Patent Description:
Aerosol provision systems such as e-cigarettes generally contain, amongst other parts, an aerosol provision cartridge which comprises a reservoir of an aerosol precursor material, such as a source liquid, typically including nicotine, from which an aerosol is generated, e.g. through vaporisation or other means. The aerosol provision cartridge may also comprise an aerosol generating component, such as a heater, which is fluidly connected to the aerosol precursor material contained in the reservoir. When a user inhales on the device, the aerosol generating component is activated to vaporise an amount of the aerosol precursor material. More particularly, such devices are usually provided with one or more air inlet holes located away from a mouthpiece of the system. When a user sucks on the mouthpiece, air is drawn in through the inlet holes and past the aerosol generating component. There is a flow path connecting between the aerosol generating component and an opening in the mouthpiece so that air drawn past the aerosol generating component continues along the flow path to the mouthpiece opening, carrying some of the aerosol produced from the aerosol generating component with it. The aerosol-carrying air exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece opening for inhalation by the user.

Typical aerosol generating components comprise a heater. The aerosol precursor material is generally arranged within the system such that it can access the aerosol generating component. For example, it may be that the aerosol generating component is a wire which is heated during use of the device. As a result of the contact between the aerosol precursor material and the wire, when the wire is heated during use the aerosol precursor material is vaporised and subsequently condenses into an aerosol which is then inhaled by the user.

The means by which the aerosol precursor material can contact the wire may vary. It is not uncommon for the aerosol precursor material to be held freely in a refillable tank or other refillable storage region, and then directly fed to the heating wire (which may itself include a wick to assist in holding the aerosol precursor material in proximity to the wire).

To inhibit leakage of aerosol precursor material from such a refillable tank or storage region, and also to inhibit inadvertent access to such aerosol precursor material -holding regions by the user, it would be desirable to provide an aerosol provision cartridge which is configured accordingly.

Existing prior art includes <CIT>, which relates to an atomizer for use with vaporizers and electronic cigarettes.

In a first aspect there is provided an aerosol provision cartridge according to claim <NUM>.

In a further aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system according to claim <NUM>.

In yet a further aspect there is provided a method according to claim <NUM>.

The approach described herein is not restricted to specific embodiments such as those set out below, but includes and contemplates any appropriate combinations of features presented herein. For example, an electronic aerosol provision system may be provided in accordance with the approach described herein which includes any one or more of the various features described below as appropriate.

Various embodiments will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings:.

As described above, the present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision cartridge which may form part of an aerosol provision system, such as an e-cigarette. Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" is sometimes used; however, this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapour) provision system, or vapour provision device. Further, term "aerosol provision cartridge" may also be referred to as cartomiser, clearomiser or tank, as such terms are common in the field of aerosol provision systems such as e-cigarettes.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an aerosol / vapour provision system such as an e-cigarette <NUM> in accordance with some embodiments (not to scale). The e-cigarette has a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by dashed line LA, and comprises two main components, namely a body <NUM> and a cartomiser <NUM>. The cartomiser includes an internal chamber containing an aerosol precursor material storage region comprising an aerosol precursor material, which may be a liquid, from which an aerosol is to be generated, and an aerosol generating component. The cartomiser <NUM> further includes a mouthpiece <NUM> having an opening through which a user may inhale the aerosol produced by the aerosol generating component. In this regard, reference to an "aerosol generating component" refers to a component which generates an aerosol either directly or indirectly. For example, where the aerosol generating component is a heater, aerosol precursor material may be evaporated and subsequently condense to form an aerosol.

The aerosol precursor material storage region for the aerosol precursor material may comprise a foam matrix or any other structure, such as a wadding, within a housing for retaining the aerosol precursor material until such time that it is required to be delivered to the aerosol generating component. Alternatively, the aerosol precursor material storage region may simply be a reservoir which an amount of "free liquid" contained therein. The aerosol precursor material storage region is preferably "open" such that it is configured to be re-filled by the user. This "open" configuration can generally be achieved by using a mouthpiece or other component that seals the aerosol precursor material storage region, but which can be opened such that access to the aerosol precursor material storage region is provided.

