Aerosol Provision Device

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2023/052300 filed Sep. 6, 2023, which claims priority to GB Application No. 2212988.6 filed Sep. 6, 2022, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device.

Aerosol provision devices and systems are known. Common systems use heaters which are activated to create an aerosol by an aerosol provision device from an aerosol generating material which is then inhaled by the user. The device may provide an aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the device. Users may wish to control the aerosols provided by aerosol provision devices. Users may wish to be provided with a range of aerosols generated from a range of aerosol generating materials. It can be desirable for the user to vary or switch between the aerosol provided. This may increase the user experience of the device. Modern systems allow users to access and refill the aerosol generating material in devices.

The present invention is directed toward solving some of the above problems.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device, comprising: at least one inlet through which air can enter the device; a first outlet through which aerosol within the device can pass; a second outlet through which aerosol within the device can pass; a first aerosol generating region arranged to generate a first aerosol; a second aerosol generating region arranged to generate a second aerosol; a first flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the first aerosol generating region and the first outlet; a second flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the second aerosol generating region and the second outlet; at least one heating element arranged to provide an aerosol from the first aerosol generating region and the second aerosol generating region.

Such an arrangement is able to provide a user of the aerosol provision device control over the provision of a first or a second aerosol by the device. In particular, the arrangement allows a single device to provide a variety of aerosols for enjoyment by a user. It is therefore possible for a user to use a device for multiple aerosols and therefore reduce the number of devices or additional materials required to provide the full range of aerosols a particular user may desire. This arrangement advantageously requires less material to provide this outcome (only one rather than several devices required) and also significantly improves user experience over previous systems. The user also need not access and refill aerosol generating material which can be technically difficult, particularly for users with poor mobility, can be dangerous, accessing components within a device may carry a risk of damage to device or user, and can be unhygienic.

The aerosol provision device of the present invention is able to be manipulated by a user to provide an aerosol from a specific aerosol generating region. The manipulation is far less intensive than requiring a user to change the aerosol generating material within the device and therefore provides a far more robust, safe and easy-to-use solution than previous systems. The devices disclosed herein may operate via several different mechanisms, including physical manipulation of the airflow paths (such as blocking a flow path through a non-desired aerosol generating region and unblocking a flow path through a desired aerosol generating region) and electrical manipulation of electrical connections within the device (controlling whether a heater heats one aerosol generating material or another, or whether to activate one specific heater or heating element from an array of heaters or heating elements).

The arrangement is therefore able to provide a “plug-and-play” approach. In that, the user may inhale on a first outlet and be provided with a first aerosol and inhale on a second outlet and be provided with a second aerosol. The system disclosed herein is an improvement over previous systems due to the ease of use and removal of complex manipulations for changing between the aerosols provided by a device.

In particular, users that have limited or impaired mobility, in particular in relation to hands, are able to use the full capability of the device.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

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

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e-cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system/device and electronic aerosol provision system/device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms “aerosol” and “vapor”, and related terms such as “vaporize”, “volatilize” and “aerosolize”, may generally be used interchangeably.

illustrates a schematic view of an example of an aerosol provision deviceaccording to the present invention. The aerosol provision devicehas at least one inletthrough which air can enter the device. The aerosol provision devicehas a first outletthrough which aerosol within the devicecan pass. The aerosol provision devicehas a second outletthrough which aerosol within the devicecan pass. The aerosol provision devicehas a first aerosol generating regionarranged to generate a first aerosol. The aerosol provision devicehas a second aerosol generating regionarranged to generate a second aerosol. The aerosol provision devicehas a first flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the first aerosol generating regionand the first outlet. In the example of, the first flow channel is shown by the arrow A, indicating airflow through the first flow channel.

The aerosol provision devicehas a second flow channel arranged to provide fluid communication between at least one inlet, the second aerosol generating regionand the second outlet. In the example of, the second flow channel is shown by the arrow B, indicating airflow through the second flow channel.

