WO2024084085A1

WO2024084085A1 - Aerosol provision device

Info

Publication number: WO2024084085A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/079370
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Richardson
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
Priority date: 2022-10-21
Filing date: 2023-10-20
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: GB202215595D0

Abstract

An aerosol provision device (102) for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, in which the device comprises a device body (109) defining an end, a heating element (114) projecting from the end of the device body to define an axis (104), first and second holding members (116a, 116b) projecting from the end of the device body, wherein at least the first holding member is moveable relative to the heating element and comprises a non-planar surface configured for contacting an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

Description

AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating device for generating an aerosol from a removable aerosol generating article. The present invention also relates to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

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

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosolgenerating material, the device comprising a device body defining an end, a heating element projecting from the end of the device body to define an axis, first and second holding members projecting from the end of the device body, wherein at least the first holding member is moveable relative to the heating element and comprises a non-planar surface configured for contacting an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

In a further embodiment of the above, each of the first and second holding members comprise a respective non-planar surface and each of the non-planar surfaces are configured for contacting the article comprising an aerosol-generating material. In a further embodiment of any of the above, each of the first and second holding members are moveable relative to the heating element in different directions to each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first and second holding members are positioned on opposed sides of the heating element.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, one or both of the first and second holding members are slideable on the device body so as to be moveable in translation relative to the heating element.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, one or both of the first and second holding members are pivotable on the device body so as to be moveable in rotation relative to the heating element.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, each of the first and second holding members comprises at least one lateral edge, the first and second holding members separated from one another at the lateral edges to form at least one spacing along the direction of the axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first and second holding members together extend around 90% or less of a distance circumferentially about the axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first and second holding members together extend around 40% or greater of a distance circumferentially about the axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the heating element comprises a plurality of heating sections which are heatable independently from each other.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, one or both of the first and second holding members is configured to be heatable for generating an aerosol from an article.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the one or both of the first and second holding members are configured to be heatable independently of the heating element. In a further embodiment of any of the above, one or both of the first and second holding members comprises a mesh structure forming a plurality of through- holes.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of the above, and an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the article comprising an outer surface correspondingly shaped to the non-planar surface of the at least one holding member, the non-planar-surface moveable into contact with the outer surface of the article.

In a further embodiment of the above, the article comprises one or more conduits forming part of a flow path through the system.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the article comprises an elongate core, the heating element receivable within the elongate core.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the article comprises an aerosol generating material comprising binder, aerosol former and filler.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is a method of using the aerosol provision system of any of the above, the method comprising positioning the article onto the device, and moving the first holding member to bring the non-planar surface into contact with the outer surface of the article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of an aerosol generating system according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

Figures 2a to 2c show steps of positioning an aerosol generating article on an aerosol generating device to form the aerosol generating system of Figure 1.

Figure 3a shows a cross-sectional view of a first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line A-A of Figure 2a. Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of the first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line B-B of Figure 2b.

Figure 3c shows a cross-sectional view of the first example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line C-C of Figure 2c.

Figure 4a shows a cross-sectional view of a second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line A-A of Figure 2a.

Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line B-B of Figure 2b.

Figure 4c shows a cross-sectional view of the second example embodiment of the aerosol generating article and aerosol generating device along line C-C of Figure 2c.

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 any 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, nontobacco, 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 aerosolgenerating 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.

Apparatus is known that heats aerosol generating material to volatilise at least one component of the aerosol generating material, typically to form an aerosol which can be inhaled, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating material. Such apparatus is sometimes described as an “aerosol generating device”, an “aerosol provision device”, a “heat-not-burn device”, a “tobacco heating product device” or a “tobacco heating device” or similar. Similarly, there are also so-called e-cigarette devices, which typically vaporise an aerosol generating material in the form of a liquid, which may or may not contain nicotine. The aerosol generating material may be in the form of or be provided as part of a rod, cartridge or cassette or the like which can be inserted into the apparatus. A heater for heating and volatilising the aerosol generating material may be provided as a “permanent” part of the apparatus.