The aerosol generating component includes a heater for vaporising the aerosol precursor material to form the aerosol. The aerosol generating component may further include a wick or similar facility to transport a small amount of the aerosol precursor material from the storage region to a heating location on or adjacent the heater.

The body <NUM> includes an electrical power source, for example a rechargeable, or replaceable cell or battery, to provide power for the e-cigarette <NUM> and a circuit board for generally controlling the e-cigarette. In use, when the heater receives power from the electrical power source, as controlled by the circuit board, the heater vaporises the aerosol precursor material at the heating location to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece. The aerosol is carried to the mouthpiece along an air channel that connects the aerosol generating region to the mouthpiece opening as a user inhales on the mouthpiece.

In this particular example, the body <NUM> and cartomiser <NUM> are detachable from one another by separating in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis LA, as shown in <FIG>, but are joined together when the device <NUM> is in use by a connection, indicated schematically in <FIG> as 25A and 25B, to provide mechanical and electrical connectivity between the body <NUM> and the cartomiser <NUM>. The electrical connector on the body <NUM> that is used to connect to the cartomiser also serves as a socket for connecting a charging device (not shown) when the body is detached from the cartomiser <NUM>. The other end of the charging device can be plugged into an external power supply, for example a USB socket, to charge or to re-charge the electrical power source in the body of the e-cigarette. In other implementations, a cable may be provided for direct connection between the electrical connector on the body and the external power supply.

In connection with this, in order to allow for connection with the body <NUM> (both mechanically and electrically) the cartomiser <NUM> generally contains one or more metallic components. For example, these components may be screw thread rings, electrodes, or intermediate supporting members (all not shown). When assembled, such metallic components allow for the cartomiser <NUM> to be connected to the body <NUM> in a manner which supports the aerosol generating component in the aerosol generating region, allows for the provision of electrical current to the aerosol generating component, and allows for airflow to travel into the aerosol generating region so that it may collect the vapour/aerosol produced therein and deliver it to the user.

The e-cigarette <NUM> is provided with one or more holes (not shown in <FIG>) for air inlet. These holes connect to an air running passage through above mentioned metallic components of the e-cigarette <NUM> to the mouthpiece <NUM>. The air passage includes a region around the aerosol generating region and a section comprising an air channel connecting from the aerosol generating region to the opening in the mouthpiece.

When a user inhales through the mouthpiece <NUM>, air is drawn into this air passage through the one or more air inlet holes, which are suitably located on the outside of the e-cigarette. This airflow (or the resulting change in pressure) is detected by a pressure sensor (as an example of an input means) that in turn activates the aerosol generating component (heater in this case) to vaporise a portion of the aerosol precursor material to generate the aerosol. The airflow passes through the air passage, and combines with the aerosol in the region around the aerosol generating region, and the resulting aerosol then travels along the air channel connecting from the aerosol generating region to the mouthpiece <NUM> to be inhaled by a user. The cartomiser <NUM> may be detached from the body <NUM> and disposed of when the supply of aerosol precursor material is exhausted (and replaced with another cartomiser if so desired), though preferably the cartomiser is refillable.

It will be appreciated the e-cigarette <NUM> shown in <FIG> is presented by way of example, and various other implementations can be adopted. For example, in some embodiments, the cartomiser <NUM> is provided as two separable components, namely a cartridge comprising the aerosol precursor material storage region and mouthpiece (which can be replaced/refilled when the aerosol precursor material from the reservoir is exhausted), and a vaporiser / aerosol generating component comprising a heater (which is generally retained). In some embodiments, the aerosol generating component may itself be replaceable.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, there is shown an embodiment of cartomiser <NUM>. The cartomiser <NUM> comprises a refillable chamber <NUM> for the aerosol precursor material. The chamber <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and defines a first open end <NUM> forming a first opening <NUM> into the chamber, and defines a second open end <NUM> forming a second opening <NUM> into the chamber. Each of the first and second opening <NUM>;<NUM> allow for the insertion of aerosol precursor material into the chamber as will be described.

