Aerosol provision system with condensate capture

Abstract

A component of an aerosol provision system comprises: a chamber for receiving a consumable; an air flow channel connecting an air inlet to the chamber; a cover for an opening of the air flow channel, the cover having an inner face in liquid flow communication with the air flow channel when the cover is closed over the opening; and a textured surface on the inner face, the textured surface configured to cause liquid incident on the textured surface to cling to the textured surface.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM WITH CONDENSATE CAPTURE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a component of an aerosol provision system having features providing capture of condensate, and an aerosol provision system comprising such a component.

[0004] Background

[0005] A type of aerosol provision system (e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems) is sometimes referred to as a heated tobacco aerosol provision system, a tobacco heated product or a heat-not-burn product. These systems generate vapour or aerosol for inhalation by a user by heating a consumable comprising a portion of tobacco (in leaf or other form) to a temperature below the combustion temperature of the tobacco in order to drive nicotine-containing vapour off the tobacco. The user inhales through the portion of tobacco in order to create an air flow, and the vapour is entrained in the air flow as it passes through the tobacco portion to form an aerosol which is delivered for inhalation.

[0006] A heated tobacco aerosol provision system contains one or more heaters or heating elements configured to heat the tobacco portion, and powered from a battery in the system. The tobacco portion may be configured as a rod of tobacco material held inside a wrapping paper, optionally also including a filter part, similar to a conventional cigarette. A chamber or cavity is provided in the system into which the tobacco-comprising consumable is inserted. The heater may have an annular shape that surrounds the chamber. Other designs utilise one or more heating blades which engage inside the tobacco rod when it is inserted into the chamber. An air flow channel passes through the aerosol provision system that connects an air inlet with the chamber so that a user inhaling (drawing or puffing) on an inserted consumable creates a flow of air into the air inlet, along the air flow channel and through the heated tobacco of the consumable. The flowing air collects vapour as it passes through the heated tobacco, to form an aerosol that is delivered to the user. The supply of power from the battery to the heater may be puff-activated by an air flow sensor that detects a user inhalation and activates the supply of power in response, or a user may operate a power switch to activate the heater at the time of inhaling.

[0007] The presence of air in the air flow channel and the chamber and the changes in temperature to which the air is exposed can cause water vapour to condense from the air. Vapour driven off the tobacco may also condense into liquid form. Hence, liquid condensate from various sources may arise within the chamber and / or the air flow channel. In order to prevent the undesirable dripping of condensate out of the air flow channel, a cover may be provided to close an opening of the air flow channel (which may be the air inlet or some other opening). In order to allow accumulated condensate to be cleaned out of the air flow channel, the cover may be configured to be removable or openable. In designs where the cover does not fit tightly when closed (for example where the cover is disposed over the air inlet and must therefore allow the ingress of air), condensate may escape or leak around the edge of the cover. Condensate able to flow freely within the air flow channel and the chamber may not be near the opening when the cover is opened, so is not easily reached in a cleaning process. Conversely, condensate which is very near the opening may escape rapidly in a relatively large volume when the cover is opened, soiling the user.

[0008] Accordingly, approaches to management of condensate in aerosol provision systems are of interest.

[0009] Summary

[0010] According to a first aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided a component of an aerosol provision system, the component comprising: a chamber for receiving a consumable; an air flow channel connecting an air inlet to the chamber; a cover for an opening of the air flow channel, the cover having an inner face in liquid flow communication with the air flow channel when the cover is closed over the opening; and a textured surface on the inner face, the textured surface configured to cause liquid incident on the textured surface to cling to the textured surface.

[0011] According to a second aspect of some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising a component according to the first aspect.

[0012] These and further aspects of the certain embodiments are set out in the appended independent and dependent claims. It will be appreciated that features of the dependent claims may be combined with each other and features of the independent claims in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Furthermore, the approach described herein is not restricted to specific embodiments such as set out below, but includes and contemplates any appropriate combinations of features presented herein. For example, a component or an aerosol provision system comprising a component may be provided in accordance with approaches described herein which includes any one or more of the various features described below as appropriate.

[0013] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an example heated tobacco aerosol provision system to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied;

[0016] Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an example liquid-based aerosol provision system to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied;

[0017] Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section though an end part of an aerosol provision system or component thereof having a cover for an air flow channel and according to an example to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied; Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an end part of another aerosol provision system or component thereof having a cover for an air flow channel and according to an example to which aspects of the disclosure can be applied;

[0018] Figures 5A and 5B show simplified schematic longitudinal cross-sections through an end part of an aerosol provision system or component thereof having a cover for an air flow channel and having a textured surface for liquid capture according to an first example of aspects of the disclosure, with the cover respectively in closed and open positions;

[0019] Figure 6 shows a simplified schematic plan view of a cover of an air flow channel in an aerosol provision system according to an example of aspects of the disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7 shows a simplified schematic plan view of a cover of an air flow channel in an aerosol provision system according to another example of aspects of the disclosure;

[0021] Figure 8 shows a simplified schematic plan view of a cover of an air flow channel in an aerosol provision system according to a further example of aspects of the disclosure;

[0022] Figure 9 shows a simplified schematic longitudinal cross-section through an end part of another aerosol provision system or component thereof having a cover for an air flow channel and a further textured surface for liquid flow direction according to another example of aspects of the disclosure;

[0023] Figure 10 shows a simplified schematic transverse cross-section of the air flow channel of the Figure 9 example, with a further textured surface according to a first example;

[0024] Figure 11 shows a simplified schematic transverse cross-section of the air flow channel of the Figure 9 example, with a further textured surface according to another example;

[0025] Figures 12A-12E show highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representations of parts of various examples of textured surfaces;

[0026] Figures 13 and 14 show highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional views through parts of two example textured surfaces; and

[0027] Figures 15 and 16 show photographic images of parts of two example textured surfaces.

