US20230292840A1 - Aerosol provision system - Google Patents

Aerosol provision system Download PDF

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Publication number
US20230292840A1
US20230292840A1 US18/006,641 US202118006641A US2023292840A1 US 20230292840 A1 US20230292840 A1 US 20230292840A1 US 202118006641 A US202118006641 A US 202118006641A US 2023292840 A1 US2023292840 A1 US 2023292840A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
electrode
provision system
vaporizer
aerosol provision
resilient element
Prior art date
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Pending
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US18/006,641
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English (en)
Inventor
Steve Hughes
Martyn Staniforth
David Alan Nelson
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Nicoventures Trading Ltd
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Nicoventures Trading Ltd
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Publication of US20230292840A1 publication Critical patent/US20230292840A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/44—Wicks
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).
  • nicotine delivery systems e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like.
  • 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 vaporization.
  • an aerosol provision system will typically comprise a vaporizer, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporize a portion of precursor material to generate an aerosol in an aerosol generation region of an air channel through the aerosol provision system.
  • 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 vaporizer 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.
  • aerosol provision systems to comprise a modular assembly, often having two main functional parts, namely a control unit and disposable/replaceable cartridge part.
  • the cartridge part will comprise the consumable aerosol precursor material and the vaporizer/heating element (atomizer), 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 cartomizer
  • 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.
  • the cartridge may be removed from the control unit and a replacement cartridge may be attached to the device in its place.
  • Electrodes are provided on each of the control unit and cartridge for transferring power between the two components.
  • a lead is employed to transfer power from the electrode to the heating element in the cartridge.
  • a potential drawback in such cartridges is that the lead may become detached from the electrode during use, causing unwanted short-circuits and faulty operation of the cartridge.
  • a potential further drawback for such cartridges, which typically contain liquid aerosol precursor (e-liquid) is the risk of leakage.
  • An e-cigarette cartridge will typically have a mechanism, e.g. a capillary wick, for drawing liquid from a liquid reservoir to a heating element located in an air path/channel connecting from an air inlet to an aerosol outlet for the cartridge. Because there is a fluid transport path from the liquid reservoir into the open air channel through the cartridge, there is a corresponding risk of liquid leaking from the cartridge. Leakage is undesirable both from the perspective of the end user naturally not wanting to get the e-liquid on their hands or other items.
  • an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporizer for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving power; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode, for transferring electrical power between the electrode and the vaporizer.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporizer for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving power; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode, for transferring electrical power between the electrode and the vaporizer.
  • an electrical power transmission system comprising: a first object for receiving electrical power; a second object; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the first object and the second object, wherein the resilient element is configured to transfer the electrical power between the first object and the second object, and wherein the second object is configured to be at least partly supported by the resilient element, and such that the resilient element is configured to be held in compression between the first object and the second object.
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents an aerosol provision system comprising a cartridge and a control unit.
  • FIG. 2 A schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 B shows a perspective view of portions of the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 A , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 schematically shows a heating element, located on a surface of a porous member, for use in the cartridge shown in FIG. 2 A in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 A schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 B schematically represents a perspective view of a portion of the cartridge from FIG. 4 A , for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 C schematically represents a perspective view of a portion of the cartridge from FIGS. 4 A and 4 B , for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , and which is similar to the cartridge from FIG. 4 A , and which is in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • non-combustible aerosol provision systems which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes.
  • a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolizable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user.
  • Aerosolizable 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.
  • e-cigarette or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system/device and electronic aerosol provision system/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 aerosolizable material is not a requirement.
  • END electronic nicotine delivery system
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolizable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
  • the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolizable material and a solid aerosolizable material.
  • the solid aerosolizable material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
  • 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.
  • articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.
  • the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolizable material (or aerosol precursor material), an aerosol generating component (or vaporizer), an aerosol generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosolizable material.
  • the aerosol generating component is a vaporizer or heater capable of interacting with the aerosolizable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolizable material to form an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generating component is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without heating.
  • the aerosol generating component may be capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolizable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurization or electrostatic means.
  • the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolizable 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 aerosolizable 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, thein, 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.
  • the active constituent is a physiologically active constituent and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g. nicotine ditartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.
  • the active constituent is an olfactory active constituent and may be selected from a “flavor” and/or “flavorant” which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers.