An aerosol generating component <NUM> is located inside the chamber <NUM> for vaporising a portion of the aerosol precursor material contained therein, as described in connection with <FIG>.

A first cap <NUM> and a second cap <NUM> respectively cover the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> of the chamber <NUM>. The first cap <NUM> is shown in <FIG> and <FIG> as comprising an orifice <NUM> through which the aerosol generating component <NUM> projects when the first cap <NUM> is coupled to the chamber <NUM>. The second cap <NUM> defines the mouthpiece <NUM> for the cartomiser <NUM>, and is configured to receive the aerosol generated by the aerosol generating component <NUM> for delivery to the user.

In the assembled state shown in <FIG>, aerosol precursor material is configured to be held inside the chamber <NUM> between the first and second end caps <NUM>;<NUM> and around the aerosol generating component <NUM>.

To refill the aerosol precursor material contained inside the chamber <NUM>, at least one of end caps <NUM>;<NUM> is uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>, and the aerosol precursor material then inserted into the chamber through the exposed opening <NUM>;<NUM>.

In some embodiments, to allow for better access to the aerosol generating component <NUM>, the aerosol generating component <NUM> may be removable through at least one of the first and second openings <NUM>;<NUM> when the first cap <NUM> for the first opening <NUM> and the second cap <NUM> for the second opening <NUM> are uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. In other embodiments, the aerosol generating component <NUM> may be removable through each of the first and second openings <NUM>;<NUM> when the first cap <NUM> for the first opening <NUM> and the second cap <NUM> for the second opening <NUM> are uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>.

To inhibit leakage of aerosol precursor material from the chamber <NUM>, each cap <NUM>;<NUM>, when coupled to the chamber, may require at least two different actions, which may in some embodiments be in two different directions, to be uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. In that regard, in the case of the first cap <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first cap <NUM> must be pulled outwardly away from the aerosol generating component <NUM> as a first action A1 from the user in a first linear direction, and then rotated as a second action A2 from the user in a second clockwise direction to be uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. Unless both actions are performed, for instance the user tries to rotate the first cap <NUM> without first pulling it, the first cap <NUM> will not uncouple from the chamber <NUM>.

In the case of the second cap <NUM> for the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second cap <NUM> must be pushed inwardly by the user towards the aerosol generating component <NUM> as a first action A1 in a first linear direction, and then rotated as a second action A2 in a second anti-clockwise direction to be uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. Again, unless both the first and second actions are performed, the second cap <NUM> remains coupled to the chamber <NUM>. Once the first cap <NUM> and the second cap <NUM> are uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>, the aerosol generating component <NUM> can be removed from the chamber <NUM>.

In each of the above cases, it can be seen that the first action required by the user for each cap is different to the second action for the cap (e.g. a pull/push action as the first action followed by a rotation action as the second action). In that regard, the first and second actions are not the same type of action performed twice. In some embodiments, the direction of the first action may also be different to that of the second action (e.g. a linear direction for the first action as opposed to a clockwise/anti-clockwise direction for the second action). In this way, the requirement for all of the caps from the cartomiser <NUM> to each require at least two different actions from the user, and in some embodiments also actions performed in different directions, helps inhibit leakage of aerosol precursor material from the chamber <NUM> by rendering it less likely that the chamber will be accessed if accidentally knocked/touched by the user (e.g. when the cartomiser is located in a pocket of a user).

In some embodiments, the required first and second actions and/or direction of these actions may be indicated by a visual indicia on the cartomiser at an appropriate location to inform the user as to how to uncouple the cap <NUM>;<NUM> from the chamber <NUM>. In the case of the cartomiser <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the visual indicia <NUM> is series of numbered arrows on each cap, wherein the numbered arrows indicate the action and direction for each of the first action and the second action for the cap.

In some embodiments, the at least two actions for the cap for the first opening may be different from the at least two actions for the cap for the second opening, for instance as in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> where the actions for the first cap <NUM> are pull/rotate in contrast with the actions for the second cap <NUM> which are push/rotate.

