EP4373328A1

EP4373328A1 - Aerosol provision system

Info

Publication number: EP4373328A1
Application number: EP22737519.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zhihuang Xiao; Richard HAINES
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-19
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Also published as: KR20240023146A; WO2023002150A1; CA3224608A1; CN117940031A; GB202110351D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision system (1) comprising an aerosolisable material transport element (14) for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised. The aerosol provision system (1) is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element (14) is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element (14) is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration. The aerosol provision system (1) may comprise a fluid outlet tube (26) which is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the portion (31) of the aerosolisable material transport element (14) to be compressed in the second configuration.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol provision systems such as, but not limited to, nicotine delivery systems (e.g. electronic cigarettes and the like).

Background

Electronic aerosol provision systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain aerosolisable material, such as a reservoir of fluid or liquid containing a formulation, typically but not necessarily including nicotine, or a solid material such as a tobacco-based product, from which a vapour/aerosol is generated for inhalation by a user, for example through heat vaporisation. Thus, an aerosol provision system will typically comprise a vaporiser, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporise a portion of aerosolisable material to generate a vapour.

Once a vapour has been generated, the vapour may, though not necessarily, be passed through flavouring material to add flavour to the vapour, after which the (flavoured) vapour may be then delivered to a user via a mouthpiece or outlet from the aerosol provision system.

It is common for aerosol provision systems to comprise a modular assembly, often having two main functional parts, namely a control unit/body, and cartridge/consumable part. Such a consumable part, in some embodiments, may take the resemblance of a cigarette.

Various approaches are described herein which seek to improve existing aerosol provision systems, such as those outlined above, in a number of different ways.

Summary

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is an aerosol provision cartridge comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision cartridge is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is a method of controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from an aerosolisable material transport element in an aerosol provision system, wherein the method comprises moving the aerosol provision system between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

It will be appreciated that features and aspects of the invention described above in relation to the various aspects of the invention are equally applicable to, and may be combined with, embodiments of the invention according to other aspects of the invention as appropriate, and not just in the specific combinations described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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

Figure 1A schematically represents an aerosol provision system in a first configuration in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Figure 1B schematically represents the aerosol provision system from Figure 1A in a second configuration in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Figure 2 schematically represents two perspective views of an aerosol provision system which is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Figure 3A schematically represents a first cross section view of the aerosol provision system from Figure 2.

Figure 3B schematically represents a second cross section view of the aerosol provision system from Figure 2, and which is perpendicular to the first cross section view from Figure 3A. Detailed Description

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 non-combustible aerosol provision systems, which may also be referred to as aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosolisable material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery to a user. Aerosolisable material, which also may be referred to herein as aerosol generating material or aerosol precursor material, is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way.

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. An electronic cigarette may also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolisable material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolisable materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosolisable material and a solid aerosolisable material. The solid aerosolisable material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Equally in some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a consumable part/cartridge and a device/body which is configured to releasably engage with the consumable part/cartridge.

The aerosol provision system may be provided with a means for powering a vaporiser therein, and there may be provided an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving the aerosolisable material that is to be vaporised. The aerosol provision system may also be provided with a reservoir for containing aerosolisable material, and in some embodiments a further reservoir for containing flavouring material for flavouring a generated vapour from the aerosol provision system. In some embodiments, the vaporiser may be a heater/heating element capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form a vapour/aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporiser is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the vaporiser may be capable of generating a vapour/aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolisable material which may comprise an active constituent, a carrier constituent and optionally one or more other functional constituents.

The active constituent may comprise one or more physiologically and/or olfactory active constituents which are included in the aerosolisable material in order to achieve a physiological and/or olfactory response in the user. The active constituent may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, and psychoactives. The active constituent may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active constituent may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, a vitamin such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, a cannabinoid, or a constituent, derivative, or combinations thereof. The active constituent may comprise a constituent, derivative or extract of tobacco or of another botanical. In some embodiments, the active constituent is a physiologically active constituent and may be selected from nicotine, nicotine salts (e.g. nicotine ditartrate/nicotine bitartrate), nicotine-free tobacco substitutes, other alkaloids such as caffeine, or mixtures thereof.

