Patent Description:
Aerosol provision devices are known. Common devices use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often suitable media require significant levels of heating prior to generating an aerosol for inhalation. Similarly, current devices offer users a large variety in the media from which inhalable aerosol can be generated. <CIT> discloses a multi-chamber vaporizer. <CIT> discloses a vaporizer system and a method for controlling the system. <CIT> discloses an inhaler apparatus. <CIT> discloses an electrical lighter with a rotatable tobacco supply. <CIT> discloses a vaporizer for vaporizing an active ingredient. <CIT> discloses an aerosol-generating device with a helix-shaped heater. <CIT> discloses devices and systems for dispensing volatile materials. <CIT> discloses a heating device for heating a cigarette. <CIT> discloses an aerosol generating device for an e-cigarette.

Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate at least some of the issues discussed above.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments not forming part of the present invention, there is disclosed a consumable part for an aerosol provision system.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means comprising: aerosol generating means; and heating means, wherein the heating means is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating means to form an aerosol, wherein the source of aerosol generating means is configured to move within the device between a first position in which the aerosol generating means is positioned a first distance from the source of energy for heating and is heated by the heating means and a second position in which the aerosol generating means is positioned at a second distance from the heating means, wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of generating an aerosol in an aerosol provision system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision device as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which like parts are depicted by like reference numerals:.

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

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

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an aerosol provision system <NUM>. The system (occasionally referred to as device herein) <NUM> has a source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> (which comprises or consists of aerosol generating medium) within the device <NUM>. The device <NUM> has a source of energy for heating <NUM> (occasionally referred to as a heater) configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol. The source <NUM> is configured to move within the device <NUM> between a second position (stowed position) <NUM> away from the heater <NUM> and a first position (aerosol generating position) <NUM> in which the source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> is in contact with the source of energy for heating <NUM> (or heater). The heater <NUM> may be configured to heat the aerosol generating medium either directly or indirectly.

The source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> may include aerosol generating medium in the form of portions or doses <NUM> of aerosol generating medium. The terms portion and dose may be used interchangeably throughout this description. It is intended to mean a part of the whole aerosol generating medium.

The source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> may take any suitable form or construction. In one embodiment, the source of aerosol generating medium may include a substrate (for example, paper, card, foil) including a first and second side, with the aerosol generating medium disposed on the first side of the substrate. The substrate in this instance may act as a carrier for the aerosol generating medium. In some implementations, the substrate may be, or may include, a metallic element that is arranged to be heated by a varying magnetic field. In such implementations, the source of energy for heating <NUM> may include an induction coil, which, when energised, causes heating within the metallic element of the source <NUM>. The degree of heating may be affected by the distance between the metallic element and the induction coil. In yet further alternative implementations, the source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> may consist entirely (or substantially entirely) of aerosol generating medium (i.e., without a carrier). For the purposes of describing a concrete example, the source <NUM> described herein includes a substrate with aerosol generating medium disposed on the first side of the substrate, while the source of energy for heating <NUM> is herein a resistive heater.

As shown in <FIG>, the source <NUM> may move along a direction shown by arrow A between the stowed position <NUM> and the aerosol generating position <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is a movement-restricted heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> is restricted from moving within the device <NUM> towards the stowed position <NUM>. "Toward" in this context is taken to mean directly towards, rather than in any direction wherein the distance between the heater <NUM> and the stowed position <NUM> is reduced. The heater <NUM> is prevented from moving on an axis, the axis being aligned with the stowed position <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. The axis on which the heater <NUM> is prevented from moving along is indicated by arrow A in <FIG>.

During periods of non-operation of the device <NUM>, the source <NUM> is maintained in the stowed position <NUM>. The stowed position <NUM> may be, as shown in <FIG>, located between two sections of housing of the device <NUM>. The stowed position <NUM> may be a groove or a sheltered cavity or the like within the device <NUM>. The stowed position <NUM> is a protected position within the device <NUM> which may protect the source <NUM> from, for example, being damaged during transit of the device <NUM>. The protection may be provided by elements or features of the housing of the device <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The protection may be provided by sheltering or covering the source <NUM> in some manner, for example by covering a majority of the source <NUM>. There may be only one route into and out of the stowed (second) position <NUM> along the axis of movement of the source <NUM>. In another arrangement (not shown), the device <NUM> may have a door or cover which is closable when the source <NUM> is in the stowed position <NUM> so as to provide a full covering of the source <NUM>. The door may automatically close over the entrance to the stowed position <NUM> when the source <NUM> is moved into the stowed position <NUM> through the entrance to the stowed position <NUM>.

