacle 108 and the article 300. In embodiments, airflow may enter the heating zone 105 via the opening 103.
In use, the airflow air passages 316 of the article 300 abut the outlet air channel 124 of the mouthpiece 122 and the inlet air channel 180 of the aerosol provision device. An airflow path is then provided by, in sequence, the inlet air channel 180, the airflow passages 316 of the article 300 and the outlet air channel 124 of the mouthpiece 122. The article 300 has a length or axial extent which is substantially the same as a length or axial extent of the heating zone 105. The housing 306 of the article 300 abuts a base of the heating zone 105 and a lower surface of the mouthpiece 122. Such an arrangement may prevent aerosol from leaking from the airflow path. In use, the user draws on the mouthpiece 122 and air is drawn in through the inlet air channel 180, through the airflow passages 316 of the article 300, where it entrains aerosol, then through the outlet air channel 124 to the user's mouth.
The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator 200. The aerosol generator 200 comprises a heating arrangement 202. The heating arrangement 202 is shown in Figure 6. The heating arrangement 202 comprises a plurality of heating elements 204. In embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a single heating element 204. The heating elements 204 are disposed proximal to the heating zone 105, arranged to heat the aerosolisable material 302 when the article 300 is in the heating zone 105. The heating elements 204 are distributed axially along the heating zone 105. The heating elements 204 are distributed along a length of the heating zone 105. The heating elements 204 are distributed circumferentially around the heating zone 105. The electronics module 112 is arranged to control the heating elements 304. The electronics module 112 is arranged to activate the heating elements 204 sequentially in the axial direction and/or in circumferential direction. The heating elements 204 are resistive. Each heating arrangement 204 is configured to heat a different portion of the aerosol generating material 302.
In embodiments, the aerosol provision system 10 comprises an induction-type heating system. The induction-type heating system includes a magnetic field generator and a heating element. The heating element in such embodiments may be comprised in the aerosol provision device 100 or in the article 300. The heating element in such embodiments is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generator comprises an inductor coil assembly. The inductor coil assembly is comprised in the aerosol provision device 100. The inductor coil assembly comprises an inductor coil. In embodiments, the number of inductor coils differs. In embodiments, two or more inductor coils are used. In embodiments, the inductor coil assembly comprises an array of inductor coils. In embodiments, the array of inductor coils is aligned along an axis. The axis in embodiments is the longitudinal axis. In embodiments, the inductor coil assembly also comprises a coil support. The coil support may be omitted.
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of part of another article 400 comprising aerosol generating material 402 for use with an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from the aerosol generating material 402. The article 400 is shown in a relatively expanded condition. In embodiments, the article 400 may be provided in a relatively collapsed condition and may be transformed into the relatively expanded condition. In embodiments, the article 400 may be deformed into the relatively expanded condition. The relatively collapsed condition may be referred to herein as the storage condition and the relatively expanded condition may be referred to as the expanded condition herein for brevity. Such transformation may be due to manipulation by a user, resilience of at least a part of the article 400 or interaction of the article 400 with another apparatus such as on insertion of the article 400 into an aerosol provision device or removal of the article 400 from a packaging. In embodiments, the article 400 is manufactured in the usable condition. In embodiments, the article 400 is manufactured in the storage condition. In the storage condition, the article 400 provides a substantially two-dimensional configuration which may be deformed to provide a three-dimensional shape in the usable condition. In the storage condition, the article 400 may have a generally planar configuration. This may allow the article to occupy less space for storage and transport.
The article 400 is a consumable article. The article 400 is a single-use article. The article 400 may be used with an aerosol provision device similar to the aerosol provision device 100 of Figure 3.
The article 400 comprises a housing 406. The aerosol generating material 402 is on the housing 406. The aerosol generating material 402 is bonded to the housing 406. The housing 406 provides structural support to the aerosol generating material 402. The housing 406 is a support supporting the aerosol generating material 402. In embodiments, there may be one or more intermediate layers between the aerosol generating material 402 and the housing 406. The aerosol generating material 402 is a gel. The gel is bonded to the support. The housing 406 comprises a support layer. The support layer and aerosol generating material 402 form a laminate. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 402 may be indirectly mounted on the support layer, for example with an intermediate layer interposed between the aerosol generating material 402 and the support layer. In embodiments, the housing 406 comprises one or more of paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, foil and a laminate thereof. The housing 406 is deformable. The housing 406 is flexible. The housing 306 is semi-rigid. The term semi-rigid as used herein indicates that the housing 306 is self-supporting, and does not collapse or change shape under its own weight.
In embodiments, the article 400 comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material 402. The support may comprise the heating element. The heating element may comprise a material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The support may comprise a heating layer. The heating layer may comprise the material heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The heating layer may be a susceptor layer. The heating layer may comprise a foil. The foil may be aluminium foil. The support layer may enclose the susceptor layer. The support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may form a substrate. The support layer, the heating layer and the aerosol generating layer may define a laminate. The heating element may be omitted.
