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WO2025158160A1 - Système de fourniture d'aérosol - Google Patents

Système de fourniture d'aérosol

Info

Publication number
WO2025158160A1
WO2025158160A1 PCT/GB2025/050132 GB2025050132W WO2025158160A1 WO 2025158160 A1 WO2025158160 A1 WO 2025158160A1 GB 2025050132 W GB2025050132 W GB 2025050132W WO 2025158160 A1 WO2025158160 A1 WO 2025158160A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aerosol
generator
frequency
carbon
output power
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/GB2025/050132
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jack Warren
Jonathan STAFFORD
Joel-David BRISCOE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Original Assignee
Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP24153981.6A external-priority patent/EP4591735A1/fr
Application filed by Nicoventures Trading Ltd filed Critical Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Publication of WO2025158160A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025158160A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/50—Control or monitoring
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/30—Devices using two or more structurally separated inhalable precursors, e.g. using two liquid precursors in two cartridges
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/10—Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/42—Cartridges or containers for inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to non-combustible aerosol provision systems.
  • the present disclosure relates to selective energisation of aerosol generators for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system.
  • Non-combustible aerosol provision systems that generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user are known in the art.
  • Such systems typically comprise an aerosol generator which is capable of converting an aerosol-generating material into an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generated is a condensation aerosol whereby an aerosol-generating material is first vaporised and then allowed to condense into an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generated is an aerosol which results from the atomisation of the aerosol-generating material.
  • Such atomisation may be induced mechanically, e.g. by subjecting the aerosol-generating material to vibrations so as to form small particles of material that are entrained in airflow.
  • such atomisation may be induced electrostatically, or in other ways, such as by using pressure.
  • some aerosol provision systems generate aerosol from multiple sources using multiple aerosol generators, with the aerosol subsequently delivered to the user.
  • mechanisms to selectively supply power to one of a plurality of aerosol generators may be complex, expensive and may involve moving parts (e.g., switches) that may be prone to failure.
  • an aerosol provision system configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol provision system includes a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generators electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a first frequency filter arrangement configured to permit transmission of the output power signal to the first aerosol generator of a first frequency
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a second frequency filter arrangement configured to permit transmission of the output power signal to the second aerosol generator of a second frequency, wherein the first and second frequencies are different.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a first filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the first aerosol generator, and wherein the first filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the first aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is greater than a first threshold frequency.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a second filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the second aerosol generator, and wherein the second filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the second aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is lower than a second threshold frequency.
  • the aerosol provision system further comprises a third aerosol generator electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a fourth filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the third aerosol generator, and wherein the fourth filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the third aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is lower than a fourth threshold frequency.
  • variable power generator comprises a common output signal line, and wherein each of the plurality of aerosol generators are coupled to the common output signal line via a respective branched connection line, and wherein the frequency filter arrangement is positioned on at least one of the branched connection lines.
  • variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal having a frequency between 0 Hz to 10 kHz, 0 Hz to 5 kHz, 0 Hz to 2 kHz or 0 to 1 kHz.
  • variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal of a single, but variable frequency. In some examples, the variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal having a plurality of frequency components.
  • the plurality of aerosol generators is configured to selectively receive the alternating output power signal to generate aerosol.
  • the aerosol provision system further comprises one or more AC to DC converters, each electrically provided between the frequency filter arrangement and one of the plurality of aerosol generators, wherein the AC to DC converter is configured to selectively receive the alternating output power signal and convert the alternating output power signal to a DC output power signal that provided to the one of the plurality of aerosol generators to generate aerosol.
  • each of the plurality of aerosol generators is fluidly coupled to a source of aerosol-generating material and, when the respective aerosol generator is provided with power, the respective aerosol generator is capable of generating aerosol from the respective source of aerosol-generating material.
  • each of the sources of aerosolgenerating material are provided with a different aerosol-generating material, whereby the aerosol-generating materials are different in at least one of: ingredients, flavourant, percentage of flavourant, active ingredient, and percentage of active ingredient.
  • the allotrope of carbon comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon.
  • a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm' 1 to about 1650 cm' 1 , and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm' 1 to about 1400 cm' 1 , wherein a ratio I D /IG of the intensity ID of the D band peak to the intensity IG of the G band peak is from about 0.8 to about 2, preferably from about 1 to about 1.8.
  • an aerosol provision device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol provision device includes a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, wherein the variable power generator is configured to electrically couple to a plurality of aerosol generators configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • a consumable for use with an aerosol provision device to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the consumable comprises a plurality of aerosol generators capable of electrically coupling to a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, wherein the plurality of aerosol generators are configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement capable of electrically coupling to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • a non-therapeutic method of selectively activating a plurality of aerosol generators of an aerosol provision system to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating material the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator.
  • the method includes providing a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to a variable power generator a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; generating the alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; and filtering the output power signal based on the frequency of the output power signal to selectively provide the output power signal to at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator.
  • an aerosol provision means configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol provision means includes variable power generator means configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generator means electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generator means including at least a first aerosol generator means and a second aerosol generator means; and frequency filter means electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter means based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter means is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator means and the second aerosol generator means based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing (not to scale or proportion) of a non-combustible aerosol provision system according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of an article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of part of an article for use as part of a noncombustible aerosol provision system, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of part of an article for use as part of a noncombustible aerosol provision system, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of part of an article for use as part of a noncombustible aerosol provision system, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of an article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of an article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system including a plurality of reservoirs and a plurality of aerosol generators, according to the present disclosure
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an arrangement of circuitry for selectively providing power to one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators according to a first example of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an arrangement of circuitry for selectively providing power to one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators according to a second example of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an arrangement of circuitry for selectively providing power to one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators according to a third example of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an arrangement of circuitry for selectively providing power to one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators according to a fourth example of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an arrangement of circuitry for selectively providing power to one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators according to a fifth example of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 13 is a flow diagram showing an example non-therapeutic method of selectively activating one or more of a plurality of aerosol generators, according to the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 14 shows a Raman spectra of an allotrope of carbon sample, in which the x-axis corresponds to Raman shift (cnr 1 ) and the y-axis corresponds to intensity (counts), with a D band peak, a G band peak, and a 2D band peak.
  • the present disclosure relates, but is not limited, to non-combustible aerosol provision systems, and articles, that generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a powered non- combustible aerosol provision system.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.
  • END electronic nicotine delivery system
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.
  • An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated.
  • Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine.
  • the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosolgenerating material.
  • the solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.
  • the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a power source and/or a controller.
  • the power source may, for example, be an electric power source.
  • the power source may be for supplying electrical power to the article (e.g. to the aerosol generator).
  • the controller may be for controlling the article (e.g. for controlling the supply of power to the article, e.g. to the aerosol generator).
  • the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
  • the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area (which may be referred to herein as a reservoir for aerosol-generating material), an aerosolgenerating material transfer component (also referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material transfer component or an aerosol-generating material transfer component), an aerosol generator (also referred to herein as an aerosol generating component), an aerosol generation area (also referred to herein as an aerosol generation chamber), a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.
  • aerosol-generating material an aerosol-generating material storage area
  • an aerosolgenerating material transfer component also referred to herein as an aerosol-generating material transfer component or an aerosol-generating material transfer component
  • an aerosol generator also referred to herein as an aerosol generating component
  • an aerosol generation area also referred to herein as an aerosol generation chamber
  • a housing a wrapper, a filter, a
  • the systems described herein typically generate an inhalable aerosol by vaporisation of an aerosol-generating material.
  • the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials.
  • the active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response.
  • the active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives.
  • the active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained.
  • the active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof.
  • the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.
  • the active substance comprises nicotine.
  • the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.
  • the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.
  • the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof.
  • botanical includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like.
  • the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically.
  • the material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.
  • Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon
  • the mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v..Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens
  • the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.
  • the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.
  • the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.
  • the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.
  • flavour and “flavourant” refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch,
  • the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry.
  • the flavour comprises eugenol.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco.
  • the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.
  • the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect.
  • a suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.
  • 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 liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.
  • the aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.
  • the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol.
  • the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3- butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.
  • the one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.
  • the term “consumable” may refer to an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user.
  • a consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent.
  • a consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use.
  • the heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.
  • the consumable may be suitable for holding (or containing) the aerosol-generating material. In this way, the consumable may, but need not necessarily, hold (or contain) the aerosol-generating material.
  • the term “susceptor” refers to a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field.
  • the susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material.
  • the heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material.
  • the susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms.
  • the device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, 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 (but not limited to) systems comprising two components separably connectable to one another and configured, for example, as a consumable/article component capable of holding an aerosol generating material (also referred to herein as a cartridge or cartomiser), and a device/control unit having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the aerosol generating material.
  • a consumable/article component capable of holding an aerosol generating material (also referred to herein as a cartridge or cartomiser)
  • a device/control unit having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the aerosol generating material.
  • An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent.
  • the aerosolmodifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel.
  • the aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form.
  • the aerosolmodifying agent may be free from filtration material.
  • An aerosol generator (or aerosol generating component) is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.
  • the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating.
  • the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.
  • Fig. 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale or proportion) of an example non-combustible aerosol provision system 10 such as an e-cigarette.
  • the aerosol provision system 10 has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line, and comprises two main components, namely a control or power component or section 20 (which may be referred to herein as a “device”) and a cartridge assembly or section 30 (which may be referred to herein as an “article”, “consumable”, “cartomizer”, or “cartridge”) that operates as a vapour or aerosol generating component.
  • a control or power component or section 20 which may be referred to herein as a “device”
  • a cartridge assembly or section 30 which may be referred to herein as an “article”, “consumable”, “cartomizer”, or “cartridge” that operates as a vapour or aerosol generating component.
  • the article 30 includes a storage compartment (also referred to herein as an “aerosolgenerating material storage area” or a “reservoir”) 3 containing an aerosol-generating material which comprises (for example) a liquid formulation from which an aerosol is to be generated.
  • the liquid formulation may or may not contain nicotine.
  • the aerosol-generating material may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising roughly propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as water or flavourings.
  • the storage compartment 3 has the form of a storage tank, i.e.
  • the storage compartment 3 may contain a quantity of absorbent material such as cotton wadding or glass fibre which holds the aerosol-generating material within a porous structure.
  • the storage compartment 3 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the aerosol-generating material is consumed, or may have an inlet port or other opening through which new aerosol-generating material can be added.
  • the article 30 also comprises an electrical aerosol generator 4 located externally of the storage compartment 3 for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol generator is a heating element (a heater) which is heated by the passage of electrical current (via resistive or inductive heating) to raise the temperature of the aerosol-generating material until it evaporates.
  • An aerosol generating material transfer component (not shown in Fig. 1), e.g. a wick or other porous element, may be provided to deliver aerosol-generating material from the storage compartment 3 to the aerosol generator 4.
  • the aerosol generating material transfer component may have one or more parts located inside the storage compartment 3 so as to be able to absorb aerosol-generating material and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the aerosol generating material transfer component that are in contact with the aerosol generator 4. This aerosol-generating material is thereby vaporised, and is to be replaced by new aerosol-generating material transferred to the aerosol generator 4 by the aerosol generating material transfer component.
  • a heater and wick combination, or other arrangement of parts that perform the same or similar functions, is sometimes referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly.
  • the parts may be differently arranged compared to the highly schematic representation of Fig. 1.
  • the wick may be an entirely separate element from the aerosol generator.
  • the aerosol generating material transfer component 4 may be formed at least in part from one or more slots, tubes or channels between the storage compartment 3 and the aerosol generator 4 which are narrow enough to support capillary action to draw source liquid out of the storage compartment and deliver it for vaporisation.
  • an atomiser can be considered to be an aerosol generator 4 able to generate vapour from aerosol-generating material delivered to it, and an aerosol generating material transfer component able to deliver or transport liquid from the storage compartment 3 or similar liquid store to the aerosol generator by a capillary force.
  • the aerosol generator is at least partially located within an aerosol generating chamber that forms part of, or is fluidly coupled to, an airflow channel through the electronic cigarette/system. Vapour produced by the aerosol generator is driven off into this chamber, and as air passes through the chamber, flowing over and around the aerosol generator, it collects the produced vapour whereby it condenses to form the demanded aerosol.
  • the article 30 also includes a mouthpiece 35 having an opening or air outlet through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 4, and delivered through the airflow channel.
  • the power component (or device) 20 includes a power source or cell 5 (e.g. a “battery”), which may be re-chargeable, to provide power for electrical components of the e-cigarette 10, in particular the aerosol generator 4. Additionally, there is a printed circuit board 28 and/or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the aerosol provision system 10.
