EP4723910A1 - Aerosol provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol provision system 1 comprises a vaporiser 14 for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, an electrical connector 100, such as an electrode 10 or electrical lead 12, for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser 14. The electrical connector 100 comprises a core portion 101, and first layer 102 whose material composition comprises silver. The first layer 102 is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion 101 away from the connector 100. A second layer 104 may be further employed over the first layer 102, such as a second layer 104 whose material composition comprises gold, which can act to help improve the electrical conductivity of the connector 100 in being able to transfer electrical power to the vaporiser 14.

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 such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol precursor material, such as a reservoir of a source liquid containing a formulation, typically but not necessarily including nicotine, or a solid material such a tobacco-based product, from which an aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise a vaporiser, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporise a portion of precursor material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol generation region of an air channel through the aerosol provision system. As a user inhales on the device and electrical power is supplied to the heating element, air is drawn into the device through one or more inlet holes and along the air channel to the aerosol generation region, where the air mixes with the vaporised precursor material and forms a condensation aerosol. The air drawn through the aerosol generation region continues along the air channel to a mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol with it, and out through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user. It is common for aerosol provision systems to comprise a modular assembly, often having two main functional parts, namely a control unit and disposable I replaceable cartridge part. Typically the cartridge part will comprise the consumable aerosol precursor material and the vaporiser/heating element (atomiser), while the control unit part will comprise longer-life items, such as a power supply, such as a rechargeable battery, device control circuitry, activation sensors and user interface features. The control unit may also be referred to as a reusable part or battery section and the replaceable cartridge may also be referred to as a disposable part or cartomiser.

The control unit and cartridge are mechanically coupled together at an interface for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, latched or friction fit fixing. When the aerosol precursor material in a cartridge has been exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol precursor material, the cartridge may be removed from the control unit and a replacement cartridge may be attached to the device in its place.

Electrical contacts I electrodes are provided on each of the control unit and cartridge for transferring power between the two components. In the case of each electrode on the cartridge, a lead is employed to transfer power from the electrode to the heating element in the cartridge. A potential drawback in such cartridges, or more widely related aerosol provision systems which do not employ such a two control unit/cartridge arrangement, is that the electrical connectors (such as an electrical lead, or an electrode), which are used to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the vaporiser of such aerosol provision systems, can be susceptible to metal emissions as a result of these connectors typically being made of metal, and otherwise being exposed to heated/moist/wetted environments.

Whilst it is known in aerosol provision systems to coat a core portion of an electrode from an aerosol provision system with a gold coating, purely from the perspective of improving the electrical conductivity of the electrode, it has been observed that the mere addition of gold over a core, metal, portion of the electrode (which may not be made of gold, but instead some other metal - such as potentially brass; aluminium; stainless steel; or nickel), may still result in undesirable shedding of metal emissions from this core portion of the electrode. Over time, these metal emissions can be deleterious to the operation of the aerosol provision system, for instance because they unwantedly expose the user to some of these metal particles in use of the aerosol provision system, and also reduce the electrical efficiency of the aerosol provision system as a whole.

Various approaches are therefore described herein which seek to help address or mitigate some of the issues discussed above.

Summary

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method for reducing metal emissions from an electrical connector in an aerosol provision system which is configured for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, the method comprising: covering a metal portion of the connector with a first layer whose material composition comprises silver.

According to a fourth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of retrofitting, and reducing metal emissions from, an aerosol provision system, or a cartridge for an aerosol provision system, which comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an existing electrical connector, for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the existing electrical connector does not comprise a layer whose material composition comprises silver, but may optionally comprise an external layer whose material composition comprises gold; wherein the method comprises replacing the existing electrical connector with an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

According to a fifth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of operating an aerosol provision system which comprises: a power supply; a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion; wherein the method comprises: using the electrical connector to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the vaporiser; and powering the vaporiser to generate a vapour from the aerosolisable material.

According to a sixth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a use of silver in an aerosol provision system to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector of the aerosol provision system.

According to a seventh aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion, and wherein the first layer is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion away from the connector.

According to an eighth aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion; and a second layer located over the first layer, wherein the material composition of the second layer is different to the material composition of the first layer.

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 an aerosol provision system comprising a cartridge and a control unit;

Figure 2A schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from Figure 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 2B shows a perspective view of portions of the cartridge shown in Figure 2A, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 3 schematically shows a heating element, located on a surface of a porous member, for use in the cartridge shown in Figure 2A in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 4 schematically shows a table outlining the level of emissions of metals in a first-tested aerosol provision system, when this aerosol provision system was operated with electrical components of four different constructions, and when used with four different aerosolisable material (liquid) contents during use; and when operated at different temperature and humidity conditions, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 5 schematically shows a table outlining the level of emissions of metals in a second-tested aerosol provision system, which was different in construction to that of the first-tested aerosol provision system, when this second-tested aerosol provision system was operated with electrical components related to the four different constructions from Figure 4, and when used with the four different aerosolisable material (liquid) contents from Figure 4 during use; and when operated at the different temperature and humidity conditions from Figure 4 during use, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure; and

Figure 6 schematically represents the possible different layers which may be used in the context of some of the electrical connectors herein described, which demonstrate improved reduction in metal emissions from the electrical connector, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed I described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed I 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, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. 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.

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 aerosol provision system I device and electronic aerosol provision system I device. 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 non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid system 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 non- combustible aerosol provision device and an article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material (or aerosol precursor material), an aerosol generating component (or vaporiser), an aerosol generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosolisable material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a vaporiser or heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an 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/ni cotine 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, 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 flavour comprises 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) often comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable part (control unit) and a replaceable (disposable) 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 comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part device employing disposable cartridges. 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..

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example aerosol provision system I device (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 comprises two main components, namely a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 and the cartridge 2 are coupled together when in use.

The cartridge 2 and control unit 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 I electrodes for establishing the electrical connection between the two parts as appropriate. For example, in the case of the cartridge 2 shown in Figure 1 , this cartridge 2 comprises a mouthpiece end 6 and an interface end 8. The cartridge 2 is coupled to the control unit 4 by a coupling arrangement (not shown in the Figures) at the interface end 8 of the cartridge 2 such to provide a releasable mechanical engagement between the cartridge and the control unit. An electrical connection is established between the control unit and the cartridge via a pair of electrical contacts/electrodes 10 on the bottom of the cartridge 2 and corresponding contact pins/electrodes 11 in the control unit 4. As noted above, the specific manner in which the electrical connection is established is not significant to the principles described herein. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the control unit 4 may comprise a cartridge receiving section that includes an interface arranged to cooperatively engage with the cartridge 2 so as to releasably couple the cartridge 2 to the control unit 4. In this way, electrical power from the control unit 4 may be delivered to the cartridge via the electrode 10 from the cartridge 2.

