EP4623722A1

EP4623722A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: EP4623722A1
Application number: EP24167696.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marcus Hartley; Richard Hepworth
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: WO2025202464A1

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device (100) for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. The device (100) has a receptacle (108) defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article (200) comprising aerosol generating material; and a heating assembly (112) comprising a plurality of heating portions of the heating assembly (112) arranged on a plane. The heating portions of the heating assembly (112) protrude in the heating zone and are configured to be received by the portion of the article (200) received in the heating zone.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

Background

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

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; a heating assembly comprising a plurality of heating portions of the heating assembly arranged on a plane; wherein the heating portions of the heating assembly protrude in the heating zone and are configured to be received by the portion of the article received in the heating zone.
The heating portions may be heating members.
Each heating portion may be configured to be received by a complimentary feature of the article.
The plurality of heating portions may be elongate.
The plurality of heating portions may extend parallel to each other.
The plurality of heating portions may be ribs.
The aerosol provision device may comprise a corrugated surface defining the plurality of heating portions.
The aerosol provision device may comprise a corrugated member forming the corrugated surface.
The plane may be linear.
The plane may be arcuate.
The heating zone may comprise an extent having a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and the width, wherein the length may be greater than or equal to the width, and wherein the width may be greater than the depth.
The receptacle may define an airflow path through the heating zone.
The plurality of heating portions may extend parallel to the direction of the airflow path.
The plurality of heating portions may extend perpendicular to the direction of the airflow path.
The aerosol provision device may comprise an airflow passage through at least one of the plurality of heating portions defining at least a portion of the airflow path through the heating zone.
The aerosol provision device may comprise an airflow passage through each of the plurality of heating portions.
The aerosol provision device may comprise a plurality of airflow passages through each heating portions.
The receptacle may comprise an opening defining a mouth end, a distal end, and an axis defined between the mouth end and the distal end.
The airflow path may extend parallel to the axis
The airflow path may extend perpendicular to the axis.
Adjacent heating portions may be evenly spaced from each other.
Each of the heating portions may be configured to be independently heatable.
The heating assembly may be a resistive heating assembly. The heating assembly may be an inductive heating assembly.
Each heating portion may comprise heating material which is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Each heating portion may comprise a susceptor.
The aerosol generating device may comprise an inductor coil to supply a magnetic field for heating the susceptor.
The aerosol provision device may comprise a body defining the receptacle.
The article may be configured to be slid into the receptacle.
The heating assembly may define at least part of the receptacle.
The heating assembly may comprise the receptacle.
The body may comprise a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion may comprise the heating members, and the second portion is movable relative to the first portion.
The first and second portions may be movable in a linear action relative to each other.
The first and second portions may be movable in a rotational action relative to each other.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; a heating assembly comprising a plurality of heating members arranged on a plane, each heating member protruding in the heating zone configured to be received by the portion of the article received in the heating zone.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising: an aerosol generating material; and a body configured to be at least partially received in an aerosol provision device; wherein the body comprises a plurality of preformed channels configured to receive a plurality of heating portions of the aerosol provision device.
The channels may be arranged on a plane.
The plane may be linear. The plane may be arcuate.
The body may comprise a sheet material.
The sheet material may define the plurality of channels configured to receive a heating element of the aerosol provision device.
The sheet material may comprise corrugations.
The corrugations may be configured to receive the heating members.
The corrugations may comprise recesses in the corrugations to define the preformed channels.
The plurality of heating portions and the plurality of recesses may have a complementary profile.
An exterior of the article may have a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and the width, wherein the length may be greater than or equal to the width, and wherein the width is greater than the depth.
The corrugated sheet material may comprise a plurality of corrugations, and the channel may be defined by recess in each of the plurality of corrugations.
The sheet material may comprise a support.
The aerosol generating material may be on the support.
The aerosol generating material may be a layer of aerosol generating material
The aerosol generating material may be a gel.
The corrugated sheet material may comprise a material susceptible to heating by a magnetic field.
The corrugated sheet material may be a susceptor.
The corrugated portion may comprise peaks and troughs.
Each of the corrugated portion may be formed as a sine wave, a square wave or a triangular wave.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device having: a receptacle defining a heating zone; a heating assembly comprising a plurality of heating portions of the heating assembly arranged on a plane, wherein the heating portions of the heating assembly protrude in the heating zone; an article comprising: an aerosol generating material; and a body configured to be at least partially received in an aerosol provision device; wherein the body comprises a plurality of preformed channels configured to receive the plurality of heating portions of the aerosol provision device.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; and a heating assembly.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the system comprising an aerosol provision device of any of the above and an article comprising aerosol generating material.
In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the system comprising an article comprising aerosol generating material of any of the above and an aerosol provision device for use with the article.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision device;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a heating assembly;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an article;
Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 3 in situ in the heating assembly of Figure 2;
Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of the heating assembly of Figure 2;
Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the heating assembly;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a heating assembly according to embodiments; and
Figure 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the article in situ in an embodiment of the heating assembly;