  • the control electronics/circuitry enable the aerosol generating element 4 to be powered by the battery 5 when vapour is demanded, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 10 during which air enters through one or more air inlets (not shown) in the wall of the device 20 to flow along the airflow channel.
  • the aerosol generator 4 When the aerosol generator 4 receives power from the cell 5, the aerosol generator 4 vaporises aerosol-generating material delivered from the storage compartment 3 to generate the aerosol, and the aerosol is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece 35.
  • the aerosol is carried to the mouthpiece 35 along the airflow channel (not shown) that connects the air inlet to the air outlet when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35.
  • An airflow path through the aerosol provision system 10 is hence defined, between the air inlet(s) (which may or may not be provided in the device 20) to the atomiser and on to the air outlet at the mouthpiece 35.
  • the air flow direction along this airflow path is from the air inlet to the air outlet, so that the atomiser can be described as arranged downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the air outlet.
  • the device 20 and the article 30 are separate parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
  • the two components 20, 30 may connect together end-to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Fig. 1 , or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side-by-side arrangement. Either or both components 20, 30 may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir is empty or the battery is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the reservoir, recharging the battery, or replacing the atomiser.
  • the aerosol provision system 10 may be a unitary device (disposable or refillable/rechargeable) that cannot be separated into two or more parts, in which case all components are comprised within a single body or housing. Examples of the present disclosure are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations of which the skilled person will be aware.
  • a type of aerosol generator that may be utilised in an atomising portion of an aerosol provision system 10 (that is, a part configured to generate vapour from a source liquid) combines the functions of heating and liquid delivery by being both electrically conductive (resistive) and porous. That is to say, in some implementations, the aerosol generator 4 is capable of both heating a liquid aerosol-generating material and transporting (e.g., wicking via capillary action) the liquid aerosol-generating material. Such an aerosol generator 4 may be present in combination with a separate aerosol-generating material transport component (e.g. such as a wicking material) or such an aerosol generator 4 may replace such an aerosol-generating material transport component.
  • a separate aerosol-generating material transport component e.g. such as a wicking material
  • the aerosol generator 4 may be of a sheet-like form, i.e. a planar shape with a thickness many times smaller than its length or breadth. It is possible for the planar aerosol generator to define a curved plane and in these instances reference to the planar aerosol generator forming a plane means an imaginary flat plane forming a plane of best fit through the component.
  • the aerosol generator 4 may be formed of, or comprise, an allotrope of carbon.
  • the aerosol generator 4 e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the aerosol generator 4 e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the presence of voids and/or interstices may mean air can permeate through said aerosol generator 4 (e.g., provided they are not obstructed I saturated with liquid).
  • the allotrope of carbon of the aerosol generator may be configured to be electrically conductive and therefore suitable for resistive heating.
  • An aerosol generator (e.g. which is planar and/or sheet-like) may be arranged within a noncombustible aerosol provision system (e.g. an electronic cigarette), such that the aerosol generator lies within the aerosol generating chamber forming part of an airflow channel.
  • the aerosol generator may be oriented within the chamber such that air flow though the chamber may flow in a surface direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the plane of the aerosol generator.
  • An example of such a configuration can be found in WO2010/045670 and WO2010/045671 , the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Air can thence flow over the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof), and gather vapour. Aerosol generation is thereby made effective.
  • the aerosol generator may be oriented within the chamber such that air flow though the chamber may flow in a direction which is substantially transverse to the surface direction, i.e. substantially orthogonally to the plane of the aerosol generator.
  • a direction which is substantially transverse to the surface direction i.e. substantially orthogonally to the plane of the aerosol generator.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have a high degree of porosity.
  • a high degree of porosity may ensure that the heat produced by the aerosol generator is predominately used for evaporating the liquid and high efficiency can be obtained.
  • a porosity of greater than 50% may be envisaged. In one example, the porosity of the aerosol generator is 50% or greater, 60% or greater, 70% or greater.
  • the aerosol generator may form a generally flat structure, comprising first and second surfaces.
  • the generally flat structure may take the form of any two dimensional shape, for example, circular, semi-circular, triangular, square, rectangular and/ or polygonal.
  • the aerosol generator may have a uniform thickness.
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • electrical current is permitted to flow through the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) so as to generate heat (so called Joule heating).
  • the electrical resistance of the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) can be selected appropriately.
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the allotrope of carbon thereof may have an electrical resistance of 2 ohms or less, such as 1.8 ohms or less, such as 1.7 ohms or less, such as 1.6 ohms or less, such as 1.5 ohms or less, such as 1.4 ohms or less, such as 1.3 ohms or less, such as 1.2 ohms or less, such as 1.1 ohms or less, such as 1.0 ohm or less, such as 0.9 ohms or less, such as 0.8 ohms or less, such as 0.7 ohms or less, such as 0.6 ohms or less, such as 0.5 ohms or less.
  • 2 ohms or less such as 1.8 ohms or less, such as 1.7 ohms or less, such as 1.6 ohms or less, such as 1.5 ohms or less, such as 1.4 ohms
  • the parameters of the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • material, thickness, width, length, porosity, etc. can be selected so as to provide the desired resistance.
  • a relatively lower resistance will facilitate higher power draw from the power source, which can be advantageous in producing a high rate of aerosolisation.
  • the resistance should not be so low as to prejudice the integrity of the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof).
  • the resistance may not be lower than 0.5 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have an electrical resistance of from 1 ohms to 1000 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have an electrical resistance of from 1 ohms to 200 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have an electrical resistance of from 10 ohms to 150 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have an electrical resistance of from 20 ohms to 100 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator (e.g.
  • the allotrope of carbon thereof may have an electrical resistance of from 30 ohms to 70 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the aerosol generator may have an electrical resistance of from 40 ohms to 60 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the resistance should not be so low as to prejudice the integrity of the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof).
  • the resistance may not be lower than 0.5 ohms.
  • the aerosol generator e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof
  • the laser induced substrate has a resistance of from 1 Ohms to 25 Ohms.
  • the laser induced substrate has a resistance of from 1 Ohms to 15 Ohms.
  • Sheet resistance is measured in Ohm.sq and is typically used to describe the resistance of essentially two-dimensional (2D) surfaces.
  • the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 750 Ohm.sq. In some examples, the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 500 Ohm.sq. In some examples, the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 250 Ohm.sq. In some examples, the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 100 Ohm.sq. In some examples, the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 75 Ohm.sq.
  • the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 50 Ohm.sq. In some examples, the Rs of the allotrope of carbon is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 25 Ohm.sq. In some implementations, the sheet resistance of the allotrope of carbon is within ⁇ 10%, ⁇ 9%, ⁇ 8%, ⁇ 7%, ⁇ 6%, ⁇ 5% or ⁇ 4% of the Ohm.sq values listed above.
  • Fig. 2 shows an example arrangement of an article 100, for example for use with the aerosol provision device 20 of Fig. 1 , in more detail.
  • the article 100 comprises a reservoir 101 , a housing 109 and an, optional, aerosol generator support 129 (comprising a conduit 130), which together form an internal volume 104 in which aerosol-generating material 200 is capable of being stored, an aerosol generator 102 which, in this example, is an allotrope of carbon 103, an optional seal 125 (comprising opening 126) between the aerosol generator support 129 and the allotrope of carbon 103, an optional electrically insulating substance 108 (comprising apertures 135) provided between the seal 125 and the allotrope of carbon 103, and electrical contacts 123 retained in position and in electrical contact with the allotrope of carbon 103 via retaining members 124.
  • the general working principle of the article 100 is as follows.
  • the aerosolgenerating material 200 stored in the internal volume 104 may flow from the volume 104 of the reservoir 101 to the aerosol generator 102 / allotrope of carbon 103 which is provided in fluid communication with the reservoir 101.
  • this may involve aerosol-generating material 200 flowing from the volume 104 of the reservoir 101 through at least one conduit 130 in aerosol-generator support 129, and/or at least one opening 126 in seal 125, and/or at least one aperture 132 in electrically insulating substrate 108 to the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • a power source such as the battery 5 of the device 20, may supply power to the aerosol generator 102 to energise (e.g. heat) the aerosol generator
  • the aerosol generator 102 is capable of generating aerosol from the aerosolgenerating material 200.
  • the generated aerosol may be released to the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101 , where it may be entrained in an airflow past / around the aerosol generator 102.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 schematically show two different arrangements of the reservoir 101 including the allotrope of carbon 103. These figures will be explained in more detail below at the relevant parts.
  • the aerosol generator 102 is for generating aerosol from an aerosolgenerating material 200, and any suitable component which is capable of generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material 200 may be used as the aerosol generator 102.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to aerosolise the aerosol-generating material 200 in any suitable way.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to increase its temperature (or the temperature of a part thereof) in order to vaporise the aerosol-generating material 200.
  • the aerosol generator 102 comprises the allotrope of carbon 103. At least a part of the allotrope of carbon 103 is capable of generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 200 by heating. In some examples, heating of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be achieved by passing an electrical current through the allotrope of carbon
  • a pair of electrical contacts 123 may be provided in electrical contact with regions of the allotrope of carbon 103 to allow an electrical current to be passed through the allotrope of carbon 103 between the electrical contacts 123 when a current is applied thereto.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be a susceptor and is configured to be inductively heated (e.g., via proximity to a magnetic field generator such as a drive coil that, when an AC current is applied thereto, generates a varying magnetic field that penetrates the allotrope of carbon 103 to cause inductive heating of the allotrope of carbon 103).
  • Either the article 100 or the aerosol provision device may comprise the magnetic field generator.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be porous, or otherwise comprise a plurality of interconnected pores, cells or interstices.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may include pores.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be porous.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be permeable, e.g. liquid and/or gas permeable.
  • the pores or interstices allow transport of aerosol-generating material through the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the pores or interstices may allow aerosol-generating material to flow from a surface of the allotrope of carbon 103 that faces the volume 104 inside the reservoir 101 through the allotrope of carbon 103 to an opposite surface that faces the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101.
  • aerosol-generating material may also be capable of moving laterally within the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be a monolithic material.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a heating surface.
  • the heating surface may be partially or completely exposed. In use, aerosol may be emitted from the heating surface.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise one or more portions 106, 107.
  • Fig. 4 shows an implementation in which the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a plurality of portions 106, 107.
  • Portion 106 of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be referred to as an aerosolgenerating portion 106.
  • the aerosol generating portion 106 may comprise the heating surface.
  • the aerosol-generating portion 106 may be configured to reach temperatures for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material 200. That is, the aerosol-generating portion 106 is the portion of the allotrope of carbon 103 that is configured, in use, to be energised (e.g., heated to a sufficient temperature) to cause generation of an aerosol from the aerosolgenerating material 200.
  • the aerosol-generating portion 106 (e.g. a surface thereof) is exposed to the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101 , and hence aerosol is capable of being generated in the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101 , and in particular, in the vicinity of the exposed surface of the aerosol-generating portion 106.
  • Portion 107 of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be referred to as a transport portion 107.
  • the transport portion 107 is configured to transfer aerosol-generating material 200 (e.g. in the reservoir 101) to the aerosol-generating portion 106 of the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the transport portion 107 may be exposed to the volume 104 of the reservoir 101.
  • the transport portion 107 may extend from the volume 104 inside of the reservoir 101 to the aerosol-generating portion 106.
  • the transport portion 107 of the allotrope of carbon 103 may not reach temperatures sufficient to cause vaporisation of the aerosol-generating material 200.
  • aerosol generation may be broadly confined to the aerosol-generation portion 106.
  • the surface area of the aerosol-generating portion 106 exposed to the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101 may be greater than the surface area of the transport portion 107 exposed to the inside of the reservoir 101 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be integrally formed. That is, the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed of a single piece (which may include multiple portions, as discussed above). It has been found that when the allotrope of carbon 103 that is integrally formed, the allotrope of carbon 103 is robust and efficient to manufacture and assemble relative to an allotrope of carbon formed of separate pieces.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 provides for an aerosol generator 102 which is particularly effective in non-combustible aerosol provision systems.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be considered as providing a carbonaceous surface (e.g. the aerosol-generating portion 106) which distributes and generates aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 200 in use. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that where the allotrope of carbon 103 is heated to temperatures for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, the carbonaceous surface may have a high surface free energy and therefore a high wettability (and low contact angle).
