WO2024017970A1

WO2024017970A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024017970A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/070072
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaoyuan ZHENG; Michael Thomas
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2022-07-21
Filing date: 2023-07-19
Publication date: 2024-01-25

Abstract

This invention provides an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; and a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device, a charging unit and a method of charging an aerosol provision device.

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 by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol provision systems, which cover the aforementioned devices or products, are known. Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation. It is known to use induction heating systems as heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium. An induction heating system generally consists of a magnetic field generating device for generating a varying magnetic field, and a susceptor or heating material which is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to heat the suitable medium.

Conventional aerosol provision devices comprise a cylindrical heating chamber into which a rod shaped consumable is inserted.

It is known to provide an aerosol provision device which is charged by a charging unit and wherein electrical power is supplied by the charging unit to the aerosol provision device in order to charge the aerosol provision device.

It is desired to provide an improved aerosol provision system.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; and a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

According to various embodiments an aerosol provision device and a charging unit are provided wherein the aerosol provision device can be inserted into the charging unit in a self-guiding manner and wherein the aerosol provision device may dock with the charging unit in order to recharge and/or transmit or receive data to/from the charging unit. The aerosol provision device may be inserted into the charging unit in plurality of different orientations but may be caused to dock with the charging unit in a single orientation thereby providing an improved connection with the charging unit.

Optionally, in use, the aerosol provision device may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit in a plurality of different orientations relative to the cavity.

Optionally, the first alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the second alignment feature comprises one or more projections provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

Optionally, the one or more projections comprise one or more tapered projections arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion so that the aerosol provision device is orientated in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

Optionally, the first alignment feature comprises one or more projections provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

Optionally, the second alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in the base portion of the charging unit. Optionally, the first magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets or one or more magnetisable elements.

Optionally, the second magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets or one or more magnetisable elements.

Optionally, the aerosol provision system further comprises one or more electrical and/or data connections provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device and one or more corresponding electrical and/or data connections provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

According to another aspect there is provided an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises an alignment feature and a magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

According to another aspect there is provided a charging unit for charging an aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises an alignment feature for engaging with an alignment feature provided on the aerosol provision device and wherein the base portion further comprises a magnetic retention feature for engaging with a magnetic retention feature provided on the aerosol provision device.

According to another aspect there is provided a method of charging an aerosol provision device comprising: providing an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; providing a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature; and inserting the aerosol provision device into the cavity of the charging unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1A shows an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit according to an embodiment, Fig. 1 B shows a perspective view of a cross-section of the aerosol provision device and charging unit of Fig. 1A taken along line B-B in Fig. 1A, Fig. 1C shows the aerosol provision device of Fig. 1A separate from the charging unit and Fig. 1D shows the charging unit separate from the aerosol provision device;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

Fig. 3 shows the distal end of an aerosol provision device according to an embodiment and shows a recess feature which is intended to engage with a corresponding projection provided in a base portion of the charging unit; and

Fig. 4 shows a lower portion of the charging unit showing a plurality of electrical contacts and a tapered projection which is intended to engage with the recess feature provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed or 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 conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

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 aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

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 aerosolgenerating 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 aerosol-generating 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 aerosolgenerating 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 aerosol-modifying agent. 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 semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

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 particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

In some embodiments, 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 one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol- modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

Non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable aerosol generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry). The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component. However, in other implementations the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.

For completeness, aerosol provision devices comprising an inductive element are known. The aerosol provision device may comprise one or more inductors and a susceptor which is arranged to be heated by the one or more inductors.

A susceptor is a heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically- conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The aerosol provision device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 1A shows an aerosol provision device 100 according to an embodiment shown located within a charging unit 101. Fig. 1B shows a perspective view of a crosssection of the aerosol provision device 100 and charging unit 101 taken along line B-B in Fig. 1A, with the interior components of the aerosol provision device 100 removed for clarity. The aerosol provision device is shown located within an elongate cavity 110 of the charging unit 101. Cavity 110 and aerosol provision device 100 may share a longitudinal axis L-L, as shown in Fig. 1 B.

The charging unit 101 may comprise a power source (indicated generally as 111 in Fig. 1B). The power source 111 may include, for example, a battery (single-use or rechargeable), a rechargeable super capacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery (SSB), a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LiB) or the like, a hermetically sealed battery, a pouch cell battery or some combination thereof.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be left in the charging unit 101 for a predetermined time in order to allow sufficient charging of the aerosol provision device 100. For example, the charging unit 101 may be arranged to charge the aerosol provision device 100 to full charge in a time of < 10 mins, 10-20 mins, 20-30 mins, 30-40 mins, 40-50 mins, 50-60 mins or > 60 mins.

