EP4676256A1

EP4676256A1 - Aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: EP4676256A1
Application number: EP24709024.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Najeeb YOUNOSSI; Matthew Hodgson
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-03
Filing date: 2024-03-01
Publication date: 2026-01-14
Also published as: EP4424187A1; CN121099923A; TW202512956A; EP4424188A1; WO2024184237A1; CN121398704A; EP4424186A1; JP2026506228A; EP4424189A1; WO2024184274A1; EP4676257A1; JP2026506229A; TW202437943A; WO2024184274A8

Abstract

An aerosol provision system (1) for generating an aerosol. The system (1) comprises a transducer (202), located within an airflow path (204), which is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system (1) and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal. There is a speaker (206) configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound (208) for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system (1), the deterring sound (208) comprising at least one predetermined frequency. The at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system (1), wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user. This thus provides a means for deterring younger age users of the aerosol provision system (1), when required.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).

Background

Electronic aerosol provision systems often employ an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or more generally an aerosol provision device. Such an aerosol provision system typically contains aerosolisable material (also called aerosol-generating material), such as a reservoir of fluid or liquid containing a formulation, typically but not necessarily including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapour/aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise a vaporiser (also called an aerosol generator), e.g. a heating element, arranged to aerosolise a portion of aerosolisable material to generate a vapour.

Once a vapour has been generated, the vapour may be passed through flavouring material to add flavour to the vapour (if the aerosolisable material was not itself flavoured), after which the (flavoured) vapour may be then delivered to a user via a mouthpiece from the aerosol provision system.

A potential drawback of existing aerosol provision systems and associated aerosol provision devices is that the use of such systems may not always be readily prevented or discouraged amongst users of a certain age. In particular, children and teenagers (e.g. users below 18 years of age) may not be prevented or discouraged from using existing aerosol provision systems, when often there are at least regulatory-related reasons why it is desirable for such users not to be using aerosol provision systems such as nicotine delivery systems. Although distribution of aerosol provision systems to such users can be, and is often prevented, e.g. at a point-of-sale of these systems, there remains numerous scenarios in which children and teenagers may gain access to, and therefore use aerosol provision systems. As an example, for context, a parent may purchase such an aerosol provision system, without restriction at the point-of-sale, which if left unattended in their home can be accessed and readily used by their child.

Various approaches are therefore described herein which seek to help address or mitigate some of these issues, through the implementation of an aerosol provision system which can be used along with a speaker comprised therein to output a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system. The deterring sound in accordance with the various approaches described herein comprises at least one predetermined frequency configured to be audible to the first user, but inaudible to a second, older user of the aerosol provision system. In this way, the aerosol provision system can be readily configured to deter the above-mentioned unwanted users (e.g. children or teenagers) from using the aerosol provision system described herein, whilst providing no such deterrence for other users (e.g. adults above a certain age).

Furthermore, through the implementation of an aerosol provision system which uses a transducer in combination with a speaker both comprised in the aerosol provision system, there is provided herein a mechanism to deter unwanted users from using the aerosol provision system when such a user attempts to puff the aerosol provision system. Such a mechanism, for example, provides a way to deter children or teenagers, who manage to get hold of such an aerosol provision system, from using the aerosol provision system.

Summary

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system, comprising: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision device, wherein the transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal; and a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling an aerosol provision system to output a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the method comprising: detecting a puff of the aerosol provision system using a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to detecting the puff, a puff detection signal from the transducer to a speaker of the aerosol provision system; receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker; and outputting, in response to receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker, the deterring sound from the speaker, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments, there is provided an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol provision system comprising: a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system, wherein the transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal; and a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

It will be appreciated that features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and may be combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically represents in perspective view an aerosol provision system comprising a cartridge and aerosol provision device (shown separated) in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 2 schematically represents in exploded perspective view of components of the cartridge of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1;

Figures 3A to 3C schematically represent various cross-section views of a housing part of the cartridge of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1;

Figures 4A and 4B schematically represent a perspective view and a plan view of a dividing wall element of the cartridge of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1;

Figures 5A to 5C schematically represent two perspective views and a plan view of a resilient plug of the cartridge of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1;

Figures 6A and 6B schematically represent a perspective view and a plan view of a bottom cap of the cartridge of the aerosol provision system of Figure 1;

Figure 7 schematically represents embodiments of an aerosol provision system such as that shown in Figures 1-6B, and comprising an aerosol provision device and a consumable, the aerosol provision device comprising a transducer and a speaker, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Figure 8 schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol provision system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure, where the aerosol provision system further comprises an age verification module and a user authentication module.

Figure 9 schematically represents an embodiment of an aerosol provision system, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure, where the aerosol provision device further comprises a channel, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features. The present disclosure relates to non-combustible aerosol provision systems (such as an e- cigarette). According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolisable material, which also may be referred to herein as aerosol generating material or aerosol precursor material, is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. The aerosolisable material may also be flavoured, in some embodiments.

Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with an aerosol provision system. An electronic cigarette may also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolisable material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system is a hybrid device configured to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid device comprises a liquid or gel aerosolisable material and a solid aerosolisable material. The solid aerosolisable material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the (non-combustible) aerosol provision system may comprise a cartridge/consumable part and a body/reusable/aerosol provision device part, which is configured to releasably engage with the cartridge/consumable part.

The aerosol provision system may be provided with a means for powering a vaporiser therein, and there may be provided an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving the aerosolisable material that is to be vaporised. The aerosol provision system may also be provided with a reservoir for containing aerosolisable material, and in some embodiments a further reservoir for containing flavouring material for flavouring a generated vapour from the aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the vaporiser may be a heater/heating element capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form a vapour/aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporiser is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the vaporiser may be capable of generating a vapour/aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolisable material which may comprise an active constituent, a carrier constituent and optionally one or more other functional constituents.

The active constituent may comprise one or more physiologically and/or olfactory active constituents which are included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory response in the user. The active constituent may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active constituent may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active constituent may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, a vitamin such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, a cannabinoid, or a constituent, derivative, or combinations thereof. The active constituent may comprise a constituent, derivative or extract of tobacco or of another botanical. In some embodiments, the active constituent is a physiologically active constituent and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g. nicotine ditartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active constituent is an olfactory active constituent and may be selected from a "flavour" and/or "flavourant" which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. In some instances such constituents may be referred to as flavours, flavourants, flavouring material, cooling agents, heating agents, and/or sweetening agents. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gasone or more of extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavouring material (flavour) may comprise menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-3.

The carrier constituent may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier constituent may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. The one or more other functional constituents may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

As noted above, aerosol provision systems (e-cigarettes) may often comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable part (body - or aerosol provision device) and a replaceable consumable (cartridge) part. Devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein may comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part device employing consumable parts. However, it will be appreciated the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for other electronic cigarette configurations, for example modular devices comprising more than two parts, as devices conforming to other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box- mod high performance devices that typically have a more boxy shape.

From the forgoing therefore, and with reference to Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example aerosol provision system (e-cigarette) 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. Terms concerning the relative location of various aspects of the electronic cigarette (e.g. terms such as upper, lower, above, below, top, bottom etc.) are used herein with reference to the orientation of the electronic cigarette as shown in Figure 1 (unless the context indicates otherwise). However, it will be appreciated this is purely for ease of explanation and is not intended to indicate there is any required orientation for the electronic cigarette in use.