[0028] Detailed Description

[0029] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed I described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed I described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0030] As described above, the present disclosure relates to electronic aerosol or vapour provision systems, such as e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the terms “e- cigarette” and “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used; however, it will be appreciated these terms may be used interchangeably with aerosol (vapour) provision system or device. Some of these systems are intended to generate an inhalable aerosol by vaporisation of an aerosol-forming substrate in the form of a liquid or gel which may or may not contain nicotine. Other systems are intended to generate an inhalable aerosol by heating (but not burning) a solid substrate to form a vapour. The solid substrate may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine. Additionally, hybrid systems which heat both a liquid or gel substrate and a solid substrate are known. The term “aerosolisable substrate material” as used herein is intended to refer to substrate materials which can form an aerosol. In the current context, the aerosol is formed by the application of heat to the substrate, but other means of aerosol formation may be used. The term “aerosol” may be used interchangeably with “vapour”.

[0031] As used herein, the term “component” is used to refer to a part, section, unit, module, assembly or similar of an electronic cigarette or similar device that incorporates several smaller parts or elements, possibly within an exterior housing or wall. An electronic cigarette may be formed or built from one or more such components, and the components may be removably or separably connectable to one another, or may be permanently joined together during manufacture to define the whole electronic cigarette. The present disclosure is applicable to systems comprising (at least) two components permanently joined together to form a unitary aerosol provision system, and also to systems comprising (at least) two components separably connectable to one another and configured, for example, as an aerosolisable substrate material carrying component holding aerosolisable substrate material and a control unit or device component having a battery for providing electrical power to operate an element for generating vapour from the substrate material. For the sake of providing a concrete example, in the present disclosure, a cartridge or cartomiser (cartridge component) is described as an example of the aerosolisable substrate material carrying portion or component, but the disclosure is not limited in this regard and is applicable to any configuration of aerosolisable substrate material carrying portion or component. Also, such a component may include more or fewer parts than those included in the examples. This is true also of the device component. For applicability to heated tobacco aerosol provision systems, either the system (when unitary) or the cartridge component (when the system comprises separable components) receives a consumable comprising aerosolisable substrate material in the form of a portion of tobacco.

[0032] The present disclosure relates in particular to aerosol provision systems that generate vapour by heating a portion of a solid aerosolisable substrate material, such as tobacco, but it also has relevance to vapour provision systems and components thereof that utilise aerosolisable substrate material in the form of a liquid or a gel which is held in a reservoir, tank, container or other receptacle comprised in the system, and delivered to an atomiser for vaporisation. The terms “liquid”, “gel”, “fluid”, “source liquid”, “source gel”, “source fluid” and the like may be used interchangeably with “aerosolisable substrate material” and “substrate material” to refer to aerosolisable substrate material that has a form capable of being stored and delivered in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is concerned with the capture of condensate that can form within an aerosol provision system, and this can arise in both a heated tobacco system and a liquid aerosolisable substrate material-based system, and also in a hybrid system.

[0033] Figure 1 is a highly schematic diagram (not a scale) of a generic example aerosol / vapour provision system of the “heat-not-burn” or “tobacco-heated product” (THP) type, presented for the purpose of showing the relationship between the various parts of a typical system and explaining the general principles of operation. The aerosol provision system 10 can be described as having two components, which for ease of comparison with atomiser-based vapour provision systems such as that described below with reference to Figure 2 can be understood as being a device, control or power component, section or unit 20, and a cartridge component or unit 30 that operates as a vapour generating component. The device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 may be permanently joined together to form a unitary aerosol provision system, or may be separably connectable. The division between the components 20, 30 is indicated by the dotted line. In this depiction, the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 are disposed side-by-side, which is a common arrangement for THP systems, but may alternatively be arranged end-to-end to give a more elongated system.

[0034] The cartridge component 30 is the part of the aerosol provision system 10 in which vapour is produced, by heating, so that heat is generated in this part. The cartridge component 30 comprises a deep and narrow chamber or cavity 11 extending from one end of the cartridge component 30 (which is use is the top or mouth end) into the interior of the cartridge component 30. The chamber 11 is shaped to receive, and closely hold, a part of a consumable that comprises a portion of tobacco commonly formed as a tobacco rod or tobacco stick 12, which can be inserted into the chamber 11 so that only an end part of the tobacco stick 12 protrudes from the cartridge component 30. The protruding end part of the tobacco stick 12 is placed in a user’s mouth for aerosol inhalation, and may include a filter 12b. The opposite end of the tobacco stick 12, inserted into the chamber 11 and occupying the greater part of the length of the tobacco stick 12, contains a portion of tobacco material 12a, as leaf tobacco or in some other format, held in an outer layer such as a paper wrapper. The portion of tobacco provides a solid aerosolisable substrate material for the aerosol provision system. Materials other than or in addition to tobacco may be used as a solid aerosolisable substrate material. For convenience the term “tobacco” is used herein to refer to both tobacco and non-tobacco solid substrate materials and “solid” indicates that the substrate material is not a liquid or a gel.

[0035] The chamber 11 has an associated annular electrical heater or heating element or heating elements 4 which surrounds the chamber 11 and therefore also the tobacco portion 12a of an inserted tobacco stick 12. The heater 4 may itself form or define all or part of the side wall of the chamber 11, or may be disposed outwardly of the side wall of the chamber 11. For example, the heater 4 may comprise a tube of metal or other electrically conductive material, or a coil of metal or other electrically conductive material. The heater 4 may operate by ohmic / resistive (Joule) heating, and comprises electrical connections (not shown) so that an electrical current may be passed through it, the electrical resistance of the material of the heater generating heat when current is passed. Alternatively, and as shown in the depicted example, the heater 4 may operate by induction heating. In this arrangement, the heater 4 acts a susceptor, and one or more induction heating coils 7 are arranged around the outside of the heater 4. In induction heating, the induction coil 7 operates as an electromagnet when a high-frequency alternating current is passed through it to produce a magnetic field. The heater 4, being inside the induction coil 7, is a conducting item within the flux of the magnetic field, such that the magnetic field penetrates the heater 4 and induces eddy currents. The eddy currents flow in the heater 4, and generate heat via Joule heating. Operation of the heater exposes the tobacco portion 12a to heat from its outside, and causes heating of the tobacco material so that vapour is produced. In other alternatives (not shown), the heater 4 may comprise one or more heater blades mounted inside the chamber 11, which penetrate into the tobacco portion 12a when the tobacco stick 12 is inserted into the chamber 11. The heater blade(s) may be heated resistively or inductively, and deliver heat energy to the tobacco portion 12a from its inside. Other arrangements of one or more heaters suitable for heating the tobacco portion of an inserted tobacco stick will be apparent to the skilled person.

