Multiple-layer ceramic body and aerosol provision system

Abstract

Multiple-layer ceramic body and aerosol provision system The embodiments of the present invention disclose a multiple-layer ceramic body for an aerosol provision system and the aerosol provision system. The multiple-layer ceramic body comprises stacked arrangement of an oil-guiding layer and an atomizing layer; at least one of the oil- guiding layer and the atomizing layer has two or more porous layers; at least one of the oil- guiding layer and the atomizing layer is configured to have differences in pore size and / or porosity. In the embodiments of the present invention, the multiple-layer ceramic body offers better oil-locking and oil-guiding functions. At least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer in the stacked arrangement has two or more porous layers, which provides good support to the heating body. Meanwhile the multiple-layer arrangement makes the pore size and porosity of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer adjustable. Thus, the ceramic body can be adjusted in terms of atomizing particle size, oil-guiding rate, aerosol flavor, and other aspects, which can meet different needs and improve user experience.

Description

Multiple-layer ceramic body and aerosol provision system Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of aerosol provision technology, particularly to a multiple-layer ceramic body and an aerosol provision system. Background

[0002] The atomizing core used in an aerosol provision system is a key component of a liquid atomization device. Generally, the atomizing core comprises a heating body and a substrate. The substrate primarily supports the heating body, providing a foundational surface to stabilize the heating body in a fixed shape. Additionally, the substrate needs to perform oil locking, oil guiding, and atomization evaporation functions. Therefore, the substrate needs to be capable of storing a portion of the e-liquid and promptly directing it from the oil tank to the atomization surface, ensuring that the e-liquid is replenished on the atomization surface as it evaporates when the heating body heats up.

[0003] To achieve a certain resistance and an optimal heating surface, the heating body is shaped differently based on the material requirements. Similarly, the substrate needs to incorporate different support layers, oil-locking and oil-guiding layers, and atomization layers to accommodate heating needs. Currently, ceramic atomizing cores still exhibit relatively poor overall performance, with drawbacks such as low oil-guiding rates, susceptibility to dry burn failure, and inadequate support capability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to at least address one of the technical problems in the prior art. To this end, the present invention discloses a multiple-layer ceramic body and an aerosol provision system.

[0005] In the first aspect, the present invention provides a multiple-layer ceramic body for an aerosol provision system, the multiple-layer ceramic body comprises: a stacked arrangement of an oil-guiding layer and an atomizing layer; wherein at least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer has two or more porous layers; and at least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer is configured to have differences in pore size and / or porosity.

[0006] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are stacked in sequence along one direction. In furtherembodiments, the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are in the same planar, arcuate, or curved shape, and they are stacked facing each other in sequence. In further embodiments, the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are pillar-like and coaxial, stacked successively along the radial direction.

[0007] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the atomizing layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous atomizing sub-layers, with the same pore size and porosity for the porous atomizing sub-layers; and / or, the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous oil-guiding sub-layers, with the same pore size and porosity for the porous oil-guiding sub-layers.

[0008] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than40 m.

[0009] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or greaterthan 10 m.

[0010] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 65%.

[0011] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or greater than 45%.

[0012] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the pore size of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is the same, but the porosity is different. In further embodiments, the porosity of the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer and the oil- guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%. In further embodiments, the atomizing layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous atomizing sub-layers. In further embodiments, the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is greater than the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub- layers near the oil-guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil- guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%. In further embodiments, the porosity of any two layers of the porous atomizing sub-layers is the same. In further embodiments, theoil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers. In further embodiments, the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%. In further embodiments, the porosity of any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is the same.

[0013] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the porosity of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is the same, the pore sizes are different. In further embodiments, the pore size of the atomizing layer is smaller than the pore size of the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the difference in pore size between the atomizing layer and theoil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m. In further embodiments, theatomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers. In further embodiments, the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is equal to or greater than the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the difference in pore size between any two layers of the porous atomizingsub-layers is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m. In further embodiments, the pore sizeof any two layers of the porous atomizing sub-layers is the same. In further embodiments, the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two layers of porous oil-guiding sub-layers. In further embodiments, the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer. In further embodiments, the difference between any two layers of the porousoil-guiding sub-layers is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m. In further embodiments,the pore size of any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is the same.

