WO2024084074A1

WO2024084074A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024084074A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/079353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richardson John
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2022-10-21
Filing date: 2023-10-20
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: GB202215598D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (102) for generating an aerosol from an article (106) comprising an aerosol-generating material, in which the device comprises a device body (109) defining an end, and a heating element (114) projecting from the end of the device body to define an axis, the heating element comprising at least one heating surface (116) which is moveable relative to the device body in a direction away from the axis, the heating element configured to be received within a consumable so that the at least one heating surface is moveable into contact with an inner surface of the consumable.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol generating article. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

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

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosolgenerating material, the device comprising a device body defining an end, and a heating element projecting from the end of the device body to define an axis, the heating element comprising at least one heating surface which is moveable relative to the device body in a direction away from the axis, the heating element configured to be received within a consumable so that the at least one heating surface is moveable into contact with an inner surface of the consumable.

In a further embodiment of the above, the at least one heating surface of the heating element comprises first and second heating surfaces, the first and second heating surfaces moveable in different directions away from the axis. In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first and second heating surfaces are positioned on opposed sides of the axis, and are moveable in opposed directions away from each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one heating surface of the heating element comprises a single, contiguous surface, the heating surface moveable circumferentially and away relative to the axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one heating surface is moveable in translation relative to the device body.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one heating surface is moveable in rotation relative to the device body.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the at least one heating surface is non-planar.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the heater is an exposed heater not surrounded by any other part of the device around the axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the heating surface is moveable in response to a mechanism configured to be actuated by a user.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the heating surface is moveable in response to a mechanism configured to be actuated by the device in response to an article being received on the device.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the heating element comprises a plurality of heating zones which are heatable independently from each other.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of the above, and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material and a cavity defined by an inner surface, the heating element received within the cavity and moveable into and out of contact with the inner surface.

In a further embodiment of the above, the article comprises one or more conduits forming part of a flow path through the system.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the article comprises an aerosol generating material comprising binder, aerosol former and filler. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is a method of using the aerosol provision system of any of the above, the method comprising positioning the article onto the device, and moving the heating element to bring the at least one heating surface into contact with the inner surface of the article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of an aerosol generating system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

Figures 2a to 2c show steps of positioning an aerosol generating article on an aerosol generating device to form the aerosol generating system of Figure 1.

Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view of a first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line A-A of Figure 2a.

Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line B-B of Figure 2b.

Figure 3c shows a cross-sectional view of the first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line C-C of Figure 2c.

Figure 4a shows a cross-sectional view of a second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line A-A of Figure 2a.

Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line B-B of Figure 2b.

Figure 4c shows a cross-sectional view of the second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line C-C of Figure 2c. 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 any 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, nontobacco, 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 aerosolgenerating 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. Apparatus is known that heats aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as an “aerosol generating device”, an “aerosol provision device”, a “heat-not-burn device”, a “tobacco heating product device” or a “tobacco heating device” or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporise an aerosol generating material in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating material may be in the form of or be provided as part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like which can be inserted into the apparatus. A heater for heating and volatilising the aerosol generating material may be provided as a “permanent” part of the apparatus.

An aerosol generating 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 example of an aerosol-generating system 100. The system 100 includes an aerosol-generating device 102 for generating aerosol from a removable aerosol-generating article 106, and the removable aerosol-generating article 106, which includes an aerosol-generating material. The device 102 can be used to heat the article 106, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable material which can be inhaled by a user of the device 102.

The device 102 includes a housing 108 which surrounds and houses various components of the device 102. The housing 108 is elongate. The housing 108 defines a body 109 of the device 102.

A heating element or heater 114 extends from the body 109 and the housing 108 and is configured to be received within the aerosol-generating article 106. The heater 114 is received within an elongate core 118 of the aerosol-generating article 106. The device 102 defines a longitudinal axis 104, along which the aerosol- generating-article 106 may extend when positioned over the heater 114. The heater 114 is aligned on the longitudinal axis 104.

The heater 114 may include various components to heat the aerosolgenerating material of the aerosol-generating article 106 via an inductive heating process or a resistive heating process, for example.

Resistive heating utilises the Joule heating effect arising from the electrical resistance of a material in response to application of a current directly therethrough.

Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor.

