Aerosol provision system

Abstract

An aerosol provision system (2) comprising an article (6) comprising an aerosol generating material (14) and at least one electrical power consuming element (12), and an aerosol provision device (4) configured to receive the article (6). When the article (6) is received by the aerosol provision device (4) an interface (18) is formed between the aerosol provision device (4) and the article (6). The aerosol provision device (4) and article (6) together form at least one capacitor( 20A, 20B), at the interface (18), configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device (4) to the article (6) for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element (12).

Description

[0001] Aerosol Provision System

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol provision system, an aerosol provision device and an article for use with an aerosol provision device.

[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 by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

[0006] Summary

[0007] From a first aspect, there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element; and an aerosol provision device configured to receive the article; wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device: an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article; and the aerosol provision device and article together form at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

[0008] Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material. Optionally, the heating element is a resistive heating element.

[0009] Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises an aerosol generator configured to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material. Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises at least one electrically conductive element, wherein the article comprises at least one electrically conductive element, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the at least one capacitor.

[0010] Optionally, at least a portion of the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the at least one power consuming element.

[0011] Optionally, the at least one electrically powered element is a discrete component electrically connected to the at least one electrically conductive element of the article.

[0012] Optionally, the at least one capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors.

[0013] Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the plurality of capacitors.

[0014] Optionally, the plurality of capacitors comprises at least three capacitors, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device comprises at least three electrically conductive elements.

[0015] Optionally, each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and respective portions of a single electrically conductive element of the article.

[0016] Optionally, the respective portions are those portions which are adjacent the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device when the article is received by the device.

[0017] Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the article comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between respective ones of the plurality of conductive elements of the device and the plurality of conductive elements of the article.

[0018] Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element is electrically connected to at least two of the electrically conductive elements of the article.

[0019] Optionally, the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device comprises at least three electrically conductive elements, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive elements of the article comprises at least three electrically conductive elements.

[0020] Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a plurality of electrical power consuming elements, and wherein each of the plurality of electrical power consuming elements is electrically connected to a different pair of the at least three electrically conductive elements of the article.

[0021] Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive element a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive element of the article through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.

[0022] Optionally, the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a plurality of electrical power consuming elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which of the plurality of electrical power consuming elements a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device.

[0023] Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to control the supply of electrical power to the at least one power consuming element by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device. Optionally, where the electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, this may comprise connecting at least one electrically conductive element to the power supply and connecting at least one electrically conductive element to an electrical ground. Alternatively, it may comprise connecting two electrically conductive elements of the device to the power supply, and supplying a first one of the electrically conductive elements with a first electrical signal and a second one of the electrically conductive elements with a second electrical signal that is in anti-phase with the first electrical signal.

[0024] Optionally, the power supply is configured to supply an alternating current. Optionally, the alternating current has a frequency in the range of 50 MHz to 5 GHz (end points inclusive).

[0025] Optionally, the aerosol provision device is configured to electrically isolate any of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the aerosol provision device which are not being used to transfer electrical power to the at least one power consuming element. For example, two of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the aerosol provision device may be connected to the power supply and the remaining electrically conductive elements may be electrically isolated from the power supply.

[0026] Optionally, the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are spaced at least partially (e.g. fully) around, and / or spaced along a length of, the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.

[0027] Optionally, each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements extend substantially around the article when the article is received by the aerosol provision device.

[0028] Optionally, the aerosol provision device comprises an article receiving portion configured to receive the article, wherein the article receiving portion defines a receiving axis along which the article is received by the device, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are spaced around, and / or spaced along the length of, the receiving axis. Optionally, when received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article are separated from one another by an electrically insulative medium.

[0029] Optionally, the article comprises at least one layer formed from an electrically insulative material, and wherein the layer at least partially provides the electrically insulative medium.

[0030] Optionally, the electrically insulative medium is at least partially provided by an air gap formed at the interface when the article is received by the device.

[0031] Optionally, the layer is an outermost layer of the article.

[0032] Optionally, the article comprises a support on which the least one electrically conductive element of the article, and / or the at least one electrical power consuming element, is arranged.

[0033] Optionally, the support defines an outer surface of the article.

[0034] Optionally, the support forms an outermost layer of the article.

[0035] Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, and / or the at least one electrical power consuming element, are provided by an electrically conductive layer arranged on the support.

[0036] Optionally, the electrically conductive layer is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article also forms the electrical power consuming element, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive layer a current is caused to flow through, when the article is received by the device, by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive layer through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.

[0037] Optionally, the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive ink or paint.