[0014] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the porosity and pore size of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are all different. In further embodiments, the porosity of the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the oil-guiding layer, and the pore size of the oil-guiding layer is greater than the pore size of the atomizing layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the atomizinglayer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m. In furtherembodiments, the atomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers. In further embodiments, the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is equal to or greater than the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil- guiding layer, and the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer isequal to or greater than the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or lessthan 10 m. In further embodiments, the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers. In further embodiments, the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, and the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub- layers farther away from the atomizing layer. In further embodiments, the difference in porosity between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range ofequal to or less than 10 m.

[0015] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the thickness of the atomizing layer is equal to or less than 2mm, the thickness of the oil-guiding layer is equal to or less than 2mm, and the thickness of the multi-layer composite ceramic body is equal to or less than 4mm. In further embodiments, the atomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers, and the thickness of each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous atomizing sub- layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm. In further embodiments, the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers, and the thickness of each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub- layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm. In further embodiments, each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm. In further embodiments, the thickness of the multi-layer composite ceramic body is equal to or less than 3mm, and equal to or greater than 2.5mm.

[0016] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the thickness of the multi-layer composite ceramic body is equal to or less than 1.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.8mm.

[0017] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, it comprises a heating body, the heating body is positioned on the surface of the atomizing layer facing away from the oil-guiding layer. In further embodiments, the heating body is prepared through thick- film printing technology or vacuum deposition technology.

[0018] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, it comprises a heating body, the heating body is embedded within the atomizing layer. In further embodiments, the heating body is embedded within the atomizing layer through a pre-embedding method. In further embodiments, the heating body is a ceramic electric heating body.

[0019] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer are formed through the tape-casting process.

[0020] In one embodiment of the aforementioned multiple-layer ceramic body, two or more porous layers of the oil-guiding layer and / or the atomizing layer are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased; and / or the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased.

[0021] In the second aspect, the present invention discloses an aerosol provision system, that comprises any one of the multiple-layer ceramic bodies as described above.

[0022] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer in the stacked arrangement has two or more porous layers, which provides good support to the heating body. The multiple-layer ceramic body offers better oil- locking and oil-guiding functions. Meanwhile, the multiple-layer arrangement makes the parameters of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer to be configured differently, thereby realizing multiple possible configurations to achieve different effects. Specifically, by adjusting at least one parameter of the pore size and porosity of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer, the ceramic body can be adjusted in terms of atomizing particle size, oil-guiding rate, aerosol flavor, and other aspects, which can meet different needs and improve user experience.

[0001] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be partially described in the following description, some will become apparent from the following description, and others may be learned through the practice of the invention. The invention includes any combination of two,three, four, or more of the above-noted embodiments as well as combinations of any two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosed invention, in any of its various aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Description of Drawings:

[0023] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosed content of the present invention will become more understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Moreover, similar numbers in the figures are used to represent similar components, among which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a multiple-layer ceramic body in one embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the multiple-layer ceramic body in another embodiment;

[0026] Figures 3 to 6 are schematic diagrams of the layered structure of the multiple-layer ceramic body in another embodiment;

[0027] Figures 7 to 9 are schematic diagrams of the layered structure of the multiple-layer ceramic body in another embodiment;

[0028] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of the layered structure of the multiple-layer ceramic body in another embodiment. Detailed Description

[0029] The following describes some embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only for explaining the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the term "about" modifying the quantity of an ingredient refers to variation inthe numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make the formulation, or to carry out the methods; and the like. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a formulation or composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term "about", the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

[0031] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user in use, and includes:

[0032] combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material);

[0033] non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosol- generating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials; and

[0034] aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0035] According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0036] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar.

[0037] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

[0038] 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.

[0039] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0040] 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 aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating 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.

[0048] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0049] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0050] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

[0051] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0052] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0053] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical"includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.

