WO2024260886A1

WO2024260886A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024260886A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/066686
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dai DENG
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-06-19
Filing date: 2024-06-14
Publication date: 2024-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-19
Also published as: TW202517175A

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (100) for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material is provided. The aerosol provision device (100) comprises a receptacle (205) defining a heating zone (201) configured to receive at least a portion of an article (50) comprising aerosol generating material and an insulation region (400) extending around at least a portion of the receptacle (205), wherein the insulation region (400) comprises a liquid. Also provided is an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device and an aerosol generating article, and a method of forming the aerosol provision device.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical field

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

Background

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

Summary

According to an aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; an insulation region extending around at least a portion of the receptacle; wherein the insulation region comprises a liquid.

The insulation region may comprise a fluidly sealed chamber containing the liquid.

The fluidly sealed chamber containing the liquid may be majority of a liquid by volume.

The fluidly sealed chamber containing the liquid may be entirely filled with a liquid.

The fluidly sealed chamber containing the liquid may be partially full with a liquid.

The fluidly sealed chamber may be full with a liquid.

The fluidly sealed chamber may be entirely filled with a liquid.

The fluidly sealed chamber may be partially filled with a liquid.

The liquid may comprise a coolant.

The liquid may comprise water.

The liquid may be water.

The liquid may comprise a coolant additive. The fluidly sealed chamber may be a first fluidly sealed chamber and the insulation region may comprise a second fluidly sealed chamber.

The second fluidly sealed chamber may be evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region.

The first fluidly sealed chamber may extend at least partially around the second fluidly sealed chamber.

The first fluidly sealed chamber may enclose the second fluidly sealed chamber on a radially outward side.

The second fluidly sealed chamber may extend at least partially around the first fluidly sealed chamber.

The second fluidly sealed chamber may enclose the first fluidly sealed chamber on a radially outward side.

The insulation region may comprise an insulating member between the first fluidly sealed chamber and the second fluidly sealed chamber

The insulation region may encircle the heating zone.

The insulation region may be arranged between the heating zone and an exterior of the aerosol provision device.

The insulation region may be located co-axially around the heating chamber.

A liquid-filled insulation region may be located co-axially around a vacuum insulation region.

The insulation region may comprise a thermo-reflective layer.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a heating member configured to heat the heating zone.

The heating member may form part of a heating arrangement.

The heating member may comprise a heating element configured to heat the heating member.

The heating element may be a resistive heater heating element.

The heating arrangement may be a resistive heater heating arrangement.

The heating arrangement may be an inductive heater heating arrangement.

The receptacle may comprise the heating member.

The heating member may protrude in the heating zone.

The receptacle may be configured to receive a heating member in the heating zone.

The heating member may comprise heating material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a coil. The coil may be an inductor coil.

The coil may be a resistive heating coil.

The inductor coil may extend around the insulation region. The inductor coil may encircle the insulation region.

The inductor coil may be helical.

The insulation region may be defined by an inner wall and an outer wall.

The inner wall may comprise heating material that is heatable.

The inner wall may be heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

The receptacle may define the inner wall.

The insulation region may be tubular.

The insulation region may extend along a longitudinal length of the receptacle.

The insulation region may encompass a radial outer side of the receptacle.

The inner wall may comprise a thermo-reflective layer.

At least one of the inner and outer wall may comprise stainless steel.

At least one of the inner and outer wall may have a thickness of around 0.2mm.

The thickness may be between 0.1mm and 0.3mm.

The insulation region may comprise an additional insulating means.

The additional insulating means may be at least one of a solid, an airgap, an aerogel and a plastic insulating means.

The insulation region may comprise a further additional insulating means.

According to an aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device as described herein and an aerosol generating article.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method of forming the aerosol provision device as described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision system including an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the aerosol provision device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the aerosol provision device of Figure 1 and part of an aerosol generating article of the aerosol provision system;

Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heater which can be used in the aerosol provision system of Figure 1:

Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating arrangement of an aerosol provision device; Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating arrangement of an aerosol provision device; and

Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a heating arrangement of an aerosol provision device.

Detailed Description

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 aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

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

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

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

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

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.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered 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.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosolgenerating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosolgenerating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol- generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.

An aerosol provision device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into or onto 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 or over a heater of the device which is sized to receive the article.

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.

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.

Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision system 10 comprising an aerosol provision device 100 and a charging unit 20. The device 100 is shown located within a cavity 21 of a charging unit 20. The cavity 21 has an open end 22 (also referred to as an opening). The charging unit embodiment of Figure 1 also comprises a longitudinal opening 23.

The aerosol provision device 100 is arranged to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating article, as shown in Figure 3, which may be inserted, in use, into the aerosol provision device 100. In embodiments, the article forms part of the aerosol provision system 10.

The aerosol provision device 100 is an elongate structure, extending along a longitudinal axis. The aerosol provision device 100 has a proximal end 100a, which will be closest to the user (e.g. the user’s mouth) when in use by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol provision device 100, as well as a distal end 100b which will be furthest from the user when in use. The proximal end may also be referred to as the “mouth end”. The aerosol provision device 100 also defines a proximal direction, which is directed towards the user when in use. The aerosol provision device 100 likewise defines a distal direction, which is directed away from the user when in use. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 100 will be described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in a proximal-distal direction along a longitudinal axis. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an opening at the proximal end 100a, leading into a receptacle. The receptacle may be a heating chamber, described below with reference to Figure 2.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be removably inserted into the charging unit 20 in order to be charged. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the distal end 100b of aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the cavity 21 via the opening 22.

One or more user-operable control elements 106, such as buttons, which can be used to operate the aerosol provision device 100 may be provided on the aerosol provision device 100.

The charging unit 20 may include a user interface such as display 28, which can be provided at any convenient location, such as in the position shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main housing 200. The main housing 200 defines a device body of the device 100. The device 100 defines a heating chamber 201. A receptacle 205 defines the heating chamber 201. An opening 203 is provided to provide access to the heating chamber 201. The receptacle 205 comprises a wall arrangement including a receptacle side wall 205a and a receptacle base 205b. The base 205b is at the distal end of the receptacle 205. At least a portion of the article is received in a heating zone 201a. The heating zone 201a is configured to heat at least a portion of the article for heating. The receptacle 205 defines the heating zone 201a.

A heating arrangement 300 is provided in a portion of the main housing 200. In the embodiment shown, the heating arrangement 300 is a heater 301 which extends or projects into the heating chamber 201. Such a heater may be known as an inner heater. Other heater arrangements are possible, including an outer heater arrangement in which the heater at least partially extends around the hearing zone and an arrangement in which the heater is in the article. In embodiments, the heater may be provided in the wall arrangement of the receptacle 205.

The heater 301 may comprise a base portion 301a which is supported in a portion of the body of the device 100. The heater 301 upstands in the heating chamber 201. The heater 301 upstands from the distal end.

The heater 301 comprises a heating member. As shown, the heating member is an elongate heating member in the form of a pin. The heater 301 in other embodiments comprises other configurations, such as a blade. It will be appreciated that the heater can have a variety of cross sectional shapes.

The heater 301 may be inserted, in use, into a distal end of an aerosol generating article 50 (refer to Figure 3) which is received within the heating chamber 201 in order to internally heat the aerosol generating article.

The heating member in embodiments is configured to receive at least a portion of the article. In embodiments, the heating member comprises a heating element configured to heat the heating member. The heating element in such embodiments may be a resistive heater heating element. The heating element may be fixed to a heating member body, for example by bonding. The heating element in embodiments is a film configuration. The heating element in embodiments comprises a resistive heating track.

The housing 200 comprises housing wall 200a. The housing wall 200a extends along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100, surrounding the heating chamber 201. The housing wall 200a may, at least in part, define a receiving chamber of the aerosol provision device 100. A housing base 200b is at the distal end of the housing wall 200a. In the shown embodiment, the heater 301 upstands from the housing base 200b. The heater 301 protrudes through the receptacle base 205b. An aperture 206 is formed in the receptacle base 205b through which the heater 301 protrudes. In embodiments, the heater 301 is mounted to the receptacle base 205b. The heater 301 upstands from the receptacle base 205b.

The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removal mechanism 204 which may be removably retained to the main housing 200 of the aerosol provision device 100. In the embodiment shown, the removal mechanism 204 defines the heating chamber 201. The removal mechanism 204 forms the receptacle 205.