[0036] In order to enable inhalation of the vapour / aerosol generated from the tobacco material, the cartridge component 30 includes one or more air inlets 26 in the external wall of the cartridge component 30 (or elsewhere on the vapour provision system 10). The air inlet 26 is in airflow communication with the chamber 11 via an air flow channel or air flow pathway 8. In other words, the air flow channel 8 connects the air inlet 26 to the chamber 11. Hence, when a user inhales on the protruding end of an inserted tobacco stick, a flow of air is created through the cartridge component by air A which drawn into the air inlet 26, along the air flow channel 8 to the chamber 11 and into the tobacco stick 12. The air passes through the heated tobacco portion 12a to collect vapour and form an aerosol, and then carries the aerosol through the filter 12b for delivery to the user for inhalation. The device component 20 (otherwise, control unit or, simply, device or device component) includes a cell or battery 5 (referred to hereinafter as a battery, and which may be re-chargeable) to provide power for the heater 4 (the associated induction coil being the powered part in inductively heated designs) and other electrical components of the vapour provision system 10. Additionally, there is a controller 28 such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the aerosol provision system 10. The control electronics / circuitry 28 operates the heater 4 using power from the battery 5 when aerosol is required, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the aerosol provision system 10 during which air A enters through the one or more air inlets 26.

[0037] Figure 2 is a highly schematic diagram (not to scale) of a generic example aerosol / vapour provision system or e-cigarette I electronic cigarette of the liquid-based or atomiser type in which liquid or gel aerosolisable substrate material is vaporised. Again, this is presented for the purpose of showing the relationship between the various parts of a typical system and explaining the general principles of operation. The e-cigarette 10 has a generally elongate shape in this example, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line, and comprises two main components, namely a device, control or power component, section or unit 20, and a cartridge component, assembly or section 30 (sometimes referred to as a cartomiser or clearomiser) carrying aerosolisable substrate material and operating as a vapour-generating component.

[0038] The cartridge component 30 includes a reservoir 3 containing a source liquid or other aerosolisable substrate material comprising a formulation such as liquid or gel from which an aerosol is to be generated, for example containing nicotine. As an example, the source liquid may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising roughly equal measures of water and propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as flavourings. Nicotine-free source liquid may also be used, such as to deliver flavouring. In a hybrid system, a solid substrate (not illustrated), such as a portion of tobacco or other flavour element through which vapour generated from the liquid is passed, may also be included. The reservoir 3 has the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which source liquid can be stored such that the liquid is free to move and flow within the confines of the tank. For a consumable cartridge component, the reservoir 3 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the source liquid is consumed, otherwise, it may have an inlet port or other opening through which new source liquid can be added by the user. In the context of a liquid-based system, a “consumable” might be defined as a replaceable reservoir 3 which is received into a chamber in the cartridge component 30, and replaced when empty, or may be defined more broadly as the whole cartridge component 30 which is received in or by the device component 20 and again replaced when the reservoir 3 is empty. The cartridge component 30 also comprises an electrically powered heating element or heater 4 located externally of the reservoir tank 3 for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the source liquid by heating. A liquid transfer or delivery arrangement (liquid transport element) such as a wick or other porous element or member 6 is provided to deliver source liquid from the reservoir 3 to the heater 4. A wick 6 may have one or more parts located inside the reservoir 3, or otherwise be in fluid communication with the liquid in the reservoir 3, so as to be able to absorb source liquid and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the wick 6 that are adjacent or in contact with the heater 4. This liquid is thereby heated and vaporised, to be replaced by new source liquid from the reservoir for transfer to the heater 4 by the wick 6.

[0039] A heater and wick (or similar) combination may be referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly, and the reservoir with its source liquid plus the atomiser may be collectively referred to as an aerosol source. A “consumable” might also take the form of an aerosol source which is received in a chamber of the cartridge component and replaced when empty. Other terminology may include a liquid delivery assembly or a liquid transfer assembly, where in the present context these terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a vapour-generating element (vapour generator) plus a wicking or similar component or structure (porous member) that delivers or transfers liquid obtained from a reservoir to the vapour generator for vapour I aerosol generation. Various designs are possible, in which the parts may be differently arranged compared with the highly schematic representation of Figure 2. The heater and wick may be separate parts, of a single part configured for both wicking and heating may be used, such as a component which is both porous and electrically conductive, for example a mesh or grill of metal fibres or wires or a porous conductive ceramic material. In general, an atomiser can be considered as one or more elements that implement the functionality of a vapour-generating or vaporising element able to generate vapour from source liquid delivered to it, and a liquid transport or delivery element able to deliver or transport liquid from a reservoir or similar liquid store to the vapour generator by a wicking action I capillary force. In the present context the atomiser operates by heating the aerosolisable substrate material to generate the vapour, so that the vapour generating element may be an electrical heating element (heater) that operates by ohmic / resistive (Joule) heating or by inductive heating. An atomiser is typically but not essentially housed in a cartridge component of an aerosol generating system. Embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to all and any such configurations which are consistent with the examples and description herein.

[0040] The cartridge component 30 also includes a mouthpiece or mouthpiece portion 35 having an opening or aerosol outlet through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the atomiser 4. The power component or control unit or, simply, device or device component 20 includes a cell or battery 5 (referred to herein after as a battery, and which may be rechargeable) to provide power for electrical components of the e-cigarette 10, in particular to operate the heater 4. Additionally, there is a controller 28 such as a printed circuit board and / or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the e-cigarette. The control electronics / circuitry 28 operates the heater 4 using power from the battery 5 when vapour is required, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 10 during which air A enters through one or more air inlets 26 in the wall of the control unit 20. When the heating element 4 is operated, the heating element 4 vaporises source liquid delivered from the reservoir 3 by the liquid delivery element 6 to generate the aerosol, and this is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece 35. The aerosol is carried from the aerosol source to the mouthpiece 35 along an air flow channel (not shown) that connects the air inlet(s) 26 to the aerosol source to the aerosol outlet when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 35. In other designs, air inlets may be located in the outer wall of the cartomiser 30 so that air enters directly into the cartomiser 30 instead of arriving there via the power component 20. Hence, in common with the heated tobacco aerosol provision system of Figure 1, the liquid-based aerosol provision system of Figure 2 also, all or part of the cartridge component 30 is defined as a consumable as noted above, includes an air flow channel that connects an air inlet to a chamber or other region where the consumable is received or inserted.

