Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/44—Wicks
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
  • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
  • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
  • A24F40/46—Shape or structure of electric heating means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
  • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
  • H01R13/2464—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the contact point
  • H01R13/2471—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the contact point pin shaped

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, which may include nicotine delivery systems, and components therefor.
• a second aspect provides a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge comprising an aerosol generator having an electrically conductive surface for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material by resistance heating in use, the cartridge comprising an electrically conductive element for connecting the conductive surface to a power supply, wherein the conductive element comprises a neck and a head, the head for contacting the conductive surface of the aerosol generator.
• a third aspect provides a method for assembling an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol generator having an electrically conductive surface for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material by resistance heating in use, the method comprising:
• a fourth aspect provides an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol generator having an electrically conductive surface for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material by resistance heating in use, the system comprising an electrically conductive element for connecting the conductive surface to a power supply, wherein the conductive surface has a non-planar (e.g. variable thickness) surface profile and at least a portion of the conductive element is shaped to substantially complement at least a portion of the non-planar surface profile.
• a non-planar e.g. variable thickness
• a sixth aspect provides a method for assembling an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol generator having an electrically conductive surface for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material by resistance heating in use, wherein the conductive surface has a non-planar (e.g. variable thickness) surface profile, the method comprising:
• the head is at an axial end of the conductive element, akin to the anatomy of a human body.
• the neck is narrower than the head around a full perimeter of the head (or neck). In some examples, the neck is narrower than the head around the full perimeter of the head (or neck) by a constant amount.
• the head comprises a face for contacting the conductive surface, wherein the face is shaped to contact the conductive surface of the aerosol generator at least at a central portion of the face.
• the head is at least partially curved for contacting the conductive surface.
• the head and/or the neck has a substantially cylindrical shape.
• the face is substantially concave or convex in multiple perpendicular axes.
• the head is domed or substantially spherical (which may equate to being substantially concave or convex in multiple perpendicular axes).
• the neck of the conductive element is shaped to be spaced from the aerosol generator. In some examples, the neck of the conductive element is shaped to provide a gap between the conductive element and the conductive surface of the aerosol generator. In other words, the neck of the conductive element may be configured to be spaced from the conductive surface of the aerosol generator.
• the conductive element comprises a chamfered edge at an axial end of the head that is adjacent to the neck. In some examples, the conductive element comprises a chamfered edge at an axial end of the head that is distal from the neck.
• the conductive element has a length along a longitudinal axis of the neck and the head.
• the longitudinal axis is:
• the head extends towards the conductive surface substantially parallel to the thickness axis of the conductive surface. In some examples, the head extends towards the conductive surface substantially perpendicular to a direction of airflow past the conductive surface in use.
• the head comprises a face for contacting the conductive surface of the aerosol generator, the face having a curvature about the longitudinal axis of the conductive element.
• the conductive surface has a variable thickness surface profile and at least a portion of the head is shaped to substantially complement at least a portion of the surface profile.
• the head comprises a face for contacting the conductive surface and the face is shaped to substantially complement the non-planar or variable thickness surface profile, optionally at least at a central portion of the face.
• the face is shaped to substantially complement the non-planar or variable thickness surface profile substantially along at least one axis, optionally substantially along multiple perpendicular axes.
• the conductive surface is thicker in an outer portion relative to an inner or central portion.
• the conductive surface comprises a substantially concave or convex surface profile. In some examples, the conductive surface comprises both a substantially concave profile and a substantially convex profile. In some examples, the conductive surface profile varies along both a first axis and a second, perpendicular axis.
• the conductive element comprises a body extending axially away from the neck.
• the conductive element may comprise in sequence along its length: a body, the neck, the head.
• the body is wider than the neck, optionally the body is wider than the neck around a full perimeter of the neck (or body).
• the body is wider than the head, optionally the body is wider than the head around a full perimeter of the head (or body).
• the aerosol delivery system comprises a conductive element support configured to support at least the head of the conductive element.
• the conductive element support comprises a buttress.