[0054] Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v.,Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v.,Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

[0055] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

[0056] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0057] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry,cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0058] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

[0059] In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0060] 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. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a“monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. Theamorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material may for example comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0061] The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0062] The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3- butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0063] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0064] The material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

[0065] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol- generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0066] A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. Thesusceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

[0067] An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

[0068] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol- generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0069] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems (which may also be referred to as vapour delivery systems) such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term "e-cigarette" or "electronic cigarette" may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system / device and electronic aerosol delivery system / device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

[0070] Aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable device part and a replaceable (disposable / consumable) cartridge part. Often, the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol generating material and the vaporiser (which may collectively be called a “cartomizer”) and the reusable device part will comprise the power provision (e.g. rechargeable power source) and control circuitry. It will be appreciated these different parts may comprise further elements depending on functionality. For example, the reusable device part will often comprise a user interface for receiving userinput and displaying operating status characteristics, and the replaceable cartridge device part in some cases comprises a temperature sensor for helping to control temperature. Cartridges are electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, or magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol generating material in a cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol generating material, the cartridge may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Systems and devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two- part systems / devices.

[0071] It is common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure will be taken to comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part system employing disposable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated that the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for different configurations, for example single-part systems or modular systems comprising more than two parts, refillable devices and single-use disposables, as well as other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a boxier shape. More generally, it will be appreciated certain embodiments of the disclosure are based on aerosol delivery systems which are operationally configured to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and the constructional aspects of systems configured to provide the functionality in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure is not of primary significance.

[0072] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-layer composite ceramic body 10 for an aerosol provision system, which comprises: stacked arrangement of an oil-guiding layer 11 and an atomizing layer 12; at least one of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 has two or more porous layers; the oil-guiding layer has a first surface 11a facing away from the atomizing layer, and the atomizing layer 12 has a second surface 12a facing away from the oil-guiding layer. At least one of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 is configured to have differences in pore size and / or porosity.

[0073] The terms “pore size” and “porosity” are used throughout the present application and in all instances, the skilled person will understand that such parameters may be measured by methods which are common general knowledge in the art. For example, the pore size and / or porosity may be measured by conductive treatment (e.g. gold sputtering) of the respective sample followed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and image analysis (e.g. using open- source image analysis software such as ImageJ; a Java-based image processing programme https: / / imagej.net / ). Standard conditions are employed for the conductive treatment and SEM.For example, the sample may be subjected to gold sputtering so that the thickness of the gold coating ranges from 5 to 20 nanometres. The coated sample may then be placed in a scanning electron microscope (e.g. a field-emission scanning electron microscope) under vacuum conditions (e.g.10-5to 10-7Torr). The working distance may be set at from 5 to 10 mm, and the accelerating voltage may be between 1 and 30 kV. The image obtained may then be analysed using open-source image analysis software such as ImageJ to determine pore size and porosity.

[0074] In an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 is configured to have differences in pore size and / or porosity, which comprises the following cases:

[0075] the oil-guiding layer 11 is set as a multiple-layer structure, wherein at least one of the parameters, pore size or porosity, differs between at least two of its layers;

[0076] the atomizing layer 12 is set as a multiple-layer structure, wherein at least one of the parameters, pore size or porosity, differs between at least two of its layers;

[0077] the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 are configured to have at least one of differing parameter in pore size or porosity. When at least one of the atomizing layer 12 or the oil-guiding layer 11 is a multiple-layer structure, at least one of the parameters (pore size or porosity) of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 is different, which comprise the configuration where at least one layer of the oil-guiding layer 11 and at least one layer of the atomizing layer 12 have differing pore size or porosity. This may also comprise the configuration where all layers of the oil-guiding layer 11 and all layers of the atomizing layer 12 are configured with at least one differing parameter in pore size or porosity.

[0078] In the above embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the stacked oil-guiding layer and atomizing layer has two or more porous layers, providing good support and load- bearing capability for the heating body. At the same time, it achieves the oil locking and oil guiding functions of the multiple-layer ceramic body. Meanwhile, the multiple-layer arrangement makes the parameters of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer configured differently, thereby realizing multiple possible configurations to achieve different effects. Specifically, by adjusting at least one parameter of the pore size and porosity of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer, the ceramic body can be adjusted in terms of atomizing particle size, oil-guiding rate, aerosol flavor, and other aspects, which can meet different needs and improve user experience.