In embodiments, the heating element may be a resistive heating element. The heating element may be configured to be contacted by a device contact of an aerosol provision device to cause electrical current to pass through the heating element to heat the heating element. In embodiments, the article 400 may comprise exposed electrical contacts connected to the heating element and configured to be contacted by a device contact of an aerosol provision device to cause electrical current to pass through the heating element to heat the heating element.
In embodiments, the susceptor layer may comprise an array of susceptor portions. The susceptor portions may be discrete susceptor portions. The aerosol generating material 402 may comprise an array of aerosol generating material regions. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 402 may be continuous. In embodiments, the aerosol generating material 402 may be discontinuous.
The housing 406 comprises a first major housing panel 408 and a second major housing panel (not shown). The aerosol generating material 402 is provided between the first major housing panel 408 and the second major housing panel. The first and second major housing panels partially define an exterior of the article 400. In embodiments, the first and second major housing panels are formed of a single sheet of material folded back on itself and joined, for example with adhesive. The housing 406 defines a closed loop. The first and second major housing panels define a closed loop. In embodiments, the first and second major housing panels are formed of two or more sheets of material joined together, for example with adhesive. The first and second major housing panels are planar in the storage condition. Lateral edges of the first and second major housing panels define lateral edges 414 of the article 400. As used herein, the term 'lateral edge' refers to one of the longer edges of the first and second major housing panels or article 400. The first and second major housing panels are joined at their lateral edges, for example by adhesive or by being a unitary folded sheet or otherwise. The lateral edges of the article 400 define outer edges of the housing 406 and may define a maximum extent of the housing 406. At least one of the outer edges of the article 400 may define a fold line. The lateral edges of each major housing panel are joined by terminal edges of the respective major housing panel. The terminal edges are curved. Each terminal edge defines an arc shape.
The housing 406 comprises a first minor housing panel 410 and a second minor housing panel (not shown). The first and second minor housing panels partially define an exterior of the article 400. The first and second minor housing panels define respective end panels of the article 400 in the usable condition. Each of the first and second minor housing panels is joined to one of the first and second major housing panels, for example with adhesive or by being a unitary part of the same sheet of material forming one of the first and second major housing panels. Each minor housing panel is joined to the respective major housing panel along a terminal edge of the major housing panel. The first and second minor housing panels are planar in the storage condition. Each of the first and second minor housing panels defines a symmetric lens shape. Each of the minor housing panels defines two edges. Each edge of each minor housing panel is curved and conforms to a terminal edge of a respective major housing panel. In embodiments, one or both of the minor housing panels may be omitted.
In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 400 is planar. In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 400 is a flat strip. As used herein, the term planar refers to a component which has a depth significantly smaller than its length and width. In the relatively collapsed condition, the exterior of the article 400 has a length, a width and a depth. The width is perpendicular to the length and the depth is perpendicular to each of the length and the width. In this embodiment, the length is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the depth. The depth is less than 30%, less than 20% or less than 10% of the width. The depth is less than 30%, less than 20% or less than 10% of the length. In the relatively collapsed condition, the article 400 provides a substantially two-dimensional net which may be transformed to provide a three-dimensional shape in the usable condition.
In the usable condition, the housing 406 defines a substantially pillow box shape as shown in Figure 7. In the usable condition, the article 400 defines a prism. A cross-section of the prism is a symmetric lens shape. In the usable condition, the major housing panels bow outwardly and define a substantially convex shape. The first and second major housing panels are arced in the usable condition. In the usable condition, the first and second minor housing panels bow inwardly and define a substantially concave shape. The first and second minor housing panels are arced in the usable condition.
The housing 406 is resilient and biased into the storage condition. The biasing is provided by the resilience of the housing 406. Each minor housing panel defines a retention element configured to retain the housing 406 in the usable condition. In embodiments, the article 400 comprises a biasing member (not shown) arranged to bias the housing 406 into the relatively expanded condition. The biasing member may comprise an open pore material disposed between the major housing panels. The biasing member may be resilient. The biasing member may be omitted.
The first minor housing panel 410 comprises an airflow aperture 412. The airflow aperture 412 is a through-hole in the minor housing panel 410 allowing air to flow from an exterior of the article 400 to an interior space of the article 400 defined between the major housing panels and the minor housing panels. In use, the user may draw on the proximal end of the article 400 or on a mouthpiece of an aerosol provision device containing the article 400, and cause air to flow into the interior space of the article 400, through the airflow aperture 412, entraining aerosol in the interior space of the article 400 and subsequently out of the article 400. In embodiments, a proximal end of the article 400 is configured to act as a mouthpiece. In embodiments, the airflow aperture 412 is a first airflow aperture and the second minor housing panel comprises a second air flow aperture. The second airflow aperture may be similar to the first airflow aperture 412. The first airflow aperture may define an air inlet and the second airflow aperture may define an air outlet. One or both of the first and second airflow apertures may be sized to provide appropriate resistance to draw to the user. In embodiments, one or both of the first and second minor housing panels may be omitted and the air inlet and/or air outlet may be provided by an open end of the article 400.
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 article for use with an aerosol provision device comprising:
a housing; and

