WO2025125643A1

WO2025125643A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2025125643A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/086385
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Hartley
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-14
Filing date: 2024-12-13
Publication date: 2025-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-14
Also published as: GB202319168D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (102) for heating an article (200) comprising aerosol generating material, the device (102) comprising: a body (104); and an elongate heating member (106) defining a longitudinal axis (A) and configured to be received in at least a portion of the article (200) comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the elongate heating member (106) comprises a first heating element (124) and a second heating element (126), the first and second heating elements (124, 126) being spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A); and wherein the first heating element (124) is configured to be heated independently of the second heating element (126).

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

Background

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

Summary

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a body; and aheating member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be received in at least a portion of the article comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the elongate heating member comprises a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element being spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the first heating element is controllable independently of the second heating element.

The heating element may be elongate.

The first heating element may comprise a first heating face and the second heating element comprising a second heating face.

The heating member may comprise a core.

The core may extend at least partially between the first heating element and the second heating element.

The core may separate the first and second heating elements.

The core may at least partially isolate the first and second heating elements.

The core may comprise an electrical insulator.

The core may comprise a thermal insulator.

The first and second heating elements may be on opposing sides of the core.

The elongate heating element may be a blade.

The first and second heating elements may be on opposing sides of the blade. The core may have a cuboid, triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal cross section.

The device may comprise a receptacle arranged to receive at least a portion of a article comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the elongate heating member protrudes in the receptacle.

Each of the heating elements be a directional heater in a direction perpendicular to a plane a heating surface of the respective heating element.

The cross section of the core may be uniform along its length.

Each planar outer surface of the core may have an associated heating element.

The first heating element may be a resistive heating element. The second heating element may be a resistive heating element

The first heating element may be an inductive heating element.

The device may comprise a plurality of first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements. The plurality of first heating elements may be spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The plurality of second heating elements may be spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Each heating element of the plurality of first heating elements may be independently controllable.

Each heating element of the plurality of first heating elements may be independently heatable.

The plurality of first heating elements may be independently controllable to the plurality of second heating elements.

The plurality of first heating elements may be independently heatable to the plurality of second heating elements.

The first heating element may be a first inductor coil and the second heating element may be a second inductor coil.

The core may be configured to constrain a magnetic flux such that the magnetic field one inductor coil is constrained to a single heating element.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the device of any of the embodiments described herein and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

The article may comprise a bore configured to receive the protrusion.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a body; and a heating member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be received in at least a portion of the article comprising aerosol generating material.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a body; and a heating member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be received in at least a portion of the article comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the heating member comprises a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element being spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the method comprises controlling the first heating element independently of the second heating element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision system;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the aerosol provision device of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of the aerosol provision device of Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the aerosol provision device;

Figure 6 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the aerosol provision device;

Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the aerosol provision device;

Figure 8 shows a schematic view of the aerosol provision device of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 shows a schematic top view of the aerosol provision device of Figure 7.

Detailed Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosolgenerating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

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

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device, also known as an article.

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision system 100 including an aerosol provision device 102 for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material and an article 200. The article 200 is an article comprising the aerosol generating material. The article 200 is shown separated from the device 102. The device 102 may be used to heat the replaceable article 200, also known as a consumable, comprising the aerosol generating material, to generate aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 102. In use, the article 200 is inserted onto the device 102 for heating.

The aerosol provision system 100 shown in Figure 1 is generally of a pen and pen cap like design, wherein the article 200 is removably situated atop the device 102 such that at least a portion of the device 102 is covered by the article 200. At least a portion of the device 102 is received within the article 200. The article 200 is configured to be receivable on the proximal end of the device. The proximal, mouth end, of the article 200 is configured to act as a mouthpiece. When situated on the device 102, the article 200 may be releasably secured into position by any suitable means. Examples include a releasable catch, clasp or feature, a magnet, a screw thread.

