WO2023214081A1 - Aerosol provision device - Google Patents

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (200) is provided. The device comprises a body and a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material. The body has an opening communicating with the chamber. An actuating member (210) is arranged to rotate about the body, and a cover member (212) is arranged to pivot about the body. Rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to pivot between an open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a closed position in which the opening is fully covered.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material. The present invention also relates to an aerosol provision system.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising a body, a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, the body having an opening communicating with the chamber, an actuating member arranged to rotate about the body, and a cover member arranged to pivot about the body, wherein rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to pivot between an open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a closed position in which the opening is fully covered.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising, a body, a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, the body having an opening communicating with the chamber, an actuating member arranged to rotate about the body, and a single cover member arranged to selectively fully overlap the opening, the single cover member being arranged to pivot on the body upon actuation of the actuating member between a fully overlapped position and an open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is a single cover member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, a surface area of the cover member is greater than a surface area of the opening. In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is between the actuating member and the body.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member comprises an aperture through which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is received between the aperture and the opening.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to fully overlap the aperture in the closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to be retracted from the aperture in the open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the device comprises a cam arrangement arranged to cause the cover member to pivot upon rotation of the actuating member

In an embodiment of the above, the cam arrangement comprises a guide element and an elongate guide surface arranged to guide the guide element.

In an embodiment of the above, the guide element is a pin.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the elongate guide surface is arcuate.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the elongate guide surface is linear.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cam mechanism comprises a track defining the elongate guide surface.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member defines the elongate guide surface.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide element is configured to move along the track.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide element has a flange arranged to prevent the guide element from being removed from the slot.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the pivot configuration comprises a pivot pin on the body and a pivot hole on the cover member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the device further comprised a pivot configuration about which the cover member is arranged to pivot. In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member comprises a blade arranged to extend over the opening.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member comprises a guide portion extending from the blade.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide portion defines part of the pivot configuration.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide portion defines part of the cam mechanism.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide portion comprises the guide element.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide element is offset from the pivot configuration and the blade.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide element is between the pivot configuration and the blade.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide element is configured to remain in the track throughout a range of motion.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the blade comprises a generally circular portion.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the guide portion comprises a projection projecting from the guide portion.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member is configured to be manually rotated.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member comprises a gripping feature to aid rotation.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the body comprises a base portion, and the pivot point is defined on the base portion.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the base portion extends into a receptacle defined by the cover member. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of the above and an article comprising aerosol-generating material.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising a body, a chamber in the body arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, the body defining an opening communicating with the chamber, a cover member arranged to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is prevented from being able to pass through the opening, and an actuating member configured to rotate on the body to actuate the cover member, wherein the actuating member comprises a gap through which at least part of the cover member is arranged to be received.

In an embodiment of the above, rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to move between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position

In an embodiment of any of the above, rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to translate between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position

In an embodiment of the above, the translation is a linear translation

In an embodiment of any of the above, rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to pivot between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the device comprises a cam arrangement arranged to cause the cover member to move upon rotation of the actuating member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cam arrangement includes a guide element and an elongate guide surface arranged to guide the guide element.

In an embodiment of the above, the guide element is a pin.

In an embodiment of any of the above, wherein the elongate guide surface is a track.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the device comprises a gear arrangement arranged to cause the cover member to move upon rotation of the actuating member. In an embodiment of any of the above, at least a portion of the cover member protrudes from the actuating member when in the relatively open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member comprises a peripheral wall, the gap being in the peripheral wall.

In an embodiment of the above, the peripheral wall is a peripheral skirt,

In an embodiment of any of the above, the gap is a slot.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the gap is an elongate gap.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the elongate gap extends in a circumferential direction.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to be retracted from the gap in the relatively closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to extend in the gap in the relatively open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to fully cover the opening in the relatively closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to be fully retracted from the opening in the relatively open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the body comprises a housing.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing is configured to at least partially receive the cover member in the relatively open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the housing comprises an aperture arranged to at least partially receive the cover member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is arranged to be retracted from the housing in the closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the gap is arranged to align with the aperture in the relatively closed position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the gap is arranged to be misaligned from the aperture in the relatively open position. In an embodiment of any of the above, the device comprises a cover actuating mechanism.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member encloses the cover actuating mechanism.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member comprises a housing portion. The housing portion houses at least part of the cover actuating mechanism.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the body has a pocket for receiving the at least a portion of the cover member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the pocket is defined within adjacent portion of the body adjacent to the actuating member.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the slot is hidden by the body of the device throughout the range of movement of the actuating member.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the device comprises a seal to seal the actuating member relative to the housing.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the slot is shaped to correspond with a cross section of the cover member when the cover member is in the open position.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member comprises a blade.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the cover member is a first cover member and the device comprises a second cover member arranged to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is prevented from being able to pass through the opening.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the gap is a first gap, and the actuating member comprises a second gap through which at least part of the second cover member is arranged to be received.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the actuating member is arranged to actuate the first and second cover members.

