Aerosol supply device comprising capacitive sensor

Abstract

An aerosol supply device for receiving an article comprising a first section and a second section. The aerosol supply device includes: a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of an article; a capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance on a portion of the aerosol supply device receiving the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, the processor configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on the capacitance measured over a period of time. During insertion and / or removal of the article: when the first segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a first capacitance value; when the second segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the capacitive sensor measures a second capacitance value, the second capacitance value being different from the first capacitance value, and the processor is configured to determine, using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value, that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device and an aerosol provision system capable of detecting a consumable. BACKGROUND

[0002] Smoking articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, and the like, burn tobacco during use to produce tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these burning tobacco products by producing products that release compounds without burning. An example of such a product is a heating device that releases compounds by heating, rather than burning, a material. The material can be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which can or can not contain nicotine. SUMMARY

[0003] In an aspect, an aerosol provision device for receiving an article is provided, the article comprising a first segment and a second segment. The aerosol provision device comprises a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of the article, a capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance on the portion of the aerosol provision device receiving the article, and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitance sensor. The processor is configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on the measured capacitance over a period of time. During insertion and / or removal of the article: the capacitance sensor measures a first capacitance value when the first segment is adjacent to the capacitance sensor, the capacitance sensor measures a second capacitance value when the second segment is adjacent to the capacitance sensor, the second capacitance value is different from the first capacitance value, and the processor is configured to use the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value to determine that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion.

[0004] The receiving portion can be a cavity. The processor can be configured to determine that the article has been inserted and / or removed if a difference between the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value exceeds a predetermined threshold. The processor can be configured to determine that the article has been inserted when the measured capacitance increases from a baseline capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to an intermediate capacitance value. The intermediate capacitance value can be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The processor can be configured to determine that the article has been removed when the measured capacitance increases from the intermediate capacitance value to the maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to the baseline capacitance value. The intermediate capacitance value can be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The capacitance sensor can comprise a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates can be located on opposite sides of the receiving portion. The capacitance sensor can comprise a first flexible contact electrically coupled to the first plate. The capacitance sensor can further comprise a second flexible contact electrically coupled to the second plate. The aerosol provision device can further comprise an aerosol generator. The capacitance sensor can be displaced relative to the aerosol generator in a longitudinal direction. The capacitance sensor can be positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that, when the article is inserted into the aerosol provision device, a segment of the article passes the capacitance sensor before reaching the aerosol generator.

[0005] In another aspect, there is provided an article for an aerosol provision system. The article comprises aerosol generating material. The article comprises: a first segment having a first dielectric constant; a second segment; and a dielectric component coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second dielectric constant different from the first dielectric constant.

[0006] The article can be elongate. The first segment can be adjacent to the second segment along a longitudinal direction of the article. The dielectric component can extend along the entire second segment along the longitudinal direction. The second segment can comprise aerosol generating material. The first segment can not comprise aerosol generating material. The first segment can comprise paper and / or paperboard.

[0007] In another aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system. The aerosol provision system can comprise an aerosol provision device as described above, and an article. The article can be any article as described above.

[0008] The dimensions of the cavity can be designed such that the capacitance sensor measures the capacitance of the first portion when the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity.

[0009] In another aspect, there is provided a method of detecting insertion or removal of an article into or from an aerosol provision device. The method comprises measuring, by a capacitance sensor, a capacitance of a portion of a receiving portion of the aerosol provision device over a period of time. The measuring comprises measuring, by the capacitance sensor, a first capacitance value when a first segment of the article is adjacent to the capacitance sensor, and measuring, by the capacitance sensor, a second capacitance value when a second segment of the article is adjacent to the capacitance sensor. The method further comprises determining, by a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitance sensor, using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value, whether the article has been inserted and / or removed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 A side view of an aerosol provision system is shown; Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of an article is shown; Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device is shown; Figure 4A A schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during an initial stage of insertion is shown; Figure 4B A schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during an intermediate stage of insertion is shown; Figure 4C A schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during a final stage of insertion is shown; Figure 5 a schematic cross-sectional view of the alternative aerosol provision system during the final stages of insertion; and Figure 6 a plot of capacitance against time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating material" is a material that is capable of generating an aerosol, for example, upon heating, irradiation or being energized in any other way. The aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel, which can or can not contain an active substance and / or a flavourant. The aerosol-generating material can comprise any plant-based material, for example, a tobacco-containing material, and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol-generating material can also comprise other non-tobacco products, which can or can not contain nicotine, depending on the product. The aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid, gel, wax or the like. The aerosol-generating material may, for example, also be a combination or blend of materials. The aerosol-generating material can also be referred to as "smokable material".