In other embodiments, the removal mechanism 204 is omitted, and other features of the device 100 define the heating chamber 201 , for example the housing side wall 200a and housing base 200b. In embodiments, the receptacle 205 is formed by the housing 200.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of part of the aerosol provision device as described above and part of an aerosol generating article 50.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a resistive heater 301 for use in an aerosol provision device as described above. In such arrangements the heating assembly comprises a heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating element, and the resulting flow of current in the heating element, acting as a heating component, causes the heating element to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating element comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating arrangement comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material. In embodiments, the heating element forms at least part of the resistive heating member itself. Other heating arrangements may be used, for example an inductive heating arrangement as described below.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the heater 301 comprises an elongate housing 302 and the heating element 350. The elongate housing 302 is an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis. The housing 302 is formed from a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. Other suitable materials, such as stainless steel may be used. The elongate housing 302 may comprise a coating on its outer surface. The elongate housing 302 is configured to transfer heat from the heating element 350 to the heating zone 201a within the aerosol provision device. In embodiments, the heating member is the heating element.

The elongate housing 302 has a base end 303 and a free end 304. The base end 304 mounts to the device body. A mount 305 at the base end 303 mounts the heater 301.

The elongate housing 302 comprises a housing body 306. The housing body 306 is tubular. In other embodiments, the housing body may 306 have a variety of cross-sectional shapes, such as but not limited to, circular, elliptical, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal. The housing body 306 comprises a bore 307 which defines an inner void (or cavity) 308 of the heater 301. The inner void 308 extends longitudinally. An inner surface 309 is defined on an inner side of the elongate housing 302. An open end 310 to the inner void 308 is provided at the base end 303.

The free end 304 of the elongate housing 302 extends towards the proximal end of the heating chamber. The free end 304 of the heater 301 is closed, in other words, the inner void 308 does not extend through the free end 304. A tip 311 is provided at the free end 304. The tip 311 extends to an apex 312. Other shapes and configurations of the tip 311 may be provided, for example the tip 311 may define a planar surface. The heating element 350 is located within elongate housing 302 of the heater 301. The heating element 350 extends in the elongate housing 302 in the longitudinal direction and has a base end 350a and a free end 350b. In Figure 6, the heating element 350 extends between the base end 303 and the free end 304. In some embodiments, the heating element extends partially along the length of the inner void 308. In some embodiments the heating element 350 extends to or beyond the open end 310.

In this embodiment, the heating coil 351 is a resistive heating coil. The heating coil 351 is a helical coil. The heating coil may have any suitable cross-sectional profile, such as a rectangular cross-sectional profile, a circular cross-sectional profile or an oval cross- sectional profile.

In other embodiments, the heating arrangement 300 may comprises two or more heating coils.

The heating arrangement 300 comprises electrical connection paths 352, 353. The electrical connection paths extend from each end of the heating element 350.

In embodiments, the heating member comprises material heatable by a varying magnetic field, i.e. a protruding susceptor, as part of an inductive heating arrangement.

In embodiments, the heating member of the aerosol provision system is a part of the aerosol generating article 50, rather than being a part of the aerosol provision device 100. The heating member in embodiments is a resistive heating element, for example in the form of the resistive coil described above, which is provided as part of the aerosol generating article. Electrical connections may enable electric current to flow through the resistive heating member.

The heating member in embodiments is a susceptor, that is the heating member comprises a material that is heatable by a varying magnetic field.

An insulation region 400 is provided, as shown in Figure 3. The insulation region 400 extends around the receptacle 205. The insulation region 100 is arranged co-axially around the receptacle 205. The insulation region 400 encircles the receptacle 205 and, in turn, the heating zone 201a. Within the device 100, the insulation region 400 is arranged between the heating zone 201a and an outer surface of the housing 200.

The insulation region 400 is between the receptacle wall 205a and the housing wall 200a. In embodiments, the housing wall 200a forms part of the insulation region 400. In embodiments, the receptacle wall 205a forms part of the insulation region 400. The insulation region 400 forms part of the body of the device 100. As shown in Figure 3, the insulation region 400 is on the housing wall 200a. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 is on the receptacle wall 205a. Such an embodiment is shown in Figure 5. In embodiments, the insulation region is spaced from the receptacle 205. As shown in Figure 5, the insulation region 400 is directly in contact with the receptacle 205. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 forms part of the removal mechanism 204. In embodiments where the removal mechanism is omitted, the receptacle is part of the body of the device 100.