The aerosol generating (first) position <NUM>, shown by a position marked out by a dashed line in <FIG>, is a position wherein the heater <NUM> is able to cause heating of the source <NUM>. The heater <NUM> and source <NUM> may be proximal, adjacent or abutting while in the aerosol generating position <NUM>. The source <NUM> may be arranged downstream, in the context of the flow of air through the device, of the heater <NUM> so that aerosol generated by the heater <NUM> from the source <NUM> flows away from the heater <NUM>. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of aerosol condensing on the heater <NUM> and therefore increases the cleanliness of operation of the device <NUM>. In turn, this increases the lifetime of the heater <NUM> and therefore reduces the cost of maintenance of the device <NUM>.

In the aerosol generating position <NUM> the distance between the aerosol generating medium of the source <NUM> and the source of energy for heating <NUM> may be controlled (kept the same or otherwise) to provide for a more consistent user experience. In an example the aerosol generating medium is positioned at a distance from the source of energy for heating <NUM> within the range of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, to about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. In some cases, there may be a minimum spacing between the source of energy for heating <NUM> and the aerosol generating medium <NUM> of at least about <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. These distances may include the thickness of the substrate of the source <NUM>. In other examples, the source of energy for heating <NUM> and the aerosol generating medium may be in direct contact, therefore at a distance of <NUM>. In implementations where the source of energy for heating <NUM> contacts the source of aerosol generating medium <NUM>, the source of energy for heating <NUM> may actively compress at least a part of the source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> (which may cause a decrease in the thickness of the source of aerosol generating medium <NUM> in the vicinity of the application of the compression force as compared to a non-compressed state). This may further increase the efficiency of thermal transfer.

The source <NUM> may be moved into the aerosol generating position <NUM> prior to or on initiation of a smoking session. The movement of the source <NUM> may be automated or may occur on user request. The automation of the movement of the source <NUM> may be achieved using, for example, a puff detector. Upon detection of a puff by the user, the source <NUM> may be moved from the stowed position <NUM> to the aerosol generating position <NUM>. The device <NUM> may have detectors or sensors located in, for example, the mouthpiece of the device <NUM> such that when the user places the device <NUM> in their mouth, the source <NUM> is moved from the stowed position <NUM> to the aerosol generating position <NUM>. Alternatively, the mouthpiece (or other component connected to the source <NUM>) could be movable so as to affect movement of the source <NUM>. The mouthpiece may have an element, such as a biased member, such as a tensioned spring, which is affected by placement of the mouthpiece into the user's mouth which provides movement, directly or indirectly, to the source <NUM>. The mouthpiece and housing of the device <NUM> may be slidably moveable in relation to one another, such that movement of the mouthpiece directly moves the source <NUM> to abut the heater <NUM>. The device <NUM> may alternatively or additionally have a button, or the like, which a user may press to instruct the movement of the source <NUM> from the stowed position <NUM> to the aerosol generating position <NUM>. Activation of the heater <NUM> may occur prior to, in tandem with, or with a delay from, the movement of the source <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an aerosol provision device <NUM>. Reference numerals indicating the same features as shown in <FIG> are the same as those numerals used in <FIG>. These same features will not be discussed in detail here. <FIG> shows an aerosol provision device <NUM> comprising a heater movement mechanism <NUM>. The source <NUM> shown in <FIG> has a plurality of doses <NUM> of aerosol generating medium. The doses <NUM> may be disposed on the surface of the substrate of the source <NUM> or arranged within the source <NUM>. The heater movement mechanism <NUM> is configured to move the heater <NUM> at least on an axis which, in the example shown in <FIG>, is indicated by the arrows B. The heater movement mechanism <NUM> includes a link <NUM> to the heater <NUM> to facilitate movement of the heater <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be an element which enables movement of the heater <NUM>, such as a shaft which is connected to a motor. The link <NUM> may be a mechanical link <NUM> which may co-operate with other elements such as rails, biased members, or a pulley system to enable movement of the heater <NUM>. The movement of the heater <NUM> is along an axis that is not parallel with the axis along which the source <NUM> may move between the stowed position <NUM> and the aerosol generating position <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be configured to move on an axis that is not aligned with the stowed position <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the arrows A and B are arranged at an angle. In the specific example shown in <FIG>, arrows A and B are set substantially perpendicular to one another.