aerosol generating material,

wherein the housing is configured to be transformed from a relatively collapsed condition to a relatively expanded condition, wherein in the relatively expanded condition the housing defines an airflow passage.
The article of claim 1, wherein in the relatively collapsed condition the article is substantially planar.
The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is transformable from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded useable condition by a user applying a compressive force on the housing.
The article of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the relatively expanded position, the aerosol generating material is exposed to the airflow passage.
The article of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing defines a plurality of parallel prisms.
The article of claim 5, wherein each prism is open at both ends.
The article of claim 5 or 6, wherein the housing is transformable from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition by a user applying a compression force in a direction transverse to an axis of the plurality of parallel prisms.
The article of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing biased into the relatively expanded condition.
The article of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the article is configured to be manipulated from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition.
The article of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing is resilient and biased into the relatively collapsed condition; wherein the article comprises a retention element configured to retain the housing in the relatively expanded condition; and wherein the retention element comprises an end panel of the housing.
An article for use with an aerosol provision device comprising:
a housing; and

aerosol generating material,

wherein the housing defines a substantially pillow box shape.
An article for use in an aerosol provision device comprising:
a housing; and

aerosol generating material,

wherein the housing comprises an array of tubular airflow passages.
An aerosol provision system comprising an article according to any of claims 1 to 12 and an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device comprising:
a heating arrangement configured to heat the aerosol generating material.
The aerosol provision system of claim 13, comprising a receptacle arranged to receive at least a part of the article and wherein at least a part of the receptacle is profiled to conform to an outer shape of the article in the relatively expanded condition.
An aerosol provision system comprising the article of any of claims 1 to 12 and a packaging arranged to at least partially contain the article in the relatively collapsed condition, wherein the housing of the article is arranged to transform from the relatively collapsed condition to the relatively expanded condition on removal of the article from the packaging.