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 provision 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 example of an aerosol-generating system 100. The system 100 includes an aerosol-generating device 102 for generating aerosol from a removable aerosol-generating article 106, and the removable aerosol-generating article 106, which includes an aerosol-generating material. The device 102 can be used to heat the article 106, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable material which can be inhaled by a user of the device 102.

The device 102 includes a housing 108 which surrounds and houses various components of the device 102. The housing 108 is elongate. The housing 108 defines a body 109 of the device 102.

A heating element or heater 114 extends from an end of the body 109 and the housing 108 and is configured to be received within the aerosol-generating article 106. The heater 114 is received within an elongate cavity or core 118 of the aerosol-generating article 106. The shape and size of the elongate core 118 and the heater 114 may be such that the heater 114 is received in the elongate core in contact with an interior surface of the elongate core 118.

The device 102 defines a longitudinal axis 104, along which the aerosol- generating-article 106 may extend when positioned over the heater 114. The heater 114 is aligned on the longitudinal axis 104.

The heater 114 may include various components to heat the aerosolgenerating material of the aerosol-generating article 106 via an inductive heating process or a resistive heating process, for example.

Resistive heating utilises the Joule heating effect arising from the electrical resistance of a material in response to application of a current directly therethrough.

Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor.

The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

The susceptor, if present, may be included in the heater 114, for example positioned on an outer surface of the heater 114, or forming a core of the heater 114, which may be surrounded by one or more layers or coatings of materials not heatable by induction. In other examples, the susceptor may be positioned within the device 102 to generate heat in the heater 114 in another manner.

In one embodiment, the heater 114 may comprise a plurality of heating sections or zones. The heating zones may be arranged along the axis 104, either separated from one another in the axial direction or adjacent to one another in the axial direction. The heating zones may be independently heatable in that the temperature of each of the heating zones may be adjusted separately to the other heating sections.

The device 102 may include a user-operable control element, such as a button or switch 126, which operates the device 102 when operated, e.g. pressed. For example, a user may activate the device 102 by pressing the switch 126.

The end of the heater 114 distal from the device housing 108 may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 110 of the device 102 because, in use, it is closest to the mouth of the user. In use, a user places an aerosol-generating article 106 over the heater 114, operates the user control to begin heating the aerosolgenerating material in the aerosol-generating article 106 and draws on the aerosol generated in the aerosol-generating article 106. This causes the aerosol to flow through the aerosol-generating article 106 along one or more flow paths 124 towards the proximal end 110 of the device 102.

The end of the device housing 108 distal from the heater 114 may be known as the distal end 112 of the device 102 because, in use, it is the end furthest away from the mouth of the user. As a user draws on the aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows in a direction towards the proximal end of the device 102. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 102 will be described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in a proximal-distal direction along the axis 104.

The device 102 may further include a controller (control circuit), and a power source housed within the device housing 108. The heater 114 is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article 106 when positioned over the heater 114, such that an aerosol is generated from the aerosolgenerating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the heater 114, and the heater 114 converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material.

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 power source may be electrically coupled to the heater 114 to supply electrical power when required and, under control of the controller, to heat the aerosol- generating material of the aerosol-generating article 106. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the heater 114 based on a user operating the control element. For example, the controller may activate the heater 114 in response to a user operating the switch 126.

In the present example, the article 106 is generally cylindrical with a generally cylindrical elongate core 118, and the heater 114 is correspondingly generally cylindrical in shape. However, other shapes may also be suitable.

The aerosol-generating article 106 may comprise one or more conduits 122 that form part of the flow path 124. In use, the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 106 may be positioned in proximity or engagement with a base (or distal end) of the heater 114. Air may pass through the one or more conduits 122 forming part of the flow path 124, into the aerosol-generating article 106, and flow through the article 106 towards the proximal end of the device 102.