The aerosol provision devicehas at least one heating element,, to provide an aerosol from the first aerosol generating regionand the second aerosol generating region. In the examples of, the deviceshown has two heating elements,. It can be envisaged however that a common location on or near the flow paths may have a heating element. While this may be more complex to construct, one heating element is less material intensive than more than one. Use of one heater is electrically more efficient than use of two heaters. As such, there are advantages to both an arrangement wherein a heating element is shared and an arrangement wherein heating elements are not shared.

Also shown inis a locationthat is centrally located in the device. The locationmay be a common location on or near the two flow paths shown by arrows A and B. In the central location, there may be located a puff sensor or flow detector or microphone or the like. This may indicate when a use is inhaling on the deviceand communicate with control circuitry to activate an appropriate heating element.

For example, in the example of, the user inhales on outlet. The puff sensordetects airflow entering through the inletand passing towards the first aerosol generating region. The puff sensor sends a signal which results in the heating elementbeing activated and generating an aerosol for inhalation by the user from outlet. The signal may go straight to the heating element or to a control circuitry or the like. Use of only one puff detector is advantageous as it reduces the overall cost of the deviceagainst a device with a plurality of puff detectors.

In the example of, there are two inlets,. The inletallows airflow to enter the deviceand follow air flow channel B. Inletallows airflow to enter the deviceand follow air flow channel A. In this arrangement, the puff detectordetects whether airflow is present on one side of the puff detectoror the other, corresponding to airflow along channel A or B, and activates the corresponding heating element, heating elementfor channel A or heating elementfor channel B. In the example shown, air flow A travels along a lower side of the puff detectorwhile air flow B travels along an upper side of the puff detector, however other arrangements may be envisaged that utilize this concept.

In the examples of, the outlets,are at either end of a device. This need not be the case. The figures are schematic only and serve to clearly demonstrate the concept of a devicewith multiple aerosols that are accessible by a user from one device with multiple outlets.

The devicemay comprise a power portion for holding a power source or the like for providing power to the aerosol provision device. This may be arranged centrally, i.e. as per the puff detector, or may be arranged non-centrally. Central location may improve the weight distribution of the deviceresulting in a better user experience of the device. Location of the power portion at non-centrally, e.g. at one end of a device, may be more simple to manufacture.

In an example, the device has a movable component arranged to move between a number of predetermined positions comprising at least a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the moveable component at least partially blocks the first flow channel and wherein in the second position the moveable component at least partially blocks the second flow channel.

The moveable component may be a component that may be moved by rotation or translation. In use, the user may move the movable component to a series of predetermined positions. A “predetermined position” is used herein to refer to a position that is intended, by the manufacturer, to provide a predetermined outcome from the device. That outcome may be the provision of a specific aerosol from a specific region within the device, such as a first aerosol from the first aerosol generating region, or a second aerosol from the second aerosol generating region. In contrast, a “non-predetermined position” is used herein to refer to a position that is not intended by the manufacturer to provide a predetermined outcome from the device. This may be, for example, one or more positions that are between, or beyond, predetermined positions.

The process of moving the moveable component alters a physical arrangement within the device. The physical arrangement may refer to the physical arrangement of air flow channels through the device. The physical arrangement may refer to the physical arrangement of electrical contacts in the device. The moveable component may move to cover an inlet or an outlet of the device, in this way preventing aerosol being provided from one specific air flow channel.

In an example, movement of the moveable component alters the flow channels within the device. In the first position, the moveable component at least partially blocks the first flow channel. In the second position, the moveable component at least partially blocks the second flow channel. The moveable component may be moved to block an inlet or outlet as described above.

Referring to, the moveable component may be arranged to provide relative movement between any of the first aerosol generating region, the second aerosol generating region, the inletor inlets,, the outlets,and the power portion of the device. The moveable component may be part of any of these components of the device. In this way, the user is provided with control over the aerosol provided by the aerosol provision device, by preventing aerosol being provided from one (or more) outlet(s).