[0038] Optionally, the electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) is formed from carbon. The electrically conductive element may be formed from amorphous carbon and / or a graphene ink. Optionally, the electrically conductive element of the article is an allotrope of carbon. Optionally, the at least one power consuming element is an allotrope of carbon.

[0039] Optionally, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device is formed from copper or aluminium. Any other highly electrically conductive material (e.g. metal) may be utilised.

[0040] Optionally, the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the power consuming element, and wherein the electrically conductive element comprises an electrically conductive material mixed within the aerosol generating material. The electrically conductive material and the aerosol generating material may be considered to form a composite body of material.

[0041] Optionally, the article has a tubular form which defines an axis, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) extends at least 300 degrees, e.g. at least 315 degrees, e.g. at least 330 degrees, e.g. at least 345 degrees, e.g. substantially 360 degrees around the axis. Optionally, the article has a hollow core.

[0042] Optionally, the article comprises an axis and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article extends substantially 360 degrees around the axis.

[0043] Optionally, the electrically conductive layer extends substantially along the entire length of a portion of the article received by the aerosol provision device during use. Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is electrically conductive. As such, when electrical power is transferred to the article a current may flow in the electrical power consuming element.

[0044] Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is discrete from the aerosol generating material. Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is not formed from aerosol generating material.

[0045] Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is in physical contact with the aerosol generating material. Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is adjacent the aerosol generating material. Optionally, the electrical power consuming element is spaced from the aerosol generating material.

[0046] Optionally, the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article causes (i.e. results in) a flow of current within the article. Optionally, the current flows through the power consuming element.

[0047] Optionally, the aerosol generating material generates an aerosol that is for human inhalation.

[0048] Optionally, the aerosol generating material is in the form of a solid, liquid or gel.

[0049] Optionally, the aerosol generating material is in the form of a liquid and the article comprises a storage compartment configured to contain the aerosol generating material.

[0050] Optionally, the power consuming element (e.g. the heating element / aerosol generator) is porous.

[0051] Optionally, the power consuming element (e.g. the heating element / aerosol generator) and / or the electrically conductive element of the article is formed as a foam.

[0052] Optionally, the power consuming element (e.g. the heating element / aerosol generator) and / or the electrically conductive element of the article has a substantially planar form. According to a second aspect there is provided an aerosol provision device for receiving, in use, an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element, wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, in use, an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article, and the aerosol provision device, together with the article, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

[0053] Any appropriate features of embodiments of the aerosol provision system according to the first aspect, set out above, may equally be applied to this second aspect.

[0054] According to a third aspect there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising: an aerosol generating material; and an electrical power consuming element; wherein, in use, when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, an interface is formed between the article and the aerosol provision device, and the article, together with the aerosol provision device, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

[0055] Any appropriate features of embodiments of the aerosol provision system according to the first aspect, set out above, may equally be applied to this third aspect.

[0056] Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0057] Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0059] Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram for the aerosol provision system shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0060] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an article in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the article shown in Fig. 3 together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements of a corresponding aerosol provision device;

[0061] Figs. 5-7 each show a schematic representation of the system shown in Fig. 4 with power being transferred to the article via different capacitors of the system;

[0062] Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an article in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0063] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of the article shown in Fig. 8 together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements of a corresponding aerosol provision device;

[0064] Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of the system shown in Fig. 9 with power being transferred to the article via two capacitors of the system; and

[0065] Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a an article in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, together with a plurality of electrically conductive elements, of a corresponding aerosol provision device, arranged such that they are spaced along the length of the article;

[0066] Fig. 12 shows a circuit diagram for an alternative embodiment of an aerosol provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0067] Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a body of aerosol generating material comprising an electrically conductive material mixed therein

[0068] Fig. 14 shows a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] Fig. 15 shows a view focussing on the interface formed between the device and article of the system shown in Fig. 14; and

[0070] Fig. 16 shows another embodiment of the system shown in Figs. 14 and 15 whereby a support comprises at least one void extending therethrough.

[0071] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] 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. Aerosolgenerating material may include any plant-based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosol-generating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

[0073] 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 aerosolgenerating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

[0074] 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 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system (sometimes referred to as “an 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.

[0077] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0078] 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. 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non- combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable (sometimes referred to as an “article”) for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

[0081] 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.

[0082] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source (e.g. an energy storage device) 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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. 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.

[0085] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an aerosol provision system 2 (e.g. a noncombustible aerosol provision system) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the aerosol provision system 2 comprises an aerosol provision device 4 (hereinafter “device 4”) configured to receive an article 6 (i.e. a consumable). The aerosol provision device 4 may be a non-combustible aerosol provision device. In some embodiments, as depicted, the device 4 comprises an article receiving portion 8 configured to receive the article 6. The article receiving portion 8 may have any suitable form, e.g. it may be in the form of a cavity or chamber within a housing 10 of the device 4.