Undesirably, condensates of the aerosol can collect within the flow path 124 during said use of the system 100. Forming the flow path 124 within the article 106 may therefore be advantageous, as replacing the article 106 also removes any such condensates from the system 100 without requiring other cleaning of the device 102. The article 106 with condensates may then, for example, be disposed of, while the device 102 may continue to be used with another article.

In the above-described system 100 in which the heater 114 of the device 102 is received within the article 106, it may be beneficial to provide features which aid the user in properly positioning the article 106 on the device 102 for use. Positioning of the article 106 onto the heater 114 can result in accidental deformation of the article 106 by the user. Deformation of the article 106 can in turn lead to uneven heating during use of the system 100, particularly when a plurality of heating zones are used in the heater 114. It may therefore be advantageous to provide features which can conform the consumable to a particular shape during use by the user.

It may also be advantageous to reduce the potential for the user to damage the article 106 when positioning on the device 102. For example, where the article 106 comprises conduits 122 for forming a flow path 124, an outer surface 120 of the article 106 may be vulnerable to damage by the user during positioning of the article 106.

The device 102 comprises a pair of holding members 116a, 116b which contact the article 106 in position on the heater 114 to conform the article 106 to a particular shape. Each of the holding members 116a, 116b extends longitudinally from the device body 109, parallel to the heater 114, so as to form an area between the holding members 116a, 116b for receiving the article 106. Each of the holding members 116a, 116b comprises a non-planar internal surface 117a, 117b shaped to contact the outer surface 120 of the article 106 to cause the outer surface 120 of the article 106 to conform to the non-planar shape of the holding member internal surface 117a, 117b.

The surfaces 117a, 117b are non-planar in that they comprise curved surfaces rather than flat surfaces. For example, when viewed in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, the surfaces 117a, 117b comprise a curved profile rather than a straight line profile.

One or both of the holding members 116a, 116b are moveable in order for the non-planar internal surface or surfaces 117a, 117b to move into and out of contact with the article 106. The moveable holding members 116a, 116b improve the ease of positioning the article in position between the internal surfaces 117a, 117b while in an open position, before the members 116a, 116b are moved to a closed position to hold the article 106 into shape.

Figs. 2a to 2c and 3a to 3c show steps of positioning or locating the article 106 onto the device 102 in a first example embodiment. In the steps of positioning, the article 106 is positioned on the device 102 so that the heater 114 is received within the article, and the holding members 116a, 116b are moved into contact with the article 106.

Figs. 2a and 3a show the article 106 and the device 102 before a first step of initial positioning of the article 106 on the device 102 by a user. Before the article 106 is initially positioned on the device 102, the area 128 formed between the holding members 116a, 116b comprises an empty space, i.e. a space which is free of any other part of the device 102 and is suitable for receiving the article.

In the first step of initial positioning, the holding members 116a, 116b are in a first, expanded state or first mode. The article 106 is moved generally along the longitudinal axis 104 in a direction from the proximal end 110 towards the distal end 112, as shown at arrow 136. The article 106 is moved onto the heater 114 and into the area 128 defined between the holding members 116a, 116b.

In the expanded state of the holding members, the article 106 can be received onto the device while maintaining a clearance between the article 106 and the holding members 116a, 116b. The presence of a clearance between the article 106 and the holding members 116a, 116b can improve the ease of positioning the article 106 onto the device 102 by the user.

Figs. 2b and 3b show the article 106 and the device 102 after the first step of initial positioning. In the example shown, the article 106 abuts against a portion of the housing 108 of the device 102. The article 106 is positioned on the device 102 between the holding members 116a, 116b, which are in the expanded state. In the expanded state, the holding members 116a, 116b define a separation between respective internal surfaces 117a, 117b which is greater than a diameter or width of the article 106, such that the internal surfaces 117a, 117b define a clearance, or empty space, from the outer surface 120 of the article 106.

