Aerosol provision device configured to receive a plurality of aerosolizable materials

An aerosol provision device is configured to receive a plurality of aerosolizable materials. The aerosol provision device is configured to recognize an identity and a position of the aerosolizable materials received in the device and transmit data indicating the identity and the position of the aerosolizable materials received in the device to a communication system.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2019/061795, filed May 8, 2019, which claims priority from GB Patent Application No. 1807497.1, filed May 8, 2018, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision device and to a method of communicating data between the aerosol provision device and a communication system, such as a smart device.

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.

As another example, there are so-called e-cigarette devices. These devices typically contain a liquid which is heated to vaporize the liquid to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol. The liquid may contain nicotine and/or flavorings and/or aerosol-generating substances, such as glycerol. The known e-cigarette devices typically do not contain or use tobacco.

It is desirable to provide the user of electronic aerosol-generating devices, such as those mentioned above, with ways of enhancing their usage experience. In order to do this, in some known examples an aerosol-generating device may interact with a smart device and the smart device may gather usage statistics relating to the aerosol provision device. The gathered information can be used to enhance the user's experience by, for example, allowing a user to see the length of time and frequency with which they have used the device, or allowing a user to place an order for more e-liquid when a sensor indicates that the e-liquid is close to being depleted.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol provision device which is configured to receive a plurality of aerosolizable materials, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to recognize an identity and a position of the aerosolizable materials received in the device and transmit data indicating the identity and the position of the aerosolizable materials received in the device to a communication system.

The aerosolizable material may be a material for producing an aerosol or altering a property of an aerosol.

The communication system may comprise a smart device. The communication system may comprise at least one internet-based server and the smart device may be configured to communicate data transmitted from the aerosol provision device to the internet-based server. The communication system may be configured to display to a user a representation of a configuration of the aerosol provision device, wherein the representation comprises a representation of the identity and position of each aerosolizable material received in the device. The communication system may be configured to display to a user a representation of a current or completed usage session of the aerosol provision device.

The communication system may be configured to gather one or more types of data relating to the usage of the aerosol provision device in addition to the identity and the position of aerosolizable materials received in the device, wherein the one or more types of data relate to one or more of: the duration of a usage session, the identity of each aerosolizable material used during a usage session, the amount of each aerosolizable material used during a usage session, the rate at which each aerosolizable material is used during a usage session, the amount of each aerosolizable material remaining after a usage session, or the order in which the aerosolizable materials were used during a usage session.

The communication system may be configured to provide a pre-defined usage session to a user, wherein the usage session is at least in part defined by one or more of: the duration of a usage session, the identity of each aerosolizable material used during a usage session, the amount of each aerosolizable material used during a usage session, the rate at which each aerosolizable material is used during a usage session, the amount of each aerosolizable material remaining after a usage session, or the order in which the aerosolizable materials were used during a usage session. The pre-defined usage session may be a recommended usage session or a past usage session of the user for which defining data has been gathered by the communication system from the aerosol provision device.

A factor defining a pre-defined usage session which is provided to the user may be dependent on the identity of aerosolizable materials recognized as being received in the aerosol provision device at the time that the pre-defined usage session is provided to the user. A factor defining a usage session which is provided to the user may be dependent on information gathered by the communication system in addition to the identity and position of aerosolizable materials received in the device, such as a preference of the user, a location of a user, a time of day, or whether the user is indoors or outdoors.

A user may be able to create a usage session via the communication system wherein the usage session is defined by one or more of: the duration of the usage session, the identity of each aerosolizable material used during the usage session, the amount of each aerosolizable material used during the usage session, the rate at which each aerosolizable material is used during the usage session, the amount of each material remaining after the usage session, or the order in which the aerosolizable materials are used during the usage session.

The communication system may be configured to control the aerosol provision device. The communication system may be configured to implement a user created usage session or a pre-defined usage session.

The aerosol provision device may be configured to receive a first aerosolizable material, a second aerosolizable material and at least one further aerosolizable material, wherein the first aerosolizable material comprises an aerosolizable material and the second aerosolizable material comprises a first flavorant material and the at least one further aerosolizable material comprises a second flavorant material. The aerosol provision device may comprise a plurality of slots where each slot is for receiving one aerosolizable material.

Each aerosolizable material may be provided in a container, wherein each container comprises an RFID tag and the aerosol provision device comprises at least one RFID tag reader. Each aerosolizable material may be provided in a container, wherein at least one of the containers comprises an atomizer for aerosolizing material contained by the container. The aerosol provision device may comprise means for aerosolizing the aerosolizable material.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a system comprising an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect and a communication system.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of use of a system according to the second aspect, wherein the method comprises the aerosol provision device transmitting data indicating the identity and position of aerosolizable materials received within the aerosol provision device to the communication system.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a smart device configured to communicate with an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to transmit the identity and position in the aerosol provision device of aerosolizable material received in the aerosol provision device to the smart device.

