WO2025022085A1

WO2025022085A1 - Aerosol provision system with leak protection

Info

Publication number: WO2025022085A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/051844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joe MESNARD; David LEADLEY; Scott BOHAM; Steve Hughes
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-24
Filing date: 2024-07-15
Publication date: 2025-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-24
Also published as: GB202311310D0

Abstract

A component of an aerosol provision system, the component being connectable to a second component to form the aerosol provision system, comprises a connecting portion configured to engage with a connecting portion of the second component; and a textured surface configured to inhibit the passage of liquid across the textured surface, the textured surface on a face of the connecting portion, and the textured surface providing a barrier to inhibit liquid originating within the aerosol provision system from passing between the component and the second component to the exterior of the aerosol provision system when the component is connected to the second component.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM WITH LEAK PROTECTION

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a component of an aerosol provision system having features providing leak protection, and an aerosol provision system comprising such a component.

Background

Many aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems that deliver nicotine via vaporised liquids, are designed as a two-part system comprising two components which are connectable together in order to form the complete aerosol provision system. For example, the components may be a cartridge-type component that includes a reservoir of liquid to be vaporised by an atomiser within the cartridge component in order to generate an inhalable aerosol for the user, and a device component that includes a battery for providing electrical power to the atomiser in order to operate the atomiser for vaporisation of the liquid. The cartridge component may be a singleuse component supplied with a pre-filled reservoir, or a multiple-use component in which the reservoir may be filled and refilled with liquid by the user. A cartridge component intended for single or few uses may be termed a consumable, intended for disposal after use and replacement with a new consumable. The device component may be intended for more longterm use, in order to power a refillable cartridge over multiple refills of the reservoir, or to power a series of cartridges.

The cartridge component and the device component each have a connecting portion which can be engaged and disengaged with the connecting portion of the other component in order to allow the aerosol provision system to be assembled and disassembled, such as for refilling or replacement of the cartridge component or replacement or recharging of the battery of the device component. Connection may be by a screw thread coupling, a bayonet connection, an interference fit coupling or a magnetic coupling for example.

The cartridge component is designed to deliver liquid from the reservoir to the atomiser as required for vaporisation. This is commonly achieved by a porous wick that absorbs liquid from the reservoir and transports it by capillary action to the atomiser, which may be an electrical heating element. Liquid may escape from the reservoir without being vaporised by the atomiser (such as via an outlet of the reservoir through which the porous wick extends, or by dripping from a saturated wick), or vaporised liquid may recondense from the inhalable aerosol. These occurrences can produce free liquid within the aerosol provision system. Another source of free liquid is condensation of water vapour from air drawn through the aerosol provision system by the user inhaling through the system in order to obtain the aerosol. Liquid from these or other events may leak from the aerosol provision system, which is undesirable for the user. In the case of a two-component system, the join between the connecting portions may provide a route for such leakage, allowing liquid to reach the exterior of the aerosol provision system.

Approaches for reducing leakage from two-part aerosol provision systems are therefore of interest.

Summary

According to a first aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided a component of an aerosol provision system, the component connectable to a second component to form the aerosol provision system, and comprising: a connecting portion configured to engage with a connecting portion of the second component; and a textured surface configured to inhibit the passage of liquid across the textured surface, the textured surface on a face of the connecting portion, and the textured surface providing a barrier to inhibit liquid originating within the aerosol provision system from passing between the component and the second component to the exterior of the aerosol provision system when the component is connected to the second component.

According to a second aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising a component according to the first aspect.

These and further aspects of the certain embodiments are set out in the appended independent and dependent claims. It will be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with each other and features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Furthermore, the approach described herein is not restricted to specific embodiments such as set out below, but includes and contemplates any appropriate combinations of features presented herein. For example, a component or an aerosol provision system comprising a component may be provided in accordance with approaches described herein which includes any one or more of the various features described below as appropriate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an example aerosol provision system to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied;

Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through another example aerosol provision system to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied, the system comprising a cartridge component and a device component;

Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through end parts of example cartridge and device components having connecting portions in a detached configuration, to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied; Figure 4 shows the ends parts of the example cartridge and device components of Figure 3 in an attached configuration, including example surface textures for leak protection according to an aspect of the disclosure;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of an example connecting portion of a cartridge or device component with a surface texture for leak protection on an end face of the connecting portion according to a first example;

Figure 6 shows a plan view of an example connecting portion of a cartridge or device component with a surface texture for leak protection on an end face of the connecting portion according to a second example;

Figures 7A and 7B show plan views of example connecting portions of a device component and a cartridge component with surface textures for leak protection on end faces of the connecting portions according to a third example;

Figure 8 shows the ends parts and connecting portions of further example cartridge and device components in an attached configuration, including further example surface textures for leak protection according to an aspect of the disclosure;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the connecting portion of the example device component of Figure 8, including the example surface texture of a inner face of a collar of the connecting portion;

Figures 10A-10E show highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representations of parts of various examples of textured surfaces;

Figures 11 and 12 show highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional views through parts of two example textured surfaces; and

Figures 13 and 14 show photographic images of parts of two example textured surfaces.

Detailed Description

Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed I described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed I described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

As described above, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol or vapour provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the terms “e- cigarette” and “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used; however, it will be appreciated these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapour) provision system or device. The systems are intended to generate an inhalable aerosol by vaporisation of an aerosolforming substrate in the form of a liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. Additionally, hybrid systems may comprise a liquid or gel substrate plus a solid substrate which is also heated. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. The term “aerosolisable substrate material” as used herein is intended to refer to substrate materials which can form an aerosol, either through the application of heat or some other means. The term “aerosol” may be used interchangeably with “vapour”.