[0041] The device component (control unit) 20 and the cartridge component 30 are, in this example, separate connectable parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, as indicated by the solid arrows in Figure 2. The components 20, 30 are joined together when the device 10 is in use by cooperating engagement elements 21, 31 (for example, a screw or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical and in some cases electrical connectivity between the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30. Electrical connectivity is required if the heater 4 operates by ohmic heating, so that current can be passed through the heater 4 when it is connected to the battery 5. In systems that use inductive heating, electrical connectivity can be omitted if no parts requiring electrical power are located in the cartridge component 30. An inductive work coil can be housed in the device component 20 and supplied with power from the battery 5, and the cartridge component 30 and the device component 20 shaped so that when they are connected, there is an appropriate exposure of the heater 4 to flux generated by the coil for the purpose of generating current flow in the material of the heater. The Figure 2 design is merely an example arrangement, and the various parts and features may be differently distributed between the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30, and other components and elements may be included. The two components may connect together end-to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Figure 2, or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side-by-side arrangement. The system may or may not be generally cylindrical and / or have a generally longitudinal shape. Either or both sections or components may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir is empty or the battery is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the reservoir and recharging the battery. In other examples, the system 10 may be unitary, in that the parts of the device component 20 and the cartridge component 30 are comprised in a single housing and cannot be separated. Embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations of which the skilled person will be aware.

[0042] Liquid may become present in the air flow channel of an aerosol provision system. In the case of a heated tobacco aerosol provision system the liquid takes the form of condensate. This may be water condensate, formed by the condensation of water vapour present in air within the system into liquid water, or condensate arising from condensation of components present in the vapour created by heating the tobacco portion. In a liquid-based aerosol provision system, water condensate can also form. Additionally, the liquid aerosolisable substrate material may become present as free liquid outside of the reservoir, owing to factors including leakage from the reservoir, dripping of liquid from an oversaturated wick, and condensation of the liquid out of any uninhaled vapour. Liquid from all these causes may arise in, or find its way to, the air flow channel. Liquid in the air flow channel may undesirably seep, leak or drip out of the aerosol provision system via an opening of the air flow channel, such as the air inlet. To address this, some systems, particularly heated tobacco aerosol provision systems, may include a cover for an opening of the air flow channel intended to inhibit the escape of liquid in order to protect the user.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through a part of an example aerosol provision system (typically a lower part when the system is oriented vertically such as when placed on a table) that is provided with such a cover. The part comprises a component 20, 30 having an air flow channel 8 passing through the component 20, 30 as described above. Other parts or elements that may be housed in the component 20, 30 are omitted for clarity. The air flow channel 8 has an opening 9 in the lower end face of the component 20, 30 which in this example serves as the air inlet 26 of the aerosol provision system, through which air A is drawn into the system when the user inhales on the system. A cover 40 is provided which fits over the opening 9 to close the opening 9 in order to inhibit the leakage of any liquid L which may collect in the air flow channel 8 out of the opening 9. In order that the air A can still enter through the air inlet 26, the cover 40 is appropriately loosefitting or fits with one or more gaps around its edge (or some similar arrangement) so that it closes the opening 9 in a non-airtight manner. In order to allow any liquid L to be cleaned out from the air flow channel 8, the cover 40 is configured to be openable so that the interior of the air flow channel 8 can be accessed by the user, via the opening 9. In this example, the cover 40 is detachable from the component 20, 30 so that when the cover 40 is removed to expose the opening 9 it become separate from the component 20, 30. This may be achieved by the cover 40 being attachable to the component 20, 30 to close the opening 9 by means of a screw thread, a push-fit, snap-fit or other interference fit arrangement, for example. A fully detachable cover may allow easy access to the air flow channel for cleaning since the cover cannot form an obstacle in the vicinity of the opening 9. In the depicted example, the cover 40, when closed, is disposed in a recess in the end face of the component 20, 30 in order to provide a flush surface for the component. These features are not essential, and the cover 40 may be configured in other ways that will be apparent to the skilled person.

[0044] Figure 4 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through a part of a further example aerosol provision system also provided with a cover. Like-numbered features correspond to the features of the Figure 3 example. In this example, the component 20, 30 has an air inlet 26 separate from the opening 9 of the air flow channel 8. The air inlet 26 is located in a side wall of the component 20, 30, and leads to an initial air flow channel 8a that connects to the main air flow channel 8 downstream of the opening 9. This configuration allows liquid L that may be present in the air flow channel 8 to collect upstream of the air inlet 26, in the vicinity of the opening 9, so that the presence of any liquid L does not interfere with the inward flow of air A. This separation of the air inlet 26 from the opening 9 also allows the cover 40 to be configured to provide a more or a substantially airtight closure of the opening 9 so that the risk of liquid leakage out of the opening 9 is reduced. In this example, the cover 40 is not fully detachable from the component 20, 30, so that when the cover 40 is open it remains attached to the component 20, 30. This may enabled by a coupling the cover 40 to the component 20, 30 by a hinge or similar flexible join or joint 42, or providing a flexible member such as a cord or plastic strip that is secured to the component 20, 30 at one end and to the cover 40 at its other end. Arrangements of this type reduce the risk of the cover 40 being lost when it is opened.