In an embodiment of any of the above, the first and second cover members are arranged to abut each other in the relatively closed position. In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of the above, and an article comprising aerosol-generating material.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a body; a chamber in the body arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; and a cover mechanism comprising: a cover member, the cover member defining a plane, an actuating member arranged to move in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the cover member; wherein movement of the actuating member is arranged to move the cover member between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass into the chamber and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is restricted from being able to pass into the chamber.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a body; a chamber in the body arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, the chamber defining an axis along which the at least a portion of the article is inserted into the chamber; and a cover mechanism comprising: a cover member; and an actuating member arranged to be user- actuated, wherein movement of the actuating member in a direction of the axis of the chamber causes the cover member to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass into the chamber and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is restricted from being able to pass into the chamber.

The cover member may be arranged to move along the plane. The cover member may be arranged to rotate between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position within the plane.

The cover member may be arranged to translate between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position within the plane.

The cover member may be arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cover member.

The actuating member may be movable along an axis.

The actuating member may be arranged to move between an actuated position and a non-actuated position. The actuating member may be biased into the actuated position. A releasable latching mechanism may be arranged to retain the actuating member in the non-actuated position.

The actuating member may be biased into the non-actuated position. A releasable latching mechanism may be arranged to retain the actuating member in the actuated position.

The cover member may be in the relatively open position in the actuated position. The cover member may be in the relatively closed position in the actuated position.

The actuating member may be arranged to have a linear movement.

The cover member may be arranged to move along the axis with the actuating member.

The actuating member may be push-actuated. The cover mechanism may comprise a drive element between the actuating member and the cover member.

The actuating member may act on the cover member. The chamber may define an axis along which the at least a portion of the article is inserted into the chamber, and wherein the actuating member may be configured to move in a direction of the axis.

The actuating member may comprise a housing portion covering at least part of the body.

At least part of the body may extend in the housing portion. The body may define a housing.

The actuating member may be in the housing.

The cover mechanism may comprise a gear arrangement.

The cover mechanism may comprise a cam arrangement. The cam arrangement may comprise an elongate guide surface and a guide element engaged by the elongate guide surface. The elongate guide surface may be linear. The elongate guide surface may be arcuate.

The cam arrangement may comprise a guide slot defining the elongate guide surface.

The elongate guide surface may extend in a circumferential direction.

The elongate guide slot may extend in an axial direction.

The cover member may be a first cover member and the cover mechanism may comprise a second cover member arranged to partially close the opening, and wherein moving the actuating member axially relative to the body may cause the second cover member to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass into the chamber and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is restricted from being able to pass into the chamber.

The cover member may be a blade.

The cover member may fully close the opening in the relatively closed position.

The cover member may rotate within the plane and relative to the actuating member upon actuation of the actuating member.

The cover member may rotate around a pivot.

The cover member may translate within the plane relative to the body upon actuation of the actuating member. The cover member may translate along a track.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device as described in in the above; and an article comprising aerosol-generating material.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exterior of an aerosol generating device and an article containing aerosol generating material;

Figure 2 shows a top view of the base portion and cover member of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figure 1 , with the actuating member omitted and cover member shown in a closed position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the base portion and cover member shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the base portion and cover member of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, with the cover member shown in an open position;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the base portion and the actuating member of the device illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the actuating member and the cover member of the device illustrated in Figure 1, with the cover member in an open position; Figure 7 shows a cross sectional view of the actuating member of the device illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 shows a top view of another aerosol generating device, with the cover member in an open position and the actuating member shown in phantom;

Figure 9 shows a top view of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figure 8, with the cover member in a closed position;

Figure 10 shows a top view of the device illustrated in Figure 2 to 7, with the cover member in a closed position and the actuating member shown in phantom;