According to a fifth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a set of instructions for a communication system, wherein the set of instructions comprises receiving data from an aerosol provision device according to the first aspect, and wherein the data indicates the identity and position of aerosolizable material received in the aerosol provision device.

According to a sixth aspect of the disclosure there is provided an aerosol provision device which is configured to receive a plurality of aerosolizable materials, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to recognize an identity and a position of the aerosolizable materials received in the device and is configured to generate aerosol based on an instruction including the identity of one or more of the aerosolizable materials. The instruction may be based on the identity and position of the aerosolizable materials received by the aerosol provision device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, a schematic of a system comprising an aerosol provision device100and a communication system250, is illustrated. The aerosol provision device100is an inhalation device (i.e. a user uses it to inhale an aerosol provided by the device100) and the device100is a hand-held device. The device100is an electronic device. The aerosol provision device100is configured to communicate with a communication system250, for example a communication system250comprising a smart device200. The smart device200may, for example, be a mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, television, or any other device capable of electronic communication. The communication system250may additionally or alternatively comprise the internet700.

With reference toFIG.1andFIG.2, in broad outline, the device100is configured to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user from at least one aerosolizable material received within the device100. Herein an aerosolizable material includes any material that may be aerosolized. In the examples discussed herein the aerosol provision device100is configured to receive a plurality of aerosolizable materials, where each aerosolizable material is housed in or forms a consumable, e.g., the consumable may be a container housing the aerosolizable material. The aerosol provision device100is configured to receive at least a first consumable1and a second consumable2, and the device100may also be configured to receive further consumables3,4,5and6. Herein, reference is made to the device100receiving consumables1,2,3,4,5,6; however, it should be appreciated that device100more generally receives a plurality of aerosolizable materials. In some implementations, the aerosolizable materials may be provided detached from one another (e.g., as separate consumables as described herein) or may be provided on a common substrate as a single consumable to be received in the device100.

The aerosol provision device100is configured to recognize the identity and position of consumables1,2,3, etc. received in the device100(as will be discussed in detail below) and to transmit data indicating the identity and position of consumables1,2,3, etc. received in the device100to the communication system250, in this example comprising smart device200. In some examples, such as that ofFIG.1, the communication system250may comprise the internet700and in some examples the aerosol provision device100may communicate directly with the internet700. In some examples the aerosol provision device100communicates with the smart device200, which may or may not communicate data relating to the aerosol provision device100to the internet700.

Among other advantages, the aerosol provision device100and communication system250allow for a usage session which is appropriate for the consumables1,2,3, etc. received within the device100to be implemented, a usage session either being directly implemented by interaction between the user and the aerosol provision device100or being implemented, for example, through communication from the communication system250, for example from the smart device200. As will be discussed further below, the aerosol provision device100and communication system250also provide for appropriate settings to be applied to the aerosol provision device100depending on the consumables inserted and depending on the contextual environment of the user. Herein, reference is made to example devices transmitting data regarding the identity and position of consumables or, more generally, aerosolizable materials received in the device. It should be appreciated that in some implementations, a device may recognize the identity and/or position of consumables/materials received in the device and a controller or the like in the device may use the identity and position data to provide instructions to the device for producing an aerosol based on the identity and/or position of consumables/materials received in the device. Certain advantages described herein in the context of an aerosol provision device in communication with a communication system may thus be achieved by features of the aerosol provision device alone. For example, in some examples the device may not necessarily transmit position and identity data of consumables/materials received to an external system or device and appropriate instructions for generating aerosol may be produced by the device based on the position and/or identity of consumables/materials received in the device.

The device100comprises means for receiving at least the first consumable1for containing a first aerosolizable material10, and for receiving the second consumable2for containing a second material20. In some examples, discussed further below, the device is configured to receive further consumables, for example the device100may be configured to receive third3, fourth4, fifth5, and sixth6consumables for containing third30, fourth40, fifth50and sixth60aerosolizable materials respectively. In other examples, the device100may be configured to receive any number, two or more, of consumables.

In use, a user draws on a mouthpiece50of the device and air is drawn through one or more air inlets111into the device100. Aerosol is generated by the device100from at least the first consumable1containing first aerosolizable material10. The one or more air inlets111and the first consumable1are in fluidic contact with a central aperture (not shown), and air flowing in through the one or more air inlets111mixes with aerosol generated from the first consumable1to generate a flow of aerosol. The aerosol flow is drawn towards the mouthpiece50for inhalation by the user when the user draws on the mouthpiece50. In some examples, air flowing from the air inlets to the mouthpiece50may pass through each consumable or aerosolizable material received in the device sequentially. That is, each of the consumables or aerosolizable materials in the device may be located on the same air flow path between the air inlets and the mouthpiece. In other examples, there may be multiple branches for air flowing from the air inlet/s towards the mouthpiece. For example, a plurality of branches may be provided and each branch of the plurality of branches may pass through one or more of the consumables or aerosolizable materials. There may be one branch for each of the consumables or aerosolizable materials, or each air flow path may pass through more than one of the consumables or aerosolizable materials. In some examples, where there are multiple air flow branches there may be a branch which does not pass through a consumable or aerosolizable material. Where there are multiple air flow branches the branches may join, in an admixing chamber or the like, prior to aerosol flowing to the mouthpiece.

