Aerosol provision device

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material. The aerosol provision device has an elongate receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article with aerosol generating material, having a longitudinal axis, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field in the heating zone. The magnetic field generator includes an inductor coil arrangement comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The first array and second array are offset from each other about the longitudinal axis.

Description

[0001] AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an aerosol provision device. The present invention also relates to an aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

[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 accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising an receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article, the article comprising aerosol generating material, the heating zone defining a longitudinal axis, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field in the heating zone, wherein the magnetic field generator includes an inductor coil arrangement comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second array of at least two inductor coils aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first array and second array are offset from each other about the longitudinal axis.

[0008] The receptacle may be elongate. The first array of at least two inductor coils may be axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The second array of at least two inductor coils may be axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0009] Each inductor coil may be a substantially planar coil. Each inductor coil may be a spiral coil. Each inductor coil may have a maximum width greater than a maximum height of the inductor coil. Each inductor coil may comprise a flat spiral coil. The flat spiral coil may be arced.

[0010] The first array may be on an opposing side of the heating zone to the second array.

[0011] The inductor coils may be arranged in diametrically opposite pairs. The array of inductor coils may be on opposing sides of the heating zone.

[0012] The distance between diametrically opposite pairs of inductor coils may be greater than 2mm; optionally greater than 3mm; optionally greater than 5mm, optionally greater than 7.5mm; optionally greater than 10mm.

[0013] The first array may extend parallel to the second array.

[0014] Each inductor coil may be independently controllable to provide zonal heating of the heating zone.

[0015] The first array may comprise at least three inductor coils.

[0016] The inductor coils of the first array may be equally spaced from each other. The inductor coils of the second array may be equally spaced from each other.

[0017] The inductor coils of the first array may be axially offset from the inductor coils of the second array.

[0018] The device may comprise a third array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0019] The first array, second array and third array may be arranged in a triangular formation about the longitudinal axis.

[0020] The heating zone may be triangular in cross-section.

[0021] The device may comprise a fourth array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0022] The first array, second array, third array and fourth array may be arranged in an equiangular quadrilateral formation about the longitudinal axis.

[0023] The equiangular quadrilateral formation may be a square formation.

[0024] The heating zone may be square in cross-section.

[0025] The arrays may be distributed equally around the longitudinal axis. The axially distributed coils on each side of the receptacle may be in axial alignment.

[0026] Each coil may be configured to heat a portion of a face of the article received in the receptacle, wherein the article comprises a plurality of faces.

[0027] Each coil may be configured to heat a discrete region of the article.

[0028] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with the device described above, the article comprising a substrate, a first array of aerosol generating material, and a second array of aerosol generating material, wherein the first plurality of portions of aerosol generating material is configured to be heated by the first array of at least two inductor coils and the second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material is configured to be heated by the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0029] A flow path may be defined between the first array of aerosol generating material and the second array of aerosol generating material.

[0030] The first array of aerosol generating material may comprise a first plurality of portions of aerosol generating material.

[0031] The second array of aerosol generating material comprises a second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material.

[0032] Each portion of the first plurality of portions of aerosol generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil of the first array of at least two inductor coils. Each portion of the second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0033] The first array of aerosol generating material may comprise a first continuous strip of aerosol generating material.

[0034] The second array of aerosol generating material may comprise a second continuous strip of aerosol generating material

[0035] A portion of the first continuous strip of aerosol generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil of the first array of at least two inductor coils, and a portion of the second continuous strip of aerosol generating material may be heated by a corresponding coil of the second array of at least two inductor coils. The article may be inserted into the device such that the first array of aerosol generating material is in alignment with the first array of at least two inductor coils and the second array of aerosol generating material is in alignment with the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0036] The article may comprise a plurality of faces. Each face may comprise a corresponding array of aerosol generating material.

[0037] The substrate may comprise material susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

[0038] The article may have a polygonal cross section.

[0039] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with the device described above, the article comprising a substrate, a first array of aerosol generating material, and a second array of aerosol generating material, and a flow path defined between the first array of aerosol generating material and the second array of aerosol generating material.

