Aerosol provision device comprising a capacitance sensor

Abstract

An aerosol provision device for receiving an 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 capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance across a portion of the aerosol provision device that receives the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitance sensor, the processor 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 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.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE COMPRISING A CAPACITANCE SENSOR

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device and an aerosol provision system that can detect a consumable.

[0004] Background

[0005] Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0006] Summary

[0007] In an aspect, an aerosol provision device for receiving an article comprising a first segment and a second segment is provided. 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 across a portion of the aerosol provision device that receives 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 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.

[0008] The receiving portion may be a cavity. The processor may 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 may 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 may be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The processor may be 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. The intermediate capacitance value may be greater than the baseline capacitance value. The capacitance sensor may comprise the first plate and second plate. The first and second plates may be positioned on opposing sides of the receiving portion. The capacitance sensor may comprise a first flexible contact electrically coupled to the first plate. The capacitance sensor may further comprise a second flexible contact electrically coupled to the second plate. The aerosol provision device may further comprise an aerosol generator. The capacitance sensor may be displaced in a longitudinal direction relative to the aerosol generator. The capacitance sensor may be positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that a segment of the article passes the capacitance sensor before reaching the aerosol generator on insertion of the article into the aerosol provision device.

[0009] In yet another aspect, an article for an aerosol provision system is provided. The article comprises an aerosol generating material. The article comprises a first segment having a first electric permittivity, a second segment, and a dielectric component coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second electric permittivity different to the first electric permittivity.

[0010] The article may be elongate. The first segment may be adjacent to the second segment along a longitudinal direction of the article. The dielectric component may extend along the entirety of the second segment along the longitudinal direction. The second segment may comprise the aerosol generating material. The first segment may not comprise an aerosol generating material. The first segment may comprise paper and / or cardboard. In yet another aspect, an aerosol provision system is provided. The aerosol provision system may comprise an aerosol provision device as described above and the article. The article may be any of the above-described articles.

[0011] The cavity may be sized so that, when the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity, the capacitance sensor measures the capacitance of the first portion.

[0012] In yet another aspect, a method of detecting insertion or removal of an article into / from an aerosol provision device is provided. 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, whether the article has been inserted and / or removed using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

[0013] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a side view of an aerosol provision system;

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an article;

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision device;

[0018] Fig. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during the initial stages of insertion;

[0019] Fig. 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during the middle stages of insertion;

[0020] Fig. 4C shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an aerosol provision system during the final stages of insertion; Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative aerosol provision system during the final stages of insertion; and

[0021] Fig. 6 shows a graph of capacitance plotted against time.

[0022] Detailed Description

[0023] As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

[0024] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0025] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. 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 aerosolgenerating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0026] The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The aerosol-generating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0028] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0029] 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 aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.

[0030] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosolgenerating 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 aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0032] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non- combustible aerosol provision device.

[0033] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0035] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0036] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and / or an aerosol-modifying agent.

[0037] An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

[0038] With reference to Fig. 1, an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 110 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol forming device 100 may be used to heat the article 110 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100.

[0039] The aerosol forming device 100 comprises a body 102. A housing arrangement surrounds and houses various components of the body 102. An article aperture 104 is formed at one end of the body 102, through which the article 110 may be inserted for heating by an aerosol generator 200. The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 150, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 100 when pressed. For example, a user may turn on the device 100 by operating the switch 150.

[0040] The aerosol generator 200 defines a longitudinal axis, which aligns with an axis of the article 110.

[0041] In use, the article 110 may be fully or partially inserted into the aerosol generator 200 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 200.

[0042] The device 100 includes an apparatus for heating aerosol-generating material. The apparatus includes an aerosol generating assembly, a controller (control circuit), and a power source. The apparatus forms part of the body 102. The aerosol generating assembly is configured to heat the aerosol-generating material of an article 110 inserted through the article aperture 104, such 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 heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non-rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

[0043] The power source may be electrically coupled to the aerosol generating assembly to supply electrical power when required and under control of the controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generating assembly based on a user input. The user input may be via a button press or opening a door of the device (for example, a door covering a consumable receiving receptacle). The control circuit may be configured to activate and deactivate automatically, for example on insertion of an article.