In an example, the moveable component may be moved in a manner that is rotational around a longitudinal axis of device, or in a different motion such as by a pushing motion into (or from) a predetermined position. Rotation may move the moveable component to block one air flow path and open another air flow path such that one of the first aerosol generating regionor the second aerosol generating regionprovides an aerosol to the respective outlet,. In this way, the user is able to select which aerosol is provided to them, via a robust and reliable mechanical arrangement.

In an example, the moveable component is arranged to provide tactile feedback when in a predetermined position. In this way, the user may be informed when the moveable component is in a predetermined position and the device can therefore be expected to operate in a predetermined manner. As the movement of the moveable component affects the aerosol provided by the device, inaccurate location of the moveable component may result in poor aerosol delivery, whether by inaccurate blocking of flow channels or poor electrical connections or the like. As such, the user experience of the device may be improved by providing some form of feedback to the user when the moveable component is in a predetermined position. Such an arrangement also increases the reliability of the overall device. The feedback may be tactile, this may be provided by an arrangement of projections and recesses, or may be electrical, for example a sensor may provide a visual or audible indication when the moveable component is in a predetermined position.

In an example, the device may further comprise a stopper to prevent the moveable component moving beyond the predetermined positions. The stopper may be a physical element that physically opposes attempts to move the moveable component beyond the range of predetermined positions.

In the example of, there is shown an arrangementof a stopper for preventing a moveable component moving beyond predetermined positions. In the example of, the arrangementhas an aerosol provision device housing. Within the housingis an array of predetermined positions. The array of predetermined positionshas a first predetermined position, a second predetermined position, a third predetermined position, and a fourth predetermined position. The moveable component may have a projection that enters a recess located at each of the predetermined positions. The moveable component may have a resilient member arranged to extend into a recess at a predetermined positionwhen suitably aligned, or arranged to bias a projection (or electrical contact) into a recess when suitably aligned.

In these examples, the user is able to safely, reliably and easily move the moveable component into a predetermined position. The arrangementhas a pair of stoppers. The stoppers,prevent the moveable component moving beyond the predetermined positions. The stoppers,may physically prevent movement of a projection or a resilient member and therefore provide feedback to the user that further movement in the same direction is not permitted. The stoppersmay be arranged adjacent, or reasonably proximal to, the outermost predetermined positions,(in the example of). Use of a stopper, or stoppers, improve the overall safety of the aerosol provision device disclosed herein.

The stoppersmay be arranged to limit movement to a specific number of degrees of rotation (for example) or a certain distance of translation or insertion. In an example the stoppersmay prevent movement beyond around 180 degrees of the moveable component. The stoppersand the predetermined positionsmay demonstrate latching behaviour when interacting with the moveable component to help inform the user of the allowed range of movements of the moveable component. This increases the safety and reliability of the device, by reducing the likelihood of a user moving the moveable component too far and potentially damaging the device.

In an example, the moveable component is further arranged to move to a third position, wherein the third position is a predetermined position (which may be deemed a latched position due to the interaction of projection and recesses) wherein the aerosol provision device is in an inoperable mode. In this example, the moveable component may be moved to a third position (such asfrom). In the third position, the moveable component is latched, i.e. the moveable component is secured and at least slightly prevented from moving away from this position. Such latching may occur by aligning of a resilient member or projection and a recess or the like. In this example, the resilient member/projection projects into the recess and some additional mechanical effort is required to move the moveable component out of the recess and into a further predetermined position, such as position.

When the moveable component is moved to the third position, the device may be inoperable, for example this may be in a sleep mode or a locked mode or an “off” mode or the like. While in one of these modes, the user cannot receive an aerosol from the device without changing the mode, by moving the moveable component into a different predetermined position. Such a position may be one wherein the inlet or inlets and/or the outlets are blocked by an element that moves in response to movement of the moveable component. In the example of, there are positions between the predetermined positions indicated, such as position. In the present disclosure, the positionis not considered a predetermined positionas the moveable component will not latch into place in position. The positions that are not “predetermined positions” are not intended for the user to move the moveable component to and then leave the moveable component in.