The heater <NUM> may be moved prior to or on initiation of a smoking session. As discussed above with reference to the source <NUM>, puff detectors or sensors or the like may be used to automate the movement and/or activation of the heater <NUM> so that the heater <NUM> is in a position to provide heat to the source <NUM> as and when such heat is required. Alternatively, the device <NUM> may have a user-activatable button to initiate a smoking sequence which includes moving the heater <NUM> by the movement mechanism <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be moved in a mechanical manner as a result of the mouthpiece being placed into the mouth of the user etc..

The heater <NUM> may be activated prior to movement along the axis shown by arrow B. This activation may occur in response to detection by a puff sensor of initiation of a smoking session or activation of a user-activatable button as described above. The device <NUM> may have a controller to control movement and heating phases, to maximise user experience.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an aerosol provision device <NUM>. Reference numerals indicating the same features as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> are the same as those numerals used in <FIG> and <FIG>. These same features will not be discussed in detail here. <FIG> shows an aerosol provision device <NUM> comprising a source movement mechanism <NUM>. The source movement mechanism <NUM> is configured to move the source <NUM> at least on an axis as indicated in the example of <FIG> by the arrow A. Although not shown explicitly in <FIG>, in this implementation, the source <NUM> may include a planar section or be substantially planar, and movement of the source <NUM> along axis A may include movement of the source along the normal to the planar section of the source <NUM>. That is, the normal to the planar section is parallel, or substantially parallel, to axis A. The source movement mechanism <NUM> includes a link <NUM> to the source <NUM> to enable movement of the source <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be an element which enables movement of the source <NUM>, such as a shaft connected to a motor. The link <NUM> may be a mechanical link <NUM> which may co-operate with other elements such as rails, biased members, or a pulley system to facilitate movement of the source <NUM>.

The source movement mechanism <NUM> is shown, in the example of <FIG>, located in a position which is near both the stowed position <NUM> and the aerosol generating position <NUM>. In an example, the source movement mechanism <NUM> may be positioned in a cavity in which the stowed position <NUM> is located. In another example, the source movement mechanism <NUM> may be positioned near the aerosol generating position <NUM>. The source movement mechanism <NUM> may be arranged on the axis as shown by the arrow A. For example, the source movement mechanism <NUM> may be arranged on an opposite side of the source <NUM> to the aerosol generating position <NUM> along the axis shown by arrow A.

Either heater movement mechanism <NUM> or source movement mechanism <NUM> may be a motor or other driving system or may be a biased member or the like. The mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> may be an arrangement of cams, cogs, bearings, shafts or the like. The movement provided may be consistent in speed or varied in speed. The movement may enable quick movement of the source <NUM> towards the aerosol generating position <NUM>, so as to provide aerosol to a user quickly upon activation, and slow movement to the stowed position <NUM> so that the source <NUM> is carefully stowed. This may assist in prolonging the longevity of the system <NUM> as a result of avoiding mechanical collisions.

The source <NUM> may comprise a single dose of aerosol generating medium or a number of separate doses <NUM> of aerosol generating medium. In implementations with a plurality of doses, each dose <NUM> may be separately heatable to produce a predetermined amount of aerosol per use. The doses <NUM> may be arranged on a substrate so as to be individual and separate within or on the source <NUM> or may overlap or be adjacent (i.e. the different does may comprise different areas of a single region of aerosol generating medium). Each of the plurality of doses <NUM> may be separately heatable using respective ones of a corresponding plurality of heaters <NUM> or by relative translational movement between a heater <NUM> and doses <NUM> of aerosol generating medium to align different doses <NUM> with the heater <NUM> at different times.

<FIG> shows a schematic view of four source <NUM> and heater <NUM> combinations. The example shown in <FIG> shows a rectangular source <NUM> and a rectangular heater <NUM>.

The view may be a cross-section or a side view of the source <NUM> and heater <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a complementary combination of shapes for the source <NUM> and heater <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may abut the source <NUM> so that air gaps are not present and do not develop between the source <NUM> and heater <NUM> when the source <NUM> is in the aerosol-generating position <NUM>. Air gaps are undesirable as trapped air requires heating prior to heat energy being received by the source <NUM> such that aerosol can be generated. This is an inefficient way to heat the source <NUM> and therefore to be avoid.