[0045] The various above-noted alternative features for the cover 40 are not essential, and the cover 40 may be configured in other ways that will be apparent to the skilled person. In general terms, the cover 40, covers the opening 9 of the air flow channel 8, and is fully or partly removable so that it can be in either a closed position in which the cover 40 is closed over the opening 9 or in an open position in which the cover 40 is not over closed and the opening 9 is open. The cover 40 can be considered as a closure, a cap, a lid, a door, or similar, provided at least partly for the purpose of allowing access to the interior of the air flow channel 8 for cleaning purposes. The cover 40 has an inner face 41 that faces inwardly towards the air flow channel 8 when the cover 40 is in place to close the opening 9. The inner face can therefore be exposed to any liquid L present in the air flow channel 8, and is hence in liquid communication with the air flow channel 8.

[0046] When the aerosol provision system is in an orientation similar to that depicted in Figures 4 and 5, any liquid present in the air flow channel can travel towards the lower end of the component and hence may accumulate on the inner face of the cover. While this gives ready access to the liquid for ease of cleaning when the cover is opened, it may also cause the accumulated liquid to spill suddenly from the cover when the cover is opened, thereby soiling the user. Conversely, when the aerosol provision system is in other orientations, the liquid can move away from the cover. This may place the liquid in regions which are difficult to access from the opening of the air flow channel when cleaning, and may allow the liquid to reach parts of the system where it can cause damage such as by corrosion or contamination, for example of the heater or heating elements, or of electrical contacts or connections. It may be absorbed by the tobacco portion of an inserted consumable, leading to dampness of the tobacco which may impede vapour generation. Liquid may also be able to leak from the mouthpiece end of the air flow channel, opposite to the cover.

[0047] The present disclosure seeks to address the issue of liquid movement within and leakage from the air flow channel in an aerosol provision system by providing a textured surface on the inner face of the air flow channel opening cover. In particular, the textured surface is configured to cause liquid which is incident on the textured surface to cling to the textured surface. It has been determined that an appropriately configured texture formed or provided on a surface can provide this effect. The ability of the textured surface to retain liquid allows liquid in the air flow channel that reaches the opening and the cover to collect and remain there. This inhibits liquid from returning back along the air flow channel (that is, from moving in the downstream direction), so that parts downstream from the air inlet can be protected from liquid exposure, and also holds the liquid conveniently on the inner face of the cover so that it can readily be cleaned away when the cover is opened, and also without spilling out or off the cover when the cover is opened.

[0048] Examples of suitable textured surfaces are described in more detail below. In broad terms, however, the textured surface comprises an area or region over which there is defined a plurality of protruding and / or recessed or pitted surface features with dimensions on the micrometre scale. These features can be thought of as texture features comprising protrusions / recesses, pits / lands, or peaks / troughs, for example. In the context of the small volumes of free or escaped liquid arising internally in the aerosol provision system, surface features of this size, when arranged over two dimensions (so that there are peaks and troughs of texture along all directions across the surface) present a barrier to the free movement or flow of the liquid over the surface while also causing the liquid to cling or stick to the surface. This is owing to the surface tension forces in the liquid, and the resulting interaction of the liquid with the surface. Liquid can therefore be trapped or captured on the textured surface. In the current context, therefore, liquid can be held on the inner face of the cover, and generally inhibited from freely flowing off or away from the inner face.

[0049] The use of a textured surface to capture liquid that may be present in the air flow channel enables protection from liquid exposure, spills and leaks in a simple, compact and durable way that does not require the provision and accommodation of additional parts, such as the pads of absorbent material which are utilised in some aerosol provision systems to catch free liquid. The textured surface can be provided on an already-present face of an existing part of the aerosol provision system so does not occupy space within the aerosol provision system.

[0050] Figure 5A shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view of a first example cover configured in this way. The cover 40, which is couple to the component 20, 30, by a hinge or joint 42, is shown in a closed position in which it is secured over the opening 9 of the air flow channel 8. A textured surface 25 is provided on the inner face 41 of the cover 4. Liquid L has been captured by the textured surface 25, and clings to the textured surface in small volumes or beads. A single volume of liquid may be held in this way, or several separate volumes, depending on the total quantity of liquid present and / or the manner in which the liquid has arrived at the inner face 41.

[0051] Figure 5B shows the example cover of Figure 5A in the open position. The surface tension forces allow the liquid L to remain captured by the textured surface 25, so that the liquid L can be readily removed by wiping the textured surface.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a plan view of an example cover, viewed looking onto the inner face. In this example, the textured surface 25 is provided over the whole area of the inner face 41 of the cover 40, so that it extends over substantially the entirety of the inner face 41. The textured surface 25 is depicted by shading, but this is merely to indicate the location and extent of the textured surface 25; the nature of the shading does not indicate any particular arrangement of the features that make up the texture. The textured surface 25 is shown as extending right up to the outer perimeter of the inner face 41 , but this is not essential, and an unfeatured boundary region may be present in other examples. The cover 40 is shown as having a circular shape, but this is merely an example. Other shapes are not excluded, and the cover may take any outer shape. The cover 40 has an outer flange 44 extending beyond the inner face 41 (also shown in Figures 5A and 5B) to aid cooperation and fit with the component, but this is not essential, and other or different features of the cover outside the inner face are not excluded.

[0053] In other examples, the textured surface may be disposed over less than the whole area of the inner face of the cover, so that it extends over less than the entirety of the inner face. This may be necessary to avoid other features on the inner face, such as protrusions or recesses that cooperate with shaped features on the component to engage the cover with the component when the cover is closed, for example, or merely because the expected amount of liquid is small so that a smaller area of textured surface is deemed adequate.

[0054] Figure 7 shows a plan view of another example cover. In this example, the textured surface 25 covers an area of the inner face that has the form or shape of a ring or band concentrically arranged on the inner face 41 (although an offset position may be used if appropriate), and located towards the outer perimeter of the inner face 41 (more inward positions may be used if appropriate). The depicted ring shape of the textured surface 25 is circular, but this shape is not limiting and may be otherwise depending on the overall shape and any other features of the inner face and / or the cover. The central portion 43 of the inner face 41 is free from any textured surface. In addition to capturing liquid by causing it to cling, a textured surface will generally present a barrier that inhibits the movement of liquid across the textured surface. Hence, a surrounding ring of textured surface 25 can corral any liquid on the inner face 41 within the untextured central area 43. This arrangement can also help to hold liquid in a single location for ease of removal when cleaning. Also, liquid can be kept away from the edge portions of the cover so that the risk of leakage between any gaps between the closed cap and the component can be reduced. In other examples, a ring or generally surrounding region of textured surface may be broken, rather than continuous as shown in Figure 6, for example to accommodate other surface features (not shown) on the inner face. Other shapes and areas of textured surface, not depicted, as also contemplated and not excluded, and may be employed on the inner face as deemed appropriate.