The e-cigarette 1 (aerosol provision system 1) comprises two main components, namely a cartridge 2 (also called a consumable) and an aerosol provision device 4. The aerosol provision device 4 and the cartridge 2 are shown separated in Figure 1, but are coupled together when in use.

The cartridge/consumable 2 and aerosol provision device 4 are coupled by establishing a mechanical and electrical connection between them. The specific manner in which the mechanical and electrical connection is established is not of primary significance to the principles described herein and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, for example based around a screw thread, bayonet, latched or friction-fit mechanical fixing with appropriately arranged electrical contacts / electrodes for establishing the electrical connection between the two parts as appropriate. For example electronic cigarette 1 represented in Figure 1, the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece 33, a mouthpiece end 52 and an interface end 54 and is coupled to the aerosol provision device by inserting an interface end portion 6 at the interface end of the cartridge into a corresponding receptacle 8 I receiving section of the aerosol provision device. The interface end portion 6 of the cartridge is a close fit to be receptacle 8 and includes protrusions 56 which engage with corresponding detents in the interior surface of a receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol provision device. An electrical connection is established between the aerosol provision device and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts on the bottom of the cartridge (not shown in Figure 1) and corresponding sprung contact pins in the base of the receptacle 8 (not shown in Figure 1). As noted above, the specific manner in which the electrical connection is established is not significant to the principles described herein, and indeed some implementations might not have an electrical connection between the cartridge and a aerosol provision device at all, for example because the transfer of electrical power from the reusable part to the cartridge may be wireless (e.g. based on electromagnetic induction techniques).

The electronic cigarette 1 (aerosol provision system) has a generally elongate shape extending along a longitudinal axis L. When the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol provision device, the overall length of the electronic cigarette in this example (along the longitudinal axis) is around 12.5 cm. The overall length of the aerosol provision device is around 9 cm and the overall length of the cartridge is around 5 cm (i.e. there is around 1.5 cm of overlap between the interface end portion 6 of the cartridge and the receptacle 8 of the aerosol provision device when they are coupled together). The electronic cigarette has a crosssection which is generally oval and which is largest around the middle of the electronic cigarette and tapers in a curved manner towards the ends. The cross-section around the middle of the electronic cigarette has a width of around 2.5 cm and a thickness of around 1.7 cm. The end of the cartridge has a width of around 2 cm and a thickness of around 0.6 mm, whereas the other end of the electronic cigarette has a width of around 2 cm and a thickness of around 1.2 cm. The outer housing of the electronic cigarette is in this example is formed from plastic. It will be appreciated the specific size and shape of the electronic cigarette and the material from which it is made is not of primary significance to the principles described herein and may be different in different implementations. That is to say, the principles described herein may equally be adopted for electronic cigarettes having different sizes, shapes and / or materials.

The aerosol provision device 4 may in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure be broadly conventional in terms of its functionality and general construction techniques. In the example of Figure 1, the aerosol provision device 4 comprises a plastic outer housing 10 including the receptacle wall 12 that defines the receptacle 8 for receiving the end of the cartridge as noted above. The outer housing 10 of the aerosol provision device 4 in this example has a generally oval cross section conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge 2 at their interface to provide a smooth transition between the two parts. The receptacle 8 and the end portion 6 of the cartridge 2 are symmetric when rotated through 180° so the cartridge can be inserted into the aerosol provision device in two different orientations. The receptacle wall 12 includes two aerosol provision device air inlet openings 14 (i.e. holes in the wall). These openings 14 are positioned to align with an air inlet 50 for the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the aerosol provision device. A different one of the openings 14 aligns with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge in the different orientations. It will be appreciated some implementations may not have any degree of rotational symmetry such that the cartridge is couplable to the aerosol provision device in only one orientation while other implementations may have a higher degree of rotational symmetry such that the cartridge is couplable to the aerosol provision device in more orientations.

The aerosol provision device further comprises a battery 16 for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette, control circuitry 18 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button 20, an indicator light 22, and a connector/charging port 24.

The battery 16 in this example is rechargeable and may be of a conventional type, for example of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The battery 16 may be recharged through the connector/charging port 24, which may, for example, comprise a USB connector.

The input button 20 in this example is a conventional mechanical button, for example comprising a sprung mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact in underlying circuitry. In this regard, the input button may be considered an input device for detecting user input, e.g. to trigger aerosol generation, and the specific manner in which the button is implemented is not significant. For example, other forms of mechanical button or touch-sensitive button (e.g. based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques) may be used in other implementations, or there may be no button and the device may rely on a puff detector for triggering aerosol generation.

The indicator light 22 is provided to give a user with a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the electronic cigarette, for example, an indication of an operating state (e.g. on / off / standby), and other characteristics, such as battery life or fault conditions. Different characteristics may, for example, be indicated through different colours and / or different flash sequences in accordance with generally conventional techniques. The control circuitry 18 is suitably configured I programmed to control the operation of the electronic cigarette to provide conventional operating functions in line with the established techniques for controlling electronic cigarettes. The control circuitry (processor circuitry) 18 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units / circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the electronic cigarette's operation. For example, depending on the functionality provided in different implementations, the control circuitry 18 may comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the battery/power supply to the cartridge in response to user input, user programming circuitry for establishing configuration settings (e.g. user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other functional units / circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes, such as indicator light display driving circuitry and user input detection circuitry. It will be appreciated the functionality of the control circuitry 18 can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) / circuitry / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.

Figure 2 is an exploded schematic perspective view of the cartridge 2 (exploded along the longitudinal axis L). The cartridge 2 comprises a housing part 32, an air channel seal 34, a dividing wall element 36, an outlet tube 38, a vaporiser/heating element 40, an aerosolisable material transport element 42, a plug 44, and an end cap 48 with contact electrodes 46. Figures 3 to 6 schematically represents some of these components in more detail.

Figure 3A is a schematic cut-away view of the housing part 32 through the longitudinal axis L where the housing part 32 is thinnest. Figure 3B is a schematic cut-away view of the housing part 32 through the longitudinal axis L where the housing part 32 is widest. Figure 3C is a schematic view of the housing part along the longitudinal axis L from the interface end 54 (i.e. viewed from below in the orientation of Figures 3A and 3B).

Figures 4A is a schematic perspective view of the dividing wall element 36 as seen from below. Figure 4B is a schematic cross-section through an upper part of the dividing wall element 36 as viewed from below.

Figure 5A is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from above and Figure 5B is a schematic perspective view of the plug 44 from below. Figure 5C is a schematic view of the plug 44 along the longitudinal axis L seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e. viewed from above for the orientation in Figures 1 and 2). Figure 6A is a schematic perspective view of the end cap 48 from above. Figure 6B is a schematic view of the end cap 48 along the longitudinal axis L seen from the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge (i.e. from above).