The insulation region 400 will be described with reference to Figure 5, however such description is applicable to other device arrangements, including those described above.

The insulation region 400 comprises a fluidly sealed chamber 410. The fluidly sealed chamber 410 comprises an inner wall 412 and an outer wall 414. An inner wall of the insulation region is defined by the side wall 205a of the receptacle 205, i.e. the inner wall 412 and the side wall 205a are a common wall of the fluidly sealed chamber 410 and the receptacle 205 respectively. This may mean that the device 100 is more compact, less materials may be used for for manufacture, and the device may be more robust.

The outer wall 414 is spaced apart from the inner wall 412 in the radial direction. The outer wall 414 tapers towards the inner wall 412 at each of the proximal and distal ends 110a, 110b of the receptacle 205. The inner wall 412 and outer wall 414 join at these ends such that the space between inner wall 412 and outer wall 424 forms a fluidly sealed chamber 410.

The fluidly sealed chamber 410 contains a liquid. The liquid is water. The water in embodiments acts as a coolant. In embodiments, the fluidly sealed chamber 410 may contain a different liquid or coolant. In embodiments, the liquid comprises a coolant additive. In embodiments, the liquid may be a mixture of two or more liquids, for example water and a different liquid coolant.

The fluidly sealed chamber 410 is substantially completely filled with the liquid. This may help maximise the insulative properties of the insulation region. In embodiments, the fluidly sealed chamber 410 may be partially full with the liquid. This may enable liquid to undergo a phase transfer upon heating to help maximise the thermal retention of the insulation region 400. For example, the fluidly sealed chamber 410 may be more than half full with the liquid. In embodiments, the fluidly sealed chamber may be more than 10%, more than 20%, more than 30%, or more than 40% full with the liquid. The fluidly sealed chamber 410 may additionally comprise one or more of air, vacuum, particles and microbeads. By including the insulation region 400 in the device 100 that surrounds a heating chamber 205, heating may be more efficient. The efficiency may be improved further by including a liquid in the fluidly sealed chamber 410. The insulation region 400 may act as a cooling tube which may reduce the external heat of the housing of the device 100.

In particular, the liquid in the insulation region 400 may act as a heat storage. In use, heat generated in the receptacle 205 may be transferred to the insulation region 400 via receptacle wall 205. Excess heat from the heating zone 201a is stored in the liquid contained in the fluidly sealed chamber 410. This means that heat is not immediately transferred to the exterior of the device 100. Heat generated by the device may be emitted over an extended period of time from the heat storage, and so may help reduce a peak temperature of the device housing.

The liquid in the insulation region 400 may distribute heat that is transferred to the insulation region 400. The heat may be distributed along the longitudinal length of the device. This may reduce or eliminate any hot spots. In particular, heat may be distributed within the liquid away from the parts of the insulation region 400 that are adjacent to the heating member, meaning that peak temperature of device features adjacent to the heater are minimised. This may help ensure that heat is distributed more evenly along the longitudinal length of the device 100.

The insulation region 400 extends fully around the side wall 205a of the receptacle 205 in the radially outward direction. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 may extend only partially around the side wall 205a. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 may extend only partially around the co-axial extent of the receptacle 205, i.e. around part of the circumference of the receptacle. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 may extend along substantially the full the longitudinal length of the receptacle 205. In embodiments, the insulation region 400 extend only partially along the longitudinal length of the receptacle 205.

In embodiments, the insulation region 400 comprises a thermo-reflective element. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective layer may be a coating on the inner wall 412, or a thermo-reflective layer applied to the inner wall 412. This may help to retain heat in the receptacle to make the device more efficient. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective element is tubular. A tubular thermo-reflective layer may be provided in around the receptacle wall 205a within the first fluidly sealed chamber 410.

Referring to an embodiment shown in Figure 6, the arrangement is generally the same to that of Figure 5, but the insulation region 400 comprises a second fluidly sealed chamber 420. Again, the insulation region 400 encircles receptacle 205 and, in turn, the heating zone 201a. The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 comprises an inner wall 422 and an outer wall 424. The inner wall 422 is defined by the outer wall 214 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. This may mean that the device 100 is more compact. The outer wall 424 tapers towards the side wall 205a of the receptacle 205 and together with the inner wall 422, defines the second fluidly sealed chamber 424.