[0044] The aerosol generating assembly may comprise various components to heat the aerosol generating material via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

[0045] With reference to Fig. 2, the article 110 comprises a first portion 302 and a second portion 304. The article 110 has a shape that is elongated in a longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the article 110 is cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments, the article 110 can be an elongated shape other than a cylinder, e.g. a prism with a non-circular base, such as a cuboid or a triangular prism. The first and second portions 302, 304 are arranged to be adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the article 110. In this embodiment, the first portion 302 is positioned at a mouth end of the article 110. The mouth end of the article 110 is the end at which aerosol can be dispersed from so that the aerosol can be inhaled by a user. The second portion 304 is positioned at a distal end of the article 110. The distal end is the end that is opposite to the mouth end. The first portion 302 is a portion that does not contain any aerosol producing compounds. This first portion 302 may contain a filter. The first portion 302 has a first electric permittivity £1. The second portion 304 comprises an aerosol generating material. The article 110 further comprises a dielectric component 306. The dielectric component 306 is embedded into the second portion 304. Due to the dielectric component 306 within the second portion 304, the second portion 304 has a second electric permittivity £2 that is different from the first electric permittivity £1. In this embodiment, £1 < £2. In other embodiments, for example where the dielectric component 306 is omitted from the second portion and / or a dielectric component is included in the first portion, £i > £2. The electric permittivity of a material may be referred to as the relative permittivity or dielectric constant. An outer surface of the article 110 may be formed from paper. The first portion 302 may be considered to be a first segment. The second portion 304 may be considered to be a second segment.

[0046] In this embodiment, the dielectric component is a sheet. In other embodiments, the dielectric component may have a shape other than a sheet, such as a cylinder. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is made of metal. In other embodiments, the dielectric component may be made of a metal alloy. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is made of a material other than metal, such as plastic or resin. In this embodiment, the dielectric component extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the dielectric component extends along the entirety of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. This may improve detection of the consumable because the detectable area of the second portion may be maximised. In this embodiment, the dielectric component increases the electric permittivity of the second portion. In other embodiments, the dielectric component decreases the electric permittivity of the second portion. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is embedded into the second portion. Advantageously, the dielectric component is protected from the outside environment and during use may allow the dielectric component to provide the change in electric permittivity of the second portion more reliably. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is coupled to second portion in another way, e.g. surrounding the second portion or on a surface of the second portion. In this embodiment, the dielectric component is coupled to the portion containing the aerosol generating material, i.e. the second portion. In other embodiments, the dielectric component is coupled to the portion not containing the aerosol generating material, i.e. the first portion. Advantageously, this allows the dielectric component to be independent from the aerosol generating material while it is being consumed. This may mean that the dielectric component is less likely to interfere with the consumption of the aerosol generating material. This may in turn improve the production of the aerosol, since the dielectric component is not present in the portion of the article that being consumed to produce the aerosol. Moreover, the consumption of the aerosol generating material may be less likely to interfere with and / or damage the dielectric component. In this embodiment, the first portion is positioned at the mouth end of the article. In other embodiments, the first portion is not positioned at the mouth end, e.g. the first portion may be positioned proximate to the mouth end or the first portion may be positioned at or proximate to the distal end. In this embodiment, the second portion is positioned at the distal end of the article. In other embodiments, the second portion is not positioned at the distal end, e.g. the second portion may be positioned proximate to the distal end or the second portion may be positioned at or proximate to the mouth end.

[0047] With reference to Fig. 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. The two plates 402 are each made from an electrically conductive material. The two plates 402 are electrically coupled together. The two plates 402 are positioned to face each other. Each of the two plates 402 arranged in the above-described way can be considered to be a respective electrode. The two plates 402 positioned in this way act as a capacitor. The capacitance of the above-described plates 402 is defined as:

[0048] C = sosrand where C is the capacitance, e0is the electric constant (e0~8.854 x 10-12Fm-1), sris the electric permittivity of the material between the plates, d is the distance between the plates, and A is the overlap area of the plates.

[0049] As such, the capacitance measured across the plates 402 is dependent on the material that is positioned in between the two plates 402.

[0050] In this embodiment, the cavity has a shape that is complementary to the article, for example, the cavity may 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 other than a cavity, e.g. a protrusion configured to the receive the article.

[0051] In this embodiment, the plates are made from the same material as each other. In other embodiments, the plates may be made from materials that are different from each other. In this embodiment, the plates are made from copper. In other embodiments, the plates may be made from conductive materials 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 may be arranged such that the planes defined by each plate makes an angle that is less than 90 degrees with each other.