In some embodiments, the active constituent is an olfactory active constituent and may be selected from a "flavour" and/or "flavourant" which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. In some instances such constituents may be referred to as flavours, flavourants, flavouring material, cooling agents, heating agents, and/or sweetening agents. 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, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gasone or more of extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavouring material (flavour) may comprise menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, 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 eucalyptol, WS-3. The carrier constituent may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier constituent may comprise one or more of glycerine, 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 constituents may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

As noted above, aerosol provision systems (e-cigarettes) often comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable part (body / device) and a replaceable consumable (cartridge) part. Devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part devices. It is also common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure described herein comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part device employing consumable parts. However, it will be appreciated the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for other electronic cigarette configurations, for example modular devices comprising more than two parts, as devices conforming to other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a more boxy shape.

From the forgoing therefore, and with reference to the Figures, in accordance with some embodiments provided herein is an aerosol provision system 1 which may in some embodiments be provided as a body 10 which can releasably accommodate, and/or be releasably attached to, a cartridge 100. The aerosol provision system 1 comprises a reservoir 12 for containing an aerosolisable material for vaporising, and an aerosolisable material transport element 14 for receiving aerosolisable material from the reservoir 12.

Also provided in the aerosol provision system 1 is a vaporiser 16 for vaporising the aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14. In embodiments where the aerosol provision system 1 comprises the body 10 and the cartridge 100, the cartridge 100 may comprise the reservoir 12, the aerosolisable material transport element 14, and the vaporiser 16. In this way, when the body 10 is releasably engaged with the cartridge 100, the vaporiser 16 may be configured to receive electrical power via an electrical contact 18 on the body 10 which is also electrically connected to a power source 20 from the body 10. In this way, power from the power source 20 may be used to power the vaporiser 16 for vaporising the aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14. During the operation of the aerosol provision system 1 , inlet air from an air inlet 22 of the aerosol provision system 1 may be configured to pass through at least one inlet air channel 24. The inlet air channel 24 may be accordingly configured to deliver air over the the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to pick up vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14. The vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may then pass through a fluid outlet tube 26 for delivery to an outlet 28 of the aerosol provision system 1. From there, the vaporised aerosolisable material from the vaporiser 16 may then pass out through the outlet 28 through to a user’s mouth, for inhalation of the vaporised aerosolisable material by the user (for instance via a mouthpiece 30).

As to the structure and composition of any provided aerosolisable material transport element 14 (wick), it will be appreciated that the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be anything which can appropriately draw the aerosolisable material to a position where it can be vaporised by the vaporiser 16 during use of the aerosol provision system 1. In that respect therefore, in accordance with some embodiments, the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may comprise a porous material, and/or a fibrous material or a solid material. In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be made of cotton, or could be made of a ceramic material. Thus appreciating the foregoing, and at a general level, it will be appreciated the specific structure and composition of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be varied in a number of different ways to best cater for any intended application of the aerosol provision system 1.

With respect to the vaporiser 16, as noted previously the vaporiser 16 may or may not comprise a heater/heating element to form the vaporised aerosolised material. Though in embodiments where the vaporiser 16 comprises a heating element, in accordance with some embodiments thereof, the heating element may comprise a conductive material located on an external surface of the aerosolisable material transport element 14, such as a coil of wire which is wound around at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 (as shown for instance with reference to the embodiment from Figures 3A-3B). Equally however, it will be appreciated that the conductive material may take other shapes on the surface of the aerosolisable material transport element 14, e.g. a spiral pattern; a raster pattern; or a zig-zag pattern such to allow the heating element to efficiently vaporise the aerosolisable material in the aerosolisable material transport element 14. In such cases, it will be appreciated that the heating element (or the vaporiser 16 in general, where a heating element is not employed) may be connected to the power source 20 from the aerosol provision system 1, which in some embodiments may be a battery. In embodiments where the aerosol provision system 1 comprises the body 10 which can releasably accommodate, and/or be releasably engaged with, the cartridge 100, in some embodiments thereof the power source 20 may be located in the body 10. Electrical power from the power source 20 may then be supplied via the electrical contact 18 to the vaporiser 16, and/or appreciably may be delivered to the vaporiser 16 in some embodiments wirelessly or through a non-contact power transmission system between the power source 20 and the vaporiser 16.