The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

The susceptor, if present, may be included in the heater 114, for example positioned on an outer surface 116 of the heater 114, or forming a core of the heater 114, which may be surrounded by one or more layers or coatings of materials not heatable by induction. In other examples, the susceptor may be positioned within the device 102 to generate heat in the heater 114 in another manner. In one embodiment, the heater 114 may comprise a plurality of heating sections or zones. The heating zones may be arranged along the axis 104, either separated from one another in the axial direction or adjacent to one another in the axial direction. The heating zones may be independently heatable in that the temperature of each of the heating sections may be adjusted separately to the other heating sections.

The device 102 may include a user-operable control element, such as a button or switch 126, which operates the device 102 when operated, e.g. pressed. For example, a user may activate the device 102 by pressing the switch 126.

The end of the heater 114 distal from the device housing 108 may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 110 of the device 102 because, in use, it is closest to the mouth of the user. In use, a user places an aerosol-generating article 106 over the heater 114, operates the user control to begin heating the aerosolgenerating material in the aerosol-generating article 106 and draws on the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating article 106. This causes the aerosol to flow through the aerosol-generating article 106 along one or more flow paths 124 towards the proximal end 110 of the device 102.

The end of the device housing 108 distal from the heater 114 may be known as the distal end 112 of the device 102 because, in use, it is the end furthest away from the mouth of the user. As a user draws on the aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows in a direction towards the proximal end of the device 102. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 102 will be described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in a proximal-distal direction along the axis 104.

The device 102 may further include a controller (control circuit), and a power source housed within the device housing 108. The heater 114 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article 106 when positioned over the heater 114, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosolgenerating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the heater 114, and the heater 114 converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material.

The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

The power source may be electrically coupled to the heater 114 to supply electrical power when required and, under control of the controller, to heat the aerosol- generating material of the aerosol-generating article 106. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the heater 114 based on a user operating the control element. For example, the controller may activate the heater 114 in response to a user operating the switch 126.

In the present example, the article 106 is generally cylindrical with a generally cylindrical elongate core 118, and the heater 114 is correspondingly generally cylindrical in shape. However, other shapes may also be suitable.

The aerosol-generating article 106 may comprise one or more conduits 122 that form part of the flow path 124. In use, the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 106 may be positioned in proximity or engagement with a base (or distal end) of the heater 114. Air may pass through the one or more conduits 122 forming part of the flow path 124, into the aerosol-generating article 106, and flow through the article 106 towards the proximal end of the device 102.

Undesirably, condensates of the aerosol can collect within the flow path 124 during said use of the system 100. Forming the flow path 124 within the article 106 may therefore be advantageous, as replacing the article 106 also removes any such condensates from the system 100 without requiring other cleaning of the device 102. The article 106 with condensates may then, for example, be disposed of, while the device 102 may continue to be used with another article.

In the above-described system 100 in which the heater 114 of the device 102 is received within the article 106, it may be beneficial to provide features which aid the user in properly positioning the article 106 on the device 102 for use. Positioning the article 106 on the device 102 such that the heater 114 forms a close contact with an inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118 of the article 106 can allow more even and consistent heating of the aerosol generating material in the article 106, particularly when a plurality of heating zones are used in the heater 114. As such, it may be beneficial for the user to be able to easily and reliably locate the article 106 on the heater 114 such that a close contact is achieved. It may also be advantageous to reduce the potential for the user to damage the article 106 when positioning on the device 102. For example, where the article 106 comprises conduits 122 for forming a flow path 124, an outer surface of the article 106 may be vulnerable to damage by the user during positioning of the article 106.

The device 102 comprises an expandable or moving heater 114, moveable relative to the device body 109 in order to improve the ease of positioning the article 106 onto the device 102, and to create a close contact between the heater 114 and the article 106.

Figs. 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c show steps of positioning or locating the article 106 onto the device 102 in a first example embodiment. The article 106 is positioned on the device 102 so that the heater 114 is received within the article, and the heater 114 is moved into contact with the article 106.

Figs. 2a and 3a show the article 106 and the device 102 before a first step of initial positioning of the article 106 on the device 102 by a user. Before the article 106 is initially positioned on the device 102, the heater 114 is exposed. That is, most or substantially all of the heater 114 is not surrounded by any other part of the device 102 or article 106 in the directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104 of the device 102.