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 I or materials.

The control unit 4 may in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure be broadly conventional in terms of its functionality and general construction techniques. In some embodiments, the control unit may comprise a plastic outer housing including a receptacle wall that defines a receptacle for receiving the interface end 10 of the cartridge 2.

The control unit 4 further comprises a power supply, such as a battery for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette 1 , control circuitry for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a user input button, and a charging port.

The battery in some embodiments may be 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 power supply/battery may be recharged through the charging port, which may, for example, comprise a USB connector.

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 control circuitry 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) may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units I 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 may comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the power supply/battery 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 I circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes. It will be appreciated the functionality of the control circuitry can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and I or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) I circuitry I chip(s) I chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.

Figure 2A schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from Figure 1, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure. In general terms, the cartridge comprises the electrodes 10, wherein each electrode 10 comprises an associated lead 12 which is operable to transfer power between the electrode 10 and a heating element 14. The cartridge 2 may further comprise a porous member 16 for use in holding a fluid to be atomised using the heating element 14. As shown in Figure 2A, the porous member 16 may comprise a recess 18 defining a basin 20 for holding the fluid. In some embodiments, the porous member 16 may be a ceramic material, and may comprise silicone.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the heating element 14 is located between the basin 20 and each electrode 10. In terms of the structure of the heating element 14, in some embodiments the heating element 14 may be located on a surface 21 of the porous member 16. In the case of the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 3, the surface 21 is located on an opposite side of the porous member to that of the basin 20.

To improve the transfer of heat from the heating element to the porous member 16, in some embodiments the heating element 14 may comprise a metal wire or some other conductive material, which may form a tortuous path 23 on the surface 21 of the porous member 16. In that arrangement, a first end of the heating element may be connected to one of the two leads 12, and a second end opposite the first end of the heating element connected to the other of the two leads 12. In terms of the exact shape of the heating element 14, it will be appreciated that the heating element 14 in such embodiments may take any required shape on the surface of the porous member 16 for efficiently vaporising the aerosolisable material/fluid in the porous member 16. In that respect, and in accordance with some particular embodiments, the heating element/vaporiser 14 may define a spiral pattern; a raster pattern; or a zig-zag pattern on the surface of the porous member 16.

Located towards the mouthpiece end 6 of the cartridge is a chamber 22 acting as a primary reservoir 24 for storing fluid to be aerosolised. The chamber 22 is connected to the basin 20 via at least one opening 26 for topping up the level of fluid in the basin 20, which acts a secondary reservoir.

Extending through the centre of the chamber 22 is an outlet channel 28 for receiving aerosol generated from fluid emanating from the porous member 16. The outlet channel 28 extends from the porous member up towards a mouthpiece 30 located at the mouthpiece end 6 of the cartridge, for allowing a user to inhale the aerosol which is generated. The cartridge comprises an air channel 32 extending through the cartridge for delivering air to the heating element 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the air channel 32 is located between the electrodes 10. Upon connection of the cartridge 2 with the control unit 4, the electronic cigarette 1 would be provided with a further air channel located in the cartridge 2 and/or the control unit 4 which is in fluid communication with the air channel 32, and which is configured to allow ambient air to be passed therethrough and into air channel 32.

The heating element 14 is located in an aerosol generation region 34 from the cartridge 2, and the outlet channel 28 and the air channel 30 are connected to the aerosol generation region 34.

In normal use, the cartridge 2 is coupled to the control unit 4 and the control unit activated to supply power to the cartridge 2 via the electrodes 10; 11. Power then passes through the connection leads 12 to the heating element 14.

The function of the porous member 16 is to act as a capillary wick for drawing fluid from the basin 20 to the heating element 14. Accordingly, fluid which is wicked towards the heating element 14 through the porous member 16 is vaporised by the heat generated from the heating element 14. The generated vapour emanates from the surface 21 where it mixes with the air from the air channel 32 in the aerosol generation region 34 to form an aerosol. Fluid which is vaporised from the porous member 16 is replaced by more fluid drawn from the chamber 22 via the at least one opening 26.

Air enters the air channel 32 as a result of the user inhaling on the mouthpiece 30 of the cartridge 2. This inhalation causes air to be drawn through whichever further air channel aligns with the air channel 32 of the cartridge. The incoming air mixes with aerosol generated from the heating element 14 to form a condensation aerosol at the underside of the porous member 16 in the aerosol generation region 34. The formed aerosol then passes from the underside of the porous member 16, past a gap 38 located on two sides S3;S4 of the porous member as shown in Figure 2B (the sides S3;S4 being perpendicular to the sides S1;S2 shown in Figure 2A), and then up through the outlet channel 28 to the mouthpiece 30.

The above therefore describes a cartridge 2 for an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge 2 comprises a heating element/vaporiser 14 located in an aerosol generation region 34 from the cartridge 2, and is for heating/vaporising fluid from a reservoir 20;24 to generate aerosol in the aerosol generation region 34, wherein the cartridge 2 further comprises an air channel 32 extending through the cartridge 2 for delivering air to the heating element/vaporiser 14.

Building on this disclosure from Figures 1-3, it has been recognised that the electrical connectors 100 therefrom, such as each electrical lead 12, or each electrode 10, which are used to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the heating element/vaporiser 14 of the aerosol provision system 1, can be susceptible to the elevated temperatures, and increased moisture/vapour content, caused by the vaporisation of the aerosolisable material by the heating element/vaporiser 14. Noting the electrical connectors 100 may typically comprise a core, metal, portion 101 - which for instance may be made of brass; aluminium; stainless steel; or nickel, it has been found that this material being exposed to such elevated temperatures, and increased moisture/vapour content, causes portions of this core portion 101 to be emitted as metal emissions. Over time, these metal emissions can be deleterious to the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 , since they have been found to unwantedly expose the user to some of these metal particles, and also found to reduce the electrical efficiency of the aerosol provision system 1 as a whole.