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is heated to temperatures for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, a thin layer of aerosol-generating material may be evenly distributed across the carbonaceous surface of the allotrope of carbon 103 and efficiently aerosolised.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 has a high power density and a low thermal mass, and a small volume of the aerosol-generating material can be thinly formed across a given surface area of the allotrope of carbon 103, relative to materials having a surface across which aerosol-generating material cannot be as thinly formed. This provides for efficient transfer of energy to the aerosol-generating material 200 in use.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed as a foam. It will be understood that “allotrope of carbon formed as a foam” means the allotrope of carbon 103 per se is a foam.
  • the foam may comprise a foam structure and a plurality of cells. It will be understood that the allotrope of carbon forms the foam structure, and that the foam structure defines the plurality of cells.
  • the foam structure may define the plurality of cells. A plurality of the cells may be interconnected.
  • the foam may be an open-cell foam, such as a reticulated foam. It will be understood that the foam is a solid foam (e.g. at least from 20°C to 350°C and 101325 Pa).
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a capillary structure.
  • the foam may comprise a capillary structure.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 formed as a foam provides for a particularly effective aerosol generator 102.
  • the foam which may have a high thermal conductivity and a high electrical conductivity
  • the aerosol generator can be operated at high power levels with a reduced risk of hot spots causing damage to the aerosol generator.
  • the foam may be compliant to thermal expansion in use. As such, the foam may be resistant to heat-induced degradation in use.
  • the foam can facilitate a reduced battery throughput and/or an extended battery life. Additionally, it has been found that the foam can provide for reduced battery size requirements and thus improved packaging efficiency, e.g. in terms of cost and space requirements. Further, the foam can facilitate rapid volatilisation of aerosol-generating material 200, which may enhance user experience by reducing the time to generate aerosol in response to a first inhalation (“first puff”) by a user. Moreover, the foam can facilitate consistency between respective inhalations by a user (“puff to puff consistency”). The use of the foam may also provide for certain user experience advantages associated with conventional factory made cigarettes.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be referred to as a “carbon foam”.
  • the carbon foam includes, for example, graphite foam, graphene foam, or any other carbon-based foam.
  • various methods may be used to make the foam, including (but not limited to) arc discharge, laser ablation, laser induction, laser-induced pyrolysis, high-pressure carbon monoxide disproportionation, and chemical vapour deposition. In the examples of the figures, laser induction was used to make the foam 103.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is formed as a foam, the foam may comprise multiple layers. Each layer may comprise or consist of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure, such as a honeycomb lattice structure.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise carbon structured so as to contain a plurality of carbon to carbon bonds lying in the same plane.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise graphite.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises graphite
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a plurality of stacked layers of carbon atoms, the carbon atoms of each layer being bonded to three adjacent carbon atoms in the layer, with each bond lying in the same plane so as to form a hexagonal lattice structure.
  • Non-covalent bonding exists between the stacked layers.
  • graphite includes multiple stacked layers of carbon, in which the layers of carbon are parallel relative to each other. There are two forms of graphite: alpha graphite, in which the layers are ABA stacked; and beta graphite, in which the layers are ABC stacked.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise graphene.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be graphene.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is (or comprises) graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, i.e. a one-atom thick layer of carbon, are arranged such that the carbon atoms form a hexagonal lattice structure. It has been found that graphene provides for an effective aerosol generator 102.
  • the high thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of graphene is such that the graphene can effectively dissipate heat, reduce temperature variation, and reduce the severity of the hot spots.
  • the aerosol generator 102 can be operated at high power levels with a reduced risk of hot spots causing damage to the aerosol generator 102.
  • graphene may be elastic and therefore compliant to thermal expansion (e.g. of the electrically insulating substrate 108; discussed below) in use. Therefore, the aerosol generator 102 may be resistant to degradation due to a difference in thermal coefficient of expansion of the graphene and the electrically insulating substrate (for example).
  • graphene can provide for a reduced battery throughput and thus an extended battery life. Additionally, the use of graphene can provide for reduced battery size requirements and thus improved packaging efficiency, e.g. in terms of cost and space requirements. Further, the use of graphene can facilitate rapid volatilisation of aerosolgenerating material, which may enhance user experience by reducing the time to generate aerosol in response to a first inhalation (“first puff’) by a user. Moreover, the use of graphene can facilitate consistency between respective inhalations by a user (“puff to puff consistency”). The use of graphene may also provide for certain user experience advantages associated with conventional factory made cigarettes.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises graphene
  • more than one layer of graphene may be present.
  • at least two of the layers of graphene 103 may be non-parallel relative to each other.
  • non-parallel it is meant that an imaginary plane through one layer of graphene 103 (or an imaginary plane of best-fit through a non-planer layer of graphene 103), is non-parallel relative to an imaginary plane through another layer of graphene 103 (or an imaginary plane of best-fit through the another non-planar layer of graphene 103).
  • the layers of graphene 103 are electrically connected to form a current path.
  • a porous graphene structure By providing non-parallel layers of graphene, a porous graphene structure can be provided.
  • the combination of porosity and the low surface energy of graphene at typical aerosolisation temperatures is such that aerosol-generating material can be effectively distributed across not only the outermost surface of the graphene, but also the bulk structure of the graphene.
  • aerosol-generating material can be provided in intimate contact with an increased surface area of heated material, provided by the graphene layers.
  • This provides for efficient and effective aerosolisation performance.
  • at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least eight, or at least ten of the layers of graphene 103 may be non-parallel relative to each other. Where more than one layer of graphene 103 is present, at least two of the layers of graphene 103 may be parallel relative to each other.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be bilayer graphene.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises graphene
  • the allotrope of carbon e.g. the one or more layers of graphene
  • Three dimensional graphene may be considered as one or more graphene sheets (or layers) folded back (e.g. on one another) to form a three-dimensional structure.
  • the layer or layers may be provided in various forms.
  • the one or more layers of graphene 103 may be formed as a plurality of three-dimensional structures.
  • the three-dimensional graphene structures may be selected from cubes, cuboids, cones, cylinders (e.g. tubes), spheres, pyramids, and/or prisms. It will be understood that various methods may be used to produce three-dimensional graphene structures, including (but not limited to) arc discharge, laser ablation, high-pressure carbon monoxide disproportionation, and chemical vapour deposition.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon. In some preferred implementations, the allotrope of carbon 103 is selected from the group comprising disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon and/or nanocrystalline graphite. In some preferred implementations, the allotrope of carbon 103 is selected from the group comprising disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, nanocrystalline graphite, or a combination thereof.
  • a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band, and a D band. The Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 also comprises a 2D band.
  • the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band peak within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm' 1 to about 1650 cm' 1 .
  • Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm' 1 to about 1400 cm' 1 .
  • the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a 2D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 2600 cm' 1 to about 2750 cm' 1 .
  • the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band peak within a Raman shift range of about 1550 cm' 1 to about 1590 cm' 1 .
  • the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 1310 cm' 1 to about 1340 cm' 1 .
  • the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a 2D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 2620 cm' 1 to about 2680 cm' 1 .
  • a ratio I D /IG of the intensity l D of the D band peak to the intensity l G of the G band peak may be from about 0.8 to about 2.
  • the ratio I D /IG may be from about 0.9 to about 1 .9.
  • the ratio I D /IG may be from about 1 to about 1 .8.
  • the G band peak may have a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of at from about 30 cm' 1 to about 100 cm' 1 .
  • the G band peak may have a FWHM of from about 30 cm' 1 to about 70 cm' 1 .
  • the 2D band may follow a Gaussian curve model or a Lorentzian curve model.
  • a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm' 1 to about 1650 cm' 1 , and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm' 1 to about 1400 cm' 1 , wherein a ratio ID/IG of the intensity ID of the D band peak to the intensity l G of the G band peak is from about 0.8 to about 2.
  • a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1550 cm' 1 to about 1590 cm' 1 , and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1310 cm' 1 to about 1340 cm' 1 , wherein a ratio I D /IG of the intensity l D of the D band peak to the intensity l G of the G band peak is from about 1 to about 1.8.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is porous.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is formed as a foam.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is electrically conductive.
  • the Raman spectrum may be measured using Raman microspectroscopy.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a laser wavelength of 638 nm.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a grating having 1800 grooves/mm.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a laser power of 10.9 mW.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using an acquisition time of 5 seconds.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using 20 accumulations.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a confocal pinhole of 300 pm.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed at a wavelength range of from about 1000 cm -1 to about 3000 cm -1 .
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a microscope objective of 50x LWD (long working distance) and 0.8 NA (numerical aperture).
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a Horiba Xplora Plus Raman Microspectrometer.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed at 21 °C.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 subjected to the Raman microspectroscopy may be unused. That is, the allotrope of carbon 103 has not been used to generate aerosol and/or has not been heated to typical aerosolisation temperatures (post-manufacture of the allotrope of carbon 103).
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is thermally conductive.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 100 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 to 5500 Wnr 1 K’ 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 100 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 to 4000 Wnr 1 K’ 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 100 Wnr 1 K’ 1 to 2000 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 150 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 to 1000 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 180 WOT 1 K 1 to 700 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 200 Wm- 1 K- 1 to 500 Wm- 1 K- 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is electrically conductive.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 1 SOT 1 to 2.5x10 6 SOT 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 100 SOT 1 to 1.0x10 6 SOT 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 200 Snr 1 to 100000 SOT 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 400 Snr 1 to 50000 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 500 Srm 1 to 10000 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 600 Snr 1 to 5000 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 800 Srm 1 to 3000 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have an electrical conductivity of from 900 Snr 1 to 1300 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 200 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 to 500 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 and an electrical conductivity of from 900 Srm 1 to 1300 Snr 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thermal conductivity of from 200 Wm’ 1 K’ 1 to 500 WOT 1 K 1 and an electrical conductivity of from 900 SOT 1 to 1300 SOT 1 .
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be resiliently deformable.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a non-linear elasticity.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103, or a portion of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be of a sheet-like form.
  • the aerosol-generating portion 106 may be of a sheet-like form.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103, or a portion of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be substantially planar.
  • the aerosol-generating portion 106 may be substantially planar.
  • the thickness of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be understood to refer to the extent of the allotrope of carbon 103, measured orthogonally, between an outer surface of the allotrope of carbon 103 facing the environment 105 outside of the reservoir 101 and the opposing outer surface of the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the thickness of the allotrope of carbon 103 may be understood to refer to the extent of the allotrope of carbon 103, measured orthogonally to the plane or lateral extent of the allotrope of carbon 103, between outer surfaces of the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 or the aerosolgenerating portion 106) includes internal cells or pores, these are effectively ignored for in the measurement of thickness.
  • suitable methods for measuring the thickness of the allotrope of carbon 103 e.g. electron microscopy.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thickness of from 0.345 nm to 500 pm, from 0.345 nm to 400 pm, from 0.345 nm to 300 pm, from 0.345 nm to 200 pm, from 0.345 nm to 100 pm, from 0.345 nm to 80 pm, or from 0.345 nm to 60 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thickness of from 1 pm to 500 pm, from 1 pm to 400 pm, from 1 pm to 300 pm, from 1 pm to 200 pm, from 1 pm to 100 pm, from 1 pm to 80 pm, or from 1 pm to 60 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a thickness of from 10 pm to 500 pm, from 10 pm to 400 pm, from 10 pm to 300 pm, from 10 pm to 200 pm, from 10 pm to 100 pm, from 10 pm to 80 pm, or from 10 pm to 60 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thickness of from 20 pm to 500 pm, from 20 pm to 400 pm, from 20 pm to 300 pm, from 20 pm to 200 pm, from 20 pm to 100 pm, from 20 pm to 80 pm, or from 20 pm to 60 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a thickness of from 30 pm to 500 pm, from 30 pm to 400 pm, from 30 pm to 300 pm, from 30 pm to 200 pm, from 30 pm to 100 pm, from 30 pm to 80 pm, from 30 pm to 60 pm, or from 30 pm to 50 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a thickness of from 50 pm to 500 pm, from 50 pm to 300 pm, from 80 pm to 300 pm, from 90 pm to 200 pm, from 100 pm to 150 pm, or from 120 pm to 130 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a thickness of from 20 pm to 150 pm, from 30 pm to 120 pm, from 40 pm to 110 pm, or from 50 pm to 100 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a thickness of from 1 pm to 50 pm, from 1 pm to 20 pm, from 1 pm to 10 pm, or from 1 pm to 5 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 has a thickness of up to about 50 pm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 has a thickness of up to about 40 pm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 has a thickness of up to about 30 pm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 has a thickness of up to about 20 pm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 has a thickness of up to about 5 pm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a length of no greater than 6 mm, no greater than 5 mm, no greater than 4 mm, no greater than 3 mm, or no greater than 2 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a length of at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, or at least 1 .3 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a length of from 0.5 mm to 6 mm, from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, from 1 mm to 4 mm, from 1 mm to 3 mm, or from 1 .3 mm to 2 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a width of no greater than 6 mm, no greater than 5 mm, no greater than 4 mm, no greater than 3 mm, no greater than 2.5 mm, or no greater than 2.3 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) may have a width of at least 0.5 mm, at least 1 mm, at least 1.5 mm, or at least 1 .7 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may have a width of from 0.5 mm to 6 mm, from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, from 1 mm to 4 mm, from 1 mm to 3 mm, from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, or from 1 .7 mm to 2.3 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) takes a substantially rectangular form (e.g. when viewed from above).