[0040] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device and the article as described in any of the above.

[0041] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising an elongate receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, having a longitudinal axis.

[0042] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of operating an aerosol provision device for generating an aerosol from aerosol-generating material, the aerosol provision device comprising an elongate receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material, having a longitudinal axis, and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field in the heating zone, wherein the magnetic field generator includes an inductor coil arrangement comprising a first array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and a second array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first array and second array are offset from each other about the longitudinal axis, wherein the method comprises one of: a) sequentially operating each of the first array of at least two inductor coils prior to operating each of the second array of at least two inductor coils; or b) alternately operating one of the first array of at least two inductor coils followed by one of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

[0043] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0044] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

[0045] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision system;

[0046] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the aerosol provision device of the system of Figure 1 ;

[0047] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a heating assembly of an aerosol provision device; and

[0048] Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of the heating assembly of Figure 3.

[0049] Detailed Description

[0050] 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 tobaccocontaining material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosolgenerating 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. Aerosolgenerating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 aerosol-generating 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.

[0059] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the noncombustible aerosol provision device.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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. Figure 1 shows an aerosol provision system 101 including an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material and an article 200. The article 200 is an article comprising aerosol generating material. The article 200 is shown external to the device 100. The device 100 may be used to heat the replaceable article 200 comprising the aerosol generating material, to generate aerosol or other inhalable medium which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. In use, the article 200 is inserted into the device 100 for heating.

[0065] The device 100 comprises a body 110. The body 110 surrounds and houses various components of the device 100. The body 110 defines a device housing. An opening 132 is formed in one end of the body 110, through which the article 200 may be inserted into a receptacle 130 for heating by an aerosol generator 114 (refer to Figure 2). In use, the article may be fully or partially inserted into a heating zone 125 (shown in Figure 2) defined by the receptacle 130 where it may be heated by one or more components of the aerosol generator 114. The aerosol generator 114 comprises an inductor coil arrangement 120.

[0066] The device 100 may also include a user-operable control element 111 , 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.

[0067] The end of the device 100 closest to the opening 132 may be known as the proximal end (or mouth end) 105 of the device 100 because, in use, it is closest to the mouth of the user. In use, a user inserts the article 200 into the opening 132, operates the aerosol generator 114 to begin heating the aerosol generating material, and draws on the aerosol generated in the device 100. This causes aerosol to flow through the device 100 along a flow path towards the proximal end 105 of the device 100.

[0068] The other end of the device furthest away from the opening 160 may be known as the distal end 106 of the device 100 because, in use, it is the end furthest away from the mouth of the user. As a user draws on the aerosol generated in the device, the aerosol flows in a direction towards the proximal end 105 of the device 100. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 100 will be described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in a proximal-distal direction along the longitudinal axis 107. The article 200 is inserted into and removed from the device 100 through the opening 132. The article 200 comprises a substrate 210 which is susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The substrate 210 comprises a susceptor layer and a support layer. The support layer may be omitted. The substrate 210 may be enclosed inside the article 200. Figure 1 shows the article in a cut-away view to show the configuration the inside of the article 200. The article may have a first side 201 and a second side 202. An airflow channel (not shown) is provided between the first and second sides 201 , 202 such that the air flows through the article 200 from a distal to a proximal end. The article comprises a mouthpiece 209 which protrudes from the device 100 when the article 200 is inserted into the device 100. The air flows through the article 200 and out through the mouthpiece 209. The substrate 210 is disposed on the inside of the first and second sides 201 , 202. The article 200 may comprise an outer layer that surrounds the article 200.

[0069] Aerosol generating material 230 is disposed on the substrate 210. The aerosol generating material 230 is arranged on the susceptor layer on an inner side of the article 200. The aerosol generating material 230 is exposed to air flowing through an airflow path in the article 200. The first side 201 of the article 200 has a first array of aerosol generating material 231 disposed on the inside of the first side 201. The first array of aerosol generating material 231 comprises a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material. In embodiments, the susceptor layer, acting as a susceptor, is a foil layer. The foil may be aluminium foil. The susceptor may comprise discrete susceptor portions.