Figure 11 shows a top view of the device illustrated in Figure 10, with the cover member in an open position;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the base portion and cover member of another aerosol generating device, with the cover member in a closed position;

Figure 13 shows a cross sectional view of the base portion and cover member of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figure 12, with the cover member in an open position;

Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the base portion and cover member of another aerosol generating device, with the cover member in a closed position;

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the base portion and cover member of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figure 14, with the cover member in an open position;

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the base portion, actuating member, and cover member of the aerosol generating device illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, with the cover member in an open position; and

Figure 17 shows a perspective view of part of another aerosol provision device with the cover member in a closed position;

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of part of the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 17 with the cover member in a closed position; and

Figure 19 shows a cutaway side view of part of the aerosol provision device shown in Figure 17.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosolgenerating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non- combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosolmodifying agent.

An aerosol provision device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol provision device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision device 100 and an article 101 comprising aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision device 100 is configured for generating aerosol from the article comprising aerosol generating material. The device 100 is a noncombustible aerosol generating device 100. The device 100 can be used to heat the article 101 comprising aerosol generating material to generate an aerosol or other inhalable material which can be inhaled by a user of the device 100. The device 100 may include an aerosol generator for heating an article comprising aerosol generating material. It will be appreciated that the device 100 may include other components not shown in Figure 1 .

The device 100 provides a chamber (not shown) for receiving at least part of the article 101 comprising aerosol generating material. The chamber may be generally cylindrically shaped or otherwise shaped to receive the article. The device 100 is configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user when the article has been placed in the chamber.

The device 100 has a body 102 which provides a housing or casing for other components. In this embodiment, the body 102 comprises a first portion 104 which contains the chamber, a second portion 106 which may house a battery and a control system, and a base portion 116 (described below). The first, second and base portions are attached to each other. In other embodiments, the body 102 includes more or fewer portions than those shown, or is formed from one integral body 102. For example, the first and base portions 104, 106 may be formed together.

The body 102 provides an opening 108 which provides access to the chamber. This opening 108 provides access to the chamber so that the user can insert the article into the chamber.

The device 100 comprises an actuating member 110 and a cover member 112. The cover member 112 acts to selectively cover the opening 108 of the body 102. The actuating member 110 can be moved by the user to actuate movement of the cover member 112 into and out of alignment with the opening 108 of the body 102. The actuating member forms part of a cover actuating mechanism. When the cover member 112 is in alignment with the opening 108 of the body 102 or in a closed position (as illustrated in Figure 1), the cover prevents access to the chamber. In this position, the cover member 112 acts to protect the chamber and prevent objects from entering the chamber when the device 100 is not in use. When the cover member 112 is out of alignment with the opening 108 of the body 102 or in an open position, the user is able to insert an article into the opening 108. The cover member 112 is shaped such that it completely covers the opening 108 when in a closed position. In this embodiment, the cover member 112 has a generally circular cross section to complement the circular cross sectional shape of the opening 108 of the body 102. The cover member 112 is shaped to overlap the whole opening 108 of the body 102 when in the closed position. In other embodiments the cover member 112 may have a different shape to the opening 108 of the body 102. Different opening 108 and cover member 112 shapes to those shown may be provided.

The actuating member 110 has a cylindrically shaped peripheral wall 132. The peripheral wall 132 forms a skirt. The peripheral wall is flush with the first portion 104 of the body, which in this embodiment is also generally cylindrical. As explained below, the actuating member 110 also has a top wall 140 with a central cylindrically shaped aperture 114 or hole extending through the top wall 140. The aperture 114 of the actuating member 110 is aligned with the opening 108 of the body 102. This allows the user to insert the article through the aperture 114 and the opening 108 of the body 102 to insert the article into the chamber. As explained below, the actuating member 110 is movable by the user to cause movement of the cover between the open and closed positions.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the base portion 116 of the body 102 and the cover member 112 according to the embodiment of the device 100 illustrated in Figure 1. The actuating member 110 has been omitted in this view. The cover member 112 has a blade 118, which in this embodiment is generally circular in cross section. The blade 118 extends over the opening 108 when the cover is in the closed position. The blade 118 has a larger cross sectional area than the opening 108 so that the opening 108 is completely covered when the cover member 112 is in the closed position. The cover member 112 also has a guide portion 120 protruding from the blade 118, as described below.