Thus at a very general level, it has been found that by providing a barrier layer 102 located over such a core portion 101 , as shown in Figure 6, that the provision of this barrier layer 102 may serve to help restrict emissions of material from the core portion 101 of the electrical connector 100 (whether this be an electrical lead 12, or perhaps each electrode 10) away from the connector 100, in so far as the barrier layer 102 may be more effective at withstanding the heated/moistened conditions in/around the aerosol generation region 34. In terms of the material composition for this barrier layer 101 , a variety of different compositions are envisaged. However in the context of electrical connectors 100 for use in aerosol provision systems 1 , it has been found that using a barrier layer 102 which comprises silver, which is located over the core portion 101 , has been found to demonstrate particularly effective reduction in metal emissions from the core portion 101. Such reduction in emissions can be seen, as will be described, with reference to the metal emission data from Figures 4 and 5.

As background, Figure 4 schematically shows a table outlining the level of emissions of metals in a first-tested aerosol provision system, when this aerosol provision system 1 was operated with electrical components of four different constructions (as will be described), and when used with four different aerosolisable material (liquid) contents during use; and when operated at different conditions T4 and T8 (which correspond to accelerated storage conditions - achieved through exposing the device to increased pressure and temperature conditions for 2.5 days in the case of T4, and achieved through exposing the device to increased pressure and temperature conditions for 5 days in the case of T8, as indicated in the table from Figure 4).

Figure 5 shows a similar table to that from Figure 4, but which shows a table outlining the level of emissions of metals in a second-tested aerosol provision system, which was different in construction to that of the first-tested aerosol provision system, when this second- tested aerosol provision system was operated with electrical components of the four different constructions from Figure 4, and when used with the four different aerosolisable material (liquid) contents from Figure 4 during use; and when operated at the same T4 and T8 conditions from Figure 4 during use, as will be described.

In both these tables from Figures 4 and 5, there is shown various different levels of emissions of different materials, including Cr; Fe; Ni; Cu; Zn; As; Pb; Mn; Cd; Sn; Sb; Al; and Ag, which were materials used as part of the electrical connector being tested in each of these first-tested aerosol provision system from Figure 4, and the second-tested aerosol provision system from Figure 5.

Each test tested the amount metal emissions being detected as part of 100 puffs of the aerosol provision system in question, and the emissions that were detected were measured at the microgram (pg) level.

A variety of different electrical connector compositions were tested using each of the first-tested and second-tested aerosol provision systems, as shown in the left hand column of Figures 4 and 5, namely:

Device 1 from Figure 4

Control Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - Lead free brass

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Nickel

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 3u"-4u"

Option 1 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - Lead free brass

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Nickel - mean thickness of layer 50u"-80u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 3u"-4u"

Option 2 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - SUS430 (‘SUS’ being a stainless steel, i.e. containing chromium)

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Copper- mean thickness of layer 160u"-240u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 3u"-4u"

Option 3 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - AI2024 (i.e. containing Aluminium)

Intermediary ‘Pre-Adhesive’ layer: Material Composition - Zinc- mean thickness of layer 8u"-10u" Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Copper- mean thickness of layer 160u"-240u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 3u"-4u"

Device 2 from Figure 5

Control Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - Lead free brass

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Nickel - mean thickness of layer 50u"-80u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 1u"-2u"

Option 1 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - Lead free brass

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Nickel - mean thickness of layer 50u"-80u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 1u"-2u"

Option 2 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - SUS430 (‘SUS’ being a stainless steel, i.e. containing chromium)

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Copper- mean thickness of layer 160u"-240u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 1u"-2u"

Option 3 Connector

Core Portion: Material Composition - AI2024 (i.e. containing Aluminium)

Intermediary ‘Pre-Adhesive’ layer: Material Composition - Zinc- mean thickness of layer 8u"-10u"

Intermediary ‘Adhesive’ Layer: Material Composition - Copper- mean thickness of layer 160u"-240u"

First ‘Barrier’ Layer: Material Composition - Silver - mean thickness of layer 100u"- 160u"

Second layer: Material Composition - Gold - mean thickness of layer 1u"-2u"

For completeness the thickness (u") as used above is defined as 1u"=0.0000254mm. For each connector 100 tested, the connector 100 was tested using a variety of different compositions of aerosolisable material, specifically those with differing nicotine levels which ranged from Omg to 34mg, again as can be seen from Figures 4-5.

The emissions after 100 puffs were then also assessed at consequential later times T4 and T8, where up until these times T4 and T8, the electrical connector 100 was subjected to storage at elevated temperature/humidity conditions (subjected to 2.5 days at these conditions in the case of the T4 tests, and subjected to 5 days at these conditions in the case of the T8 tests) to investigate what effects exposing these electrical connectors to these conditions would have on the emissions from the electrical connector to mitigate against metal emissions.

For completeness, each of the above electrical connectors 100 were provided with an external layer of gold 104 located over the metal, core, portion 101 of the electrical connector 100. This technique was purely from the perspective of improving the electrical conductivity of the electrode, to help allow electrical power to pass from the electrical connector towards the vaporiser of the aerosol provision system (as opposed to not employing this external layer of gold and otherwise relying on the lesser electrically conductive core portion of the electrical connector to deliver this electrical, whose material composition may only have been brass; stainless steel or aluminium, for example). To be clear as well, it may be appreciated that other materials may be used in this external layer 104 as well, i.e. not necessarily gold, for example tungsten or platinum.

From these tests however, it can be seen that in the case where no first, barrier, layer 102 was provided (i.e. per the control connector), the level of metal emissions from the electrical connector 100 in respects were found to be higher compared with employing the first, barrier, layer 102 made of silver in the context of the option 1-3 connectors.

The level of nickel, and iron, emissions in many instances was found to be reduced as result of the introduction of the first, barrier, layer 102 too, in these instances. Markedly so, as part of the T8 tests, which are more indicative of the conditions to be expected for electrical connectors such as the electrical lead 12 and electrode 10 from Figures 1-3, where the level of metal emissions, such as nickel, were in many instances reduced from introducing the first, barrier, layer 102 whose composition comprised silver.