The charging unit 101 and/or the aerosol provision device 100 may optionally have an indicator to give a visual or other representation to the user of the charging level of the aerosol provision device 100. Additionally, there may be a separate indicator to give a visual representation of the charge level of the charging unit 101. The current charge level of the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101 may be determined by control means disposed in the aerosol provision device 100 and/or the charging unit 101.

The visual indicator may comprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, other embodiments are contemplated where the visual indicator may be replaced by an audio indicator (e.g. a speaker) or a haptic indicator.

The aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an outer housing 108 which may have a tubular and/or cylindrical shape, or a substantially tubular and/or cylindrical shape. For instance, Fig. 1C shows the aerosol provision device 100 in isolation, and the outer housing 108 of aerosol provision device 100 is shown as being cylindrical except for: (i) a planar region 113 truncating the cylindrical shape and running longitudinally along the length of the outer housing; and (ii) a bevelled region 114 located at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100. However, other embodiments are envisaged wherein the aerosol provision device 100 may take other desired forms e.g. the aerosol provision device 100 may be boxed shaped. According to an embodiment the outer housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an electrical insulator and may, for example, be formed of polyether ether ketone (“PEEK”).

Fig. 1D shows the charging unit 101 in isolation from the aerosol provision device 100, such that the interior of elongate cavity 110 is partially visible. A base portion 115 of the charging unit 101 is shown at one end of the elongate cavity 110.

As discussed, the aerosol provision device 100 may be substantially rod-like, substantially tubular shaped, or substantially cylindrically shaped. In other examples, the aerosol provision device 100 may also be substantially rectangular, rhomboidal or triangular in cross-section, multifaceted shapes, or the like. It will be appreciated that the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 can be manufactured according to the shape of the aerosol provision device 100 e.g. the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may be correspondingly substantially rod-like, substantially tubular shaped, or substantially cylindrically shaped, substantially rectangular, rhomboidal or triangular in cross-section, multifaceted shapes, or the like.

According to an embodiment the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features and/or one or more magnets for securing the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101, as discussed in more detail below in relation to Figs. 3 and 4.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 in order to recharge the aerosol provision device 100 by receiving electrical power from the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may comprise an internal battery (for instance, power source 111) to provide electrical power to the aerosol provision device 100. The charging unit 101 may also be connected to an external source of electrical power.

The charging unit 101 may comprise a lid or cover 102 which may be slid by a user between an open and closed position. The lid or cover 102 is provided at the entrance to the cavity 110 which is provided within the charging unit 101 and which is configured to receive the aerosol provision device 100.

The aerosol provision device 100 includes an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. According to an embodiment the aerosol provision device 100 comprises a resistive heater for heating an aerosol generating article.

When the lid or cover 102 is in the open position an opening to the cavity 110 is exposed thereby enabling a user to either remove the aerosol provision device 100 from the charging unit 101 (in order to use the aerosol provision device 100) or alternatively to insert the aerosol provision device 100 into the charging unit 101 (in order to charge the aerosol provision device 100).

It will be appreciated that the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may also be open along a lateral side 118 of the charging unit 101, as shown in Fig. 1 D. This lateral opening 118 may correspond to the planar region 113 of the aerosol provision device 100, for instance such that the aerosol provision device is partially visible to a user when inserted into the charging unit. However, the lateral opening 118 may be sized such that a user is unable to or prevented from inserting the aerosol provision device 110 into the charging unit through the lateral opening 118. Accordingly, the lateral opening may be configured to enable a button or user interface 119 of the aerosol provision device 100 to be visible and/or accessible to a user when the aerosol provision device 100 is in the charging unit 101. In some embodiments, the button or user interface 119 of the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured so as to enable orientation of the aerosol provision device 100 as it is being inserted into the charging unit 101 by only enabling the user to fully insert the aerosol provision device 100 if the button or user interface 119 is substantially aligned with the lateral opening 118 of the charging unit 101.

In other embodiments, the cavity 110 is shaped such that the opening exposed when the lid of cover 102 is in the open position is the only opening to the cavity 110.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the aerosol provision device 100 and charging unit 101 above line B-B in Fig. 1A showing the aerosol provision device 100 located or docked within the charging unit 101. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main housing 105 wherein a heating element 104 projects within the main housing 105. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removable cap 106 which may be magnetically retained to the main housing 105.

The removal cap 106 includes a receptacle 120 for receiving a consumable. In use, an aerosol generating article is inserted in the receptacle 120. The receptacle comprises a tubular housing having a base portion 121. The base portion 121 of the receptacle 120 has an aperture and the heating element 104 is arranged to project through the aperture. An aerosol generating article (not shown) may be inserted into the aerosol provision device 100 by inserting the aerosol generating article through an opening in the removable cap 106 and then inserting the aerosol generating article into the receptacle 120 and onto the heating element 104. The heating element 104 may have a blade like profile and in use an aerosol generating article may be forced onto the heating element 104 so that the blade like profile of the heating element 104 inserts into a distal end of the aerosol generating article. The heating element 104 is arranged to internally heat the aerosol generating article.