The base portion 116 acts as a base to which the cover member 112 is mounted. The cover member 112 is rotatable relative to the base portion 116 about a pivot point 122 on the base portion 116. This allows the cover member 112 to rotate into and out of alignment with the opening 108. In this embodiment, the pivot point 122 is provided by a pin 122, acting as a pivot element, on the base portion 116. The guide portion 120 of the cover member 112 has a corresponding aperture 124, acting as a pivot hole, for receiving the pin 122, and the cover member 112 is thereby rotatable about the pin 122 of the base portion 116. The base portion 116 has a raised section 126 providing a stop or guide for the cover member 112 when the cover member 112 is in the closed position (as illustrated in Figure 2). In other embodiments the base portion 116 may provide a flange or other means for limiting movement of the cover member 112 when it reaches the closed position. In this embodiment, the base portion 116 is attachable to another portion of the body 102. However, in other embodiments, the base portion 116 may be integrally formed with the remainder of the body 102.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the base portion 116 and the actuating member 110 illustrated in Figure 2. As shown, the guide portion 120 of the cover member 112 comprises a guide element 128. In this embodiment, the guide element 128 is in the form of a pin. As explained below, the guide element 128 forms part of a cam arrangement 129 for actuating movement of the cover member 112. In this embodiment, the guide element 128 is spaced from the pivot hole, and is closer to the blade 118 than the pivot hole. As explained below, the spacing of the guide element 128 from the pivot hole allows the guide element 128 to cause rotation of the cover member 112 relative to the base portion 116 when it travels along an elongate guide surface 130 (illustrated in Figure 7 and described below) of the cam arrangement 129. In other embodiments the guide element 128 may be provided in locations other than that shown.

Figure 4 illustrates the base portion 116 and actuating member 110 of Figures 2 and 3 with the cover member 112 in an open position, such that the opening 108 of the base portion 116 is exposed. As shown, the cover member 112 has pivoted about the pivot point.

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the base portion 116 of Figures 2 to 4, but with the actuating member 110 included. As shown, the base portion 116 and the cover member 112 are received by the actuating member 110. The peripheral wall 132 of the actuating member 110 surrounds the base portion 116 and the cover member 112, such that the actuating member 110 acts to restrict access to and protect the cover member 112 and the base portion 116 other than through the aperture 114.

As shown, the actuating member 110 comprises a gap 134 extending through the peripheral wall 132. In this embodiment the gap 134 is in the form of an elongate slot 134 which extends circumferentially about a portion of the actuating member 110. As shown in Figure 6, the gap allows at least part of the cover member 112 to extend through or protrude from the peripheral wall of the actuating member 110 when the cover member 112 is in the open position. The slot 134 is shaped to correspond with a cross section of the cover member 112 to allow at least part of the cover member 112 to extend through it. The slot 134 allows sufficient range of motion for the cover member 112 such that it can move to a position where the opening 108 in the base portion 116 is completely exposed. That is, the cover member 112 does not overlap the opening 108. The slot 134 allows the size of the actuating member 110 to be minimised, as the actuating member 110 is not required to be large enough to accommodate the whole cover member 112 when the cover member 112 is in the open position. Accordingly allowing for a more compact device 100 may be provided.

Figure 7 illustrates a cross section of the actuating member 110 and the guide member 128. The actuating member 110 provides an elongate guide surface 130 which receives the guide element 128. The elongate guide surface 130 in this embodiment is in the form of an arcuate track formed in or indented into an inner surface of the top wall 140 of the actuating member 110. The track may have any suitable shape for guiding the guide element 128, for example it may be linear. An arcuate track shape may help to at least one of provide a smooth movement of the cover member 112 and reduce the length of the track required so as to provide a compact device. The guide member 128 and elongate guide surface 130 provide a cam arrangement 129 which is described in more detail below in relation to Figures 10 to 11.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of a device 200. Reference numerals with the same final two digits to those used previously are used to represent equivalent features. Figures 8 and 9 show the cover member 212 being moved from an open to a closed position. Figures 8 and 9 show a top view of the device 200 with the actuating member 210. The device 200 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 is generally the same as that described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7, except that the guide portion 220 comprises two projections, a first projection 220a containing the pivot hole 224 and a second projection 220b containing the guide element 228 which in this embodiment is a pin. The projection 220 containing the pivot hole 225 is on an opposite side of the cover portion 212 to the projection 220 containing the guide element 228. The device 200 provides a cam arrangement 229 which functions similarly to the cam arrangement 229 described below in relation to Figures 10 and 11. The cam arrangement 229 in this embodiment, with two projections 220a, 220b, is advantageous because it allows for a longer track, which provides a more gradual and smoother movement of the cover member 212 between the open and closed positions.