• the support extends between the protrusion or recess on the conductive element and the head of the conductive element.
• the aerosol delivery system comprises an aerosol generator support having a recess receiving the aerosol generator. In some examples, at least a part of the aerosol generator support extends towards the neck.
• the aerosol delivery system provides an interference fit for the conductive element between the conductive element support and the conductive surface of the aerosol generator.
• the conductive element is a unitary conductive element.
• the conductive element comprises brass, optionally comprising nickel, silver and/or gold plating.
• the aerosol generator comprises a ceramic body.
• the conductive surface comprises a trace, thin-film or etched conductive surface.
• the aerosol delivery system comprises a pair of conductive elements spaced either side of an air inlet or airflow pathway to the aerosol generator. In some examples, the aerosol delivery system comprises a pair of the conductive elements configured to connect terminals on opposing sides or outer portions of the conductive surface to respective positive and negative terminals of a power supply.
• the conductive surface is configured to provide a heating zone between the positive and negative terminals in use.
• the conductive surface is adjacent to an airflow path from an air inlet to an aerosol outlet. In some examples, the conductive surface is directly exposed to airflow in the airflow pathway. In some examples, the conductive surface extends into the airflow pathway. In some examples, the conductive surface is downstream of the air inlet.
• an aerosol outlet of the aerosol delivery system is at least partially axially aligned with an air inlet of the aerosol delivery system, to provide a substantially straight flow path from the inlet to the outlet.
• the aerosol delivery system is or comprises a cartridge for aerosol-generating material.
• the aerosol delivery system further comprises:
• the claimed invention may generally provide a sub-assembly or sub-system suitable for use in an aerosol delivery system, or configured for use in an aerosol delivery system.
• the sub-system may generally form part of an aerosol delivery system and in particular may form part of the reusable device and/or the consumable cartridge of a two-part system.
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol delivery system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure, providing an introduction to two-part aerosol delivery systems, the components therein and their functionality.
• the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises two main parts, a reusable part 2 and a replaceable / disposable consumable cartridge part 4.
• the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 are releasably coupled together at an interface 6.
• the cartridge part 4 may be removed from the reusable part 2 and a replacement cartridge part 4 attached to the reusable part 2 in its place.
• the interface 6 may provide a structural, electrical and airflow path connection between the two parts 2, 4 and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, e.g. based around a screw thread, magnetic or bayonet fixing with electrical contacts and openings for the electrical connection and airflow path between the two parts 2, 4 as appropriate.
• the cartridge / consumable part 4 may, in certain embodiments, be broadly conventional.
• the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 formed of a plastics material.
• the cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge part 4 and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the reusable part 2.
• the cartridge housing 42 is generally circularly symmetrical about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part 4 couples to the reusable part 2.
• the cartridge part 4 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1.5 cm.
• the specific dimensions, geometry, overall shapes and materials used may vary.
• the reservoir 44 stores a supply of liquid aerosol generating material and the liquid reservoir 44 has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defines an airflow path 52 through the cartridge part 4.
• the reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the aerosol generating material.
• the reservoir 44 may be formed conventionally, e.g. comprising a plastics material and/or integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.
• the cartridge / consumable part 4 further comprises an aerosol generator 48 located towards an end of the reservoir 44, opposite to a mouthpiece outlet 50.
• the aerosol generator 48 may be in either of the reusable part 2 or the cartridge part 4.
• the aerosol generator 48 e.g. a heater, which may be in the form of a wick and coil arrangement as shown, a distiller, which may be formed from a sintered metal fibre material or other porous conducting material, or any suitable alternative aerosol generator
• the cartridge part 4 may comprise a portion of aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generator 48 is at least partially inserted into or at least partially surrounds the portion of aerosol generating material as the cartridge part 4 is engaged with the reusable part 2.
• a wick 46 in contact with the aerosol generator 48 extends transversely across the cartridge airflow path 52 with its ends extending into the reservoir 44 of the liquid aerosol generating material through openings in the inner wall.