The housing part 32 in this example comprises a housing outer wall 64 and a housing inner tube 62 which in this example are formed from a single moulding of polypropylene. The housing outer wall 64 defines the external appearance of the cartridge 2 and the housing inner tube 62 defines a part the air channel through the cartridge. The housing part is open at the interface end 54 of the cartridge and closed at the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge except for a mouthpiece opening / aerosol outlet 60, from the mouthpiece 33, which is in fluid communication with the housing inner tube 62. The housing part 32 includes an opening in a sidewall which provides the air inlet 50 for the cartridge. The air inlet 50 in this example has an area of around 2 mm². The outer surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 includes the protrusions 56 discussed above which engage with corresponding detents in the interior surface of the receptacle wall 12 defining the receptacle 8 to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the aerosol provision device. The inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part includes further protrusions 66 which act to provide an abutment stop for locating the dividing wall element 36 along the longitudinal axis L when the cartridge is assembled. The outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 further comprises holes which provide latch recesses 68 arranged to receive corresponding latch projections 70 in the end cap to fix the end cap to be housing part when the cartridge is assembled.

The outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 includes a double-walled section 74 that defines a gap 76 in fluid communication with the air inlet 50. The gap 76 provides a portion of the air channel through the cartridge. In this example the doubled-walled section 74 of the housing part 32 is arranged so the gap defines an air channel running within the housing outer wall 64 parallel to the longitudinal axis with a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of around 3 mm². The gap / portion of air channel 76 defined by the doublewalled section of the housing part extends down to the open end of the housing part 32.

The air channel seal 34 is a silicone moulding generally in the form of a tube having a through hole 80. The outer wall of the air channel seal 34 includes circumferential ridges 84 and an upper collar 82. The inner wall of the air channel seal 34 also includes circumferential ridges, but these are not visible in Figure 2. When the cartridge is assembled the air channel seal 34 is mounted to the housing inner tube 62 with an end of the housing inner tube 62 extending partly into the through hole 80 of the air channel seal 34. The through hole 80 in the air channel seal has a diameter of around 5.8 mm in its relaxed state whereas the end of the housing inner tube 62 has a diameter of around 6.2 mm so that a seal is formed when the air channel seal 34 is stretched to accommodate the housing inner tube 62. This seal is facilitated by the ridges on the inner surface of the air channel seal 34.

The outlet tube 38 comprises a tubular section, for instance made of ANSI 304 stainless steel or polypropylene, with an internal diameter of around 8.6 mm and a wall thickness of around 0.2 mm. The bottom end of the outlet tube 38 includes a pair of diametrically opposing slots 88 with an end of each slot having a semi-circular recess 90. When the cartridge is assembled the outlet tube 38 mounts to the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The outer diameter of the air channel seal is around 9.0 mm in its relaxed state so that a seal is formed when the air channel seal 34 is compressed to fit inside the outlet tube 38. This seal is facilitated by the ridges 84 on the outer surface of the air channel seal 34. The collar 80 on the air channel seal 34 provides a stop for the outlet tube 38.

The aerosolisable material transport element 42 comprises a capillary wick and the vaporiser (aerosol generator) 40 comprises a resistance wire heater wound around the capillary wick. In addition to the portion of the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, the vaporiser comprises electrical leads 41 which pass through holes in the plug 44 to contact electrodes 46 mounted to the end cap 54 to allow power to be supplied to the vaporiser via the electrical interface the established when the cartridge is connected to an aerosol provision device. The vaporiser leads 41 may comprise the same material as the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick, or may comprise a different material (e.g. lower- resistance material) connected to the resistance wire wound around the capillary wick. In this example the heater coil 40 comprises a nickel iron alloy wire and the wick 42 comprises a glass fibre bundle. The vaporiser and aerosolisable material transport element may be provided in accordance with any conventional techniques and is may comprise different forms and / or different materials. For example, in some implementations the wick may comprise fibrous or solid a ceramic material and the heater may comprise a different alloy. In other examples the heater and wick may be combined, for example in the form of a porous and a resistive material. More generally, it will be appreciated the specific nature aerosolisable material transport element and vaporiser is not of primary significance to the principles described herein.

When the cartridge is assembled, the wick 42 is received in the semi-circular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38 so that a central portion of the wick about which the heating coil is would is inside the outlet tube while end portions of the wick are outside the outlet tube 38.

The plug 44 in this example comprises a single moulding of silicone, may be resilient. The plug comprises a base part 100 with an outer wall 102 extending upwardly therefrom (i.e. towards the mouthpiece end of the cartridge). The plug further comprises an inner wall 104 extending upwardly from the base part 100 and surrounding a through hole 106 through the base part 100.

The outer wall 102 of the plug 44 conforms to an inner surface of the housing part 32 so that when the cartridge is assembled the plug in 44 forms a seal with the housing part 32. The inner wall 104 of the plug 44 conforms to an inner surface of the outlet tube 38 so that when the cartridge is assembled the plug 44 also forms a seal with the outlet tube 38. The inner wall 104 includes a pair of diametrically opposing slots 108 with the end of each slot having a semi-circular recess 110. Extended outwardly (i.e. in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) from the bottom of each slot in the inner wall 104 is a cradle section 112 shaped to receive a section of the aerosolisable material transport element 42 when the cartridge is assembled. The slots 108 and semi-circular recesses 110 provided by the inner wall of the plug 44 and the slots 88 and semi-circular recesses 90 of the outlet tube 38 are aligned so that the slots 88 in the outlet tube 38 accommodate respective ones of the cradles 112 with the respective semi-circular recesses in the outlet tube and plug cooperating to define holes through which the aerosolisable material transport element passes. The size of the holes provided by the semi-circular recesses through which the aerosolisable material transport element passes correspond closely to the size and shape of the aerosolisable material transport element, but are slightly smaller so a degree of compression is provided by the resilience of the plug 44. This allows aerosolisable material to be transported along the aerosolisable material transport element by capillary action while restricting the extent to which aerosolisable material which is not transported by capillary action can pass through the openings. As noted above, the plug 44 includes further openings 114 in the base part 100 through which the contact leads 41 for the vaporiser pass when the cartridge is assembled. The bottom of the base part of the plug includes spacers 116 which maintain an offset between the remaining surface of the bottom of the base part and the end cap 48. These spacers 116 include the openings 114 through which the electrical contact leads 41 for the vaporiser pass.

The end cap 48 comprises a polypropylene moulding with a pair of gold-plated copper electrode posts 46 mounted therein.

The ends of the electrode posts 44 on the bottom side of the end cap are close to flush with the interface end 54 of the cartridge provided by the end cap 48. These are the parts of the electrodes to which correspondingly aligned sprung contacts in the aerosol provision device 4 connect when the cartridge 2 is assembled and connected to the aerosol provision device 4. The ends of the electrode posts on the inside of the cartridge extend away from the end cap 48 and into the holes 114 in the plug 44 through which the contact leads 41 pass. The electrode posts are slightly oversized relative to the holes 114 and include a chamfer at their upper ends to facilitate insertion into the holes 114 in the plug where they are maintained in pressed contact with the contact leads for the vaporiser by virtue of the plug.

The end cap has a base section 124 and an upstanding wall 120 which conforms to the inner surface of the housing part 32. The upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 is inserted into the housing part 32 so the latch projections 70 engage with the latch recesses 68 in the housing part 32 to snap-fit the end cap 48 to the housing part when the cartridge is assembled. The top of the upstanding wall 120 of the end cap 48 abuts a peripheral part of the plug 44 and the lower face of the spacers 116 on the plug also abut the base section 124 of the plug so that when the end cap 48 is attached to the housing part it presses against the resilient part 44 to maintain it in slight compression.