Appreciating the foregoing general disclosure of the aerosol provision system 1 therefore, in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure, herein provided is an aerosol provision system 1 comprising the aerosolisable material transport element 14 for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system 1 is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the second configuration. Such an aerosol provision system will now be described with reference to the embodiments from Figures 1A-3B.

The purpose of the aerosol provision system 1 being moveable between the first configuration and the second configuration is to better allow for the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to be controlled. Specifically, this control is achieved by effectively throttling, such as via a compression of portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14, the amount of aerosolisable material which can be vaporised off the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the proximity of the vaporiser 16. As will be described, it is envisaged that the aerosol provision system 1 may be configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in a number of different ways, as will now be described,

In a simple sense, and with reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 which is configured to be compressed may comprise a first end portion 32, and a second end portion 34 opposite the first end portion 32, from the aerosolisable material transport element 14. In this way, as the portion 31 is compressed in the second configuration (or more compressed than in the first configuration), this relative increase in the compression of the portion 31 better restricts aerosolisable material from the reservoir 12 from being vaporised by the vaporiser 16 to form vaporised aerosolisable material. As to the amount of such compression, it will be appreciated that the amount of compression in the second configuration is configured to be more than that in the first configuration. Put differently, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the first configuration may be either not compressed at all, or be compressed by a first amount. In this way, the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the second configuration may be compressed by a second amount which is more than that the amount of compression in the first configuration.

As to how the compression of the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be increased from the first configuration to the second configuration, it is envisaged that this may be achieved in a number of different ways.

In this respect for instance, in accordance with some embodiments, such as that illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the aerosol provisions system 1 may comprise at least one compressing member 38 which is configured to be actuated for compressing the portion 31 (and/or each of the first end portion 32 and the second end portion 34 where such end portions 32;34 are employed) in the second configuration. As to the exact structure of any such employed compressing member 38, it will be appreciated that this structure may vary depending on the intended application of the aerosolisable material transport element 14. Though in accordance with some embodiments, the compressing member 38 may comprise a moveable plunger for impinging on the portion 31 in the second configuration, or an adjustably sized collar which is configured to surround and throttle the portion 31 in the second configuration.

Turning to the disclosure from Figures 2-3B, other mechanisms for the aerosol provision system 1 being moveable between the first configuration and the second configuration include the aerosol provision system 1 comprising a specially configured fluid outlet tube 26 for receiving vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element, which is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to be compressed in the second configuration.

In accordance with such embodiments, the fluid outlet tube 26 may in some instances comprise at least one aperture 50 for gripping the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14. In this way, when the fluid outlet tube 26 is moved, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be configured to move with the fluid outlet tube 26. In this way, by moving the fluid outlet tube 26 from the first configuration to the second configuration, this may also move the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 from the first configuration to the second configuration. As to how the aerosol provision system 1 may be moveable between the first and the second configuration, it will be appreciated in accordance with some embodiments, such as those illustrated in Figures 2-3B, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may be configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration. Such movement can be seen in the embodiment from Figure 2 in particular, where rotation of the fluid outlet tube 26 causes the portion 31 to move from the first configuration (see position 31 A for the portion 31 in the first configuration) to the second configuration (see position 31 B for the position of the portion 31 in the second configuration).

