Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
  • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
  • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts

Definitions

• the at least one section predisposed to deformation is separated by a line of weakness from the adjacent section.
• the sections predisposed to deformation are spaced apart from each other.
• the substantially planar aerosol generating component is integrally formed.
• the at least one electrical connection portion comprises two electrical connection portions, each electrical connection portion being arranged at a respective end of the aerosol generating section.
• the aerosol generating section comprises at least one elongate aperture.
• the elongate apertures are arranged in series along an axis (e.g. the longitudinal axis or the transverse axis) of the aerosol generating component.
• each of the elongate apertures extends non-parallel to an axis (e.g. the longitudinal axis or the transverse axis) of the aerosol generating component.
• the substantially planar aerosol generating component is formed from a single layer.
• an article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising: a substantially planar aerosol generating component comprising: an aerosol generating portion; and at least one electrical connection portion comprising an aperture for receiving an electrical contact, wherein at least one section of the at least one electrical connection portion extending to a perimeter of the aperture is predisposed to deformation; and at least one electrical contact, wherein the electrical contact is received through the aperture, such that the electrical contact is connected to the at least one electrical connection portion.
• the substantially planar aerosol generating component may be characterised in accordance with any other aspect of the present disclosure.
• a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising: an article comprising: a substantially planar aerosol generating component comprising: an aerosol generating portion; and at least one electrical connection portion comprising an aperture for receiving an electrical contact, wherein at least one section of the at least one electrical connection portion extending to a perimeter of the aperture is predisposed to deformation; and an electrical contact, wherein the at least one electrical contact is received through the aperture, such that the at least one electrical contact is connected to the at least one electrical connection portion; a power source; and a controller.
• the at least one electrical connection portion comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical connection portions.
• the at least one electrical contact comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical contacts.
• an electrical contact is received through a respective aperture, such that each of the electrical connection portions is connected to a respective electrical contact.
• the substantially planar aerosol generating component may be characterised in accordance with any other aspect of the present disclosure.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a non-combustible aerosol provision system according to the present disclosure
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating component for use as part of the noncombustible aerosol provision system of Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 3 is a side view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 2, wherein the electrical connection portion is connected to an electrical contact;
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating component for use as part of the noncombustible aerosol provision system of Fig. 1, according to the present disclosure
• Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 is a side view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4, prior to connection to an electrical contact;
• Fig. 7 is a side view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4, wherein the electrical connection portion is connected to an electrical contact;
• Fig. 8A is a perspective view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4 and an electrical contact, prior to connection between the electrical connection portion and the electrical contact
• Fig. 8B is a perspective view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4 and an electrical contact, wherein the electrical connection portion is being connected to the electrical contact
• Fig. 8A is a perspective view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4 and an electrical contact, prior to connection between the electrical connection portion and the electrical contact
• Fig. 8B is a perspective view of an electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4 and an electrical contact, wherein the electrical connection portion is being connected to the electrical contact
• Fig. 8C is a perspective view of the electrical connection portion of the aerosol generating component of Fig. 4, and an electrical contact, wherein the electrical connection portion is connected to the electrical contact.
• the present disclosure relates, but is not limited, to non-combustible aerosol provision systems and articles that generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material (also referred to herein as “aerosolisable material”) without combusting the aerosolgenerating material.
• aerosol-generating material also referred to herein as “aerosolisable material”
• examples of such systems include electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating systems, and hybrid systems (which generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials).
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement of the present disclosure.
• END electronic nicotine delivery system
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
• An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
• Each of the aerosol-generating materials in such a hybrid system may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
• the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material.
• the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
• e-cigarette and “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used. However, it will be appreciated these terms may be used interchangeably with non-combustible aerosol (vapour) provision system or device as explained above.
• the present disclosure relates to consumables for holding aerosolgenerating material, and which are configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables may be referred to as “articles” throughout the present disclosure.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system typically comprises a device part (also referred to herein as a “device”) and a consumable/article part (also referred to herein as an “article”).
• the device part typically comprises a power source and a controller.
• the power source may typically be an electrical power source, e.g. a rechargeable battery.