[0012] The aerosol-generating material can comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active agent and / or a filler can also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material can or can not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0013] The aerosol-generating material can comprise or be an "amorphous solid". The amorphous solid can be a "monolithic solid". In some embodiments, the amorphous solid can be a dry gel. An amorphous solid is a solid material that can retain some fluid, for example, liquid, within its interior. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may, for example, comprise from about 50 wt%, 60 wt% or 70 wt% of an amorphous solid to about 90 wt%, 95 wt% or 100 wt% of an amorphous solid.

[0014] The aerosol-generating material can comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film can comprise or be a sheet, which can optionally be shredded to produce shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet can be substantially free of tobacco.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, a "non-combustible" aerosol provision system is an aerosol provision system in which the constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or a component thereof) does not facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to a user by combustion or ignition.

[0016] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, for example, a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0017] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vapour cigarette device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol generating material is not essential.

[0018] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. One example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0019] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system that uses a combination of aerosol generating materials to generate an aerosol, where one or more of the aerosol generating materials can be heated. Each of the aerosol generating materials can be, for example, in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gel, and can or can not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol generating material and a solid aerosol generating material. The solid aerosol generating material can comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0020] Generally, the non-combustible aerosol provision system can comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device. These consumables are sometimes referred to in the present disclosure as articles.

[0022] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, for example, its non-combustible aerosol provision device, can comprise a power source and a controller. The power source can be, for example, an electrical power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate that can be energized so as to dispense power in the form of heat to aerosol generating material or heat transfer material proximate to the exothermic power source.

[0023] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system can comprise a region for receiving a consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0024] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device can comprise aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage region, an aerosol generating material delivery component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating region, a housing, a packaging material, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0025] An aerosol-generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol-generating material for heating. In this document, an "article" is a component that, in use, comprises or contains aerosol-generating material that is heated to volatilise the aerosol-generating material, and optionally an "article" is another component in use. A user can insert an article into an aerosol-generating device before the article is heated to generate an aerosol that the user subsequently inhales. The article can be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size, configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device, the heating chamber being sized to receive the article.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 The aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 also comprises a replaceable article 110 containing aerosol-generating material. In summary, the aerosol-forming device 100 can be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium that is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0027] The aerosol-forming device 100 comprises a main body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses components of the main body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the main body 102 through which the article 110 can be inserted for heating by the aerosol generator 200.

[0028] The device 100 can also comprise a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user can switch on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0029] The aerosol generator 200 defines a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the axis of the article 110.

[0030] In use, the article 110 can be inserted fully or partially into the aerosol generator 200, at which location the article can be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 200.

[0031] The device 100 comprises apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus comprises an aerosol-generating assembly, a controller (control circuitry) and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the main body 102. The aerosol-generating assembly is configured to heat aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104 so that an aerosol is generated from the aerosol-generating material. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol-generating assembly, and the aerosol-generating assembly converts the supplied electrical energy into thermal energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source can be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, lithium batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel batteries, such as nickel-cadmium batteries, and alkaline batteries.

[0032] The power source can be electrically coupled to the aerosol-generating assembly in order to supply electrical power to heat the aerosol-generating material when required and under the control of the controller. The control circuitry can be configured to enable and disable the aerosol-generating assembly based on user input. The user input can be via a button press or opening of a door of the device (e.g. a door covering the consumable receiving container). The control circuitry can be configured to enable and disable automatically, for example upon insertion of an article.