The base portion 124 of the end cap 48 includes a peripheral lip 126 beyond the base of the upstanding wall 112 with a thickness which corresponds with the thickness of the outer wall of the housing part at the interface end of the cartridge. The end cap also includes an upstanding locating pin 122 which aligns with a corresponding locating hole 128 in the plug to help establish their relative location during assembly.

The dividing wall element 36 comprises a single moulding of polypropylene and includes a dividing wall 130 and a collar 132 formed by projections from the dividing wall 130 in the direction towards the interface end of the cartridge. The dividing wall element 36 has a central opening 134 through which the outlet tube 38 passes (i.e. the dividing wall is arranged around the outlet tube 38). In some embodiments, the dividing wall element 36 may be integrally formed with the outlet tube 38. When the cartridge is assembled, the upper surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44 engages with the lower surface of the dividing wall 130, and the upper surface of the dividing wall 130 in turn engages with the projections 66 on the inner surface of the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32. Thus, the dividing wall 130 prevents the plug from being pushed too far into the housing part 32 - i.e. the dividing wall 130 is fixedly located along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge by the protrusions 66 in the housing part and so provides the plug with a fixed surface to push against. The collar 132 formed by projections from the dividing wall includes a first pair of opposing projections / tongues 134 which engage with corresponding recesses on an inner surface of the outer wall 102 of the plug 44. The protrusions from the dividing wall 130 further provide a pair of cradle sections 136 configured to engage with corresponding ones of the cradle sections 112 in the part 44 when the cartridge is assembled to further define the opening through which the aerosolisable material transport element passes. When the cartridge 2 is assembled an air channel extending from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol outlet 60 through the cartridge is formed. Starting from the air inlet 50 in the side wall of the housing part 32, a first section of the air channel is provided by the gap 76 formed by the double-walled section 74 in the outer wall 64 of the housing part 32 and extends from the air inlet 50 towards the interface end 54 of the cartridge and past the plug 44. A second portion of the air channel is provided by the gap between the base of the plug 44 and the end cap 48. A third portion of the air channel is provided by the hole 106 through the plug 44. A fourth portion of the air channel is provided by the region within the inner wall 104 of the plug and the outlet tube around the vaporiser 40. This fourth portion of the air channel may also be referred to as an aerosol/aerosol generation region, it being the primary region in which aerosol is generated during use. The air channel from the air inlet 50 to the aerosol generation region may be referred to as an air inlet section of the air channel. A fifth portion of the air channel is provided by the remainder of the outlet tube 38. A sixth portion of the air channel is provided by the outer housing inner tube 62 which connects the air channel to the aerosol outlet 60, which is located at an end of the mouthpiece 33. The air channel from the aerosol generation region to be the aerosol outlet may be referred to as an aerosol outlet section of the air channel.

Also, when the cartridge is assembled a reservoir 31 for aerosolisable material is formed by the space outside the air channel and inside the housing part 32. This may be filled during manufacture, for example through a filling hole which is then sealed, or by other means. The specific nature of the aerosolisable material, for example in terms of its composition, is not of primary significance to the principles described herein, and in general any conventional aerosolisable material of the type normally used in electronic cigarettes may be used. The present disclosure may refer to a liquid as the aerosolisable material, which as mentioned above may be a conventional e-liquid. However, the principles of the present disclosure apply to any aerosolisable material which has the ability to flow, and may include a liquid, a gel, or a solid, where for a solid a plurality of solid particles may be considered to have the ability to flow when considered as a bulk.

The reservoir is closed at the interface end of the cartridge by the plug 44. The reservoir includes a first region above the dividing wall 130 and a second region below the dividing wall 130 within the space formed between the air channel and the outer wall of the plug. The aerosolisable material transport element (capillary wick) 42 passes through openings in the wall of the air channel provided by the semi-circular recesses 108, 90 in the plug 44 and the outlet tube 38 and the cradle sections 112, 136 in the plug 44 and the dividing wall element 36 that engage with one another as discussed above. Thus, the ends of the aerosolisable material transport element extend into the second region of the reservoir from which they draw aerosolisable material through the openings in the air channel to the vaporiser 40 for subsequent vaporisation.

In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the aerosol provision device 4 and the aerosol provision device activated to supply power to the cartridge via the contact electrodes 46 in the end cap 48. Power then passes through the connection leads 41 to the vaporiser 40. The vaporiser is thus electrically heated and so vaporises a portion of the aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the vicinity of the vaporiser. This generates aerosol in the aerosol generation region of the air path. Aerosolisable material that is vaporised from the aerosolisable material transport element is replaced by more aerosolisable material drawn from the reservoir by capillary action. While the vaporiser is activated, a user inhales on the mouthpiece end 52 of the cartridge. This causes air to be drawn through whichever aerosol provision device air inlet 14 aligns with the air inlet 50 of the cartridge (which will depend on the orientation in which the cartridge was inserted into the aerosol provision device receptacle 8). Air then enters the cartridge through the air inlet 50, passes along the gap 76 in the double-walled section 74 of the housing part 32, passes between the plug 44 and the end cap 48 before entering the aerosol generation region surrounding the vaporiser 40 through the hole 106 in the base part 100 of the plug 44. The incoming air mixes with aerosol generated from the vaporiser to form a condensation aerosol, which is then drawn along the outlet tube 38 and the housing part inner 62 before exiting through the mouthpiece outlet/aerosol outlet 60 for user inhalation.

From the above Figures 1-6B, it can be seen a possible embodiment construction of aerosol provision system 1 which is configured for generating an aerosol, which is suitable for use in the context of the present disclosure (alongside potentially other forms of aerosol provision system).

Turning now to Figures 7-9, the present disclosure also provides for an aerosol provision system 1 for generating an aerosol. The aerosol provision system 1 comprises an aerosol provision device 4. The aerosol provision system 1 also comprises a consumable 2 for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device 4, wherein the consumable 2 is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol.

The aerosol provision device 4 comprises a transducer 202 located within an airflow path 204 of the aerosol provision device 4. In this way, the transducer 202 may be configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system 1 and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal. The aerosol provision device 4 also comprises a speaker 206 which is configured to receive the puff detection signal. In response to receiving the puff detection signal, the speaker 206 may then be configured to output a deterring sound 208 for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system 1. In this case, the deterring sound 208 comprises at least one predetermined frequency. Furthermore, the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user, and the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system 1. In this case, the second user has a higher age than the first user, which corresponds to the practical reality that younger people (especially those 18 years and below) are able to hear sounds at higher frequencies, whereas relatively older people are not able to hear these sounds.

Therefore, it may be seen that the aerosol provision system 1 is configured to output a deterring sound 208 with at least one predetermined frequency configured, accordingly, to be audible to (and thereby deter) a first user of the aerosol provision system 1, who may for example be a person below a certain age, such as a child or teenager. This at least one predetermined frequency may be further configured accordingly to be inaudible to and thereby not deter a second user of the aerosol provision system 1, who has a higher age than the first user, and may for example be a person above a certain age such as an adult. In this way. the deterring sound 208 may be annoying and/or irritating for the first user who has attempted to puff the aerosol provision system 1, thus deterring them from continuing to use the aerosol provision system 1. Furthermore, this may deter the user from future uses of the aerosol provision system in the knowledge that the deterring sound 208 will be output, should their puff be detected. Additionally, the second user of the aerosol provision system 1, by the at least one predetermined frequency being inaudible to them, may continue their use of the aerosol provision system without being annoyed and/or irritated by the deterring sound 208. It is envisaged in some embodiments that this deterring sound 208 defines, or consists of, a hum comprising the at least one predetermined frequency.