• the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving or engaging with the consumable/article, an aerosol generator (which may or may not be within the consumable/article), an aerosol generation area (which may be within the consumable/article), a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• the consumable/article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area (also referred to herein as a reservoir for aerosolisable material), an aerosol-generating material transfer component (e.g. a wick, such as a pad), an aerosol generator (also referred to herein as an aerosol generating component), an aerosol generation area (also referred to herein as an aerosol generation chamber), a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
• an aerosol-generating material storage area also referred to herein as a reservoir for aerosolisable material
• an aerosol-generating material transfer component e.g. a wick, such as a pad
• an aerosol generator also referred to herein as an aerosol generating component
• an aerosol generation area also referred to herein as an aerosol generation chamber
• a housing a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or
• the systems described herein typically generate an inhalable aerosol by vaporisation of an aerosol generating material.
• the aerosol generating material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.
• Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.
• the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous).
• the amorphous solid may be a dried gel.
• the amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.
• the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.
• active substance may relate to a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
• the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
• the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
• the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
• the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
• the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
• the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of 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 materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
• the term “component” is used to refer to a part, section, unit, module, assembly or similar of an electronic cigarette or similar device that incorporates several smaller parts or elements, possibly within an exterior housing or wall.
• An electronic cigarette may be formed or built from one or more such components, and the components may be removably or separably connectable to one another, or may be permanently joined together during manufacture to define the whole electronic cigarette.
• the present disclosure is applicable to (but not limited to) systems comprising two components separably connectable to one another and configured, for example, as a consumable/article component capable of holding an aerosol generating material (also referred to herein as a cartridge or cartomiser), and a device/control unit having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the aerosol generating material.
• a consumable/article component capable of holding an aerosol generating material (also referred to herein as a cartridge or cartomiser)
• a device/control unit having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the aerosol generating material.
• Fig. 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale) of an example non-combustible aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette 10.
• the e-cigarette 10 has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line, and comprises two main components, namely a control or power component or section 20 (which may be referred to herein as a device) and a cartridge assembly or section 30 (which may be referred to herein as an “article”, “consumable”, “cartomizer”, or “cartridge”) that operates as a vapour generating component.
• the cartridge assembly (or article) 30 includes a storage compartment (also referred to herein as a reservoir) 3 containing an aerosolisable material comprising (for example) a liquid formulation from which an aerosol is to be generated, for example containing nicotine.
• the aerosolisable material may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising roughly propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as water or flavourings.
• the storage compartment 3 has the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which aerosolisable material can be stored such that the aerosolisable material is free to move and flow (if liquid) within the confines of the tank.
• the storage compartment 3 may contain a quantity of absorbent material such as cotton wadding or glass fibre which holds the aerosolisable material within a porous structure.
• the storage compartment 3 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the aerosolisable material is consumed, or may have an inlet port or other opening through which new aerosolisable material can be added.
• the cartridge assembly 30 also comprises an electrical aerosol generating component 4 located externally of the reservoir tank 3 for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the aerosolisable material.
• the aerosol generating component may be a heating element (heater) which is heated by the passage of electrical current (e.g. via resistive) to raise the temperature of the aerosolisable material until it evaporates.
• An aerosol generating material transfer component e.g. liquid conduit arrangement such as a wick or other porous element (not shown), may be provided to deliver aerosolisable material from the storage compartment 3 to the aerosol generating component 4.
• the aerosol generating material transfer component may have one or more parts located inside the storage compartment 3 so as to be able to absorb aerosolisable material and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the aerosol generating material transfer component that are in contact with the aerosol generating component 4. This aerosolisable material is thereby vaporised, and is to be replaced by new aerosolisable material transferred to the aerosol generating component 4 by the aerosol generating material transfer component.
• a heater and wick combination, or other arrangement of parts that perform the same functions, is sometimes referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly.
• the parts may be differently arranged compared to the highly schematic representation of Fig. 1.
• the wick may be an entirely separate element from the aerosol generating component.
• the aerosol generating material transfer component (e.g. the conduit) for delivering liquid for vapour generation may be formed at least in part from one or more slots, tubes or channels between the storage compartment and the aerosol generating component which are narrow enough to support capillary action to draw source liquid out of the storage compartment and deliver it for vaporisation.
• an atomiser can be considered to be an aerosol generating component able to generate vapour from aerosolisable material delivered to it, and an aerosol generating material transfer component (e.g. a liquid conduit (pathway)) able to deliver or transport liquid from a storage compartment or similar liquid store to the aerosol generating component by a capillary force.
• the aerosol generating component is at least partly located within an aerosol generating chamber that forms part of an airflow channel through the electronic cigarette/system. Vapour produced by the aerosol generating component is driven off into this chamber, and as air passes through the chamber, flowing over and around the aerosol generating component, it collects the produced vapour whereby it condenses to form the required aerosol.
