WO2025068128A1

WO2025068128A1 - Aerosol provision component

Info

Publication number: WO2025068128A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/076693
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tom LEAH
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-27
Filing date: 2024-09-23
Publication date: 2025-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-27
Also published as: GB202314795D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision component configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material, wherein: the aerosol provision component is configured to generate aerosol at a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session; a characteristic of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events; and the aerosol provision component is configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a sequence which varies between aerosol generation sessions.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION COMPONENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision component.

Background

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

Summary

In an aspect, an aerosol provision component is provided. The aerosol provision component is configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision component is configured to generate aerosol at a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session. A characteristic of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events. The aerosol provision component is configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a sequence which varies between aerosol generation sessions.

The aerosol provision component may be configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a substantially random sequence in each aerosol generation session. The aerosol provision component may be configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material in an aerosol generating article. The aerosol provision component may be configured to aerosolise a different region of aerosol generating material during each aerosol generating event. A controller of the aerosol provision component may be configured to vary the sequence of aerosolization of the different regions of aerosol generating material to vary the sequence. The characteristic may comprise a flavour and/or a strength. The aerosol provision component may be configured to heat an aerosol generating material during each aerosol generating event to generate the aerosol. The aerosol provision component may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to vary heating between aerosol generating events to vary the sequence. The varying of heating may comprise varying at least one of: heating temperature, rate of increase of temperature, and a duration of heating. The aerosol generating materials may not have variable characteristics. The aerosol provision component may comprise an aerosol provision device. The aerosol provision component may comprise an article.

The article may comprise a substrate and a plurality of aerosol generating materials each positioned at a respective region of the substrate. One or more of the aerosol generating materials may have a characteristic that is different from the characteristic of one or more of the other aerosol generating materials. The substrate may comprise a heating element configured to provide heat to one or more of the aerosol generating materials. The substrate may comprise a plurality of heating elements, each configured to heat a respective aerosol generating material.

The article may comprise a substrate, a plurality of aerosol generating materials each positioned at a respective region of the substrate, and a plurality of heating elements, each of the heating elements is configured to provide heat to one or more of the aerosol generating materials. One or more of the heating elements may be different from one or more of the other heating elements. The plurality of aerosol generating materials may be discrete portions that are spaced apart from each other or the plurality of aerosol generating materials may be continuously joined with each other.

In yet another aspect, an aerosol provision system is provided. The aerosol provision system comprises any of the above-described aerosol provision devices and an article. The article may be any of the above-described articles.

In yet another aspect, a method of generating aerosol is provided. The method comprises generating aerosol from the aerosol generating materials according to a sequence corresponding to a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session. A characteristic of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events. The sequence varies between aerosol generation sessions.

The sequence may be generated from a random number generator. The method may further comprise generating aerosol from the aerosol generating materials according to a further sequence corresponding to a further series of aerosol generation events during a further aerosol generation session. The further sequence may be different from the sequence.

In yet another aspect, a pack of articles is provided. The pack of articles comprises a plurality of articles. Each article comprises a substrate and a plurality of aerosol generating materials deposited thereon. The plurality of aerosol generating materials in one article of the plurality of articles is different from the plurality of aerosol generating materials in another article of the plurality of article.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Fig. 1 shows a side view (not to scale) of an aerosol provision system;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view (not to scale) of an article in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the article; and

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of generating aerosol.

Detailed Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With reference to Fig. 1, an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 200.

The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

The aerosol generator 200 defines a longitudinal axis, which aligns with an axis of the article 110.

In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 200 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 200.

The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol generating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generating assembly, and the aerosol generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (for example, a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example on insertion of an article.

The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system may comprise an aerosol generating component configured to generate aerosol at a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session. The aerosol provision component may be the aerosol generating device 100. The characteristic of the generated aerosol during a particular aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events. The characteristics of the aerosol may be, among others, flavour, strength, texture, an amount of other stimulants (such as nicotine), or an amount active chemicals. As such, the user inhaling/using the generated aerosol during an aerosol generation event will experience different and/or unique characteristics, when compared to other aerosol generation events.

The aerosol provision component is further configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a sequence which also varies between aerosol generation sessions. As such, the user inhaling/using the generated aerosols during an aerosol generation session will experience different and/or unique sequences of characteristics when compared to other aerosol generation sessions.