As used herein, the term “component” is used to refer to a part, section, unit, module, assembly or similar of an electronic cigarette or similar device that incorporates several smaller parts or elements, possibly within an exterior housing or wall. An electronic cigarette may be formed or built from one or more such components, and the components may be removably or separably connectable to one another, or may be permanently joined together during manufacture to define the whole electronic cigarette. The present disclosure is applicable to systems comprising (at least) two components separably connectable to one another and configured, for example, as an aerosolisable substrate material carrying component holding liquid or another aerosolisable substrate material (a cartridge, cartomiser or consumable), and a control unit or device component having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the substrate material. For the sake of providing a concrete example, in the present disclosure, a cartridge or cartomiser (cartridge component or consumable) is described as an example of the aerosolisable substrate material carrying portion or component, but the disclosure is not limited in this regard and is applicable to any configuration of aerosolisable substrate material carrying portion or component. Also, such a component may include more or fewer parts than those included in the examples. This is true also of the device component.

The present disclosure is particularly but not exclusively relevant to aerosol provision systems and components thereof that utilise aerosolisable substrate material in the form of a liquid or a gel which is held in a reservoir, tank, container or other receptacle comprised in the system. In such systems an arrangement for delivering the substrate material from the reservoir for the purpose of providing it for vapour I aerosol generation is included. The terms “liquid”, “gel”, “fluid”, “source liquid”, “source gel”, “source fluid” and the like may be used interchangeably with “aerosolisable substrate material” and “substrate material” to refer to aerosolisable substrate material that has a form capable of being stored and delivered in accordance with examples of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale) of a generic example aerosol/vapour provision system such as an e-cigarette 10, presented for the purpose of showing the relationship between the various parts of a typical system and explaining the general principles of operation. The e-cigarette 10 has a generally elongate shape in this example, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line, and comprises two main components, namely a control or power component, section or unit (device component) 20, and a cartridge component, assembly or section 30 (sometimes referred to as a cartomiser or clearomiser) carrying aerosolisable substrate material and operating as a vapour-generating component.

The cartridge component 30 includes a reservoir 3 containing a source liquid or other aerosolisable substrate material comprising a formulation such as liquid or gel from which an aerosol is to be generated, for example containing nicotine. As an example, the source liquid may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising roughly equal measures of water and propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as flavourings. Nicotine-free source liquid may also be used, such as to deliver flavouring. A solid substrate (not illustrated), such as a portion of tobacco or other flavour element through which vapour generated from the liquid is passed, may also be included. The reservoir 3 has the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which source liquid can be stored such that the liquid is free to move and flow within the confines of the tank. For a consumable cartridge component 30, the reservoir 3 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the source liquid is consumed, otherwise, it may have an inlet port or other opening through which new source liquid can be added by the user. The cartridge component 30 also comprises an electrically powered heating element or heater 4 located externally of the reservoir tank 3 for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the source liquid by heating. Note that in other examples, source liquid may be generated by an alternative powered means such as a vibrating mesh. A liquid transfer or delivery arrangement (liquid transport element) such as a wick or other porous element 6 may be provided to deliver source liquid from the reservoir 3 to the heater 4 or other vapour generator. A wick 6 may have one or more parts located inside the reservoir 3, or otherwise be in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir 3, so as to be able to absorb source liquid and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the wick 6 that are adjacent or in contact with the heater 4. This liquid is thereby heated and vaporised, to be replaced by new source liquid from the reservoir for transfer to the heater 4 by the wick 6. The wick may be thought of as a bridge, path or conduit between the reservoir 3 and the heater 4 that delivers or transfers liquid from the reservoir to the heater. Terms including conduit, liquid conduit, liquid transfer path, liquid delivery path, liquid transfer mechanism or element, and liquid delivery mechanism or element may all be used interchangeably herein to refer to a wick or corresponding component or structure.

A heater and wick (or similar) combination is sometimes referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly 7, and the reservoir 3 with its source liquid plus the atomiser 7 may be collectively referred to as an aerosol source. Other terminology may include a liquid delivery assembly or a liquid transfer assembly, where in the present context these terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a vapour-generating element (vapour generator) plus a wicking or similar component or structure (liquid transport element) that delivers or transfers liquid obtained from a reservoir to the vapour generator for vapour I aerosol generation. Various designs are possible, in which the parts may be differently arranged compared with the highly schematic representation of Figure 1. For example, the wick 6 may be an entirely separate element from the heater 4, or the heater 4 may be configured to be porous and able to perform at least part of the wicking function directly (a conductive mesh, such as a metallic mesh, for example). In an electrical or electronic device, the vapour generating element may be an electrical heating element that operates by ohmic/resistive (Joule) heating or by inductive heating. In general, therefore, an atomiser can be considered as one or more elements that implement the functionality of a vapour-generating or vaporising element able to generate vapour from source liquid delivered to it, and a liquid transport or delivery element able to deliver or transport liquid from a reservoir or similar liquid store to the vapour generator by a wicking action I capillary force. An atomiser is typically housed in a cartridge component of an aerosol generating system. In some designs, liquid may be dispensed from a reservoir directly onto a vapour generator with no need for a distinct wicking or capillary element. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to all and any such configurations which are consistent with the examples and description herein.

Returning to Figure 1, the cartridge component 30 also includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion 35 having an opening or aerosol outlet through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the atomiser 7. In other designs, a mouthpiece may be provided as a separate component which may be permanently or separably connectable to the cartridge component 30.

