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

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

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

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

<CIT> discloses a fluid supply system for an electronic cigarette. The fluid supply system comprises a wick for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the system further comprises a rotatable component, wherein the rotatable component is configured to move between a first configuration of the system and a second configuration of the system, wherein the rotatable component in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the wick.

According to a first aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system and a second configuration of the aerosol provision system, wherein the rotatable component in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

According to a second aspect of certain embodiments there is provided an aerosol provision cartridge comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision cartridge further comprises a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision cartridge and a second configuration of the aerosol provision cartridge, wherein the rotatable component in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

According to a third aspect of certain embodiments there is provided a method of controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material in an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element and a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the method comprises moving the rotatable component between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system and a second configuration from the aerosol provision system, wherein the second configuration the rotatable component is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

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

Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol provision system / device and electronic aerosol provision system / device. An electronic cigarette may also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolisable material is not a requirement.

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

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

The aerosol provision system may be provided with a means for powering a vaporiser therein, and there may be provided an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving the aerosolisable material that is to be vaporised. The aerosol provision system may also be provided with a reservoir for containing aerosolisable material, and in some embodiments a further reservoir for containing flavouring material for flavouring a generated vapour from the aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the vaporiser may be a heater/heating element capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form a vapour/aerosol. In some embodiments, the vaporiser is capable of generating an aerosol from the aerosolisable material without heating. For example, the vaporiser may be capable of generating a vapour/aerosol from the aerosolisable material without applying heat thereto, for example via one or more of vibrational, mechanical, pressurisation or electrostatic means.

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

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

In some embodiments, the active constituent is an olfactory active constituent and may be selected from a "flavour" and/or "flavourant" which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. In some instances such constituents may be referred to as flavours, flavourants, flavouring material, cooling agents, heating agents, and/or sweetening agents.

They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gasone or more of extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger, anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, oil, liquid, or powder.

In some embodiments, the flavouring material (flavour) may comprise menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucalyptol, WS-<NUM>.

The carrier constituent may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the carrier constituent may comprise one or more of glycerine, glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

The one or more other functional constituents may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and/or antioxidants.

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

From the forgoing therefore, and with reference to the Figures, in accordance with some embodiments provided herein is an aerosol provision system <NUM> which may in some embodiments be provided as a body <NUM> which can releasably accommodate, and/or be releasably attached to, a cartridge <NUM>. The aerosol provision system <NUM> comprises a reservoir <NUM> for containing an aerosolisable material for vaporising, and an aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> for receiving aerosolisable material from the reservoir <NUM>. Also provided in the aerosol provision system <NUM> is a vaporiser <NUM> for vaporising the aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. In embodiments where the aerosol provision system <NUM> comprises the body <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM> may comprise the reservoir <NUM>, the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>, and the vaporiser <NUM>. In this way, when the body <NUM> is releasably engaged with the cartridge <NUM>, the vaporiser <NUM> may be configured to receive electrical power via an electrical contact <NUM> on the body <NUM> which is also electrically connected to a power source <NUM> from the body <NUM>. In this way, power from the power source <NUM> may be used to power the vaporiser <NUM> for vaporising the aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>.

During the operation of the aerosol provision system <NUM>, inlet air from an air inlet <NUM> of the aerosol provision system <NUM> may be configured to pass through at least one inlet air channel <NUM>. The inlet air channel <NUM> may be accordingly configured to deliver air over the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> to pick up vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. The vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> may then pass through a fluid outlet tube <NUM> for delivery to an outlet <NUM> of the aerosol provision system <NUM>. From there, the vaporised aerosolisable material from the vaporiser <NUM> may then pass out through the outlet <NUM> through to a user's mouth, for inhalation of the vaporised aerosolisable material by the user (for instance via a mouthpiece <NUM>).

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

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

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

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

In a simple sense, and with reference to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> which is configured to be compressed may comprise a first end portion <NUM>, and a second end portion <NUM> opposite the first end portion <NUM>, from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. In this way, as the second portion <NUM> is compressed in the second configuration (or more compressed than in the first configuration), this relative increase in the compression of the second portion <NUM> better restricts aerosolisable material from the reservoir <NUM> from being vaporised by the vaporiser <NUM> to form vaporised aerosolisable material.

As to the amount of such compression, it will be appreciated that the amount of compression in the second configuration is configured to be more than that in the first configuration. Put differently, the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in the first configuration may be either not compressed at all, or be compressed by a first amount. In this way, the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in the second configuration may be compressed by a second amount which is more than that the amount of compression in the first configuration.

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

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

Turning to the disclosure from <FIG>, other mechanisms for the aerosol provision system <NUM> being moveable between the first configuration and the second configuration include the aerosol provision system <NUM> comprising a specially configured fluid outlet tube <NUM> for receiving vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element, which is configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration for causing the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> to be compressed in the second configuration.

In accordance with such embodiments, the fluid outlet tube <NUM> may in some instances comprise at least one aperture <NUM> for gripping the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. In this way, when the fluid outlet tube <NUM> is moved, the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> may be configured to move with the fluid outlet tube <NUM>. In this way, by moving the fluid outlet tube <NUM> from the first configuration to the second configuration, this may also move the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> from the first configuration to the second configuration.

As to how the aerosol provision system <NUM> may be moveable between the first and the second configuration, it will be appreciated in accordance with some embodiments, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> may be configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration. Such movement can be seen in the embodiment from <FIG> in particular, where rotation of the fluid outlet tube <NUM> causes the second portion <NUM> to move from the first configuration (see position 31A for the second portion <NUM> in the first configuration) to the second configuration (see position 31B for the position of the second portion <NUM> in the second configuration).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turning to how the aerosol provision system <NUM> may be moved between the first configuration and the second configuration, in accordance with some embodiments (such as those shown in <FIG>) the aerosol provision system <NUM> may be configured to be manually moved between the first and second configurations. Such manual movement may be seen, for instance, in accordance with the embodiment from <FIG> where the fluid outlet tube <NUM> may be configured to be manually moved, or rotated, between the first configuration and the second configuration of the aerosol provision system <NUM>.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Building on the above disclosure, it may be seen that this disclosure may also effectively provide for an aerosol provision system <NUM> comprising an aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system <NUM> further comprises a rotatable component <NUM> comprising a recess <NUM> for accommodating a first portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>, wherein the rotatable component <NUM> is configured to move between the first configuration of the aerosol provision system and the second configuration of the aerosol provision system <NUM>. In this way, in the second configuration of the aerosol provision system <NUM>, the rotatable component <NUM> is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>.

In the above respect, the provision of the rotatable component <NUM> with the recess <NUM> may collectively assist with better controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material in an aerosol provision system. Specifically, this may be achieved by moving or rotating the rotatable component <NUM> between the second configuration (in which the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> is restricted) and the first configuration (in which the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> is less restricted than in the second configuration).

In so far as any such rotatable component <NUM> is employed, it will be appreciated that this rotatable component <NUM> may be formed/implemented in a number of different ways. For instance, in accordance with some embodiments such as those shown in <FIG>, the rotatable component <NUM> may comprise the fluid outlet tube <NUM>. In this way, the fluid outlet tube <NUM> may then be configured to rotate between the first configuration and the second configuration as can be seen with reference to the embodiment from <FIG> for example.

Equally however, it will be appreciated that in accordance with some embodiments, the rotatable component <NUM> may be separate from the fluid outlet tube <NUM>, such that the fluid outlet tube <NUM> is then not necessarily rotatable. In such latter embodiments therefore, the rotatable component <NUM> might comprise some other rotatable member configured to restrict the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in the second configuration (such as a rotatable latch which is configured to impinge/compress the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in the second configuration).