From the foregoing therefore, it may be seen that for helping to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector from an aerosol provision system, there may be effectively provided an aerosol provision system 1 comprising: a vaporiser 14, such as a heating element, for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material. The aerosol provision system 1 may further comprise the electrical connector 100 for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser 14, wherein the electrical connector comprises a core portion 101 ; and a first layer 102, wherein the first layer 102 is located over the core portion 101. In this way, and in accordance with some embodiments, as shown from the tests from Figures 4 and 5, the first layer 102 may comprise a material composition which comprises silver, or phrased more generally may have a material composition which is different from the core portion in such a way as to configure the first layer as a barrier layer 102 for restricting emissions of material, such as metal material, from the core portion 101 away from the connector 100.

In accordance with the above embodiments, it may be seen from the tests from Figures 4-5 that the material composition of the core portion 101 for the given electrical connector 100 could appreciably vary, depending on the application of the electrical connector 100. The core portion may serve to provide the requisite general structure, and any required potential rigidity, for the electrical connector 100. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the material composition of the core portion 101 may comprise at least one metal, such as in some more limited embodiments (such as those shown in the components tested in Figures 4-5, a material composition of the core portion 101 which comprises brass; aluminium; stainless steel; or potentially also nickel).

In so far as a first, barrier, layer 102 may be employed, it has been also found as part of the above tests to have the electrical connector 100 comprise at least one intermediary layer 106; 108 which is located between the core portion 101 and the first (barrier) layer 102, such that the first layer 102 is located over the core portion 101 and also the at least one intermediary layer. One purpose of these intermediary layers 106; 108 may be to act as further preparative layers, which may allow the first (barrier) layer 102, and/or any employed second, electrically conductive, layer 104, to better adhere to the core portion 101 of the electrical component 100.

For example, in the context of the option 1 connector from Figures 4-5, there is provided an intermediary layer 106 whose material composition comprises metal/nickel. In the case of the case of the options 2 and 3 connector from Figures 4-5, there is provided an intermediary layer whose material composition comprises copper. A purpose of this intermediary layer is to act an adhesive layer 106 to improve the adhesiveness of the first barrier (silver) layer 102, and the second electrically conductive (gold) layer 104 to the electrical component 100, as opposed to trying to adhere these upper layers directly onto the core portion 101 - whose material composition comprises brass in the case of the option 1 connector, or whose material composition comprises aluminium (AI2024) in the case of the option 3 connector. In the particular examples of nickel and/or copper being used in the material composition of such an adhesive layer 106, where employed, it has been found that the wear resistance of copper is inferior to that of nickel. So the usage of nickel in the adhesive layer 106 may have particular advantages in terms of increased wear resistance. With respect to the thickness of any such employed adhesive layer, it has been found (as per the option connectors 1-3 tested from Figures 4-5 that having the adhesive layer 106 comprise a mean thickness which is at least 20u", though more preferably 40u", and no more than 240u", or in some embodiments no more than 160u", represents a good balance between providing an adhesive layer of sufficient thickness to allow the layer to function sufficiently well, whilst also not employing an adhesive layer 106 whose thickness is too great - which may otherwise serve to needlessly increase the overall mass, and thickness of the connector 100 unduly. In this respect as well, it was found that having an adhesive layer 106 comprise a mean thickness of around 80u" is particularly suitable for an adhesive layer 106 whose material composition comprises/consists of nickel.

Although not necessarily required, further improvements to the adhesiveness of the first barrier (silver) layer 102, and the second electrically conductive (gold) layer 104 to the electrical component 100 may be achieved by adding a further intermediary layer in the form of a pre-adhesive layer 108, for supporting the adhesive layer 106, which is located between the core portion 101 and the adhesive layer 106. An example of this pre-adhesive layer is as per the option 3 connector, which has a pre-adhesive layer 108 whose material composition comprises zinc.

To be clear, the presence of any such intermediary layer(s) is not mandatory, but their presence has been found to help improve the adhesiveness of any employed first layer 102 or second layer 104 employed above this intermediary layer(s) 106; 108. Thus the presence of an intermediary layer(s) in these instances may help further prolong the longevity of the electrical connector 100 in terms of reducing the likelihood of the first layer 102 or second layer 104 from failing, or falling off, prematurely.

However, in so far as no intermediary layer may be employed in some embodiments, which may help with creating an electrical connector which is easier to manufacture, in such embodiments the first layer 102 may be located adjacent to the core portion 101. An example of this might be where there is provided an electrical lead 12 with a core portion 101 whose material composition comprises nickel, which then has a first (barrier) layer 102 whose material composition comprises silver, where the first layer 102 is located adjacent to, and over, the core portion 101. Such an electrical lead 12 may therefore be simple to manufacture, demonstrate good electrical conductivity, and also be less prone to nickel emissions in use due to the implementation of the silver barrier layer 102.

In so far as any barrier layer is employed, and where this layer comprises a material composition which comprises silver, in some embodiments the material composition of the first layer may preferably comprises at least 90% silver, by mass. But in some embodiments, the material composition of the first layer may consist of (pure) silver. With such relatively increased/high contents of silver, this has been found to further benefit the reductions in metal emissions from the electrical connector.

With respect to the thickness of any employed first/barrier layer, it has been found (as per the option connectors 1-3 tested from Figures 4-5 that having the first layer comprise a mean thickness which is at least 20u", though more preferably 40u", and no more than 160u" represents a good balance between wanting to help reduce the above-noted metal emissions from the electrical connector (from using a suitably thick first layer), whilst also not employing a first layer whose thickness is too great - which may otherwise serve to needlessly increase the overall mass, and thickness of the connector unduly. In this respect as well, it was found that a first having a first layer comprise a mean thickness of around 1u" rendered the first layer demonstrating poor longevity in terms of not lasting more than 48 hours before being unusably degraded.

Concerning the application of each layer described herein, such as any of the employed first layer 102; second layer 104; and/or intermediary layer(s) 106; 108, it will be appreciated that these may be applied using any required technique, such as dip-coating the layer onto the electrical component 100. Some embodiments may comprise plating the layer onto the electrical component 100, such as in some embodiments by electroplating, barrel plating, or vacuum plating, the layer over a previous layer (or over the core portion 101 if this layer is the layer adjacent to the core portion 101).