[0086] The article 6 comprises at least one electrical power consuming element 12 (hereinafter “power consuming element 12”). In some embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be in the form of a heating element configured (e.g. arranged) to heat an aerosol generating material 14 of the article 6. Such a heating element may be considered to be an aerosol generator. The power consuming element 12 may be in the form of a resistive heating element. However, it will be appreciated that the power consuming element 12 may comprise any suitable power consuming element 12. For example, the power consuming element 12 may more broadly comprise an aerosol generator. An aerosol generator may be configured to generate an aerosol from an aerosol generating material. A heating element, e.g. a resistive heating element as discussed above, is an exemplary form of aerosol generator as a heating element may heat an aerosol generating material in order to generate an aerosol therefrom. The aerosol generator may take any other suitable form that is capable of producing an aerosol. In other examples, the power consuming element 12 may comprise a light emitting diode (LED). Such an LED may light up to provide a user with an indication that the article 6 is generating an aerosol, for example. In some embodiments, the article 6 further comprises a mouthpiece 16, around which a user may place their mouth in order to inhale an aerosol generated within the article 6. In other embodiments, the mouthpiece may be provided by the device 4 itself.

[0087] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 1 , the power consuming element 12 is discrete from the aerosol generating material 14. In other words, the power consuming element 12 is not formed from the same material / provided by the same component as the aerosol generating material. In some embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be adjacent the aerosol generating material 14. In other embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be spaced from the aerosol generating material 14.

[0088] As depicted in Figure 1 , when the article 6 is received by the device 4, e.g. when the article 6 is arranged within the article receiving portion 8, an interface 18 is formed between device 4 and the article 6. The interface 18 may form between an outer surface of the article 6 and an adjacent facing surface of the article receiving portion 8. There may be a small gap, e.g. an air gap, between the outer surface of the article 6 and the internal wall of the article receiving portion 8. However, in some embodiments, at least some parts of the article 6 may contact the internal wall of the article receiving portion 8 at the interface 18 such that there is no air gap between the article 6 and the device 4. The interface 18 nonetheless forms between the device 4 and the article 6 irrespective of whether or not there is a gap between the device 4 and article 6.

[0089] When the article 6 is received by the device 4, the device 4 and article 6 together form at least one capacitor at the interface 18. In some embodiments, the device 4 and article 6 form a plurality of capacitors at the interface 18, e.g. comprising a first capacitor 20A and a second capacitor 20B, as depicted in Figure 1. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B are configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the device 4 to the article 6 for powering the power consuming element 12. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B may be considered to provide a wireless electrical connection between the device 4 and the article 6. Whilst the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 utilises a plurality of capacitors (first and second capacitors 20A, 20B), some embodiments may utilise only a single capacitor, as discussed further below in relation to Figure 11.

[0090] In some embodiments, as depicted in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the device 4 comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements comprising a first electrically conductive element 22A and a second electrically conductive element 22B. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , whereby two capacitors are formed, the article 6 may comprise an electrically conductive element 24 which may comprise a first portion 24A and a second portion 24B. The first and second portions 24A, 24B may be portions of a single electrically conductive element 24 (i.e. portions of a single piece of material), as depicted in Figure 1. When the article 6 is suitably received by the device 4, the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 align with respective ones of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. The first portion 24A of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the first electrically conductive element 22A of the device 6, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the first capacitor 20A. Similarly, the second portion 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the second electrically conductive element 22B of the device 4, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the second capacitor 20B.

[0091] Each of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 may be considered to be an electrode. Similarly, each of the electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B of the article 6 may be considered to be an electrode.

[0092] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 , each of the plurality of capacitors 20A, 20B is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and respective portions (first and second portions 24A, 24B) of a single electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. The respective portions 24A, 24B are the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which are adjacent respective ones of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 (when the article 6 is received by the device 4). Specifically, the first and second portions 24A, 24B are the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which experience an electric field generated by the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 when they are supplied with electrical power, in use.

[0093] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, when the article 6 is received by the device 4, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device 6, i.e. the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, are separated from the at least one electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, e.g. the first and second portions 24A, 24B thereof, by an electrically insulative medium. The electrically insulative medium may comprise a dielectric medium. In some embodiments, the electrically insulative medium may comprise the air 19 in the air gap in the interface 18. In addition, or alternatively, in some embodiments a layer 21 (e.g. an outermost layer) of the article 6 may be made from an electrically insulative material, e.g. paper or card, and thus provide the electrically insulative medium. As will be appreciated, the provision of two electrically conductive elements (e.g. the first electrically conductive element 22A and the first portion 24A of the electrically conductive element 24) suitable separated by an electrically insulative medium results in the formation of a capacitor. This applies to both the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B described above. The electrically insulative medium may have a relative permittivity in the range of 1 to 5 (end-points inclusive).