The device 102 is configured to provide heating to the article 200. The device 102 is configured to provide directional heating such that heating can be provided to particular sections or regions of the article 200. The device 102 provides heating to an inner portion of the article 200. The inner portion of the article 200 is a part of the article 200 not accessible by the user when the article 200 is in situ on the device 102. The device 102 provides heating to the article which contains aerosol generating material. The device 102 is configured to aerosolise the aerosol generating material by providing suitable heating. The aerosol produced upon heating of the article 200 exits the system 100 via an opening in the proximal, or mouth, end of the article.

As shown from various perspectives in Figures 1 to 4, the device 102 comprises a body 104 and an elongate member 106. The elongate member 106 is disposed at a proximal end 108 of the device 102 and the body 104 is disposed at a distal end 110 of the device 102. The elongate member 106 extends from the body 104. The elongate member 106 extends from a top surface 114 of the body 104. The elongate member 106 defines a longitudinal axis along which the elongate member 106 extends. The elongate member 106 has a constant crosssection along the longitudinal axis A. The elongate member 106 is generally a prismatic shape. The configuration of the elongate member 106 may differ.

The elongate member 106 is an elongate heating member 106. The elongate member 106 has a first surface 118 and a second surface 120 that are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The first and second surfaces 118, 120 may also be referred to as first and second heating faces. When the article 200 is disposed on the device 102, the first and second surfaces 118, 120 are located proximate the aerosol generating material of the article 200. The elongate heating member 106 comprises a heating arrangement 122. The elongate heating member 106 emits directional heat from the first and second surfaces 118, 120. The heat is emitted in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The heating arrangement 122 comprises first heating elements 124 disposed at the first surface 118, and second heating elements 126 disposed at the second surface 120. Each first heating element 124 transmits heat from the first surface 118 or heating face in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first heating element. Each second heating element 126 transmits heat through the second surface 120 or heating face in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second heating element 126. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the direction of transmission of heat from the first heating element 124 is opposite to that of the second heating element 126 as shown by arrows H in Figure 3.

The body 104 surrounds and houses various components of the device 102. The components of the device 102 housed in the body 104 may include a power source 107 and a controller 109. The power source 107 may be a battery. The controller 109 may be electrically connected to a control means 111. The control means may be a means for the user to operate the device. The control means 111 may be a button or switch, or a plurality of buttons or switches. The control means 111 may accept the users interactions with the control means as input and control the device based on the users inputs.

The body 104 comprises an outer wall 112. The outer wall 112 defines a shape of the body 104 that is ergonomically beneficial for the user to hold. The body 104 is an elongate body. The body 104 is a tubular body, and in some examples the body 104 is a cylindrical body. The body 104 comprises a proximal surface 114 and a distal surface 116. The proximal surface 114 is at the proximal end of the body 104 and at least partially contacts the article 200 when the article 200 is inserted onto the device 102. The body 104 acts as a locating feature of the device 102. The body 104 stops further insertion of the article 200 onto the device 102. When the article 200 is in situ on the device 102, at least a portion of the article 200 contacts the body 104. The proximal surface 114 of the body 104 acts as a shoulder.

The body 104 in the shown embodiment is disposed such that it extends along the same longitudinal axis defined by the elongate member 106. In other examples, the body 104 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 106. The shape of the elongate member 106 is different to the shape of the body 104. The cross section of the elongate member 106 is different to the cross section of the body 104. In examples, the elongate and/or the body have a constant cross section along their length. In other examples, the elongate and/or the body may have a variable cross section along their length.

The article 200 comprises a bore 202 and an article wall 203. The bore 202 forms an internal cavity. The bore 202 extends into the article from a distal end 205. The bore 202 may extend through substantially the entire length of the article 200. The bore 202 is bounded by the article wall 203. The bore 202 as shown is a through bore. The article 200 is inserted onto the elongate member 106. The article 200 fits onto the elongate member 106. The article 200 is fitted onto the device such that the elongate member 106 is disposed within the article 200. The elongate member 106 fits within the bore 202 of the article 200. The bore 202 has a corresponding shape to the elongate member 106. The article wall 203 has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines the bore 202. The aerosol generating material is disposed proximate the inner surface of the article 200. A proximal end 207 is the mouth end of the article 200. The distal end of the article 200 contacts the shoulder of the body 104. The article comprises a first portion of aerosol generating material heatable by the first heating element and a second heating element heatable by the second heating element as described in detail below. In examples, the article wall may also comprise insulation which may be in the form of an insulation layer that extends around the circumference of the article. The insulation layer is configured to minimise the transfer of heat through the article such that the aerosol generating material is heated efficiently.