The second consumable2may also produce aerosol which mixes with the aerosol generated from the first consumable1before the aerosol reaches the mouthpiece50for inhalation by the user. For example, the second consumable2may produce a flavored aerosol. Additionally or alternatively, one or more properties of the aerosol generated from the first consumable1may be modified by material contained by the second consumable2and, optionally, by material contained by one or more further consumables3,4,5, etc. received within the device. For example, in some examples, the first consumable1produces an aerosol from a tobacco gel10while the second consumable2and further consumables3,4,5, etc. contain aerosolizable flavorant gels20,30,40, etc. for producing aerosol for mixing with aerosol produced from the first consumable1. An aerosol flow for inhalation by the user is thereby produced from consumables1,2,3, etc. received within the device100.

In at least some examples a vapor is produced that then at least partly condenses to form an aerosol before exiting the aerosol provision device for inhalation by a user.

In this respect, first it may be noted that, in general, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that for example the vapor can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. On the other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. A “colloid” is a substance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles are suspended throughout another substance.

For reasons of convenience, as used herein the term aerosol should be taken as meaning an aerosol, a vapor or a combination of an aerosol and vapor.

The first aerosolizable material10can be a gel that is volatilizable at reasonable temperatures, as that helps to keep down the power consumption of the aerosol provision device100.

In the examples described herein, the first aerosolizable material10may be a nicotine-containing material and may be, for example, a tobacco containing material. In some examples the first aerosolizable material10is a tobacco material, and in some embodiments the first aerosolizable material10is an aerosolizable tobacco gel.

The second material20may be a second aerosolizable material and may be a flavorant material. The second material20may be a gel, a liquid, a powder, or another form of aerosolizable substance. In some examples, the second material20is a first aerosolizable flavorant material. In such examples the second material20can be a first flavorant gel, referred to in some instances herein as a base flavorant gel20.

While in the examples discussed herein the materials10,20,30, etc. are liquids or gels, it should be appreciated that the first material10may be any material capable of being aerosolized while the remainder of the materials20,30,40, etc. may be materials which may or may not be capable of being aerosolized or could be any form of material suitable for modifying the properties of an aerosol flow. For example, the further materials20,30, etc. may or may not be aerosolizable and may be a liquid, a gel, or a powder and may comprise a solid material, such as a tobacco material.

One or more of the further materials20,30,40, etc. may be a material which imparts to or modifies a property, for example the flavor, of the vapor and/or aerosol before the vapor and/or aerosol passes out of the device100for inhalation by a user. One or more of the further materials20,30,40, etc. may, for example, consist of or comprise tobacco. In the case that one or more of the further materials20,30,40, etc. comprises tobacco, as the aerosol passes through and over the material/s, the aerosol entrains organic and other compounds or constituents from the tobacco material that lend tobacco its organoleptic properties, thus imparting flavor to the aerosol.

In some examples, the further material20,30,40, etc. may comprise a material that modifies one or more other organoleptic properties of the aerosol (e.g. modifying the feel or smell or look of the aerosol to the user).

In some examples, the further material20,30,40, etc. may comprise a material that modifies the PH of the aerosol by either lowering or raising the PH (e.g. modifying the acidity or the basicity of the aerosol).

In some examples, the further material20,30,40, etc. may comprise a material that modifies (e.g. reduce) the amount of aldehydes in the aerosol.

In some examples, the further material20,30,40, etc. may comprise a material that modifies different combinations of two or more of these or indeed other properties of the aerosol.

In some examples, the further consumables2,3,4, etc. comprise flavourant materials, for example solid material, that which when ground, exposed, or otherwise suitably physically activated, releases a flavorant. The flavorant material may be, for example, ground tobacco. The flavorant material may be for example wrapped partially or wholly in a wrapper, and/or the flavorant material may be supported in a resilient housing, for example a plastic housing, or may be held or embedded in a suitable carrier material such as cellulose acetate. When a consumable is actuated, the solid material is exposed or otherwise suitably physically activated, and a flavorant (or an increase and/or change in flavorant) is released thereby to impart a flavor (or increased and/or different flavor) to the aerosol flow.