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length of from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length of from about 1 mm to about 4 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length of from about 2 mm to about 3.2 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length of from about 2.2 mm to about 3 mm. In some examples, allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length of from about 2.4 mm to about 2.8 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a width of from about 1 mm to about 4 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a width of from about 1.4 mm to about 2.6 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a width of from about 1.6 mm to about 2.2 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a width of from about 1.7 mm to about 2.1 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm and a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length from about 1 mm to about 4 mm and a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length from about 2 mm to about 3.2 mm and a width of from about 1.4 mm to about 2.6 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length from about 2.2 mm to about 3 mm and a width of from about 1.6 mm to about 2.2 mm. In some examples, the allotrope of carbon 103 (or the aerosol-generating portion 106) has a length from about 2.4 mm to about 2.8 mm and a width of from about 1.7 mm to about 2.1 mm.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may not include metal.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may not include metal.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may not include a metal-containing electrical contact.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 and/or the aerosol generator 102 may be metal-free.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be connected directly to a power source, without requiring a metal-containing electrical contact as part of the allotrope of carbon 103. In this way, the metal emissions of the aerosol generator 102 may be reduced in use.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is at least 2 mg.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is at least 4 mg.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is no greater than 20 mg.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is no greater than 10 mg.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is from 2 mg to 10 mg.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is from 4 mg to 8 mg.
  • the aerosol collected mass corresponds to the amount of aerosol collected per puff based on a puff regimen of 25 puffs, each puff having a puff volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 3 seconds, and a puff interval of 30 seconds.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed on the electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser irradiation of the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the foam may be formed on the electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser irradiation of the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the laser irradiation may comprise irradiating the electrically insulating substrate 108 with a laser beam, wherein the electrically insulating substrate 108 is a carbon-containing material.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 may be formed of polyimide (PI).
  • the laser irradiation may be performed in an inert environment.
  • the laser irradiation may be performed in an ambient environment.
  • the laser irradiation may be performed in atmospheric air (air from the Earth’s atmosphere).
  • a method of forming the aerosol generator 102 may comprise the step of: forming the allotrope of carbon 103 on an electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser irradiation comprising irradiating the electrically insulating substrate 108 with a laser beam, wherein the electrically insulating substrate 108 is a carbon-containing material (optionally formed of polyimide (PI)), and optionally the allotrope of carbon 103 is formed as a foam.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon.
  • the method of forming the aerosol generator 102 may comprise the step of: forming at least one aperture 132 extending through the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the at least one aperture 132 may be as defined herein.
  • the at least one aperture 132 may be formed by laser irradiation of the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the step of forming the at least one aperture 132 extending through the electrically insulating substrate 108 occurs before the step of forming the allotrope of carbon 103 on the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed on a portion of the electrically insulating substrate 108 through which the at least one aperture 132 extends.
  • the at least one aperture 132 may extend through and/or be covered (partially or completely) by the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the method of forming an aerosol generator 102 comprises:
  • step (B) forming an allotrope of carbon 103 on the electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser irradiation of the electrically insulating substrate 108, wherein the electrically insulating substrate 108 is a carbon-containing material (optionally formed of polyimide (PI)), step (A) occurs before step (B), and the at least one aperture 132 extends through and/or is covered (partially or completely) by the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is formed as a foam.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon.
  • the step of forming the at least one aperture 132 extending through the electrically insulating substrate 108 occurs after the step of forming the allotrope of carbon 103 on the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may cover (partially or completely) the at least one aperture 132.
  • the method of forming an aerosol generator 102 comprises:
  • step (B) forming at least one aperture 132 through the electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser irradiation of the electrically insulating substrate 108, wherein the electrically insulating substrate 108 is a carbon-containing material (optionally formed of polyimide (PI)), step (A) occurs before step (B), and the allotrope of carbon 103 covers (partially or completely) the at least one aperture 132.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is formed as a foam.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises disordered graphite and/or amorphous carbon.
  • the energy from the laser beam can form a porous, conductive carbon-containing material (103) having a porous (e.g. foam) structure from the electrically insulating substrate 108 (e.g. PI).
  • various properties of the allotrope of carbon 103 and/or the at least one aperture 132 may be controlled by adjusting laser beam parameters such as pulse duration, power, focal distance, frequency, wavelength, and/or scanning speed.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed on the electrically insulating substrate 108 by laser induced deposition.
  • the present inventors have analysed various allotrope of carbon 103 samples using Raman microspectroscopy.
  • Each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples was prepared by laser irradiation of a polyimide (poly(4,4'-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide), Kapton® HN, Dupont) substrate 102 (an electrically insulating substrate).
  • a polyimide substrate had a length of approximately 4.5 mm, a width of about 4.5 mm, and a thickness of about 125 pm, and was shaped as a rectangular prism. This involved irradiating an area of about 4.5 mm by about 2 mm (i.e.
  • each polyimide substrate with a laser beam to form the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • Each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples was subjected to Raman microspectroscopy.
  • Each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples was porous and electrically conductive.
  • Raman spectroscopy is considered as a non-destructive vibrational spectroscopic technique that utilises a laser to excite the bonds within a sample (e.g. carbon) and interprets the inelastic scattering of the bond vibrations as a relative Raman shift.
  • the inelastic scattering from interaction with the sample produces a relative Raman shifts and thereby a spectrum that can be utilised to interpret the characteristics and/or identity of the sample.
  • the peak position of the D band which is typically observed at around 1329 cm -1
  • the G band which is typically observed at around 1579 cm -1
  • the 2D band which is typically observed at around 2630 cm -1 .
  • the D band can be referred to as the “disorder band” and is an indication of sp 3 hybridization of carbon within the sample.
  • the G band can be referred to as the “graphene band” and is utilised to determine the sp 2 hybridization of the carbon structure within the sample.
  • the Raman spectrum of a pristine graphene sample would typically include a high intensity, narrow G band and no D band.
  • the Raman spectrum of a graphite sample would typically include a G band and a D band, with the D band being lower in intensity than the G band.
  • the I D /IG ratio can be utilized by determining the counts of the intensity (a.u.) of the D band peak (ID) to the counts of the intensity of the G band peak (IG) and can be used to determine the allotrope of carbon present within the sample.
  • the 2D band can also be utilized by interpreting the area of the curve and peak position to determine the morphology of the allotrope. For example, crystalline graphite would typically exhibit a sharp and narrow peak curve that would follow a Lorentzian curve fit model while the 2D band of a sample including amorphous carbon would typically exhibit broader and flatter band which follows a Gaussian curve fit model.
  • the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of a peak also can be used to determine crystallinity within a sample.
  • the FWHM is measured by determining the width of the peak in question at half the total intensity of the sample.
  • the Raman microspectroscopy involved measuring a Raman spectrum of each of the samples using a Horiba Xplora Plus Raman Microspectrometer and the following parameters: a laser wavelength of 638 nm; a grating having 1800 grooves/mm; an acquisition time of 5 seconds;
  • the Raman microspectroscopy was performed at 21 °C.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 samples subjected to Raman microspectroscopy were unused.
  • the Raman spectrum of each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples comprised a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak was within a Raman shift range of about 1550 cm' 1 to about 1590 cm' 1 , and a D band peak was within a Raman shift range of from about 1310 erm 1 to about 1340 cm' 1 , wherein a ratio I D /IG of the intensity l D of the D band peak to the intensity l G of the G band peak was from 1 to 1.8.
  • the Raman spectrum of each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples comprised a 2D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 2620 cm' 1 to about 2680 cm' 1 .
  • the G band peak had a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of from about 45 cm' 1 to about 62 cm' 1 .
  • the 2D band typically followed a Lorentzian curve fit model.
  • the Raman spectrum of each of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples indicated that the samples included disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof.
  • Fig. 14 shows the Raman spectrum of one of the allotrope of carbon 103 samples. The sample was unused. As shown in Fig. 14, a G band peak was observed at about 1573 cm' 1 , a D band peak was observed at about 1320 cm' 1 , and a 2D band peak was observed at about 2630 erm 1 . The ratio IG/ID of the intensity IG of the G band peak to the intensity ID of the D band peak was about 1.6. The G band peak had a FWHM of about 62 cm' 1 . The 2D band followed a Lorentzian curve fit model.
  • the present inventors have found that the allotrope of carbon 103 comprising disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, nanocrystalline graphite, or a combination thereof provided for a particularly effective aerosol generating component.
  • Such allotropes of carbon 103 were found to effectively dissipate heat, reduce temperature variation, and reduce the severity of any hot spots.
  • Such allotropes of carbon 103 exhibited a low electrical resistance (and high electrical conductivity) that was particularly suited to use in non-combustible aerosol provision systems.
  • Such allotropes of carbon 103 also facilitated effective liquid distribution, e.g. across the surface of and/or within the allotrope of carbon.
  • the reservoir 101 is suitable for storing an aerosol-generating material 200.
  • the reservoir 101 may take various forms. As shown in Fig. 2, the reservoir 101 may have at least one wall 109 defining an interior volume 104 in which the aerosol-generating material 200 may be stored.
  • Fig. 2 schematically shows the reservoir 101 being formed of the outer walls 109 and an (optional) aerosol generator support 129.
  • the outer walls 109 and aerosol generator support 129 define the interior volume 104 of the reservoir 101 in which the aerosol-generating material 200 may be located.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 is replaced by a further outer wall 109.
  • the aerosol generator 102 / allotrope of carbon 103 is arranged such that aerosol-generating material 200 is able to be supplied thereto.
  • the reservoir 101 may comprise an opening or channel through the outer wall 109 or aerosol generator support 129 (in particular, see flow conduit 130 of Fig. 2) that permits aerosol-generating material 200 to pass from the internal volume 104 of the reservoir 101 to the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may extend through the wall 109 and/or be formed as part of the wall 109.
  • Fig. 3 schematically shows a close-up cross-section of the reservoir 101 and allotrope of carbon 103 of an article 100 according to another example.
  • the reservoir 101 converges towards the allotrope of carbon 103. That is, an inner surface of the reservoir 101 may converge towards the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • Such arrangements help to direct aerosol-generating material 200 towards or to the allotrope of carbon 103 in use. This is particularly beneficial when the surface area of the allotrope of carbon 103 exposed to the inside of the reservoir 101 is significantly less than the total surface area of the inner surface of the reservoir 101.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 is placed extending between the outer wall 109.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 and the reservoir 101 may be integrally formed.
  • the article 100 can be manufactured efficiently, without the need to assemble the reservoir 101 and the allotrope of carbon 103 as separate components. Moreover, the article 100 can be more robust than an article in which the allotrope of carbon 103 and the reservoir 101 are formed of separate components.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may comprise a plurality of portions, such as an aerosol-generating portion 106 and/or a transport portion 107.
  • a cross-sectional area of the transport portion 107 may be less than a cross-sectional area of the aerosol-generating portion 106, wherein each cross-sectional area is measured orthogonally to the thickness extent of the wall 109.
  • This arrangement can facilitate transfer of aerosol-generating material 200 at a controlled rate (e.g. with a reduced risk of leakage) and a desirable aerosol generation profile.
  • the transport portion 107 may comprise a first portion 112 and a second portion 113.
  • the first portion 112 may be exposed to the inside volume 104 of the reservoir 101.
  • the second portion 113 may extend from the first portion 112 to the aerosolgenerating portion 106.
  • the transport portion 113 may or may not be exposed to the inside
  • the reservoir 101 may be at least partially formed of an electrically insulating material.
  • the wall 109 through which the allotrope of carbon 103 at least partially extends may be formed of an electrically insulating material.
  • the portion of the wall 109 through which the allotrope of carbon 103 at least partially extends may be formed of an electrically insulating material.
  • the portion of the wall 109 that is contiguous with the allotrope of carbon 103 may be formed of an electrically insulating material.
  • the electrically- insulating material may comprise or be formed of plastic, glass, paper, and/or ceramic.
  • the plastic may be selected from polysulfone (PSU), poly(ethersulfone) (PES), polyimide (PI), poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyether ketone (PEK).