Referring to Figured 2 to 4, an example heating arrangement 122 of the elongate heating member 106 is shown. The heating arrangement 122 of elongate heating member 106 comprises a plurality of first heating elements 124, identified below as a first plurality of heating elements 124, and a plurality of second heating elements 126, identified below as a second plurality of heating elements 126. In the shown example of Figure 2, the plurality of first heating elements 124 and the plurality of second heating elements 126 each comprise three heating elements 128. In other examples, the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 may have any number of heating elements 128, including just one heating element apiece.

Each heating element 128 of the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 is a directional heating element. The first plurality of heating elements 124 are spaced from the second plurality of heating elements 126. The first plurality of heating element 124 is spaced from the second plurality of heating element 126 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. Each element 128 of the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 comprises a heating face 130. The heating face 130 may be integral to the heating element 128, or may form a housing for the heating element 128. The heating face 130 is defined to face between the heating element 128 and the inner surface of the article 200. The heating face defines or forms a section of the surfaces 118, 120. In embodiments, the heating face may be unitary with the surfaces 118, 120. In other embodiments the heating face 130 is a separate, removable, component. The heating face 130 provides a barrier between the heating element 128 and the aerosol generating material such that any condensate, particulates, or non-aerosolised material does not form on the heating element. The heating face 130 is easily cleaned by the user. The heating elements 124, 126 are resistive heating coils. In this embodiment, the heating face 130 is a thermally conductive material, such as metallic panel, for example aluminium. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 can be independently controlled. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 can be independently activated. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 act to heat at the first and second surface respectively. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 are planar heating elements. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 are proximate the inner surface of the article 200 when the article 200 is disposed on the device 102. When activated, the first plurality of heating elements 124, 126 generate heat which is transferred at the heating face 130. The aerosol generating material is aerosolised and is inhalable by the user.

In embodiments of the system 100, the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 are induction coils, also known as inductor coils. In this embodiment, the article 200 further comprises a susceptor (not shown). The susceptor is an electrically conducting object, which is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field. Each of the inductor coils may generate the varying magnetic field which causes the susceptor to be heated. Once heated, the susceptor transfers heat to the aerosol generating material, which releases the aerosol. In this example, the heating faces are a magnetically permeable material such that the magnetic field is able to penetrate through the heating face to reach the susceptor.

In embodiments, the heating faces 130 are susceptors heated by the respective heating elements. The susceptor acts as a heater. In embodiments where the heating elements are resistive elements the heat is generated at the heating elements themselves. In embodiments where the heating elements are inductive elements, the inductive elements, for example coils, cause a magnetic field to cause heat to be generated in another element, such as a susceptor.

In embodiments, the first surface 118 acts as the heating face of the first plurality of heating elements 124 and the second surface 120 acts as the heating face of the second plurality of heating elements 126. In other words, the each of the heating elements 128 are disposed beneath the first and second surfaces 118, 120. The heating elements are disposed within the elongate heating member. The first and second surfaces 118, 120 may be thermally conductive surfaces.

The elongate member 106 comprises a core 132. The core 132 separates the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126. The core 132 is disposed between the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126. The core 132 extends at least partially between the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126. The core 132 separates the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126. The core 132 at least partially isolates the first and second heating elements 124, 126 from each other. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 are on opposing sides of the core 132. The core 132 is a different material to the first and second surfaces 118, 120 of the elongate member 106. The core 132 is a thermal insulator The core 132 comprises a thermally insulative material , for example at least one of a polymer, such as Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and a ceramic material. The core 132 extends at least along a length and a width of the elongate member 106 between the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126. In embodiments, the heating elements are inductive coils and the core 132 is further able to constrain the magnetic flux to limit the extent of the magnetic fields of the first plurality of heating elements 124. Each of the plurality of heating elements has an associated first susceptor. The core 132 is able to constrain the magnetic field of each of the plurality of heating elements such that the extent of the magnetic flux of a certain plurality of elements is in the region that the associated susceptor is located. The extent of the magnetic field of a first plurality of heating elements is in the region of a first susceptor. The extent of the magnetic field of a second plurality of heating elements is in the region of a second susceptor. The core 132 restricts the extent of the magnetic field of the first plurality of heating elements from the region of the second susceptor, and vice versa. The associated susceptor may be an associated plurality of susceptors or an associated susceptor section. In embodiments, the core 132 comprises a material for constraining magnetic flux, for example a ferrous material. In other words, the core 132 may be both a thermal insulator and a magnetic insulator.