As noted previously, in some embodiments there may be provided a second/external layer 104 located over the first layer 101 , whose purpose is to primarily help deliver the electrical power to the vaporiser 14. In this respect therefore, potential material compositions for the second layer 104 include those whose material composition comprise at least one of gold; platinum; or tungsten. Gold and platinum demonstrate very good electrical conductivity, whereas tungsten demonstrates slightly worse electrical conductivity than platinum or gold, but also has improved wear resistance which is an important characteristic in helping to preserve the longevity of the second layer 104 / electrical connector 100 as a whole.

In so far as any such second/external layer 104 is employed, and where this layer 104 comprises a material composition which comprises at least one of gold; platinum; or tungsten, in some embodiments the material composition of the second layer may preferably comprises at least 90% gold (or platinum or tungsten) by mass, or at least 95% (or platinum or tungsten) by mass; or at least 99% gold (or platinum or tungsten) by mass. But in some embodiments, the material composition of the second layer 104 may consist of (pure) gold; platinum; or tungsten.

With respect to the thickness of any employed second layer 104, this need not be as thick as some of the other layers, such as the first layer 102 and/or any employed intermediary layer 106; 108, noting the primary purpose of this second layer 104 is that of electrical power transfer, and potentially also acting a wear resistant coating layer also in the case of tungsten being employed as part of the second layer. Thus in this respect, it has been found (as per the option connectors 1-3 tested from Figures 4-5 that having the second layer comprise a mean thickness which is at least 1u", though more preferably 2u", yet no more than 4u", represents a good balance between the second layer achieving its intended functions in the context of an aerosol provision system usage, whilst also not employing a second layer whose thickness is too great - which may otherwise serve to needlessly increase the overall mass, and thickness of the connector and the second layer unduly.

Turning to the thickness of any of the layer(s) layer from the electrical connector 100 used as part of the aerosol provision system 1 , it is envisaged in some embodiments that each such layer may comprise a uniform thickness, such to facilitate the manufacturing of each of these layers - for example as part of a plating process.

That being said, and in accordance with some other embodiments, and particularly those where both ends of the electrical connector may be areas which are prone to particularly high temperature/moist conditions, it may be in some embodiments that the mean thickness of the first layer in these areas is relatively g reate r/thi eke r compared with other areas that are less prone to such high temperature/moist conditions, and which are therefore areas where the mean thickness of the first layer can be relatively smaller/thinner in. So put differently, and in so far as the connector 100 comprises a first end and second end opposite the first end, in some embodiments, when starting from the first end, and moving about a first direction to an intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end, the thickness of the first layer is configured to progressively decrease along this first direction. Similarly, and in accordance with some related embodiments, when starting from the second end, and moving about a second direction (which may be opposite the first direction) to the intermediary position of the connector, the thickness of the first layer may be configured to progressively decrease along this second direction.

An example of this may be seen in the embodiment of Figure 2A, with respect to the electrical connector 100 being the electrical lead 12. Here, and in so far as a first end of the electrical connector/electrical lead is that which connects with the heating element/vaporiser 14 on the underside of the porous element I aerosolisable material transport element 16, it may be understood that this first end of the electrical connector/electrical lead may be exposed to high temperatures (from the heating element/vaporiser 14) and relatively higher moisture/vapour environments, due to aerosolisable material forming in this area towards the first end of the electrical connector/electrical lead. So here, having an increased mean thickness at this first end of the electrical lead 12, to better cope with these increased temperature/moisture/vapour environments, may better mitigate against any localised enhanced shedding of metal emissions at this first end of the electrical lead.

Similarly, and staying with this embodiment from Figure 2A, in so far as the second end of the electrical connector 100/electrical lead 12, which is opposite the first end, and which is embedded in a cavity of the electrode 10, may be subjected to higher moisture/vapour environments due to aerosolisable material condensing and passing by capillary action through the space between the electrical lead 12 and the electrode 10, this second end of the electrical lead may similarly employ an increased mean thickness at this second end, to better cope with any localised enhanced shedding of metal emissions which otherwise might be caused to occur at this second end of the electrical lead.

A similar set of considerations may apply, in a related embodiment where the electrical lead 12 is dispensed with, such that there is an electrical component 100 in the form of an electrode 10 whose first end (directly) connects with the heating element/vaporiser 14 on the underside of the porous element I aerosolisable material transport element 16, and which has a second opposing end which is in the same position as the second end of the electrode 10 from the embodiment of Figure 2A, i.e. such that the second end of this electrode 10 / electrical connector 100 is configured to receive the electrical power which is configured to be passed via the electrical connector to the heating element/vaporiser 14 at the second end of the electrode 10. So in this embodiment, it may well be that the first end is exposed to relatively higher temperatures (from the heating element/vaporiser 14) and relatively higher moisture/vapour environments, and hence needs to have a mean thickness for the first layer which is relatively largely than the mean thickness of this first layer in an (intermediary) position for this electrical connector 100 which is between its first end and second end. Similarly, it may well be that the second end is exposed to relatively higher moisture/vapour environments, due to vaporised aerosolisable material condensing against the electrode 10 and pooling at the base of the electrode 10 at its second end. So again, in this embodiment, the second end may in some instances have a mean thickness for the first layer 102 which is relatively largely than the mean thickness of this first layer 102 in the (intermediary) position for this electrode 10/electrical connector 100 which is between its first end and second end.

Thus at a general level therefore, and in some embodiments it may be such that starting from a first end of the electrical connector 100, and moving about a first direction to an intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end, the thickness of the second layer 104 is configured to decrease, or progressively decrease, along this first direction.

In respect of the above, it may also be seen that to the extent that any electrical connector 100 herein described happens to comprise any other external surface feature(s) where vaporised aerosolisable material may otherwise preferentially collate/condense, such as a shoulder portion between the first end and the second end, and/or a protuberance or cavity (which may be between the first end and the second end, in some embodiments), the thickness of either the first layer or the second layer may be increased at, or be increased in the vicinity of, the external surface feature (relative to the thickness of either the first layer or the second layer at another portion of the electrical connector 100 which is not at the external surface feature).

An example of such an external surface feature is shown in Figure 2A, in the case of the electrical connector 100/electrode 10 where the external surface feature comprises the (chamfered) shoulder portion which is between the first end and the second end of the electrode 10, which is a shoulder portion where vaporised aerosolisable material may otherwise preferentially pool and condense against the electrode in this region. Hence in some embodiments, the thickness of either the first layer and/or the second layer being increased at, or being increased in the vicinity of, this external surface feature (relative to the thickness of either the first layer or the second layer at another portion of the electrical connector 100 which is not at the external surface feature), such to improve the resilience to the electrode 100 in this region as noted above.