[0094] As schematically illustrated in Figure 1 , the power consuming element 12 may be part of (e.g. integrally formed with / by) the electrically conductive element 24. In other words, in some embodiments, a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 may (e.g. the first and / or second portion 24A, 24B) may function to facilitate capacitive power transfer (e.g. it may be considered to be a capacitive element) and at least a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 may also form the power consuming element 12. The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which forms the power consuming element 12 may depend on where the capacitors are formed on / by the electrically conductive element 24. In some embodiments, the entire electrically conductive element 24 may be capable of consuming power and thus the entire electrically conductive element 24 may also provide the power consuming element. The electrically conductive element 24 may be electrically resistive and thus any portion of the electrically conductive element 24 through which a current flows, during use, may function to provide the power consuming element 12.

[0095] In other embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be separate (e.g. provided as a physically separate component) to the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In such embodiments, the power consuming element 12 may be electrically connected to the electrically conductive element 24, e.g. by any suitable means, e.g. electrically conductive wiring or tracks within the article 6.

[0096] In some embodiments, as shown in embodiment depicted in Figure 1 , the device 4 may comprise a controller 26 (or any other suitable control circuitry) configured to control the supply of electrical power to the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4, and thereby control the supply of power to the article 6, specifically its power consuming element 12. The device 4 may further comprise a power source 28, e.g. in the form of a battery, configured to supply electrical power for consumption. The device 4 may further comprise a user interface 30 which may comprise an indicator means (e.g. a display screen and / or one more LEDs) and / or one or more user input means, e.g. in the form of one or more buttons. The user interface 30 may allow a user to control operation of the device 4, e.g. allow the user to power ON the device 4.

[0097] Figure 2 depicts an electrical circuit diagram of the system 2 shown in Figure 1 , with the device 4 and article 6 shown in dashed lines to show the distribution of the electrical components between the device 4 and the article 6. As depicted in this Figure, the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B are electrically connected to the power consuming element 12 of the article 6. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B may be connected to an alternating current (A.C.) power supply 32. The A.C. power supply may supply current having a frequency in the range 50 MHz to 5 GHz (end points inclusive). With reference back to Figure 1 , the controller 26 may be configured to provide an A.C. current to the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. In some embodiments, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 or other suitable circuitry or devices, may be configured to convert a direct current (D.C.) electrical power supply from the power source 28 into an A.C. power supply 32. As will be appreciated, the electrical circuit diagram shown in Figure 2 is merely illustrative of the electrical circuit formed between the device 4 and the article 6. In practice, the AC power supply 32 may have one terminal which provides an A.C. voltage and the second terminal may be electrically grounded, or tied to a ground of the power source 28. Alternatively, each of the terminals of the A.C. power supply 32 may supply an anti-phase voltage which is separated from a ground of the power source 28.

[0098] Operation of the system 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to both Figures 1 and 2. When the article 6 is received by the device 4, as shown in Figure 1 , the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 align with the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and are separated therefrom by the layer 21 and the air 19 in the air gap. This results in the formation of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. The controller 26 may then supply, e.g. following operation of the user interface 30 or following any other suitable trigger, the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 with A.C. power 32. When supplied with power, the presence of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B formed between the device 4 and article 6, will facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the device 4, across the interface 18, to the article 6. Transfer of electrical power from the device 4 to the article 6, results in a flow of (electrical) current through the article, e.g. through the power consuming element. The electrical power transferred to the article 6, by the first and second capacitor 20A, 20B, may then be consumed by the power consuming element 12 of the article. When in the form of a heating element, the power consuming element 12 may function to heat the aerosol generating material 14 thereby generating an aerosol for inhalation by a user. Similarly, when the power consuming element 12 comprises an aerosol generator, the aerosol generator may consume electrical power in order to generate an aerosol from the aerosol generating material 14.

[0099] The system 2, set out above, facilitates the transfer of electrical power to the article 6 without necessarily requiring physical electrical contact between the article 6 and the device 4. Accordingly, more generally, the system 2 may be considered to facilitate wireless electrical power transfer from the device to the article 6 using at least one capacitor. The use of at least one capacitor to transfer power from the device 4 to the article 6 may reduce the number of electrical contacts required on the device 4 in order to transfer electrical power to the article 6. A reduction in the number of electrical contacts required on the device may reduce the chance of the system failing due to a build-up of material, e.g. dirt, condensate, etc, on the contacts which would prevent electrical transfer to the article. In at least some embodiments, e.g. where at least two capacitors are provided (as in Figures 1 and 2), the provision of electrical contacts on the article and device, for power transfer to the article, may be omitted entirely.