Staying with such embodiments where the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration, in accordance with some narrower embodiments, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may in particular be configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration. Such embodiments can be seen with reference to the embodiment from Figures 2-3B, where the fluid outlet tube 26 is configured to move/rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to be compressed in the second configuration. In this way, by virtue of this movement of the fluid outlet tube 26, the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is configured to move/rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Where the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration, in accordance with some embodiments thereof, the portion may be configured to rotate about an angle of no more than 45 degrees, or in accordance with some narrow embodiments by an angle of no more than 40 degrees, or in accordance with some yet narrower embodiments by an angle of no more than 35 degrees. With the provision of these upper bound angles therefore, these may assist with inhibiting the shearing/failure of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 during the movement of the aerosol provision system between the first configuration and the second configuration.

In so far as any portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is configured to move or rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration, in accordance with some embodiments thereof, a second portion 42 of the aerosolisable material transport element may be configured to remain stationary between the first configuration and the second configuration. In this way, in so far as the first portion 31 is configured to move but the second portion 42 is configured to remain stationary, movement of the aerosol provision system 1 from the first configuration to the second configuration may cause a shear/compressive force to be applied to the first portion 31 when the aerosol provision system 1 is in the second configuration. Such a shear/compressive force may thus further assist in restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration. This is because of the compressive force restricting the ability of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to deliver aerosolisable material form the reservoir 12 to the vaporiser 16.

In respect of any exact positioning of such a second portion 42 (where this is employed), in accordance with some embodiments, the second portion 42 may be located between any provided first end portion 32 and the second end portion 34 from the aerosolisable material transport element 14. In this way, and in accordance with some embodiments, the aerosolisable material transport element 14 may thus define a C-shape, or be configured such that the first end portion 32 projects outwardly from one end of the second portion 42 and/or configured such that the second end portion 34 projects outwardly from another end of the second portion 42 which is opposite the one end.

For the sake of completeness, it is to be noted that the provision of a second, stationary, portion 42 from the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is not explicitly necessary. Indeed, rather than moving the first portion 31 relative to a second stationary portion 42 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14, compression of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the second configuration may also be achieved through the entirety of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 moving between the first configuration and the second configuration.

For instance, in accordance with some particular embodiments, the first portion 31 may be configured to abut a structure, which may in accordance with some embodiments be fixed/immovable, from the aerosol provision system 1 , such as a wall or stop therefrom, as the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element is moved from the first configuration to the second configuration. In this way, as the portion 31 then reaches its position in the second configuration of the aerosol provision system 1 , the structure from the aerosol provision system 1 may act to compress the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration. Similarly, when the aerosol provision system is then moved back from the second position to the first position, in the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 in the first position may then be configured to not be compressed by the structure, and/or may be separated from the structure.

In a very particular embodiment, where such a structure is employed, the structure may comprise a casing of the aerosol provision system 1 (or a casing of the cartridge 100 where a body 10/cartridge 100 arrangement is employed). Such a casing in accordance with some embodiments may be configured to cover and/or surround the aerosolisable material transport element 14 when the aerosol provision system is in use.

Turning to how the aerosol provision system 1 may be moved between the first configuration and the second configuration, in accordance with some embodiments (such as those shown in Figures 2-3B) the aerosol provision system 1 may be configured to be manually moved between the first and second configurations. Such manual movement may be seen, for instance, in accordance with the embodiment from Figure 2 where the fluid outlet tube 26 may be configured to be manually moved, or rotated, between the first configuration and the second configuration of the aerosol provision system 1.

Appreciably however, in accordance with some embodiments, the aerosol provision system 1 may be configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to a signal from a controller 40 from the aerosol provision system 1.

With respect to any provided controller 40, this may be configured to receive power from the power source 20. As to the location of any such controller 40, it will be appreciated that in embodiments where the aerosol provision system 1 comprises the body 10 and the cartridge 100, the controller may be located in either the body 10 or the cartridge 100. Depending on the configuration of the aerosol provision system 1, electrical power from the power source 20 to the controller 40 may then be supplied via either a wired connection, and/or appreciably may be delivered wirelessly, such as through a non-contact power transmission system between the power source 20 and the controller 40.