Similarly, it may be such that starting from a second end of the electrical connector 100, and moving about a second direction to the intermediary position of the connector 100, the thickness of the second layer 104 is configured to progressively decrease along this second direction.

Ostensibly as well, in so far as any employed second layer 104 may otherwise be prone to increased wear at its first/second ends as well, any first/second end of the electrical connector 100 may (in the same way as the first layer) have a mean thickness for the second layer 104 at the first end and/or second end which is greater than then mean thickness of the second layer in any intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end.

Mindful of the above disclosures, it may be appreciated that the general teachings therefrom may be employed as part of a cartridge for an aerosol provision system 1 comprising the cartridge 2 and a control unit 4, wherein the cartridge 2 comprises a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and any of the electrical connector arrangements described above.

It may also be seen that the above teachings may be employed to existing electrical connectors from an aerosol provision system 1 which are not already provided with any of the above described first; second; and/or intermediary layers over the metal, core, portion 101 of the existing electrical connector 100. In this way, it may be possible to cover the metal, core, portion 101 of the existing electrical connector 100 with any combination of these other layers, such as the first layer 102 at least, to help improve the electrical connector 100 in terms of reducing the extent of metal emissions from the electrical connector 100 during its subsequent use. Such teachings may therefore also be seen as related methods for reducing metal emissions from an electrical connector 100 in an aerosol provision system 1 , and also may be considered as corresponding methods of retrofitting, and reducing metal emissions from, an aerosol provision system 1 (or a cartridge 2 for an aerosol provision system 1).

At a more general level as well, it may be seen that the above teachings also provide the teaching of the use of silver, and/or potentially other materials that would be suited for use in the first barrier layer 102 herein described, in an aerosol provision system 1 to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector 100 of the aerosol provision system 1. Such uses would then have particular applications, for example, where the silver (or material composition of the first barrier layer 102) is coated over a metal, core, portion 101 of the electrical connector 100.

In accordance with such uses, it may be seen that for further improving the electrical conductivity of the electrical connector 100 and/or its durability in terms of wear resistance, it may be seen in accordance with some embodiments that a coating of gold; platinum; or even tungsten, may be located/coated over the silver (or material composition of the first barrier layer 102). This coating may thus be considered as relating to the second layer 104 as described in more detail above.

With respect to the uses described above, it may be seen that in accordance with some of these uses, the uses may have particular application to reduce metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector 100 is configured to be at least partially heated by a vaporiser 14 from the aerosol provision system 1. Such a use may be seen for example in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-3, where the electrical connector 100 is the electrical lead 12 which is connected to the vaporiser 14. Equally, such a use may be seen in related embodiments to that illustrated in Figures 1-3, where the electrical lead 12 is dispensed with, and the electrical component 100 is instead an (expanded) electrode 10 which is connected to the vaporiser 14, and which in practice is therefore partially heated by this vaporiser 14 contact/connection in use.

Such uses may also have appreciable application, in some more particular embodiments, in the specific context of reducing the metal emissions from the electrical connector 100 in conditions where the electrical connector 100 is configured to be at least partially wetted by condensing aerosolisable material which was previously vaporised by a vaporiser 14 from the aerosol provision system 1 , and/or in conditions which the electrical connector 100 is exposed to aerosolisable material which was previously vaporised by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system 1. This may be seen, for example, where the metal emission reduction techniques herein described are employed in the embodiments of Figures 1-3, where the electrical components 100, in the form of the electrode 10 and/or the electrical lead 12, are in the vicinity of the aerosol generation region 34 where such wetting and aerosolisable material exposure would be expected to occur.

Appreciably as well, such uses may also have further appreciable application, in some more particular embodiments as described herein, in the specific context of reducing the metal emissions from the electrical connector 100 in a region of the aerosol provision system 1 which is upstream of a vaporiser 14 from the aerosol provision system 1, such as optionally in the air flow path 32 which is between the vaporiser 14 and the air inlet of the aerosol provision system 1.

From the foregoing therefore, there has been described an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

There has also been described a cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

There has also been described a method for reducing metal emissions from an electrical connector in an aerosol provision system which is configured for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, the method comprising: covering a metal portion of the connector with a first layer whose material composition comprises silver.

There has also been described a method of retrofitting, and reducing metal emissions from, an aerosol provision system, or a cartridge for an aerosol provision system, which comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an existing electrical connector, for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the existing electrical connector does not comprise a layer whose material composition comprises silver, but may optionally comprise an external layer whose material composition comprises gold; wherein the method comprises replacing the existing electrical connector with an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

There has also been described a method of operating an aerosol provision system which comprises: a power supply; a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion, wherein the method comprises: using the electrical connector to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the vaporiser; and powering the vaporiser to generate a vapour from the aerosolisable material.

There has also been described a use of silver in an aerosol provision system to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector of the aerosol provision system.

There has also been described an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion, and wherein the first layer is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion away from the connector.

There has also been described an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion; and a second layer located over the first layer, wherein the material composition of the second layer is different to the material composition of the first layer.

There has also been described an aerosol provision system 1 comprising a vaporiser 14 for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, an electrical connector 100, such as an electrode 10 or electrical lead 12, for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser 14. The electrical connector 100 comprises a core portion 101 , and first layer 102 whose material composition might comprise silver for example, but more generally may be a material composition which is different to that of the core portion 101. The first layer 102 is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion 101 away from the connector 100. A second layer 104 may be further employed over the first layer 102, such as a second layer 104 whose material composition comprises gold, which can act to help improve the electrical conductivity of the connector 100 in being able to transfer electrical power to the vaporiser 14.

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 may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

For instance, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to a “liquid” or “fluid” in the cartridge I aerosol provision system, it will be appreciated that this liquid or fluid may be replaced with any aerosolisable material. Equally, where an aerosolisable material is used, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments this aerosolisable material may comprise a liquid or fluid.

Furthermore, whilst the present disclosure has been described with reference to a heater/heating element being present in the cartridge I aerosol provision system, it will be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments this heating element may be replaced with a vaporiser or some other aerosol generating component. Equally, such an aerosol generating component in accordance with some embodiments may in particular comprise a heater or heating element.