  • the polyimide (PI) is selected from polyetherimide (PEI) and polyamideimide (PAI).
  • the glass may be selected from the group consisting of silicate glass and non- silicate glass.
  • the silicate glass is borosilicate glass, or quartz glass (fused quartz).
  • the glass may be flexible.
  • the glass may be non-porous.
  • the form and structure of the reservoir 101 is not particularly limited, and the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to any particular form or structure of reservoir 101.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may comprise an (optional) electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be arranged on (or deposited on or supported on) the electrically insulating substrate 108. It has been found that the electrically insulating substrate 108 may provide a useful structural support for the allotrope of carbon 103, and thereby improve the robustness of the aerosol generator 102.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 may be non-porous or porous.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 may be made of any suitable electrically insulating material, which may also be thermally insulating.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 may comprise or be formed of plastic (e.g., polyetheretherketone (PEEK)), glass (e.g., quartz glass), paper, and/or ceramic.
  • PEEK polyetheretherketone
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 has a thickness of from 100 pm to 4 mm, although the thickness of the electrically insulating substrate 108 is not limited to these thicknesses.
  • At least one aperture 132 is shown extending through the electrically insulating substrate 108. It has been found that the at least one aperture 132 facilitates effective delivery of aerosol-generating material 200 to the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • aerosolgenerating material 200 can be delivered from the surface of the substrate 108 opposite from the surface on which the allotrope of carbon 103 is supported, through the at least one aperture 132, to the allotrope of carbon 103. In this way, the aerosol-generating material 200 delivered through the at least one aperture 132 can spread across the allotrope of carbon 103 in a controlled manner, while the allotrope of carbon 103 is shielded from the bulk volume of aerosol-generating material 200 by the substrate 108.
  • the at least one aperture 132 permits controlled delivery of aerosol-generating material 200 to the allotrope of carbon 103 (e.g., such as the dimensions of the cross-section of the at least one aperture 132 and/or the number of apertures 132), whilst the structure of the substrate 108 prevents aerosol from inadvertently flowing into the reservoir 101.
  • the at least one aperture 132 may comprise a plurality of the apertures 132. That is, the aerosol generator 102 may comprise a plurality of apertures 132 each extending through the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the plurality of apertures 132 may each extend from a first surface the electrically insulating substrate 108 to a second (e.g. opposing) surface of the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the plurality of apertures 132 may be spaced apart from each other.
  • the plurality of apertures 132 may comprise at least three apertures.
  • the plurality of apertures 132 may form an array, or a two-dimensional pattern.
  • the plurality of apertures 132 may form an array or a two dimensional pattern across the first surface and/or the second surface.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 is provided in conjunction with the aerosol generator support 129.
  • the conduit 130 of the aerosol generator support 129 is provided in fluid communication with the one or more apertures 132 of the electrically insulating substrate 108.
  • the electrically insulating substrate 108 may be provided in implementations where the aerosol generator support 129 is omitted.
  • the article 100 may comprise a aerosol generator support 129.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 supports the aerosol generator 102.
  • the aerosol generator 102 may be mounted on the aerosol generator support 129. It has been found that the aerosol generator support 129 helps to maintain the structural integrity of the aerosol generator 102, particularly where the allotrope of carbon 103 and/or the electrically insulating substrate 108 are fragile. In use, the aerosol generator support129 may restrict and/or reduce the flow) of aerosolgenerating material 200 inside the reservoir 101 to the aerosol generator 102.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may include at least one conduit 130.
  • the inner diameter of the or each conduit 130 may be less than the inner diameter of the reservoir 101.
  • the or each conduit 130 may extend towards (or to) the aerosol generator 102.
  • the or each conduit 130 may be aligned with the aerosol generator 102.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may comprise a solid structure 131 through which the at least one conduit 130 extends.
  • aerosol-generating material may preferentially (or may only) traverse the aerosol generator support 129 through the or each conduit 130. It has been found that the aerosol generator support 129 can help to control the flow of aerosol-generating material 200 to the aerosol generator 102, whilst shielding the aerosol generator 102 from the bulk volume of the aerosol generating material 200. In this way, the aerosol generator support 129 may be considered as a thermal break. It also has been found that the conduit(s) 130 can help to channel liquid towards the aerosol generator 102, and/or to reduce or prevent the formation of air bubbles (which may be formed by movement of the article 100).
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may be made of a thermally insulating material. Various thermally insulating materials may be used. The thermally insulating material may comprise or be formed of plastic, glass, paper, and/or ceramic.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may be arranged so that aerosol-generating material 200 inside the reservoir 101 that is transferred to the aerosol generator 102 passes through the at least one channel 130.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may be an integrally formed part of the reservoir 101.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 may be a separable or separate part of the reservoir 101.
  • a wall 109 of the reservoir 101 may comprise the aerosol generator support 129.
  • a wall 109 (or a portion thereof) through which the allotrope of carbon at least partially extends may comprise the aerosol generator support 129.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may at least partially extend through the aerosol generator support 129.
  • the allotrope of carbon 103 may be integrally formed with the aerosol generator support 129.
  • the article 100 may comprise an optional seal 125.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between the reservoir 101 and the aerosol generator 102.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between a wall 109 and the aerosol generator 102.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between the aerosol generator support 129 and the aerosol generator 102.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between the reservoir 101 and allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between a wall 109 and the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the seal 125 may be arranged between the aerosol generator support 129 and the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the seal 125 may be a gasket.
  • the seal 125 may be a mechanical seal.
  • the seal 125 may be formed of various materials.
  • the seal 125 may be formed of a flexible and/or deformable material.
  • the seal 125 may comprise or be formed of a polymeric material, a fibrous material, a metallic material, and/or a glass material.
  • the polymeric material may be silicone or polyimide (for example).
  • the seal 125 may comprise or be formed of an adhesive. Such a seal 125 may be referred to as an adhesive seal 125.
  • the adhesive seal 125 may adhere the aerosol generator 102 to the reservoir 101 , for example in implementations where the aerosol generator 102 is not formed as part of the wall 109 of the reservoir 101.
  • the adhesive seal 125 may adhere the aerosol generator 102 to a wall 109 of the reservoir 101 (e.g. the aerosol generator support 129).
  • the seal 125 may be for reducing or preventing inadvertent leakage of aerosol-generating material 200 between the reservoir 101 (e.g. a wall 109 thereof; e.g. the aerosol generator support 129) and the aerosol generator 102.
  • the seal 125 may be for reducing or preventing inadvertent leakage of aerosol-generating material 200 between the reservoir 101 (e.g. a wall 109 thereof; e.g. the aerosol generator support 129) and the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • At least one opening 126 may be provided in the seal 125.
  • the at least one opening 126 may superpose or overlay the aerosol generator 102.
  • aerosolgenerating material 200 in the reservoir 101 can flow to the aerosol generator 102 (e.g. to the allotrope of carbon 103) through the at least one opening 126.
  • the article 100 may include at least one electrical contact 123.
  • the article 100 may comprise at least two (e.g. a pair of) electrical contacts 123. It will be understood that the or each electrical contact 123 is electrically conductive.
  • the at least one electrical contact 123 may be for connection to a power source, such as a cell 5 provided in the device 20 of the aerosol provision system 10.
  • the power source may be for supplying electrical power to the aerosol-generator 102 such that the aerosol-generator 102 generates aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 200 (e.g., via heating).
  • Figs. 3 and 4 show the at least one electrical contact 123 arranged on or in contact with the aerosol generating component 102 (e.g., the allotrope of carbon 103).
  • the at least one electrical contact 123 is provided to make contact with an electrical conductor (e.g., such as a pogo pin or the like) of the device 20 when the article 100 is coupled to the device 20. Accordingly, electrical power can be provided to the allotrope of carbon 103 for heating the aerosol generating material 200.
  • the at least one electrical contact 123 may be provided in various forms.
  • the or each electrical contact 123 may be bonded to or contacted with the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the or each electrical contact may comprise or be formed of a metallic material.
  • the metallic material may be a metal alloy, such as a solder.
  • the metallic material may be silver, copper, gold, platinum, palladium, tungsten, or nickel.
  • the metallic material may be silver chloride.
  • At least two of the electrical contacts 123 may be arranged in contact with the allotrope of carbon 103, such that the path of least electrical resistance extends through the aerosol-generating portion 106 whilst bypassing the transport portion 107.
  • the aerosol generating portion 106 can reach temperatures for generating aerosol from the aerosol-generating material whilst the transport portion 107 may not.
  • Such an arrangement may result in improved efficiency and performance (relative where the entire allotrope of carbon 103 reaches aerosolisation temperatures).
  • the or each electrical contact 123 may have a substantially planar contact surface.
  • the or each electrical contact 123 may be formed as a plate. The plate may have a substantially planar contact surface. The substantially planar contact surface may be arranged in contact with the allotrope of carbon 103. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such arrangements reduce the pressure applied by the electrical contact(s) to the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • Fig. 5 schematically represents an example arrangement of a part of the reservoir 101 and aerosol generator 102 of Fig. 2 in more detail, and in particular an arrangement in which the retaining element 124 is provided for retaining the aerosol generator 102 and/or electrical contacts 123 in a suitable position.
  • the aerosol generator support 129 is shown having recesses 128. Between the aerosol generator 102 and the aerosol generator support 129 is shown the seal 125. The seal 125 similarly has recess I channel portions running therethrough (not labelled in Fig. 5).
  • a pair of electrical contacts 123 are shown either side of the allotrope of carbon 103 (which also includes the electrically insulating substrate 108). In particular, each electrical contact 123 is positioned at either side or end of the allotrope of carbon 103. The electrical contacts
  • the retaining element 124 which in this implementation is a screw or pin, is located in the respective through holes of the electrical contacts 123 and seal 125 and is fixed into the recesses 128.
  • the retaining element 124 retains the electrical contacts 123 in position relative to the reservoir 101 and, additionally, helps to retain the electrical contacts 123 in contact with the allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the screw I pin as the retaining element 124, the allotrope of carbon 103 and the electrical contacts 123 are capable of being retained in position.
  • Fig. 5 depicts an example arrangement for the retaining element
  • the retaining element 124 and, in other implementations, the retaining element 124 may take different forms.
  • the retaining element 124 may be an adhesive (e.g., provided between the electrical contact 123 and the seal 125 / aerosol generator support 129).
  • the retaining element 124 may be biasing element, such as a resiliently biasing element, such as a clamp or a clip.
  • the retaining element(s) 124 may be separate from, or integrally formed with, the electrical contact(s) 123.
  • the or each electrical contact 123 may comprise an integrally formed retaining element 124.
  • the aerosol provision system 10 defines an airflow path through the system 10 from an air inlet to an air outlet (at the mouthpiece 35 of the aerosol provision system 10).
  • the article 100 is coupled to the device 20 in use, and thus the article 100 comprises a housing 134 comprising an air inlet 135, an air outlet 136, and an air passageway 137 extending between the air inlet 135 and the air outlet 136.
  • the aerosol generator 102 / allotrope of carbon 103 is arranged in fluid communication with the air passageway 137 so as to be able to deliver aerosol into the air passageway 137 when a user inhales on the aerosol provision system 10.
  • Fig. 6 schematically represents an article 100 comprising a housing 134 and an air passageway 137.
  • the housing 134 comprises an air inlet 135 and an air outlet 136 provided at outer surfaces of the housing 134.
  • the air inlet 135 may be provided in various positions, such as at a base of the housing 134.
  • the air outlet 136 may be provided in various positions, such as at a top of the housing 134.
  • the air inlet 134 and air outlet 136 are provided at different positions relative to the housing 134 and at positions which define or facilitate an airflow around the aerosol generator 102.
  • the article 100 may comprise a mouthpiece (not shown in the figures) and the air outlet 136 may be formed at or by the mouthpiece while the air inlet 135 is provided at an opposing end of the article 100.
  • the air passageway 137 is provided so as to surround the outer wall 109 of the reservoir 101 (or at least a portion thereof). That is to say, the air passageway 137 comprises an upstream portion (upstream from the aerosol generator 102) which splits into a plurality of midstream portions that pass either side of the reservoir 101 before joining at a downstream portion, which extends to the air outlet 136.
  • the principles of the present disclosure are not limited to this particular configuration of air passageway 137, and different designs of the article 100 and reservoir 101 may lead to other configurations of the air passageway 137 as necessary.
  • the air passageway 137 may be provided centrally in the housing 134 with the reservoir 101 positioned around the air passageway 137 (e.g., as an annular cylinder having inner and outer walls defining the volume 104 while the air passageway 137 runs through the tubular portion defined by the inner wall.