In an example, the aerosol provision device is configured to be in an inoperable mode when the movable component is in a non-predetermined position. In the non-predetermined positions, the moveable component will not appropriately align flow channels or electrical components (or the like) in the device in a predetermined manner. As a result, when in a non-predetermined position, the device may either provide an aerosol that has not been predetermined by the manufacturer, or not provide an aerosol at all. This would lead to a poor user experience.

As such, the safety of the device and the resulting user experience is improved by preventing operation of the device when the moveable component is not in a predetermined position (i.e. is in a non-predetermined position). Non-predetermined therefore means non-predetermined by the manufacturer when the device is designed and provided for use.

In a specific example, in a first predetermined position, a first flow channel is open and allows a first aerosol to be provided to a user from a first outlet. In a second predetermined position, a second flow channel is open and allows a second aerosol to be provided to a user from a second outlet.

In a non-predetermined position between the first and second predetermined positions, both flow channels may be partially open and therefore the device may try to provide an aerosol from the first outlet and from the second outlet. If the user is not expecting such a provision of aerosol from two outlets, it may decrease the user experience of the device. As such, in non-predetermined position the device may be arranged to not be able to provide an aerosol, i.e. be in an inoperable mode. This may be controlled by control circuitry in the device that prevents activation of the heating element or elements when the moveable component is not in a predetermined position.

In an example, the device has a mouthpiece, wherein the mouthpiece comprises at least one outlet. The mouthpiece may provide a suitable contact point for a user's mouth to receive an aerosol from the device. The mouthpiece may have one or more outlets in the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may therefore have a series of outlets from which different aerosols may be provided to a user. In the examples shown in, the devicehas two mouthpieces each with one outlet,.

In an example, the first flow channel and second flow channel share at least one portion of flow channel. In such an example, there is some overlap between the two flow channels. In an example, the flow channels may join at an inlet, or near the puff detector or at a heating element. By sharing some portion of flow channel, the devicemay be made more compact and therefore easier to transport for a user. Sharing a portion of the flow channel also means that duplicate components, such as multiple heating elements or multiple puff detectors, are not required. In certain examples, the shared flow channels may have shared electronic components such as puff detectors or the like, which reduces the overall cost of the device.

In an example, the device has one heating element for providing an aerosol, the heating element arranged to provide an aerosol from the first aerosol generating region and the second aerosol generating region. In such an example, the heating element is arranged to provide thermal energy to both the first aerosol generating region and the second aerosol generating region. In the examples of, there are two heating elements for heating two aerosol generating regions.

An example of a device with one heating element arranged to heat two regions is shown in.shows a cross-sectional view of a device. The devicehas a housingthat holds a first aerosol generating regionand a second aerosol generating region. Each region may have an aerosol generating material store, such as a reservoir or the like. The devicehas a heaterlocated so that the heatercan heat a region. The moveable component may be connected to the reservoirs such that the moveable component can be moved and, in turn, move the reservoirs in a direction shown by arrow B. By rotating the reservoirs, the user can control which reservoir is close to the heating element. In this way, the heating elementmay be arranged to provide an aerosol from the first aerosol generating regionand the second aerosol generating region, dependent on the movement provided by the moveable component to the reservoirs. Alternatively, the heatermay be centrally located and be operated to affect both regions simultaneously. In such an arrangement an air flow path through a region may be closed by the moveable component, such that aerosol generated by the heater is not provided to the user. Heated aerosol may re-condense after a period of time has elapsed-in this instance, the moveable component may move the reservoir e.g. up and down within the deviceto be within the impact of the heateror away from the heateras well as altering the flow channels within the device. The outlet connected to the reservoir being heated may be open such that a user is only provided with the aerosol from the selected reservoir.