In some embodiments, the heating element 104 may be a resistive heating element, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured so as to pass an electrical current through one or more resistive heating elements in order to resistively heat the heating element 104.

Alternatively, in some embodiments the heating element 104 may be a susceptor or other heating material which is heatable by penetration by a varying magnetic field. In such embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises one or more magnetic field generators (such as one or more induction coils) to generate the varying magnetic field which penetrates the susceptor or other heating material, thereby heating the heating element.

At the end of a session of use, when an aerosol generating article has been consumed, the removable cap 106 may then be detached from the main housing 105. It will be understood that the process of detaching the removable cap 106 will have the effect that the base portion 121 of the receptacle 120 will contact a bottom face of the aerosol generating article. As the removable cap 106 is withdrawn, then the base portion 121 of the receptacle 120 will contact the distal end of the aerosol generating article and will result in the aerosol generating article being pulled off or otherwise removed from the heating element 104.

Fig. 3 shows the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 shows the corresponding base portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 which is configured to receive the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100.

The cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 may have a securing mechanism to secure the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101. The securing mechanism may, for example, comprise one or more magnets. According to an embodiment, one or more magnets 160 may be disposed in the bottom portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 and one or more magnets 107 may be disposed at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100. The one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may have an opposite polarity to the polarity of the one or more magnets 160 located in the bottom portion of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101 such that when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101, there is an attractive magnetic force that attracts the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 towards the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101.

Other securing mechanisms are contemplated such as e.g. a threaded mechanism at the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the base portion 115 of the cavity of the charging unit 101. According to yet further embodiments the aerosol provision device 100 may make a press-fit engagement or an interference fit engagement with the charging unit 101.

According to an embodiment the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise one or more orientation features 116 and/or one or more magnets 107 for securing the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 to the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101.

Fig. 4 shows more detail the base portion 115 of the cavity 110 of the charging unit 101. A plurality of electrical contacts 121a-d are shown provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101 which facilitate electrical and/or data connection with the aerosol provision device 100. In use, conductive tracks 117a-d may be provided on the aerosol provision device 100 so as to form electrical and/or data connections with the respective contacts 121a-d provided on the charging unit 101. The charging unit 101 may include a battery pack which can be used to charge the aerosol provision device 100 through the formed connections between the one of the conductive tracks 117a-d provided on the aerosol provision device 100 and the one or more contacts 121 provided on the charging unit 101. According to various embodiments the number of conductive tracks 117a-d provided on the aerosol provision device 100 may correspond to the number of electrical contacts 121a-d provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101. One or more of the contacts may be utilised to facilitate power transfer, one or more of the contacts may be utilised to facilitate grounding and one or more of the contacts may be utilised to facilitate data transfer. For instance, in the embodiment shown, conductive track 117a and corresponding electrical contact 121a may facilitate power transfer, conductive track 117b and corresponding electrical contact 121b may facilitate grounding, whereas conductive tracks 117c-d and respective corresponding electrical contacts 121 c-d may facilitate data transfer. Although four conductive tracks 117a-d and corresponding electrical contacts 121a-121d are shown, it will be appreciated that the number may be less than four, or greater than four.

An orientation feature 140 and one or more magnets 160 may be provided in the base portion 115 of the charging unit 101 and these may be arranged to engage with a complementary orientation feature 116 and one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100.

The orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 may be recessed into the outer housing 108 of the aerosol provision device 100, whilst the corresponding orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 may comprise a protrusion, which may correspond to the volume of the indentation of orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100. As a result, the aerosol provision device 100 may be arranged so that it can only dock to the charging unit 101 in a single orientation in order to ensure that the one or more conductive tracks 117a-b provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 connect with the correct corresponding contacts 121 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101. In other examples, the orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100 may instead comprise a protrusion and the orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 may comprise a recess. The one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 may have an opposite polarity to the polarity of the one or more magnets 160 located in the base portion of the charging unit 101, such that when the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the cavity of the charging unit 101, there is an attractive magnetic force that attracts the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 towards the base portion of the charging unit 101.

The magnetic attractive force causes the orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 to connect to one another or dock together in a self-guiding manner.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to connect to the charging unit 101 via the conductive tracks 117a-d provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the contacts 121a-d provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101 in a self-guiding manner, once the user places the aerosol provision device 100 within the cavity of the charging unit 101.

The orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape at the end of the orientation feature furthest away from the base portion 115.