• the openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 44 are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 46 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the reservoir 44 into the cartridge airflow path, without unduly compressing the wick 46, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance.
• electrical power may be supplied to the aerosol generator 48 using one or more conductive elements 100 (shown but not detailed in figure 1 ), to vaporise an amount of aerosol generating material drawn to the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 by the wick 46. Vaporised aerosol generating material may then become entrained in air drawn along the cartridge airflow path from the vaporisation region towards the mouthpiece outlet 50 for user inhalation.
• the rate at which aerosol generating material is vaporised by the aerosol generator 48 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the aerosol generator 48.
• electrical power can be applied to the aerosol generator 48 to selectively generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the cartridge part 4, and furthermore, the rate of aerosol generation can be changed by changing the amount of power supplied to the aerosol generator 48, for example through pulse width and/or frequency modulation techniques.
• the reusable part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 having with an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the e-cigarette, a power source 26 (e.g. a battery) for providing operating power for the electronic cigarette, control circuitry / controller 22 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the electronic cigarette, a first user input button 14, a second user input button 16, and a visual display 24.
• the outer housing 12 may be formed, e.g. from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge part 4, to provide a smooth transition between the two parts 2, 4 at the interface 6.
• the reusable part 2 has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the e-cigarette when the cartridge part 4 and the reusable part 2 are coupled together is around 12 cm.
• the air inlet 28 connects to an airflow path 51 through the reusable part 2.
• the reusable part airflow path 51 in turn connects to the cartridge airflow path 52 across the interface 6 when the reusable part 2 and cartridge part 4 are connected together.
• air is drawn in through the air inlet 28, along the reusable part airflow path 51, across the interface 6, through the aerosol generation area in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 (where vaporised aerosol generating material becomes entrained in the air flow), along the cartridge airflow path 52, and out through the mouthpiece opening 50 for user inhalation.
• the power source 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be a conventional type, e.g. of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods.
• the power source 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, for example a USB connector.
• first and/or second user input buttons 14, 16 may be provided, which in this example are conventional mechanical buttons, e.g. comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact.
• the input buttons may be input devices for detecting user input and the manner in which the buttons are implemented is not significant.
• the buttons may be assigned functions such as switching the system 1 on and off, and/or adjusting user settings such as a power to be supplied from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48.
• a display 24 may be provided to give a user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the aerosol delivery system, e.g. current power setting information, remaining power source power, etc.
• the display may be implemented in various ways.
• the display 24 comprises a conventional pixilated LCD screen.
• the display may comprise one or more discrete indicators, e.g. LEDs, arranged to display information, e.g. through particular colours and/or flash sequences. More generally, the manner in which the display 24 is provided and information is displayed is not significant to the principles described herein - other embodiments may not include a visual display and/or may include other means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the system 1, e.g. using audio signalling.
• a controller 22 is suitably configured / programmed to control the aerosol delivery system 1 to provide functionality as described herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the system 1.
• the controller (processor circuitry) 22 may be considered to logically comprise various subunits / circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the system 1.
• the controller 22 comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in response to user input, user programming circuitry 20 for establishing configuration settings (e.g. user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other functional units / circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects, such as display driving circuitry and user input detection circuitry.
• the functionality of the controller 22 can be provided in various different ways, e.g. using one or more programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) / circuitry / chip(s) / chipset(s).
• the controller 22 may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), CPU, microprocessor or microcontroller.
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• CPU central processing unit
• microcontroller microcontroller
• the operations of a controller and other electronic components are generally controlled by software/instructions running on the controller, which may be stored in non-volatile memory, (e.g. ROM), which may be integrated into the controller, or provided separately.
• the controller 22 may access the ROM to load and execute individual software as and when required.
• the reusable part 2 comprises an airflow sensor 30, which is electrically connected to the controller 22.
• the airflow sensor 30 comprises a so-called "puff sensor", in that the airflow sensor 30 is used to detect when a user is puffing on the device.
• the airflow sensor 30 comprises a switch in an electrical path providing electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48.