Once the article 106 is initially positioned on the device 102, a second step of positioning can be carried out by the user to bring the non-planar internal surfaces 117a, 117b of the holding members 116a, 116b into contact with the article 106. In this step, the holding members 116a, 116b are moved from the first, expanded, state to a second, contracted, state, or second mode. In the contracted state, the internal surfaces 117a, 117b of the holding members 116a, 116b contact the outer surface 120 of the article 106.

As shown at arrows 140, 142, the holding members 116a, 116b and the respective non-planar surfaces 117a, 117b are each moved relative to the device body 109 and the heater 114 in a direction towards the heater 114 and the article 106. The directions of movement of the non-planar surfaces 117a, 117b, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis, are each towards the axis 104 of the device 102. In the embodiment shown, the movement comprises translating the holding members 116a, 116b relative to the device body 109; that is, the holding members 116a, 116b, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis, are moveable so that every part of the holding member 116a, 116b moves relative to the device body 109. The holding members 116a, 116b may translate by sliding relative to the device body 109.

Figs. 2c and 3c show the article 106 and the device 102 after the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102. The moving of the holding members 116a, 116b to the contracted state reduces or eliminates the previously- present clearance between the non-planar inner surfaces 117a, 117b and the outer surface 120 of the article 106.

After the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102, the system 100 may be used to generate an aerosol for inhalation by the user as described above.

The holding members 116a, 116b are reversibly moveable between the expanded and contracted states. As such, the user may subsequently remove the article 106 from the device 102, for example after using the system 100 to generate an aerosol. Removing the article 106 from the device 102 may follow substantially the reverse of the steps of positioning the article 106 into the device 102.

Figs. 4a to 4c, with continued reference to Figs. 2a to 2c, show steps of positioning or locating the article 106 onto the device 102 in a second example embodiment. Figs. 2a and 4a show the article 106 and the device 102 before a first step of initial positioning of the article 106 on the device 102 by a user. Figs. 2b and 4b show the article 106 and the device 102 after the first step of initial positioning. Figs. 2c and 4c show the article 106 and the device 102 after the second step of positioning the article 106 on the device 102.

The device 102 and article 106 of the second embodiment are similar to those described above in relation to the first embodiment, except in the movement of the holding members 116a, 116b. In the second example embodiment, the movement comprises rotating the holding members 116a, 116b relative to the device body 109; that is, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis 104, the holding members 116a, 116b are moveable such that only some parts of the holding members 116a, 116b move relative to the device body 109. The holding members 116a, 116b may rotate by pivoting relative to the device body 109.

As shown in Fig. 4a, the holding members 116a, 116b are in a first, expanded state or first mode during initial positioning of the article 106 onto the device 102. The holding members 116a, 116b are then moved from the first, expanded, state to a second, contracted, state, or second mode, as shown at arrows 144 and 146. The holding members 116a, 116b and non-planar surfaces 117a, 117b are each moved by pivoting in a direction towards the heater 114 and the article 106. The directions of movement of the non-planar surfaces 117a, 117b, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis, are each towards the axis 104 of the device 102.

Although embodiments are depicted in which both of the holding members 116a, 116b are moveable, and in which both comprise a non-planar surface 117a, 117b, it will be understood that an otherwise similar device in which only one holding member is moveable and/or only one holding member has a non-planar surface also provides improvements in improving ease of positioning of an article and ensuring conformity of the article to a shape. Although embodiments are depicted in which the holding members 116a, 116b both move in translation relative to the device body, or both move in rotation relative to the device body, it will be understood that the movement of the holding members may comprise both translation and rotation. Additionally or alternatively, moving the holding members may comprise moving both holding members in similar, mirrored movements to one another, or may comprise moving each of the holding members in dissimilar movements to one another.