[0033] The aerosol-generating assembly can comprise a plurality of components that heat the aerosol-generating material via an inductive heating process. Inductive heating is a process of heating an electrically conductive heating element, such as a susceptor, by electromagnetic induction. The inductive heating assembly can comprise an inductive element (e.g. one or more inductive coils), and means for passing a varying current, such as an alternating current, through the inductive element. The varying current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) that is suitably positioned relative to the inductive element and produces eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents and so the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In the case that the susceptor comprises a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat can also be generated by hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the changing orientation of magnetic dipoles due to the magnetic dipoles aligning with the varying magnetic field in the magnetic material. In inductive heating, heat is generated inside the susceptor, compared to heating by conduction for example, allowing for rapid heating. Furthermore, there is no need for any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for increased freedom of construction and application.

[0034] Reference Figure 2The article 110 comprises a first portion 302 and a second portion 304. The article 110 has an elongated shape in a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the shape of the article 110 is cylindrical. In other embodiments, the article 110 can be an elongated shape other than cylindrical, for example a prism such as a cuboid or a triangular prism with a non-circular base. The first portion 302 and the second portion 304 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the article 110. In this embodiment, the first portion 302 is located at a mouth end of the article 110. The mouth end of the article 110 is the end at which aerosol can be dispersed so that it can be inhaled by a user. The second portion 304 is located at a distal end of the article 110. The distal end is the end opposite to the mouth end. The first portion 302 is a portion that does not contain any aerosol generating compound. This first portion 302 can comprise a filter. The first portion 302 has a first electric permittivity ε1. The second portion 304 comprises an aerosol generating material. The article 110 further comprises a dielectric component 306. The dielectric component 306 is embedded in the second portion 304. Due to the dielectric component 306 within the second portion 304, the second portion 304 has a first electric permittivity ε1 that is different from a second electric permittivity ε2. In this embodiment, ε1 < ε2. In other embodiments, for example where there is no dielectric component 306 in the second portion and / or where a dielectric component is included in the first portion, ε1 > ε2. The electric permittivity of a material can be referred to as the relative permittivity or dielectric constant. The outer surface of the article 110 can be made of paper. The first portion 302 can be considered a first segment. The second portion 304 can be considered a second segment.

[0035] In this implementation, the dielectric component is a sheet. In other implementations, the dielectric component can have a shape other than a sheet, such as a column. In this implementation, the dielectric component is made of metal. In other implementations, the dielectric component can be made of a metal alloy. In other implementations, the dielectric component is made of a material other than metal, such as plastic or resin. In this implementation, the dielectric component extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other implementations, the dielectric component extends along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction. This can improve detection of the consumable as the detectable area of the second portion can be the largest. In this implementation, the dielectric component increases the dielectric constant of the second portion. In other implementations, the dielectric component decreases the dielectric constant of the second portion. In this implementation, the dielectric component is embedded into the second portion. Advantageously, the dielectric component is protected from the external environment and can allow the dielectric component to more reliably provide a change in the dielectric constant of the second portion during use. In other implementations, the dielectric component is coupled to the second portion in another way, for example, surrounding the second portion or being located on a surface of the second portion. In this implementation, the dielectric component is coupled to the portion comprising the aerosol generating material, i.e. the second portion. In other implementations, the dielectric component is coupled to the portion not comprising the aerosol generating material, i.e. the first portion. Advantageously, this allows the dielectric component to be independent of the aerosol generating material as the aerosol generating material is consumed. This can mean that the dielectric component is less likely to interfere with the consumption of the aerosol generating material. This in turn can improve the generation of the aerosol as the dielectric component is not present in the portion of the article that is consumed to generate the aerosol. Furthermore, the consumption of the aerosol generating material can be less likely to interfere with and / or damage the dielectric component. In this implementation, the first portion is located at the mouth end of the article. In other implementations, the first portion is not located at the mouth end, for example, the first portion can be located near the mouth end or the first portion can be located at or near the distal end. In this implementation, the second portion is located at the distal end of the article. In other implementations, the second portion is not located at the distal end, for example, the second portion can be located near the distal end or the second portion can be located at or near the mouth end.