Figure 5 shows a similar device to the device 102 of Figures 1 to 4, however the elongate member 106 has a cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, each of the heating elements 124, 126 are curved. The shape of the heating elements 128 corresponds to the surface of the elongate member 106. The associated heating face 130 of each of the heating elements 128 is also curved. The bore 202 of the article 200 corresponds to the shape of the elongate member 106 such that in this embodiment, the bore 202 is a cylindrical bore. The article 200 is a tubular article. The bore 202 and elongate member 106 generally correspond in shape to improve efficiency of heat transfer from the article 200. The heating element 128 is a directional heater, but the curved heating element increases the heating area compared to the planar heater of the example in Figures 2 to 4. In this example, the core 132 extends across the width W of the elongate member 106 in order to isolate the first plurality of heating elements 124 from the second plurality of heating elements 126.

Figure 6 shows a similar device to the device 102 of Figures 1 to 5, however the elongate member 106 is a triangular prism shape. The elongate member 106 further comprises a third surface 134 and a corresponding third plurality of heating elements 136. The third plurality of heating elements 136 is substantially the same as the first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 and each heating element 128 comprises a heating face 130. In this embodiment, the first, second and third plurality of heating elements 136 are planar. The article bore 202 corresponds substantially to the shape of the elongate member 106 such that the cross section of the bore 202 is a triangular shape along its length. By providing a first, second and third plurality of heating elements 124, 126, 136, this embodiment of the device is able to provide directional heating in three directions.

The article 200 may have portions of aerosol generating material associated with each heating element 128 of the plurality of heating elements 124, 126, 136. The article can have any number of regions up to the number of heating elements 128. In examples, the article have three separated portions or regions of aerosol generating material that can be independently heated by each of the first, second and third plurality of heating elements 124, 126, 136. The material in these regions may provide different sensations to the user e.g. different tastes. The user has the option of experiencing any of the aerosol associated with the three regions.

In other examples, the elongate member 106 can be formed into a prismatic shape with any cross-sectional shape. In examples where the cross-sectional shape is a polygon, there may be an associated plurality of heating elements on each surface of the elongate member 106. The bore 202 of the article 200 substantially corresponds to the elongate member 106 and may have regions of aerosol generating material of at least an equivalent number as the number of heating elements. In other examples, the elongate member 106 is a blade. The first and second plurality of heating elements 124, 126 are on opposing sides of the blade. In other examples, like that shown in Figure 5, the cross sectional shape of the elongate member 106 and associated shape of the bore 202 are not required to be polygonal, but may be any shape.

The body 104 in the shown examples of Figure 5 and 6 has a circular cross section, however in other examples the body 104 may have a cross section of another shape such as an oval shape or a triangular, or may have a variable cross section along its length.

Figures 6 to 8 show a further embodiment of the aerosol provision device 302 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The device 302 of this embodiment comprises a body 304 and an elongate member 306 as in previous examples. The body 304 defines a housing that surrounds and houses various components of the device 302 and has a proximal end and a distal end.

In this embodiment, the body 304 comprises a receptacle 340, and the elongate member 306 extends within the receptacle 340. The elongate member 306 extends into the receptacle from the distal, or base, end of the receptacle. The elongate member 306 is similar to the elongate member 306 of Figures 1 to 5. The elongate member 306 shown in Figure 7 is substantially the same elongate heating member of Figures 1 and 2, however an elongate member 306 of any of the described embodiments can be used in conjunction with the body 304. In this embodiment, the first plurality of heating elements 324 comprises five heating elements. A second plurality of heating elements 326 is disposed on the opposite side of the elongate heating member 306, as shown in Figure 9. The elongate heating member 306 is able to directionally heat portions of the receptacle 340.