Appreciating the foregoing, it may be seen that the output of the deterring sound 208 by the speaker 206 may be conditional on the transducer 202, which in some more limited embodiments could be a pressure transducer or a microphone for example, detecting a puff of the aerosol provision system 1. The transducer 202 located within the airflow path 204 may thus, in some embodiments, be configured to measure air pressure variations within the airflow path 204, wherein if the measured air pressure variations indicate a puff of the aerosol provision system 1 , the puff is detected and the transducer 202 outputs a puff detection signal. In this way, the deterring sound 208 may only be output in response to the puff detection, as opposed to being output at all times even when a user is not attempting to puff the aerosol provision system 1. This provides for reducing consumption of the battery 16 when applying this mechanism of deterring users from the aerosol provision system 1. With respect to the at least one predetermined frequency that the deterring sound 208 comprises, it is envisaged in some embodiments that the at least one predetermined frequency may be configured to be between 12kHz and 20kHz, sometimes in a more particular embodiment to be between 12kHz and 17kHz, and sometimes in an even more particular embodiment to be between 16kHz and 17kHz. Sometimes in a particular embodiment, the at least one predetermined frequency may be configured to be between 12kHz and 19kHz, and sometimes in a more particular embodiment between 16kHz and 19kHz. The configuration of the at least one predetermined frequency may be based on the concept of presbycusis (or age-related hearing loss), a condition experienced by most humans in which the ability to hear high frequencies (within the human hearing frequency range of 20Hz to 20kHz) deteriorates with age. The at least one predetermined frequency may be configured based on this concept such that the at least one predetermined frequency is audible generally to people of a certain age, e.g. children and teenagers, whilst being inaudible generally to people above this certain age, e.g. adults. For example, a frequency above 12kHz may be inaudible to individuals above 35 years of age, so the at least one predetermined frequency being between 12kHz and 20kHz may be audible to individuals below this age thereby deterring most children and teenagers from using the aerosol provision system 1, but inaudible to individuals above this age thereby providing an uninhibited experience of the aerosol provision system 1 for most adults. In some cases, even individuals aged 18 years and below may not have the ability to hear frequencies above 19kHz so the at least one predetermined frequency being between 12kHz and 19kHz will likely be audible to these individuals for whom it may be desirable to deter from using the aerosol provision system 1. In a more particular embodiment, even individuals aged 18 years and below may, in some further cases, not have the ability to hear frequencies above 17kHz so the at least one predetermined frequency being between 12kHz and 17kHz will likely be audible to these individuals for whom it may be desirable to deter from using the aerosol provision system 1. In an even more particular embodiment, the at least one predetermined frequency being between 16kHz and 19kHz may, in some cases, be audible to individuals aged 18 years and below but inaudible to individuals above 18, but may additionally provide for a deterring sound that is particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user, thus improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208. In an even more particular embodiment, the at least one predetermined frequency being between 16kHz and 17kHz may, for example, be audible to individuals aged 18 years and below but inaudible to individuals above 18, but may additionally provide for a deterring sound 208 that is particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user, thus improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208. The deterring sound being particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user, and thus improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208, may for example be due to the high pitch of the deterring sound 208.

Additionally or alternatively with respect to the at least one predetermined frequency, it is envisaged in some embodiments that the at least one predetermined frequency may be configured to improve how annoying and/or irritating the deterring sound 208 is to the first user of the aerosol provision system 1, thereby further improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208 output from the speaker 206. For example, in some embodiments, the at least one predetermined frequency comprises no more than one predetermined frequency. In this way, the deterring sound 208 may be a single frequency tone for which the monotone nature of the deterring sound 208 may be particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the at least one predetermined frequency comprises a plurality of predetermined frequencies output in a predetermined pattern. In this way, the at least one predetermined frequency may be configured to improve the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208 on the first user because the varying pitch of the deterring sound 208 may be particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user. An example of a deterring sound 208 comprising such a predetermined pattern of frequencies would be a sound similar to that output from a police siren.

In accordance with some embodiments, the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 in various manners to improve the deterring effect that the deterring sound 208 has on the first user of the aerosol provision system 1. The deterring effect may be improved, for example, by considering various characteristics of the deterring sound 208 that may annoy and/or irritate the first user, and thus deter them from using the aerosol provision system 1. For example, in some embodiments the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 continuously. In this way the first user may continuously hear the deterring sound 208 and thus be reluctant to use or continue use of the aerosol provision system 1. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 intermittently. This may provide for reducing consumption of the battery 16 when outputting the deterring sound 208 compared to outputting the deterring sound continuously. In addition, the intermittent nature of the deterring sound 208 may itself in some cases improve the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208 on the first user.

In respect to the various manners in which the deterring sound 208 may be output, it is envisaged in some embodiments that the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 with a fixed amplitude. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 with a varying amplitude. Such a varying amplitude may be particularly annoying and/or irritating to the first user of the aerosol provision system 1 , deterring them from continuing to use the aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments (such as those shown in the embodiments of Figures 7 and 8), the speaker 208 is located at a first end of the aerosol provision device 4 opposite to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision system 1 and/or opposite to a second end of the aerosol provision device which comprises the receptacle 8 or consumable 2 (for instance with reference to the aerosol provision device disclosed in Figure 1). In this way, the deterring sound 208 output from the speaker 206 may be output in the immediate vicinity of the user of the aerosol provision system 1. This may improve the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208 because the deterring sound 208 may be audible to the first user to a greater extent when the speaker 206 is located in this way, compared to some other locations of the speaker 206 on the aerosol provision device 4. In some embodiments where the aerosol provision system 1, or aerosol provision device 4, comprises a connector/charging port 24, which may be located at a first end of the aerosol provision system 1/aerosol provision device 4, e.g. as shown in the embodiment from Figure 1, in some embodiments, the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound around the connector/charging port 24, and/or output the sound from a position which is adjacent to the connector/charging port 24. This then makes optimal usage of the space at this first end.

Returning to the transducer 202, in accordance with some embodiments, the transducer 202 may be configured to detect the puff of the aerosol provision system 1 at the beginning of a predetermined period during which a plurality of puffs of the aerosol provision system are taken. Such a predetermined period may sometimes be referred to as an aerosol provision session, which may represent a duration in which a user takes multiple puffs on the aerosol provision system 1. In some of these cases, the speaker 206 may be configured to output the deterring sound 208 for the duration of the predetermined period. In this way, the deterring sound 208 may be output, and thus audible to the first user for the whole predetermined period, starting from the beginning of the predetermined period when a first puff of the aerosol provision system 1 is detected. Thus, the first user may be reluctant to continue use of the aerosol provision system 1 for this predetermined period, to avoid hearing the deterring sound 208 for the whole duration of the predetermined period.