[0036] With reference to Figure 3 The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a cavity configured to receive the article 110 through an opening of the cavity. The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises two plates 402 separated by the cavity. Both plates 402 are made of an electrically conductive material. Both plates 402 are electrically coupled together. Both plates 402 are positioned facing each other. Each of the two plates 402 arranged in the above-described manner can be considered as a respective electrode. Both plates 402 positioned in this way act as a capacitor. The capacitance of the plates 402 described above is defined as: and wherein, C is the capacitance, ε0 is the electric constant ( ), εr is the dielectric constant of the material between the plates, d is the distance between the plates, and A is the overlapping area of the plates.

[0037] Thus, the capacitance measured on the plates 402 depends on the material located between the two plates 402.

[0038] In this embodiment, the cavity has a shape complementary to the article, for example, the cavity can be a cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the cavity has a shape that is not complementary to the article. In this embodiment, the aerosol provision device comprises a cavity. In other embodiments, the aerosol provision device comprises a receiving portion in addition to a cavity, for example, a projection configured to receive the article.

[0039] In this embodiment, the plates are made of the same material as each other. In other embodiments, the plates can be made of different materials to each other. In this embodiment, the plates are made of copper. In other embodiments, the plates can be made of a conductive material other than copper, such as steel. In this embodiment, the plates are parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the plates are not parallel to each other, for example, the plates can be arranged such that the planes defined by each plate form an angle of less than 90 degrees to each other.

[0040] Referring to Figure 3 , the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a capacitance sensor 404. The capacitance sensor 404 is electrically coupled to both of the plates 402 so as to be able to measure the capacitance of the two plates 402. In some embodiments, the two plates 402 are part of the capacitance sensor 404.

[0041] Referring to Figure 3 , the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a processor 406 communicatively coupled to the capacitance sensor 404. The processor 406 is configured to receive data indicative of the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 404. The processor 406 is further configured to determine the position of the article 110 based on the capacitance of the two plates 402 measured by the capacitance sensor 404.

[0042] Referring to Figure 3The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a heating element 410 configured to heat the article to generate an aerosol when the article 110 is fully inserted into the cavity. The heating element 410 is located at the bottom of the cavity. The depth of the cavity is such that when the article 110 is fully inserted into the cavity (i.e. the article 110 extends to the maximum depth of the cavity), the capacitance sensor 404 measures the capacitance of the first portion 302 of the article 110. Advantageously, this makes the sequence of capacitance measurements when the article is correctly inserted complex and / or unique. This means that it is more reliable to determine when the article is correctly positioned and less likely to result in false positives. For example, in embodiments where the capacitance of the second portion is measured at the maximum depth, the capacitance measured over time does not change to the same extent. In these cases, the system is more likely to determine that the article is correctly positioned when it is not. In this embodiment, the aerosol provision device comprises a heating element. In other embodiments, the aerosol provision device does not comprise a heating element, for example the aerosol provision device comprises an inductive coil which surrounds the cavity which receives the second portion. The inductive coil can be configured to cause the element in the article to generate heat via induction.

[0043] Referring to Figure 4A When the article 110 is inserted into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, initially the article 110 is in a first position in which no part of the article 110 is located between the two plates 402. In the first position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C1 or a baseline capacitance value.

[0044] Referring to Figure 4B When the article 110 is further inserted into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, the article 110 is in a second position in which the second portion 304 of the article 110 is located between the two plates 402. Due to the dielectric constant of the second portion 306 (k2), the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the second position is greater than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the first position. In the second position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C2 or a maximum capacitance value.

[0045] Referring to Figure 4C When the article 110 is fully inserted into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, the article 110 is in a third position in which the first portion 302 of the article 110 is located between the two plates 402. The third position is the position in which the article 110 is located at the maximum depth of the cavity. The third position is the position in which the aerosol provision device 100 causes the article 110 to generate an aerosol. In this embodiment, the second portion 304 contacts the heating element 410 so that the second portion 304 can be heated by the heating element 410. In other embodiments, the second portion 304 can be in a position which allows for inductive heating. Due to the dielectric constant of the first portion 302 (k1), the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the third position is less than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the second position. In the third position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C3 or a minimum capacitance value.​ ), the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the third position is lower than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the second position. Similarly, due to the dielectric constant of the first portion ( ), the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the third position is higher than the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article is in the first position. In the third position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is C3 or an intermediate capacitance value. In this embodiment, the third position is a position in which the article is located at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol provision device. In other embodiments, the third position is a position in which the article is not located at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol provision device, for example the third position is another position in which the first portion is located between the two plates and the second portion is coupled to the heating element. In this embodiment, the capacitance value C2 is the maximum value of the capacitance relative to C1 and C3. In other embodiments, the capacitance value C2 is not the maximum value of the capacitance relative to C1 and C3, for example the capacitance value C2 can be the minimum value of the capacitance relative to C1 and C3.