It will be understood that, when inserted by a user into the charging unit 101, the aerosol provision device 100 may rotate about the longitudinal axis of the cavity 110 (e.g. about line L-L shown in Fig. 1 B). For instance, the shape of the aerosol provision device 100 and cavity 110 may be such that the aerosol provision device 100 is able to freely rotate to a certain degree within the cavity 110 without being prevented by the corresponding shape of the cavity 110. This might otherwise result in the conductive tracks 117a-d of the aerosol provision device 100 not connecting with the contacts 121a- d of the charging unit, or only connecting in a sub-optimal manner (e.g. so as to reduce the magnitude or quality of power or data transfer therebetween).

Accordingly, the orientation feature 116 provided on the distal end 103 of the aerosol provision device 100 and the orientation feature 140 provided in the base portion of the charging unit 101, together with the one or more magnets 107 provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device 100 and the one or more magnets 160 located in the base portion of the charging unit 101, act to guide the aerosol provision device 100 into the correct orientation for docking with the charging unit 101 as the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101. In particular, the tapered or sloped surfaces of the trapezoidal shape of the orientation feature 140 of the charging unit 101 will engage and cooperate with the corresponding tapered or slopped receiving surfaces of the orientation feature 116 of the aerosol provision device 100 even when the centre points 151,152 of the orientation features 140,116 are not perfectly aligned, thereby enabling the aerosol provision device

100 to dock with the charging unit 101 in a self-guiding manner.

In embodiments, the protrusion of orientation feature 140 may have a shape other than trapezoidal, such as a triangle, or any shape with one or more chamfers or sloping edges. As will be understood, an orientation feature with sloping sides extending over a larger segment of circumference around base portion 115 will enable self-guiding over a wider range of misalignment angle between the aerosol provision device and charging unit.

Although the orientation features 116, 140 of Figs. 3 and 4 are shown for providing rotational self-guidance, the sloping sides may be provided in particular directions (other than radially around the base portion) so as to provide lateral selfguidance of the aerosol provision device 100 docking with the charging unit 101. For instance the protrusion of orientation feature 140 have a cross arrowhead shape to provide lateral self-guidance in orthogonal directions.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision device 100 and the charging unit

101 may comprise one or more corresponding pairs of orientation features.

In some embodiments, the cavity of the charging unit 101 and the aerosol provision device 100 may also include corresponding grooves e.g. grooves on the internal surface of the cavity and grooves on the outer surface of the aerosol provision device 100 to further ensure self-guiding occurs.

The magnetic force between the two opposing magnets 107,160 may be sufficient to ensure that the aerosol provision device 100 docks to the charging unit 101 in order to facilitate power/data transfer without the connection being interrupted e.g. by knocking, vibration or the like.

It will be appreciated therefore that according to various embodiments an improved aerosol provision system is provided which enables an aerosol provision device to be docked to a charging unit in a self-guided manner.

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 system comprising: an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; and a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature.

2. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in use, the aerosol provision device may be inserted into the cavity of the charging unit in a plurality of different orientations relative to the cavity.

3. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

4. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second alignment feature comprises one or more projections provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

5. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one or more projections comprise one or more tapered projections arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion so that the aerosol provision device is orientated in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

6. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first alignment feature comprises one or more projections provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

7. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more projections comprise one or more tapered projections arranged to guide the aerosol provision device onto the base portion so that the aerosol provision device is orientated in a single orientation relative to the cavity.

8. An aerosol provision system as claimed in claim 1, 2, 6 or 7, wherein the second alignment feature comprises one or more recesses provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

9. An aerosol provision system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets or one or more magnetisable elements.

10. An aerosol provision system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second magnetic retention feature comprises one or more permanent magnets, one or more electromagnets or one or more magnetisable elements.

11. An aerosol provision system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising one or more electrical and/or data connections provided in the distal end of the aerosol provision device and one or more corresponding electrical and/or data connections provided in the base portion of the charging unit.

12. An aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises an alignment feature and a magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device.

13. A charging unit for charging an aerosol provision device, the charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises an alignment feature for engaging with an alignment feature provided on the aerosol provision device and wherein the base portion further comprises a magnetic retention feature for engaging with a magnetic retention feature provided on the aerosol provision device.

14. A method of charging an aerosol provision device comprising: providing an aerosol provision device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a first alignment feature and a first magnetic retention feature provided on the distal end of the aerosol provision device; providing a charging unit comprising a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device, wherein the charging cavity comprises a base portion, wherein the base portion comprises a second alignment feature for engaging with the first alignment feature and wherein the base portion further comprises a second magnetic retention feature for engaging with the first magnetic retention feature; and inserting the aerosol provision device into the cavity of the charging unit.