The power component or control unit or, simply, device or device component 20 includes a cell or battery 5 (referred to hereinafter as a battery, and which may be rechargeable) to provide power for electrical components of the e-cigarette 10, in particular to operate the heater 4. Additionally, there is a controller 28 such as a printed circuit board and/or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the e-cigarette. The control electronics/circuitry 28 operates the heater 4 using power from the battery 5 when vapour is required, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (“puff sensor”, not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 10 during which air enters through one or more air inlets 26 in the wall of the device component 20. When the heating element 4 is operated, the heating element 4 vaporises source liquid delivered from the reservoir 3 by the liquid delivery element 6 to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece 35. The aerosol is carried from the aerosol source to the mouthpiece 35 along one or more air flow channels (not shown in Figure 1) that connect the air inlet(s) 26 to the aerosol source to the aerosol outlet when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. Since in this example the air inlets 26 to the system are located in the device component 20, the cartridge component 30 has its own air inlet(s) in air flow communication with the device component 20 so that air drawn in through the device component air inlet(s) 26 can reach the interior of the cartridge component 30, and the atomiser 7. In other designs, air inlets may be located in the outer wall of the cartridge component 30 so that air enters directly into the cartridge component 30 instead of arriving there via the device component 20.

The device component (control unit) 20 and the cartridge component (cartomiser, consumable) 30 are, in this example to which the present disclosure is relevant, separate connectable parts detachable from and re-attachable to one another by movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, as indicated by the double-headed arrows in Figure 1. Each component 20, 30 has a connecting portion 21 , 31 at an end facing towards the corresponding end of the other component, and the components 20, 30 are joined together when the aerosol provision system 10 is ready for use or in use by cooperating engagement elements at the connecting portions 21 , 31 (for example, a screw or bayonet fitting, or a push-fit, snap-fit or magnetic connection) which provide mechanical and in some cases electrical connectivity between the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30. Electrical connectivity is required if the heater 4 operates by ohmic heating, or where a vibrating mesh vapour generator or other electrically powered vapour generator is used, so that current can be passed through the heater 4 when it is connected to the battery 5. In systems that use inductive heating, electrical connectivity can be omitted if no parts requiring electrical power are located in the cartridge component 30. An inductive work coil can be housed in the device component 20 and supplied with power from the battery 5, and the cartridge component 30 and the device component 20 shaped so that when they are connected, there is an appropriate exposure of the heater 4 to flux generated by the coil for the purpose of generating current flow in the material of the heater 4. Also, apertures for air flow from the device component 20 to the cartridge component 30 are included at the connecting portions 21 , 31 of the two components 20, 30 in designs having one or more air inlets 26 in the outer wall(s) of the device component 21. The connecting portions 21, 31 therefore provide an interface between the cartridge component 30 and the device component 20. The Figure 1 design is merely an example arrangement, and the various parts and features may be differently distributed between the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30, and other undepicted elements may be included. The two components 20, 30 may connect together end-to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Figure 1, or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side-by-side arrangement. The system may or may not be generally cylindrical and/or have a generally longitudinal shape. Either or both components 20, 30 may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir 3 is empty or the battery 5 is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the reservoir 3 and recharging the battery 5. In other examples, the aerosol provision system 10 may be unitary, in that the parts of the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 are comprised in a single housing and cannot be separated. In such as case, the concepts of the present disclosure, which relates to features of the connecting portions 21 , 31 that join the components 20, 30, may instead (or additionally where the cartridge component 30 and the device component 20 are separable) be embodied at an interface between the cartridge component 30 and a detachable mouthpiece component as mentioned above. Embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations of which the skilled person will be aware.

The presence of liquid aerosolisable substrate material in the reservoir 3 can lead to the presence of unwanted free “escaped” liquid within the cartridge component 30. Liquid may be leak out of the reservoir 3 through an aperture or apertures through which the porous wick 6 extends into the reservoir interior for the purpose of absorbing liquid, for example if the wick 6 does not fit tightly in the aperture. Any weak joins between parts of the reservoir may also allow leakage, for example due to damage or manufacturing flaws. Liquid may be able to seep gradually from such holes, or may be forced out of the reservoir 3 owing to a pressure differential arising from changes in atmospheric pressure or to a pressure wave within the reservoir 3 caused by an impact. Other causes of free liquid outside of the reservoir 3 may be a high wicking rate that delivers liquid to the heater 4 more quickly than the liquid can be converted into vapour, and condensation of already-vaporised liquid back from the aerosol form. Any such escaped liquid can freely move along channels and gaps within the internal structure of the cartridge component 30, and may reach the connecting portion 31 where the cartridge component 30 interfaces with the device component 20. The liquid, having originated from within the aerosol provision system 10 may then be able to pass between the cartridge component 30 and the device component 20 where they are connected together, in other words between opposing faces of the two components 20, 30 to reach the exterior of the aerosol provision system 10 and create an external leak.

While there may be several pathways by which liquid originating from within the aerosol provision system can find its way to the connecting portions 21 , 31 , arising from manufacturing imperfections, damage, or gaps intended for other purposes, a significant pathway may be provided by the airflow channel through the aerosol provision system.

Figure 2 shows a highly schematic simplified longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example aerosol provision system with a depicted airflow channel. The airflow channel 8 begins at an air inlet 26 in the outer side wall of the device component 20, and extends through the aerosol provision system 10 to an outlet 35a in the mouthpiece 35. After the air inlet 26, the airflow channel 8 becomes a central channel or passage running longitudinally along the central axis of the aerosol provision system 10. The air flow channel 8 reaches the connecting portion 21 of the device component 20, which has an opening in its end face that opposes a corresponding end face of the connecting portion 31 of the cartridge component 30 having a corresponding opening by which the air flow channel 8 continues into the cartridge component 30. Once within the cartridge component 30, the airflow channel 8 increases in width to define a chamber 9 within which the atomiser 7 is located, so that air A flowing along the airflow channel 8 can pass over and/or through the atomiser 7 to collect vapour generated by the atomiser and create an aerosol. After the chamber 9 the airflow channel 8 narrows in width and extends to the mouthpiece outlet 35a, upon which a user inhales to draw air A into the air inlet 26 and along the airflow channel 8. Air/aerosol A thereby exits the mouthpiece outlet 35a and enters the user’s mouth for inhalation.