Figure 10 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the device 100 illustrated in Figures 1 to 7. This view illustrates the base portion 116, cover member 112 and actuating member 110 (shown in phantom) when the cover member 112 is in a closed position, and Figure 11 illustrates the same but with the cover member 112 in an open position. In this embodiment, the pivot hole 122 and guide element 128 of the cover member 112 are located on the same side of the cover member 112.

As shown, the user can move the cover member 112 between a closed and an open position by manually (or otherwise) rotating the actuating member 110 (anticlockwise to open the cover member 112 in this example). As the actuating member 110 rotates, the elongate guide surface 130 also rotates. As the actuating member 110 rotates, the guide element 128 is urged to move along the elongate guide surface 130, which in this embodiment is in the form of an actuate track. This causes the cover member 112 to rotate about the pivot point 122 on the base portion 116, thereby moving the cover member 112 out of alignment with the opening 108 and into the open position. The elongate guide surface 130 is shaped to receive the guide element 128 and allow the guide element 128 to travel along the guide surface as the actuating member 110 rotates. The track may have side surfaces which are generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the actuating member 110, where the side surfaces abut against the guide element 128 to force the guide element 128 to move along the track when the actuating member 110 is rotated. The specific shape of the elongate guide surface 130 can be chosen depending on the shape of the cover member 112 and actuating member 110.

As shown in Figure 11 , a least part of the cover member 112 extends through the peripheral wall of the actuating member 110 when the cover member 112 is in the open position. As explained above, the cover member 112 is able to travel through the peripheral wall because of the elongate gap provided through the peripheral wall. The elongate gap is located on the peripheral wall such that the cover member 112 coincides with and can extend through the elongate gap when the cover member 112 reaches the peripheral wall during rotation. The cover member 112 is configured to extend though the actuating member 110 and be received in the body 102.

As shown in Figure 1, the actuating member 110 is adjacent to the second portion 106 of the body 102. The second portion 109 provides an upstanding portion which extends alongside and is adjacent to the actuating member 110. The upstanding portion provides a pocket which can receive the cover member 112 when the cover member 112 is in an open position. The pocket is formed in the side of the second portion 109 which is adjacent to the actuating member 110 so that the pocket is closed by the actuating member 110 and cannot be accessed. Such a configuration may protect the cover member 112 when in the open position. The elongate slot 134 may be hidden by the second portion 109 throughout the range of movement of the actuating member 110. In other embodiments the cover member 112 may extend from a side of the actuating member 110 which does not coincide with the portion of the body 102.

In embodiments, a seal is provided between the actuating member 110 and the body 102. The seal may be provided at the juncture of the actuating member 110 and the second portion 109. That is, the seal may be provided to seal the overlap between the actuating member 110 and the second portion 109. The seal may be at least one of a dust seal, for example a brush, and a fluid seal, for example a resilient member formed from rubber or another suitable material. The seal in embodiments surrounds a pocket opening. Such an arrangement may help with preventing detritus from passing between the actuating member 110 and the housing.

The arrangement of the cover member being arranged to extend through the actuating member 110 is applicable to other actuating mechanisms. Figure 12 illustrates a perspective view of a cover member 312 and a base portion 316 according to another embodiment. In this embodiment, the cover member 312 is configured to slide linearly along tracks in the base portion 316 in order to move between an open and closed position. The cover member 312 is similar to that described above, except that it does not have a pivot hole and is configured to slide linearly relative to the base portion 316. The cover has a guide member 328, and the elongate guide surface 330 in this embodiment is linear such that linear movement of the guide member along the guide surface causes linear movement of the cover member 312. Movement of the guide member 328 may be achieved in any suitable manner, for example and will not be described in detail.

Figure 13 illustrates a cross section through the actuating member 310 of the device 300 show in Figure 12, with the cover member 312 in an open position. As shown, the actuating member 310 has an elongate slot similar to that described above. The elongate slot coincides with the cover member 312 and allows the cover member 312 to protrude from the projecting wall of the actuating member 310.