  • flavor and/or “flavorant” which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers.
  • such constituents may be referred to as flavors, flavorants, cooling agents, heating agents, and/or sweetening agents.
  • They may include naturally occurring flavor 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,
  • 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 ), flavor enhancers
  • the flavor comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
  • the flavor comprises flavor components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
  • the flavor comprises eugenol.
  • the flavor comprises flavor components extracted from tobacco.
  • the flavor 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.
  • 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, coloring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
  • aerosol provision systems e-cigarettes
  • 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.
  • electronic cigarettes it is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape.
  • certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part device employing disposable cartridges.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example aerosol provision system/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 FIG. 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/electrodes for establishing the electrical connection between the two parts as appropriate.
  • 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.
  • 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 .
  • control unit 4 may in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure be broadly conventional in terms of its functionality and general construction techniques.
  • 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.
  • 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 such as a button for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette
  • a charging port such as a battery for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette 1 .
  • 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.
  • other forms of mechanical button or touch-sensitive button e.g. based on capacitive or optical sensing techniques
  • the control circuitry is suitably configured/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 may be considered to logically comprise various sub-units/circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the electronic cigarette's operation.
  • 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/circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects of electronic cigarettes.
  • control circuitry can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and/or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s)/circuitry/chip(s)/chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality.
  • FIG. 2 A schematically represents a cross sectional view of a cartridge, for use with the control unit from FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • 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 atomized using the heating element 14 .
  • the porous member 16 may comprise a recess 18 defining a basin 20 for holding the fluid.
  • the porous member 16 may be a ceramic material, and may comprise silicone.
  • the heating element 14 is located between the basin 20 and each electrode 10 .
  • the heating element 14 may be located on a surface 21 of the porous member 16 .
  • the surface 21 is located on an opposite side of the porous member to that of the basin 20 .
  • 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 .
  • 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 .
  • the heating element 14 in such embodiments may take any required shape on the surface of the porous member 16 for efficiently vaporizing the aerosolizable material/fluid in the porous member 16 .
  • the heating element/vaporizer 14 may define a spiral pattern; a raster pattern; or a zig-zag pattern on the surface of the porous member 16 .
  • a chamber 22 acting as a primary reservoir 24 for storing fluid to be aerosolized.
  • 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.
  • 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 .
  • the air channel 32 is located between the electrodes 10 .
  • the electronic cigarette 1 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 .
  • 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 vaporized by the heat generated from the heating element 14 . The generated vapor 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 vaporized from the porous member 16 is replaced by more fluid drawn from the chamber 22 via the at least one opening 26 .
  • 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 S 3 ;S 4 of the porous member as shown in FIG. 2 B (the sides S 3 ;S 4 being perpendicular to the sides S 1 ;S 2 shown in FIG. 2 A ), and then up through the outlet channel 28 to the mouthpiece 30 .
  • the cartridge 2 for an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge 2 comprises a heating element/vaporizer 14 located in an aerosol generation region 34 from the cartridge 2 , and is for heating/vaporizing 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/vaporizer 14 .
  • FIGS. 4 A- 5 there are schematically shown modified cartridges 2 for use with the control unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 to form an aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the cartridge 2 , or portions thereof, shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 are based on the construction of cartridge 2 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 , and comprise similar components as set out by the reference numerals that are common to both sets of Figures.
  • the cartridge 2 comprises the at least one electrode 10 , the heating element/vaporizer 14 , and the porous member 16 .
  • connection leads 12 may become detached from the electrode 10 during use, causing unwanted short-circuits and faulty operation of the cartridge 2 .
  • a potential further drawback is that with such connection leads 12 , which are shown in FIGS. 2 A- 2 B as embedded in the electrode 10 , fluid/vapor may ingress in the gap between the connection lead 12 and the electrode 10 , which may impact on the efficiency in any electrical power transmitted between the connection lead 12 and the electrode 10 , e.g. as a result of corrosion forming in this gap.
  • FIGS. 4 A- 5 effectively provide an aerosol provision system 1 comprising a vaporizer 14 for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; an electrode 10 for receiving electrical power; and a resilient element 100 , electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and the electrode 10 , for transferring the electrical power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14 .