Where such a signal is employed, as to the type of signal itself, it will be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments, the signal may be a wireless signal, or may be transmitted by a wired connection 43 from the controller 40 to any provided compressing member 38 from the aerosol provision system 1 (as can be seen for instance with reference to the wired connection 43 between the controller 40 and the compressing member 38 from Figures 1A-1B).

With respect to how any such signal may be generated, the aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with some embodiments may further comprise a user interface 44, and/or an actuator 46 which is connected to the controller 40, and which is configured for controlling the generation of the signal. Appreciably, in respect of any actuator 46 which is employed, this may comprise a button or switch, for instance, which might in accordance with some embodiments be located on any employed body 10 from the aerosol provision system 1.

With the provision of such a user interface 44 or the actuator 46, they may each then be used to controlling the generation of the signal - for instance in response to an input by a user (e.g. by way of the user interacting with the user interface 44 and/or by the user actuating the actuator 46).

From the foregoing therefore, it will be appreciated that described herein are a number of different configurations of aerosol provision system 1 which can be employed to better control the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element 14 during use of the aerosol provision system.

Accordingly, there has at least been described an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

There has also been described an aerosol provision cartridge comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision cartridge is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

Also described herein is a method of controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from an aerosolisable material transport element in an aerosol provision system, wherein the method comprises moving the aerosol provision system between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration. There has also been described an aerosol provision system 1 comprising an aerosolisable material transport element 14 for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised. The aerosol provision system 1 is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration. The aerosol provision system 1 may comprise a fluid outlet tube 26 which is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the portion 31 of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 to be compressed in the second configuration.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein, and it will thus be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

For instance, although the present disclosure has been described with reference to a “liquid” or “fluid” in the reservoir 12, it will be appreciated that this liquid or fluid may be replaced with any aerosolisable material. Equally, where an aerosolisable material is used, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments this aerosolisable material may comprise a liquid or fluid.

With respect to the vaporiser 16, although the vaporiser 16 has been described in some embodiments as comprising a heater/heating element, such as a coil of wire which is wound around at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element 14 (as shown for instance with reference to the embodiment from Figures 3A-3B), it will be appreciated that in some other embodiments the vaporiser 16 may be capable of generating a vapour/aerosol from the aerosolisable material in the aerosolisable material transport element 14 without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means as described previously.

Finally as well, whilst a number of the features herein described have been described with reference to embodiments of aerosol provision system 1 which are provided as part of a body 10 which can releasably accommodate, and/or be releasably attached to, a cartridge 100, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, any of the herein described features from the cartridge 100 and/or the body 10 may be integrated into an aerosol provision system 1 which does not comprise such a cartridge/body configuration.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

2. An aerosol provision system according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration.

3. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration.

4. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a fluid outlet tube for receiving vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the fluid outlet tube is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element to be compressed in the second configuration.

5. An aerosol provision system according to claim 4, wherein the fluid outlet tube is configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration.

6. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a structure which is configured to be separated from the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element in the first configuration, and which is configured to abut and compress the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

7. An aerosol provision system according to claim 6, wherein the structure comprises a casing of the aerosol provision system.

8. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element comprises a first end portion, and a second end portion opposite the first end portion.

9. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein a second portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is configured to remain stationary between the first configuration and the second configuration.

10. An aerosol provision system according to claim 9, when further dependent on claim 8, wherein the second portion is between the first end portion and the second end portion.

11. An aerosol provision system according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision system is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to a signal from a controller from the aerosol provision system.

12. An aerosol provision system according to claim 11, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises at least one of a user interface and/or an actuator, connected to the controller, for controlling the generation of the signal.

13. An aerosol provision cartridge comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision cartridge is moveable between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

14. A method of controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from an aerosolisable material transport element in an aerosol provision system, wherein the method comprises moving the aerosol provision system between a first configuration in which at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is uncompressed or partly compressed, and a second configuration in which the portion of the aerosolisable material transport element is compressed by a greater amount than in the first configuration for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element in the second configuration.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein moving the aerosol provision system between the first configuration and the second configuration comprises moving the aerosol provision system from the first configuration to the second configuration to restrict the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.