[0055] Also, two or more regions of textured surface may be provided on the inner face of the cover. This may be two or more separated and discrete regions of textured surface with the same configuration and / or distribution of texture features, i.e. of protrusions / recesses, pits / lands, or peaks / troughs.

[0056] In other examples, two or more regions of textured surface with different configurations of texture features may be provided. The ability of a textured surface to allow an incident liquid to grip or cling arises from the surface tension in a small volume of liquid and depends on the relationship between the size and / or configuration of the texture features and the viscosity of the liquid. Hence, a textured surface can be tailored to maximise or enhance the cling effect for liquid with a certain viscosity or range of viscosities. For many aerosol provision systems, in particular heated tobacco aerosol provision systems, water may the main liquid of interest for collection at the cover, being condensate from the air. Hence, the textured surface can be configured to cause the cling of water. However, in liquid-based aerosol provision systems, liquid present in the air flow channel may be aerosolisable substrate material originating from the reservoir. Such liquid substrate material typically has a higher viscosity than water, and therefore may be better trapped by a differently configured textured surface, for example with larger texture features. Hence a textured surface on an inner face may be configured to cause the cling of liquid aerosolisable substrate material. Since water condensate and liquid aerosolisable substrate material may be present in a single system, it is proposed that in some examples the textured surface may comprise at least a two regions having different texture features, so that each region is configured to cause liquid of a different viscosity to cling to the textured surface in that region. More generally, the different regions may each be tailored to enhance or favour the cling of liquid with a certain viscosity or range of viscosities compared to liquid with other, different viscosities. In particular, a first region may be configured to cause the cling of water, and a second region may be configured to cause the cling of liquid aerosolisable substrate material. Other regions may be included to repeat the existing cling properties, or targeted to still other viscosities, for example where more than one type of aerosolisable substrate material is provided. The regions may be separated from one another, or may be contiguous within the overall textured surface.

[0057] Figure 8 shows a plan view of example cover configured in this way. In this example, the textured surface 25 covers substantially all of the inner face, (although it need not do so), and is divided into a first region 25a and a second region 25b. The first region 25a is configured, by appropriate selection of the size and / or shape of the texture features, to collect liquid of a first viscosity (for example, water arising from condensation of air), and the second region 25b is configured, by appropriate selection of texture features of a different sixe and / or shape, to collect liquid of a second viscosity (for example, an aerosolisable substrate material). The first and second regions 25a, 25b are shown as contiguous, but need not be, in other words, as before, the textured surface may or may not extend over all of the inner face 41.

[0058] Since the functionality of the textured surface on the inner face of the cover is to collect liquid within the air flow channel, in further examples a design is proposed to aid the movement of this liquid towards the cover. As described above, the textured surface on the inner face of the cover is configured as a plurality of texture features comprising protrusions and / or recesses extending over the two dimensions of the area occupied by the textured surface, to promote the cling of incident liquid onto the textured surface. However, a textured surface can be differently configured, in particular in the present context to promote the movement or flow of liquid along a chosen direction. This is enabled by forming the texture features as a plurality of substantially parallel ridges and / or grooves, also with dimensions on the micrometre scale, other than the length direction along which the ridges / grooves are oriented. This form of texture inhibits liquid movement in the direction perpendicular to the length direction, i.e. the direction across the ridges / grooves, and encourages the movement of liquid along the length direction, i.e. along the length direction. A textured surface of this type is therefore proposed to encourage movement of any liquid in the air flow channel in a direction along the length of the air flow channel (i.e. parallel to the air flow direction), in order to direct liquid towards the cover. This is achieved by providing such a textured surface on the inside face of the wall or walls defining the air flow channel, that is facing into the air flow channel, and therefore on a face over which liquid in the air flow channel may be present. The grooves / ridges are oriented with their length direction along the length of the air flow channel.

[0059] Figure 9 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through a part of an example aerosol provision system configured in this way. Like-numbered features correspond to the features of the Figures 3, 4, 5A and 5B examples. As before, the cover 40 has a textured surface 25 on its inner face. Additionally, the air flow channel 8, which is defined by side walls 13, has a further textured surface 26 provided on the inside face of the side walls 13. The further textured surface 26 comprises a plurality of substantially parallel ridges / grooves extending along the length direction of the air flow channel 8, as described above, in order to encourage the movement of any liquid on the inside face towards the textured surface 25 on the inner face of the cover 40 where it can be captured. The further textured surface 26 can be provided so as extend fully over the length of the air flow channel 8, or it may extend over only a part of the length of the air flow channel 8, as preferred or convenient, for example having regard to other parts and features that may be present on the air flow channel 8 or on the inside face. Preferably, however, the further textured surface 26 is provided at least over a part of the air flow channel adjacent or towards the opening 9 so that the promotion of liquid flow towards the cover 40 is enhanced where it is most relevant.

[0060] Figure 10 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through the air flow channel, in an example configuration of the further textured surface. In this example, the further textured surface extends fully around the inside face of the side wall 13 of the air flow channel 8. The further textured surface is therefore unbroken around the inner perimeter of the air flow channel 8. Hence, liquid appearing at any point around the inside face can be directed towards the cover.

[0061] Figure 11 shows a simplified schematic cross-sectional view through the air flow channel in an alternative example configuration of the further textured surface. In this example, the further textured surface 26 does not extend fully around the inside face of the air flow channel. Instead, two portions of the further textured surface 26 are provided, spaced apart on opposite sides of the air flow channel 8. Each portion of the further textured surface 26 extends around only a part of the inner perimeter of the air flow channel 8, with untextured regions between the portions. The concept is not limited to the depicted configuration, however, and may comprise one region or more then two regions, and the regions may be regularly or irregularly spaced around the inside face, and may have the same or different widths around the perimeter direction. This disposition of the regions may be selected having regard to avoiding other features (not shown) that may be present on the inside face, and / or to focus the flow directing effect in areas where liquid is most expected to be present, for example.