[0046] In this embodiment, C2 > C3. In other embodiments, C2 < C3. In this embodiment, C2 > C1. In other embodiments, C2 < C1. In this embodiment, C3 > C1. In other embodiments, C3 < C1.

[0047] With reference to Figure 4, Figure 5 In an alternative embodiment, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises an inductive coil 502 instead of the heating element 410. The inductive coil 502 is configured to generate eddy currents in an element (not shown) coupled to the second portion 304. The generated eddy currents warm up the element, which in turn heats the second portion 304 and the aerosol generating material therein. The inductive coil 502 extends along the longitudinal direction of the cavity. The inductive coil 502 encloses the cavity. The plates 402 are spaced apart from the inductive coil 502 in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, this arrangement can prevent the plates 402 from interfering with the operation of the inductive coil 502. Similarly, operating the inductive coil 502 can not interfere with the measurement of the capacitance. In the third position, the inductive coil 502 is positioned adjacent to the second portion 304.

[0048] In this implementation, an inductive coil is included instead of a heating element. In other implementations, an inductive coil is included in addition to a heating element. In this implementation, the inductive coil extends along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other implementations, the inductive coil does not extend along the entire second portion in the longitudinal direction, for example the inductive coil extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In this implementation, the article includes an element. In other implementations, the article does not include this element, for example the inductive coil is configured to generate eddy currents directly in the second portion. In this implementation, the inductive coil surrounds the cavity. In other implementations, the inductive coil is coupled to the second portion in another way, for example the inductive coil is located within or adjacent to the cavity. In this implementation, this element is different from the dielectric component. In other implementations, this element can be the same component as the dielectric component. In this implementation, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the inductive coil is positioned so as not to cover the first portion. Advantageously, this arrangement can ensure that no eddy currents are generated in the first portion, thereby avoiding any accidental heating of the first portion. In other implementations, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the inductive coil is positioned so as to at least partially abut the first portion. In this implementation, the inductive coil is spaced apart from the plate. In other implementations, the inductive coil is not spaced apart from the plate, for example the inductive coil at least partially covers the plate.

[0049] With reference to Figure 6 , the processor 406 can also be configured to determine whether the article 110 has been inserted or removed based on changes in the measured capacitance over time.

[0050] Figure 6 A graph of the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 404 plotted against time during insertion and removal of the article 110 is shown. As shown in Figure 6 , when the article 110 is inserted over the time period t1 to t2, the measured capacitance increases from a baseline value (C1) to a maximum value (C2) and then decreases from the maximum value (C2) to an intermediate value (C3). Accordingly, when the processor 406 detects this change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 can determine that the article 110 has been correctly inserted.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6 , when the article 110 is removed over the time period t3 to t4, the capacitance value will increase from the intermediate value (C3) to the maximum value (C2) and then decrease from the maximum value (C2) to the baseline value (C1). Accordingly, when the processor 406 detects this change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 can determine that the article 110 has been correctly removed.

[0052] Advantageously, the aerosol provision device described above is able to determine when the article 110 has been properly inserted or not properly inserted. For example, when the measured capacitance value is C3, the processor is able to determine that the article has been properly inserted. This therefore makes it easy for the user to know that the article is in working order.

[0053] Furthermore, advantageously, the aerosol provision device described above is able to determine when an article has been inserted or removed. This in turn facilitates the use of the device by the user, as the user can be informed whether an article needs to be inserted in order to correctly operate the aerosol provision device.