Equally as well, that the present disclosure has been described in the context of a two-part cartridge I control unit type aerosol provision system, it will be entirely appreciated that the same techniques may be equally employed in other aerosol provision systems which do not necessarily employ a (detachable/replaceable) cartridge which is configured to engage with a separate control unit from the aerosol provision system.

With respect to the aerosolisable material described herein, it is to be understood that the electrical connector 100 herein described may have particular application, and resilience, to aerosolisable material, such as a liquid, which may be nicotine-free or which comprises nicotine.

To the extent the aerosolisable material comprises nicotine, it is envisaged in some potential embodiments that the aerosolisable material may comprise at least one of 2mg nicotine; 3mg nicotine; 5mg nicotine, 10mg nicotine; 15mg nicotine; 20mg nicotine; 25mg nicotine; 30mg nicotine.

In this way as well, and depending on the application, the aerosolisable material in some related embodiments may then comprise no more than at least one of 5mg nicotine; 10mg nicotine; 15mg nicotine; 20mg nicotine; 25mg nicotine; 30mg nicotine; 34mg nicotine; and/or 35mg nicotine.

The present disclosure thus also provides the embodiments as set out in the following numbered clauses: 1. An aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

2. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , where the material composition of the first layer comprises at least 90% silver, by mass.

3. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , where the first layer comprises a mean thickness which is at least 100u" and no more than 160u".

4. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , wherein the first layer is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion away from the connector.

5. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , wherein the connector further comprises: a second, external, layer, wherein the second layer is located over the first layer.

6. The aerosol provision system according to clause 5, wherein the material composition of the second layer comprises a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer.

7. The aerosol provision system according to clause 5, where the second layer comprises a mean thickness which is at least 1u" and no more than 4u".

8. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , where the connector comprises a first end and second end opposite the first end; wherein starting from the first end, and moving about a first direction to an intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end, the thickness of the first layer is configured to progressively decrease along this first direction; and wherein starting from the second end, and moving about a second direction to the intermediary position of the connector, the thickness of the first layer is configured to progressively decrease along this second direction.

9. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , where the connector further comprises at least one intermediary layer which is located between the core portion and the first layer, such that the first layer is located over the core portion and also the at least one intermediary layer.

10. The aerosol provision system according to clause 9, wherein the at least one intermediary layer comprises an adhesive layer for supporting the first layer.

11. The aerosol provision system according to clause 10, where the at least one intermediary layer comprises a pre-adhesive layer, for supporting the adhesive layer, which is located between the core portion and the adhesive layer.

12. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , wherein the connector is an electrical lead. 13. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , wherein the connector is an electrode.

14. The aerosol provision system according to clause 1 , wherein the first layer is plated over the core portion.

15. A cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

16. A method for reducing metal emissions from an electrical connector in an aerosol provision system which is configured for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, the method comprising: covering a metal portion of the connector with a first layer, wherein the first layer is a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the metal portion away from the connector, and/or wherein the material composition of the first layer comprises: i) silver; and/or ii) a material composition which is different to that of the material composition of the metal portion of the connector; and/or iii) a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the metal portion.

17. The method according to clause 16, wherein the method further comprises: covering the first layer with a second layer whose material composition: i) is different to the material composition of the first layer; ii) is different to the material composition of the first layer and comprises a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer; iii) comprises gold; iv) comprises platinum; and/or v) comprises tungsten.

18. The method according to clause 17, wherein covering the first layer with the second layer comprises plating the second layer over the first layer.

19. The method according to any of clauses 16-18, wherein covering the connector with the first layer comprises plating the first layer over the metal portion.

20. A method of retrofitting, and reducing metal emissions from, an aerosol provision system, or a cartridge for an aerosol provision system, which comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an existing electrical connector, for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the existing electrical connector does not comprise a layer whose material composition comprises silver, but may optionally comprise an external layer whose material composition comprises gold; wherein the method comprises replacing the existing electrical connector with an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

21. A method of operating an aerosol provision system which comprises: a power supply; a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion, wherein the method comprises: using the electrical connector to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the vaporiser; and powering the vaporiser to generate a vapour from the aerosolisable material.

22. The method according to clause 21 , wherein the electrical connector is in contact with the vaporiser.

23. The method according to any of clauses 20-22, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises an aerosolisable material transport element for delivering the aerosolisable material to the vaporiser, wherein the vaporiser is located on, or next to, to the aerosolisable material transport element.

24. The method according to any of clauses 20-23, wherein the vaporiser comprises a heating element.

25. Use of silver in an aerosol provision system to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector of the aerosol provision system.

26. The use of clause 25, wherein the silver is coated over a metal, core, portion of the connector.

27. The use of clause 25 or 26, wherein a gold coating is coated over the silver.

28. The use of any clauses 25-27 to reduce the metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector is configured to be at least partially heated by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system.

29. The use of any clauses 25-28 to reduce the metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector is configured to be at least partially wetted by condensing aerosolisable material which was previously vaporised by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system.

30. The use of any clauses 25-29 to reduce the metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector is exposed to aerosolisable material which was previously vaporised by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system.

31. The use of any clauses 25-30 to reduce the metal emissions in a region of the aerosol provision system which is upstream of a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system, such as optionally in an air flow path which is between the vaporiser and an air inlet of the aerosol provision system.

32. The use of any clauses 25-31 , wherein the metal emissions comprise nickel emissions.

33. An aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion, and wherein the first layer is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion away from the connector.

34. The aerosol provision system according to clause 33, wherein the connector further comprises: a second, external, layer, wherein the second layer is located over the first layer, wherein the material composition of the second layer is different to the material composition of the first layer.

35. The aerosol provision system according to clause 34, wherein the material composition of the second layer comprises a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer.

36. The aerosol provision system according to clause 35, wherein the material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer comprises at least one of: i) gold; ii) platinum; and/or iii) tungsten.

37. An aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion; and a second layer located over the first layer, wherein the material composition of the second layer is different to the material composition of the first layer.

38. The aerosol provision system according to any of clauses 34-37, wherein the second layer is configured to improve the electrical conductivity of the electrical connector in being able to transfer electrical power to the vaporiser.

39. The aerosol provision system according to any of clauses 34-38, wherein the second layer is configured to improve the wear resistance of the electrical connector.

40. The aerosol provision system according to any of clauses 1-14 or 34-39, wherein the aerosolisable material is a liquid.