[0062] Water condensate may be of most interest, as mentioned above, so the grooves / ridges of the further textured surface may be configured to enable the flow of water, by being appropriately sized having regard to the viscosity of water. Alternatively, the grooves / ridges may be configured for movement of typically more viscous aerosolisable substrate material, in cases where the aerosol provision system is a liquid-based aerosol provision system.

[0063] In a further alternative, and as similarly described for the textured surface on the cover, the further textured surface may comprise regions of differently sized / shaped grooves / ridges in order to tailor the different regions for an enhanced effect for liquids of different viscosity, such as water and aerosolisable substrate material.

[0064] In the foregoing description and the appended claims, the textured surface may be present in the cartridge component, the device component, or in both the cartridge component and the device component. Hence, any reference to a component applies equally to the cartridge component or to the device component, except where specific details indicate that only one or the other component is referred to. In the context of an entire aerosol provision, the two components can be considered as a component and a second component, a component and a further component, a component and another component, or a first component and a second component. The component or the first component may be the cartridge component or the device component. The second, further or another component may be the device component or the cartridge component. Alternatively, the textured surface may be present in a unitary aerosol provision system comprising components permanently assembled for use.

[0065] The textured surfaces or surfaces comprise a plurality of texture features having dimensions on the micrometre scale. The features are distributed over a two-dimensional area or region of the face on which the textured surface is provided. Within that area, the texture features comprise a plurality of protrusions / recesses, pits / lands, peaks / troughs, or similar, spread over the area. With respect to the level of the plane of the face around the area, the texture features can comprise protrusions / lands / peaks standing proud of the level of the plane of the face (so that spaces between the features are at the level of the plane), or may comprise recesses / pits / troughs reaching below the level of the plane of the face (so that spaces between the features are at the level of the plane), or both (so that the level of the plane of the face is intermediate between the height of a protrusions / land / peak and the depth of a recess / pit / trough). The textured surface may be provided on the face by being fabricated directly on or as part of the face, that is, formed in the material from which the component having the face is made, or by being applied to the face as a surface coating or layer (of the same or a different material).

[0066] It has been determined that different configurations of the texture features act to inhibit the flow or movement of liquid across the textured surface in different ways, caused by different interactions of the liquid’s surface tension with different feature shapes, sizes, configurations, etc. In particular, by different selection of texture features, the surface texture can be configured to inhibit the passage of liquid by causing liquid which is incident on the surface to cling to the textured surface, or by causing liquid which is incident on the surface to flow or move along one direction at the expense of limited or prohibited movement in a substantially orthogonal direction.

[0067] Figure 12A shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a first example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. In order to enable liquid to cling, the texture surfaces have the form of a plurality of discrete texture features 100 on the face 101 on which the textured surface is provided. The texture features 100 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another over the area occupied by the textured surface, over both dimensions of the plane of the face 101. In this example, the texture features 100 are arranged with regular or periodic spacing, in the form of a triangular array. Since the texture features 100 are discrete and separated from one another, each feature may comprise a protrusion or peak extending from the plane of the face 101 , or may comprise a recess or pit “dug” below the plane of the face 100, or a combination of the two. The texture features 100 are depicted as having a roughly round cross-section parallel to the plane of the face 101 , but this is not essential, and the features may have any cross-sectional shape, dictated for example by the method of forming or providing the textured surface.

[0068] Figure 12B shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a second example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. This is similar to the example of Figure 12A, but in this case texture features 100 are arranged with regular spacing in the form of a square array. Other periodic distributions conforming to other regular arrays may also be used if desired. Alternatively, an irregular or non-periodic distribution may be used.

[0069] Figure 12C shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a third example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the cling of liquid. In this example, the texture features 100 are randomly distributed over the face 101 , with irregular and non-constant spacing, lacking any intended periodicity. The choice between a regular or an irregular distribution of texture features may be dictated by the method of forming the texture features. Alternatively, a regular arrangement with constant spacing may be most suitable for enabling the cling of a liquid with a specified viscosity, so that the spacing and regularity may be selected accordingly so as to target a particular liquid, such as water or a chosen type of aerosolisable substrate material. Conversely, a non-periodic arrangement with a range of spacings between the texture features could be used to provide some cling for liquids with viscosities within a range, so that a single textured surface can manage different liquids.

[0070] Figure 12D shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a first example of part of a textured surface which is configured for the direction or control of the direction of movement of flow of liquid incident on the textured surface. In order to enable manage liquid movement direction in this way, a texture surface can have the form of a plurality of continuous texture features 100 on the face 101 on which the textured surface is provided. The texture features 100 comprise a plurality of substantially parallel ridges 102 extending from the plane of the face 101 , and / or grooves / troughs / channels “dug” below the plane of the face 100, or a combination of the two. The ridges / grooves are substantially straight in this example. Hence the texture features 102 are continuous along one direction (the length direction along which the ridges / grooves extend), and spaced apart from one another (by a substantially constant spacing) in the orthogonal direction. The effect of this configuration of the texture features 102 is to interrupt or impede the movement of any incident liquid in the orthogonal direction, indicated by the arrow X, while enabling or promoting the movement of any incident liquid in the length direction, indicated by the arrow Y. In the context of the functionality desired by the concept proposed herein, the orthogonal direction is considered as the “across” direction, along which it is desired to inhibit the passage of liquid, so that liquid is inhibited by the textured surface from reaching the far side of the textured surface. Hence, a location on the far side of the textured surface can be protected from exposure to any liquid passing over the face on which the textured surface is provided. Conversely, the movement of incident liquid is encouraged along the length direction of the ridges / grooves, so can be directed away from the across direction, or intentionally encouraged along the length direction, or both.