  • the air passageway 137 may be provided centrally in the housing 134 with the reservoir 101 positioned around the air passageway 137 (e.g., as an annular cylinder having inner and outer walls defining the volume 104 while the air passageway 137 runs through the tubular portion defined by the inner wall.
  • the air passageway 137 may be provided centrally in the housing 134 with the reservoir 101 positioned around the air passageway 137 (e.g., as an annular cylinder having inner and outer walls defining the volume 104 while the air passageway 137 runs through the tubular portion defined by the inner wall.
  • Various forms of the air passageway 137 are envisaged.
  • Airflow through the air passageway 137 may enter the housing 134 at the air inlet 135, and flow towards the aerosol generator 102 / allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the air flowing past the aerosol-generator 102 entrains aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 102, and the resulting air-aerosol mixture flows through the remainder of the air passageway 137, and exits the housing 134 at the air outlet 136, into the mouth of a user.
  • the electrical contacts 123 and the corresponding electrical contacts of the control part 20 that is coupled to the article 100 in use to form the aerosol provision system 10.
  • the electrical contacts of the control part 20 may protrude through the housing 134, for example through openings in the housing 134, in order to make electrical contact with the electrical contacts 123.
  • the aerosol provision system 10 is provided with a plurality of aerosol generators 102 (such as, but not limited to, the allotrope of carbon 103) each configured to generate aerosol from a particular aerosol-generating material 200.
  • the aerosol provision system 10 may be provided with a plurality of reservoirs 101 , each feeding a separate aerosol generator 102, whereby the aerosol generator 102 is capable of being controlled (e.g., energised) to generate aerosol from the particular aerosol-generating material of the associated reservoir 101.
  • Fig. 7 schematically represents an example article 100 which includes multiple reservoirs 101 (in this particular example, three reservoirs labelled 101a, 101b and 101c) each provided with an aerosol generator 102 (in this example, three aerosol generators labelled 102a, 102b and 102c).
  • the aerosol generators 102a to 102c are each allotropes of carbon 103 and thus may be referred to as allotropes of carbon 103a, 103b, and 103c.
  • the remaining features of the article 100 of Fig. 7 are similar to the corresponding features of Fig. 6; namely, a housing 134 comprising an air inlet 135, and air outlet 136 and an air passageway 137 fluidly connecting the air inlet 135 and air outlet 136.
  • each of the reservoirs 101 a to 101 c may comprise a different aerosol-generating material 200.
  • each of the reservoirs 101a to 101c may comprise a liquid aerosol-generating material but that differ by one another by their constituents, such as flavour or active ingredient.
  • each of the reservoirs 101a to 101c may comprise identical liquid aerosolgenerating material except for the flavourant used such that aerosol generated from the respective aerosol-generating materials 200 provides a different flavoured aerosol to be delivered to the user inhaling at the mouthpiece.
  • different aerosols i.e., different flavoured aerosols
  • each of the sources of aerosol-generating material 200 are different from one another in at least one of: ingredients, flavourant, percentage of flavourant, active ingredient (such as nicotine), and percentage of active ingredient.
  • the article 100 is to be used with a corresponding device 20.
  • the article 100 when coupled to the device 20, is capable of forming an electrical connection, e.g., via a plurality of electrical contacts provided on the device 20.
  • the device 20 comprises a plurality of pairs of conductive elements (e.g., such as pogo pins or the like) each of which are capable of electrically connecting to corresponding pairs of electrical contacts 123 provided in association with each of the three allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c
  • the device 20 comprises a pair of conductive elements and the article 100 comprises circuitry that is coupled to each of the three allotropes of carbon 103 and configured to cause selective energisation of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • Fig. 7 shows the reservoirs 101a to 101c positioned side-by-side, but the reservoirs 101a to 101c may instead be embodied as three segments or wedges of a cylindrical reservoir, divided by suitable dividing walls.
  • the exact shape and arrangement of the reservoirs 101a to 101c in the article 100 is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure.
  • the Inventors have identified an approach for selectively energising one or more of the aerosol generators 102a to 102c I allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • the Inventors have identified an approach for selectively energising one or more of the aerosol generators 102a to 102c I allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c that avoids the use of switches or similar components that are selectively activated to connect any one of the aerosol generators 102a to 102c I allotropes of carbon 103a to a power source (e.g., battery 5 of the device 20).
  • a power source e.g., battery 5 of the device 20.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates circuitry 300 according to a first example in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
  • the circuitry 300 is represented schematically and illustrates the main components relevant for describing the principles of selective energisation according to the present disclosure. However, it will be appreciated that certain components are omitted and I or certain other components may be added to the circuity 300 in practical implementations.
  • the circuitry 300 comprises a variable power generator 305 that is connected in parallel with each of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • Fig. 8 shows two common lines I wires extending from the variable power generator 305, with each of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c branched off the common wires.
  • the branching is represented by the black circles on each of the common wires.
  • each branched wire from the common wire couples to a corresponding electrical contact 123 that electrically contacts the allotrope of carbon 103 (as described above). Therefore, the variable power generator 305 is electrically coupled to each of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c such that the variable power generator 305 is capable of supplying power to each of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • the variable power generator 305 is configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency.
  • alternating output power signal it is meant that the output power signal alternates between a first value and a second value (e.g., a positive value and a negative value) at a given frequency.
  • the alternating output power signal may include a power signal that has at least one parameter (e.g., current and/or voltage) follows a sinusoidal waveform alternating between a first value (positive value) and a second value (negative value) at a given frequency.
  • the alternating power signal may be of any suitable waveform that varies at a given frequency, i.e., not just sinusoidal waveforms.
  • the magnitude of the first value and second value may be determined or set depending on the total power to be provided to the allotrope of carbon 103a to 103c, where, for example, the total power is calculated based on the root mean square (RMS) values of the voltage and current.
  • RMS root mean square
  • variable frequency it is meant that the frequency at which the alternating output power signal varies between the first and second values is itself variable.
  • the variable power generator 305 is capable of output separate alternating power signals that alternate at a different rates.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be configured to output a first alternating output power signal that follows a sinusoidal waveform that with a frequency of 500 Hz, and a second alternating output power signal that follows a sinusoidal waveform that with a frequency of 800 Hz.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be configured to output an alternating output power signal at a single frequency at any one time (although this frequency may vary at different times). That is to say, the variable power generator 305 may be configured to output a first alternating output power signal that follows a sinusoidal waveform that with a frequency of 500 Hz at a first time, and a second alternating output power signal that follows a sinusoidal waveform that with a frequency of 800 Hz at a second time. In other implementations, the variable power generator 305 may be configured to output an alternating power signal that varies according to a plurality of frequencies at the same time (in other words, the alternating output power signal is a superposition of alternating output power signals that follow a sinusoidal waveform that e.g., two given frequencies).
  • variable power generator 305 may have limitations as to the frequency of the alternating output power signal that it is able to generate. That is, the variable power generator 305 may be configured to generate an alternating output power signal having a frequency in the range of, e.g., 0 to 1k Hz, for example.
  • variable power generator 305 is configured to generate the alternating output power signal having a frequency between 0 Hz to 10 kHz, or 0 Hz to 5 kHz, or 0 Hz to 2 kHz or 0 to 1 kHz, although in other implementations the variable power generator 305 may be configured to generate alternating output power signal having different frequencies from those described.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be any suitable component capable of generating the alternating output power signal as described above. The specific way in which the variable power generator 305 generates the alternating output power signal as described above is not significant to the principles of the present disclosure.
  • the variable power generator 305 may comprise an inverter or the like.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be electrically coupled to a power source, such as the power source I battery 5 of the device 20. In such instances, the variable power generator 305 is configured to generate the alternating output power signal from the DC output provided by the power source I battery 5.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be controlled via suitable control circuitry, such as the PCB 28. That is, PCB 28 or similar control circuitry causes the variable power generator 305 to output the alternating output power signal according to a given frequency I frequencies. In some implementations, the PCB 28 or similar control circuitry causes the variable power generator 305 to output the alternating output power signal according to a given frequency I frequencies based on a user input, e.g., received via a user interface on the device 20 and/or via a user interface of a smartphone or the like that is communicatively coupled to the device 20. The user input may specify the frequency or frequencies to be generated, or in other implementations, may specify the allotrope of carbon 103a to 103c to be selectively energised.
  • suitable control circuitry such as the PCB 28. That is, PCB 28 or similar control circuitry causes the variable power generator 305 to output the alternating output power signal according to a given frequency I frequencies. In some implementations, the PCB 28 or similar control circuitry causes the variable
  • the PCB 28 or similar control circuitry causes the variable power generator 305 to output the alternating output power signal according to a given frequency I frequencies based on a predefined schema set in advance, e.g., by the manufacturer. For example, after a given number of inhalations on the aerosol provision system 10, the frequency may be changed to cause generation of aerosol from a different allotrope of carbon 103. As seen in Fig. 8, each branch connecting the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c to the common line / wire is provided with a pair of filters 301a to 301c and 302a to 302c.
  • the filters 301a to 301c and 302a to 302c together define a frequency filter arrangement that is electrically coupled to the variable power generator 305.
  • the frequency filter arrangements are configured to filter the alternating output power signal based on the frequency of the alternating output power signal.
  • filters 301a to 301c are high-pass filters (sometimes referred to herein as an HPF) and filters 302a to 302c are low pass-filters (sometimes referred to herein as an LPF).
  • HPFs 301a to 301c are configured to prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal (or components thereof) having a frequency above a particular threshold frequency.
  • LPFs 302a to 302c are configured to prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal (or components thereof) having a frequency below a particular threshold frequency.
  • the HPFs 301a to 301c and LPFs 302a to 302c are configured in such a way that the alternating output power signal can be selectively provided to selected ones of the plurality of allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c depending on the frequency (or frequency component) of the alternating output power signal.
  • HPF 301a is configured with a frequency threshold of 200Hz, while the LPF 302a is configured with a frequency threshold of 400 Hz;
  • HPF 301b is configured with a frequency threshold of 400Hz, while the LPF 302b is configured with a frequency threshold of 600 Hz;
  • HPF 301c is configured with a frequency threshold of 600Hz, while the LPF 302c is configured with a frequency threshold of 800 Hz.
  • variable power generator 305 outputs an alternating output power signal with a particular frequency.
  • the frequency of the alternating output power signal is below 200Hz, then the alternating output power signal is prevented from being transmitted to any of the allotropes of carbon 301a to 301c.
  • each of the HPFs 301a to 301c prevent further transmission of the alternating output power signal because the alternating output power signal has a frequency that is lower than each of the respective thresholds of the HPFs 301a to 301c (i.e., of 200 Hz, 400 Hz and 600 Hz respectively).
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being transmitted to the first allotrope of carbon 103a but prevented from being transmitted to the second and third allotropes of carbon 301b and 301c.
  • HPF 301a permits the alternating output power signal of a frequency greater than 200 Hz to pass through the filter, but each of the HPFs 301b and 301c prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal because the alternating output power signal has a frequency that is lower than each of their respective thresholds (i.e. , of 400 Hz for HPF 301 b and 600 Hz for HPF 301c).
  • the alternating output power signal passes through HPF 301a, the alternating output power signal is capable of passing through LPF 302a because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is less than the threshold (of 400 Hz) of the LPF 302a. Accordingly, in this example, when the frequency of the alternating output power signal is above 200Hz but below 400Hz the alternating output power signal is capable of being provided to the first allotrope of carbon 103a, but not to the second and third allotropes of carbon 103b and 103c.
  • both HPF 301a and 301b permit the alternating output power signal to pass therethrough because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is greater than their respective thresholds (of 200 Hz for HPF 301a and 400 Hz for HPF 301b), but HPF 301c prevents transmission of the alternating output power signal because the alternating output power signal has a frequency that is lower than the threshold of 600 Hz for HPF 301c.
  • the alternating output power signal passes through HPF 301b, the alternating output power signal is capable of passing through LPF 302b because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is less than the threshold (of 600 Hz) of the LPF 302b.
  • the alternating output power signal passes through HPF 301a, it is prevented from passing through LPF 302a because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is greater than the threshold (of 400 Hz) of the LFP 302a.
  • the alternating output power signal when frequency of the alternating output power signal is above 400Hz but below 600Hz the alternating output power signal is capable of being provided to the second allotrope of carbon 103b, but not to the first and third allotropes of carbon 103a and 103c.
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being transmitted to the third allotrope of carbon 103a but prevented from being transmitted to the first and second allotropes of carbon 301a and 301b. More specifically, all of the HPFs 301a to 301c permit the alternating output power signal to pass therethrough because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is greater than their respective thresholds (of 200 Hz for HPF 301a, 400 Hz for HPF 301b and 600 Hz for HPF 301c).