It may be advantageous to maintain a spacing between the holding members 116a, 116b, in both the expanded and contracted states, which can improve the airflow into the conduits 122 of the article 106 at a bottom end of the article. The holding members 116a, 116b in the depicted embodiments define two spacings 134a, 134b which, in the contracted states, provide separation between the two holding members to allow airflow therethrough.

The two spacings 134a, 134b are formed between lateral edges 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d of the holding members 116a, 116b, which extend axially along the holding members 116a, 116b from the device body to a proximal end 130a, 130b of the respective holding member 116a, 116b. For example, a first spacing 134a may be formed between first lateral edges 132a, 132c of first and second ones of the holding members 116a, 116b, and a second spacing 134b may be formed between second lateral edges 132b, 132d of the first and second holding members 116a, 116b. The spacings 134a, 134b each extend in a direction along the axis 104 from the device body 109 to the proximal ends 130a, 130b of the holding members 116a, 116b. The two spacings 134a, 134b extend along a full axial extent of the holding members 116a, 116b.

The spacings 134a, 134b may be arranged such that, in a contracted state of the holding members 116a, 116b, the holding members 116a, 116b together extend around 90% or less of a distance circumferentially about the axis 104. That is, the holding members 116a, 116b together do not fully extend around the axis 104. In the embodiment shown, the non-planar internal surfaces 117a, 117b of the holding members 116a, 116b contact the outer surface 120 of the article around 90% or less of the cross-sectional perimeter of the outer surface 120. By extending around less than a full extent of the circumference of the device 102, the holding members 116a, 116b leave a separation for airflow to enter the article 106. Additionally or alternatively, it may be advantageous for there to be contact between the holding members 116a, 116b around a relatively large area of the article for the holding members 116a, 116b to maintain a conformity of the article 106 to a particular shape. In one embodiment, a contracted state of the holding members 116a, 116b, the holding members 116a, 116b together extend around 40% or greater of a distance circumferentially about the axis 104. In the embodiment shown, the non-planar internal surfaces 117a, 117b contact the outer surface 120 of the article around 40% or greater of the cross-sectional perimeter of the outer surface 120.

The holding members 116a, 116b, the heater 114 and the article 102 may comprise a substantially constant cross sectional size and/or shape along the axis 104 from the device body 109 across the majority (50% or greater) of their full axial extents towards the proximal end 110 of the device 102, as in the depicted embodiments. For example, the cross sectional size and/or shape of any one or more of the holding members 116a, 116b, the heater 114 and the article 102 may be constant across 90% of their full axial extents.

One or both of the moveable holding members 116a, 116b may be moveable in the manners described herein across the majority (50% or greater) of their full axial extents, for example 90% or greater of their full axial extents. The remaining portion of the holding member 116a, 116b may be stationary, or substantially not moveable relative to the device body 109.

The holding members 116a, 116b may be mechanically moveable between the expanded state and the contracted state. That is, the device 102 may comprise a mechanism which causes the holding members 116a, 116b to move between the contracted state and the expanded state. For example, the holding members 116a, 116b may be translateable along tracks and/or rotatable about a pin in response to triggering of the mechanism.

The holding members 116a, 116b may be manually mechanically moveable by the user, for example by comprising a manual trigger such as a switch, button or lever which triggers the mechanism for moving the holding members 116a, 116b between the expanded and contracted states. The manual trigger may instead comprise an electronic signal from the device 102, triggered by the user, which activates the mechanism. The holding members 116a, 116b may, alternatively, be automatically mechanically moveable in response to the first step of initially positioning the article 106 on the device 102. For example, the positioning of the article may contact a feature of the device 102 which triggers movement of the holding members 116a, 116b. Alternatively, features of the device may detect the presence of the article and generate a signal to trigger the mechanism for moving the holding members 116a, 116b.

In any of the above-described arrangements, one or both of the holding members 116a, 116b may be heatable for heating aerosol-generating material of the article 106. Heating of the holding members 116a, 116b along with the heater 114 may allow more even and consistent heating of the consumable.

