Patent Description:
Aerosol provision systems are known. Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from an aerosol generating material which is then inhaled by a user. The aerosol generating material from which the aerosol is generated is consumed during use of the aerosol provision system. When an aerosol generating material is heated, the aerosol generating material may change structurally. Over time such structural changes may reduce the user experience of the aerosol provision system, by virtue of changing flavours or increasing difficulty of use as the aerosol generating material is depleted. Modern systems often use a predetermined time period of active use of a system to indicate depletion of aerosol generating material within the system. At this point, the aerosol generating material may be removed or the device replaced. This can lead to increase cost of use of such a device.

The present invention is directed toward solving some of the above problems.

<CIT> discloses an aerosol delivery device and method. <CIT> discloses aerosol devices having compartmentalized materials. <CIT> discloses an electrically operated aerosol-generating system with a temperature sensor.

Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device; and, an aerosol generating component, the aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; and, a controller, the aerosol provision device being configured for engagement with the aerosol generating component, the aerosol generating component comprising: an aerosol generator for, in use, generating an aerosol; and, a pod downstream of the aerosol generator, wherein the controller of the aerosol provision device is configured to monitor a lifetime of the pod and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod over its lifetime.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; a controller; and, an aerosol generating component receiving portion, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured for receiving an aerosol generating component in the aerosol generating component receiving portion, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor a lifetime of the aerosol generating component and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the aerosol generating component over its lifetime.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of providing an aerosol comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a controller; providing an aerosol generating component comprising a pod; engaging the aerosol generating component with the aerosol provision device; providing an aerosol; and, monitoring, with the controller, a lifetime of the pod and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod over its lifetime.

In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided aerosol provision means comprising: an aerosol provision device; and, an aerosol generating component, the aerosol provision device comprising: power means; and, control means, the aerosol provision device being configured for engagement with the aerosol generating component, the aerosol generating component comprising: aerosol generating means for, in use, generating an aerosol; and, a pod downstream of the aerosol generating means, wherein the control means of the aerosol provision device is configured to monitor a lifetime of the pod and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod over its lifetime.

The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figure:.

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. 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. 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.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The aerosol provision system <NUM> has an aerosol provision device <NUM> and an aerosol generating component <NUM>. The aerosol provision device <NUM> has a power source <NUM> and a controller <NUM>. The aerosol provision device <NUM> is configured for engagement with the aerosol generating component <NUM>. The aerosol generating component <NUM> has an aerosol generator <NUM> for generating an aerosol in use. The aerosol generating component <NUM> also has a pod <NUM> downstream of the aerosol generator <NUM>. The controller <NUM> of the aerosol provision device <NUM> is configured to monitor a lifetime of the pod <NUM> and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> over its lifetime.

The controller <NUM> may monitor the lifetime of the pod <NUM> by detecting the number of uses (e.g. puffs including length of puff for example) of the aerosol provision system <NUM> while the pod <NUM> has been active. The controller <NUM> may also detect the temperature at which the pod <NUM> is heated during periods of use. Higher temperatures may lead to a more rapid depletion of aerosol generating material and therefore a shorter lifetime for the pod <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> of its lifetime in a passive and/or active manner. In an example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to determine a temperature at the pod <NUM>. This may be as a result of a thermal detector or sensor or the like which provides a reading of the temperature (or an associated characteristic) at the pod <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may inform a user of the temperature of the pod <NUM>. The user may then decide to alter the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM>. The user may be able to control the temperature at which the aerosol provision system <NUM> operates (herein referred to as "operating temperature"). This may be via a user interface on the aerosol provision system <NUM>, which may be electrical, or via a more mechanical manner such as changing the position of elements within the aerosol provision system <NUM>. In this way, the controller <NUM> may passively facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> over its lifetime.