Appreciating the foregoing, in accordance with some embodiments (such as those shown in the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9), the aerosol provision device 4 (or aerosol provision system 1 where the system 1 does not employ a two-part device/consumable form) may further comprise an age verification module 210 configured to verify than an age of a third user of the aerosol provision system 1 is above a predetermined threshold age. In response to this verification, the age verification module 210 may then be configured to output an age verification signal to the speaker 206. In accordance with these embodiments, the speaker 206 may then be configured to suspend output of the deterring sound 208 in response to receiving the age verification signal. In this way, the output of the deterring sound 208 may be prevented in a case where the third user has verified that they are above a predetermined threshold age (e.g. over 18 years of age). This may reduce the annoyance and/or irritation potentially provided to the third user, and potentially any other surrounding individuals, by the deterring sound 208 when it is not intended to deter such a third user from using the aerosol provision system, e.g. because they are older than a predetermined threshold age. In some examples of such embodiments, the age verification module may comprise a user interface (not shown in the figures) that provides the third user with a means of verifying their age. This may for example be by inputting the third user’s date of birth for verification by the age verification module 210.

Appreciating the foregoing, in accordance with some embodiments (such as those shown in the embodiments of Figures 8 and 9, the aerosol provision device 4 may further comprise a user authentication module 212 configured to authenticate a third user as one of at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system 1. In response to this authentication, the user authentication module 212 may then be configured to output a user authentication signal to the speaker 206. In accordance with these embodiments, the speaker 206 may then be configured to suspend output of the deterring sound 208 in response to receiving the user authentication signal. In accordance with these embodiments, the speaker 206 may then be configured to suspend output of the deterring sound 208 in response to receiving the user authentication signal. In this way, the output of the deterring sound 208 may be prevented in a case where the third user has verified that they are one of the registered users of the aerosol provision system. This may reduce the annoyance and/or irritation potentially provided to the third user, and potentially any other surrounding individuals, by the deterring sound 208 when it is not intended to deter such a third user from using the aerosol provision system 1 , e.g. because they are registered as one of the users of the aerosol provision system 1, which may for example be because they are older than a predetermined threshold age. In some examples of such embodiments, the user authentication module 212 may comprise a user interface (not shown in the figures) that provides the third user with a means of authenticating themselves as one of the at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system. This may for example be by inputting a passcode, individual to the third user, for authentication by the user authentication module Appreciating the foregoing, in accordance with some embodiments (such as that shown in the embodiment of Figure 9), the aerosol provision device 4 may further comprise a channel 214 configured to direct the deterring sound 208 output from the speaker 206 to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision system 1. In some embodiments, the channel 214 may take the form of a cavity within the aerosol provision device 4 between the speaker 206 to the mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision system 1. In these embodiments, the deterring sound 208 may thus be physically directed towards the user attempting to inhale on the mouthpiece end, thereby improving the impact that the deterring sound 208 has on the first user of the aerosol provision system 1. Improving the impact that the deterring sound 208 has on the first user of the aerosol provision system 1 may include improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208, such that the first user may find the deterring sound 208 even more annoying and/or irritating, thus further deterring them from using the aerosol provision system 1. This may be because, compared to embodiments in which the deterring sound 208 may be output in an isotropic manner from the speaker 206, directing the sound towards the user of the aerosol provision system 1 using the channel 214 may better allow for this sound to be heard by the user, and may in some examples increase the amplitude of the sound heard by the user, thereby improving the deterring effect of the deterring sound 208.

Furthermore, an aerosol provision device 4 comprising a channel 214 in accordance with some embodiments described herein reduces the impact of the deterring sound 208 on other individuals who are not attempting to use the aerosol provision system 1 but are in the vicinity of an individual who is attempting to use the aerosol provision system 1. This reduction may be in comparison to embodiments without the channel 214, wherein the deterring sound 208 may be output in an isotropic manner from the speaker 206 such that the other individuals may be impacted by the deterring sound 208. It is to be understood in these embodiments, that the other individuals potentially impacted by the deterring sound 208 is not just limited to say, children and teenagers, in the surrounding vicinity of the user, but also to animals in the surrounding vicinity (e.g. pets) for which it may be desirable for such animals to not have to hear the deterring sound 208.

To be clear as well, it is noted that the present disclosure is also intended to be used as part of a method of control an aerosol provision system 1 to output a deterring sound 208 for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system 1.

In this manner, such a method may comprise detecting a puff of the aerosol provision system 1 using a transducer 202 located within an airflow path 204 of the aerosol provision system 1. The method may then comprise outputting, in response to detecting the puff, a puff detection signal from the transducer 202 to a speaker 206 of the aerosol provision system 1. The method may then comprise receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker 206. The method may then comprise outputting, in response to receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker 206, the deterring sound 208 from the speaker 206, the deterring sound 208 comprising the at least one predetermined frequency. In such methods described herein, the at least one predetermined frequency may be configured to be audible to the first user. The at least one predetermined may be further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system 1, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments, the exchange of signals described herein between components of the aerosol provision system 1 may, in some examples, be controlled by the control circuitry 18 of the aerosol provision device 4, which may be control circuitry 18 that is connected to any of the herein employed transducer 202; speaker 206; age verification module 210; and/or user authentication module 212, as required (as shown in the embodiment of Figure 9).

Appreciating the foregoing therefore, there has accordingly been described a variety of aerosol provision systems, and corresponding methods of controlling the same, which aim to output a deterring sound for deterring a user of the aerosol provision system. Bearing this in mind, the above noted disclosures may thus appreciably relate to the embodiments as set out in the following numbered clauses at the end of this specification, alongside the other noted embodiments from the below noted claims.

There has also been described an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, comprising an aerosol provision device and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device. The aerosol provision device comprises a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision device, and a speaker. The transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal. The speaker is configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system. The deterring sound comprises at least one predetermined frequency configured to be audible to the first user, but inaudible to a second user of a higher age than the first user. In this way, the deterring sound can be used to deter underage users of the aerosol provision system.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure 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 claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features of the dependent claims (or any herein recited dependent clauses) may be combined with features of the independent claims (or independent clauses) in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims or clauses. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future. Accordingly, any permutation of the features from the claims may be combined as required, and/or may be combined with any permutation of the features from the herein recited clauses at the end of this specification.

Purely for completeness, although Figures 8 and 9 show that the aerosol provision device 4 comprises both an age verification module 210 and a user authentication module 212, it is envisaged that in some embodiments in accordance with examples herein, the aerosol provision device 4 may provide just one of the age verification module 210 or the user authentication module 212.

Furthermore, although Figures 9 shows a location of channel 214, it is envisaged that the channel 214 may be located at any appropriate location of the device, provided the channel 214 is configured to direct the deterring sound 208 output from the speaker 206 to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision device.

Furthermore, the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9 provide for the aerosol provision system 1 comprising a consumable 2 for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device 4, wherein the consumable 2 is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol. However, it is further envisaged that elements of the above disclosure may be applied to an aerosol provision system which does not employ a separate consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, but instead may be a single-body type aerosol provision system, as is sometimes the case for disposable aerosol provision systems for example.

In this way, there is also described herein an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol. This aerosol provision system comprises a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system, the transducer being configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal. The aerosol provision system also comprises a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system. The deterring sound comprises at least one predetermined frequency which may be configured to be audible to the first user. The deterring sound may be further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, in which the second user has a higher age than the first user.