[0071] Figure 12E shows a highly schematic and not-to-scale plan view representation of a second example of a textured surface which is configured for the control of the direction of liquid movement. The texture features 102 again comprise a plurality of substantially parallel ridges / grooves, but in this example, the ridges / grooves are formed in ring shapes and arranged substantially concentrically. The depicted example shows the ring shapes as circular, but this is not essential, and other shapes may be used in configurations where the grooves / ridges are not defined as straight over the extent of the textured surface. The concentric arrangement defines the across direction X of the textured surface as being between the centre and the outer edge of the area covered by the textured surface. In this way, liquid may be inhibited from moving from a point near the centre of the textured surface outwardly, or from a point beyond the textured surface inwards towards the centre. The direction Y along which the textured surface allows liquid movement is the circumferential direction.

[0072] Figure 13 shows a highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional view through an example textured surface, in order to indicates some parameters of interest. In this example, the texture features comprise pits or grooves formed in the face on which the textured surface is provided. Three texture features are shown, but in reality many more features may be present along a line through the textured surface. A first parameter of interest is the spacing s, shown as the centre-to-centre distance or separation between adjacent texture features. Purely as an example, the spacing s may be around 20 pm or around 25 pm. More generally, the spacing may be in the range of 15 pm to 30 pm, although larger and smaller spacings are not excluded, for example in the range of 10 pm to 50 pm. Within a textured surface or a region within a textured surface, the spacing may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the texture features, and might be within 2 pm or within 5 pm, for example), or may be chosen to take a variety of values that vary within a range of up to 10 pm, for example, such as to better manage liquids with different viscosities. A second parameter of interest is the size or dimensions of an individual texture feature, indicated in Figure 13 as a width w in a direction parallel to the plane of the textured surface and the face on which the textured surface is provided, but more generally including the height of protruding features and the depth of recessed or pitted features. These dimensions may or may not be substantially the same within an individual feature, so that the width may be about the same as the height / depth, or the width may be smaller or larger than the height / depth but typically within the same order of magnitude. For example, the individual dimensions may be around 2 pm or around 3 pm, although larger or smaller dimensions are not excluded, and may be, for example, at least 1 pm, or up to 5 pm, or up to 10 pm. For example, in some cases, the texture features may have dimensions in the range of 2 pm to 5 pm, or 1 pm to 10 pm. Within a textured surface or a region within a textured surface, the dimensions for all texture features may be constant (within manufacturing tolerances, which may depend on the technique used to form the texture features, and might be within 0.5 pm or within 1 pm, for example), or may be chosen to take a variety of values that vary within a range, for example, such as to better manage liquids with different viscosities.

[0073] Since the size of individual features and the spacing between adjacent features can be selected, a further parameter that may be of interest when characterising a textured surface is the density of the texture features within the textured surface. The density can be defined as the number of texture features per unit area, or more usefully so as to cover both discrete texture features and parallel grooves / ridges, the number of texture features per unit length across the surface texture. For example, the density may be selected to be about 3 or 4 or 5 features per 100 pm (so about 9 or 16 or 25 features per 100 pm2), although higher or lower values may also be used as required, such as within a range of about 2 to 10 features per pm. Again, the density may be roughly constant across the whole textured surface, or may be chosen to vary in order to provide a textured surface more capable of handling liquids with a range of viscosities.

[0074] Figure 14 shows a highly schematic and not-to scale cross-sectional view through another example textured surface, in which the individual texture features have the form of protrusions or ridges extending outwardly from the face carrying the textured surface.

[0075] Figure 15 shows a photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface comprising a plurality of discrete texture features in the form of spaced apart pits. A 100 pm scale is indicated.

[0076] Figure 16 shows a photographic image of a portion of a non-limiting example of a textured surface comprising a plurality of texture features in the form of spaced apart parallel grooves. A 100 pm scale is indicated.

[0077] In conclusion, in order to address various issues and advance the art, this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and to teach the claimed invention(s). It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure 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 claims. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. other than those specifically described herein. The disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

Claims1. A component of an aerosol provision system, the component comprising: a chamber for receiving a consumable; an air flow channel connecting an air inlet to the chamber; a cover for an opening of the air flow channel, the cover having an inner face in liquid flow communication with the air flow channel when the cover is closed over the opening; and a textured surface on the inner face, the textured surface configured to cause liquid incident on the textured surface to cling to the textured surface.

2. A component according to claim 1 , wherein the textured surface comprises a plurality of discrete texture features in the form of pits and / or protrusions spaced apart over two dimensions.

3. A component according to claim 2, wherein the texture features have dimensions in the range of 1 pm to 10 pm.

4. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the textured surface extends over substantially the entirety of the inner face.

5. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the textured surface extends over less than the entirety of the inner face.

6. A component according to claim 5, wherein the textured surface is shaped as a ring on the inner face.

7. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the textured surface comprises at least a first region and a second region each configured to cause liquid of a different viscosity to cling to the textured surface.

8. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover, when closed, is disposed over the air inlet.

9. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover is accessible from the exterior of the aerosol provision system.

10. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cover is detachable from the component.

11. A component according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cover remains attached to the component when open.

12. A component according to claim 11, wherein the cover is joined to the component by a hinge or flexible joint.

13. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover is located at an opposite end of the component to an opening of the chamber for insertion of a consumable into the chamber.

14. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the textured surface is configured to cause liquid in the form of water arising from condensation of air flowing along the air flow channel to cling to the textured surface.

15. A component according to any preceding claim, further comprising a further textured surface on an inner face of the air flow channel, the further textured surface configured to cause liquid incident on the further textured surface to flow along the further textured surface towards the cover.

16. A component according to claim 15, wherein the further textured surface extends fully over a length of the air flow channel.

17. A component according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the further textured surface extends fully around an inside face of the air flow channel.

18. A component according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the further textured surface comprises a plurality of texture features in the form of substantially parallel grooves and / or ridges extending along a length direction of the air flow channel.

19. A component according to claim 18, wherein the texture features have dimensions in the range of 1 pm to 10 pm.

20. A component according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the further textured surface is configured to cause liquid in the form of water arising from condensation of air flowing along the air flow channel to flow towards the cover.

21. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol provision system is a heated tobacco system, and the chamber is for receiving a consumable comprising a portion of tobacco to be heated.

22. A component according to claim 19, further comprising one or more heating elements for heating a portion of tobacco received in the chamber.

23. An aerosol provision system comprising a component according to any preceding claim.

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