The controller <NUM> may actively facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> by, in an example, detecting the temperature of the pod <NUM> and providing a signal which results in an alteration of the temperature of the pod <NUM>. This may be predetermined via a lookup table of suitable temperatures or the like. The controller <NUM> may optionally or additionally provide a signal which results in an alteration of the position of the pod <NUM> within the aerosol provision system <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may control the heat profile produced in the system <NUM>. This heat profile may be provided by the aerosol generator <NUM> or heaters/heating elements in the system <NUM>.

The aerosol provision system <NUM> shown in the example of <FIG> has an outlet for aerosol to exit the system <NUM>. The aerosol generated by the aerosol generator <NUM> may flow past the pod <NUM> and through outlet <NUM> and then through outlet <NUM> to exit the aerosol provision system <NUM>. A user may then inhale the aerosol provided. An outlet (or series of outlets) may enable fluid communication between the aerosol generator <NUM> of the aerosol provision system <NUM> and the environment external to the aerosol provision system <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The example of <FIG> is similar to the example of <FIG>. Where similar components are shown in both <FIG> and <FIG>, the numerals on <FIG> used to refer to the similar component from <FIG> have been increased by <NUM> for simplicity. For efficiency, these components may not be discussed in detail again here.

The aerosol provision system <NUM> has a region A within the aerosol provision system <NUM>. In the example shown, the pod <NUM> is contained within the region A. The temperature of the region A will be indicative of the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> within region A. As such, controlling the temperature at the region A in which the pod <NUM> is located allows the controller <NUM> to control the temperature applied to the pod <NUM>. The pod <NUM> may contain a flavour. The flavour may be aerosolisable such that heating the flavour produces an aerosol for inhalation.

The flavour may be distributed evenly within the pod <NUM>. Flavour located closer to the external surface of the pod <NUM> will be affected by the thermal energy provided to the region A more early in the lifetime of the pod <NUM> than the flavour located deeper into the pod <NUM>. Once the flavour closer to the external surface of the pod <NUM> has been depleted or in some other way used up, it is necessary to provide thermal energy to the flavour located more towards the centre of the pod <NUM>. This portion of the flavour of the pod <NUM> may be referred to herein as the "deeper flavour" or "more centrally located flavour". A way to provide thermal energy to the more centrally located flavour is to increase the total thermal energy so that the thermal energy is able to penetrate further into the pod <NUM> to provide aerosolised particles from the flavour. This can be controlled by the controller <NUM> modulating the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM>. This is likely, in use, to be increasing the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM>.

In an example, the aerosol generator <NUM> provides an aerosol that entrains compounds from the flavour in the pod <NUM>. The thermal energy provided to the pod <NUM> may be provided by the temperature of the aerosol generated in the aerosol generator <NUM>. As such, the thermal energy of the aerosol in the region A is the thermal energy that may be transmitted to the pod <NUM>. It is not likely that all the thermal energy in the region A will be transferred to the pod <NUM>. Therefore, the controller <NUM> may modulate the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> by controlling the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol generator <NUM>. This may involve operating a heater or the like at a higher temperature when generating the aerosol.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The example of <FIG> is similar to the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>. Where similar components are shown in both <FIG> and <FIG>, the numerals on <FIG> used to refer to the similar component from <FIG> have been increased by <NUM> for simplicity. For efficiency, these components may not be discussed in detail again here.

The controller <NUM> of the aerosol provision system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is connected to a sensing element <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> may be part of the controller <NUM> or separate. The sensing element <NUM> is connected to the controller <NUM> such that the sensing element <NUM> can send signals to the controller <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> may send signals in relation to temperature, resistance and/or position. The sensing element <NUM> may detect when the pod <NUM> is provided into the system <NUM> and provide a signal to the controller <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> may provide a signal to the controller <NUM> when the aerosol generating component <NUM> is engaged within the device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may detect an electrical connection between the aerosol provision device <NUM> and an aerosol generating component <NUM> within the system <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> may be in a wired or wireless connection to the controller <NUM>.