<FIG> shows a curved source <NUM> and a complementarily curved heater <NUM>. The source <NUM> is curved in a concave manner, while the heater <NUM> is curved in a convex manner. The contacting surface area on the source <NUM> and heater <NUM> is greater than in the example shown in <FIG>. As such, the heat transferal will be more efficient in the example shown in <FIG>. This reduces the time required for an aerosol to be generated during heating of the source <NUM>. In turn, this improves user experience of the device <NUM>. In other implementations, the source <NUM> may not be curved in a concave manner but when the convex heater <NUM> engages with the source <NUM>, the source <NUM> may be compressed by the convex heater <NUM> to form a concave shape in the source <NUM>.

The radius of curvature for the convex heater <NUM> may be formed relative to one or multiple axes. For example, the heater may be substantially cuboidal with a semi-cylindrical section (i.e., the radius of curvature is formed with respect to one axis (through the longitudinal part) of the heater <NUM>). Alternatively, the heater may be domed or crown shaped (i.e., the radius of curvature is formed with respect to multiple axes). A domed shape for a heater <NUM> improves heat transfer from heater <NUM> to a complementarily-shaped source <NUM>. Furthermore, a circular or domed heater shape offers the advantage of reducing localised areas of stress within the source <NUM> when the heater <NUM> is pressed into the source <NUM> which may cause tearing of the source <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a curved source <NUM> and a complementarily curved heater <NUM> with a different curvature to that shown in <FIG>. The contacting surface area between the heater <NUM> and the source <NUM> is, as with <FIG>, increased with respect to the configuration of <FIG>. As mentioned above, this increases heat transfer and therefore reduces the time required to generate an aerosol from the source <NUM>. Further shapes can be envisaged, however manufacturing complexity should be considered alongside any attempt to simply maximise contacting surface area. Close but deep oscillations of a heater <NUM>, the like of which is shown in <FIG> (iv), could result in very high contact surface area, however this would increase complexity of manufacture and would require high accuracy in alignment of both the heater <NUM> and source <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> can be moved so as to abut and press against, to apply pressure to, the source <NUM> of aerosol generating medium. This further improves heat transfer and slight compression of the source <NUM> further improves heat transfer and therefore efficiency of the device <NUM>. This may increase the lifetime of the battery of the device <NUM>, and can reduce power usage. The arrangement of <FIG> (iv) may be unsuitable for compression of the source <NUM> as the projections on both the heater <NUM> and the source <NUM> will result in concentrated areas stress and may be more prone to fracturing or breaking. Furthermore, misalignment of the projections during movement to the heating could lead to tearing of the source <NUM> or breaking of the heater <NUM>. As mentioned above, a dome shape offers advantages relating to reducing localised areas of stress within the source <NUM> such that greater compression may be used with less risk of damaging the source <NUM> than with other types of complementary shapes. During the compression, the source <NUM> may deform.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a portion of an aerosol provision device <NUM>. Reference numerals indicating the same features as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are the same as those numerals used in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. These same features will not be discussed in detail here. <FIG> shows an aerosol provision device <NUM> comprising an aerosol outlet <NUM> and a flow path illustrated by the arrow <NUM>. The movement of the source <NUM> from stowed position <NUM> to aerosol generating position <NUM> is shown. The stowed position <NUM> is shown to be located in a cavity <NUM> formed by housing elements <NUM>. The movement of the heater <NUM> from a non-contacting position <NUM> to a contacting position <NUM> is also shown. The movements of both the source <NUM> and the heater <NUM>, prior to generating an aerosol, are shown as being substantially towards the aerosol outlet <NUM>.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the flow path <NUM> is reduced by an amount related to the distances moved by the source <NUM> and the heater <NUM>. Reduction of the flow path <NUM> reduces the number of components (or the exposed surface(s) of a given component) on which the generated aerosol can condense. This improves the cleanliness of the functioning of the device <NUM> and increases the lifetime of components on which the aerosol would otherwise land and therefore, in some manner, damage.