[0054] Furthermore, advantageously, the aerosol provision device described above is able to determine whether a suitable article has been inserted. For example, if an entity other than an article is inserted into the cavity, the capacitance value will not be the expected value C2 and / or C3. In this case, the processor will not determine that the article has been properly inserted. This in turn facilitates the use of the device by the user, as the user can be informed whether a suitable article has been inserted.

[0055] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as representative samples of embodiments only and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the claimed present application defined by the claims and their equivalents, and that other embodiments can be utilized and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed application. In addition to the descriptions specifically described herein, various embodiments of the present application can suitably include, consist of, or consist essentially of, any appropriate combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., in suitable amounts. Furthermore, the disclosure can include other inventions now known or later developed that, upon further study by the skilled artisan, can be deemed to fall within the scope of the applications.

Claims

1. An aerosol provision device for receiving an article, the article comprising a first segment and a second segment, the aerosol provision device comprising: a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of the article; a capacitive sensor configured to measure a capacitance on a portion of the aerosol provision device that receives the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitive sensor, the processor configured to determine whether the article has been inserted or removed based on the measured capacitance over a period of time; wherein, during insertion and / or removal of the article: the capacitive sensor measures a first capacitance value when the first segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor; the capacitive sensor measures a second capacitance value when the second segment is adjacent to the capacitive sensor, the second capacitance value being different to the first capacitance value, and the processor is configured to use the first and second capacitance values to determine that the article has been inserted into or removed from the receiving portion. The receiving portion is a cavity.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein, 3. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 or 2, wherein: the processor is configured to determine that the article has been inserted and / or removed if a difference between the first and second capacitance values exceeds a predetermined threshold. the processor is configured to determine that the article has been inserted when the measured capacitance increases from a baseline capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to an intermediate capacitance value, and the intermediate capacitance value is greater than the baseline capacitance value.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein, the processor is configured to determine that the article has been removed when the measured capacitance increases from an intermediate capacitance value to a maximum capacitance value and then decreases from the maximum capacitance value to a baseline capacitance value, and the intermediate capacitance value is greater than the baseline capacitance value.

5. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein, the capacitive sensor comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first and second plates are located on opposite sides of the receiving portion.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein, the capacitive sensor comprises a first flexible contact electrically coupled to the first plate and a second flexible contact electrically coupled to the second plate.

7. An aerosol provision device according to claim 6, wherein, The aerosol provision device further comprises an aerosol generator, wherein the capacitive sensor is displaced relative to the aerosol generator in a longitudinal direction.

8. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein, The capacitive sensor is positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that, when the article is inserted into the aerosol provision device, a segment of the article passes the capacitive sensor before reaching the aerosol generator.

9. An aerosol provision device according to claim 8, wherein, 10. An article for use in an aerosol provision system, the article comprising aerosol generating material, the article comprising: a first segment having a first permittivity; a second segment; and a dielectric component coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second permittivity different to the first permittivity.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein: the article is elongate; and the first segment is adjacent to the second segment along a longitudinal direction of the article. the dielectric component extends along the entire second segment along the longitudinal direction. the second segment comprises the aerosol generating material.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein, ​ 13. The article of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, ​ 14. The article of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, The first segment does not comprise aerosol generating material.

15. The article of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, The first segment comprises paper and / or paperboard.

16. An aerosol provision system comprising: the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 10; and the article.

17. An aerosol provision system according to claim 16, wherein, The article is the article of any of claims 10 to 15.

18. An aerosol provision system according to claim 16 or 17 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein, The cavity is dimensioned such that, when the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity, the capacitance sensor measures the capacitance of the first portion.

19. A method of detecting insertion or removal of an article into or from an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: measuring, by a capacitance sensor over a period of time, a capacitance of a portion of a receiving portion of the aerosol provision device, wherein the measuring comprises: measuring, by the capacitance sensor, a first capacitance value when a first segment of the article is adjacent to the capacitance sensor; and measuring, by the capacitance sensor, a second capacitance value when a second segment of the article is adjacent to the capacitance sensor; and determining, by a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitance sensor, using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value, whether the article has been inserted and / or removed.

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