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 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, also known as an article.
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.
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 receptacle 108 of the device which is sized to receive the article.
Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material is provided in an article 200, which is described in detail below with reference to Figure 3. The device 100 and the article 200 together form an aerosol provision system. The article 200 is receivable in the device 100 and is replaceable. The device 100 may be used to heat the replaceable article 200, also known as a consumable. The device 100 heats the article 200, comprising the aerosol generating material, to generate aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. In use, the article 200 is inserted into the device 100 for heating.
The aerosol provision device 100 extends from a proximal, mouth end 101 of the device 100 to a distal end 103 to form a device axis A. The device 100 has a body 102 that is openable by the user. The opening and closing of the device 100 is facilitated by a cover 106. The device 100 can be closed by covering an opening and opened by uncovering the opening 104. The device 100 being in a closed state is said to be the first configuration of the device 100. The device 100 being in an open state is said to be the second configuration of the device 100. In other embodiments the device may have an opening accessible to the user but which may not have a cover 106 to open and close the device.
Opening 104 the device 100 by uncovering the opening 104 is performed by the user to replace the replaceable article 200, but may, in embodiments, be used to perform other maintenance tasks such as cleaning the device 100. The cover 106 of the device 100 can be opened to reveal a receptacle 108 for receiving the article 200. The receptacle 108 may also be known as a chamber. The opening 104 is an opening to the receptacle 108, granting the user access to the receptacle 108. The receptacle 108 comprises a mouth end 111, a distal end 113.
The device 100 is configured to receive the article 200 in the receptacle 108. The receptacle 108 in the shown device 100 is provided at the distal end 103 of the device 100. The distal end 103 of the device 100 is configured to be held by the user. The proximal, or mouth, end 101, of the device 100 is configured to act as a mouthpiece. The receptacle 108 is insulated such that heat is not transmitted through the device 100. The heat is retained within the receptacle 108 to improve heating efficiency. At least a portion of the article 200 is received within the device 100.
The receptacle 108 of the device 100 is a heating chamber. The heating chamber defines a heating zone. The heating zone comprises an extent having a length L, a width W perpendicular to the length L, and a depth D perpendicular to each of the length L and the width W, wherein the length L is greater than or equal to the width W, and wherein the width W is be greater than the depth D. The heating zone comprises a heating assembly 112. The heating assembly 112 is configured to provide heat in the heating zone.
The shown cover 106 in Figure 1 is a hinged cover 106. The cover may open and close like a door. The device may open and close in accordance with a book or folder like design. The cover 106 extends in a direction parallel to the device axis A. A hinge 110 of the cover 106 extends in in a direction parallel to the device axis A such that the cover 106 pivots in a perpendicular, or lateral, direction to the device axis A, similar to opening a book or a door. The cover 106 of the device 100 may be releasably secured into the closed position by any suitable means. Examples include a releasable catch, clasp or feature, a magnet. In embodiments, the hinge 110 of the cover 106 may be configured to extend in a perpendicular, or lateral, direction to the device axis A. In this embodiment, the device 100 may be considered to more closely emulate a notebook, wherein the cover 106 pivots such that it opens in a direction parallel to of the axis A. In embodiments, the cover 106 is a slidable cover. The slidable cover may slide in a direction parallel to an axis A along which the device 100 extends. The slidable cover may slide in a direction perpendicular to the axis A.
Referring to Figure 2, the heating assembly 112 of the device 100 is shown. The heating assembly 112 is shown separately from the device 100. The heating assembly 112 when in situ is provided in the receptacle 108. The receptacle 108 defines a plane P, the heating assembly 112 is provided on the plane P. The shown device 100 and heating assembly 112 provides a linear plane P. In embodiments, the device 100 and the heating assembly 112 may have a different configuration. The plane P may be arcuate.
The heating assembly 112 comprises a plurality of heating members 114. Each heating member acts as a heating portion of the heating assembly. The plurality of heating members 114, acting as heating portions, are arranged on the plane P. Each heating member 116 of the plurality of heating members 114 protrudes into the heating zone. Each heating member 116 is configured to be received by a portion of the article 200 received in the heating zone. Each heating member 116 may be configured to be received by a complimentary feature of the article 200. Each of the plurality of heating members 114 are spaced from an adjacent heating member 118. The heating members 116, 118 are arranged to receive a portion of an article 200 received in the receptacle 108 between adjacent heating members 116, 118. The plurality of heating members 114 and the article 200 have complimentary profiles. The complimentary profile of the article 200 is received in between the adjacent heating members 116, 118 and the heating members are received by the article 200. The plurality of heating members 114 intersect at least a portion of the article 200.
The shown heating assembly 112 includes a plurality of elongate heating members 114. The plurality of heating members 114 extend parallel to each other. The plurality of heating members 114 are ribs. The heating assembly 112 has a ribbed structure. Each adjacent heating member 116, 118 of the plurality of heating members 114 are evenly spaced from each other. Each of the heating members 114 are configured to be independently heatable. The heating assembly 112 may be a resistive heating assembly 112. The resistive heating assembly 112 may be electrically connected to a power source 120. A controller 122 enables power to be provided to each of the plurality of heating members 114.
In embodiments, the heating assembly 112 may be an inductive heating assembly. In this embodiment, each heating member, acting as a heating portion of the heating assembly, may comprise heating material which is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Each heating member may comprise a susceptor. The aerosol generating device 100 may comprise an inductor coil to supply a magnetic field for heating the susceptor.