  • the alternating output power signal passes through HPF 301c, the alternating output power signal is capable of passing through LPF 302c because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is less than the threshold (of 800 Hz) of the LPF 302c.
  • the alternating output power signal passes through HPF 301a and HPF 301b, it is prevented from passing through LPF 302a and LPF 302b because the frequency of the alternating output power signal is greater than the respective thresholds of 400 Hz for LFP 302a and 600 Hz for LPF 302b.
  • the alternating output power signal when frequency of the alternating output power signal is above 600Hz but below 800Hz the alternating output power signal is capable of being provided to the third allotrope of carbon 103c, but not to the first and second allotropes of carbon 103a and 103b.
  • each of the LPFs 302a to 302c prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal to each of the first, second and third allotropes of carbon 301a to 301c (because the frequency thereof is greater than the thresholds of 400 Hz, 600 Hz and 800 Hz respectively).
  • the circuitry 300 is capable of selectively providing the alternating output power signal to different ones of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c (or more generally aerosol generators 102).
  • the alternating output power signal is set such that the power provided to the selected allotrope of carbon 103a to 103c is sufficient to cause the allotrope of carbon 103a to 103c to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material 200 supplied thereto.
  • the circuitry 300 is configured to enable selective generation of aerosol from the corresponding aerosol-generating material that is supplied to the respective allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • the circuitry 300 enables selection from one of multiple aerosol generators 102 without the use of any switches or similar components located between the variable power generator 305 and the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c. While in some instances there may be switches I transistors provided in the variable power generator 305, the control of these switches may be relatively simple inasmuch as it is a single component, namely the variable power generator 305, that needs to be controlled. Moreover this approach may reduce part count, particularly in the article 100.
  • each line A, B represents a connection interface 21/31 of the device 20 or article 30/100 and thus indicates where electrical connectors at such interfaces 21/31 may be located relative to the components of the circuitry 300.
  • this shows a first implementation in which the variable power generator 305 and the filter arrangements 301a to 301c and 302a to 302b are provided in the device 20.
  • the interface 21 , 31 of the device 20 and article 30/100 respectively are provided with multiple electrical connectors - i.e., a pair of connectors at each interface 21 , 31 for coupling of the first allotrope of carbon 103a to the variable power generator 305, a pair of connectors at each interface 21 , 31 for coupling of the second allotrope of carbon 103b to the variable power generator 305, etc. While the interfaces 21 , 31 may become more structurally complex in such implementations, the majority of the parts of circuitry 300 are located in the device 20 and therefore the cost of the article 30/100 may be relatively reduced.
  • this shows a second implementation in which the variable power generator 305 is provided in the device 20, but the filter arrangements 301a to 301c and 302a to 302b are provided in the article 30/100.
  • the interface 21 , 31 of the device 20 and article 30/100 respectively are provided with a pair of electrical connectors, and the filtering of the alternating output power signal is performed in the article 30/100. While the interfaces 21 , 31 are more structurally simple in such implementations, the filter arrangements 301a to 301c and 302a to 302b are located in the article 30/100 and thus the cost of the article 30/100 may be relatively increased.
  • circuitry 300 is completely contained within the one-part system.
  • the circuitry 300 includes a frequency filter arrangement 301a to 301c and 302a to 302c configured or positioned so as to enable selective activation of at least one of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103b based on the frequency of the alternating output power signal output by the variable power generator 305, to thereby cause power for aerosol generation to be supplied to the corresponding allotrope of carbon 103a.
  • the frequency filter arrangement 301a to 301c and 302a to 302c is configured to prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal to at least one of the allotropes of carbon 301a to 301c based on the frequency of the alternating output power signal.
  • the alternating output power signal may have different frequency components. Accordingly, in some implementations, the alternating output power signal may have a frequency component in the range of 200 Hz to 400 Hz and a frequency component in the range of 600 HZ to 800 Hz.
  • the HPF 301a and LPF 302a permit the frequency component in the range of 200 Hz to 400 Hz to pass to, and hence energise, the first allotrope of carbon 103a while preventing the transmission of other frequency components to the first allotrope of carbon 103a
  • the HPF 301c and LPF 302c permit the frequency component in the range of 600 Hz to 800 Hz to pass to, and hence energise, the third allotrope of carbon 103c while preventing the transmission of other frequency components to the third allotrope of carbon 103c.
  • a selected plurality of the plurality of allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c can be energised to generate an aerosol for delivery to the user.
  • the aerosol that is delivered to the user is formed from a combination of the aerosol generated by the first allotrope of carbon 103a aerosolising the respective aerosol-generating material 200 supplied thereto and by the third allotrope of carbon 103c aerosolising the respective aerosolgenerating material 200 supplied thereto.
  • the threshold for LPF 302a and the threshold for HPF 301 b are set to be the same (e.g., 400 Hz). The same is true for LPF 302b and HPF 301c (of 600 Hz). However, this need not be the case in each implementation; for example, the threshold of HPF 301b may be set to be greater or smaller than the threshold LPF 302a. In the case that the threshold is set to be greater, then there may be a frequency region in which the alternating output power signal is prevented from energising the corresponding allotrope of carbon.
  • the threshold for LPF 302a is set to 400 Hz and the threshold for HPF 301 b is set to 450 Hz, an alternating output power signal with a frequency of between 400 Hz and 450 Hz is prevented from energising any of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • the threshold is set to be smaller, then there may be a frequency region in which the alternating output power signal is capable of energising multiple allotropes of carbon.
  • an alternating output power signal with a frequency of between 350 Hz and 400 Hz is capable of being transmitted to both the first and second allotropes of carbon 103a and 103b.
  • omitting the HPF 301a can still allow selective energisation of the first allotrope of carbon 103a but the possible range of frequencies that can pass to the first allotrope of carbon 103a is increased from the range of 200 Hz to 400 Hz with the HPF 301a to 0 Hz to 400 HZ without the HPF 301a.
  • the LPF 302c may alternatively or additionally be omitted, and in this case omitting the LPF 302c can still allow selective energisation of the third allotrope of carbon 103c but the possible range of frequencies that can pass to the third allotrope of carbon 103c is increased from the range of 600 Hz to 800 Hz with the LPF 302c to 600 Hz and above (and up to the possible maximum frequency range of the variable power generator 305) without the LPF 302c.
  • the filter arrangements may be configured to permit selective energisation of certain allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c, while permitting energisation of the remaining allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • Fig. 9 depicts a first example of such an arrangement.
  • Fig. 9 shows circuitry 300 which is similar to circuitry 300 of Fig. 8 except HPFs 301a to 301c and LPFs 302b and 302c have been removed.
  • Fig. 9 will broadly be understood from Fig. 8.
  • the frequency of the alternating output power signal output by the variable power generator 305 is less than 400 Hz (i.e., the threshold of LPF 302a in this example)
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being supplied to all three allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c (noting that there are no filter arrangements provided in respect of the allotropes of carbon 103b and 103c).
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being supplied to the second and third allotropes of carbon 103b and 103c, but not to the first allotrope of carbon 103a due to LPF 302a preventing the transmission of the alternating output power signal at this frequency.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a filter, e.g., LPF 302a, that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator 305 and the first allotrope of carbon 301a, and is configured to prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal to the first allotrope of carbon 103a when the frequency of the alternating output power signal is greater than a first threshold frequency (e.g., 400 Hz).
  • a first threshold frequency e.g. 400 Hz
  • Fig. 10 depicts a second example of such an arrangement.
  • Fig. 10 shows circuitry 300 which is similar to circuitry 300 of Fig. 8 except HPFs 301a and 301b and LPFs 302a to 302c have been removed.
  • Fig. 10 will broadly be understood from Fig. 8.
  • the frequency of the alternating output power signal output by the variable power generator 305 is greater than 600 Hz (i.e., the threshold of HPF 301c in this example)
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being supplied to all three allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c (noting that there are no filter arrangements provided in respect of the allotropes of carbon 103a and 103b).
  • the alternating output power signal is capable of being supplied to the first and second allotropes of carbon 103a and 103b, but not to the third allotrope of carbon 103c due to HPF 301c preventing the transmission of the alternating output power signal at this frequency.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a filter, e.g., HPF 301c, that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator 305 and the third allotrope of carbon 301c, and is configured to prevent transmission of the alternating output power signal to the third allotrope of carbon 103c when the frequency of the alternating output power signal is less than a second threshold frequency (e.g., 600 Hz).
  • a second threshold frequency e.g. 600 Hz
  • the allotrope of carbon 103a 1 103c that is selectively energised may be energised to modify the aerosol that is generated. For example, this may be to impart a flavour or an additional flavour to the aerosol.
  • this may be to boost the volume of aerosol generated in a given inhalation, e.g., when all three allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c are energised, the volume of aerosol generated per second may be increased relative to the situation where only two of the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c are energised.
  • circuitry 300 comprising a combination of Figs. 9 and 10 may be implemented.
  • the LPF 302a prevents an alternating output power signal below a frequency threshold from energising the first allotrope of carbon 103a while the HPF 301c prevents an alternating output power signal above a frequency threshold from energising the third allotrope of carbon 103c.
  • the thresholds of the LPF 302a and HPF 301c may be set to be the same, in which case, there is no selective energisation of just the second allotrope 103b on its own (but rather either the first and second, or the second and third allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c are energised based on the frequency of the alternating power output signal).
  • the skilled person is capable of configuring the circuitry 300, using filter arrangements 301a to 302c, to achieve the desired effect.
  • this is realised by selecting whether or not to provide a particular HPF 301a to 301c or LPF 302a to 302c and by selecting the corresponding threshold for each of the HPFs/LPFs used. Accordingly, by configuring the circuitry 300 as desired (i.e.
  • FIG. 8 to 10 show examples in which the filter arrangement comprises HPFs 301a to 301c and/or LPFs 302a to 302c
  • Fig. 11 shows an example arrangement of circuitry 300 of Fig. 8 in which the HPFs 301a to 301c and/or LPFs 302a to 302c have been replaced with band-pass filters 303a to 303c (referred to herein as BPFs).
  • the BPFs 303 act in a similar way to the combination of HPFs 301 and LPFs 302. That is, the BPFs 303 act to permit an alternating power output signal having a frequency between a lower threshold and an upper threshold (i.e., a band of frequencies).
  • the HPFs 301 and LPFs 302 act to permit an alternating power output signal having a frequency within a similar frequency range to pass to the connected allotrope of carbon 103.
  • the combination of HPF 301a and LPF 302a allow an alternating power output signal having a frequency between 200 Hz and 400 Hz to pass to the first allotrope of carbon 103a.
  • the BPF 303a acts to allow a band of frequencies, e.g. a band spanning 200 Hz to 400 Hz, to pass to the first allotrope of carbon 103a.
  • the BPF 303a is a single electronic component, whereas the HPFs 301a and LPFs 302a are separate, individual components.
  • BPFs 303 may be used in place of the combination of HPFs 301 and LPFs 302.
  • the thresholds of the HPFs 301 , LPFs 302 or BPFs 303 are set accordingly. It may be appropriate to define a sequence of filters I thresholds in such an arrangement.
  • first threshold of 200 Hz
  • second threshold of 400 Hz
  • a third threshold (of 400 Hz) corresponding to the HPF 301 b, which is greater than the second threshold
  • a fourth threshold (of 600 Hz) corresponding to the LPF 302b, where the fourth threshold is greater than the second and / or third threshold.
  • a fifth threshold (of 600 Hz) corresponding to the HPF 301c, which is greater than the fourth threshold
  • an (optional) sixth threshold (of 800 Hz) corresponding to the LPF 302b, which is greater than the fifth threshold.
  • This configuration may be repeated for any number of aerosol generators 102 / allotropes of carbon 103, and is capable of providing energisation of one of the aerosol generators 102 / allotropes of carbon 103 (provided the alternating power output signal comprises a single frequency component).
  • different configurations of the thresholds and filter arrangement may be possible in order to achieve different effects and subsequently different aerosols to be delivered to the user.
  • the alternating power output signal is provided to the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c, provided the frequency thereof is sufficient to be transmitted by the respective filter arrangements 301a to 303c. That is to say, an alternating power signal (i.e., alternating current and/or voltage) is provided to the allotropes of carbon 103 to cause heating thereof.
  • an alternating power signal i.e., alternating current and/or voltage
  • Fig. 12 schematically shows an example of this arrangement.
  • Fig. 12 shows circuitry 300 and will generally be understood from Fig. 8.
  • the circuitry 300 in Fig. 12 is the same as the circuitry of Fig. 8 except that positioned between the LPFs 302a to 302c and the allotropes of carbon 103a to 103c on each branched line of the circuitry 300 is an AC to DC converter 304a, 304b and 304c.