As best seen in Fig. 3a, the heater 114 of the first example embodiment comprises first and second heater sections 114a, 114b arranged around the longitudinal axis 104. Each of the first and second heater sections 114a, 114b extends from the device at the housing 108 towards the proximal end 110. Each of the first and second heater sections 114a, 114b defines a respective portion of the outer surface 116 of the heater 114; the first heater section 114a comprises a first outer surface portion 116a, and the second heater section 114b comprises a second outer surface portion 116b.

One or both of the outer surface portions 116a, 116b may be non-planar. That is, one or both of the outer surface portions 116a, 116b may comprise curved surfaces rather than flat surfaces. For example, when viewed in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, the surfaces 116a, 116b may comprise a curved profile rather than a straight line profile. In the first step of initial positioning, the heater 114 is in a first, contracted state or first mode. In the contracted state, the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b each define first distances from the longitudinal axis 104. The distances are in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104. In the example shown, a gap exists between the first and second heater sections 114a, 114b in the contracted state of the heater 114; in other examples, may be substantially no gap between the first and second heater sections 114a, 114b in the contracted state of the heater 114.

In the first step of initial positioning, the article 106 is moved generally along the longitudinal axis 104 in a direction from the proximal end 110 towards the distal end 112, as shown at arrow 128, such that the heater 114 is received within the elongate core 118.

In the contracted state, the heater 114 comprises a cross-sectional shape which is smaller than a cross-sectional shape of the elongate core 118 of the article 106. The heater 114 in the contracted state can be received within the elongate core 118 of the article 106 while maintaining a clearance between the heater 108 and the article 106. The presence of a clearance between the heater 108 and the article 106 can improve the ease of positioning the article 106 onto the device 102 by the user.

Figs. 2b and 3b show the article 106 and the device 102 after the first step of initial positioning. In the example shown, the article 106 abuts against a portion of the housing 108 of the device 102. The article 106 is positioned on the device 102 to surround the heater 114, which is in the contracted state.

In the contracted state, the heater 114 defines a clearance, or empty space, between the outer surface 116 of the heater 114 and the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118. In the example shown, the article 106 is positionable onto the heater 114 such that a clearance extends entirely around the heater 114 in a direction about the longitudinal axis 102.

In the first example embodiment, each of the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b are separated from the inner surface 120 of the elongated core 118 to form the clearance.

Once the article 106 is initially positioned on the device 102, a second step of positioning can be carried out by the user to bring the heater 114 into closer contact with the article 106. The heater 114 is moved within the article 106 from the first, contracted, state to a second, expanded, state, or second mode, as shown at arrows 130 and 132. In the expanded state, the outer surface 116 of the heater contacts the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118.

In the first example embodiment, the heater 114 may be moved into the expanded state by moving the first and second heater sections 114a, 114b. The first and second heater sections 114a, 114b are both moved such that each of the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b is moved in a direction away from the longitudinal axis.

Figs. 2c and 3c show the article 106 and the device 102 after the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102. The moving of the heater 114 to the expanded state reduces or eliminates the previously-present clearance between the outer surface 116 of the heater 114 and the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118. The outer surface 116 may contact the inner surface 120 around substantially all of a cross-sectional perimeter or circumference of the heater 114, for example around 90% or greater of the cross-section of the heater 114.

After the second step of positioning, the heater 114 is in the expanded state and, the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b each define second distances from the longitudinal axis which are greater than the respective first distances from the longitudinal axis in the contracted state. By moving the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b away from the longitudinal axis, the first and second outer surface portions 116a, 116b are each brought into contact with the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118.

While in the arrangement of Figs. 3a to 3c, the heater sections 114a, 114b are each moveable, an arrangement is also envisaged in which only one of the heater sections 114a, 114b is moveable so as to move the respective one of the outer surface portions 116a, 116b away from the longitudinal axis 104.

By positioning the article 106 onto the device 102 in a contracted state of the heater 114, the ease of positioning the article 106 for the user can be improved. Additionally, there may be a reduced chance of the user damaging the article 106 due to the reduced size of the heater 114 relative to the elongate core 118 of the article, and the resulting clearance which can be maintained between the two. By moving the heater 114 from the contracted state to the expanded state, the outer surface 116 of the heater 114 can be brought into close contact with the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118, allowing for even and consistent heating of the article 106 by the heater 114.