The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 extends completely around the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 is arranged co-axially around the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 extends around the whole co-axial extent of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. In embodiments, the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may extend substantially entirely around the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. This helps to ensure that the insulation properties of the insulation region 400 are maximised. In embodiments, second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may extend only partially around the co-axial extent of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410, i.e. around part of the circumference of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. The may accommodate for particular size restrictions in a compact device.

The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region 400. As such, the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 is a vacuum insulation chamber that defines a vacuum insulation region. Providing a vacuum insulation may increase heating efficiency of the device 100.

As described above, the liquid in the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 may act as a heat storage. Less heat will therefore pass to the vacuum region in the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 since excess heat is being stored in the liquid. This makes the vacuum insulation more effective since less heat is being passed therethrough.

In embodiments, the inner wall 422 of the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 and the outer wall 414 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 are separate and distinct. In embodiments, an insulating member is provided between the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 and the second fluidly sealed chamber 220. In examples, the wall between the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 and the second fluidly sealed chamber 220 comprises an insulating member. The insulation member may be PEEK and Polymer. The insulation member may cover substantially all of the outer wall 414 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. In embodiments, the insulation member may may be disposed on part of the outer wall of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. In embodiments, the insulation region may be a thermo- reflective layer.

The walls of each of the fluidly sealed chambers 410, 412, and the insulation region

400, may be formed of stainless steel. In embodiments, each wall is around 0.2mm thick. In embodiments, each wall may be of varying thicknesses or of thicknesses that differ from each other.

In embodiments, the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 may be a vacuum chamber which is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region, and the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may be filled with a liquid.

In such embodiments, the vacuum insulation region in the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 being on the outwardly inner side helps to ensure that heat conduction to the second fluidly seal chamber 420 is reduced. The liquid in the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 acts as a heat storage to retain any heat that does pass through vacuum insulation region in the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. The liquid may help distribute any heat that passes to the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 along the longitudinal length of the receptacle by convection within the liquid. The liquid in the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 can slowly release the heat after use of the device. Since some of the heat maybe prevented from passing through the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 as a vacuum chamber, the liquid in the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may act as a more effective insulator.

In embodiments, a thermo-reflective element may be provided between the first and second fluidly sealed chambers to improve efficiency of the insulation region. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective element is provided on at least one of the inner wall 422 of the second fluidly sealed chamber 420 and the outer wall 414 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective element is provided on the inner wall 422 that is defined by the outer wall 214 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410. In these embodiments, the thermo-reflective layer is a coating on the respective walls. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective element is tubular and is disposed between the inner wall 422 and outer wall 421. In embodiments, the thermo-reflective element is provided on the outer wall of the receptacle 205.

Referring to Figure 7, the receptacle of a device is shown for use in an inductive heating arrangement.

As described with reference to Figs. 2 to 6, the heating arrangement is a resistive heating arrangement. In embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in Figure 7, other types of heating arrangement are used, such as inductive heating. The general configuration of the device is generally as described above.

The inductive heating arrangement comprises various components to heat the aerosol generating material of the article via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating member (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. The induction heating arrangement comprises an inductive element, coil 520, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. This is provided in the housing of the device 100. In embodiments, the arrangement comprises more than one inductor coil.

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, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive heater and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the coil 520 is arranged around receptacle 205. The coil 520 is a helical inductor coil. The heating zone 201a is formed within the receptacle. The receptacle 205 has side wall 205a and base wall 205b. The side wall 205a comprises or is made of heating material that is heatable by penetration with the varying magnetic field to induce heating in the heating zone 201a. In embodiments, the inner wall 110 may be formed of steel. However, a nickel-cobalt ferrous alloy, such as Kovar®, could also be used. In embodiments, base wall 205b also comprises heating material. This may mean that the heating zone 201a has consistent heating within the receptacle 205.

The insulation region 400 is provided. The inductor coil extends 520 around the insulation region 400 and, in turn, the receptacle 205. The inductor coil 520 encircles the heating chamber 400. The inductor coil 520 extends along the full longitudinal length of the receptacle.

In embodiments, the inductor coil 520 may extend along part of the longitudinal length of the receptacle 205. In embodiments, the inductor coil 520 may surround only part of the distal or a proximal end of the receptacle 205. In embodiments, more than one inductor coil 520 may be provided. In embodiments, the coil 420 may be provided within the insulation region 400.