In the arrangement shown in <FIG> the source <NUM> is kept in the stowed position <NUM> near the housing of the device <NUM>. The advantage of this arrangement is that it is structurally simple to provide a user with access to the cavity <NUM> in which the source <NUM> is stowed. Once the source <NUM> is depleted, the user may then easily access the cavity <NUM> to remove and replace the depleted source <NUM> with a fresh source <NUM>. The addition of a door to provide access for a user to the cavity <NUM> would be sufficient to achieve this advantage. Such a door may be prevented from being opened during heating periods or periods of movement of the source <NUM> or heater <NUM>, so as to provide a safe user experience.

Furthermore, the heater <NUM> is positioned in the contacting location <NUM> during heating periods. Once no more heat is required to generate an aerosol, the heater <NUM> may be moved to the non-contacting location <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the non-contacting location <NUM> is located further away from the outer of the device <NUM>. This arrangement is advantageous as the heater <NUM> provides no more thermal energy near the housing of the device <NUM> than is required to generate an aerosol from source <NUM>. This movement away from the housing of the device <NUM> ensures that the housing is less likely to get hot following aerosol generation from the source <NUM>. This avoids a situation wherein the housing gets hot which can be very uncomfortable for a user.

The angle between the axes of movement, shown by arrows A and B, for the source <NUM> and the heater <NUM> can be seen in <FIG> to be substantially <NUM>°. In other examples, the angle may be at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, at least <NUM>°, or at least <NUM>°.

The source <NUM> may move or be moved in other directions or dimensions. This movement may be affected by the source movement mechanism <NUM> or a different movement mechanism. In an example the source <NUM> may rotate around an axis. The source <NUM> may rotate around an axis substantially in the direction shown by arrow A. The source <NUM> may rotate around a set angle between each set of movements from the stowed position <NUM> to the aerosol generating position <NUM> and back to the stowed position <NUM>. In this way, a different part of the source <NUM> and, if the source <NUM> comprises a number of doses <NUM>, a different dose <NUM> of the source <NUM> may be presented to the heater <NUM> each time the source <NUM> is moved to the aerosol generating position <NUM>.

The source <NUM> in <FIG> has a number (<NUM>) of doses <NUM> of aerosol generating medium. The source <NUM> may not have any doses <NUM> but rather be a single dose <NUM> itself or otherwise. In some examples, the doses <NUM> may be in the form of blocks or a disc, which may be continuous or discontinuous, disposed on a surface of, or within, the source <NUM>. In other examples, the doses <NUM> may be in the form of an annulus, a ring or any other shape. The source <NUM> may or may not have a rotationally symmetrical distribution of doses <NUM> on the surface of the source <NUM>. A symmetrical distribution of doses <NUM> would enable equivalently positioned doses <NUM> (within the rotationally symmetrical distribution) to receive an equivalent heating profile from the heater <NUM> upon rotation around the axis A, if desired. There is clearly no requirement for a certain distribution of doses <NUM> within or on the source <NUM>.

The device <NUM> may have a plurality of chambers or regions that may or may not be separate from one another. The device <NUM> may have a power chamber (not shown) comprising a power source for supplying power to the source of energy for heating <NUM> and/or the movement mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>. The source of energy for heating <NUM> in the described example is an electrically resistive heater <NUM>. However, in other examples, the source of energy for heating <NUM> may be a chemically activated heater <NUM> which may or may not operate via exothermic reactions or the like. The source of energy for heating <NUM> may be part of an inductive heating system, wherein the source of energy for heating <NUM> is the source of energy for inductive heating and the aerosol forming medium may contain a susceptor or the like. The susceptor may for example be a sheet of aluminium foil or the like. For the purposes of providing a concrete example, the source of energy for heating <NUM> is herein described as a resistive heater, but it should be appreciated that references different heaters or heating system components are envisaged for use in the present device.

The source <NUM> or the doses <NUM> contained within the source <NUM> of aerosol generating medium may comprise at least one of tobacco and glycol and may include 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, cardamon, 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. The doses <NUM> may be separated, adjacent or overlapping.

The aerosol-forming layer described herein comprises an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e. non-fibrous), or as a "dried gel". The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer comprises from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid. In some cases, the aerosol-forming layer consists of amorphous solid.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-50wt% of a gelling agent wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 50wt%, 45wt%, 40wt%, 35wt%, 30wt% or 27wt% of a gelling agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-40wt%, <NUM>-30wt% or <NUM>-27wt% of a gelling agent.