After the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102, the system 100 may be used to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user as described above.

The heater sections 114a, 114b, and correspondingly the heating surfaces 116a, 116b, of the depicted embodiment move relative to the device body 109 in translation relative to the device body; that is, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, the heating sections 114a, 114b are moveable so that every part of the heating sections 114a, 114b moves relative to the device body 109. The heating sections 114a, 114b may translate by sliding relative to the device body 109. In other embodiments (not shown), the movement of the heating sections 114a, 114b, and correspondingly of the heating surfaces 116a, 116b, may additionally or alternatively comprise rotating the heating sections 114a, 114b relative to the device body 109; that is, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, heating sections 114a, 114b may be moveable such that only some parts of the heating sections 114a, 114b move relative to the device body 109. The heating sections 114a, 114b may rotate by pivoting relative to the device body 109.

The heater 114 is reversibly moveable between the expanded and contracted states. As such, the user may subsequently remove the article 106 from the device 102, for example after using the system 100 to generate an aerosol. Removing the article 106 from the device 102 may follow substantially the reverse of the steps of positioning the article 106 into the device 102.

Figs. 4a to 4c, with continued reference to Figs. 2a to 2c, show steps of positioning or locating the article 106 onto the device 102 in a second example embodiment. Figs. 2a and 4a show the article 106 and the device 102 before a first step of initial positioning of the article 106 on the device 102 by a user. Figs. 2b and 4b show the article 106 and the device 102 after the first step of initial positioning. Figs. 2c and 4c show the article 106 and the device 102 after the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102. The device 102 and article 106 of the second embodiment are similar to those described above in relation to the first embodiment, except in that the heater 114 comprises a single, contiguous section 114c defining a single, contiguous outer surface 116c.

As shown in Fig. 4a, the heater 114 is in the first, contracted, state during initial positioning of the article 106 onto the device 102. In the contracted state of the heater, the single outer surface 116c defines a first distance from the longitudinal axis 104. The distance is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 104. The single outer surface portion 116c is separated from the inner surface 120 of the elongated core 118 to form the clearance.

The heater 114 may then be moved in the second step of positioning into the second, expanded, state by moving the single heater section 114c. The heater section 114c is moved such that the single outer surface 116c is moved in a direction away from the longitudinal axis. In the expanded state of the heater 114, the single outer surface portion 116c defines a second distance from the longitudinal axis, which is greater than the first distance from the longitudinal axis in the contracted state. By moving the single outer surface portion 116c away from the longitudinal axis, the single outer surface portion 116c is brought into contact with the inner surface 120 of the elongate core 118.

The heating surface 116c may be non-planar. That is, the heating surface 116c may comprise a curved surface rather than a flat surface. For example, when viewed in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, the surface 116c may comprise a curved profile rather than a straight line profile.

Although two example embodiments have been shown, it should be understood that the device may comprise a heater with other numbers and/or shapes of heater section or sections and outer surface portion or portions, such that at least one of the outer surface portions are moveable away from the longitudinal axis to bring the outer surface of the heater into contact with an inner surface 120 of the article 106.

The heater 114 and the article 102 may comprise a substantially constant cross sectional size and/or shape along the axis 104 from the device body 109 across the majority (50% or greater) of their full axial extents towards the proximal end 110 of the device 102, as in the depicted embodiments. For example, the cross sectional size and/or shape of either of the heater 114 and the article 102 may be constant across 90% of their full axial extents.

The heater 114 may be moveable in the manners described herein across the majority (50% or greater) of the full axial extent, for example 90% or greater of the full axial extent. The remaining portion of the heater may be stationary, or substantially not moveable relative to the device body 109.

In each of the arrangements, the heater 114 may be mechanically moveable between the contracted state and the expanded state. That is, the device 102 may comprise a mechanism which may be actuated or triggered to cause the movement of the outer surface 116 of the heater 114 to move between the contracted state and the expanded state. Sections of the heater 114 may be translateable along tracks in response to triggering of the mechanism, such that the outer surface 116 moves directly away from the longitudinal axis as in the arrangement of Figs. 3a to 3c, or such that the outer surface moves in a rotational direction around and away from the longitudinal axis as in the arrangement of Figs. 4a to 4c.