[0100] The avoidance of the use of physical electrical contacts as a means for transferring power from the device to the article may avoid the need to achieve accurate alignment of the article within the device, as the capacitors 20A, 20B may be formed as long as there is a sufficient amount of the electrically conductive element 24, of the article, which lies adjacent the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. Complete alignment may thus not be required. This may improve the ease of use of the system 2 for a user.

[0101] Further to the above, capacitive power transfer, as a means for transferring electrical power from the device 4 to the article 6, may produce less radiation, at least when compared to inductive heating arrangements (for example), and thus the device 4 may require less shielding in this regard. Additionally, the Applicant has recognised that capacitive power transfer is highly efficient, particularly at relatively small separations between the electrically conductive elements 22A-22B of the device 4 and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, as may be achieved in the system 2 set out above. A highly efficient power transfer may minimise power loss within the system 2, thereby potentially increasing the number of sessions of use the power source 28 can supply power for. The system 2 shown in Figure 1 is schematic to illustrate the general concept of the invention. It will be appreciated that the article 6 and / or the device may have any suitable shape and form. The interface 18 formed between the article 6 and device 4 may depend on the specific shape and form of the article 6 and the shape and form of the article receiving portion 8. For example, in some embodiments, the article 6 may be substantially tubular and thus the interface 18 may be a generally cylindrically shaped interface. In other embodiments, the article 6 may be substantially planar (e.g. flat), and thus the interface 18 may be substantially planar. The interface 18 may comprise a plurality of interfaces e.g. multiple faces of a substantially planar article 6.

[0102] As explained briefly above, the article 6 may have any suitable shape and form. Figure 3 depicts an embodiment of an article 3 having a generally tubular form. Such a tubular article 3 may be received by a device 4 comprising an article receiving portion 8 which may be in the form of a generally cylindrically shaped cavity within the device 4. As depicted in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the article 6 may comprise a support 34 on which the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be arranged. The electrically conductive element 24 may be attached to the support 34 in any suitable manner, e.g. through printing, spraying or through the use of an adhesive. In embodiments wherein the article 6 is tubular, the support 34 may similarly be tubular. However, it will be appreciated that the support 34 may have any other suitable form.

[0103] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the power consuming element 12 may be arranged on the support 34. In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the power consuming element 12 may be integrally provided with the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. The electrically conductive element 24 and / or the power consuming element 12, which may be integrally formed within the electrically conductive element 24, may be in the form of an electrically conductive layer on the support 34, as shown in Figure 3. The article 6, as depicted in Figure 3, may thus be considered to have a layered structure. The layered structure may comprise a first layer in the form of a support 34, a second layer in the form of the electrically conductive element 24 and third layer comprising the aerosol generating material 14. Each of these layers may be substantially (e.g. fully) tubular. The article 6 may define a hollow core 36. When the aerosol generating material 14 is heated, to generate an aerosol, the aerosol may flow along the hollow core 36 and out of the article 6.

[0104] In some embodiments, the support 34 may be formed from an electrically insulative material, e.g. paper or card, and may thus serve to provide at least part of the electrically insulative medium between the electrically conductive element 24 of the article and the electrically conductive element(s) of the device 4. The support 34 may define the layer 21 of the article 6 shown in Figure 1. In some embodiments, the support 34 may define an outer surface of the article 6, as shown in Figure 3. The support 34 may be an outermost layer of the article 6. In this regard, the support 34 may thus function as a support structure on which the other components of the article 6, e.g. the electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material, may be arranged whilst simultaneously also functioning as an electrically insulative medium.

[0105] Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the article 6 is tubular having a hollow core 36, the article 6 may instead be in the form of a substantially solid rod, without a hollow core. In such embodiments, when the aerosol generating material 14 is heated, the generated aerosol may escape the article 6 by any suitable means, e.g. through apertures extending through the article 6.