Similarly to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 11, the actuating member 312 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 12 has an elongate gap 334 formed in its peripheral wall 332, and a least part of the cover member 312 extends through the elongate gap 334 when the cover member 312 is in the open position. The cover member 312 is able to travel through the peripheral wall 332 because of the elongate gap 334 provided. The elongate gap 334 is located on the peripheral wall such that the cover member 312 coincides with and can extend through the elongate gap when the cover member 312 reaches the peripheral wall during linear movement. As with the embodiment described above and shown in Figure 1 , the actuating member 310 of this embodiment may also be adjacent to the second portion of the body. As explained above, the second portion provides an upstanding portion which extends alongside and is adjacent to the actuating member 312. The upstanding portion provides a pocket which can receive the cover member 312 when the cover member 312 is in an open position. The pocket is formed in the side of the second portion 109 which is adjacent to the actuating member 310 so that the pocket is closed by the actuating member 310 and cannot be accessed.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 illustrate a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the device 400. Figure 14 shows the cover member 412 and base portion 416 of the device 400 when the cover member 412 is in a closed position, Figure 15 shows the cover member 412 and base portion 416 of the device 400 when the cover member 412 is in an open position, and Figure 16 illustrates the device 400 with the actuating member 410 included and the cover member 412 in an open position. This device 400 is similar to the device described above in relation to Figures 12 and 13, except in this device 400 the cover member 412 has gear teeth and is actuated between open and closed positions using a gear 415 attached to the base portion 416. As the gear rotates, the cover member 412 moves linearly between positions. As shown in Figure 16, similarly to the above embodiments the actuating member 410 has an elongate slot to allow the cover member 412 to extend to a position outside of the actuating member 410 when the cover member 412 is in an open position. As with the embodiments described above, a second portion of the body provides a pocket to receive the cover member when in the open position.

Although the above described embodiments have a single cover member, in other embodiments there may be more than one cover member provided, for example two cover members. In such an arrangement, the device may comprise a first cover member and a second cover member each arranged to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is prevented from being able to pass through the opening. In such an embodiment, there may be a first elongate gap provided in a peripheral wall of an actuating member to allow the first cover member to pass through it in an open position, and a second elongate gap provided in a peripheral wall of an actuating member to allow the first cover member to pass through it in an open position.

Figures 17, 18 and 19 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the device 500. In this embodiment, the cover member 512 is configured to be actuated by an action acting in the longitudinal direction. The actuating member 510 is movable in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the cover member 512. The actuating member 510 defines a top wall 540 of the device 500. In such an embodiment, the top wall 540 is axially movable. The top wall 540 is at a proximal end 501 of the aerosol provision device 500. The aperture 514 is defined in the top wall 540. The top wall 540 acts as an actuating surface.

Movement of the actuating member 510 is arranged to move the cover member 512 between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass into the chamber and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is restricted from being able to pass into the chamber. In the shown embodiment, the cover member 512 is in the open position when the actuating member 510 is in an actuated position. The cover member 512 may be in an open position when the actuating member 510 is in a non-actuated position.

In the relatively open position, the opening 508 is at least partially uncovered. In the relatively closed position, the opening 508 is at least partially covered. A larger portion of the opening 508 is covered in the relatively closed position than in the relatively open position. In the relatively open position, the article is able to be inserted through the opening 508. In the relatively closed position, the article is prevented from being inserted through the opening 508. In embodiments, the opening 508 may be fully uncovered in the relatively open position. In embodiments, the opening 508 may be fully covered in the relatively closed position. The terms open and closed as applied to features of the cover mechanism 300 are herein described in relation to one another.

The top wall 540 is attached to a cover mechanism 520. The cover mechanism 520 comprises a cam arrangement. The cam arrangement comprises an elongate guide surface 521 and a guide element 522 engaged by the elongate guide surface 521. The elongate guide surface 521 is arcuate. The cam arrangement comprises a guide slot 523 defining the elongate guide surface 521. The elongate guide surface 521 extends in a circumferential direction. The guide element 522 is configured to travel along the guide surface 521. The elongate guide surface 521 extends in an axial direction. The guide element 522 is configured to travel within the guide slot 523. The cover mechanism 520 comprises a rotatable element 524 and a fixed element 525. The rotatable element 524 is attached to the cover member 512.