  • the AC to DC converter 304a to 304c converts the received alternating power output signal that has passed through the corresponding LPF 302a to 302c and converts the alternating power output signal to a DC signal that is subsequently supplied to the allotrope of carbon 103a to 103c.
  • AC to DC converter 304a to 304c Any suitable AC to DC converter 304a to 304c may be implemented in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
  • the AC to DC converters 304a to 304c may be a part of the article 30/100 as shown in Fig 12, or a part of the device 20.
  • Figs. 8 to 12 show the circuitry 300 as having common lines I wires extending from the variable power generator 305 from which each of the aerosol generators 102 / allotropes of carbon 103 branch off
  • the circuitry 300 may be configured differently.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be provided with a plurality of channels (or outputs), where each aerosol generator 102 (or groups of aerosol generators 102) are separately coupled to each channel.
  • the variable power generator 305 is configured to output the alternating power output signal at each of the outputs, and thus the overall circuitry 300 functions in a similar manner to as described above. It should be appreciated that the skilled person we be readily aware of minor variations and modifications to the circuitry 300 as described above that are capable of achieving the same functionality.
  • Fig. 13 is an example non-therapeutic method of selectively activating one or more of the plurality of aerosol generators 102 / allotropes of carbon 103 of the aerosol provision system 10 described above.
  • the method starts at step S1 , where a providing a frequency filter arrangement (such as HPFs 301 and LPFs 302) and electrically couple the frequency filter arrangement to the variable power generator 305 (configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, as described above) and to the plurality of aerosol generators 102.
  • a providing a frequency filter arrangement such as HPFs 301 and LPFs 302 and electrically couple the frequency filter arrangement to the variable power generator 305 (configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, as described above) and to the plurality of aerosol generators 102.
  • this may include coupling an article 100 (which includes the aerosol generators 102 and frequency filter arrangement 301/302 in electrically communication) to the aerosol provision device 20 (which includes the variable power generator 305).
  • the method proceeds to generate an alternating output power signal at a given variable frequency using the variable power generator 305.
  • the variable power generator 305 is configured to generate an alternating output power signal comprising one or more components at a given frequency, e.g., between a range of possible output frequencies.
  • the variable power generator 305 may be programmed by a user, in which case at step S2 the method proceeds to acquire an input from the user, or may be programmed to operate based on a default or preprogramed frequency/frequencies.
  • variable power generator 305 may be controlled to output the alternating power output signal in response to detecting a user’s intention to activate aerosol generation (e.g., a detected inhalation on the aerosol provision system 10 or pressing of a button or other user input mechanism, etc.).
  • the generated alternating output power signal of step S2 is applied to the circuity 300.
  • the method performs the step of filtering the alternating output power signal using the frequency filter arrangement 301/302 based on the frequency of the alternating output power signal. As described above, based on the configuration of the frequency filter arrangement 301/302, certain frequency components of the alternating output power signal are provided to certain ones of the aerosol generators 102 to thereby selectively energise the certain ones of the plurality aerosol generators 102.
  • certain frequency components of the alternating output power signal are provided to certain ones of the aerosol generators 102 to thereby selectively energise the certain ones of the plurality aerosol generators 102.
  • variable power generator 305 stops outputting the alternating power output signal. The method may then proceed back to step S2 to await for the next detection of a user’s intention to activate aerosol generation.
  • the method of Fig. 13 is capable of selectively energising one or more of the aerosol generators 102 to generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating material 200 that is supplied to that aerosol generator 102. Therefore, the aerosol that is delivered to the user from the aerosol provision system 10 is capable of being varied or customised (e.g., based on user preference I desire).
  • a non-combustible aerosol provision system 10 comprising the article 30/100 and an aerosol provision device 20 comprising a power source.
  • the aerosol provision device 20 and the article 30/100 are separable from one another, and one (e.g., the article 30/100) may be replaced independently of the aerosol provision device 20.
  • the device may be for receiving the article 30/100.
  • the device may enclose the article 30100.
  • the device 20 may comprise a mouthpiece (for example, that enclosed the article 30/100), or alternatively the mouthpiece may form a part of the article 30/100.
  • the aerosol provision device 20 comprises the frequency filter arrangement 301/302.
  • the article 30/100 comprises the frequency filter arrangement 301/302.
  • the article 30/100 may comprise the variable power generator 305.
  • the device 20 and article 30/100 may be formed as a unitary structure (that is, the device 20 and article 30/100 are integrally formed as the aerosol provision system 10).
  • the system may include any feature or features of the system described herein.
  • an aerosol provision means (which includes the aerosol provision system 10) configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol provision means includes variable power generator means (which includes the variable power generator 305) configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generator means (which includes the plurality of aerosol generators 102) electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generator means including at least a first aerosol generator means and a second aerosol generator means; and frequency filter means (which includes any one or more of HPFs 301a to 301c, LPFs 302a to 302c and BPFs 303a to 303c) electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter means based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter means is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator means and the second aerosol generator means based on the
  • an aerosol provision system configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material.
  • the aerosol provision system includes a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generators electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement is configured to enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • an aerosol provision device a consumable and a method of operation.
  • any aspect of the present disclosure may be defined in relation to any of the other aspects of the present disclosure.
  • one aspect of the present disclosure may include any of the features of any other aspect of the present disclosure and/or the features of one aspect of the present disclosure may be as defined in relation to the features of any other aspect of the present disclosure.
  • An aerosol provision system configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosolgenerating material
  • the aerosol provision system comprises: a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generators electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal, wherein the frequency filter arrangement is configured to (e.g., positioned so as to) enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a first frequency filter arrangement configured to permit transmission of the output power signal to the first aerosol generator of a first frequency
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a second frequency filter arrangement configured to permit transmission of the output power signal to the second aerosol generator of a second frequency, wherein the first and second frequencies are different.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a first filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the first aerosol generator, and wherein the first filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the first aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is greater than a first threshold frequency.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a second filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the second aerosol generator, and wherein the second filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the second aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is lower than a second threshold frequency.
  • the frequency filter arrangement comprises a third filter that is electrically positioned between the second filter and the second aerosol generator, and wherein the third filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the second aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is greater than a third threshold frequency, wherein the third threshold frequency is greater than the second threshold frequency.
  • the aerosol provision system of any of the preceding clauses further comprising a third aerosol generator electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, wherein the frequency filter arrangement comprises a fourth filter that is electrically positioned between the variable power generator and the third aerosol generator, and wherein the fourth filter is configured to prevent transmission of the output power signal to the third aerosol generator when the frequency of the output power signal is lower than a fourth threshold frequency.
  • the third threshold frequency is equal to or less than the fourth threshold frequency.
  • variable power generator comprises a common output signal line
  • each of the plurality of aerosol generators are coupled to the common output signal line via a respective branched connection line
  • the frequency filter arrangement is positioned on at least one of the branched connection lines.
  • variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal having a frequency between 0 Hz to 10 kHz, 0 Hz to 5 kHz, 0 Hz to 2 kHz or 0 to 1 kHz.
  • variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal of a single, but variable frequency.
  • variable power generator is configured to generate the alternating output power signal having a plurality of frequency components.
  • each of the plurality of aerosol generators is fluidly coupled to a source of aerosol-generating material and, when the respective aerosol generator is provided with power, the respective aerosol generator is capable of generating aerosol from the respective source of aerosol-generating material.
  • each of the sources of aerosolgenerating material are provided with a different aerosol-generating material, whereby the aerosol-generating materials are different in at least one of: ingredients, flavourant, percentage of flavourant, active ingredient, and percentage of active ingredient.
  • a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm -1 to about 1650 cm -1 , and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm -1 to about 1400 cm -1 , wherein a ratio I D /IG of the intensity l D of the D band peak to the intensity l G of the G band peak is from about 0.8 to about 2, preferably from about 1 to about 1.8.
  • An aerosol provision device configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosolgenerating material
  • the aerosol provision device comprises: a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, wherein the variable power generator is configured to electrically couple to a plurality of aerosol generators configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal, wherein the frequency filter arrangement is configured to (e.g., positioned so as to) enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • a consumable for use with an aerosol provision device to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-generating material comprising: a plurality of aerosol generators capable of electrically coupling to a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency, wherein the plurality of aerosol generators are configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator; and a frequency filter arrangement capable of electrically coupling to the variable power generator and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter arrangement based on the frequency of the output power signal, wherein the frequency filter arrangement is configured to (e.g., positioned so as to) enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator based on the frequency of the output power signal.
  • a non-therapeutic method of selectively activating a plurality of aerosol generators of an aerosol provision system to generate aerosol from an aerosol-generating material the plurality of aerosol generators including at least a first aerosol generator and a second aerosol generator, the method comprising: providing a frequency filter arrangement electrically coupled to a variable power generator a variable power generator configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; generating the alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; and filtering the output power signal based on the frequency of the output power signal to selectively provide the output power signal to at least one of the first aerosol generator and the second aerosol generator.
  • An aerosol provision means configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosolgenerating material, wherein the aerosol provision means comprises: variable power generator means configured to generate an alternating output power signal at a variable frequency; a plurality of aerosol generator means electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to generate aerosol when provided with power, the plurality of aerosol generator means including at least a first aerosol generator means and a second aerosol generator means; and frequency filter means electrically coupled to the variable power generator means and configured to filter the output power signal applied to the frequency filter means based on the frequency of the output power signal, wherein the frequency filter means is configured to (e.g., positioned so as to) enable selective activation of at least one of the first aerosol generator means and the second aerosol generator means based on the frequency of the output power signal.

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Abstract

Un système de fourniture d'aérosol conçu pour générer un aérosol à partir d'un matériau de génération d'aérosol est divulgué. Le système de fourniture d'aérosol comprend un générateur d'énergie variable conçu pour générer un signal de puissance de sortie alternatif à une fréquence variable ; une pluralité de générateurs d'aérosol couplés électriquement au générateur d'énergie variable et conçus pour générer un aérosol lorsqu'ils sont alimentés en énergie, la pluralité de générateurs d'aérosol comprenant au moins un premier générateur d'aérosol et un second générateur d'aérosol ; et un agencement de filtre de fréquence couplé électriquement au générateur d'énergie variable et conçu pour filtrer le signal de puissance de sortie appliqué à l'agencement de filtre de fréquence sur la base de la fréquence du signal de puissance de sortie. L'agencement de filtre de fréquence est conçu pour permettre l'activation sélective du premier générateur d'aérosol et/ou du second générateur d'aérosol sur la base de la fréquence du signal de puissance de sortie. Un dispositif de fourniture d'aérosol, un consommable et un procédé de fonctionnement sont également décrits.
PCT/GB2025/050132 2024-01-25 2025-01-24 Système de fourniture d'aérosol Pending WO2025158160A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24153981.6 2024-01-25
EP24153981.6A EP4591735A1 (fr) 2024-01-25 2024-01-25 Système de fourniture d'aérosol
GBGB2411095.9A GB202411095D0 (en) 2024-01-25 2024-07-29 Aerosol provision system
GB2411095.9 2024-07-29

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WO2025158160A1 true WO2025158160A1 (fr) 2025-07-31

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010045670A1 (fr) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Helmut Buchberger Inhalateur
WO2018211252A1 (fr) 2017-05-16 2018-11-22 Nicoventures Holdings Limited Atomiseur pour dispositif de fourniture de vapeur
US20220183378A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2022-06-16 Nicoventures Trading Limited Aerosol generating device
KR20230086555A (ko) * 2021-12-08 2023-06-15 주식회사 케이티앤지 전력 증폭을 통해 가열을 제어하는 에어로졸 생성 장치 및 그의 동작 방법
US20230371603A1 (en) * 2020-10-16 2023-11-23 Nicoventures Trading Limited Aerosol provision device heating system

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010045670A1 (fr) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Helmut Buchberger Inhalateur
WO2010045671A1 (fr) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Helmut Buchberger Inhalateur
WO2018211252A1 (fr) 2017-05-16 2018-11-22 Nicoventures Holdings Limited Atomiseur pour dispositif de fourniture de vapeur
US20220183378A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2022-06-16 Nicoventures Trading Limited Aerosol generating device
US20230371603A1 (en) * 2020-10-16 2023-11-23 Nicoventures Trading Limited Aerosol provision device heating system
KR20230086555A (ko) * 2021-12-08 2023-06-15 주식회사 케이티앤지 전력 증폭을 통해 가열을 제어하는 에어로졸 생성 장치 및 그의 동작 방법

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