[0052] With reference to Fig. 3, the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a capacitance sensor 404. The capacitance sensor 404 is electrically coupled to both of the two 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.

[0053] With reference to Fig. 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 a position of the article 110 based on the capacitance of the two plates 402 as measured by the capacitance sensor 404.

[0054] With reference to Fig. 3, the aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a heating element 410 configured to heat the article 110 when fully inserted into the cavity so as to produce an aerosol. The heating element 410 is positioned 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 from the maximum depth of the cavity) the capacitance sensor 404 measures the capacitance of the first portion 302 of the article 110. Advantageously, this allows the sequence of capacitance measurements of when the article is inserted correctly to be complex and / or unique. This means that determinations of when the article is correctly positioned are more reliable and less likely to result in false positives. For example, in embodiments where at the maximum depth the capacitance of the second portion is measured, the capacitance measured over time would not vary to the same degree. In these cases, it is more likely for the system 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 the heating element, e.g. the aerosol provision device comprises an inductor coil surrounding the cavity where the second portion is received. The inductor coil may be configured to cause an element in the article to generate heat via induction.

[0055] With reference to Fig. 4A, when inserting the article 110 into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, initially the article 110 is a first position where no portion of the article 110 is between the two plates 402. In the first position, the capacitance of the two plates 402 is Ci or a baseline capacitance value.

[0056] With reference to Fig. 4B, as the article 110 is inserted further into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, the article 110 is in a second position where the second portion 304 of the article 110 is positioned between the two plates 402. Due to the electric permittivity of the second portion 306 (e2), the capacitance of the two plates 402 when the article 110 is in the second position is larger 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.

[0057] With reference to Fig. 4C, as the article 110 is fully inserted into the cavity of the aerosol provision device 100, the article 110 is in a third position where the first portion 302 of the article 110 is positioned between the two plates 402. The third position is a position where the article 110 is at the maximum depth of the cavity. The third position is at a position where the aerosol provision device 100 causes the article 110 to produce 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 may be in a position so as to allow induction heating. Due to the electric permittivity of the first portion 302 (e , 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 electric permittivity of the first portion (C-L), 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 Caor an intermediate capacitance value. In this embodiment, the third position is a position where the article is at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol provision device. In other embodiments, the third position is a position where the article is not at the maximum depth of the cavity of the aerosol provision device, e.g. another position where the first portion is between the two plates and the second portion is coupled to the heating element. In this embodiment, capacitance value C2 is a maximum value of capacitance relative to Ci and C3. In other embodiments, capacitance value C2 is not a maximum value of capacitance relative to Ci and C3, e.g. the capacitance value C2 may be a minimum value of capacitance when relative to Ci and C3.

[0058] In this embodiment, C2 > C3. In other embodiments, C2 < C3. In this embodiment, C2 > Ci. In other embodiments, C2 < Ci. In this embodiment, Cs > Ci. In other embodiments, Cs < Ci.

[0059] With reference to Fig. 5, in an alternative embodiment, the aerosol provision device 100 comprises an induction coil 502 instead of the heating element 410. The induction coil 502 is configured to induce eddy currents in an element (not shown) coupled to the second portion 304. The induced eddy currents cause the element to heat up which in turn heats the second portion 304 and the aerosol generating material therein. The induction coil 502 extends along the longitudinal direction of the cavity. The induction coil 502 surrounds the cavity. The plates 402 are spaced apart from the induction coil 502 in the longitudinal direction. Advantageously, this arrangement may prevent the plates 402 from interfering with the operation of the induction coil 502. Similarly, the operation induction coil 502 may not interfere with the measurements of capacitance. In the third position, the induction coil 502 is positioned adjacent to the second portion 304.