• the cartridge assembly 30 also includes a mouthpiece 35 having an opening or air outlet through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating component 4, and delivered through the airflow channel.
• the power component 20 includes a cell 5 (also referred to herein as a battery, and which may be re-chargeable) to provide power for electrical components of the e-cigarette 10, in particular the aerosol generating component 4. Additionally, there is a printed circuit board 28 and/or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the e-cigarette.
• the control electronics/circuitry connect the vapour generating element 4 to the battery 5 when vapour is required, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 10 during which air enters through one or more air inlets 26 in the wall of the power component 20 to flow along the airflow channel.
• the aerosol generating component 4 When the aerosol generating component 4 receives power from the battery 5, the aerosol generating component 4 vaporises aerosolisable material delivered from the storage compartment 3 to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece 35.
• the aerosol is carried to the mouthpiece 35 along the airflow channel (not shown) that connects the air inlet 26 to the air outlet when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35.
• An airflow path through the electronic cigarette is hence defined, between the air inlet(s) (which may or may not be in the power component) to the atomiser and on to the air outlet at the mouthpiece.
• the air flow direction along this airflow path is from the air inlet to the air outlet, so that the atomiser can be described as lying downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the air outlet.
• the power section 20 and the cartridge assembly 30 are separate parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, as indicated by the solid arrows in Fig. 1.
• the components 20, 30 are joined together when the device 10 is in use by cooperating engagement elements 21 , 31 (for example, a screw, magnetic or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the power section 20 and the cartridge assembly 30.
• cooperating engagement elements 21 , 31 for example, a screw, magnetic or bayonet fitting
• the two sections may connect together end-to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Fig. 1 , or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side- by-side arrangement.
• the system may or may not be generally cylindrical and/or have a generally longitudinal shape. Either or both sections may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir is empty or the battery is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the reservoir, recharging the battery, or replacing the atomiser.
• the e-cigarette 10 may be a unitary device (disposable or refillable/rechargeable) that cannot be separated into two or more parts, in which case all components are comprised within a single body or housing. Examples of the present invention are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations of which the skilled person will be aware.
• a type of aerosol generating component such as a heating element, that may be utilised in an atomising portion of an electronic cigarette (a part configured to generate vapour from a source liquid) combines the functions of heating and liquid delivery, by being both electrically conductive (resistive) and porous.
• electrically conductive refers to components which have the capacity to generate heat in response to the flow of electrical current therein. Such flow could be imparted by, for example, so-called resistive heating.
• An example of a suitable material for this is an electrically conductive material such as a metal or metal alloy formed into a sheet-like form, i.e. a planar shape with a thickness many times smaller than its length or breadth.
• the aerosol generating component may have, and/or be formed of, any one of the following structures: a woven or weave structure, mesh structure, fabric structure, open-pored fiber structure, open-pored sintered structure, open-pored foam or open-pored deposition structure.
• Said structures are suitable in particular for providing an aerosol generating component with a high degree of porosity.
• a high degree of porosity may ensure that the heat produced by the aerosol generating component is predominately used for evaporating the liquid and high efficiency can be obtained.
• a porosity of greater than 50% may be envisaged with said structures.
• the porosity of the aerosol generating component is 50% or greater, 60% or greater, 70% or greater.
• the aerosol generating component has at least two layers, wherein the layers contain at least one of the following structures: a plate, foil, paper, mesh, woven structure, fabric, open-pored fiber structure, open-pored sintered structure, open-pored foam or open- pored deposition structure.
• the aerosol generating component can be formed by an electric heating resistor consisting of a metal foil combined with a structure comprising a capillary structure.
• a layer may be formed from a metal wire fabric, or from a nonwoven metal fiber fabric.
• Individual layers are advantageously but not necessarily connected to one another by a heat treatment, such as sintering or welding.
• the aerosol generating component can be designed as a sintered composite consisting of a stainless steel foil and one or more layers of a stainless steel wire fabric (material, for example AISI 304 or AISI 316).
• the aerosol generating component can be designed as a sintered composite consisting of at least two layers of a stainless steel wire fabric.
• the layers may be connected to one another by spot welding or resistance welding. Individual layers may also be connected to one another mechanically. For instance, a double-layer wire fabric could be produced just by folding a single layer.
• use may also be made, by way of example, of heating conductor alloys-in particular NiCr alloys and CrFeAl alloys ("Kanthal”) which have an even higher specific electric resistance than stainless steel.