Each consumable1,2,3, etc. may be a pod, a cartridge, a tube, a capsule, or another type of container for containing a material10,20,30, etc. In example consumables which contain an aerosolizable material, each consumable1,2,3, etc. may contain means for aerosolizing material in the consumable. The means for aerosolizing the material in the consumable may comprise heating means. For example, the material may be aerosolized by resistive heating or induction heating. Each consumable may comprise an atomizer. The atomizer may comprise heating means, such as at least one heating element, for aerosolizing the material contained in the consumable. The at least one heating element may be a resistive heating coil and may be a linear coil, a curved coil, a bottom vertical coil, or a spiral coil. In alternative examples, a heating means may not be used and an alternative arrangement may be used for aerosolizing the material, such as an ultrasonic atomizer.

Now with reference toFIG.2, the device100may comprise a device body300which contains a power source320, typically a battery, for powering various components of the device100. The battery320may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. A controller330, which may comprise a micro-chip and associated circuitry is also provided in the device body300for controlling the operation of various components of the device100. The device100comprises a communication interface350which may be located in the device body300for communicating with the communication system250, for example for communicating with the smart device200. A user input means340, for example one or more control buttons, such as an on/off switch or button, may be provided on the device body300for a user to operate the device100.

In some examples, such as the example shown inFIG.2, the device100comprises a plurality of slots101,102,103, etc. for receiving consumables1,2,3, etc. The first slot101may be configured to receive either of the first consumable1or the second consumable2(or any of the further consumables3,4,5, etc., not all of which are shown inFIG.2). In some examples, the device100comprises third103, fourth104, fifth105, and sixth 106 slots for receiving further consumables. In some examples, any of the slots101,102,103, etc. may be configured to receive any one of the consumables1,2,3, etc.

The aerosol provision device100is capable of recognizing the identity of a consumable1,2,3, etc. which is received by the device100and for recognizing the position in the device100in which the recognized consumable is received. For example, in the example ofFIG.2, if, for example, a consumable1, is inserted into the first slot101, the device100recognizes the identity of the consumable as the first consumable1and recognizes that the first consumable1is inserted into the first slot101, and if, to continue the example, a second consumable2is inserted into the second slot102, and a third consumable3is inserted into the third slot103, the device100, similarly, recognizes this.

In some examples, each consumable is recognizable by the device100by radio-frequency identification (RFID). In the example ofFIG.2, each consumable1,2,3comprises an RFID tag41,42,43and each slot of the device100comprises an RFID reader41,42,43. The device100may comprise means (not shown) for supplying power from the power source320to the at least one RFID reader41,42,43. In other examples, the device100may comprise a different number of RFID readers, for example one RFID reader which is capable of reading an RFID tag of any consumable1,2,3, etc. received within the device100and identifying the position of that consumable. When a consumable is inserted into a slot the RFID tag is read by the device100and the consumable is thereby identified.

In some examples (not shown in the figures), the aerosol provision device100may not comprise individual slots for receiving each consumable and, for example, all consumables received by the device100may be received in a single slot. In such examples, the position or each consumable and identity of each consumable may be identified by an RFID reader, or by other means: for example, the consumables may comprise electrical contacts such that their ordering can be determined by the device, for example by the electrical resistance presented by the combination of inserted consumables.

Each consumable may comprise an actuation means (not shown) for causing the material to exit the consumable. The actuation means may be formed partly or wholly in the consumable; for example, in some implementations, the component for actuating is located in the device but engages with a part of the consumable (such as a wall of the consumable). The specific manner in which the consumables may be actuated is not the focus of this disclosure, and any suitable mechanism may be employed. Moreover, this may be applicable in situations in which the heater (or other atomizing mechanism) is located outside the consumable and the aerosolizable material is directed towards the heater in order to be aerosolized. In some examples where a consumable contains a viscous aeroslizable material, such as an e-liquid, the actuation means may be a spring mechanism (not shown) which applies a force during a usage session either directly to the material10,20,30, etc. or to the consumable. When a force is applied to the consumable, for example via a biasing mechanism, such as a spring mechanism, a reservoir containing the material is squeezed (deformed) and the material is thereby forced from the reservoir through the aperture to be aerosolized. In such examples, the force applied may determine the rate at which the material is released to the aerosol flow. This force may be controlled by electronic means controlling a biasing force applied against the spring mechanism. The force may be applied mechanically or electronically and may be controlled electronically via the control mechanism140of the aerosol provision device100.

In some examples one or more of the consumables1,2,3, etc. does not comprise means for aerosolizing a material10,20,30, etc. In the example of a consumable which does not comprise aerosolizing means but wherein the consumable comprises aerosolizable material, the material may be aerosolized by the device100by an aerosolizing means (not shown) after the material exits the consumable. For example, the device100may comprise heating means for aerosolizing material that has exited a consumable into the device.