[0106] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 3, the tubular form of the article 6 may define an axis 38. The electrically conductive element 24 may extend at least 300 degrees, e.g. at least 315 degrees, e.g. at least 330 degrees, e.g. at least 345 degrees, e.g. substantially 360 degrees, e.g. a full 360 degrees, around the axis 38. As an example, the article 6 may be formed from a flat sheet which is rolled into a cylindrical form. In such an arrangement, the electrically conductive element 24 may extend substantially 360 degrees around the axis 38, except for a small angular extent around the axis 38 where two ends of the flat sheet meet to form the cylinder. These two ends may be considered to be a joint, which may be in the form of a fold joint. In such an example, the extent to which the electrically conductive element 24 does not extend around the axis 38 may, for example, be up to 10 degrees, e.g. up to 5 degrees. The article may be substantially rotationally symmetric, at least with respect to the presence of the electrically conductive element 24. As a result, depending on the configuration of the electrically conductive elements of the device 4, it may be possible to insert the article into the device 4 in any angular orientation. This may make use of the system 2 easier for a user. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24 may extend along the entire length L of a portion of the article 6 which is received by the device 4 during use. This may be the case irrespective of the form of the article 6.

[0107] Whilst the article 6 shown in Figure 3 has a circular cross-section, in a plane extending perpendicular to the axis 38, the article 6 may instead have any other shape of cross-section. For example, the article 6 may have an elliptical, square, or a hexagonal cross-section. In any of the embodiments described herein, the electrically conductive element 24, in the form of a layer, may comprise an electrically conductive ink or paint. The use of an electrically conductive ink or paint may provide a convenient means for providing the electrically conductive element 24 on the support 34. For example, long rolls of a support 34 may be printed with the electrically conductive ink or paint, to form the electrically conductive element 24 thereon, before the aerosol generating material 14 is then applied. The roll of support 34, with the electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material 14 layered thereon, may then be cut to size. In embodiments which are in a tubular format (as shown in Figure 3), the support 34 may then be formed into a tubular shape. In other embodiments, e.g. wherein the article 6 is substantially planar, the support 34 may instead be left in a planar format.

[0108] With reference back to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24, in the form of an electrically conductive layer, is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In a similar manner to the embodiments described above with respect to Figure 1 , in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 also forms the electrical power consuming element 12.

[0109] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system 2 utilising the article 6 having a tubular form, as shown in Figure 3. Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 2, only two capacitors were provided, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 4 at least three capacitors are provided. The presence of at least three capacitors within the device 4 facilitates the supply of power to different portions of the power consuming element 12, as described in more detail below.

[0110] For clarity, only the article 6 and the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F, 22G of the device 4 are shown in Figure 4. As depicted in this Figure 4, in some embodiments the device 4 may comprise a plurality of electrically conductive elements, e.g. at least three electrically conductive elements. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the device 4 comprises a first electrically conductive element 22A, a second electrically conductive element 22B, a third electrically conductive element 22C, a fourth electrically conductive element 22D, a fifth electrically conductive element 22E, a sixth electrically conductive element 22F and a seventh electrically conductive element 22G. Each of the first to seventh electrically conductive elements 22A-22G form respective first to seventh capacitors 20A-20G with adjacent portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, when the article 6 is received by the device 4. Each of the adjacent portions 24A- 24G corresponds to the portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which faces the corresponding electrically conductive element 22A-22G of the device 4, when the article 6 is received by the device 4.

[0111] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are spaced at least partially around (e.g. fully around in the embodiment shown in Figure 4) the article 6 when the article 6 is received by the device 4. With reference back to Figure 1 and with continued reference to Figure 4, the article receiving portion 8 of the device 4 may define a receiving axis along which the article 6 is received by the device 4. The receiving axis may be substantially aligned with the axis 38 of the article 6 shown in Figure 4. The plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 may be spaced around the receiving axis. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be arranged such that they are equiangularly spaced around the article 6, when the article 6 is received by the device 4, as shown in Figure 4. Whilst seven electrically conductive element 22A-22G are shown, it will be appreciated that the device 4 may comprise any suitable number of electrically conductive elements.

[0112] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the plurality of capacitors comprises seven capacitors 20A-20G (i.e. at least three capacitors). The plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device 4 may correspond to (e.g. define) the number of capacitors. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the article 6 comprises a single electrically conductive element 24 which is capable of forming the plurality of capacitors together with the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device 4.

[0113] The provision of a plurality of capacitors, e.g. the seven capacitors 20A-20G, shown in Figure 4, may allow for different portions of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 (and thus the power consuming element 12 in this embodiment) to be supplied with electrical power. As will now be described below, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 thereof, may be configured to control the supply of electrical power to the at least one power consuming element 12 by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are connected to a power supply 28 of device 4. The supply of electrical power using the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be achieved by forming a suitable current path between appropriate pairs of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G. This may be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, one of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be connected to electrical power and another of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be grounded. Alternatively, the controller 26 may supply a first electrical signal to one of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G and supply a phase inverted electrical signal to another of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G. When two of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are electrically connected, as set out above, the remaining electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be electrically isolated from the supply of power, i.e. they may be considered to be floating. This may ensure that such electrically conductive elements do not draw a current and thus do not result in the generation of heat. These principles may be applied to any of the embodiments described herein.