An airflow path 124 is provided through the heating zone. The receptacle 108 may define an airflow path through the heating zone. An airflow passage 126 is provided through at least one of the plurality of heating members 114 defining at least a portion of the airflow path 124 through the heating zone. In the shown example, the airflow passage 126 is provided through each of the plurality of heating members 114. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a plurality of airflow passages 128 through each heating member 116, 118. The airflow path 124 extends parallel to the axis A. The plurality of heating members 114 extend perpendicular to the direction of the airflow path 124.
Referring to Figure 3, the article 200 of the device 100 is shown. The article 200 comprises a body 202 configured to be at least partially received in an aerosol provision device 100. The body 202 has an uneven profile. The body 202 comprises a plurality of channels 204. The channels 204 are preformed. The channels 204 are valley like structures which include raised portions on either side. A heating member 116 of the device 100 is receivable in a channel 206 of the article 200. At least one channel of the plurality of channels 204 is configured to receive at least one heating member of the device 100.
The configuration of the article 200 corresponds to the configuration of the heating assembly 112. The profile of the article 200 matches the profile of the heating assembly 112. The body 202 defines a plane Q. The channels 204 are arranged on the plane Q. The plane Q is linear. When in situ in the device 100, the plane Q of the article 200 is in the same orientation as the plane P of the heating assembly 112. The planes P, Q are parallel. In embodiments, the plane Q may be arcuate.
The body 202 comprises a sheet material 208. The sheet material 208 has a deformed surface. The sheet material 208 defines the plurality of channels 204 configured to receive a heating member 116, 118 of the aerosol provision device 100. The sheet material 208 comprises corrugations. The aerosol generating material is provided on the corrugations. The corrugations comprise peaks and troughs. Each of the peaks and troughs comprise an inner surface 210 and an outer surface 212. The inner surface 210 is the shorter surface of the respective peak or trough, and the outer surface 212 is the longer surface. The aerosol generating material is disposed on the inner surface 210.
The corrugations comprise a plurality of recesses 214 in the corrugations to define the preformed channels 204. The plurality of heating members 114 and the plurality of recesses 214 have a complementary profile. An exterior of the article 200 has a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and the width. The dimensions of the article 200 correspond to the dimensions of the receptacle 108. The length is greater than or equal to the width, and wherein the width is greater than the depth.
The corrugated sheet material 208 comprises a plurality of corrugations 216. Each channel is defined between each of the plurality of corrugations 216. In embodiments, the corrugations 216 extend perpendicular to the flow path, the channel 204 may be defined by a recess in each of the plurality of corrugations 216. The corrugations may be configured to receive the heating members 114. Each of the corrugated portion may be formed as a sine wave, a square wave or a triangular wave. In other embodiments, the configuration of the corrugated sheet material may differ.
In embodiments not shown, the article 200 may comprise a support. The support may be a substrate. The support may be the same material as the sheet material 208. The support may comprise a different material to the sheet. The support may be provided on a first side 218 of the sheet material 208. The support may enclose to sheet material 208, such that the support is wrapped around the sheet. In this embodiment, openings in the support would be provided corresponding to the recesses 214 of the sheet material 208. The openings would be configured to receive the heating members of the device 100. The aerosol generating material may be on the support. The aerosol generating material may be a layer of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material may be a gel. The aerosol generating material may be an aerosol generating gel layer disposed on the support.
In embodiments of the device 100 wherein the heating assembly 112 is an inductive heating assembly, the corrugated sheet material 208 may comprise a material susceptible to heating by a magnetic field. The corrugated sheet material 208 may be a susceptor. In this embodiment, the heating assembly 112 comprises a magnetic field source configured to heat the susceptor.
As shown in Figure 4, the corrugated sheet material 208 is aligned with a heating member, acting as a heating portion, of the heating assembly 112 along the device axis A when in situ. The sheet material 208 shown comprises corrugations in the form of a sine wave with four full oscillations. The heating member 116, 118 shown is a rib heating member with five openings of the plurality of openings 128 of the airflow path 124. The configuration of the heating member 116, 118 and the sheet material 208 may differ from that shown.
The cross section of Figure 4 is a schematic view of the heating member 114 received in the article 200. The article 200 is received in the heating assembly 112. Only one corrugation of the plurality of corrugations 216 and one heating member 116 of the plurality of heating members 114 is shown in the cross section of Figure 4, however the configuration of Figure 4 could be any one of each of the plurality of heating members 116, 118 or corrugations 216 already described.
As shown in Figure 5, the receptacle 108 comprises the heating assembly 112. The heating assembly 112 comprising plurality of heating members 114 extending across the receptacle 108 in a direction perpendicular to the axis A of the device 100 and the receptacle 108. The heating members 114 extend laterally across the heating zone.
As shown in Figure 6, the plurality of heating members 114 may extend parallel to the axis A of the device 100. The plurality of heating members 114 may extend parallel to the axis A of the receptacle 108. The plurality of heating members 114 may extend parallel to the direction of the airflow path. The airflow may travel from the distal end 103 to the mouth end 101 of the receptacle 108.
In embodiments, the airflow path may extend perpendicular to the axis A. In this embodiment, the airflow may enter the receptacle 108 on a first side 107 and exit the receptacle on a second side 109. The airflow may be in a direction laterally across the receptacle 108 from the first side 107 to the second side 109. The airflow may be through the plurality of heating members 114 extending parallel to the axis A of the device 100. The plurality of heating members 114 may have openings, as shown in Figure 2.