Returning to the example ofFIG.2, first consumable1, second consumable2and third consumable3are received in the device100for use. The first consumable1comprises a first aerosolizable material10, the second consumable2comprises an aerosolizable base flavorant material20, and a third consumable3comprises a first additional flavorant material30. The device100may comprise means for controlling the rate at which the material in each consumable1,2,3, is aerosolized. For example, the controller330may control the rate at which a consumable received in the device is actuated during a usage session. The controller330may control any number of aspects of the usage of the device100including one or more of: the duration of a usage session, a selection of which consumables received within the device100are actuated during a usage session, the rate at which each consumable is used during each point of a usage session, the order in which consumables are used during the session, and the duration for which a consumable is used during the session.

The device100comprises means, communication interface350, for communicating with a smart device200. The smart device200may be, for example, a mobile phone or a tablet computer, and the device100may communicate with the smart device200wirelessly, for example via WiFi™, Bluetooth™ technology, or GSM. Alternatively, the device100may communicate with the smart device via a wired connection, such as a USB or ethernet connection.

Accordingly, in use, a user inserts one at least a first consumable1into one of the slots101-106. The device100reads the RFID identifying tag31on the first consumable1via the first RFID reader151. The RFID identifying tag31may carry information indicating the type of material contained by the consumable, for example it may indicate that the consumable contains a tobacco gel. In examples where the consumable comprises a sensor (not shown) for detecting the remaining amount of material contained by the consumable, the RFID tag31may also carry this information for reading by the RFID reader151.

The aerosol provision device100is configured by the user to communicate with the smart device200, for example by the user ‘pairing’ the aerosol provision device100and the smart device200via Bluetooth™. The aerosol provision device100transmits data to the smart device200indicating that a consumable1,2,3, etc. is inserted into a slot101,102,103, etc. of the device100. The smart device200gathers the data and may display to the user a representation (an example of which is described further below) of the current configuration of the aerosol provision device100, showing the identity of inserted consumables and their positions within the device.

FIG.3shows a flow diagram demonstrating an example of the method of use of the aerosol provision device100and the smart device200. In this example, the smart device200is configured to control the aerosol provision device100.

In the example ofFIG.3, at1001the user turns on the aerosol provision device via user control means340. At1002the user inserts one or more consumables1,2,3, etc. into one or more slots101,102,103, etc. in the aerosol provision device100; it should be noted that at1002the inserting consumables may be performed before1001or at any point in the method, for example after pairing the aerosol provision device100with the smart device200. At1003the user pairs the aerosol provision device100with the smart device200, for example via Bluetooth™ technology. At1004the aerosol provision device100recognizes at least the identity of consumables1,2,3, etc. which are inserted in the device and the slot101,102,103, etc. and in which each consumable1,2,3, etc. is inserted. At1005the device100communicates data indicating the identity and position of consumables identified at1004to the smart device200. At1006the smart device200displays a representation (800,FIG.4) of the aerosol provision device100to the user, and displays at least one pre-defined usage session which is available dependent on the consumables which are inserted. Herein the pre-defined usage sessions may be referred to as instructions; in other words, each pre-defined usage session is a set of instructions received, e.g., from a remote server, for controlling the aerosol provision device based on the identity and position of the consumables. For example, the smart device200may be configured to obtain pre-defined usage sessions from a remote source or database (e.g., via the internet) based upon the combination of consumables present in the device100. By way of example only, the usage sessions may include a session such as: aerosolize consumable1, followed by consumable2, followed by consumable3(e.g., sequential aerosolization) or aerosolize consumable1and3, followed by consumable2(e.g., because consumable1and3may complement each other). Alternatively, the pre-defined usage sessions may include different aerosolization amounts for the different consumables, e.g., aerosolize consumables1and2such that the generated aerosol is approximately 25% from consumable1and 75% from consumable2(which may be based on the rate at which the aerosolizable material is fed to the heater and/or the power supplied to the heater). At1007the user gives an input to the smart device200indicating the pre-defined usage session they would like to implement. At1008the smart device communicates the user's input to the aerosol provision deice100and the usage session is implemented by the control means340.

It should be appreciated that while the method described byFIG.3involves pairing (or otherwise communicatively connecting) the aerosol provision device100and the smart device200, the aerosol provision device100may, in other implementations, be provided with the ability to contact a remote source, e.g., a remote sever, independently of the smart device200. That is, in the above method, the smart device200may be omitted and the aerosol provision device100is instead provided with the ability to perform the functions of the smart device200.

With reference toFIG.4, in some examples, the smart device200comprises an app500for displaying the configuration of the aerosol provision device100to the user. In some examples, such as the example ofFIG.4, the app500displays a visual representation800of the aerosol provision device100to the user, showing which of the slots101-106is/are occupied by a consumable1,2,3, etc. and the identity of any inserted consumable. The visual representation800may comprise a list of available slots and occupied slots, or may be a pictorial representation of the aerosol provision device100. For example, in the example ofFIG.4six consumables1-6are inserted into the device100. The visual representation800shows a representation1′,2′,3′ etc. of each consumable1,2,3and may display, for example, the material10,20,30, etc. which is contained by each consumable1,2,3, etc. and the remaining amount of material in each consumable, for example representing this by bars of varying heights. In the example ofFIG.4, the app500may display representations1′ to6′ indicating to the user that the first consumable1contains a tobacco gel10, the second consumable2contains a menthol flavorant20, the third consumable3contains a cherry flavorant30, and so on with regards to the fourth4, fifth5and sixth6consumables. The user may then in some examples select which flavorants they would like to use and at which relative rates through use of the app500, for example by tapping on a representation1′,2′,3′, etc. of a consumable and setting various parameters.