41. The aerosol provision system according to any of clauses 1-14 or 34-40, wherein the aerosolisable material is nicotine-free.

42. The aerosol provision system according to any of clauses 1-14 or 34-40, wherein the aerosolisable material comprises nicotine.

43. The aerosol provision system according to clause 42, wherein the aerosolisable material comprises at least one of 2mg nicotine; 3mg nicotine; 5mg nicotine, 10mg nicotine; 15mg nicotine; 20mg nicotine; 25mg nicotine; 30mg nicotine.

44. The aerosol provision system according to clause 42 or 43, wherein the aerosolisable material comprises no more than at least one of 5mg nicotine; 10mg nicotine; 15mg nicotine; 20mg nicotine; 25mg nicotine; 30mg nicotine; 34mg nicotine; and/or 35mg nicotine.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser; wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

2. The aerosol provision system according to claim 1, where the material composition of the core portion comprises at least one metal.

3. The aerosol provision system according to claim 2, where the material composition of the core portion comprises brass; aluminium; stainless steel; or nickel.

4. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the material composition of the first layer comprises at least 90% silver, by mass.

5. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the material composition of the first layer consists of silver.

6. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the first layer comprises a mean thickness which is at least 100u" and no more than 160u".

7. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the first layer is coated over the core portion.

8. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the first layer comprises a uniform thickness.

9. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first layer is configured as a barrier layer for restricting emissions of material from the core portion away from the connector.

10. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector further comprises: a second, external, layer, wherein the second layer is located over the first layer.

11. The aerosol provision system according to claim 10, wherein the material composition of the second layer: i) is different to the material composition of the first layer; ii) is different to the material composition of the first layer and comprises a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer; iii) comprises gold; iv) comprises platinum; and/or v) comprises tungsten.

12. The aerosol provision system according to claim 10 or claim 11 , where the material composition of the second layer comprises at least one of: i) a material which is at least 95%, by mass, of the total mass of the second layer; and/or ii) a material which is at least 95%, by mass, of the total mass of the second layer, and which is a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer; and/or iii) 95% gold, by mass; iv) 95% platinum, by mass; and/or v) 95% tungsten, by mass.

13. The aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, where the material composition of the second layer: i) comprises a material which is at least 99%, by mass, of the total mass of the second layer; ii) comprises a material which is at least 99%, by mass, of the total mass of the second layer, and which is a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer; and/or iii) comprises at least 99% gold, by mass; iv) comprises at least 99% platinum, by mass; v) comprises at least 99% tungsten, by mass; vi) consists of tungsten, platinum, or gold; and/or vii) consists of some other material, which may be some other material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer.

14. The aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, where the second layer comprises a uniform thickness.

15. The aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, where the second layer comprises a mean thickness which is at least 1u" and no more than 4u".

16. The aerosol provision system according to any of claims 10-15, wherein the second layer is coated on the first layer.

17. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claims, where the connector comprises a first end and second end opposite the first end.

18. The aerosol provision system according to claim 17: wherein starting from the first end, and moving about a first direction to an intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end, the thickness of the first layer is configured to progressively decrease along this first direction; and wherein starting from the second end, and moving about a second direction to the intermediary position of the connector, the thickness of the first layer is configured to progressively decrease along this second direction.

19. The aerosol provision system according to claim 17 or claim 18, when further dependent on claim 10 at least: wherein starting from the first end, and moving about a first direction to an intermediary position of the connector which is between the first end and the second end, the thickness of the second layer is configured to progressively decrease along this first direction; and wherein starting from the second end, and moving about a second direction to the intermediary position of the connector, the thickness of the second layer is configured to progressively decrease along this second direction.

20. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, where the connector further comprises at least one intermediary layer which is located between the core portion and the first layer, such that the first layer is located over the core portion and also the at least one intermediary layer.

21. The aerosol provision system according to claim 20, wherein the at least one intermediary layer comprises an adhesive layer for supporting the first layer.

22. The aerosol provision system according to claim 21 , where the at least one intermediary layer comprises a pre-adhesive layer, for supporting the adhesive layer, which is located between the core portion and the adhesive layer.

23. The aerosol provision system according to claim 21 or claim 22, where the material composition of each intermediary layer comprises at least one metal.

24. The aerosol provision system according to any one of claims 21 to 23, where the material composition of each intermediary layer comprises one or more of nickel; copper; or zinc.

25. The aerosol provision system according to any of claims 1 to 19, where the first layer is located adjacent to the core portion.

26. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is an electrical lead.

27. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector is an electrode.

28. The aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first layer is plated, such as any one of electroplated; barrel plated; or vacuum plated; over the core portion.

29. A cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector for transferring electrical power to the vaporiser, wherein the electrical connector comprises: a core portion; a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion.

30. A method for reducing metal emissions from an electrical connector in an aerosol provision system which is configured for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material, the method comprising: covering a metal portion of the connector with a first layer whose material composition comprises silver.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the method further comprises: covering the first layer with a second layer whose material composition comprises a material which is not comprised in the material composition of the first layer.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the method further comprises: initially covering the core portion with at least one intermediary layer which is located between the core portion and the first layer; wherein the at least one intermediary layer comprises a material composition which comprises at least one of copper; nickel and/or zinc.

33. A method of operating an aerosol provision system which comprises: a power supply; a vaporiser for generating a vapour from an aerosolisable material; and an electrical connector which comprises: a core portion; and a first layer, whose material composition comprises silver, wherein the first layer is located over the core portion. wherein the method comprises: using the electrical connector to transfer electrical power from the power supply to the vaporiser; and powering the vaporiser to generate a vapour from the aerosolisable material.

34. Use of silver in an aerosol provision system to reduce metal emissions from an electrical connector of the aerosol provision system.

35. The use of claim 34, wherein a coating is coated over the silver, wherein the material composition of the coating does not comprise silver.

36. The use of claim 34 to reduce the metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector is configured to be at least partially heated by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system.

37. The use of claim 34 to reduce the metal emissions in conditions where the electrical connector is exposed to aerosolisable material which was previously vaporised by a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system.

38. The use of claim 34 to reduce the metal emissions in a region of the aerosol provision system which is upstream of a vaporiser from the aerosol provision system, such as optionally in an air flow path which is between the vaporiser and an air inlet of the aerosol provision system.

39. The use of claim 34, wherein the metal emissions comprise nickel emissions.