[0070] The second side of the article 200 has a second array of aerosol generating material 232 disposed on the inside of the second side 202. The second array of aerosol generating material 232 comprises a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material of each array may be defined by a continuous strip.

[0071] The substrate 210 has a length along the longitudinal axis 107. The length of the substrate 210 is greater than the width and or thickness of the substrate 210. The first and second arrays of aerosol generating material 231 , 232 are disposed along a length of the substrate 210. The proximal end 105 of the article 200 may comprise a mouthpiece 209. The proximal end 105 of the article 200 may be free from aerosol generating material such that in use, the user may insert a portion of this end into their mouth. The plurality of portions of aerosol generating material in the first array 231 are evenly spaced from each other on the substrate 210. The plurality of portions of aerosol generating material in the second array 232 are evenly spaced from each other on the substrate 210. In embodiments, the first and second arrays of aerosol generating material may each be a continuous strip of aerosol generating material.

[0072] In embodiments, the substrate and aerosol generating material may be disposed on an outer side of the article. The article may be inserted entirely into the device. The airflow path may be external to the article. The device may comprise a mouthpiece on the device.

[0073] The article 200 may be substantially flat. The receptacle 130 is shaped to receive the article 200. The opening 132 comprises a slot which receives the substantially flat article 200. In embodiments, the opening and / or the receptacle may have the same cross-sectional shape as the article. The aerosol generating material portions 232 are planar. In other embodiments, the article may be a different shape. The article may have a plurality of sides each with an array of aerosol generating material. In embodiments, the article may have at least one flat or arcuate side. The substrate 210 may provide structural support to the article. In embodiments, the article may be one of square, rectangular, lens shaped, or oval in cross section. In embodiments, the opening has the same cross-sectional shape as the article. The substrate 210 may comprise a flat strip with an array of aerosol generating material on each of the two sides. The substrate 210 comprises a foil. It has been surprisingly identified that the provision of opposing, or substantially opposing, coils may be used to cause a substantive heating effect of a first susceptor element disposed adjacent to the coil without causing a substantive heating effect of a second susceptor element disposed adjacent or immediately adjacent to the first susceptor element on an opposing side of the first susceptor element to the first susceptor element. The substrate, acting as a first susceptor element, may act to restrict a second substrate, and therefore aerosol generating material on one side of the article from being affected by coils on the opposite side of the article.

[0074] It has been surprisingly identified that the provision of opposing, or substantially opposing, coils in close proximity may be used to cause a substantive heating effect of a susceptor material disposed therebetween without substantively inducing a coil opposing the activated coil on an opposing side of the susceptor material. The susceptor material acts to control the magnetic flux generated by the activated coil so that it is restrained to the susceptor material and the side on which the activated coil is positioned.

[0075] Figure 2 shows the inductor coil arrangement 120 of the aerosol provision device 100. In this embodiment, the inductor coil arrangement 120 comprises a first coil array 121 and a second coil array 122. The first coil array 121 comprises a plurality of coils 123 in axial alignment along one side of the heating zone 125. The second coil array 122 comprises a plurality of coils 124 in axial alignment along an opposing side of the heating zone 125. The coil arrays 121 , 122 are arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the heating zone 125. The first coil array 121 is parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second coil array 122. The second coil array 122 is parallel to the longitudinal axis and the first coil array 121. The first coil array 121 is aligned along a first plane parallel to a second plane along which the second coil array is aligned. Figure 2 shows each coil array 121 , 122 comprising five inductor coils arranged along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. In embodiments, the first and second coil arrays 121 , 122 may each comprise two or more axially aligned coils 123, 124. Each coil array 121 , 122 comprises a plurality of flat spiral coils. In embodiments, the inductor coils may be planar, or substantially planar, coils. In embodiments, the inductor coil arrangement comprises a plurality of coil arrays. Each inductor coil may be a spiral coil. Each inductor coil may have a maximum width greater than a maximum height of the inductor coil. The flat spiral coil may be arced. Each inductor coil may be spiral, non-spiral, square, rectangular and / or trapezoidal.