The data regarding the position and identity of consumables received in the device100can be used to make a recommendation of a usage session for the user. For example, if the device100detects the insertion of a tobacco gel10containing first consumable1into the second slot102and the insertion of a base flavor20, e.g. a menthol flavor, containing base flavor consumable2into the first slot101, the device100can make a recommendation of a usage session comprising the use of tobacco gel and menthol flavorant. A usage session may be defined by various factors, such as which of any inserted consumables is actuated during the session, the duration for which a consumable is actuated during the session, the rate at which a consumable is actuated to provide the material it contains for being aerosolized, and the point during the session at which a particular consumable is used at a particular rate. During a usage session, the user may view the representation of the aerosol provision device100via their smart device200and thereby obtain information about appropriate parameters for implementing a usage session.

The device100may comprise means for transmitting further information in addition to the identity and position of an inserted consumable. For example, the device100may communicate the amount of material remaining in a consumable1,2,3, etc. to the smart device200. The device100may obtain the information on the amount of material remaining in the consumable from the consumable itself, which may in some examples comprise a sensor (not shown) and the information obtained by the sensor may be communicable via the RFID tag. As such, in such examples the smart device200can, for example, compute a recommended duration for a usage session, or display a predicted number of remaining sessions having a particular duration and using a particular combination of consumables at a particular rate, for example based on data previously received about the prior usage of the user. The device100may also comprise means for transmitting further information relating to a usage session, such as the duration for which a consumable was actuated during the session, the rate at which a consumable was actuated to provide the material it contains for being aerosolized, and the point during the session at which a particular consumable was used at a particular rate.

The manual user control means340may comprise a switch for turning on or off the device100and/or the manual user control means340may allow the user to pair the aerosol provision device100with the smart device. In some examples, the user may control various parameters of the usage of the device via the manual user control means340i.e. the user may manually control the device100rather than control the aerosol provision device100through the smart device200. The manual user control means340may comprise controls for selecting which of the slots101-106are to be actuated during a usage session and the user may, for example, select which slot is actuated at a particular point in a usage session. In this regard, in accordance with the present disclosure, the aerosol provision device100can be configured to map certain pre-defined usage sessions to the manual user control means340based on the identity and/or position of the consumables within the device. For example, the manual user control means340may comprise a touch screen display which is configured to display a plurality of pre-defined usage sessions based on the identity and position of the consumables within the device, e.g., such as those described at1006. In other examples, the representation by the smart device200of the consumables inserted into the device100can allow the user to implement a desired or appropriate usage session through user control means340. For example, allowing the user to select the correct slots to actuate and the correct rate at which to actuate each slot to allow a session to use a particular combination of flavors or last for a desired length of time.

In some examples, the smart device200is configured to control the aerosol provision device100, such as via wireless communication. For example, the smart device200may be configured to switch on the aerosol provision device100to initiate a usage session. In at least some examples, the smart device200may be configured to control factors defining a usage session of the aerosol provision device100, such as selecting which consumable is actuated at a particular point in a usage session, and/or the respective rates at which each consumable is actuated at each point during the usage session. In examples where the smart device200is configured to control parameters of the aerosol provision device100, the aerosol provision device100may still comprise user control means340such as an on/off switch for initiating the device or a button to pair the aerosol provision device100with the smart device200.

In examples where the smart device200comprises an app500, the app500may be configured to receive input, for example from a user or via the internet, the app500then providing an interface to the user via which the user can control the aerosol provision device100.

In some examples, the smart device200is configured to gather usage data of the aerosol provision device100and cause that data to be stored for later use. In such examples, the gathered data for storage may include: the duration of a usage session, the identity of consumables inserted into the device in a usage session, the position of each consumable in the device during a usage session, which of the consumables inserted in the device was actuated during the session, the respective rates at which each consumable was actuated during the usage session, and/or the duration for which each consumable was actuated during the usage session.

The smart device200may store the data locally or may communicate the data via the internet to be stored non-locally, for example via one or more cloud-based servers i.e. the data may be stored in ‘the cloud’. The smart device200may be configured to cause a profile to be made, wherein the profile600may be associated with a user and/or with a particular aerosol provision device100. For example, such that when the user pairs the aerosol provision device100with a smart device200the smart device200recognizes the identity of the aerosol provision device100and creates a profile600for that device100. Data from usage sessions of that particular aerosol provision device100can then be stored in the device profile associated with that device. In some examples where the profile600is stored in the cloud700, the user may pair the aerosol provision device100with a second smart device (not shown) and the second smart device may recognize the identity of the aerosol provision device100and access the associated device profile which is stored on the cloud700.