During use of the cartomiser <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, through the connection 25A/25B, the cartomiser <NUM> is attached to the body <NUM> such that the first cap <NUM> for the first opening abuts the body <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, in this attached position the body <NUM> is configured to push the first cap <NUM> against the first pulling action of the cap, which further reduces the likelihood of the first cap <NUM> being inadvertently opened at the first opening <NUM> during use of the aerosol provision system.

It will be appreciated that any combination of different actions can be used to control the coupling of each of the caps to the chamber <NUM>. For instance, each of the first and second actions for a given cap <NUM>;<NUM> may comprise rotating; pulling; pushing; or unlatching. This list is not exhaustive.

For instance, in one embodiment one of the first and second actions may be an unlatching action, as shown in the embodiment from <FIG>. In this embodiment, the cartomiser <NUM> comprises a latch <NUM> which is biased into engagement with the first cap <NUM>, which is screwed into engagement with the chamber <NUM>. When the latch <NUM> is engaged with the first cap <NUM>, any rotation of the first cap <NUM> will not cause it to uncouple from the chamber <NUM>. Instead, the first cap <NUM> is uncoupled by first unlatching the latch <NUM> out from engagement from the first cap <NUM> as a first action A1 in a first, linear, direction, and then rotating the first cap <NUM> as the second action A2 in a second, clockwise, direction to allow it to uncouple from the chamber <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, a biasing means may be provided for biasing one or more of of the caps towards the position where the cap is coupled to the chamber. In that way, the provision of the biasing means may make it less likely that the cap will become uncoupled if momentarily knocked/touched by the user. As required, the biasing means may be provided between the first cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>, and/or between the second cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>.

An example of such embodiments is illustrated in <FIG>, which is based on the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. There, a first biasing means <NUM> in the form of a first spring is positioned between the first cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>, such that a biasing force from the first biasing means <NUM> acts against the first pulling action required to uncouple the first cap <NUM> from the chamber <NUM>. A second biasing means <NUM> in the form of a second spring is positioned between the second cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM> to similarly provide a biasing force which acts against the first pushing action required to uncouple the second cap <NUM> from the chamber <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in the embodiments of <FIG>, a retaining means <NUM> may be provided for holding the aerosol generating component <NUM> inside the chamber <NUM> even when the first cap <NUM> has been uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. In such embodiments, the retaining means may comprise a shoulder <NUM> which engages an end portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating component <NUM>. The shoulder <NUM> may be disengaged from the end portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating component <NUM> in a number of different configurations, for instance by taking the form of a resilient component which may be deflected outwardly and out from engagement with the end portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating component <NUM>. In another configuration, the shoulder <NUM> may be detachable from the rest of the chamber <NUM>, such to allow the shoulder <NUM> to disengage from the end portion <NUM> of the aerosol generating component <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, there may be provided an alignment mechanism configured to prevent one or more of the caps from being uncoupled from the chamber unless the cap is rotated to a predetermined position with respect to the chamber. An example of such an alignment mechanism is illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>, which is similar to the embodiments of <FIG>. The function of the alignment mechanism is to reduce the likelihood of the chamber being accessed through an accidental uncoupling of the first cap <NUM> or the second cap <NUM> with respect to the chamber <NUM>, by necessitating these caps align at a particular rotational position before they can be uncoupled. The alignment mechanism from the embodiment of <FIG> comprises the second cap <NUM> comprising a first base portion 132A that is rotatable with respect to a mouthpiece portion 132B (which defines the mouthpiece <NUM>) of the second cap <NUM>. In that embodiment, to uncouple the second cap <NUM> from the chamber <NUM>, the second cap <NUM> must be pushed inwardly by the user towards the aerosol generating component <NUM> as a first action A1 in a first linear direction, and then rotated as a second action A2 in a second anti-clockwise direction. In addition, the second cap <NUM> can then only be uncoupled if the base portion 132A and the mouthpiece portion 132B of the second cap <NUM> are rotated to a predetermined position with respect to the chamber <NUM>. To help indicate to the user what the predetermined rotational position is for each portion of the second cap <NUM> with respect to chamber <NUM>, a visual indicia <NUM> may be provided on (each portion of) the cap <NUM> as required, as shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the alignment mechanism may comprise at least one, or a plurality of, collar member that is rotatable with respect to the one of the caps and the chamber, wherein the alignment mechanism is configured to prevent the cap from being uncoupled from the chamber unless the at least one collar member is rotated to a predetermined position with respect to the cap and the chamber. In some of these embodiments, the one of the caps may be the cap for the first opening, wherein each collar member comprises an electrically conductive portion for transferring electrical power between the aerosol generating component and the cap for the first opening when the cap for the first opening is coupled to the chamber.