From this, it can be appreciated that any liquid L originating within the aerosol provision system 10 may travel to the connecting portions 21 , 31 via the airflow channel 8. Liquid aerosolisable substrate material that had leaked from the reservoir 3 (which in this example has an annular shape surrounding the airflow channel 8 and the chamber 9) via wick apertures (not shown), dripped from an oversaturated wick and/or condensed from its vaporised form can be in the chamber 9 and/or some other part of the airflow channel 8, and can travel directly along the airflow channel 8 to the connecting portion 31 of the cartridge component 30. Once at the connecting portion 31 , the liquid L may work its way between the opposing faces of the connecting portions 21 , 31 of the connected components 20, 30, and thereby reach the exterior of the aerosol provision system 10, as indicated by the arrows.

Another source of liquid originating within the aerosol provision system 10 that can leak out via the interface between the connecting portions 21 , 31 is condensate from any water vapour carried by the air drawn into the airflow channel as the user inhales, and/or present in any user exhalation into the mouthpiece outlet 35a that may arise. Air will also be present in the airflow channel 8 at times when the aerosol provision system is not use. Water vapour in the air may condense on the inwardly facing wall of the airflow channel 8 when temperature conditions favour this, to create liquid water which can travel along the airflow channel 8 to escape between the connecting portions 21 , 31 and create a liquid leak L as described above.

While the appearance of liquid aerosolisable substrate material outside the reservoir and possible external leakage thereof may be an occasional problem arising from particular conditions such as damage or pressure changes, the formation of water condensate is more likely to be a frequent or ongoing occurrence somewhat inherent in a regularly used aerosol provision system. Therefore, while prevention or mitigation of leakage of all liquid originating within an aerosol provision system is of interest, leakage control for water condensate may be particularly important.

The present disclosure seeks to address the issue of liquid leakage at the interface of connected components of an aerosol provision system by providing a textured surface on a face of one or both components, the face being in the connecting portion. It has been determined that an appropriately configured texture formed or provided on a surface can inhibit the flow or passage of liquid across the textured area. When present on a face of a connecting portion, the texture can interrupt the movement of liquid between opposed faces of the connecting portions of two connected components, in other words, through any gap or space that may exist between the opposed faces, and thereby inhibit any liquid originating within the aerosol provision system from reaching the exterior of the aerosol provision system via the interface of the components. The aerosol provision system is thereby protected from liquid leaks, including liquid aerosolisable substrate material and water condensate.

Examples of suitable textured surfaces are described in more detail below. In broad terms, however, the textured surface comprises an area or region over which there is defined a plurality of protruding and/or recessed or pitted surface features with dimensions on the micrometre scale. These features can be thought of as texture features comprising protrusions/recesses, pits/lands, or peaks/troughs, for example. In the context of the small volumes of free or escaped liquid arising internally in the aerosol provision system, surface features of this size present a barrier to the free movement or flow of the liquid over the surface owing to the surface tension forces in the liquid. Small quantities of liquid are prevented or inhibited from moving over the textured surface along at least one direction (depending on the configuration of the protrusions and recesses), so can be stopped from reaching the exterior of the aerosol provision system if the textured surface is located between an originating point or location of the liquid and a point of egress to the exterior of the aerosol provision system. Conveniently, and according to the proposed concept, the textured surface is therefore located on one or more faces of one or both connecting portions of the components, in order to block or catch the liquid close to the place where it could otherwise exit the interior of the aerosol provision system. In this way, leakage of liquid via the connection interface can be addressed regardless of the point of origin of the liquid within the aerosol provision system.

The use of a textured surface to address liquid leakage enables leak protection in a simple, compact and durable way that does not require the provision and accommodation of additional parts, such as the pads of absorbent material which are utilised in some aerosol provision systems to catch free liquid. The textured surface is provided on an already-present face of an existing part of the aerosol provision system so does not occupy space within the aerosol provision system. The connecting portions of the components comprise various faces on the exterior of the individual components, which become interior faces when the components are connected in that the face or faces of one component become opposed to corresponding faces on the other component. Some parts of the face may be occupied by or comprised in the mechanism by which the physical connection is made, such as screw threads or engaging portions of a snap-fit join. Depending on the tightness of fit of the connection between the components, there may be a space or spaces of various size between the components through which liquid can pass to the exterior of the system, causing a leak as discussed. To mitigate this, it is proposed that a textured surface be provided on at least part of at least one face in the connecting portion of at least one of the components. Clearly, many alternatives are possible given the variety of connecting mechanisms available and the many shapes, sizes and configurations of aerosol provision device. Some examples are presented below, but these are in no way limiting, and it is envisaged that the textured surface may be applied to any surface of a connecting portion at a location that provides a barrier to liquid movement from the interior to the exterior of the aerosol provision system.

Figure 3 shows a simplified longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connecting portions of example components, which are configured to connect via a snap fit. A cartridge component 30 and a device component 20 are shown detached or uncoupled from one another, being attachable and subsequently detachable by being brought together and moved apart in the longitudinal direction shown by the double-headed arrow. The cartridge component 30 has a portion of the airflow channel 8 disposed within it (typically but not essentially centrally disposed as depicted), with the airflow channel 8 open to an end face 32 of the cartridge component 30, where the end face is substantially transverse to the airflow channel 8 and hence to the direction of the flow of air A through the aerosol provision system along the airflow channel 8, when the components are connected to form the system. The device component 20 similarly has a portion of the airflow channel 8 centrally disposed within it, for alignment with the portion of the airflow channel 8 in the cartridge component 30 when the components 20, 30 are connected together. Again, the airflow channel 8 is open to a transverse end face 22 of the device component 20, where the ends faces 22, 32 face one another in an opposed arrangement when the components 20, 30 are connected to join the two portions of the airflow channel 8. The end faces 22, 32, being brought together when the components 20, 30 are connected, are comprised in the connecting portions 21, 31 of the components 20, 30. Other features which may be present at or on the ends faces 22, 32 are omitted for clarity, but may be present according to the design of the aerosol provision system. In the example, the connecting portion 31 of the cartridge component 30 also comprises a protruding flange or legs extending longitudinally at the outer edge of the end face 32 with an inwardly facing bump or bumps. The connection portion 21 of the device component 20 correspondingly comprises a outwardly facing recess or recesses on the outer wall of the device component, into which the bump(s) of the cartridge component connecting portion 30 engage which the components are brought together, or interfaced, for connection.