In some embodiments, the different characteristics of the aerosol may arise from features of the article 110. For example, the different characteristics of the aerosol may arise from the different aerosol generating materials in the article 110. The different aerosol generating materials may be stored at different positions on the article 110. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 100 may be configured to aerosolise different regions of the article 110 during each aerosol generation event. Each of the different regions corresponds to an aerosol generating material having a respective and/or unique characteristic.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 is configured to heat the aerosol generating materials to generate aerosol. In some embodiments, the different characteristics of the aerosol may arise from the heating interaction that generated the aerosol. For example, the different characteristics of the aerosol may arise from heating the same aerosol generating materials differently. Specifically, heating of the aerosol generating materials may comprise a different maximum temperature or a different average heating temperature, a different heating ramp or rate of increase of temperature, or a different duration of heating. Therefore, the aerosol generating device 100 may be also configured to heat different regions of the article 110 and/or the aerosol-generating materials differently during each aerosol generation event. In some embodiments, the differing heating processes may also be applied to an article having a plurality of differing aerosol generation materials, which may result in a wider range of characteristics being available.

With reference to Fig. 2, the aerosol generating component may be an article 110. The article 110 comprises a substrate 200 and aerosol generating materials 202-210. The article 110 has a mouth end from which a user can inhale or user the aerosol generated therefrom.

The substrate 200 may be made from paper or board material. The substrate 200 may comprise one or more heating elements (not shown). The heating element may be a susceptor. Penetrating the susceptor with a varying magnetic field results in the generation eddy currents inside the susceptor thereby generating heat.

In some embodiments, the heating element may be a resistive heating element extending between a positive contact and a negative contact. The positive and negative contacts may be comprised in the article. The aerosol provision device may comprise corresponding device contacts for contacting the positive and negative contacts of the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device. In this way, the aerosol provision device may provide a current which flows through the resistive heating element. The resistive heating element generates heat via a resistive heating process. Specifically, when an electrical current is directly applied to the resistive heating element, 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. The resistive heating element may be formed in a resistive heating layer, with the aerosol generating material being in an aerosol generating layer that is on the resistive heating layer. In some examples, a plurality of resistive heating elements (extending between respective contacts) may be formed, for example with one resistive heating element for each discrete portion of aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, there is a plurality of heating elements configured to provide different heating to the aerosol generating materials which may result in the generated aerosol having different characteristics. In some embodiments, the order in which the aerosol generating materials are heated may vary, e.g. between aerosol generation sessions.

The aerosol generating materials 202-210 are deposited on the substrate 200. The aerosol generating materials 202-210 are arranged into a series of discrete portions 202-210. Each of the discrete portions may have a different characteristic to the characteristics of the other discrete portions. Each of the discrete portions is in a position that corresponds with the position of a respective heating element in the substrate 200 so as to be able to be heated by that respective heating element. In the embodiment with only one heating element, each of the discrete portions may overlay the one heating element so as to be able to be heated by that heating element. In this embodiment, the targeted penetration by the magnetic field allows for individual heating of each of the discrete portions. For example, the only one heating element may be a single/continuous large susceptor provided with a plurality of smaller coils/inductors, each of which is arranged at a position that correspond to a respective a particular discrete portion and/or aerosol generating material. In this way, each coil/inductor can be selectively activated to provided targeted penetration of a specific portion of the susceptor thereby providing individual heating to a particular discrete portion and/or aerosol generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating device 100 is configured to randomly aerosolise a different region of the aerosol-generating material in each aerosol generation event. The aerosol provision device 100 may also be configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a substantially random sequence in each aerosol generation session. For example, the aerosol provision device 100 may be configured to induce heating in one or more different discrete portions in a random order during each aerosol generation session. As such, the user can experience a random "playlist" of aerosols with minimal interaction.

In some embodiments, the article comprises two substrates, each substrate having aerosol generating material deposited thereon in substantially the same way as described above. The substrates are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and facing each other so that the aerosol generating materials faces each other.

In some embodiments, the articles may have the same aerosol generating materials but arranged in different regions. In this way, even if the heating process is the same, the resulting sequence of aerosol may still be random/varying.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component may comprise the aerosol provision device and/or the article.

Fig. 3 shows a method 300 of generating aerosol during aerosol generation sessions.

At step 302, a first article comprising aerosol generating materials is coupled to an aerosol generating device. The coupling may result in the aerosol generating device being able to generate aerosol using the aerosol generating materials in the first article.

At step 304, a first sequence corresponding a first series of aerosol generation events during a first aerosol generation session is provided. In some embodiments, the first sequence may correspond to a plurality of positions on the first article where the aerosol generating materials is located. In some embodiments, the first sequence may correspond to a plurality of heating processes. One or more of the heating processes may differ from the other heating processes by having a different maximum or average heating temperature, or having a different heating ramp or rate of increase temperature, or having a different duration of heating. In some embodiments, the first sequence may be generated via a random number generator. In other embodiments, the first sequence may be in order distance from the aerosol generating material to a mouth end of the article.

At step 306, aerosol is sequentially generated from the first article according to the first sequence. The generation of aerosol may comprise generating aerosol at the first series of aerosol generation events in the order of the first sequence. One or more characteristics of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event may vary between aerosol generation events. For example, initially the aerosol generating material at a position on the first article corresponding to the first position in the first sequence is heated to generated aerosol having a first characteristic. Subsequently, the aerosol generating material at a position on the first article corresponding to the second position in the first sequence is heated to generated aerosol having a second characteristic. The first characteristic may be different from the second characteristic.