• the airflow sensor 30 generally comprises a pressure sensor configured to close the switch when subjected to a particular range of pressures, enabling current to flow from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 once the pressure in the vicinity of the airflow sensor 30 drops below a threshold value.
• the threshold value can be set to a value determined by experimentation to correspond to a characteristic value associated with the initiation of a user puff.
• the airflow sensor 30 is connected to the controller 22, and the controller 22 distributes electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in dependence of a signal received from the airflow sensor 30 by the controller 22.
• the specific manner in which the signal output from the airflow sensor 30 (which may comprise a measure of capacitance, resistance or other characteristic of the airflow sensor, made by the controller 22) is used by the controller 22 to control the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 can be carried out in accordance with any approach known to the skilled person.
• the airflow sensor 30 is mounted to an optional printed circuit board (PCB) 31.
• the airflow sensor 30 may comprise any sensor configured to determine a characteristic of airflow in an airflow path 51 disposed between air inlet 28 and mouthpiece opening 50, e.g. a pressure sensor or transducer (such as a membrane or solid-state pressure sensor), a combined temperature and pressure sensor, or a microphone (e.g. an electret-type microphone), which is sensitive to changes in air pressure, including acoustical signals.
• the airflow sensor 30 is situated within a sensor cavity or chamber 32, which comprises the interior space defined by one or more chamber walls 34.
• the sensor cavity 32 comprises a region internal to one or more chamber walls 34 in which an airflow sensor 30 can be fully or partially situated.
• the PCB 31 comprises one of the chamber walls of a sensor housing comprising the sensor chamber / cavity 32.
• a deformable membrane may be disposed across an opening communicating between the sensor cavity 32 containing the sensor 30, and a portion of the airflow path disposed between air inlet 28 and mouthpiece opening 50.
• the deformable membrane covers the opening, and is attached to one or more of the chamber walls according to approaches described further herein.
• the aerosol delivery system 1 may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further electronic devices (e.g., a storage / charging case, or a refill / charging dock) to enable data transfer between the system 1 and further electronic device(s).
• the communication circuitry may be integrated into the controller 22, or implemented separately.
• the communication circuitry may be configured to support wired or wireless communications between the aerosol delivery system 1 and other electronic devices such as a case, a dock, a computing device such as a smartphone or PC, a base station supporting cellular communications, a relay node providing an onward connection to a base station, a wearable device, or any other portable or fixed device.
• the controller 22, other components within the system 1 and other devices/systems may comprise one or more processors and data processing may be performed on any of these processors or on a remote processor, the data communicated by wire or wirelessly.
• Wireless communications between the aerosol delivery system 1 and a further electronic device may be configured according to data transfer protocols such as Bluetooths, ZigBee, WiFi ® , Wifi Direct, GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, NFC, RFID, or generally any other wireless, and/or wired, network protocol or interface.
• the communication circuitry may comprise any suitable interface for wired data connection, such as USB-C, micro-USB or Thunderbolt interfaces, and may comprise pin or contact pad arrangements configured to engage cooperating pins or contact pads on a dock, case, cable, or other external device which can be connected to the aerosol delivery system 1.
• embodiments of the claimed invention are directed to an electrically conductive element 100 for connecting an electrically conductive surface 49 of an aerosol generator 48 to a power supply 26.
• Figures 2-4 are schematic, side cross-section views of various electrically conductive elements 90, 100 for connecting an electrically conductive surface 49 of an aerosol generator 48 to a power supply 26 (not shown).
• the conductive element 90, 100 itself may be a unitary conductive element 90, 100 (i.e. single piece construction).
• the conductive element 90, 100 comprises brass, optionally comprising nickel, silver and/or gold plating.
• the electrically conductive element 90, 100 may be known as a thimble.
• Figure 2 illustrates a first, substantially uniform electrically conductive element 90, which can be considered to have two portions:
• the first portion 90a comprises an axial end of the conductive element 90 for contacting the conductive surface 49 and the first portion 90a is substantially uniform, i.e. of a constant cross section - here substantially 'I'-shaped, e.g. with no distinct top/head or tail/foot.