• the aerosol generating component may be formed from a sintered metal fiber material and may be in the form of a sheet.
• Material of this sort can be thought of a mesh or irregular grid, and is created by sintering together a randomly aligned arrangement or array of spaced apart metal fibers or strands.
• a single layer of fibers might be used, or several layers, for example up to five layers.
• the metal fibers may have a diameter of 8 to 12 pm, arranged to give a sheet of thickness 0.16 mm, and spaced to produce a material density of from 100 g/m 2 to 1500 g/m 2 , such as from 150 g/m 2 to 1000 g/m 2 , 200 g/m 2 to 500 g/m 2 , or 200 to 250 g/m 2 , and a porosity of 84%.
• the sheet thickness may also range from 0.1 mm to 0.2mm, such as 0.1mm to 0.15mm. Specific thicknesses include 0.10 mm, 0.11 mm, 0.12mm, 0.13 mm, 0.14 mm, 0.15 mm or 0.1 mm.
• the aerosol generating component may form a generally flat structure, comprising first and second surfaces.
• the generally flat structure may take the form of any two dimensional shape, for example, circular, semi-circular, triangular, square, rectangular and/ or polygonal.
• the aerosol generating component has a uniform thickness.
• a number of the elongate apertures 105 have an open end, and a number of the elongate apertures 105 define a closed shape.
• the aerosolisable material may be stored in an aerosol generating material transfer component arranged adjacent to or in contact with the aerosol generating component 100.
• the aerosol generating material transfer component may be comprised by the article.
• Each electrical contact 1000 may comprise (or be formed as) a cylindrical pin.
• the cylindrical pin 1000 may comprise a chamfered end-edge. This facilitates insertion of the cylindrical pin 1000 into the aperture
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be predisposed to resilient deformation.
• predisposed to resilient deformation we mean the at least one section 202a, 203a is resiliently deformable.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be of increased flexibility relative to the adjacent section 202b, 203b. This may be achieved in various ways.
• the at least one section 202a, 203 may be formed of a material which is inherently more flexible than the material of which the adjacent section 202a, 203a is formed.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be of reduced thickness relative to the adjacent section 202b, 203b (see e.g. Figs. 4 to 8C).
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 10% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 20% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 30% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 40% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 50% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a may be at least 60% thinner than the adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• the aerosol generating section 201 is porous. This can permit more effective vaporisation of aerosolisable material.
• the at least one tab or tang may be angled with respect to the axis of the aerosol generating component 200 by at least 5°.
• the at least one tab or tang may be angled with respect to the axis of the aerosol generating component 200 by no greater than 10°.
• the at least one tab or tang may be angled with respect to the axis of the aerosol generating component 200 by no greater than 8°.
• the at least one tab or tang may be angled with respect to the axis of the aerosol generating component 200 by no greater than 7°. Offsetting or angling the tabs/tangs in this way has provided for aerosol generating components having a good resistance.
• the aerosol generating portion 201 is an electrical resistance heater. Those skilled in the art will know that an “electrical resistance heater” generates heat by Joule heating. In this way, the aerosol generating portion 201 may comprise or be formed of an electrically resistive material. In some aspects, the aerosol generating component 200 comprises or is formed of an electrically resistive material.
• the aerosol generating component 200 may define an axis.
• the axis may be a longitudinal axis.
• the axis may extend between respective ends of the aerosol generating component 200, such as is shown in e.g. Fig. 4.
• the aerosol generating component may comprise a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical connection sections 202, 203.
• Each electrical connection section 202, 203 may be as described herein.
• Each electrical connection section 202, 203 may be arranged at a respective end of the aerosol generating portion 201 .
• all of the elongate apertures 205 may have an open end, or all of the elongate apertures 205 may define a closed shape.
• the elongate apertures 205 can help to increase the resistance of the aerosol generating component 200 in use.
• the aerosol generating component 200 may be formed from a single layer.
• the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprises an aperture 204 for receiving an electrical contact 1000.
• the or each electrical contact 1000 may be comprised by an article for use as part of the non-combustible aerosol provision system, and may be arranged in electrical communication with a power source.
• power can be delivered to the aerosol generating component 200 from the power source.
• the aerosol generating portion 201 can be heated to a temperature for aerosolising aerosolisable material.
• the aerosolisable material may be stored in an aerosol generating material transfer component arranged adjacent to or in contact with the aerosol generating component 200.