An example of such embodiments comprising the at least one collar member <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, which shows a first plurality of collar members <NUM> between the first cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>, and a second plurality of collar members <NUM> between the second cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first and second plurality of collar members <NUM>;<NUM> form part of the chamber <NUM>, whereas in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first and second plurality of collar members <NUM>;<NUM> form part of the first and second caps <NUM>;<NUM> respectively.

Each collar member <NUM> is configured to require an external (intentional) force to move it. In other words, each collar member is not configured to freely move. To allow the first cap to be removed <NUM>, each collar member <NUM> from the first plurality of collar members <NUM> must be rotated to a predetermined position with respect to the first cap <NUM> and the chamber. To help indicate to the user what the predetermined rotational position should be for each such collar member, in some embodiments each such collar member may comprise a visual indicia <NUM> (which are shown as being aligned in <FIG> when the collar members are together orientated at the correct rotational position). Similarly, for removal of the second cap <NUM>, each collar member from the second plurality of collar members <NUM> must be rotated to a predetermined position with respect to the second cap <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>.

At least in relation to the collar members from the first plurality of collar members <NUM>, each collar member therefrom may comprise an electrically conductive portion <NUM> for transferring electrical power between the aerosol generating component <NUM> and the first cap <NUM>, noting in these embodiments that the first cap <NUM> would comprise the connection 25A which receives electrical power from the corresponding connection 25B from the body <NUM>.

In some embodiments, each collar member <NUM> from the alignment mechanism may have the same shape, such that any predetermined number of collar members may be used in each of the first and second plurality of collar members <NUM>;<NUM>, and such that each collar member <NUM> may be used interchangeably in either the first plurality of collar members <NUM> or the second plurality of collar members <NUM>. Alignment mechanisms aside, it will also be appreciated that in some embodiments, at least one, or both, of the caps <NUM>;<NUM> may remain attached to the chamber <NUM> when it is uncoupled from the chamber <NUM>. For instance, in one particular embodiment, a connecting member may be connected between each cap <NUM>;<NUM> and the chamber <NUM> such that when the cap is uncoupled from the chamber, the cap remains attached to the chamber via the connecting member. In one particular embodiment, the connecting member may be a short cord or resilient member such that the cap may dangle freely (yet remain attached to the chamber) in relation to the chamber when it is uncoupled therefrom.

Claim 1:
An aerosol provision cartridge for an aerosol provision system, wherein the cartridge comprises a refillable chamber (<NUM>) for aerosol precursor material, the chamber (<NUM>) comprising a first opening (<NUM>) and a second opening (<NUM>), each opening allowing for access into the chamber, wherein each opening is covered by a respective cap (<NUM>;<NUM>) which is configured to be uncoupled from the chamber (<NUM>) for allowing access to the opening, wherein the cartridge is configured such that each cap (<NUM>;<NUM>), when coupled to the chamber (<NUM>), requires at least two different actions (A1;A2) to be uncoupled from the chamber (<NUM>);
wherein the cartridge further comprises an aerosol generating component (<NUM>) located in the chamber (<NUM>);
wherein the cap (<NUM>) for the first opening (<NUM>) comprises an orifice (<NUM>) through which the aerosol generating component (<NUM>) projects when the cap (<NUM>) for the first opening (<NUM>) is coupled to the chamber (<NUM>); and
characterized in that the aerosol provision cartridge further comprises a retaining means (<NUM>) configured to hold the aerosol generating component (<NUM>) inside the chamber (<NUM>) when the cap (<NUM>) for the first opening (<NUM>) has been uncoupled from the chamber (<NUM>).