Particularly with respect to the disclosure of any channel 214, where employed, it will also be appreciated that any such channel 214 may have wider applications in the context of aerosol provision systems 1 (whether these be single part aerosol provision systems 1, or aerosol provision systems 1 comprising an aerosol provision device 4 and a consumable 2) for better directing any sound from a speaker of the aerosol provision system towards a user of the aerosol provision system 1. This sound need not necessarily comprise a deterring sound, but could be any sounds relating to a usage/function of the aerosol provision system 1. In this way, the provision of this channel 214 for better directing the sound towards a user of the aerosol provision system 1 , in use, e.g. whilst the user has their head proximal any aerosol outlet 60 / mouthpiece 33, may better allow for this sound to be heard by the user, and may also allow the sound to be better restricted from being heard by other people otherwise located nearby the user/aerosol provision system 1 in use. This may thus assist with better preventing any such sound, useful to the user, from otherwise annoying such other people nearby. Mindful of this teaching therefore, it may be seen that the present disclosure may also thus provide for the features and benefits as outlined by the first set of clauses as noted below, which features are as largely also reproduced in the disclosure relating to Figure 9, where a channel 214 in accordance with this disclosure is shown. For completeness, it will be entirely appreciated that any of these features relating to this first set of clauses may be interchangeably used with the disclosure from other aspects of this specification, as required. For example, the generated sound in this context could in some narrower embodiments be the deterring sound, as previously described. Similarly, the features of any such aerosol provision system 1 could appreciably also comprise any of the above noted features relating to the aerosol provision systems described above, e.g. in respect of Figures 1-6B. For example, and purely for the purposes of completeness, it will be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments, any such aerosol provision system 1 could comprise any combination of the above noted receptacle 8; control circuitry 18; user input button 20; indicator light 22; connector/charging port 24; reservoir 31 (which may in some narrower embodiments be annular and/or surrounding any employed aerosol outlet tube 62); and/or aerosolisable material transport element 42. This being the case, the present disclosure at a general level thus also provides for an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, comprising: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: a speaker configured to selectively output a sound; wherein the aerosol provision system, in use, is configured to output the sound from the aerosol provision system in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

The present disclosure also provides for an aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol provision system comprising: a speaker configured to selectively output a sound; wherein the aerosol provision system, in use, is configured to output the sound from the aerosol provision system in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

The present disclosure also provides for a method of directing a sound from an aerosol provision system, wherein the aerosol provision system is for generating an aerosol, the method comprising: outputting a sound from a speaker of the aerosol provision system, optionally whilst the aerosol provision system is in use for generating the aerosol; and outputting the sound, from the aerosol provision system, in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

FIRST SET OF CLAUSES

1. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, comprising: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: a speaker configured to selectively output a sound; wherein the aerosol provision system, in use, is configured to output the sound from the aerosol provision system in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

2. The aerosol provision system of clause 1 , wherein the speaker is configured to output the sound in a direction which is towards a mouthpiece end, or mouthpiece, of the aerosol provision system.

3. The aerosol provision system of any preceding clause, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a channel through which the speaker is configured to output the sound in a direction which is towards the user of the aerosol provision system.

4. The aerosol provision system of clause 3, wherein the channel comprises an opening, for outputting the sound from the aerosol provision system, which is located proximal a mouthpiece of the aerosol provision system.

5. The aerosol provision system of clause 4, wherein the opening is located on the mouthpiece.

6. The aerosol provision system of clause 4 or 5, wherein the opening is located no more than 10mm from the mouthpiece.

7. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 4-6, wherein the channel at least partially extends through the mouthpiece.

8. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 3-7, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first portion of the channel, and the consumable comprises a second portion of the channel, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured such that when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol provision device, the sound is configured to pass from the first portion of the channel into the second portion of the channel.

9. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 3-8, wherein the speaker is located at an end of the channel.

10. The aerosol provision system of any preceding clause, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises an aerosol outlet tube, for receiving the aerosol, which is configured for directing the aerosol to an aerosol outlet of the aerosol provision system.

11. The aerosol provision system of clause 10, when further dependent on any of clauses 3-9, wherein the channel is at least partially parallel to the aerosol outlet tube.

12. The aerosol provision system of clause 10 or 11 , when further dependent on any of clauses 3-9, wherein the channel is separate from the aerosol outlet tube.

13. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 10-12, when further dependent on any of clauses 3-9, wherein the channel is located next to the aerosol outlet tube.

14. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol provision system comprising: a speaker configured to selectively output a sound; wherein the aerosol provision system, in use, is configured to output the sound from the aerosol provision system in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

15. A method of directing a sound from an aerosol provision system, wherein the aerosol provision system is for generating an aerosol, the method comprising: outputting a sound from a speaker of the aerosol provision system, optionally whilst the aerosol provision system is in use for generating the aerosol; and outputting the sound, from the aerosol provision system, in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

16. The method according to clause 15, wherein the method further comprises: passing the sound from the speaker through a channel, of the aerosol provision system, for outputting the sound in a direction which is towards the user of the aerosol provision system. 17. The method according to clause 16, wherein the method further comprises: outputting the sound, from the channel, through an opening of the channel, wherein the opening is located proximal a mouthpiece of the aerosol provision system.

18. The method according to clause 17, wherein the opening is located on the mouthpiece.

19. The method according to clause 17, wherein the opening is located no more than 10mm from the mouthpiece.

20. The method according to any of clauses 17-19, wherein the channel at least partially extends through the mouthpiece.

21. The method according to any of clauses 15-20, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol; wherein the aerosol provision device comprises the speaker.

22. The method according to clause 21, when further dependent on clause 16 at least, wherein passing the sound from the speaker through the channel comprises: passing the sound from the speaker through a first portion of the channel located in the aerosol provision device; passing the sound from the first portion into a second portion of the channel located in the consumable; and outputting the sound from the second portion in a direction which is towards the user of the aerosol provision system.

23. The method according to any of clauses 15-22, wherein the method further comprises: outputting the sound from the speaker of the aerosol provision system at the same time as aerosol is passed through an aerosol outlet tube of the aerosol provision system towards an aerosol outlet of the aerosol provision system. 24. The method according to clause 23, wherein the channel is at least partially parallel to the aerosol outlet tube.

25. The method according to any of clauses 15-24, wherein the method comprises: outputting the sound, from the aerosol provision system, in a direction which is towards a head of the user of the aerosol provision system.

26. The method according to any of clauses 15-25, wherein the method comprises: not outputting the sound, from the aerosol provision system, from a first end of the aerosol provision system which is opposite a second, mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision system.

27. The method according to any of clauses 15-26, wherein the sound is a deterring sound.

28. The method according to any of clauses 15-27, wherein the sound comprises at least one predetermined frequency.

SECOND SET OF CLAUSES

1. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, comprising: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises: a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision device, wherein the transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal; and a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

2. The aerosol provision system of clause 1 , wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 12kHz and 20kHz.

3. The aerosol provision system of clause 2, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 12kHz and 19kHz.

4. The aerosol provision system of clause 3, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 16kHz and 19kHz.

5. The aerosol provision system of clause 2, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 12kHz and 17kHz.

6. The aerosol provision system of clause 5, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 16kHz and 17kHz.

7. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the transducer is a pressure transducer, or a microphone. 8. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the speaker is located at an end of the aerosol provision device opposite to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision device.

9. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound continuously.

10. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound intermittently.

11. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the deterring sound defines, or consists of, a hum comprising the at least one predetermined frequency.

12. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one predetermined frequency comprises no more than one predetermined frequency.

13. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 11 , wherein the at least one predetermined frequency comprises a plurality of predetermined frequencies output in a predetermined pattern.

14. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises an age verification module configured to verify that an age of a third user of the aerosol provision system is above a predetermined threshold age and output, in response to this verification, an age verification signal to the speaker, wherein the speaker is configured to suspend output of the deterring sound in response to receiving the age verification signal.

15. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 14, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises a user authentication module configured to authenticate a third user as one of at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system and output a user authentication signal to the speaker, wherein the speaker is configured to suspend output of the deterring sound in response to receiving the user authentication signal.

16. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the transducer is configured to detect the puff of the aerosol provision system at the beginning of a predetermined period during which a plurality of puffs of the aerosol provision system are taken. 17. The aerosol provision system of clause 16, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound for a duration of the predetermined period.

18. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 17, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a channel configured to direct the deterring sound output from the speaker to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision device.

19. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound with a fixed amplitude.

20. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 18, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound with a varying amplitude.

21. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 19, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound in a direction which is towards a mouthpiece end, or mouthpiece, of the aerosol provision system.

22. The aerosol provision system of clause 20, wherein the aerosol provision system comprise a channel through which the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

23. The aerosol provision system of clause 22, wherein the channel comprises an opening, for outputting the deterring sound, which is located proximal a mouthpiece of the aerosol provision system.

24. The aerosol provision system of clause 23, wherein the opening is located on the mouthpiece.

25. The aerosol provision system of clause 23 or 24, wherein the opening is located no more than 10mm from the mouthpiece.

26. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 22-25, wherein the channel at least partially extends through the mouthpiece.

27. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 22-26, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first portion of the channel, and the consumable comprises a second portion of the channel, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured such that when the consumable is engaged with the aerosol provision device, the deterring sound is configured to pass from the first portion of the channel into the second portion of the channel.

28. The aerosol provision system of any of clauses 22-27, wherein the speaker is located at an end of the channel.

29. A method of controlling an aerosol provision system to output a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the method comprising: detecting a puff of the aerosol provision system using a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to detecting the puff, a puff detection signal from the transducer to a speaker of the aerosol provision system; receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker; and outputting, in response to receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker, the deterring sound from the speaker, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

30. The method of clause 29, comprising: verifying that the age of a third user is above a predetermined threshold age, using an age verification module of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to this verification, an age verification signal from the age verification module to the speaker; receiving the age verification signal at the speaker; and suspending, in response to receiving the age verification signal at the speaker, output of the deterring sound from the speaker.

31. The method of clause 29 or clause 30, comprising: authenticating a third user as one of at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system using a user authentication module of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to this authentication, a user authentication signal from the user authentication module to the speaker; receiving the user authentication signal at the speaker; and suspending, in response to receiving the user authentication signal, output of the deterring sound from the speaker.

32. The method of any one of clauses 29 to 31, comprising detecting the puff of the aerosol provision system at the beginning of a predetermined period during which a plurality of puffs of the aerosol provision system are taken.

33. The method of clause 32, comprising outputting the deterring sound for a duration of the predetermined period.

34. The method of any one of clauses 29 to 33, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol; wherein the aerosol provision device comprises the transducer; the speaker; and the airflow path.

35. The method of any one of clauses 29 to 34, wherein the method further comprises: passing the deterring sound, which is output from the speaker, through a channel of the aerosol provision system, in a direction which is towards a user of the aerosol provision system.

36. The method of clause 35, wherein the method further comprises: outputting the deterring sound, from the channel, through an opening of the channel, wherein the opening is located proximal a mouthpiece of the aerosol provision system.

37. The method of clause 36, wherein the channel at least partially extends through the mouthpiece.

38. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol provision system comprising: a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system, wherein the transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal; and a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

Claims

The aerosol provision system of clause 2, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 12kHz and 19kHz.

The aerosol provision system of clause 3, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is between 16kHz and 19kHz.

5. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the transducer is a pressure transducer, or a microphone.

6. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the speaker is located at an end of the aerosol provision device opposite to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision device.

7. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound continuously.

8. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound intermittently.

9. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein the deterring sound defines, or consists of, a hum comprising the at least one predetermined frequency.

10. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency comprises no more than one predetermined frequency.

11. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the at least one predetermined frequency comprises a plurality of predetermined frequencies output in a predetermined pattern.

12. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises an age verification module configured to verify that an age of a third user of the aerosol provision system is above a predetermined threshold age and output, in response to this verification, an age verification signal to the speaker, wherein the speaker is configured to suspend output of the deterring sound in response to receiving the age verification signal.

13. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 12, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises a user authentication module configured to authenticate a third user as one of at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system and output a user authentication signal to the speaker, wherein the speaker is configured to suspend output of the deterring sound in response to receiving the user authentication signal.

14. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 13, wherein the transducer is configured to detect the puff of the aerosol provision system at the beginning of a predetermined period during which a plurality of puffs of the aerosol provision system are taken.

15. The aerosol provision system of clause 14, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound for a duration of the predetermined period.

16. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a channel configured to direct the deterring sound output from the speaker to a mouthpiece end of the aerosol provision device.

17. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound with a fixed amplitude.

18. The aerosol provision system of any one of clauses 1 to 16, wherein the speaker is configured to output the deterring sound with a varying amplitude.

19. A method of controlling an aerosol provision system to output a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the method comprising: detecting a puff of the aerosol provision system using a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to detecting the puff, a puff detection signal from the transducer to a speaker of the aerosol provision system; receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker; and outputting, in response to receiving the puff detection signal at the speaker, the deterring sound from the speaker, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.

20. The method of clause 19, comprising: verifying that the age of a third user is above a predetermined threshold age, using an age verification module of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to this verification, an age verification signal from the age verification module to the speaker; receiving the age verification signal at the speaker; and suspending, in response to receiving the age verification signal at the speaker, output of the deterring sound from the speaker.

21. The method of clause 19 or clause 20, comprising: authenticating a third user as one of at least one registered users of the aerosol provision system using a user authentication module of the aerosol provision system; outputting, in response to this authentication, a user authentication signal from the user authentication module to the speaker; receiving the user authentication signal at the speaker; and suspending, in response to receiving the user authentication signal, output of the deterring sound from the speaker.

22. The method of any one of clauses 19 to 21, comprising detecting the puff of the aerosol provision system at the beginning of a predetermined period during which a plurality of puffs of the aerosol provision system are taken.

23. The method of clause 22, comprising outputting the deterring sound for a duration of the predetermined period.

24. The method of any one of clauses 19 to 23, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises: an aerosol provision device; and a consumable for releasably engaging with the aerosol provision device, wherein the consumable is configured to receive aerosol-generating material for aerosolising into the aerosol; wherein the aerosol provision device comprises the transducer; the speaker; and the airflow path.

25. An aerosol provision system for generating an aerosol, the aerosol provision system comprising: a transducer located within an airflow path of the aerosol provision system, wherein the transducer is configured to detect a puff of the aerosol provision system and output, in response to this detection, a puff detection signal; and a speaker configured to output, in response to receiving the puff detection signal, a deterring sound for deterring a first user of the aerosol provision system, the deterring sound comprising at least one predetermined frequency; wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is configured to be audible to the first user; and wherein the at least one predetermined frequency is further configured to be inaudible to a second user of the aerosol provision system, wherein the second user has a higher age than the first user.