Figure 4 shows the components of Figure 3 in a coupled arrangement, connected for operation together as an aerosol provision system, and provided with a textured surface or surfaces as proposed herein. Mechanical connection of the components 20, 30 is made by engagement of the bump(s) of the connecting portion 31 of the cartridge component 30 into the recess(es) of the connecting portion 21 of the device component 20, as described above. The end faces 22, 32 are now in an opposed arrangement, facing one another. A small gap or space is depicted between the end faces 22, 32; this is for the purposes of illustration, and may be narrower or wider depending on the configuration of the connecting portions 21 , 31. In order to inhibit the passage of any liquid L present in the vicinity of the interface between the components 20, 30, such as liquid that has condensed or accumulated within the air flow passage 8 (the airflow passage 8 effectively being an aperture by which liquid may leave the individual components, and enter the region of the interface between the components), a textured surface 25 is provided on the end face 22 of the device component. The textured surface 25 may comprise one or more separate areas of textured surface disposed on the end face 22, according to different examples. Although shown in this example as being on the end face 22 of the device component 20, the textured surface may alternatively be on the end face 32 of the cartridge component 32, or textured surfaces may be provided on both ends faces 22, 32. In the latter case, textured surfaces 25 may be provided on areas or regions of the end faces 22, 32 that correspond or overlap with one another when the components are connected, or on different or complementary areas or regions of the end faces 22, 32. The textured surface 25 acts as a barrier or obstacle to the flow of liquid over an end face 22, 32 or between the end faces 22, 32, so that any liquid L leaving the airflow channel 8 and dispersing over one or both end faces 22, 32, or moving through the space between the end faces 22, 32 and encountering the textured surface is inhibited from progressing across the textured surface 25. Hence the liquid is wholly or at least partly prevented from moving beyond the textured surface 25 and therefore does not reach the outer edges of the end faces 22, 32 where leakage to the exterior of the aerosol provision system could occur. As shown, liquid 27 will instead by collected at the textured surface 25, either on the textured surface 25 or at the inner edge of the textured surface 25, depending on the configuration and structure of the textured surface 25 as will be described further below.

Figure 5 shows a simplified plan view of an end of a component configured in accordance with an example. The component 20, 30 has an end face 22, 32 comprised in its connecting portion, as described in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4, with a centrally disposed tubular airflow channel 8 open at the end face 22, 32. In this example, the component 20, 30 has a circular transverse cross-section, and hence the end face 22, 32 has a circular shape. A textured surface 25 is provided across the entire area of the end face 22, 32 in this example. Again, other features of the end face 22, 32 are omitted for clarity, but may include, for example, electrical connections and/or elements of the connecting portion that enable physical coupling with the connecting portion of another component. The textured surface 25 may have gaps or holes within it to accommodate any such features.

Figure 6 shows a simplified plan view of an end of a component configured according to another example. Again, the component 20, 30 has an end face 22, 32 comprised in its connecting portion, as described in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4, with a centrally disposed tubular airflow channel 8 open at the end face 22, 32, with other features of the end face omitted for clarity. In this example, the component 20, 30 has a substantially oblate transverse cross-section, and hence the end face 22, 32 has an oblate shape. It will be readily apparent to the skilled person that an aerosol provision may have substantially any cross-sectional shape, so that an end face with surface texture may similarly have any shape. Also in this example, the textured surface 25 has the form of a closed (unbroken) ring that entirely circumscribes the end face 22, 32. This allows the textured surface to act as a barrier to liquid passing over the end face towards the exterior of the aerosol provision system along any direction from a point of origin of liquid within the ring, such as liquid emerging from the airflow channel 8. The term “ring” is not intended to imply a circular shape; as can be appreciated from Figure 6, the ring has an oblate shape, following the perimeter of end face 22, 32. Other shapes of ring may be employed, as convenient having regard to the shape of the end face 22, 32 and the avoidance of any other features present on the end face 22, 32. A textured surface having the form of a ring allows the inhibition of liquid movement across the end face along any direction towards the exterior of the aerosol provision system, so can capture or block all potential leaks with a lesser area of textured surface than, for example, the Figure 5 concept of covering the whole of the end face with a textured surface. This may allow simpler manufacturing, and is better suited for accommodating both a textured surface and whichever surface features may be present on the end face.

Similarly, in other examples, a ring-shaped textured surface may have the form of a broken or discontinuous ring, in other words a ring with one or more gaps or breaks in it. A gap may be present where the risk of leakage is considered low, for example in alignment with some other feature that may interfere with the passage of liquid towards the outer edge of the end face, or merely to accommodate some other feature of the end face.