• the second portion 90b in figure 2 provides an opposing axial end for contacting the power supply 26 (not shown) - here the second portion 90b is substantially an inverted T-shape, comprising a protrusion in the form of a foot (specifically, a pair of feet) 125, for engaging a complementary recess(es) 136 in the aerosol delivery system, e.g.
• the protrusion/recess arrangement may be provided in the reverse configuration to that depicted here, i.e. the conductive element 90, 100 may comprise a recess and the aerosol delivery system 1 may comprise a complementary protrusion.
• Figure 3 illustrates a second, improved electrically conductive element 100.
• the conductive element 100 comprises a first portion 110 for contacting the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48; and a second portion 120 for connection to the power supply 26 (not shown), which may be broadly similar to the second portion 90b shown in figure 2 .
• the portions 110, 120 may be end portions, whilst in other examples they are not end portions.
• the conductive element 100 of figure 3 comprises a neck 115 adjoining or connected to a head 112, the head 112 being at an axial end of the conductive element 100, the head 112 for contacting the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48.
• the conductive element 100 may also comprise a second portion having a body 120 extending axially away from the neck 115 for securing the conductive element 100 in the conductive element support 130, thus comprise in sequence along its length: a body 120, the neck 115, the head 112.
• the body 120 is wider than the neck 115 and/or the head 112, optionally wider than the neck 115 and/or head 112 around a full perimeter of the neck 115 and/or head 112 respectively.
• the second portion comprising body 120 may be akin to the second portion 90b shown in figure 2 .
• the conductive element 100 as a whole may be substantially dumbbell-shaped, where a dumbbell-shape has a taller top/head or a tail/foot compared to an I'-shaped section, such as that shown for the conductive surface 49 in figure 9 .
• the dumbbell-shape may optionally comprise a tapering top/head and/or tail/foot.
• the dumbbell-shape may be symmetrical or non-symmetrical.
• the head 112 may comprise a face 113, best shown in figure 7 , for contacting the conductive surface 49, optionally wherein the face 113 is shaped to contact the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48 at least at a central portion of the face 113.
• Figures 5 and 6 are a schematic perspective and side views respectively of a first electrically conductive element 90 for connecting an electrically conductive surface 49 of an aerosol generator 48 to a power supply 26, illustrating the features of figure 2 in more detail.
• the overall cross-sectional shape of both portions 90a, 90b is a rounded rectangle or square, also known as a squircle, best shown in figure 5 , where the second portion 90b comprises the protrusion 125 also having a squircle cross-section.
• the first portion 90a of the conductive element 90 extends into an aerosol generation area and thus is exposed to aerosol generation.
• the conductive element may therefore release particulates during aerosol generation which could impact purity and hence taste. If the conducive element touches the body of the aerosol generator 48, then this may increase emissions, which is undesirable.
• Figures 7 and 8 are a schematic perspective and side views respectively of a second electrically conductive element 100 for connecting an electrically conductive surface 49 of an aerosol generator 48 to a power supply 26. These figures illustrate the features of figure 4 in more detail. The examples of figures 3, 4 , 7 and 8 provide numerous improvements over the arrangement of figures 2 , 5 and 6 . As outlined above, in figures 3-4 and 7-8 , the conductive element 100 comprises a neck 115 and a head 112, the head 112 for contacting the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48.
• the head 112, neck 115 and body 120 are all cylindrical, thus the cross-sectional shape of the head 112, neck 115 and body 120 is a circle and the neck 115 has a narrower width w neck (in the x-axis) and shallower depth d neck (in the y-axis) than both the head 112 (w head , d head ) and the body 120 (w body , d body ).
• the head 112 is curved for contacting the conductive surface 49, here by virtue of the circular cross-section, where the head 112 comprises a convex face 113 for contacting the conductive surface 49.
• the head 112 / face 113 may be the only contact portion of the conductive element 100 for contacting the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48, i.e. the neck 115 may be stepped away from the conductive surface 49 to provide the gap.