[0079] In the aerosol provision system, the oil-guiding layer 11 is positioned closer to the e- liquid relative to the atomizing layer 12, with the e-liquid being transmitted through the oil-guidinglayer 11 to the atomizing layer 12, where it undergoes heating and atomization on the side of the atomizing layer 12.

[0080] Wherein, the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 can be stacked in sequence in one direction. It should be noted that the multiple-layer ceramic body 10 can be fabricated in various shapes as needed. The atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 may be in the same planar, arcuate, or curved shape, and they are stacked facing each other in sequence; alternatively, as shown in Figure 1, the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 can be pillar-like and coaxial, stacked successively along the X direction.

[0081] Based on the above embodiment, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 2, the multiple-layer ceramic body 10 comprises an oil-guiding layer 11, an atomizing layer 12, and a heating body 13 stacked sequentially along the X direction. The oil-guiding layer 11 has a first surface 11a in contact with the e-liquid, while the atomizing layer 12 has a second surface 12a facing away from the oil-guiding layer 11, with the heating body 13 positioned on the second surface 12a. At least one of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12, or both, may have a multiple-layer porous structure. As shown in Figure 2, the oil-guiding layer 11 comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112, with the same pore size and porosity. The atomizing layer 12 comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122, with the same pore size and porosity. This structure can be achieved through a simple process, reducing process complexity and preparation costs.

[0082] Preferably, the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112 is less thanor equal to 40 m; furthermore, the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112is greater than or equal to 10 m. The porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112is less than or equal to 65%, and further, it is greater than or equal to 45%.

[0083] Preferably, the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122 is less than orequal to 40 m, and further, the pore size is greater than or equal to 10 m. The porosity of theporous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122 is less than or equal to 65%, and further, it is greater than or equal to 45%.

[0084] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a multiple-layer ceramic body 10 comprising an oil-guiding layer 11, an atomizing layer 12, and a heating body 13 stacked sequentially along the X direction. The oil-guiding layer 11 has a first surface 11a in contact with the e-liquid, while the atomizing layer 12 has a second surface 12a facing away from the oil- guiding layer 11, with the heating body 13 positioned on the second surface 12a. The atomizinglayer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 have the same pore size but the porosity is different. The porosity of the atomizing layer 12 is less than that of the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0085] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

[0086] In one implementation, as shown in Figure 3, the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 have the same pore size; the atomizing layer 12 comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122 stacked sequentially along the X direction. The porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layer 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 is greater than the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layer 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0087] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 and the porous atomizing sub-layers 122 farther away from the oil- guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

[0088] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 4, differing from the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 is equal to the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0089] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 5, the pore size of the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 is the same. The oil-guiding layer 11 comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112 stacked sequentially along the X direction. The porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 112 near the atomizing layer12 is less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 farther away from the atomizing layer 12.

[0090] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 112 near the atomizing layer 12 and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 farther away from the atomizing layer 12 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

[0091] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 6, differing from the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the pore size and the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112 are the same.

[0092] In the above embodiments, the pore size of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 is the same, but the porosity is different, which serves as one configuration for achieving varied atomization effects. Based on this configuration, the multiple oil-guiding sub-layers within the oil-guiding layer 11 may be set with either identical or differing values for one of the parameters, pore size or porosity. Similarly, the multiple atomizing sub-layers within theatomizing layer 12 may be configured with either identical or differing values for one of the parameters, pore size or porosity. This approach allows for more adjustable configurations to achieve a wider variety of atomization effects, thereby meeting more needs.

[0093] Furthermore, the atomizing layer and / or the oil-guiding layer comprises at least one porous layer, only the atomizing layer and oil-guiding layer can achieve the function of providing good support and load-bearing for the heating body.