Figure 5 shows the textured surface extending right to the outer edge or perimeter of the end face. In contrast, Figure 6 shows the textured surface disposed inwardly from the outer edge, by a small distance (although a relatively larger distance may be used). By this it is meant that the outer edge or perimeter of the textured surface is inwardly spaced from outer edge or perimeter of the end face, in other words the textured surface does not extend to the outer edge of the end face. A spacing or separation can keep any free liquid that is captured, held or blocked by the textured surface further away from the exterior surface of aerosol provision system so that liquid is less likely to contact an external object or item and be drawn outwards to cause a leak, for example by breaking of the surface tension of the liquid or by wicking if the item is porous. The spacing or separation from the outer edge of the end face may vary around the perimeter of the end face.

While a ring of textured surface may in some cases be preferred to a full coverage of the end face by the textured surface, as discussed above, the ring should have an adequate width or thickness in the “across” direction, that is the direction of movement of liquid within the interface between component from the interior to the exterior of the aerosol provision system in order to provide a useful level of inhibition to the passage of liquid. As an example, a minimum thickness for the ring can be 1 mm, although this may depend on the viscosity and hence surface tension of the liquid of interest, for example, if the trapping of water condensation or of liquid aerosolisable substrate material is of primary interest. Similarly, a maximum ring thickness can be useful in some cases, where it is of interest to reduce the total area of the textured surface while still providing adequate liquid capture. In other words, a maximum thickness might be defined as a width above which additional efficacy of liquid capture provided by a further extent of the textured surface is not of interest or benefit. A maximum thickness might be about 10 mm. Hence, a thickness for the ring can be in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm, for example, although the upper and lower limits of this range can be employed independently, and larger or smaller values are also not excluded, for example a thickness in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm. Also, the thickness of the ring need not be constant, and may vary around the ring, for example to better fit with the available space on the end face.

Figure 7A shows a simplified plan view of an end of a component configured according to another example. Again, the component 20 (for example, the device component) has an end face 22 (of circular shape) comprised in its connecting portion, as described in conjunction with Figures 3 and 4, with a centrally disposed tubular airflow channel 8 open at the end face 22, and other features of the end face omitted for clarity. In this example, the textured surface 25 is present over only part of the area of the end face 22, specifically, over half of the end face 22 and to one side of the end face 22. Other partially coverage of the end face 22 with the textured surface may alternatively be used as required, having regard to other features of the end face for which a textured surface is not appropriate, for example, or to limit the textured surface to a region or regions considered most vulnerable to leakage. In order to extend the leak protection, in another example, the end face of the other component (for example, the cartridge component) may be provided with a textured surface over a part or parts of the end face. Figure 7B shows a simplified plan view of an end of a cartridge component 30 configured in this way, in which the textured surface 25 again covers a half of the end face 32, to one side of the end face 32. The textured surface 25 is on the opposite half of the end face 32 to the textured surface on the end face of the device component 20 of Figure 7A, so that when the components 20, 30 are coupled together, all of the interface region has a textured surface, partly above the interface region and partly below the interface region. Hence, the two textured surface are complementary, in that when together they provide an increased area of textured surface for the interface region as a whole. In other examples, complementary textured surfaces may be differently shaped, and may provide only partial coverage of the interface region, such as two textured surfaces that together provide a ring-shaped barrier. In still other examples, the textured surfaces on the two ends faces may overlap, so that a textured surface is provided both above and below the interface region, which may provide increased leak protection if required.

The textured surface may be provided on a face or face of the connecting portion of a component other than the transverse end face, or in addition to the transverse end face.

Figure 8 shows a simplified longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connecting portions of example components, which are configured to connect via a screw thread. A cartridge component 30 and a device component 20 are coupled to one another. The cartridge component 30 has a portion of the airflow channel 8 centrally disposed within it, with the airflow channel open to an end face 32 of the cartridge component 30, where the end face is substantially transverse to the airflow channel 8 and hence to the direction of the flow of air A through the aerosol provision system along the air flow channel, when the components are connected to form the system. The device component 20 similarly has a portion of the airflow channel 8 centrally disposed within it, for alignment with the airflow channel 8 in the cartridge component 30 when the components 20, 30 are connected together. Again, the airflow channel 8 is open to a transverse end face 22 of the device component 20, where the ends faces 22, 32 face one another in an opposed arrangement when the components 20, 30 are connected. Other features which may be present at or on the ends faces 22, 32 are omitted for clarity, but may be present according to the design of the aerosol provision system. In addition to the end faces 21 , 31 , the connecting portions 21 , 31 of the components 20, 30 also include means for enabling a threaded joint between the components 20, 30. On the device component 20, the connecting portion 21 includes a tubular collar extending longitudinally beyond the end face 22, and having a screw thread extending around its inner face 23. On the cartridge component 30, the connecting portion 31 includes a side wall or outward side face 33 extending longitudinally behind the end face 32, the connecting portion 31 having a circular cross-section with a diameter sized to be inserted within the collar of the device component 20. The outward side face 33 has a corresponding screw thread extending around the circumference of the connecting portion 31 , so that when the connection portion 31 of the cartridge component 30 is inserted into the collar and a relative rotational movement of the components 20, 30 is made, the two screw threads engage and the components 20, 30 are coupled together.

A textured surface 25 is provided on the inner face 23 of the collar, to inhibit any liquid that reaches the interface region between the components 20, 30 from passing between the inner face 23 of the collar and the outer side face 33 of the connecting portion 31. The textured surface 25 may be a band extending fully around the inner face 23, to form a closed ring, or may extend only partially around the inner face 23. Also, the textured surface 25 may extend wholly or partly along the longitudinal direction (depth of the collar), subject to space occupied by the screw threads. If the textured surface is formed as a ring (closed or broken), it may have a thickness according to the example dimensions given above. Also, the textured surface may alternatively be provided on the outer side face 33 of the cartridge component connecting portion 31 , or textured surfaces may be provided on both the outer side face 33 and the inner face 23, in corresponding, overlapping or complementary areas.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the end part of the device component 20 of Figure 9, indicating the textured surface 25 formed as a ring around the inner face 23 of the collar of the connecting portion 21 , below the screw thread 21a. It is useful to place the textured surface 25 before the screw thread (in terms of the direction of liquid movement) to block any liquid before it can reach the screw thread 21a. Liquid could contaminate or corrode the screw thread, creating difficulty in fastening and unfastening.