[0060] In this embodiment, the induction coil is included instead of the heating element. In other embodiments, the induction coil is included in addition to the heating element. In this embodiment, the induction coil extends along the entirety of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the induction coil does not extend along the entirety of the second portion in the longitudinal direction, e.g. the induction coil extends along a limited portion of the second portion in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the article comprises an element. In other embodiments, the article does not comprise the element, e.g. the induction coil is configured to induce eddy currents directly in the second portion. In this embodiment, the induction coil surrounds the cavity. In other embodiments, the induction coil is coupled to the second portion in another way, e.g. within the cavity or adjacent to the cavity. In this embodiment, the element is distinct from the dielectric component. In other embodiments, the element may be the same component as the dielectric component. In this embodiment, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the induction coil is positioned so as to not overlay the first portion. Advantageously, this arrangement may ensure that there are no eddy currents induced in the first portion thereby avoiding any inadvertent heating of the first portion. In other embodiments, when the article is fully inserted into the cavity, the induction coil is positioned at least partially adjacent to the first portion. In this embodiment, the induction coil is spaced apart from the plates. In other embodiments, the induction coil is not spaced apart from the plates, e.g. the induction coil at least partially overlays the plates.

[0061] With reference to Fig. 6, the processor 406 may be further configured to determine whether the article 110 has been inserted or removed based on the change in the measured capacitance over time.

[0062] Fig. 6 shows a graph of the capacitance as measured by the capacitance sensor 404 plotted against time during an insertion and removal of the article 110. As shown in Fig. 6, when an article 110 is being inserted during a time period from ti to t2, the measured capacitance increases from a baseline value (Ci) to a maximum value (C2) and then decreases from the maximum value (C2) to an intermediate value (C3). As such, when the processor 406 detects such a change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 may determine that the article 110 has been correctly inserted.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, when an article 110 is being removed during a time period from t3to t4, the capacitance values would increase from an intermediate value (C3) to a maximum value (C2) and then decrease from the maximum value (C2) to a baseline value (Ci). As such, when the processor 406 detects such a change in the measured capacitance, the processor 406 may determine that the article 110 has been correctly removed.

[0064] Advantageously, the above-described aerosol provision device can determine when the article 110 has been appropriately plugged in or not. For example, when the capacitance value is measured to be C3 the processor can determine that the article is appropriately plugged in. As such, this makes it easier for a user to know that the article is in the working arrangement.

[0065] Further advantageously, the above-described aerosol provision device can determine when an article has been inserted or removed. This in turn facilitates use of the device by a user as the user can be informed of whether an article needs to be inserted or not so as to properly operate the aerosol provision device.

[0066] Further advantageously, the above-described aerosol provision device can determine whether an appropriate article has been inserted or not. For example, if an entity other than the article is inserted into the cavity then the capacitance values would not be the expected values of C2 and / or C3. In this case, the processor will not determine that an article has been appropriately inserted. This in turn facilitates use of the device by a user as the user can be informed on whether an appropriate article has been inserted or not.

[0067] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be 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 invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An aerosol provision device for receiving an 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 capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance across a portion of the aerosol provision device that receives the article; and a processor communicatively coupled to the capacitance 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 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 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.

2. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is a cavity.

3. An aerosol provision device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the processor is 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.

4. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein 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.

5. 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.

6. An aerosol provision device according to any preceding claim, wherein the capacitance sensor comprises first plate and second plate, wherein the first and second plates are positioned on opposing sides of the receiving portion.

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

8. An aerosol provision device according to any of preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises an aerosol generator, wherein the capacitance sensor is displaced in a longitudinal direction relative to the aerosol generator.

9. An aerosol provision device according to claim 8, wherein the capacitance sensor is positioned relative to the aerosol generator such that a segment of the article passes the capacitance sensor before reaching the aerosol generator on insertion of the article into the aerosol provision device.

10. An article for an aerosol provision system, the article comprising an aerosol generating material, the article comprising: a first segment having a first electric permittivity; a second segment; and a dielectric component coupled to the second segment such that the second segment has a second electric permittivity different to the first electric permittivity.

11. An article according to claim 10, wherein: the article is elongate; andthe first segment is adjacent to the second segment along a longitudinal direction of the article.

12. An article according to claim 11, wherein the dielectric component extends along the entirety of the second segment along the longitudinal direction.

13. An article according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second segment comprises the aerosol generating material.

14. An article according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first segment does not comprise an aerosol generating material.

15. An article according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the first segment comprises paper and / or cardboard.

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

17. An aerosol provision system according to claim 16, wherein the article is an article according to 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 sized so 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 / from an aerosol provision device, the method comprising: measuring, by a capacitance sensor, a capacitance of a portion of a receiving portion of the aerosol provision device over a period of time, 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; andmeasuring, 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, whether the article has been inserted and / or removed using the first capacitance value and the second capacitance value.

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