In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more compounds selected from the group comprising alginates, pectins, starches (and derivatives), celluloses (and derivatives), gums, silica or silicones compounds, clays, polyvinyl alcohol and combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the gelling agent comprises one or more of alginates, pectins, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, pullulan, xanthan gum guar gum, carrageenan, agarose, acacia gum, fumed silica, PDMS, sodium silicate, kaolin and polyvinyl alcohol. In some cases, the gelling agent comprises alginate and/or pectin, and may be combined with a setting agent (such as a calcium source) during formation of the amorphous solid. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a calcium-crosslinked alginate and/or a calcium-crosslinked pectin.

Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, or 20wt% to about 80wt%, 70wt%, 60wt%, 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% 40wt%, or 35wt% of an aerosol generating agent (all calculated on a dry weight basis). The aerosol generating agent may act as a plasticiser. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-60wt%, <NUM>-50wt% or <NUM>-40wt% of an aerosol generating agent. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent comprises one or more compound selected from erythritol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol and xylitol. In some cases, the aerosol generating agent comprises, consists essentially of or consists of glycerol. The inventors have established that if the content of the plasticiser is too high, the amorphous solid may absorb water resulting in a material that does not create an appropriate consumption experience in use. The inventors have established that if the plasticiser content is too low, the amorphous solid may be brittle and easily broken. The plasticiser content specified herein provides an amorphous solid flexibility which allows the amorphous solid sheet to be wound onto a bobbin, which is useful in manufacture of aerosol generating articles.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise a flavour. Suitably, the amorphous solid may comprise up to about 60wt%, 50wt%, 40wt%, 30wt%, 20wt%, 10wt% or 5wt% of a flavour. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise at least about <NUM>. 5wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, 5wt% 10wt%, 20wt% or 30wt% of a flavour (all calculated on a dry weight basis). For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-60wt%, <NUM>-50wt% or <NUM>-40wt% of a flavour. In some cases, the flavour (if present) comprises, consists essentially of or consists of menthol. In some cases, the amorphous solid does not comprise a flavour.

In some cases, the amorphous solid additionally comprises a tobacco material and/or nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may additionally comprise powdered tobacco and/or nicotine and/or a tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of a tobacco material and/or nicotine.

In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises a tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-60wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of tobacco extract. In some cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt% or 25wt% to about 55wt%, 50wt%, 45wt% or 40wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) tobacco extract. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-60wt%, <NUM>-55wt% or <NUM>-55wt% of tobacco extract. The tobacco extract may contain nicotine at a concentration such that the amorphous solid comprises 1wt% <NUM>. 5wt%, 2wt% or <NUM>. 5wt% to about 6wt%, 5wt%, <NUM>. 5wt% or 4wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. In some cases, there may be no nicotine in the amorphous solid other than that which results from the tobacco extract.

In some embodiments the amorphous solid comprises no tobacco material but does comprise nicotine. In some such cases, the amorphous solid may comprise from about 1wt%, 2wt%, 3wt% or 4wt% to about 20wt%, 15wt%, 10wt% or 5wt% (calculated on a dry weight basis) of nicotine. For example, the amorphous solid may comprise <NUM>-20wt% or <NUM>-5wt% of nicotine.

In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavour may be at least about 1wt%, 5wt%, 10wt%, 20wt%, 25wt% or 30wt%. In some cases, the total content of tobacco material, nicotine and flavour may be less than about 70wt%, 60wt%, 50wt% or 40wt% (all calculated on a dry weight basis).

In some embodiments, the amorphous solid is a hydrogel and comprises less than about 20wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis. In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise less than about 15wt%, 12wt% or <NUM> wt% of water calculated on a wet weight basis (WWB). In some cases, the hydrogel may comprise at least about 2wt% or at least about 5wt% of water (WWB).

The amorphous solid may be made from a gel, and this gel may additionally comprise a solvent, included at <NUM>-50wt%. However, the inventors have established that the inclusion of a solvent in which the flavour is soluble may reduce the gel stability and the flavour may crystallise out of the gel. As such, in some cases, the gel does not include a solvent in which the flavour is soluble.