At step 308, once the first aerosol generation session has finished, the first article may be removed and a second article may be coupled to the aerosol provision device. The second article may be the same or different from the first article. The coupling may result in the aerosol generating device being able to generate aerosol using the aerosol generating materials in the second article.

At step 310, a second sequence is provided. The second sequence may be generated via a random number generator. The second sequence may be modified or changed using the first sequence. The second sequence corresponds to a second series of aerosol generation events during a second aerosol generation session. The second series of aerosol generation events differs from the first series of aerosol generation events, e.g. the characteristics of the of aerosol generated in the second series differ from the characteristics of the aerosol generated in the first series or the characteristics of the of aerosol generated in the second series are the same as the characteristics of the first series but generated in a different order.

In some embodiments, the second sequence may correspond to a plurality of positions on the second article where the aerosol generating materials is located. In some embodiments, the second sequence may correspond to a plurality of heating processes. One or more of the heating processes may differ from the other heating processes by having a different maximum or average heating temperature, or having a different heating ramp or rate of increase temperature, or having different a duration of heating. In some embodiments, the second sequence may be generated via a random number generator. In other embodiments, the second sequence may be in order distance from the aerosol generating material to a mouth end of the article.

At step 312, aerosol is sequentially generated from the second article according to the second sequence. The generation of aerosol may comprise generating aerosol at the second series of aerosol generation events in the order of the second sequence. One or more characteristics of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event may vary between aerosol generation events.

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 component configured to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material, wherein: the aerosol provision component is configured to generate aerosol at a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session; a characteristic of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events; and the aerosol provision component is configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a sequence which varies between aerosol generation sessions.

2. An aerosol provision component of claim 1, wherein the aerosol provision component is configured such that the aerosol generation events occur in a substantially random sequence in each aerosol generation session.

3. An aerosol provision component of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol provision component is configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material in an aerosol generating article.

4. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol provision component is configured to aerosolise a different region of aerosol generating material during each aerosol generating event, wherein a controller of the aerosol provision component is configured to vary the sequence of aerosolization of the different regions of aerosol generating material to vary the sequence.

5. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the characteristic comprises a flavour and/or a strength.

6. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol provision component is configured to heat an aerosol generating material during each aerosol generating event to generate the aerosol, wherein the aerosol provision component comprises a controller, the controller configured to vary heating between aerosol generating events to vary the sequence.

7. An aerosol provision component of claim 6, wherein the varying of heating comprises varying at least one of: heating temperature, rate of increase of temperature, and a duration of heating.

8. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the aerosol generating materials does not have variable characteristics.

9. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the aerosol provision component comprises an aerosol provision device.

10. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the aerosol provision component comprises an article.

11. An aerosol provision component of claim 10, wherein the article comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of aerosol generating materials each positioned at a respective region of the substrate, wherein one or more of the aerosol generating materials has a characteristic that is different from the characteristic of one or more of the other aerosol generating materials.

12. An aerosol provision component of claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a heating element configured to provide heat to one or more of the aerosol generating materials.

13. An aerosol provision component of claim 11 or 12, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of heating elements, each configured to heat a respective aerosol generating material.

14. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the article comprises: a substrate; a plurality of aerosol generating materials each positioned at a respective region of the substrate; and a plurality of heating elements, each of the heating elements is configured to provide heat to one or more of the aerosol generating materials; wherein one or more of the heating elements is different from one or more of the other heating elements.

15. An aerosol provision component of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the plurality of aerosol generating materials are: discrete portions that are spaced apart from each other; or continuously joined with each other.

16. An aerosol provision system comprising: the aerosol provision device of claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon; and an article.

17. An aerosol provision system of claim 16, wherein the article is an article of claim 10 or any claim dependent thereon.

18. A method of generating aerosol, the method comprising generating aerosol from the aerosol generating materials according to a sequence corresponding to a series of aerosol generation events during an aerosol generation session; wherein a characteristic of the generated aerosol during an aerosol generating event varies between aerosol generation events; and wherein the sequence varies between aerosol generation sessions.

19. A method of claim 18, wherein the sequence is generated from a random number generator.

20. A method of claim 18 or claim 19, further comprising generating aerosol from the aerosol generating materials according to a further sequence corresponding to a further series of aerosol generation events during a further aerosol generation session; wherein the further sequence is different from the sequence.

21. A pack of articles comprising a plurality of articles, wherein: each article comprises a substrate and a plurality of aerosol generating materials deposited thereon; and the plurality of aerosol generating materials in one article of the plurality of articles is different from the plurality of aerosol generating materials in another article of the plurality of article.