A similar collar arrangement can be adopted for connecting portions that enable coupling of the components by other mechanical arrangements, such as a bayonet fitting, a snap fit or a push I interference fit.

Note that although the above examples have included an opening of the airflow channel 8 on the end face of the component 20, 30, this is not required, for example in designs in which the air inlet(s) are located in the side wall(s) of the cartridge component so that airflow from the device component 20 to the cartridge component 30 is not needed. However, the textured surface is still pertinent in that liquid originating within the aerosol provision system may still be able to find its way to the interface between the connecting portions 21 , 31 via other gaps, channels or openings in the system structure.

In the foregoing description and the appended claims, the textured surface may be present in the cartridge component, the device component, or in both the cartridge component and the device component. Hence, any reference to a component applies equally to the cartridge component or to the device component, except where specific details indicate that only one or the other component is referred to. In the context of an entire aerosol provision, the two components can be considered as a component and a second component, a component and a further component, a component and another component, or a first component and a second component. The component or the first component may be the cartridge component or the device component. The second, further or another component may be the device component or the cartridge component.

The textured surfaces or surfaces comprise a plurality of texture features having dimensions on the micrometre scale. The features are distributed over a two-dimensional area or region of the face on which the textured surface is provided. Within that area, the texture features comprise a plurality of protrusions/recesses, pits/lands, peaks/troughs, or similar, spread over the area. With respect to the level of the plane of the face around the area, the texture features can comprise protrusions/lands/peaks standing proud of the level of the plane of the face (so that spaces between the features are at the level of the plane), or may comprise recesses/pits/troughs reaching below the level of the plane of the face (so that spaces between the features are at the level of the plane), or both (so that the level of the plane of the face is intermediate between the height of a protrusions/land/peak and the depth of a recess/pit/trough). The textured surface may be provided on the face by being fabricated directly on or as part of the face, that is, formed in the material from which the component having the face is made, or by being applied to the face as a surface coating or layer (of the same or a different material).

It has been determined that different configurations of the texture features act to inhibit the flow or movement of liquid across the textured surface in different ways, caused by different interactions of the liquid’s surface tension with different feature shapes, sizes, configurations, etc. In particular, by different selection of texture features, the surface texture can be configured to inhibit the passage of liquid by causing liquid which is incident on the surface to cling to the textured surface, or by causing liquid which is incident on the surface to flow or move along one direction at the expense of limited or prohibited movement in a substantially orthogonal direction.

Figure 10A shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a first example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. In order to enable liquid to cling, the texture surfaces have the form of a plurality of discrete texture features 100 on the face 101 on which the textured surface is provided. The texture features 100 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another over the area occupied by the textured surface, over both dimensions of the plane of the face 101. In this example, the texture features 100 are arranged with regular or periodic spacing, in the form of a triangular array. Since the texture features 100 are discrete and separated from one another, each feature may comprise a protrusion or peak extending from the plane of the face 101 , or may comprise a recess or pit “dug” below the plane of the face 100, or a combination of the two. The texture features 100 are depicted as having a roughly round cross-section parallel to the plane of the face 101 , but this is not essential, and the features may have any cross-sectional shape, dictated for example by the method of forming or providing the textured surface.

Figure 10B shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a second example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. This is similar to the example of Figure 10A, but in this case texture features 100 are arranged with regular spacing in the form of a square array. Other periodic distributions conforming to other regular arrays may also be used if desired. Alternatively, an irregular or non-periodic distribution may be used.

Figure 10C shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a third example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. In this example, the texture features 100 are randomly distributed over the face 101 , with irregular and non-constant spacing, lacking any intended periodicity. The choice between a regular or an irregular distribution of texture features may be dictated by the method of forming the texture features. Alternatively, a regular arrangement with constant spacing may be most suitable for enabling the cling of a liquid with a specified viscosity, so that the spacing and regularity may be selected accordingly so as to target a particular liquid, such as water or a chosen type of aerosolisable substrate material. Conversely, a non-periodic arrangement with a range of spacings between the texture features could be used to provide some cling for liquids with viscosities within a range, so that a single textured surface can manage different liquids.

Figure 10D shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a first example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the direction or control of the direction of movement of flow of liquid incident on the textured surface. In order to enable manage liquid movement direction in this way, a texture surface can have the form of a plurality of continuous texture features 100 on the face 101 on which the textured surface is provided. The texture features 100 comprise a plurality of substantially parallel ridges 102 extending from the plane of the face 101 , and/or grooves/troughs/channels “dug” below the plane of the face 100, or a combination of the two. The ridges/grooves are substantially straight in this example. Hence the texture features 102 are continuous along one direction (the length direction along which the ridges/grooves extend), and spaced apart from one another (by a substantially constant spacing) in the orthogonal direction. The effect of this configuration of the texture features 102 is to interrupt or impede the movement of any incident liquid in the orthogonal direction, indicated by the arrow X, while enabling or promoting the movement of any incident liquid in the length direction, indicated by the arrow Y. In the context of the functionality desired by the concept proposed herein, the orthogonal direction is considered as the “across” direction, along which it is desired to inhibit the passage of liquid, so that liquid is inhibited by the textured surface from reaching the far side of the textured surface. Hence, a location on the far side of the textured surface can be protected from exposure to any liquid passing over the face on which the textured surface is provided. Conversely, the movement of incident liquid is encouraged along the length direction of the ridges/grooves, so can be directed away from the across direction, or intentionally encouraged along the length direction, or both.