[0094] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a multiple-layer ceramic body 10 comprising an oil-guiding layer 11, an atomizing layer 12, and a heating body 13 stacked sequentially along the X direction. The oil-guiding layer 11 has a first surface 11a in contact with the e-liquid, while the atomizing layer 12 has a second surface 12a facing away from the oil- guiding layer 11, with the heating body 13 positioned on the second surface 12a. The porosity of atomizing layer 12 and oil-guiding layer 11 is the same porosity but the pore sizes are different, wherein the pore size of the atomizing layer 12 is smaller than that of the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0095] Preferably, the difference in pore size between the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guidinglayer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

[0096] In an implementation, as shown in Figure 7, the porosity of the atomizing layer 12 and oil-guiding layer 11 is the same. The pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 is equal to or greater than the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0097] Preferably, the difference in pore size between any two layers of the porous atomizingsub-layers is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

[0098] In an implementation, as shown in Figure 8, differing from Figure 7, the pore size of any two layers of the porous atomizing sub-layers is the same. For example, the pore sizes of the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122 are the same.

[0099] In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, the oil-guiding layer 11 comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers 111 and 112 stacked along the X direction; the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layer 112 near the atomizing layer 12 is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layer 111 farther away from the atomizing layer 12.

[0100] Preferably, the difference between any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers(e.g., 111 and 112) is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

[0101] In another implementation, as shown in Figure 8, differing from the implementation shown in Figure 9, the pore size of any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers (e.g., 111 and 112) is the same.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the pore size of the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 are different, while the porosity is the same. This configuration is a method to achieve different atomization effects. Based on this configuration, the multiple oil-guiding sub-layers of the oil-guiding layer 11 may be set the same or differently for either pore size or porosity.

[0103] Similarly, the multiple atomizing sub-layers of the atomizing layer 12 can be set the same or differently for either pore size or porosity, thus allowing more configurable options to achieve a wider variety of atomization effects to meet more needs. Furthermore, the atomizing layer and / or oil-guiding layer has at least one porous layer, and only the atomizing layer and oil- guiding layer can achieve the function of providing good support and load-bearing for the heating body. In addition, the small pore size of the atomizing layer can improve the consistency of the heating body near the atomizing layer, thereby enhancing the stability of the atomization and optimizing the atomization effect.

[0104] In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a multiple-layer ceramic body 10, which comprises an oil-guiding layer 11, an atomizing layer 12, and a heating body 13, stacked sequentially along the X direction. The oil-guiding layer 11 has a first surface 11a in contact with the e-liquid, while the atomizing layer 12 has a second surface 12a facing away from the oil-guiding layer 11, with the heating body 13 positioned on the second surface 12a. The porosity and pore size of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are all different. Wherein, the porosity of the atomizing layer 12 is less than that of the oil-guiding layer 11, and the pore size of the oil-guiding layer 11 is greater than that of the atomizing layer 12.

[0105] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between theatomizing layer 12 and the oil-guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

[0106] In an implementation, as shown in Figure 10, the atomizing layer 12 comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers 121 and 122, stacked sequentially along the X direction. The porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layer 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 is greater than or equal to that of the porous atomizing sub-layer 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11. and the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layer 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 is greater than or equal to that of the porous atomizing sub-layer 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11.

[0107] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 near the oil-guiding layer11 and the porous atomizing sub-layers 122 farther away from the oil- guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous atomizing sub-layers 121 near the oil-guiding layer 11 and the porous atomizing sub-layers 122 farther away from the oil-guiding layer 11 is within a range of equal toor less than 10 m.

[0108] In an implementation, as shown in Figure 11, the oil-guiding layer 11 comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 and 112, stacked sequentially along the X direction. The porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, and the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer.

[0109] Preferably, the difference in porosity between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 112 near the atomizing layer 12 and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 111 farther away from the atomizing layer 12 is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers 112 near the atomizing layer 12 and the porous oil-guiding sub- layers 111 farther away from the atomizing layer 12 is within a range of equal to or less than10 m.

[0110] In the embodiments shown in Figures 10 and 11, the differing porosity and pore size between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer provide a configuration method to achieve varied atomization effects. Based on this approach, the multiple porous sub-layers of the oil- guiding layer 11 can be set the same or differently for either pore size or porosity. Similarly, the multiple porous sub-layers of the atomizing layer 12 can also be configured to have the same or differently for either pore size or porosity, thus allowing more configurable options to achieve a wider variety of atomization effects to meet more needs.