• the conductive element 100 may comprise a chamfered edge at i) an axial end of the head 112 that is adjacent to the neck 115; and/or ii) an axial end of the head 112 that is distal from the neck 115, as shown.
• the conductive element 100 may also comprise a chamfered edge at an axial end of the body 120 adjacent to the neck 115, as shown.
• the conductive surface 49 may have a maximum thickness of ⁇ 0.5 mm, ⁇ 0.25 mm, ⁇ 0.1 mm or ⁇ 0.05 mm.
• the surface 49 comprises two substantially rectangular contact regions for contacting the conductive elements 100, interconnected by an S-shaped portion.
• at least a portion of the head 112 of the conductive element 100 may be shaped to substantially complement at least a portion of the surface profile of the surface 49.
• the contacting face 113 of the head 112 may be shaped to substantially complement the non-planar surface profile, such as (at least) at a central portion of the face 113.
• the face 113 is shaped to substantially complement the surface profile substantially along at least one axis, optionally substantially along multiple perpendicular axes.
• Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol delivery system comprising an aerosol generator 48 having an electrically conductive surface 49 and an electrically conductive element 90 for connecting the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48 to a power supply 26 (not shown).
• Figures 11 and 12 are schematic side (z-x axes) and top (plan, x-y axes) views, respectively, of the system of figure 10 .
• the conductive surface 49 in this example is substantially concave, where the surface 49 is thicker in an outer portion relative to an inner or central portion.
• the conductive surface 49 has a profile varying along multiple perpendicular axes (shown as concave here in both the side and plan views, thus having a profile varying along both the z- and y-axes respectively).
• the conductive surface 49 may have any shape, including a substantially concave and/or convex surface profile, including both a substantially concave profile and a substantially convex profile.
• the conductive surface 49 profile varies along both a first axis and a second, perpendicular axis.
• aerosol delivery systems disclosed herein may generally comprise a pair of conductive elements 90, 100 spaced either side of an air inlet or airflow pathway to the aerosol generator 48.
• the pair of conductive elements 90, 100 are connected to terminals on opposing sides or (outer) portions of the conductive surface 49 and to positive and negative terminals of a power supply 26 such that currents are conducted from the conductive elements 90, 100 to the conductive surface 49.
• the conductive surface 49 may thus provide a heating zone between the positive and negative terminals in use.
• each contact face 113 of the pair of conductive elements 90, 100 may contact the conductive surface 49 at respective outer portions thereof.
• Figure 14 also illustrates how the head 112 may extend towards the conductive surface 49 substantially parallel to the thickness axis (x-axis) of the conductive surface 49.
• the head 112 also projects / extends towards the conductive surface 49 substantially perpendicular to a direction of airflow past the conductive surface 49 in use, as is discussed later with respect to figures 16 and 17 .
• Figures 15a and 15b show plan views of two variants of the system 1 of figures 13 and 14 , with different non-planar surface profiles for the conductive surface 49.
• the surface profile is concave
• the surface profile comprises both concave and convex portions.
• at least a portion of the conductive element 100 is shaped to substantially complement at least a portion of the conductive surface 49, which here has a non-planar profile having a variable thickness.
• the conductive surface 49 is thickest in the outer portions, whilst in figure 15b the trace is thickest in an inner, central portion.
• Figures 15a and 15b also show a pair of conductive elements 100 spaced either side of an air inlet or airflow pathway to the aerosol generator 48.
• the conductive elements 100 is shaped to substantially complement at least a portion of the surface profile.
• a central or other portion of the contact face 113 may be shaped to contact the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48.
• the head 112 of the conductive element 100 has a circular cross section and the face 113 for contacting the conductive surface 49 is curved, having a curvature about/around the longitudinal axis of the conductive element 100. This curvature substantially complements the outer portions of the surface profile of the conductive surface 49, thus providing more stable and reliable contact between the conductive element 100 and the conductive surface 49.