In an example, shown in, the devicemay have an aerosol generating material reservoirwith at least two portions,. In the example shown, a first portionof the aerosol generating material reservoiris in the first aerosol generating region. In the example shown, a second portionof the aerosol generating material reservoiris in the second aerosol generating region. The arrangement shown has the portions,as two sides of a cylindrical aerosol generating material reservoir. The materials in the two portions,of the reservoirmay be two different materials. The materials may be liquids or solids. In this arrangement, the devicemay provide only one heater thereby reducing the cost of production against a device with multiple heaters. This also advantageously provides a reduction in the electronic complexity of the device.

In an example, the first portionof the reservoirmay hold around 0.01 ml of liquid aerosol generating material. The first portionmay hold up to 0.02 ml or up to 0.03 ml of liquid aerosol generating material. The second portionof the reservoirmay hold the same or a different volume of liquid to the first portion. The devicetherefore may be a single puff deviceor a devicethat is intended to be a disposable device, i.e. a device that is designed not to be re-fillable, rather once the reservoir or reservoirs are empty the devicemay be disposed. In a disposable device, the devicemay have a power source that is contained within the power portion that cannot be accessed by a user. The power source may be non-rechargeable and non-replaceable. The power source may be arranged to have sufficient power to aerosolize the amount of aerosol generating material in the device, but not more. In this way, when the aerosol generating material has been aerosolized, the deviceis has no remaining power and can be disposed of. This may improve the user experience, by providing a device that is easy to use and requires no maintenance.

Any of the devices disclosed herein may be disposable as per the above description.

In contrast to the example of, the device may have a first aerosol generating material reservoir and a second aerosol generating material reservoir. In such an example, the first aerosol generating material reservoir may be in the first aerosol generating region and the second aerosol generating material reservoir may be in the second aerosol generating region-such an example is shown in. In this sense, the reservoirs may be separated by some distance-in the example ofthe reservoirs are separated by a power portion comprising a power source and a puff detector. In an example, the first and second reservoirs may hold around 0.01 ml of liquid aerosol generating material, up to 0.02 ml of liquid aerosol generating material or up to 0.03 ml of liquid aerosol generating material. The power source in the power portion may be arranged to have sufficient power to aerosolize the amount of aerosol generating material in the device, but not more. In this way, the devices ofmay be disposable.

Each aerosol generating region may have its own wick to which aerosol generating material is drawn prior to be aerosolized by a heating element operating near the wick. Air flow may then carry the aerosolized material along a designated flow channel and out of the respective outlet.

In an example, the first flow channel and second flow channel may be entirely distinct from each other, as discussed above with reference to. In this example, the device may be more mechanically complex to construct and may require additional electronics such as puff sensors and heaters (though not necessarily), there is a reduced likelihood of a mixed aerosol being provided to a user. In this way, by isolating the flow channels from one another, there is reduced likelihood of a previous aerosol impacting the present aerosol, by for example having condensed on the channel inside the device. As such, the reliability and consistency of the aerosol provided to a user is improved.

In an example, the separated flow channels may have an aerosol provided by one heater. The heater may be centrally located and within thermal communication of the aerosol generating material reservoirs. The heater may be activated and one reservoir may have airflow through it such that one aerosol is provided to a user. In another example, the device may have a plurality of heaters, each of which may be activated by a specific predetermined position and corresponding electrical connection. A first heating element may be arranged to provide an aerosol from the first aerosol generating region and a second heating element arranged to provide an aerosol from the second aerosol generating region. While more costly to provide more heating elements and more complex electrical circuitry, the arrangement of the heating elements and the aerosol generating regions is made simpler. In either arrangement, one or more puff sensors may be used.

In an example, the moveable component is arranged to move around a longitudinal axis of the device. Rotational movement has been found to be mechanically simple for users. In particular, rotational movement of the body portion of the device has been found to be achievable even for users with movement difficulties. The rotation of a body portion may occur while holding the device, such that a movement using only one hand can move the moveable component and change the aerosol provided to the user. In an example, the moveable component is, in use, moved by a user of the aerosol provision device. In this example, the user moves the moveable component via a mechanical motion. This is a cost-effective way of using user motion to control aerosol delivery.