[0076] The coils of each coil array 121 , 122 are evenly spaced from each other and evenly distributed along a portion of an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis 107. Each coil 123, 124 of the first and second coil arrays 121 , 122 is independently controllable to provide zonal heating within the heating zone 125.

[0077] Each coil of the first coil array 121 has a diametrically opposed coil in the second coil array 122. Diametrically opposite pairs of inductor coils may be arranged close together to be close to the article, while still allowing air to flow between the article and the receptacle 130. The distance between the diametrically opposite pairs of inductor coils is greater than 2mm, optionally 3mm, optionally 5mm, optionally 7.5mm, or optionally 10mm. Each portion of the plurality of portions of aerosol generating material in the first array 231 is heated by a corresponding coil of the first coil array 121. Each portion of the plurality of portions of aerosol generating material in the second array 232 is heated by a corresponding coil of the second coil array 122. Each coil heats its corresponding portion of aerosol generating material without heating other portions of aerosol generating material within the article.

[0078] The receptacle 130 comprises two sides on which the coil arrays 121 , 122 are disposed. The receptacle may comprise two sides which are free from coil arrays. The heating zone 125 is substantially rectangular in cross-section, where the length of the sides on which the first and second coil arrays 121 , 122 are disposed is greater than the length of the sides on which a coil array is not disposed. In embodiments, the heating zone may have a different cross section. The receptacle may have coil arrays disposed on all or at least three sides.

[0079] The inductor coil arrangement 120 of Figure 2 has two coil arrays. In embodiments, the inductor coil arrangement has more than two coil arrays, such as three or four coil arrays.

[0080] Figure 3 shows the system 301 having an article 400 with four sides 401 , 402, 403, 404, each having an array of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434, and a device 300 having an inductor coil arrangement 320 having four coil arrays 321 , 322, 323, 324. Figure 4 shows a top view of the device 300 showing the heating zone 325 and the configuration of the coil arrays 321 , 322, 323, 324. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the article with the arrays of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434 exposed. The arrays of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434 are disposed internally on each side 401 , 402, 403, 404 within the article 400. The arrays of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434 are within the article 400 such that, in use, the air flows through the article 400 and past the arrays of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434. The aerosol generated from heating the arrays of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434 is released into the air flow path through the article 400. The mouthpiece 409 protrudes from the device. In embodiments, the article may be entirely within the device, such that the device comprises a mouthpiece. In embodiments, the airflow path may be external to the article and the arrays of aerosol generating material are disposed on an external surface of each side of the article. The heating zone 325 is substantially square to accommodate the article 400 having four sides 401 , 402, 403, 404, each of which having an array of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434. Each side of the heating zone 325 has a corresponding coil array 321 , 322, 323, 324. The cross section of the article 400 is substantially square such that it fits in the heating zone 325.

[0081] Figure 3 shows each array of aerosol generating material 431 , 432, 433, 434 comprising four portions of aerosol generating material, and each coil array 321 , 322, 323, 324 comprises four coils 322. In embodiments, the arrays of aerosol generating material may comprise one continuous strip of aerosol generating material. In embodiments the arrays of aerosol generating material may each comprise two or more portions of aerosol generating material. In embodiments, the coil arrays may each comprise two or more coils. In embodiments, the heating zone is a different shape, such as rectangular or triangular, or has three or more sides. In embodiments, the cross section of the article is rectangular or triangular, or has three or more sides.

[0082] In use, the air flows through the article 200 and passes over the aerosol generating material portions 232. Each aerosol generating material portion is heated by its own coil 122 to release the aerosol generating material 230 into the airflow path through the article 200. In embodiments, portions of aerosol generating material in an array of aerosol generating material may be heated by two or more coils in a coil array.

[0083] An electronics assembly 112 is in the body 110. The electronics assembly 112 comprises a power source. 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. The battery is electrically coupled to the heating arrangement 120 to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller to heat the aerosol generating material. The electronics assembly 112 comprises an electronics module. The electronics module may comprise a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA may comprise, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB) that supports at least one controller, such as a processor, and memory. The PCB may also comprise one or more electrical tracks to electrically connect together various electronic components. The battery terminals may be electrically connected to the PCB so that power can be distributed throughout the device 100. The heating arrangement 120 is connected to the electronics assembly. The coils of each coil array 121 , 122 may be disposed on a PCB. The PCB may be flexible. The coils of each coil array may comprise I itz wire.