• neck-head and complementary-shape features outlined above and shown in figures 14 and 15a-15b respectively may be implemented independently or in combination.
• Figure 16 is a schematic, cross-section view through the aerosol delivery system 1 of figure 13 , and it more clearly illustrates how the neck 115 of the conductive element 100 may be configured to provide a gap, spacing the non-head portion of the conductive element 100 from the conductive surface 49.
• the neck 115 of the conductive element 100 may be configured to provide a gap, spacing the non-head portion of the conductive element 100 from the conductive surface 49.
• the neck 115 steps inwards, away from the surface 49 and spaces the body 120 of the conductive element from the surface 49. This may prevent any surface profile variations particularly at the lower part of the conductive surface 49 or any protruding parts of the aerosol generator body from displacing the contact portion head 112 / face 113 of the conductive element 100.
• Figure 16 and figure 17 also more clearly illustrate the air/aerosol flow path through the system 1, where in this example the conductive elements 100 extend longitudinally (along the z-axis), both i), substantially parallel to the air/aerosol flow path (indicated by arrows in figure 16 ), which includes airflow past the conductive surface 49 in use; and ii) substantially perpendicular to a thickness axis of the conductive surface 49.
• the aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a conductive element support 130, here comprising a buttress 134 as shown in figure 13 , which may generally be configured to support at least the head 112 of the conductive element 100, the support 130 here having a recess 136 configured to receive the protruding feet 125 of the conductive element 100.
• the support 130 extends from the axial bottom end of the protruding feet 125 on the conductive element 100 to the top axial end of the head 112 of the conductive element 100.
• the aerosol delivery system 1 may provide an interference fit for the conductive element 100 between the conductive element support 130 and the conductive surface 49 of the aerosol generator 48.
• the system 1 may further comprise an aerosol generator sealing element 70 around at least part of the aerosol generator 48, (here behind the aerosol generator 48) e.g. to contain the aerosol-generating material proximal to the conductive surface 49 or minimise wicking away therefrom; and/or an aerosol generator support 72 having a recess receiving the aerosol generator 48.
• at least a part of the aerosol generator support 72 extends towards the neck 115.
• the conductive element 100 may be configured to avoid contact between the aerosol generator support 72 and the conductive element 100, e.g.
• the conductive elements 100 are received in the system 1 axially.
• the conductive elements 100 may be inserted/installed substantially parallel to the airflow pathway, with the feet 125 abutting against the conductive element support recess 136 and providing an interference fit, and/or a retaining element (not shown) may be used to secure the conductive elements 100.
• a housing may be provided to enclose the conductive elements 100 in the system 1.
• a "combustible" aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
• the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.
• the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.
• 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.
• the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 aerosol-modifying agent.
• the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.
• the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.
• the active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
• the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
• the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
• the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
• the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
• the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug.
• the active substance comprises nicotine.
• the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
• the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v.,Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v.,Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.
• the material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate.
• the support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy.
• the support comprises a susceptor.
• the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.
• An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form.
• the aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.
• aerosol delivery systems such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes.
• e-cigarette or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system / device and electronic aerosol delivery system / device.
• aerosol delivery systems such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes.
• vapour delivery systems such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes.
• e-cigarette or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system / device and electronic aerosol delivery system / device.
• aerosol and vapour and related terms such as “vaporise”, “volatilise” and “aerosolise” may generally be used interchangeably.
• Aerosol delivery systems e-cigarettes
• a modular assembly comprising a reusable device part and a replaceable (disposable/consumable) cartridge part.
• the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol generating material and the vaporiser (which may collectively be called a 'cartomizer') and the reusable device part will comprise the power supply (e.g. rechargeable power source) and control circuitry.
• the reusable device part will often comprise a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics
• the replaceable cartridge device part in some cases comprises a temperature sensor for helping to control temperature.

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• 2024
  • 2024-03-29 CN CN202410381110.0A patent/CN120713292A/zh active Pending
  • 2024-04-04 EP EP24168409.1A patent/EP4623728A1/fr active Pending

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