[0114] The supply of power will be described below in relation to Figures 5 to 7 which show schematic views (from above) of the system 2 shown in Figure 4 depicting how the first to seventh capacitors 20A-20G may be utilised to provide power to aerosolise different portions of the aerosol generating material 14. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the device 4, e.g. the controller 26 thereof, may control which portions of the electrically conductive element 24 (e.g. which portion of the layer of electrically conductive element 12) a current is caused to flow through. This may be achieved by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are connected to the power supply of the device 4.

[0115] The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 which electrical current flows through may thus form the power consuming element 12 or define the portion of the power consuming element 12 through which a current flows. The portions 24A- 24G of the electrically conductive element 24 and the power consuming element 12 may thus only be defined when the article 6 is received by the device 4, as they are ultimately defined by the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4. In this regard, the entire electrically conductive element 24 may be considered to be a power consuming element 12, as any portion thereof may have current flow through it depending on which electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are supplied with power. Alternatively, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be considered to comprise a plurality of power consuming elements 12 each extending between respective portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24.

[0116] With reference to Figure 5, the controller 26 may supply the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 with electrical power (e.g. AC power). As set out above, this may involve connecting one of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B to ground, or it may involve supplying one of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B with an electrical signal which is in antiphase with the electrical signal supplied to the other electrically conductive element. The remaining electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B may be electrically isolated from the power supply. Control over which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are supplied with electrical power may be achieved by a switching arrangement, which may, for example be integrally formed within the controller 26. The first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4, together with the corresponding first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative, form the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B. The first and second capacitors 20A, 20B, facilitate the transfer of power to the article 6. As will be appreciated, when supplied with electrical power in this manner, a current will be caused to flow through a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. This portion may form power consuming element 12 (or be considered to be a portion of the power consuming element 12) which, when in the form of a heating element, may act to heat the aerosol generating material 14 which is adjacent the portion through which current flows. The portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 through which the current flows through is shown with hatched markings in Figure 5.

[0117] It may be desirable to heat a different portion of the aerosol generating material 14, e.g. when the portion heated in the configuration shown in Figure 5 is exhausted (i.e. when it has all been aerosolised). To achieve this, as shown in Figure 6, the controller 26 may instead provide electrical power to the second electrically conductive element 22B and the third electrically conductive element 22C, of the device 4. The second and third electrically conductive elements 22B, 22C of the device 4 together with the corresponding second and third portions 24B, 24C of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative, form the first and second capacitors 20B, 20C. As a result, electrical power will be transferred over to the article 6 and an electrical current will be caused to pass through the portion electrically conductive element 24 between the first and second portions 24B, 24C. As above, this portion may form the power consuming element 12 (or be considered to be a portion of the power consuming element) which, when in the form of a heating element, will act to heat the portion of the aerosol generating material 14 adjacent said portion. As will be appreciated, any combination of capacitors 20A-20G may be provided with electrical power to cause current to flow through any desired portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. As an example, Figure 7 depicts the scenario whereby the first and third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22C of the device are provided with electrical power by the controller 26. As a result, electrical power is transferred across the first and third capacitors 20A, 20C, and a current is caused to flow between the first and third portions 24A, 24C of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. In this scenario, the current is caused to pass through a larger portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6, between the first and third portions 24A, 24C. When the electrically conductive element 24 also forms the power consuming element 12, e.g. in the form of a heating element, this may cause the heating of a larger portion of the aerosol generating material 14 which may result in the generation of a larger amount of aerosol.

[0118] With reference to Figures 4-7, when any given pair of electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are connected to the power supply 28, the remaining electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be electrically isolated from the power supply 28. This is illustrated in Figures 5-7 as a broken line connecting the respective electrically conductive element 22A-22G to the controller 26. This is merely illustrative, and the electrical isolation of the respective electrically conductive element 22A-22G may be achieved in any suitable manner, e.g. by a switching arrangement incorporated within the controller 26. Electrically isolating the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the aerosol provision device 4 which are not actively being used to transfer electrical power to the article 6 may prevent such ones of electrically conductive elements 22k- 22G from drawing an electrical current from the power supply 28 and thus prevent transferring electrical power to parts of the article 6 which is not desired.

[0119] As will be appreciated, the formation of three or more capacitors as shown in the embodiment of Figure 4 may permit control over which portions of the aerosol generating material 14 are heated. This may allow different portions of the aerosol generating material 14 to be heated in different sessions, which may achieve a more consistent sensory experience across each session.