The device 302 is used to heat a replaceable article 200 similar to the article 200, comprising the aerosol generating material, to generate aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 302. In use, the article 200 is inserted into the device 302 for heating. An opening 342 is formed in one end of the body 304, through which the article 200 may be inserted into the receptacle 340 for heating. The receptacle 340 is defined by a receptacle wall 344. The outer surface of the article 200 in this example corresponds to the receptacle wall 344. The cross section of the receptacle wall 344 is uniform along the length of the receptacle 340. The shape of the cross section of the receptacle is different to the shape of the cross section of the elongate member 306. In this example, the shape of the cross section of the inner surface of the article 200 is different to the shape of the outer surface of the article 200. In other examples, the shape of the cross section of the receptacle and the elongate member 306 are the same.

The directional heating that can be provided by the heating arrangement of any of the described embodiments can be used to provide controlled heating within an aerosol provision device. Aerosol generating material can be separated into portions in both a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, but also in a direction perpendicular to the axis. This enables the user to have greater control of the experience of the device, by heating only the portions of the aerosol generating material they wish to consume.

In any of the described embodiments, an electronics assembly is in the body 104, 304. The electronics assembly comprises the power source 107. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating arrangement 122 to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The electronics assembly 112 comprises an electronics module. The electronics module may comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory. The PCB may also comprise one or more electrical tracks to electrically connect together various electronic components. The battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 302. The heating arrangement 122 is connected to the electronics assembly.

The system 100 including any of the example devices described herein may further include a casing (not shown) to house the device 102, 302. The casing may be used by the user to store the device 102, 302 and the article 200. The casing may store additional articles for use with the device 102, 302 upon exhaustion of the current article. The casing may further house a means of providing additional power to the device 102, 302. The additional power may be used to charge the device 102, 302 for use in heating the article. The casing may include a power source, such as a battery. This battery may be electrically connected to the device 102, 302 when the device 102, 302 is inserted into the casing such that the battery discharges and the device 102, 302 charges.

In various embodiments, the system 100 is operated by the user. Operation of the system 100 includes arranging the article 200 on the device 102 such that the elongate heating member 106 is received in the device 102. The user can make a selection using inputs on the device 102. The controller 109 supplies power to the heating element 118, 120 associated with the user’s selection. The selected heating element 118, 120 heats the aerosol generating material to generate aerosol, which the user inhales through the mouth end of the article. The controller 109 commands heating of the respective heating elements independently in response to the user’s selection. In embodiments, the configuration of each region of aerosol generating material may be different. For example, different regions of aerosol generating material may comprise different flavours or have different amounts of aerosol generating material. In embodiments, one or more heating elements may be selectably heated in response to the user’s selection.

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

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for heating an article comprising aerosol generating material, the device comprising: a body; and a heating member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be received in at least a portion of the article comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the heating member comprises a first heating element and a second heating element, the first heating element and the second heating element being spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the first heating element is controllable independently of the second heating element.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 , wherein the first heating element comprising a first heating face and the second heating element comprising a second heating face.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating member comprises a core extending at least partially between the first heating element and the second heating element.

4. The aerosol provision device of claim 3, wherein the core at least partially isolates the first heating element and the second heating element.

5. The aerosol provision device of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the core comprises an electrical insulator.

6. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the core comprises a thermal insulator.

7. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the elongate heating element is a blade and the first and second heating elements are on opposing sides of the blade.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the core has a cuboid, triangular, pentagonal or hexagonal cross section.

9. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 8, comprising a receptacle arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, wherein the elongate heating member protrudes in the receptacle.

10. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are resistive heating elements.

11. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are inductive heating elements.

12. The aerosol provision device of claim 11 , wherein the first heating element is a first inductive coil and the second heating element is a second inductive coil.

13. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the device comprises a plurality of first heating elements and a plurality of second heating elements spaced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

14. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein each heating element heating element is independently controllable.

15. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 14 and an article comprising aerosol generating material.