The system <NUM> may be a modular system <NUM> with the sensing element <NUM> detecting when the aerosol generating component <NUM> is connected to the aerosol provision device <NUM>. Alternatively, the system <NUM> may be integral and the pod <NUM> may be inserted into the aerosol generating component <NUM>. This insertion may be detected by the sensing element <NUM>. In this way, the controller <NUM> may be informed when the pod <NUM> is first introduced into the system <NUM> and therefore from when to document the lifetime of the pod <NUM>. The lifetime, as discussed above, will depend on usage.

In an example, the sensing element <NUM> is a temperature sensor or detector. The temperature sensor <NUM> observes the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> in the region A and sends this measurement to the controller <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can facilitate modulation of this temperature over the lifetime of the pod <NUM>. The temperature sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature for example via IR radiation, use of thermocouples or the like.

Different users may have different usage characteristics (number of puffs in a session, regularity of sessions in a day, amount of aerosol desired etc.) and so a controller <NUM> for one user system <NUM> may control temperature differently from a controller <NUM> for a second user system <NUM>. This provides a bespoke performance on a user by user basis.

In an example, that the controller <NUM> may signal an increase in the temperature by around <NUM>% when <NUM>% into the expected lifetime of the pod <NUM> (based on user usage). Once <NUM>% of the expected lifetime of the pod <NUM> has expired, the controller <NUM> may signal an increase in the temperature by around <NUM>%. The controller <NUM> may be fed back information on the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> by the temperature sensor <NUM> and so modulate the temperature signals accordingly. This may enable (on a predetermined basis) the deeper flavour to be accessed, and so released into the aerosol, later in the lifetime of the pod <NUM>.

In an example, the temperature signal from the controller <NUM> is sent to the aerosol generator <NUM> and the aerosol generator <NUM> increases the temperature of the heater used to generate the aerosol. If this aerosol does not efficiently carry thermal energy to the pod <NUM>, the temperature sensor <NUM> may detect this and signal to the controller <NUM> accordingly. The controller <NUM> may then provide a further instruction to increase the temperature of the heater used to generate the aerosol to the aerosol generator <NUM>. This loop may continue until the desired temperature is achieved at the pod <NUM>.

In an example, the sensing element <NUM> is a position sensor. The position sensor <NUM> may detect orientation and position (absolute and/or relative) data about the pod <NUM>. This may be via an optical sensor (e.g. camera) or the like. The position sensor <NUM> may send signals to the controller <NUM> which in turn sends a signal to control a modulation in the relative positions of the pod <NUM> and the aerosol generator <NUM>. By moving the aerosol generator <NUM> closer to the pod <NUM>, the aerosol produced by the aerosol generator <NUM> will lose less thermal energy prior to reaching the pod <NUM>. In this way, the pod <NUM> may be provided with greater thermal energy.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The example of <FIG> is similar to the examples of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Where similar components are shown in both <FIG> and <FIG>, the numerals on <FIG> used to refer to the similar component from <FIG> have been increased by <NUM> for simplicity. For efficiency, these components may not be discussed in detail again here.

The aerosol provision system <NUM> shown in <FIG> has a mechanical element <NUM>. The mechanical element <NUM> may be arranged to provide relative movement between the pod <NUM> and the aerosol generator <NUM>. The mechanical element <NUM> may be arranged to provide relative movement between the pod <NUM> and the direction of flow of aerosol generated in use by the aerosol generator <NUM>. By moving the pod <NUM> towards the aerosol generator <NUM> or towards the flow of aerosol flowing towards the pod <NUM>, the pod <NUM> will experience a hotter aerosol, as the aerosol will have had less time to lose energy while approaching the pod <NUM>. This is as a direct result of reducing the distance over which the aerosol must travel to reach the pod <NUM>.

The mechanical element <NUM> may provide relative movement such as any of linear movement, indexed movement or rotational movement. The mechanical element <NUM> may be or include any of a pusher system, a Geneva wheel or a spinning disk or the like. The mechanical element <NUM> may be mechanically linked to the aerosol generator <NUM> and/or the pod <NUM>. The mechanical element <NUM> may therefore alter the relative positions of the aerosol generator <NUM> and the pod <NUM>.