The holding members 116a, 116b may heatable by including various components to heat the aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating article 106 via an inductive heating process or a resistive heating process, for example. One or both of the holding members 116a, 116b may comprise any of the features described above in relation to the heater 114 for providing resistive or induction heating and/or may comprise a plurality of heating sections or zones similar to those described above in relation to the heater 114.

The holding members 116a, 116b may further be heatable independently of the heater 114 and/or of each other, so as to each be heated, for example, to different temperatures and/or at different times during use of the device. Independent heating of the holding members 116a, 116b may provide a tailored release of aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, for example.

In any of the above-described arrangements, one or both of the holding members 116a, 116b may additionally comprise a mesh structure forming a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes may each form through-holes through the holding member 116a, 116b from an outer surface of the holding member 116a, 116b to the non-planar internal surface 117a, 117b, such that the holding member 116a, 116b is porous to allow air flow.

By comprising a mesh structure, the weight of the holding member 116a, 116b may be reduced, thereby reducing the weight of the overall device 102. Additionally, a mesh comprising through-holes may allow air to contact the article 106 or may improve airflow into the article 106, which may improve the aerosolgeneration from the article 106.

The above embodiments are illustrative examples of the invention, and further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device (102) for generating an aerosol from an article comprising an aerosol-generating material, the device (102) comprising: a device body (109) defining an end; a heating element (114) projecting from the end of the device body (109) to define an axis (104); first and second holding members (116a, 116b) projecting from the end of the device body (109), wherein at least the first holding member (116a, 116b) is moveable relative to the heating element (114) and comprises a non-planar surface (117a, 117b) configured for contacting an article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

2. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) comprise a respective non-planar surface (117a, 117b) and each of the non-planar surfaces (117a, 117b) are configured for contacting the article comprising an aerosol-generating material.

3. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) are moveable relative to the heating element (114) in different directions to each other.

4. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) are positioned on opposed sides of the heating element (114).

5. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or both of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) are slideable on the device body so as to be moveable in translation relative to the heating element (114).

6. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or both of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) are pivotable on the device body so as to be moveable in rotation relative to the heating element (114).

7. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) comprises at least one lateral edge, the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) separated from one another at the lateral edges to form at least one spacing along the direction of the axis (104).

8. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 7, wherein the first and second holding members together extend around 90% or less of a distance circumferentially about the axis (104).

9. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and second holding members together extend around 40% or greater of a distance circumferentially about the axis (104).

10. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heating element (114) comprises a plurality of heating sections which are heatable independently from each other.

11. The aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one or both of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) is configured to be heatable for generating an aerosol from an article.

12. The aerosol provision device (102) of claim 11 , wherein the one or both of the first and second holding members (116a, 116b) are configured to be heatable independently of the heating element (114).

13. The aerosol provision device of any one of claim 1 to 12, wherein one or both of the first and second holding members comprises a mesh structure forming a plurality of through-holes.

14. An aerosol provision system (100) comprising: the aerosol provision device (102) of any one of claims 1 to 13; and an article (106) comprising an aerosol-generating material and an outer surface (120) correspondingly shaped to the non-planar surface (117a, 117b) of the at least one holding member (116a, 116b), the non-planar-surface (117a, 117b) moveable into contact with the outer surface (120) of the article (106).

15. The aerosol provision system (100) of claim 14, wherein the article (106) comprises one or more conduits (122) forming part of a flow path (124) through the system (100).

16. The aerosol provision system (100) of claim 14 or 15, wherein the article (106) comprises an elongate core (118), the heating element (114) receivable within the elongate core (118).

17. The aerosol provision system (100) of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the article (106) comprises an aerosol generating material comprising binder, aerosol former and filler.

18. A method of using the aerosol provision system of any one of claims 14 to

17, the method comprising: positioning the article (106) onto the device (102); and moving the first holding member (116a, 116b) to bring the non-planar surface (117a, 117b) into contact with the outer surface (120) of the article (106).