Irrespective of the exact structure of the rotatable component <NUM> however, to help the rotatable component <NUM> better accommodate/grip the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in use, as noted above the rotatable component <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments may be provided with the recess <NUM> for accommodating at least a portion of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>, such as (but not limited to) the first portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. Such a recess <NUM> is best shown in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

In embodiments where the recess <NUM> is employed, it may be seen that the recess <NUM> may be located proximal the vaporiser <NUM> such to accommodate the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> in a position which is proximal to the vaporiser <NUM>. With respect to this positioning as well, in accordance with some embodiments where the rotatable component <NUM> comprises the fluid outlet tube <NUM>, it may be seen that in accordance with some embodiments thereof, the fluid outlet tube <NUM> may at least partly define the recess <NUM>. This can be seen for instance with reference to <FIG>, where the recess is shown located at a first end 26A of the fluid outlet tube <NUM>.

In so far as any such first end 26A of the fluid outlet tube <NUM> is employed, it may be seen that in some cases, this first end 26A may be located closer to the vaporiser <NUM> than the first end 26A is located to the outlet <NUM> or mouthpiece <NUM>. Put differently, the fluid outlet tube <NUM> may comprise a second end 26B defining the outlet <NUM> or mouthpiece <NUM>, wherein the second end 26B is located opposite the first end 26A. Or put yet differently still, the recess <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments may be located between the vaporiser <NUM> and any provided outlet <NUM>/mouthpiece <NUM>.

With respect to the exact shape and/or geometry of any provided recess <NUM>, this may appreciably depend on the shape of the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> which the recess <NUM> is configured to accommodate. In this respect for instance, the recess <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments may be elongate, and/or may be configured to have a semi circular cross-section (as shown in the embodiment from <FIG>) such to accommodate or grip a cylindrical aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>.

For completeness, it will be appreciated that where such a rotatable component <NUM> is employed, the rotatable component <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments may be employed in embodiments such as those illustrated schematically with reference to <FIG>, such that the rotatable component <NUM> may be configured to move between the first configuration and the second configuration in response to a signal from the controller <NUM>, and which in accordance with some yet narrower embodiments may be used alongside the user interface <NUM> and/or the actuator <NUM>, connected to the controller <NUM>, for controlling the generation of the signal as described previously.

Mindful of the above, it may be seen that there has at least been described an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system and a second configuration of the aerosol provision system, wherein the rotatable component in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

There has also been described an aerosol provision cartridge comprising an aerosolisable material transport element for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision cartridge further comprises a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision cartridge and a second configuration of the aerosol provision cartridge, wherein the rotatable component in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

Also described herein is a method of controlling the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material in an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element and a rotatable component comprising a recess for accommodating a first portion of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the method comprises moving the rotatable component between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system and a second configuration from the aerosol provision system, wherein the second configuration the rotatable component is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element.

There has also been described an aerosol provision system <NUM> comprising an aerosolisable material transport element <NUM> for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system <NUM> further comprises a rotatable component <NUM> comprising a recess <NUM> for accommodating a first portion <NUM> of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component <NUM> is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system <NUM> and a second configuration of the aerosol provision system <NUM>, wherein the rotatable component <NUM> in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>. The rotatable component <NUM> may in some cases comprise a fluid outlet tube <NUM> for receiving vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element <NUM>.

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

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

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

Claim 1:
An aerosol provision system comprising an aerosolisable material transport element (<NUM>) for receiving aerosolisable material to be vaporised, wherein the aerosol provision system further comprises a rotatable component (<NUM>) comprising a recess (<NUM>) for accommodating a first portion (<NUM>) of the aerosolisable material transport element, wherein the rotatable component (<NUM>) is configured to move between a first configuration of the aerosol provision system and a second configuration of the aerosol provision system, wherein the rotatable component (<NUM>) in the second configuration is configured for restricting the formation of vaporised aerosolisable material from the aerosolisable material transport element (<NUM>).