In some examples, a user profile600is created which is associated with a user. The user profile600may be stored on the cloud700, as in the example ofFIG.4, and may store the usage data for the user with whom it is associated. The user then, for example, pairs the aerosol provision device100with their smart device200and logs into their user profile600via the smart device200, such as via an app500. The user profile600may for example store data related to usage sessions of the aerosol provision device100.

In examples where the smart device200communicates with the aerosol provision device100via an app500, the app500may display a number of pre-set usage sessions for implementing by the aerosol provision device100. In examples where the aerosol provision device100comprises user controls340for controlling the device100, the app500may simply display the parameters for a usage session which may be based on the consumables currently received in the device100. For example, the app500may display that the first slot101currently contains a tobacco gel consumable1, the second slot102currently contains a menthol base flavor consumable2, and the third slot103contains a first additional flavor consumable3. The app500may then display the amount of respective materials contained in each consumable1,2,3, etc. The app500may display a recommended usage session in the form of indications of the rate at which each consumable1,2,3, etc. is to be actuated during the session. So, for example, the app500may display a recommended usage session 5 minutes in duration in which the first consumable is actuated at a first rate throughout the usage session, the second consumable is actuated at a second rate throughout the session, and the third consumable is actuated at a third rate but is only actuated for the first 30 seconds and for the final 30 seconds of the 5-minute session. In some examples, a user can implement a pre-set or recommended usage session via the smart device200.

In some examples, the smart device200receives data from the aerosol provision device100during a usage session and saves this data as a first stored usage session. This first stored usage session may then, for example, be viewed by the user via the app500and implemented again at a later time. In some examples where the smart device200is configured to control the aerosol provision device100, the app500is configured to implement a usage session which is based on the stored first usage session. As such, the user can save their favorite usage sessions and implement a repeated instance of the session at a later time.

As mentioned above, the app500may comprise at least one pre-set usage session, and in some examples a user can implement a pre-set usage session via the app500. Each pre-set usage session may comprise the use of different types of consumable, actuated at different rates, actuated for different times, or positioned in a particular order within the slots of the device100. Since the smart device200recognizes the identity and position of consumables received in the aerosol provision device100, the app500may display pre-set usage sessions depending on their availability according to which consumables are inserted into the aerosol provision device slots101-106, and in which order the consumables are inserted. In some examples, the app500may instruct a user to change the ordering of consumables within the device slots101-106in order to set up the aerosol provision device100for a particular pre-defined usage session.

The app500may allow a user to create and store a usage session for future implementation. For example, the user may create a usage session in which a particular combination of flavors is to be used, at particular relative rates, and the inserted consumables are positioned and actuated in a particular order. The user may then store this session, for example to be associated with their user profile600and stored on the smart device200or via the cloud700, for later implementation. In some examples, the user may be able to share their stored usage sessions with other users via, for example, social media.

In some examples, the app500may allow a user to place an order via the internet for consumables for the aerosol provision device100. The app500may allow a user to place an order via the internet for consumables used in a prior recorded usage session or to be used in a usage session created by the user on the app500.

The app500may make a recommendation to the user for a usage session, wherein the recommended usage session uses a particular combination of consumables in a particular way. For example, the recommendation of a usage session may be made based on prior usage sessions of that user, or may be made with reference to other information about the user associated with the user profile600. A recommendation for a usage session may contain additional information as to the context in which that usage session is recommended to implemented—for example, a usage session may be recommended as appropriate for use of the aerosol provision device100indoors or outdoors, or for pairing with a particular food and/or drink. For example, the app500may provide a recommendation of a usage session for pairing with wine.

In some examples, the app500may gather contextual information via the smart device200, and may infer, for example, whether the user is indoors or outdoors or may detect the location of the smart device200and/or aerosol provision device100. The smart device200may then be configured to control the aerosol provision device100based on this gathered contextual information. For example, the smart device200may be configured to set the aerosol provision device100to indoor mode when the smart device200infers that the user is indoors. In examples where the smart device200is not configured to make use of contextual information, the app500may provide the user with the option to control usage settings of the aerosol provision device100and, for example, switch the device100to an ‘indoor mode’.

Usage settings may be configured to have particular characteristics, for example an indoor usage mode may be configured to produce less vapor, or to produce a vapor which is more suitable for an indoor context, having a particular level of aroma or a particular level of nicotine content, for example.

The app500may be configured to provide feedback to the user related to the usage of the aerosol provision device100or consumables inserted into the device100. For example, the smart device200could provide audio or haptic feedback, by playing a tone or vibrating for example, when it is detected that a consumable is low on material. The app500could provide a notification to the user when a new session has been saved and/or could provide a notification to the user when a new usage session is available for implementation, for example, where a usage session has been shared by another user.