• the aerosol generating material transfer component may be comprised by the article.
• Fig. 6 shows a side view of the aerosol generating component 200 prior to an electrical contact 1000 being inserted into the aperture 204 of the electrical connection portion 202
• FIG. 8A also shows this arrangement, but in close-up, perspective view of an electrical connection portion 202, 203. As shown in these figures, the sections 202a, 203a are in a non-deformed or non-biased state.
• the electrical contact 1000 may comprise a cylindrical pin (see Figs. 7 to 8C).
• the cylindrical pin 1000 may comprise a chamfered end edge. This facilitates insertion of the cylindrical pin 1000 into the aperture 104.
• the electrical contact 1000 may be comprised by an article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• the aerosol generating portion 201 Before each electrical connection portion 202, 203 is connected to a respective cylindrical pin 1000, the aerosol generating portion 201 may be permanently deformed (e.g. by stamping or bending) to induce curvature in the aerosol generating portion 201 (see e.g. Figs. 8B and 8C).
• the diameter of the cylindrical pin 1000 at the chamfered end edge is less than the diameter of the aperture 204 (the distance between opposing sections 202a, 203a). By contrast the diameter of the cylindrical pin 1000 at other portions thereof is slightly greater than the diameter of the aperture 204.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a is deformed relative to an adjacent section 202b, 203b.
• an outer surface of the electrical contact 1000 may urge the at least one section 202a, 203a outwardly and in the direction of insertion (the latter being indicated by upward arrows in Figs.
• a connection between the electrical connection portion 202, 203 and the electrical contact 1000 is thus formed.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a is in a biased state.
• the at least one section 202a, 203a is biased (e.g. resiliently biased) against an outer surface of the electrical contact 1000.
• the aerosol generating component 200 forms a secure electrical connection with the electrical contact 1000, and inadvertent deformation of the aerosol generating component 200 is reduced or prevented.
• an article 30 for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system 10 comprising: a substantially planar aerosol generating component 200 comprising: an aerosol generating portion 201; and at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprising an aperture 204 for receiving an electrical contact 1000, wherein at least one section 202a, 203a of the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 extending to a perimeter of the aperture 204 is predisposed to deformation; and at least one electrical contact 1000, wherein the at least one electrical contact 1000 is received through the aperture 204, such that the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 is connected (e.g. resiliently connected) to the at least one electrical contact 1000.
• a substantially planar aerosol generating component 200 comprising: an aerosol generating portion 201; and at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprising an aperture 204 for receiving an electrical contact 1000, wherein at least one section 202a, 203a of the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 extending to
• the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical connection portions 202, 203.
• the at least one electrical contact 1000 comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical contacts 1000.
• an electrical contact 1000 is received through a respective aperture 204, such that each of the electrical connection portions 202, 203 is connected to a respective electrical contact 1000.
• a non-combustible aerosol provision system 10 comprising: an article 30 comprising: a substantially planar aerosol generating component 200 comprising: an aerosol generating portion 201; and at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprising an aperture 204 for receiving an electrical contact 1000, wherein at least one section 202a, 203a of the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 extending to a perimeter of the aperture 204 is predisposed to deformation; and an electrical contact 1000, wherein the at least one electrical contact 1000 is received through the aperture 204, such that the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 is connected (e.g. resiliently connected) to the at least one electrical contact 1000; a power source; and a controller.
• an article 30 comprising: a substantially planar aerosol generating component 200 comprising: an aerosol generating portion 201; and at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprising an aperture 204 for receiving an electrical contact 1000, wherein at least one section 202a, 203a of the at least
• the at least one electrical connection portion 202, 203 comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical connection portions 202, 203.
• the at least one electrical contact 1000 comprises a plurality of (e.g. two) electrical contacts 1000.
• an electrical contact 1000 is received through a respective aperture 204, such that each of the electrical connection portions 202, 203 is connected to a respective electrical contact 1000.
• any aspect of the present disclosure may be defined in relation to any of the other aspects of the present disclosure.
• one aspect of the present disclosure may include any of the features of any other aspect of the present disclosure and/or the features of one aspect of the present disclosure may be as defined in relation to the features of any other aspect of the present disclosure.

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• 2024
  • 2024-03-20 WO PCT/GB2024/050749 patent/WO2024194633A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2024-03-20 EP EP24714986.7A patent/EP4683531A1/de active Pending
  • 2024-03-20 CN CN202480033199.XA patent/CN121511026A/zh active Pending

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