The rotatable element 524 is attached to the top wall 540. The rotatable element 524 rotates relative to the top wall 540 and the device body 502. The rotatable element 524 comprises the guide slot. The fixed element 525 comprises the guide element 522. The rotatable element 524 moves axially with the top wall 540. The fixed element 525 is fixed from rotation or axial motion relative to the device body 502. The guide element 514 may be a protrusion. The actuating member 510 is biased into the non-actuated position. The top wall 540 is biased into the non-actuated position. The non-actuated position of the top wall 540 is flush with the device body 502. In use, a force applied to the top wall 540 in the axial direction causes the top wall 540 to move from a non-actuated position, seen in Figure 17, to an actuated position, seen in Figure 18. The actuated position has the top wall 540 positioned at a predetermined axial distance D within the device body 502. A retention component 515 retains the top wall 540 in the actuated position. The retention component is a releasable latching mechanism 518. The releasable latching mechanism 518 is arranged to retain the actuating member 510 in the actuated position. When the top wall 540 transitions from the non-actuated position to the actuated position, the rotatable element 524 of the cover mechanism 520 moves axially.

The guide element 522 is caused to move along the guide surface 521. The interaction between the guide element 522 and the guide surface 521 causes the rotatable element 524 to rotate relative to the device body 502 and the top wall 540. The rotation of the rotatable element 524 actuates the cover member 512. When the top wall 540 is in the non-actuated position, the cover member 512 covers the opening 508. When the top wall 540 is in the actuated position the cover member 512 does not cover the opening 508. In embodiments, the rotatable element 524 may comprise the guide element 522 and the fixed element 525 may comprise the guide surface 522. In embodiments, the cover member 512 may be a blade. The cover member 512 may comprise two or more blades 516. The actuation mechanism 510 may instead be disposed on an inner side 517 of the device body 502. The top wall 540 may be biased into the non-actuated position by any biasing means, for example a spring or repelling magnets (not shown). The retention component 515 may be a latch or hook.

Some advantages of such an embodiment include that the user can easily actuate the cover member with one hand. The actuation action is also a familiar action. As a result, such an actuation action does not require refined motor skills and would be straightforward to perform, especially for those who have restricted mobility.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention 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 claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device comprising: a body; a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; the body having an opening communicating with the chamber; an actuating member arranged to rotate about the body; and a cover member arranged to pivot about the body; wherein rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to pivot between an open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a closed position in which the opening is fully covered.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 , wherein the cover member is a single cover member.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a surface area of the cover member is greater than a surface area of the opening.

4. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover member is between the actuating member and the body.

5. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuating member comprises an aperture through which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass, and the cover member is received between the aperture and the opening.

6. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover member is arranged to fully overlap the aperture in the closed position.

7. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a cam arrangement arranged to cause the cover member to pivot upon rotation of the actuating member.

8. The aerosol provision device of claim 7, wherein the cam arrangement comprises a guide element and an elongate guide surface arranged to guide the guide element.

9. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuating member is configured to be manually rotated.

10. An aerosol provision device comprising: a body; a chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; the body having an opening communicating with the chamber; an actuating member arranged to rotate about the body; and a single cover member arranged to selectively fully overlap the opening, the single cover member being arranged to pivot on the body upon actuation of the actuating member between a fully overlapped position and an open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening.

11. An aerosol provision device comprising: a body; a chamber in the body arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; the body defining an opening communicating with the chamber; a cover member arranged to move between a relatively open position in which the at least a portion of an article is able to pass through the opening and a relatively closed position in which the at least a portion of an article is prevented from being able to pass through the opening; an actuating member configured to rotate on the body to actuate the cover member; wherein the actuating member comprises a gap through which at least part of the cover member is arranged to be received.

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 11, wherein rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to move between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position.

13. The aerosol provision device of claim 12, wherein rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to translate between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position, optionally wherein the translation is a linear translation.

14. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein rotation of the actuating member relative to the body causes the cover member to pivot between the relatively open position and the relatively closed position.

15. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein at least a portion of the cover member protrudes from the actuating member when in the relatively open position and the cover member is arranged to be retracted from the gap in the relatively closed position.

16. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the actuating member comprises a peripheral wall, the gap being in the peripheral wall.

17. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the gap is an elongate gap extending in a circumferential direction.

18. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the body comprises a housing configured to at least partially receive the cover member in the relatively open position.

19. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the slot is hidden by the body of the device throughout the range of movement of the actuating member.

20. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 19; and an article comprising aerosol-generating material