As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in embodiments the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a heating assembly comprising a corrugated surface 300. The corrugated surface defines plurality of heating members 314, acting as heating portions of the heating assembly. The plurality of heating members 314 are corrugations. Each heating member 314, acting as a heating portion, is a corrugation. The corrugated surface 300 extends across the extent of the receptacle 308. In the shown embodiment the plurality of heating members 314 are spaced apart. The plurality of heating members 314 are an example embodiment of the plurality of heating members 114. Each heating member 316, 318 of the plurality of heating members 314 are an example embodiment of the heating members 116, 118. Adjacent heating members 316, 318 are arranged to receive a portion of the article 200 received in the receptacle 308 between the adjacent heating members 316, 318. A corrugation of the plurality of corrugations 216 is receivable between adjacent heating members 316, 318. The plurality of heating members 314 intersect at least a portion of the article 200.
The plurality of heating members 314 are shown in Figure 7 as a plurality of corrugated surfaces. The plurality of corrugated surfaces are shown in the form of a sine wave. In embodiments, the plurality of corrugated surfaces may be formed as a sine wave, a square wave or a triangular wave. The plurality of heating members 314 may be formed from a single unitary sheet of material in embodiments. The plurality of heating members 314 may be formed from separate sheet of material. The material of the heating members may be any suitable heating element material. An example material is a metallic sheet, such as aluminium.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the plurality of heating members 314 are configured to be received between the plurality of corrugations 216 of the article 200. The plurality of heating members 314 are received in the plurality of recesses 214 of the article 200. The plurality of heating members 314 and the corrugations of the article 200 are intermeshed.
In embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a corrugated member forming the corrugated surface. The corrugated member may be a corrugated sheet material. The corrugated sheet material may be configured to substantially match the corrugations of the article 200. In this embodiment, the article 200 may comprise a single continuous corrugation. The corrugated member may comprise a single continuous corrugation. The corrugation of the article and corrugated member may have a corresponding profile.
Individual heating members can be used to provide selectable heating. The selectable heating can be used to provide controlled heating within an aerosol provision device 100. Aerosol generating material can be separated into portions in both a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A, but also in a direction perpendicular to the axis A. This enables the user to have greater control of the experience of the device 100, by heating only the portions of the aerosol generating material they wish to consume.
It is advantageous that the heating members are received in the article because close proximity of the heating members to the aerosol generating material is assured and an improved heating zone is provided. The heating zone can be made smaller with such an efficient design. The device can then be made smaller, providing improved comfort for the user handling the device. The heating of the aerosol generating material is also improved by increasing the surface area of individual heating members that are in close proximity to the aerosol generating material. Heat transfer from the heating members to the aerosol generating material is improved. This is achieved by the invention while maintaining sufficient airflow through the heating zone. Intersecting heating members and portions of the article thereby provides for an improved heating assembly and thereby an improved device. Intermeshing the heating members and portions of the article also provide advantageously improved heating and additional benefits as obstacles within the airflow path are removed thereby providing improved airflow.
In any of the described embodiments, an electronics assembly is in the body 102. The electronics assembly comprises the power source 120. The power source 120 may be, 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 heating arrangement to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller 122 to heat the aerosol generating material. The electronics assembly comprises an electronics module. The electronics module may comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports 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. The battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The heating assembly is connected to the electronics assembly.
The system including any of the example devices described herein may further include a casing (not shown) to house the device 100. The casing may be used by the user to store the device 100 and the article 200. The casing may store additional articles for use with the device 100 upon exhaustion of the current article 200. The casing may further house a means of providing additional power to the device 100. The additional power may be used to charge the device 100 for use in heating the article 200. The casing may include a power source, such as a battery. This battery may be electrically connected to the device 100 when the device 100 is inserted into the casing such that the battery discharges and the device 100 charges.
In various embodiments, the system is operated by the user. Operation of the system includes operating the device 100 into the open configuration. In the open configuration, the article 200 is arranged in the device 100 such that the heating assembly is proximate the aerosol generating material. The user can make a selection using inputs on the device 100. The controller supplies power to the heating member associated with the user's selection. The selected heating member heats the aerosol generating material to generate aerosol, which the user inhales through the mouth end of the article 200. The controller commands heating of the respective heating members independently in response to the user's selection. In embodiments, the configuration of each region of aerosol generating material may be different. For example, different regions of aerosol generating material may comprise different flavours or have different amounts of aerosol generating material. In embodiments, one or more heating members may be selectably heated in response to the user's selection.
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

1. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material, the device comprising:

a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material;

a heating assembly comprising a plurality of heating portions of the heating assembly arranged on a plane; wherein the heating portions of the heating assembly protrude in the heating zone and are configured to be received by the portion of the article received in the heating zone.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein each heating portion is configured to be received by a complimentary feature of the article.

3. The aerosol provision device of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of heating portions are elongate.

4. The aerosol provision device of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of heating portions extend parallel to each other.

5. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of heating portions are heating members.

6. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a corrugated surface defining the plurality of heating portions.

7. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a corrugated member forming the corrugated surface.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plane is linear.

9. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating zone comprises an extent having a length, a width perpendicular to the length, and a depth perpendicular to each of the length and the width, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the width, and wherein the width is greater than the depth.

10. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receptacle defines an airflow path through the heating zone, and the plurality of heating portions extend parallel to the direction of the airflow path.

11. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receptacle defines an airflow path through the heating zone, and the plurality of heating portions extend perpendicular to the direction of the airflow path.

10. The aerosol provision device of claim 9, comprising an airflow passage through at least one of the plurality of heating portions defining at least a portion of the airflow path through the heating zone.

11. The aerosol provision device of claim 10, wherein the airflow path is defined through each of the plurality of heating portions.

12. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 11, and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

13. An article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:

an aerosol generating material; and

a body configured to be at least partially received in an aerosol provision device;

wherein the body comprises a plurality of preformed channels configured to receive a plurality of heating portions of the aerosol provision device.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the body comprises a sheet material.

15. The article of claim 13 or 14, wherein the sheet material defines the plurality of channels configured to receive a heating element of the aerosol provision device.