Figure 10E shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a second example of a textured surface which is configured for the control of the direction of liquid movement. The texture features 102 again comprise a plurality of substantially parallel ridges/grooves, but in this example, the ridges/grooves are formed in ring shapes and arranged substantially concentrically. The depicted example shows the ring shapes as circular, but this is not essential, and other shapes may be used in configurations where the grooves/ridges are not defined as straight over the extent of the textured surface. The concentric arrangement defines the across direction X of the textured surface as being between the centre and the outer edge of the area covered by the textured surface. In this way, liquid may be inhibited from moving from a point near the centre of the textured surface outwardly, or from a point beyond the textured surface inwards towards the centre. The direction Y along which the textured surface allows liquid movement is the circumferential direction.

Figure 11 shows a highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional view through an example textured surface, in order to indicates some parameters of interest. In this example, the texture features comprise pits or grooves formed in the face on which the textured surface is provided. Three texture features are shown, but in reality many more features may be present along a line through the textured surface. A first parameter of interest is the spacing s, shown as the centre-to-centre distance or separation between adjacent texture features. Purely as an example, the spacing s may be around 20 pm or around 25 pm. More generally, the spacing may be in the range of 15 pm to 30 pm, although larger and smaller spacings are not excluded, for example in the range of 10 pm to 50 pm. Within a textured surface or a region within a textured surface, the spacing may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the texture features, and might be within 2 pm or within 5 pm, for example), or may be chosen to take a variety of values that vary within a range of up to 10 pm, for example, such as to better manage liquids with different viscosities. A second parameter of interest is the size or dimensions of an individual texture feature, indicated in Figure 11 as a width w in a direction parallel to the plane of the textured surface and the face on which the textured surface is provided, but more generally including the height of protruding features and the depth of recessed or pitted features. These dimensions may or may not be substantially the same within an individual feature, so that the width may be about the same as the height/depth, or the width may be smaller or larger than the height/depth but typically within the same order of magnitude. For example, the individual dimensions may be around 2 pm or around 3 pm, although larger or smaller dimensions are not excluded, and may be, for example, at least 1 pm, or up to 5 pm, or up to 10 pm. For example, in some cases, the texture features may have dimensions in the range of 2 pm to 5 pm, or 1 pm to 10 pm. Within a textured surface or a region within a textured surface, the dimensions for all texture features may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the texture features, and might be within 0.5 pm or within 1 pm, for example), or may be chosen to take a variety of values that vary within a range, for example, such as to better manage liquids with different viscosities.

Since the size of individual features and the spacing between adjacent features can be selected, a further parameter that may be of interest when characterising a textured surface is the density of the texture features within the textured surface. The density can be defined as the number of texture features per unit area, or more usefully so as to cover both discrete texture features and parallel grooves/ridges, the number of texture features per unit length across the surface texture. For example, the density may be selected to be about 3 or 4 or 5 features per 100 pm (so about 9 or 16 or 25 features per 100 pm²), although higher or lower values may also be used as required, such as within a range of about 2 to 10 features per pm. Again, the density may be roughly constant across the whole textured surface, or may be chosen to vary in order to provide a textured surface more capable of handling liquids with a range of viscosities.

Figure 12 shows a highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional view through another example textured surface, in which the individual texture features have the form of protrusions or ridges extending outwardly from the face carrying the textured surface.

Figure 13 shows a photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface comprising a plurality of discrete texture features in the form of spaced apart pits. A 100 pm scale is indicated.

Figure 14 shows a photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface comprising a plurality of texture features in the form of spaced apart parallel grooves. A 100 pm scale is indicated.

In conclusion, in order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure 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 claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A component of an aerosol provision system, the component connectable to a second component to form the aerosol provision system, and comprising: a connecting portion configured to engage with a connecting portion of the second component; and a textured surface configured to inhibit the passage of liquid across the textured surface, the textured surface on a face of the connecting portion, and the textured surface providing a barrier to inhibit liquid originating within the aerosol provision system from passing between the component and the second component to the exterior of the aerosol provision system when the component is connected to the second component.

2. A component according to claim 1 , wherein the face is an end face of the component substantially transverse to a direction of air flow through the aerosol provision system.

3. A component according to claim 2, wherein the textured surface is disposed inwardly adjacent to an outer perimeter of the end face.

4. A component according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a collar into which the connecting portion of the second component is inserted, and the face is an inner face of the collar

5. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the textured surface is located between an aperture via which liquid may leave the component, and an outer edge of the face.

6. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the textured surface is formed as a ring to provide the barrier to liquid passing towards the exterior of the aerosol provision system along any direction between the component and the second component from a point where the liquid originates.

7. A component according to claim 6, wherein the ring has a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 10 mm.

8. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the textured surface is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid in the form of water arising from condensation of water vapour in air present in the aerosol provision system.

9. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the textured surface is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid across the textured surface by causing liquid incident on the textured surface to cling to the textured surface.

10. A component according to claim 9, wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of discrete texture features in the form of pits and/or protrusions spaced apart over two dimensions.

11. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the textured surface is configured to inhibit the passage of liquid across the textured surface by directing a flow of liquid incident on the textured surface along a direction away from the across direction.

12. A component according to claim 11, wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of texture features in the form of substantially parallel grooves and/or ridges extending along a direction orthogonal to the across direction.

13. A component according to claim 12, wherein the grooves and/or ridges are substantially concentric.

14. A component according to claim 10, claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the texture features have dimensions in the range of 1 pm to 10 pm.

15. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the component is a cartridge component comprising a reservoir for storing aerosol-forming substrate and an atomiser for vaporising the aerosol-forming substrate.

16. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the component is a device component comprising a battery for powering an atomiser of the aerosol provision system.

17. An aerosol provision system comprising a component according to any preceding claim.