The heater 114 may be manually mechanically moveable by the user, for example by comprising a manual trigger such as a switch, button or lever which triggers the mechanism for moving the heater 114 between the contracted and expanded state. The manual trigger may instead comprise an electronic signal from the device 102, triggered by the user, which activates the mechanism.

The heater 114 may, alternatively, be automatically mechanically moveable in response to the first step of initially positioning the article 106 on the device 102. For example, the positioning of the article may contact a feature of the device 102 which triggers movement of the heater. Alternatively, features of the device may detect the presence of the article and generate a signal to trigger the mechanism for moving the heater.

Any of the above-described devices may additionally comprise a locking feature or features which are configured to selectively fix or lock the article 106 axially in place on the heater 114 in particular conditions. Such locking features may be advantageous for preventing removal of the article 106 by the user in certain conditions, such as when the heater 114 is increasing in temperature or is above a particular temperature, in order to improve safety. The locking feature may comprise one or more protrusions extending radially outwards from the moveable outer surface or surfaces of heater, the protrusions engaging with the article 106 when the heater 114 is in the expanded state. Alternatively, the protrusion may be a separately-moveable part of the heater 114 which is moveable radially outwards independently of expansion or contraction of the heater in order to engage with the article 106.

Alternatively, the locking feature may comprise a frictional engagement between the outer surface or surfaces and the inner surface 120 of the article 106 which substantially prevents axial movement of the article 106 when the heater 114 is in the expanded state.

The engagement of the locking features with the article may be controlled in response to a state of the device 102. In one example, the heater 114 and/or the locking features may be held in engagement with the article 106 in response to a manual mechanical locking mechanism in the device 102 which prevents disengagement of the heater 114 or locking features while the mechanism is activated. In another example, the heater 114 and/or the locking features may be held in engagement with the article 106 automatically in response to an electronic or temperature state of the device 102 or heater 114, such that the locking feature is automatically engaged when the heater 114 is in the process of heating and/or is above a particular temperature.

The above embodiments are illustrative examples of the invention, and further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device (102) for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the device (102) comprising: a device body (109) defining an end; and a heating element (114) projecting from the end of the device body (109) to define an axis (104), the heating element (114) comprising at least one heating surface (116) which is moveable relative to the device body (109) in a direction away from the axis (104), the heating element (114) configured to be received within a consumable so that the at least one heating surface (116) is moveable into contact with an inner surface of the consumable.

2. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating surface of the heating element (114) comprises first and second heating surfaces (116a, 116b), the first and second heating surfaces (116a, 116b) moveable in different directions away from the axis (104).

3. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 2, wherein the first and second heating surfaces (116a, 116b) are positioned on opposed sides of the axis (104), and are moveable in opposed directions away from each other.

4. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 1, wherein the at least one heating surface of the heating element (114) comprises a single, contiguous surface (116c), the heating surface (116c) moveable circumferentially and away relative to the axis (104).

5. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one heating surface (116) is moveable in translation relative to the device body (109).

6. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one heating surface (116) is moveable in rotation relative to the device body (109).

7. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one heating surface (116) is non-planar.

8. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heater (114) is an exposed heater not surrounded by any other part of the device (102) around the axis (104)

9. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating surface is moveable in response to a mechanism configured to be actuated by a user.

10. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the heating surface is moveable in response to a mechanism configured to be actuated by the device in response to an article being received on the device (102).

11. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heating element (114) comprises a plurality of heating zones which are heatable independently from each other.

12. An aerosol provision system (100) comprising: the aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 11; and an article (106) comprising an aerosol-generating material and a cavity (118) defined by an inner surface (120), the heating element (114) received within the cavity (118) and moveable into and out of contact with the inner surface (120).

13. The aerosol provision system (100) of claim 12, wherein the article (106) comprises one or more conduits (122) forming part of a flow path (124) through the system (100).

14. The aerosol provision system (100) of any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the article (106) comprises an aerosol generating material comprising binder, aerosol former and filler.

15. A method of using the aerosol provision system of any one of claims 12 to

14, the method comprising: positioning the article (106) onto the device (102); and moving the heating element (114) to bring the at least one heating surface (116) into contact with the inner surface (120) of the article (106).