  • this resilient element 100 may notionally alleviate the aforementioned disadvantages caused by use of the connection lead(s) 12 .
  • the resilient element 100 may be provided with a first portion 102 proximal the vaporizer 14 and a second portion 104 proximal the electrode 10 .
  • the second portion 104 may effectively be in contact with the electrode 10 , with the first portion 102 in contact with the vaporizer 14 .
  • the resilient member 100 may comprise a helical spring.
  • the resilient element 100 may be configured to extend around the electrode 10 , as shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 .
  • the resilient element 100 may extend concentrically around the electrode 10 . Such concentricity may better ensure an even distribution of forces through the resilient element 100 , and may serve to efficiently optimize the location of the resilient element 100 relative to the electrode 10 .
  • the resilient element 100 may be located between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14 , and may be configured to support (at least partially or fully) the vaporizer 14 and/or the porous member 16 , as is shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 A- 5 . In that way, and in accordance with some embodiments, the resilient element 100 may by configured to provide a biasing force and/or compression force on the vaporizer 14 , which in some particular embodiments (such as that shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 ) may extend in a direction away from the electrode 10 .
  • resilient nature of the resilient element 100 may cause it to be biased into engagement with the vaporizer 14 , such that the resilient element 100 is held in compression in use.
  • the resilient member 100 may be held in compression by the electrode 10 and/or the vaporizer 14 .
  • the electrode 10 may extend between a first end 10 A of the electrode 10 and a second end 10 B of the electrode 10 , wherein the first end 10 A of the electrode 10 is located more proximal to the vaporizer 14 than the second end 10 B of the electrode is located to the vaporizer 14 , and wherein the first end 10 A in accordance with some particular embodiments thereof may be located opposite the second end 10 B (for instance in the case of the electrode being cylindrical). In accordance with such geometry, this may allow for a convenient spacing and positioning of the electrode 10 relative to the vaporizer 14 and the resilient element 100 .
  • a particularly compact embodiment which optimizes space may comprise the first end 10 A of the electrode 10 located between the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the resilient element 100 .
  • Such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 .
  • the first and second ends 10 A; 10 B of the electrode 10 may be located on opposite sides of the second portion 104 .
  • the electrode 10 may comprise a shoulder portion 108 on which the second portion 104 of the resilient element 100 may be configured to engage against.
  • the shoulder portion 109 may extend around a circumference of the electrode 10 , which may extend around a part of; or the entirety of (as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 A- 5 ); the circumference of the electrode 10 . It will be appreciated that the shoulder portion 108 might be constructed in a number of different ways.
  • the shoulder portion 108 may project in an outward direction from the resilient element 100 , and/or could be formed as a result of a step-change in the width of a portion 109 of the electrode (as per the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 ).
  • the shoulder portion 108 and the portion 109 may be located in a position which is more proximal the second end 10 B of the electrode 100 than the portion 109 is located to the first end 10 A of the electrode 10 .
  • the cross sectional area of the electrode 100 may decrease in the direction from the second end 10 B of the electrode 10 to the first end of the electrode 10 A. Any such decrease in the cross sectional area from the second end 10 B to the first end 10 A of the electrode 10 may be a progressive decrease in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the electrode 10 may be configured to comprise a first section 110 of the electrode 10 comprising a first cross sectional area, and comprise a second section 112 of the electrode 10 comprising a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area, wherein the second section 112 is located more proximal to the first end 10 A and/or the vaporizer 14 than the first section 110 is located to the first end 10 A and/or the vaporizer 14 .
  • the electrode 10 may further comprise a third section 114 of the electrode 10 comprising a third cross sectional area which is smaller than the second cross sectional area, wherein the third section 114 is located more proximal to the first end 10 A and/or the vaporizer 14 than the second section 112 is located to the first end 10 A and/or the vaporizer 14 .
  • the electrode 10 may be provided with a chamfered or filleted edge 118 extending around the first end 10 A.
  • the chamfered or filleted edge 118 may also facilitate in the reduction of any wear of the resilient element 100 as a result it otherwise rubbing against a sharper edge around the first end 10 A during use, which might cause a more premature failure of the resilient element 100 during use.