[0084] The memory may comprise computer readable instructions which, when executed by a processor are configured to cause the device to perform the steps of: either sequentially operating each of the first array of at least two inductor coils prior to operating each of the second array of at least two inductor coils, or alternately operating one of the first array of at least two inductor coils followed by one of the second array of at least two inductor coils. In embodiments, the coils of each array of at least two inductor coils may be operated sequentially along adjacent coils of the array. The coils of each array of at least two inductor coils may be operated in a random sequence. In embodiments where arrays have multiple coils, the coils of each array may be operated in sequence such as where even numbered coils are operated, followed by odd. Other such sequences may include the operation of every nthcoil where n is a multiple of the number of coils in the array. In embodiments, each first coil of each array is operated independently, followed by each second coil of each array, followed by each additional coil of each array until all coils of all arrays are operated.

[0085] 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 generating an aerosol from aerosolgenerating material, the aerosol provision device comprising: a receptacle defining a heating zone arranged to receive at least a portion of an article, the article comprising aerosol generating material, the heating zone defining a longitudinal axis; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a varying magnetic field in the heating zone; wherein the magnetic field generator includes an inductor coil arrangement comprising: a first array of at least two inductor coils aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis; and a second array of at least two inductor coils aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the first array and second array are offset from each other about the longitudinal axis.

2. The aerosol provision device of claim 1, wherein each inductor coil is a substantially planar coil.

3. The aerosol provision device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first array is on an opposing side of the heating zone to the second array.

4. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inductor coils are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs on opposing sides of the heating zone.

5. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first array extends parallel to the second array.

6. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein each inductor coil is independently controllable to provide zonal heating of the heating zone.

7. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first array comprises at least three inductor coils.

8. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 7, comprising a third array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

9. The aerosol provision device of claim 8, wherein the first array, second array and third array are arranged in a triangular formation about the longitudinal axis.

10. The aerosol provision device of claim 8, comprising a fourth array of at least two inductor coils axially aligned in a direction of the longitudinal axis.

11. The aerosol provision device of claim 10, wherein the first array, second array, third array and fourth array are arranged in an equiangular quadrilateral formation about the longitudinal axis.

12. The aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the arrays are distributed equally around the longitudinal axis.

13. An article for use with the device of any of claims 1 to 12, the article comprising: a substrate, a first array of aerosol generating material, and a second array of aerosol generating material portions of aerosol generating material; wherein the first plurality of portions of aerosol generating material is configured to be heated by the first array of at least two inductor coils and the second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material is configured to be heated by the second array of at least two inductor coils.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the first array of aerosol generating material comprises a first plurality of portions of aerosol generating material, and the second array of aerosol generating material comprises a second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material, wherein each portion of the first plurality of portions ofaerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the first array of at least two inductor coils, and each portion of the second plurality of portions of aerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

15. The article of claim 13, wherein the first array of aerosol generating material comprises a first continuous strip of aerosol generating material, and the second array of aerosol generating material comprises a second continuous strip of aerosol generating material, wherein a portion of the first continuous strip of aerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the first array of at least two inductor coils, and a portion of the second continuous strip of aerosol generating material is heated by a corresponding coil of the second array of at least two inductor coils.

16. The article of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the article is inserted into the device such that the first array of aerosol generating material is in alignment with the first array of at least two inductor coils and the second array of aerosol generating material is in alignment with the second array of at least two inductor coils.

17. The article of any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the article comprises a plurality of faces.

18. The article of claim 17, wherein each face comprises a corresponding array of aerosol generating material.

19. The article of any of claims 13 to 18, wherein the substrate comprises material susceptible to eddy currents being induced therein by penetration with a varying magnetic field.

20. An aerosol provision system comprising the aerosol provision device of any of claims 1 to 12 and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

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