In an example, the controller <NUM> receives an indication that the pod <NUM> has been inserted into region A. The controller <NUM> can therefore detect the usage on the pod <NUM> through the lifetime of the pod <NUM>. Using predetermined measurements of number of puffs and intensity of puffs, the controller <NUM> may control the temperature in the region A to provide flavour accordingly (as the pod ages, higher temperatures are needed to access deeper flavour). Later in the lifetime of the pod <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may receive readings from the sensing element <NUM> that the temperature is not sufficient to access the deeper flavour. The controller <NUM> then provides a signal to the aerosol generator <NUM> to provide aerosol at a higher temperature. The controller <NUM> may receive a signal from the sensing element <NUM> that this temperature increase is sufficient. Later in the lifetime of the pod <NUM>, this aerosol temperature may no longer be sufficient. The controller <NUM> may opt to send another signal to the aerosol generator <NUM> to increase the temperature but the controller <NUM> may also or alternatively send a signal to the mechanical element <NUM> to move the pod <NUM> relative to the aerosol generator <NUM>. This may advantageously remove or decrease the need for the aerosol generator <NUM> from operating at an overly high temperature. As such, in combination the controller <NUM>, aerosol generator <NUM> and the mechanical element <NUM> provide a flexible system for controlling the temperature at the pod <NUM> while protecting the lifetime of components within the system <NUM>. This comes from not over-working e.g. the aerosol generator <NUM>.

The mechanical element <NUM> may rotate the pod <NUM> so as to change the portion of the pod <NUM> that faces the aerosol generator <NUM>. The portion of the pod <NUM> which is facing the aerosol generator <NUM> will receive a greater proportion of the heat of the aerosol from the aerosol generator <NUM> than the portion of the pod facing away from the aerosol generator <NUM>. As such, the flavour in the pod <NUM> may be depleted more quickly on one side than another of the pod <NUM>. To maintain an even level of depletion, the pod <NUM> may be rotated by the mechanical element <NUM>. This prevents overheating of one side of the flavour; overheating of a flavour may lead to undesirable compounds or aromas being produced.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The example of <FIG> is similar to the examples of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Where similar components are shown in both <FIG> and <FIG>, the numerals on <FIG> used to refer to the similar component from <FIG> have been increased by <NUM> for simplicity. For efficiency, these components may not be discussed in detail again here.

The aerosol provision system <NUM> has a heating element or heater <NUM> for providing heat to the pod <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may be any of a resistive heater, inductive heater, chemical heater or the like. The controller <NUM> controls the heat delivery of the heater <NUM> to the pod <NUM>. The heater <NUM> may provide additional heat directly to the pod <NUM> and so reduce the requirement of the thermal energy of the aerosol from the aerosol generator <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> may signal to the controller <NUM> that further heat is required and the controller <NUM> may activate the heater <NUM>. This will reduce the electrical strain on the aerosol generator <NUM>. Use of the heater <NUM> also allows heat to be provided more specifically and accurately to the pod <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, an aerosol provision system <NUM> is shown. The example of <FIG> is similar to the examples of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Where similar components are shown in both <FIG> and <FIG>, the numerals on <FIG> used to refer to the similar component from <FIG> have been increased by <NUM> for simplicity. For efficiency, these components may not be discussed in detail again here.

The aerosol provision system <NUM> has a heater movement mechanism <NUM> arranged to provide relative movement of the heater <NUM> to the pod <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is arranged to control the heater movement mechanism <NUM>. In an example, the controller <NUM> detects the aerosol provision device <NUM> and an aerosol generating component <NUM> are engaged. The controller <NUM> notes the usage of the system <NUM> and therefore the age of the pod <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is informed of a temperature in the region A and, based on the age of the pod <NUM>, signals for an increase in temperature of the region A. This may occur by increasing the temperature of the aerosol produced by the aerosol generator <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, this may occur by moving the pod <NUM> (and therefore region A) towards the aerosol generator <NUM> or by activating (or increasing the temperature of) the heater <NUM>. When the controller <NUM> wishes for a further increase of temperature the controller <NUM> may move the heater <NUM> and pod <NUM> closer to one another through activation of the heater movement mechanism <NUM>. The heater movement mechanism <NUM> may move the heater <NUM>, the pod <NUM> or both. In this way, the controller <NUM> can precisely control the temperature provided to the pod <NUM>.