  • the resilient member 100 may comprise a helical spring. Where such a helical spring is provided, in accordance with some embodiments the first portion 112 may comprise a portion of the helical spring which comprises a flat surface 122 . As shown in FIGS. 4 A- 5 , the flat surface 122 may be configured to be in contact with the vaporizer 14 .
  • the introduction of the flat surface 122 at this interface between the resilient element 100 and the vaporizer 14 may provide a number of advantages, not least in terms of providing a better electrical contact between the resilient element 100 and the vaporizer 14 , and also in terms of providing a wider surface on which the vaporizer 14 (and/or the porous member 16 , where present) may be supported in use.
  • the porous member 16 may be configured to be supported (either partially or fully) by the resilient element 100 .
  • the resilient element 100 may be configured to engage against the surface 21 of the porous member 16 (via the vaporizer 14 ). That being said, in accordance with some other embodiments, so as to provide additional support for the resilient element 100 relative to the porous member 16 , the first portion 102 of the resilient element 100 be embedded or recessed inside the porous member 16 , as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 A- 4 C .
  • the porous member 16 may comprise a cavity 124 for accommodating the first portion 102 of the resilient element 100 .
  • the cavity 124 may comprises a flat surface 126 on which the vaporizer 14 may be located (as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 A ).
  • the flat surface 122 (where present) of the resilient element 100 may be then parallel to the flat surface 126 of the cavity 124 . In this way, a particularly stable arrangement may be provided between the resilient element 100 and the porous member 16 , and such that the porous member 16 may be better supported by the resilient element 100 .
  • the resilient element 100 may comprise an electrically conductive material (such as, but not limited to, a metal) for transferring the electrical power received by the electrode 10 to the vaporizer 14 .
  • an electrically conductive material such as, but not limited to, a metal
  • this may be achieved by the electrically conductive material being deposited onto the resilient element (e.g. as a coating extending around the surface of the resilient element, or a strip of electrically conductive material being located/deposited thereon), and/or the resilient element 100 being made of the electrically conductive material.
  • the electrically conductive material may comprise gold, which demonstrates good electrical conductance properties, as well as a high resistance to corrosion (which might otherwise occur in/around the electrode during its operation).
  • the resilient element may notionally comprise a material(s) which demonstrates a degree of corrosion resistance and which can withstand the operating temperatures of the vaporizer 14 during its operation.
  • a material may comprise an alloy containing cobalt; chromium; and nickel, which can demonstrate good performance in respect of the above noted areas.
  • the alloy may comprise Elgiloy®, which is an alloy that principally contains cobalt; nickel; chromium; molybdenum and manganese. Together, these selections of metals in the alloy can again contribute to the resilient element 100 demonstrating a degree of corrosion resistance and which can withstand the operating temperatures of the vaporizer 14 during its operation.
  • an example composition of Elgiloy® includes the following percentage weightings of materials in the alloy:
  • the resilient element 100 may comprise an alloy containing any combination of these listed metals (and potentially other non-listed metals) from Table 1, and/or may comprise an alloy containing any combination/permutation of the recited percentage weight ranges for each of these metals from Table 1.
  • the resilient element 100 and the electrode 10 may comprise any combination of the following physical dimensions:
  • this resilient member 100 may be used with some of the other previously described features of the aerosol provision system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 3 , such as but not limited the porous member 16 , the vaporizer 14 , and any of the other features from the cartridge 2 or control unit 4 shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 which collectively form the aerosol provision systems 1 described herein.
  • an aerosol provision system comprising: a vaporizer for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving electrical power; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode, for transferring the electrical power between power the electrode and the vaporizer.
  • a cartridge for an aerosol provision system comprising the cartridge and a control unit, wherein the cartridge comprises: a vaporizer for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; an electrode for receiving electrical power from the control unit; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the vaporizer and the electrode, for transferring the electrical power between the electrode and the vaporizer.
  • an aerosol provision system 1 comprising a vaporizer 14 for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material, and an electrode 10 for receiving electrical power.
  • the aerosol provision system 1 also comprises a resilient element 100 , such as a helical spring, electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and the electrode 10 , for transferring the electrical power between the electrode 10 and the vaporizer 14 .
  • the aerosol provision system 1 may comprise a cartridge 2 and a control unit 4 , wherein the electrode 10 , the vaporizer 14 , and the resilient element 100 are located in the cartridge 2 .