The insulation region 400 is substantially identical to the insulation region described with respect to Figure 5. The insulation region 400 comprises a first fluidly sealed chamber 410 that comprises a liquid. In embodiments, the inner wall 412 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 may be shared with the side wall 205a of the receptacle 205. The inner wall 412 of the first fluidly sealed chamber 410 may therefore comprise or be made of material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

In embodiments, a second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may be provided as part of the inductive heating arrangement. The second fluidly sealed chamber 420 may be substantially as described above with respect to Figure 6.

In embodiments, the wall of the receptacle 205 may be free from heating material. Instead, the heating member may be provided in an aerosol-generating article that is configured to be inserted within heating zone 201a. Accordingly, when an article comprising aerosol-generating material is located in the heating zone 201a, the article is heated by inductive heating arrangement to generate aerosol.

In embodiments, the inductive heating member is provided as a pin or blade that extends into the receptacle and comprises heating material that is heatable by the inductive heating arrangement to generate aerosol.

In embodiments, the insulation region partially surrounds the receptacle and heating zone. In embodiments, the insulation region surrounds a distal or a proximal end of the receptacle. In embodiments, the insulation region surrounds the receptacle along only part of the co-axial circumference of the receptacle.

In embodiments, second fluidly sealed chamber is omitted, such that there is only the first chamber comprises a liquid.

In embodiments, the second fluidly sealed chamber is also partially or substantially filled with a liquid. This may be in place of a vacuum insulation chamber. In embodiments, further additional fluidly sealed chambers may be provided. In embodiments in which the or each fluidly sealed chamber is partially filled with liquid, the or each fluidly sealed chamber is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region 400. In embodiments, the or each fluidly sealed chamber is at the same pressure as an exterior of the insulation region 400.

In embodiments, a fluidly sealed chamber comprising a liquid is provided, as described in any of the above embodiments, in combination with an additional insulating means. The fluidly sealed chamber comprising a liquid and the additional insulating means may form the insulation region.

In embodiments, a solid insulating material is provided as the additional insulating means. The solid insulating material may be provided between the receptacle and the fluidly sealed chamber comprising a liquid. The solid insulating material may be provided on the radially outward side of the fluidly sealed chamber. This means that there will be less heat transfer to the external of the device housing. In embodiments, the additional insulating means may be an airgap, aerogel or a plastic insulating means. The additional insulating means may be provided on either of the radially inner or radially outward side of the fluidly sealed chamber.

In embodiments, a further additional insulating means may be provided on the other of the radially inner or radially outward side of the fluidly sealed chamber. The third insulating means may be any of the above insulating means.

The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; and an insulation region extending around at least a portion of the receptacle; wherein the insulation region comprises a liquid.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 , wherein the insulation region comprises a fluidly sealed chamber containing the liquid.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 2, wherein the fluidly sealed chamber is substantially entirely filled with liquid.

4. The aerosol provision device of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid comprises water.

5. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fluidly sealed chamber is a first fluidly sealed chamber and the insulation region comprises a second fluidly sealed chamber.

6. The aerosol provision device of claim 5, wherein the second fluidly sealed chamber is evacuated to a lower pressure than an exterior of the insulation region.

7. The aerosol provision device of claim 5 or 6, wherein one of the first and second fluidly sealed chambers extend at least partially around the other of the first and second fluidly sealed chamber.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 5 to 7, comprising an insulating member between the first fluidly sealed chamber and the second fluidly sealed chamber.

9. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insulation region comprises a thermo-reflective layer.

10. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least part of the insulation region is defined by at least one wall, wherein the at least one wall comprises stainless steel.

11. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the insulation region comprises an additional insulating means.

12. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the additional insulating means is at least one of a solid, an airgap, an aerogel and a plastic insulating means.

13. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 12, comprising a heating member configured to heat the heating zone.

14. The aerosol provision device of claim 13, wherein the receptacle comprises the heating member.

15. The aerosol provision device of claim 13, wherein the heating member protrudes in the heating zone.

16. The aerosol provision device of claim 13, wherein the receptacle is configured to receive the heating member in the heating zone.

17. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 16, comprising an inductor coil.

18. The aerosol provision device of claim 17, wherein the inductor coil extends around the insulation region.

19. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the heating member is a resistive heater heating member.

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