The provision of these components provides the controller <NUM> with a great level of control over the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM>. This allows precise temperatures to be provided such that the precise amount of flavour may be accessed at a precise lifetime of the pod <NUM>. This increases the user experience of the system <NUM> and prevents the pod <NUM> from providing an undesired amount of flavour to the aerosol during use.

In an example, the pod <NUM> may contain multiple flavours which are released at different temperatures. The great level of control over the temperature experienced by the pod <NUM> allows the controller <NUM> to accurately deliver one flavour and not another according to user preference.

The heater movement mechanism <NUM> may be arranged to move the heater <NUM> relative to the pod <NUM> so that the heater <NUM> directs heat towards different portions of the pod <NUM> over the lifetime of the pod <NUM>. This assists in a more even depletion of the flavour within the pod <NUM>. As explained above, this helps prevent overheating of one side of the flavour over another side. In combination with the other heating and movement elements, the controller <NUM> of the system <NUM> can provide a bespoke heating profile over the lifetime of the pod <NUM> so as to controllably release the flavour at different depths in the pod <NUM>. The sensing element <NUM> allows for checking of this heating profile and allows feedback on the profile allowing for amendment of the profile should it be needed.

In any of the above examples, the system may further have a puff detector to enable detection of system usage. This may be signalled to the controller which may retain usage statistics for use in calculating what temperature to provide to the pod.

In any of the above examples, the controller (which may be control circuitry) may be connected to a database for determining when certain predetermined values are exceeded or are outside of predetermined ranges (such as temperatures used in relation to the remaining lifetime of the pod). This may lead to an amendment of the temperature experienced by the pod by any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, 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 tobacco heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system.

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. Each of the aerosolisable materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. 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.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device. However, it is envisaged that articles which themselves comprise a means for powering an aerosol generating component may themselves form the non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source.

In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an aerosolisable material, an aerosol generating component, an aerosol generating area, a mouthpiece, and/or an area for receiving aerosolisable material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component is a heater capable of interacting with the aerosolisable material so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosolisable material to form an aerosol.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosolisable material. Aerosolisable material, which also may be referred to herein as aerosol generating material, is material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosolisable material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine and/or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may comprise an "amorphous solid", which may alternatively be referred to as a "monolithic solid" (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosolisable material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosolisable material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more carrier constituents 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, or any other suitable constituent. 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.

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, cooling agents, heating agents, 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 flavour comprises 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.

In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosolisable material or an area for receiving aerosolisable material. In some embodiments, the article for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a mouthpiece. The area for receiving aerosolisable material may be a storage area for storing aerosolisable material. For example, the storage area may be a reservoir. In some embodiments, the area for receiving aerosolisable material may be separate from, or combined with, an aerosol generating area.

Thus there has been described an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device; and, an aerosol generating component, the aerosol provision device comprising: a power source; and, a controller, the aerosol provision device being configured for engagement with the aerosol generating component, the aerosol generating component comprising: an aerosol generator for, in use, generating an aerosol; and, a pod downstream of the aerosol generator, wherein the controller of the aerosol provision device is configured to monitor a lifetime of the pod and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod over its lifetime.

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:
an aerosol provision device (<NUM>); and,
an aerosol generating component (<NUM>),
the aerosol provision device comprising:
a power source (<NUM>); and,
a controller (<NUM>),
the aerosol provision device being configured for engagement with the aerosol generating component,
the aerosol generating component comprising:
an aerosol generator (<NUM>) for, in use, generating an aerosol; and,
a pod (<NUM>) downstream of the aerosol generator,
characterised in that the controller of the aerosol provision device is configured to monitor a lifetime of the pod and to facilitate modulation of the temperature experienced by the pod over its lifetime.