  • the control unit 4 may comprise a power supply for delivering electrical power to the electrode 10 for powering the vaporizer 14 .
  • the resilient element 100 described herein need not be expressly used in an aerosol provision system 1 which comprises a cartridge 2 and the control unit 4 . Accordingly, the resilient element 100 may be notionally used in any aerosol provision system 1 which is configured to generate a vapor from an aerosolizable material.
  • the resilient element 100 described herein may have wider applications for transferring power from a first object to another object which is configured to receive the power from the first object, and which is also configured to be at least partly supported by the resilient element, such that the resilient element is configured to act as a load-bearing element for the second object.
  • the resilient element 100 need not expressly be for use with an electrode 10 (the first object) and the vaporizer 14 (the second object) specifically.
  • an electrical power transmission system comprising: a first object for receiving electrical power; a second object; and a resilient element, electrically connected to the first object and the second object, wherein the resilient element is configured to transfer the electrical power between the first object and the second object, and wherein the second object is configured to be supported (such as at least partly, or fully) by the resilient element, and such that the resilient element is configured to be held in compression between the first object and the second object.
  • the first object may comprise the electrode 10 and/or the second object may comprise the vaporizer 14 for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material.
  • the resilient element 100 may comprise any of the features and/or functionality as described herein, such as (but not limited to) the first portion 102 , the second portion 104 , the flat surface 122 , and/or comprise a helical spring.
  • resilient element 100 there may be provided one or more resilient elements 100 , as required, depending on how many electrodes 10 (first objects) there are. Accordingly, although the description has been principally described with reference to the operation of a single resilient element 100 , it will be appreciated (as noted in FIGS. 4 A- 5 ) that more than one resilient element 100 may in practice be employed, as required, such as there being one resilient element 100 for each provided electrode 10 .
  • the plurality of resilient elements 100 may all electrically connect to a single vaporizer 14 (second object) and/or electrically connect to a separate vaporizer 14 (second object) for each electrode 100 , depending on the particular application of the resilient element 100 . In that respect, and with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS.
  • an aerosol provision system 1 comprising the vaporizer 14 for generating a vapor from an aerosolizable material; a plurality of electrodes 10 for receiving electrical power; and a plurality of resilient elements 100 , wherein each resilient element 100 is electrically connected to the vaporizer 14 and a respective one of the electrodes 10 , for transferring the electrical power between the respective one of the electrodes 10 and the vaporizer 14 .
  • this liquid or fluid may be replaced with any aerosolizable material.
  • an aerosolizable material it will be appreciated that in some embodiments this aerosolizable material may comprise a liquid or fluid.
  • this heating element may be replaced with a vaporizer or some other aerosol generating component.
  • an aerosol generating component in accordance with some embodiments may in particular comprise a heater or heating element.

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US18/006,641 2020-07-24 2021-07-09 Aerosol provision system Pending US20230292840A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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GB2011514.3 2020-07-24
GBGB2011514.3A GB202011514D0 (en) 2020-07-24 2020-07-24 Aerosol provision system
PCT/GB2021/051772 WO2022018403A1 (fr) 2020-07-24 2021-07-09 Système de fourniture d'aérosol

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US (1) US20230292840A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4185139A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3173092A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB202011514D0 (fr)
MX (1) MX2023001073A (fr)
WO (1) WO2022018403A1 (fr)

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US20160270445A1 (en) * 2013-10-15 2016-09-22 Kimree Hi-Tech Inc. Electronic cigarette
GB201410171D0 (en) * 2014-06-09 2014-07-23 Nicoventures Holdings Ltd Electronic vapour provision system
GB2534855A (en) * 2015-01-30 2016-08-10 Cigtronica Ltd Electronic vaporising device adapter
WO2017075759A1 (fr) * 2015-11-03 2017-05-11 惠州市吉瑞科技有限公司深圳分公司 Cigarette chauffée électriquement
GB201605101D0 (en) * 2016-03-24 2016-05-11 Nicoventures Holdings Ltd Electronic vapour provision system

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MX2023001073A (es) 2023-02-22
WO2022018403A1 (fr) 2022-01-27
GB202011514D0 (en) 2020-09-09
CA3173092A1 (fr) 2022-01-27

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