FIGS.5a-5candFIGS.6a-6cshow examples of usage sessions which may be implemented by the aerosol provision device100, in some examples these example usage sessions may be implemented by the app500. Each representation of a usage session shown inFIGS.5a-5candFIGS.6a-6cshows a representation of the amount of material from each consumable used produce the aerosol at each point in the usage session. In these figures the time elapsed in each usage session is represented from left to right so that the left of each figure represents the start of a usage session while the right represents the end of a usage session. The height of a representation of each consumable represents a factor related to the usage of that consumable at a particular time in the usage session.

InFIGS.5a-5c, a first bar901represents use of the first consumable1, containing a tobacco gel10, in the example usage session. The height of the first bar901represents the rate that the tobacco gel10is aerosolized at the point in time in the session to which that height corresponds, with time progressing from the start of the session910to the end of the session920. A second bar902represents use of second consumable2containing a base flavorant material20, in these examples a menthol flavorant. The height of the second bar902represents the rate at which the menthol flavorant20is aerosolized throughout the usage session. It should be appreciated that relative heights of the first bar901and second bar902in the figures do not represent an absolute relation between values of the rates of aerosolization of each of the materials, for example, bars of equal height may not represent equal rates of aerosolization for each material10,20.

FIG.5ashows a first example usage session wherein the tobacco gel10is aerosolized at a first constant rate throughout the usage session and the menthol base flavorant20is aerosolized at a second constant rate throughout the usage session. In this example, the menthol base flavorant20is aerosolized at a rate which is 0.25 times the rate at which the tobacco gel10is aerosolized, but in other examples the first rate and the second rate may have any other ratio for example the first rate may equal the second rate.

FIG.5bshows a second example usage session where the rate of menthol flavorant20use is greatest at the start of the usage session and the rate of menthol flavorant20reduces at a constant rate throughout the usage session. The tobacco gel10is aerosolized at a constant rate in this example.

FIG.5cshows a third example usage session wherein the rate of menthol flavorant20increases from a minimum value at the start of the session910to a maximum value at the end of the session920. The tobacco gel10is, again, aerosolized at a constant rate in this example.

FIGS.6a-6cshow examples of usage sessions in which a third consumable3is inserted into the aerosol provision device100, in addition to the first1and second2consumables. In these examples the third consumable3contains a first additional flavorant material30which is an aerosolizable material. The rate of aerosolization of the first additional flavourant material30is represented by the height of a third bar903.

FIG.6ashows an example usage session wherein the tobacco material10and the base flavorant20are aerosolized at a constant rate throughout the usage session. The first additional flavorant30, represented by third bars903, is periodically aerosolized at a constant rate for a first period of time and aerosolized at a rate of zero for a second period of time. This pattern of aerosolization of the first additional flavorant30is repeated throughout the usage session.

FIG.6bshows an example usage session wherein the tobacco material10and the base flavorant20are aerosolized at a constant rate throughout the usage session. The first additional flavorant30is aerosolized at a constant rate for a first period of time at the start of the session910and is aerosolized at a constant rate for a second period of time directly before the end of the session920.

FIG.6cshows an example usage session in which the tobacco gel10is aerosolized at a constant rate which is lower than in previous examples, this may, for example, correspond to an indoor mode for the aerosol provision device100in which it is desirable or necessary to reduce the amount of nicotine contained in aerosol produced by the device100. The menthol flavorant material20is aerosolized at a constant rate throughout the usage session. The first additional flavorant increases at a constant rate from a minimum value at the start of the session910to a maximum value at some point, for example the mid-point in time, of the session. The rate of aerosolization of the third flavorant30then reduces at a constant rate until the end of the session920.

Although in the above described examples, the aerosol provision device100etc. generates the aerosol by heating a gel, this is not essential and in other examples, the device may generate the aerosol by heating a liquid or by heating, but not burning (combusting), a material, for example comprising a solid material, that may contain for example tobacco (e.g. a device sometimes referred to as a Tobacco Heating Product (THP) device).

Although in the above described examples, each consumable is provided with an identifier (e.g., an RFID tag), it should be appreciated that when the aerosolizable materials are provided on/in the same substrate, only one identifier may be present. The substrate may be provided with an identifier (e.g., an RFID tag, a QR code, etc.) which can be read (by the device100or the smart device200) to identify the consumable and the positions of the aerosolizable portions on the consumable.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” may refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They may include extracts (e.g., licorice,hydrangea, Japanese white barkmagnolialeaf, 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), flavor 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, solid, or powder. For example, a liquid, oil, or other such fluid flavorant may be impregnated in a porous solid material so as to impart flavor and/or other properties to that porous solid material. As such, the liquid or oil is a constituent of the material in which it is impregnated.