[0111] Furthermore, the atomizing layer and / or oil-guiding layer has at least one porous layer, and only the atomizing layer and oil-guiding layer can achieve the function of providing good support and load-bearing for the heating body.

[0112] In the above embodiments, the parameters of the multiple-layer ceramic body can be configured according to actual needs.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the overall porosity range of the multiple-layer ceramic body 10 is between 55% and 58%, with an average pore size of the oil-guiding layer 11 preferablyset at 22 m, and an average pore size of the atomizing layer 12 preferably set at 18 m.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the atomizing layer 12 is less than or equal to 2mm, the thickness of the oil-guiding layer 11 is less than or equal to 2mm, and the thickness of the multiple-layer ceramic body 10 is less than or equal to 4mm.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, the atomizing layer 12 comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers, each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm. The oil-guiding layer 11 comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers, each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness range of the porous atomizing sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm; the thickness range of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm; or, the thickness range of the porous atomizing sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm, and the thickness range of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm; or, the thickness range of the porous atomizing sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm, and the thickness range of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm.

[0117] In some embodiments, the heating body 13 arranged on the second surface 12a of the atomizing layer 12 can be fabricated by thick-film printing technology or vacuum deposition technology; the heating body 13 may be embedded within the atomizing layer 12, and the heating body 13 is a ceramic electric heating body; the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 may be formed through the tape casting process. Other suitable manufacturing processes may also be used to form the heating body 13, the oil-guiding layer 11, and the atomizing layer 12, which will not be further detailed here.

[0118] In some embodiments, two or more porous layers of the oil-guiding layer 11 and / or the atomizing layer 12 are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased.

[0119] In some embodiments, the oil-guiding layer 11 and the atomizing layer 12 are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased.

[0120] The present disclosure further provides an aerosol provision system, which comprises a multiple-layer ceramic body as described above.

[0121] The system further comprises an aerosol-generating material housed internally, a power source, and a controller; under the control of the controller, the power source supplies power to the heating body on the multiple-layer ceramic body, the heating body heats the aerosol- generating material to produce aerosol after generating heat.

[0122] It should be noted that each embodiment described in this specification adopts a progressive approach, with each embodiment focusing on its distinctive aspects in comparison to other embodiments. The similar or identical parts across various embodiments are cross- referenced as needed.

[0123] It should be understood that each part of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or combinations thereof. In the above implementations, multiple steps or methods may be implemented with software or firmware stored in memory and executed by an appropriate instruction execution system. For example, if it is implemented by hardware, as in another implementation, it can be implemented by any one of the following technologies known in the art or combinations thereof: discrete logic circuits with logic gate circuits for implementing logic functions for data signal, special integrated circuits with appropriate combined logic gate circuits, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0124] In the description of this specification, the referential terminology "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples" means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are comprised in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the indicative expression of the above-mentioned terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable way in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0125] Moreover, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used merely for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the characteristics defined as "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly comprise at least one such characteristic. In the description of this invention, the term "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0126] In the present invention, unless explicitly defined and limited, terms such as "mounting," "connecting," "connection," "fixing," etc., should be understood in a broad sense. For instance,the connection can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary medium, it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless explicitly defined otherwise. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of these terms in the context of the invention based on the circumstances.

[0127] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the invention. Those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention can make variations, modifications, replacements, and variations to the above- described embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A multiple-layer ceramic body for an aerosol provision system, wherein the multiple- layer ceramic body comprises: a stacked arrangement of an oil-guiding layer and an atomizing layer; wherein at least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer has two or more porous layers; and wherein at least one of the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer is configured to have differences in pore size and / or porosity.

2. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1, wherein the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are stacked in sequence along one direction, preferably wherein the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are in the same planar, arcuate, or curved shape, and they are stacked facing each other in sequence, or wherein the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are pillar-like and coaxial, stacked successively along the radial direction.

3. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the atomizing layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous atomizing sub-layers, with the same pore size and porosity for the porous atomizing sub-layers; and / or, the oil- guiding layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous oil-guiding sub-layers, with the same pore size and porosity for the porous oil-guiding sub-layers, preferably wherein the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 40 m and / or equal to or greater than 10 m, orwherein the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers and / or the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 65% and / or equal to or greater than 45%.

4. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pore size of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is the same, but the porosity is different, preferably wherein the porosity of the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the oil-guiding layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

5. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the atomizing layer comprises at least two sequentially stacked porous atomizing sub-layers, preferably wherein the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is greater than the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

6. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 4, wherein the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers, preferably wherein the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%.

7. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the porosity of any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is the same.

8. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the porosity of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is the same, the pore sizes are different, preferably wherein the pore size of the atomizing layer is smaller than the pore size of the oil-guiding layer, optionally wherein the difference in pore size between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

9. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 8, wherein the atomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers, preferably wherein the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is equal to or greater than the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer, optionally wherein the difference in pore size between any two layers of the porous atomizing sub-layers is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

10. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 9, wherein the pore size of any two layers of the porous atomizing sub-layers is the same.

11. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 8, wherein the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two layers of porous oil-guiding sub-layers, preferably wherein the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, optionally wherein the difference between any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

12. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 11, wherein the pore size of any two layers of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is the same.

13. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the porosity and pore size of the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer are all different, preferably wherein the porosity of the atomizing layer is less than the porosity of the oil-guiding layer, and the pore size of the oil-guiding layer is greater than the pore size of the atomizing layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the atomizing layer and the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

14. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 13, wherein the atomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers, preferably wherein the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is equal to or greater than the porosity of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer, and the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer is equal to or greater than the pore size of the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil-guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous atomizing sub-layers near the oil- guiding layer and the porous atomizing sub-layers farther away from the oil-guiding layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

15. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 13, wherein the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers, preferably wherein the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the porosity of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, and the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer is equal to or less than the pore size of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer, optionally wherein the difference in porosity between the porous oil- guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range of equal to or less than 20%; the difference in pore size between the porous oil-guiding sub-layers near the atomizing layer and the porous oil-guiding sub-layers farther away from the atomizing layer is within a range of equal to or less than 10 m.

16. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the atomizing layer is equal to or less than 2mm, the thickness of the oil-guiding layer is equal to or less than 2mm, and the thickness of the multiple-layer ceramic body isequal to or less than 4mm, preferably wherein the atomizing layer comprises at least two porous atomizing sub-layers, and the thickness of each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm, optionally wherein each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm; or each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm; or each layer of the porous atomizing sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm.

17. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 16, wherein the oil-guiding layer comprises at least two porous oil-guiding sub-layers, and the thickness of each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers is equal to or less than 0.5mm, preferably wherein each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.2mm, and equal to or greater than 0.05mm; or each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.3mm, and equal to or greater than 0.15mm; or each layer of the porous oil-guiding sub-layers has a thickness equal to or less than 0.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.2mm.

18. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 16, wherein the thickness of the multiple-layer ceramic body is equal to or less than 3mm, and equal to or greater than 2.5mm; or wherein the thickness of the multiple-layer ceramic body is equal to or less than 1.5mm, and equal to or greater than 0.8mm.

19. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1, further comprising a heating body, wherein the heating body is positioned on the surface of the atomizing layer facing away from the oil-guiding layer, preferably wherein the heating body is prepared on the surface of the atomizing layer facing away from the oil-guiding layer through thick-film printing technology or vacuum deposition technology, or wherein the heating body is embedded within the atomizing layer, preferably wherein the heating body is embedded within the atomizing layer through a pre-embedding method, optionally wherein the heating body is a ceramic electric heating body.

20. The multiple-layer ceramic body according to claim 1, wherein, two or more porous layers of the oil-guiding layer and / or the atomizing layer are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased; and / or the oil-guiding layer and the atomizing layer are uniformly layered by sintering after being stacked, and the physical boundary between the layers is erased.

21. An aerosol provision system comprising any one of the multiple-layer ceramic bodies as described in any one of claims 1 to 20.

Images