The amorphous solid comprises less than 20wt%, suitably less than 10wt% or less than 5wt% of a filler. The filler may comprise one or more inorganic filler materials, such as calcium carbonate, perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, colloidal silica, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulphate, magnesium carbonate, and suitable inorganic sorbents, such as molecular sieves. The filler may comprise one or more organic filler materials such as wood pulp, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. In some cases, the amorphous solid comprises less than 1wt% of a filler, and in some cases, comprises no filler. In particular, in some cases, the amorphous solid comprises no calcium carbonate such as chalk.

In some cases, the amorphous solid may consist essentially of, or consist of a gelling agent, an aerosol generating agent, a tobacco material and/or a nicotine source, water, and optionally a flavour.

In the examples above, the source <NUM> may have a base or coating or the like, which is substantially impermeable to aerosol. This arrangement may encourage the aerosol generated from heating of the source <NUM> of aerosol generating medium to flow away from the heater <NUM> and along the flow path <NUM> towards the outlet <NUM>. This can help reduce the likelihood of condensation of aerosol within the device <NUM> and, as mentioned above, therefore increases both the cleanliness and lifetime of the device <NUM>. The base may be formed of at least one of materials such as nicotine-containing material, tobacco, or tobacco derivative or the like.

The substrate of the source <NUM> may be impermeable to aerosol or may be porous such that the aerosol generating medium may be located in the pores of the substrate <NUM>. In an example, the substrate of the source <NUM> may have permeable and impermeable portions. Permeable portions may be located in portions wherein it is desirable to have aerosol pass through the substrate, such as to allow flow through the substrate of the source <NUM> and towards the outlet of the device <NUM>. Impermeable portions may be located in portions wherein it is desirable to prevent aerosol flowing towards the source of energy for heating <NUM>.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision device comprising: a source of aerosol generating medium; and a heater; wherein the heater is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium to form an aerosol; wherein the source is configured to move within the device between a stowed position away (remote) from the heater and an aerosol generating position in which the source of aerosol generating medium is in contact with the heater.

The aerosol provision system may be used in a tobacco industry product, for example a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product comprises one or more components of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a heater and an aerosolizable substrate.

In one embodiment, the aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette also known as a vaping device.

In one embodiment the electronic cigarette comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a liquid or gel, a housing and optionally a mouthpiece.

In one embodiment the aerosolizable substrate is contained in or on a substrate container. In one embodiment the substrate container is combined with or comprises the heater.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a heating product which releases one or more compounds by heating, but not burning, a substrate material. The substrate material is an aerosolizable material which may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the heating device product is a tobacco heating product.

In one embodiment, the heating product is an electronic device.

In one embodiment, the tobacco heating product comprises a heater, a power supply capable of supplying power to the heater, an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material.

In one embodiment the heating product is a non-electronic article.

In one embodiment the heating product comprises an aerosolizable substrate such as a solid or gel material, and a heat source which is capable of supplying heat energy to the aerosolizable substrate without any electronic means, such as by burning a combustion material, such as charcoal.

In one embodiment the heating product also comprises a filter capable of filtering the aerosol generated by heating the aerosolizable substrate.

In some embodiments the aerosolizable substrate material may comprise an aerosol or aerosol generating agent or a humectant, such as glycerol, propylene glycol, triacetin or diethylene glycol.

In one embodiment, the tobacco industry product is a hybrid system to generate aerosol by heating, but not burning, a combination of substrate materials. The substrate materials may comprise for example solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. In one embodiment, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel substrate and tobacco.

Claim 1:
An aerosol provision system (<NUM>) comprising:
aerosol generating medium (<NUM>);
a source of energy for heating (<NUM>), wherein the source of energy for heating (<NUM>) is configured to cause heating of the aerosol generating medium (<NUM>) to form an aerosol; and
a first movement mechanism (<NUM>);
wherein the first movement mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to move the aerosol generating medium (<NUM>) within the system along a first axis, wherein the first axis extends between a first position in which the aerosol generating medium (<NUM>) is positioned a first distance from the source of energy for heating (<NUM>) and is heated by the source of energy for heating (<NUM>) and a second position in which the aerosol generating medium (<NUM>) is positioned at a second distance from the source of energy for heating (<NUM>), wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance, wherein the aerosol generating medium (<NUM>) moves along the first axis between said first and second positions;
characterised in that the aerosol provision system (<NUM>) comprises a second movement mechanism (<NUM>) configured to move the source of energy for heating (<NUM>) at least on a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis.