WO2021140317A1

WO2021140317A1 - Aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: WO2021140317A1
Application number: PCT/GB2021/050019
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terry Lee ANGELL; Joseph Sutton
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2020-01-08
Filing date: 2021-01-05
Publication date: 2021-07-15
Also published as: GB202000230D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision cartridge comprising an integral aerosol generating component (60), and a refillable chamber (40) for aerosolisable material. The cartridge (30) comprises an opening for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber (40), and a closure means for preventing access to the opening. The closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible. The closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position, and in some cases may be covered by a body (20); to which the aerosol provision cartridge (30) is attachable; whilst the aerosol provision cartridge (30) is attached to the body (20).

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision cartridges, and systems and methods relating thereto.

Background

Aerosol provision systems such as e-cigarettes generally contain, amongst other parts, an aerosol provision cartridge which comprises a reservoir of an aerosol precursor material, such as a source liquid or aerosolisable material, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through vaporisation or other means. The aerosol provision cartridge may also comprise an aerosol generating component, such as a heater, which is fluidly connected to the aerosol precursor material contained in the reservoir. When a user inhales on the device, the aerosol generating component is activated to vaporise an amount of the aerosol precursor material. More particularly, such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece of the system. When a user sucks on the mouthpiece, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol generating component. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol generating component and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol generating component continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol produced from the aerosol generating component with it. The aerosol carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

Typical aerosol generating components comprise a heater. The aerosol precursor material is generally arranged within the system such that it can access the aerosol generating component. For example, it may be that the aerosol generating component is a wire which is heated during use of the device. As a result of the contact between the aerosol precursor material and the wire, when the wire is heated during use the aerosol precursor material is vaporised and subsequently condenses into an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user.

The means by which the aerosol precursor material can contact the wire may vary. It is not uncommon for the aerosol precursor material to be held freely in a refillable tank or other refillable storage region, and then directly fed to the heating wire (which may itself include a wicking core to assist in holding the aerosol precursor material in proximity to the wire).

To inhibit leakage of aerosol precursor material from such a refillable tank or storage region, and also to inhibit inadvertent access to such aerosol precursor material-holding regions by the user, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol provision cartridge which is configured accordingly.

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided an aerosol provision cartridge for use with an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge comprises an integral aerosol generating component, and a refillable chamber for aerosolisable material, the cartridge comprising an opening for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber, wherein the cartridge further comprises a closure means for preventing access to the opening, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position.

In a further aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system configured to receive the aerosol provision cartridge as described above.

In a further aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision cartridge as described above.

In yet a further aspect there is provided a method of accessing a chamber for aerosolisable material comprised in an aerosol provision cartridge for an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge comprises an integral aerosol generating component, and a chamber for aerosolisable material, the cartridge comprising an opening for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber, wherein the cartridge further comprises a closure means for preventing access to the opening, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position; wherein the method comprises the steps of: performing a first action on the closure means; and performing a second action on the closure means; wherein the first action is different to the second action.

The approach described herein is not restricted to specific embodiments such as set out below, but includes and contemplates any appropriate combinations of features presented herein. For example, an electronic aerosol provision system may be provided in accordance with the approach described herein which includes any one or more of the various features described below as appropriate. Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic (exploded) diagram of an aerosol provision system such as an e-cigarette in accordance with some embodiments;

Figure 2 is an illustration showing an embodiment of aerosol provision system;

Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge;

Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge;

Figure 3C shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge;

Figure 3D shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge;

Figure 4A shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge in a first position;

Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge from Figure 4A when in a second position;

Figure 5A shows a side view of an embodiment of aerosol provision cartridge in a first position; and

Figure 5B shows a side view of the cartridge from Figure 5A when in a second position.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed / described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

The present disclosure relates to non-combustible aerosol provision systems, 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 / 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 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 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/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active constituent is an olfactory active constituent and may be selected from a "flavour" and/or "flavourant" which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. In some instances such constituents may be referred to as flavours, flavourants, 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/body 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 diagram of an aerosol / vapour provision system such as an e-cigarette 10 in accordance with some embodiments (not to scale). The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body 20 and a cartridge 30. The cartridge includes an internal chamber containing an aerosolisable material storage region comprising aerosolisable material from which an aerosol is to be generated, and an aerosol generating component. The cartridge 30 further includes a mouthpiece 35 having an opening through which a user may inhale the aerosol produced by the aerosol generating component. In this regard, reference to an “aerosol generating component” refers to a component which generates an aerosol either directly or indirectly. For example, where the aerosol generating component is a heater, aerosolisable material may be evaporated and subsequently condense to form an aerosol.

The aerosolisable material storage region for the aerosolisable material may comprise a foam matrix or any other structure, such as a wadding, within a housing for retaining the aerosolisable material until such time that it is required to be delivered to the aerosol generating component. Alternatively, the aerosolisable material storage region may simply be a reservoir which an amount of “free liquid” contained therein. The aerosolisable material storage region is preferably re-fillable by the user.

The aerosol generating component includes a heater for vaporising the aerosolisable material to form the aerosol. The aerosol generating component may further include a wick or similar facility to transport a small amount of the aerosolisable material from the storage region to a heating location on or adjacent the heater.

The body 20 includes a re-chargeable cell or battery to provide power for the e- cigarette 10 and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette. In use, when the heater receives power from the battery, as controlled by the circuit board, the heater vaporises the aerosolisable material at the heating location to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece. The aerosol is carried to the mouthpiece along an air channel that connects the aerosol generating region to the mouthpiece opening as a user inhales on the mouthpiece.

In this particular example, the body 20 and cartridge 30 are detachable from one another by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as shown in Figure 1, but are joined together when the device 10 is in use by a connection, indicated schematically in Figure 1 as 25A and 25B, to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body 20 and the cartridge 30. The electrical connector on the body 20 that is used to connect to the cartridge also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body is detached from the cartridge 30. The other end of the charging device can be plugged into an external power supply, for example a USB socket, to charge or to re-charge the cell / battery in the body of the e-cigarette. In other implementations, a cable may be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector on the body and the external power supply.

In connection with this, in order to allow for connection with the body 20 (both mechanically and electrically) the cartridge 30 generally contains one or more metallic components. For example, these components may be screw thread rings, electrodes, or intermediate supporting members (all not shown). When assembled, such metallic components allow for the cartridge 30 to be connected to the body 20 in a manner which supports the aerosol generating component in the aerosol generating region, allows for the provision of electrical current to the aerosol generating component, and allows for airflow to travel into the aerosol generating region so that it may collect the vapour/aerosol produced therein and deliver it to the user.

The e-cigarette 10 is provided with one or more holes (not shown in Figure 1) for air inlet. These holes connect to an air running passage through above mentioned metallic components of the e-cigarette 10 to the mouthpiece 35. The air passage includes a region around the aerosol generating region and a section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generating region to the opening in the mouthpiece.

When a user inhales through the mouthpiece 35, air is drawn into this air passage through the one or more air inlet holes, which are suitably located on the outside of the e- cigarette. This airflow (or the resulting change in pressure) is detected by a pressure sensor (as an example of an input means) that in turn activates the aerosol generating component (heater in this case) to vaporise a portion of the aerosolisable material to generate the aerosol. The airflow passes through the air passage, and combines with the aerosol in the region around the aerosol generating region, and the resulting aerosol then travels along the air channel connecting from the aerosol generating region to the mouthpiece 35 to be inhaled by a user. The cartridge 30 may be detached from the body 20 and disposed of when the supply of aerosolisable material is exhausted (and replaced with another cartridge if so desired), though preferably the cartridge is refillable.

It will be appreciated the e-cigarette 10 shown in Figure 1 is presented by way of example, and various other implementations can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the cartridge 30 is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge comprising the aerosolisable material storage region and mouthpiece (which can be replaced/refilled when the aerosolisable material from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporiser / aerosol generating component comprising a heater (which is generally retained). In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component may itself be replaceable. With reference to Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of vapour provision system 10 comprising a body 20 attachable to a cartridge 30. The body 20 forms a generally cylindrical component extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and which comprises a recessed end 32 in which is contained electrical contacts 34. Together the recessed end 32 and the electrical contacts 34 form the connection 25B schematically shown in Figure 1.

The cartridge 30 is attachable to the body 20 by inserting it into the recessed end 32 of the body 20. In this position, electrical contacts 36 located on the cartridge 30 make contact with the electrical contacts 34 from the body to allow power from a battery located inside the body 20 to be passed through to the cartridge 30.

Wth reference to Figures 3A - 5B, various embodiments of cartridge 30 are shown.

In each of these embodiments, the cartridge 30 extends along the longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises a chamber 40 for aerosolisable material. The chamber 40 defines a substantially frustoconical shape which comprises a first end 44 and a second end 46. During use of the cartridge 30, the first end 44 is that proximal the user’s mouth when an inhalation is performed. The second end 46 of the chamber 40 comprises a U shaped channel 48 leading to an aerosol generating component 60 which is integral to the cartridge 30. By ‘integral’, this is meant that the aerosol generating component 60 cannot be removed from the cartomsier 30 without dismantling or otherwise breaking the cartridge 30 in a manner which is not envisaged by the manufacturer. The two ends of the U shaped channel 48 each extend from the chamber 40 and the aerosol generating component 60 is located at the middle of the channel 48.

The aerosol generating component 60 is powered via an electrical connection 62 which extends between the aerosol generating component 60 and the electrical contacts 36 located on the cartridge 30 at the connection 25A. Aerosolisable material which is vaporised from the aerosol generating component 60 is delivered along an air outlet channel 64 which extends from the aerosol generating component 60 to an opening 66 from the cartridge 30 which is proximal the first end 44 of the chamber 40.

For each cartridge 30, a mechanism is provided which allows the chamber 40 therefrom to be refilled with aerosolisable material. A number of such mechanisms will now be described, however it will be appreciated that any combination of such mechanisms can be used to provide a refillable aerosol provision cartridge whereby inadvertent access to the refillable chamber contained therein is inhibited.

Starting with the cartridge 30 shown in Figure 3A, a refill channel 68 extends from the exterior of the cartridge 30, from a position proximal the electrical contacts 36, to a first opening 70 provided in the U shaped channel 48. An aerosolisable material valve 76 is located in the refill channel 68 for allowing aerosolisable material to be passed at pressure from outside the cartridge 30, past the aerosolisable material valve, through the U shaped channel 48, and into the chamber 40.

Also extending from the exterior of the cartridge 30, from a position proximal the electrical contacts 36, is an air vent channel 72 which extends to a second opening 74 provided in the U shaped channel 48. An air vent valve 80 is also located in the air vent channel 72 to allow for excess air from the chamber 40 to be vented from the chamber 40 during a refilling process of aerosolisable material into the chamber 40 via the refill channel 68.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3B, the aerosolisable material valve 76 from Figure 3A is replaced with a first removable plug member 80 which is configured to prevent access to the first opening 70, and also the refill channel 68. Similarly, with regard to the air vent valve 80 located in the air vent channel 72, this is replaced in the embodiment from Figure 3B with a second removable plug member 82 which is configured to prevent access to the second opening 74, and also the air vent channel 72.

In some embodiments, the refill channel 68 and the air vent channel 72 may be removed, and the first opening 70 and the second opening 74 located at the first end 44 of the chamber 40 in a position proximal the opening 66 through which the user inhales vapour generated by the aerosol generating component 60. In such embodiments, access to the first opening 70 and the second opening 74 can again be controlled using the respective source aerosolisable material valve 76 and the air vent valve 80, or can be achieved using the first and second plug members 80;82 to respectively block and/or plug the first opening 70 and the second opening 74.

In yet further embodiments, a sheath 86 can be used to surround a portion of the cartridge 30, along with the first and second openings 70;74. A purpose of the sheath 86 can be to selectively cover the first and second openings 70;74. The sheath may be moveable in a number of different ways. Possible movements include, but are not limited to, the sheath being rotatable with respect to the surrounded portion of the cartridge 30, or slidable with respect to the surrounded portion of the cartridge 30. In one particular arrangement, the sheath may be detachable from the cartridge 30. In some embodiments, the sheath 86 may be configured to comprise the plug members 80;82 such that they selectively prevent access to the first and second openings 70;74.

In the particular embodiment from Figure 3C, the plug members 80;82 are located on the sheath 86, and the sheath is slidable with respect to the cartridge 30 between a first position in which the plug members 80;82 block the first and second openings 70;74 and a second position in which the first and second openings 70;74 are accessible. The movement of the sheath in this embodiment is parallel to the longitudinal axis indicated by the dashed line LA. In some embodiments, the cartridge 30 may be provided with at least one latch member which must be unlatched before access to the first and second openings 70;74 is possible. In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 3D, a latch member 88 is provided by a portion of the sheath 86 which engages with another portion of the cartridge 30. In that particular embodiment, only upon disengagement of the latch member 88 by pulling it in an outward direction can the sheath 86 as a whole be moved away from the rest of the cartridge 30 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA to allow access to the first and second openings 70;74 located proximal the first end 44 of the chamber 40.

In yet further embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 4A-5B, the cartridge 30 may comprise a sliding member 90 which covers the first and second openings 70;74 in one position, but which exposes these openings 70;74 when slid to a different position. In the arrangement shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the first and second openings 70;74 are positioned on the cartridge 30 in a position that is more proximal the second end 46 of the chamber 40, whereas in Figures 5A-5B the first and second openings 70;74 are positioned more proximal the first end 46 of the chamber 40.

In embodiments comprising the sliding member 90, the vapour provision system 10 may be configured such that when the cartridge 30 is attached to the body 20, the sliding member is prevented from being moved to expose the first and second openings 70;74. In these embodiments, only by detaching the cartridge 30 from the body 20 can the sliding member 90 then be moved.

In some embodiments, the construction of the cartridge 30 may be such that the second opening 74 is dispensed with. This may be the case, for instance, where venting of air from the chamber 40 is not considered necessary, or where the first opening 70 is additionally configured to allow for the venting of such air in conjunction with its primary operation of allowing for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber 40.

Based on the above description, and the various described mechanisms for preventing inadvertent access to the chamber 40 of the cartomsier 30, it is envisaged that the cartridge 30 comprises a closure means for preventing access to any opening allowing for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber 40, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to such an opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position.

Depending on the particular mechanisms used, the construction of the closure means, as well as the first and second actions, will differ. For example, in one embodiment the closure means may comprise the combination of the sliding member 90 and an aerosolisable material valve 76 covering the first opening 70. In that arrangement, the first action would be the sliding of the sliding member 90 to expose the opening, and the second action would be opening the valve.

In another embodiment, the closure means may comprise the combination of the moveable sheath 86 along with a first plug member 80 separate from the sheath 86 and which is configured to block the first opening 70. In that arrangement, the first action would be the movement of the sheath (for instance, a sliding movement or a rotating movement) away from the rest of the cartomsier 30, and the second action would be moving the first plug member 80 to expose the first opening 70.

Another embodiment may involve the closure means comprising the combination of a latch member 88 and the moveable sheath 86 which ordinarily blocks the first opening 80, such as in the embodiment shown in Figure 3D. In that arrangement, the first action would be the unlatching of the latch member 88 and the second action would be pulling/pushing the sheath away from the rest of the cartridge 30.

In yet another embodiment, the closure means may comprise the combination of the aerosolisable material valve 76 along with the first plug member 80. For that closure means, the first action would be moving the first plug member 80 to expose the first opening 70, and the second action would be opening the valve 76.

Depending on the formation of the closure means with respect to the cartridge 30, in some embodiments the closure means may be covered by the body whilst the cartomsier 30 is attached to the body 20.

Based on the above described embodiments, it is envisaged that the cartridge 30 may comprise any mechanism, or combination of mechanisms, which forms a closure means that requires at least two different actions to move from a first position in which access to the opening 70 for refilling the chamber 40 is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening 70 is possible. In this way, the requirement for the closure means from the cartridge 30 to have at least two different actions, which may also be in different directions (in terms of the direction of movement of the closure means, or portion of the closure means, caused by the action), helps inhibit leakage of aerosolisable material from the chamber 40 by rendering it less likely that the chamber 40 will be accessed if accidentally knocked/touched by the user (e.g. when the cartridge is located in a pocket of a user).

Thus, described above are examples of aerosol provision systems that can inhibit leakage from, and inhibit inadvertent user access to, the aerosolisable material-holding region of such systems.

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.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision cartridge for use with an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge comprises an integral aerosol generating component, and a refillable chamber for aerosolisable material, the cartridge comprising an opening for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber, wherein the cartridge further comprises a closure means for preventing access to the opening, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position.

2. An aerosol provision cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the closure means comprises a sliding member which covers the opening in the first position, and the first action or second action is sliding the sliding member to expose the opening.

3. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 2, wherein the closure means comprises a valve which is closed when the closure means is in the first position, wherein the first action or the second action is opening the valve.

4. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 3, wherein the closure means comprises a plug member, wherein the plug member is configured to prevent access to the opening when the closure means is in the first position, wherein the first action or the second action is moving the plug member.

5. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 4, wherein the first action or the second action is rotating the closure means.

6. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the closure means comprises a sheath which surrounds a portion of the cartridge.

7. An aerosol provision cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the sheath is rotatable with respect to the portion of the cartridge.

8. An aerosol provision cartridge according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the sheath is slidable with respect to the portion of the cartridge.

9. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 8, wherein the cartridge comprises a mouthpiece.

10. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 9, wherein the opening is a first opening, wherein the cartridge further comprises a second opening for the extraction of air from the chamber.

11 An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 10, wherein the at least two actions defines a first action which comprises rotating; pulling; pushing; or unlatching; the closure means, or a portion of the closure means.

12. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 11 , wherein the at least two actions defines a second action which comprises rotating; pulling; pushing; or unlatching; the closure means, or a portion of the closure means.

13. An aerosol provision cartridge according to any of claim 1 to 12, wherein the first action is in a first direction, and the second action is in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different to the second direction.

14. An aerosol provision system configured to receive the aerosol provision cartridge of any of claim 1 to 13.

15. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision cartridge of any of claim 1 to 13.

16. An aerosol provision system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the aerosol provision system comprises a body to which the aerosol provision cartridge is attachable.

17. An aerosol provision system according to claim 16, wherein the closure means is prevented by the body from moving to the second position whilst the aerosol provision cartridge is attached to the body.

18. A system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the closure means is covered by the body whilst the aerosol provision cartridge is attached to the body.

19. A method of accessing a chamber for aerosolisable material comprised in an aerosol provision cartridge for an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge comprises an integral aerosol generating component, and a chamber for aerosolisable material, the cartridge comprising an opening for the insertion of aerosolisable material into the chamber, wherein the cartridge further comprises a closure means for preventing access to the opening, wherein the closure means is moveable from a first position in which access to the opening is prevented, and a second position in which access to the opening is possible, wherein the closure means is configured to require at least two different actions to be moved from the first position to the second position; wherein the method comprises the steps of: performing a first action on the closure means; and performing a second action on the closure means; wherein the first action is different to the second action.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the first action is in a first direction, and the second action is in a second direction, wherein the first direction is different to the second direction.