[0120] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4-7, the power consuming element 12 of the article 6 may be considered to be a single power consuming element 12 which has a plurality of addressable portions (i.e. portions which can be individually supplied with power) or instead it may be considered to comprise a plurality of power consuming elements (i.e. sub-elements). Each power consuming element may be considered to correspond to a portion of the electrically conductive element 24 extending between respective portions 24A-24G of the electrically conductive element 24 which form the capacitors 20A-20G. As explained above, the device 4 may control which of the power consuming elements a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are connected to a power supply 28 of the device 4, i.e. which are supplied with electrical power.

[0121] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, seven electrically conductive elements 22A-22G are provided in the device 4. However, it will be appreciated that any number of electrically conductive elements may be utilised.

[0122] Whilst a tubular article 6 has been described above, it will be appreciated that the article 6 may have any suitable form / shape. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 8, the article 6 may be substantially planar (e.g. substantially flat). In such embodiments, the article 6 may, similarly to the embodiments described above, comprise a support 34 onto which the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may be arranged. As with previous embodiments, the support 34 may be formed from an electrically insulative material. As with embodiments described above, the electrically conductive element 24 may also form the power consuming element 12. In a similar manner to the embodiments described above, the aerosol generating material 14 may be arranged on top of (adjacent) the electrically conductive element 24. Each of the support 34, electrically conductive element 24 and aerosol generating material 14 may be in the form of a layer. The article 6 shown in Figure 8 may thus be considered to have a layered structure.

[0123] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the article 6 shown in Figure 8 in combination with a plurality of electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of a corresponding device 4. Other features of the device 4 are omitted for clarity purposes. In a similar manner to the tubular embodiment shown in earlier Figures and described above, in the system 2 shown in Figure 9, the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 comprises first to fifth portions 24A-24E which correspond to the first to fifth electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device 4. When the article 6 is received by the device 4 as shown in Figure 9, the first to fifth electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device and the first to fifth portions 24A-24E of electrically conductive element of the article 6, separated by at least the support 34 which may be electrically insulative and / or any air gap, together form the first to fifth capacitors 20A-20E. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 9, in some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22E of the device 4 may be spaced along a length L of the article 6 when the article is received by the aerosol provision device 4. Any suitable spacing may be provided. In some embodiments, the article 6 comprises an axis 38. The device 4 may similarly comprise a receiving axis, which may be aligned with the axis 38 of the article 6. The electrically conductive elements 22A-22E may thus be spaced along the length of the axis 38, as shown in Figure 9.

[0124] Figure 10 shows a side-on schematic view of the system 2 shown in Figure 9, demonstrating the transfer of power to the article 6, using the first and second capacitors 22A, 22B. As shown in this Figure, the controller 26 may supply electrical power to each of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. As a result of the first and second capacitors 20A, 20B, that are formed by the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B and the first and second portions 24A, 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 4, electrical power will be transferred across to the article 6. This will cause a current to flow in the portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 which extends between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. As with previous embodiments, this portion may define the power consuming element 12 (or define a portion of the power consuming element 12), which may be a heating element (e.g. a resistive heating element). As a result, in some embodiments, this will cause heating of the aerosol generating material 14 in the region adjacent the power consuming element 12 between the first and second portions 24A, 24B. As will be appreciated, any combination of the first to fifth capacitors 22A-22E may be supplied with electrical power to cause current to flow through any appropriate portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. Whilst in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 11, five electrically conductive elements 22A-22E are present in the device 4, any number of electrically conductive elements (and thus capacitors) may be present.

[0125] Using a device 4 and article 6, similar to that shown in Figures 9 and 10, the Applicant has successfully achieved heating of the electrically conductive element 24 (and thus the aerosol generating material 14 adjacent thereto) to 200 °C within approximately 2 seconds, and a maximum temperature in excess of 350 °C. Such temperatures are suitably high for generating aerosol from the aerosol generating material 14, and the operational times are sufficiently low so as to be acceptable to a typical user. In the specific example set out above, the electrically conductive element 24 had a sheet resistance of 93 ohms / sq under DC, and 5.91 ohms with 24.92 pF of capacitance (between each of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6) at 434 Mhz. In this example, 10 W of power was successfully transferred to the electrically conductive element 24 and thus the aerosol generating material 14. This arrangement transferred power capacitively using two device electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B and the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6. Accordingly, this example demonstrates the successful transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device 4 to the article 6 for the generation of an aerosol. It will be appreciated that the values set out above are merely exemplary and any suitable components having appropriate sheet resistances etc may be chosen depending on the specifics of the device and the article being used.

[0126] Figure 11 depicts a schematic representation of another embodiment of a system 2 comprising a device 4 which comprises a first, second and third electrically conductive element 22A, 22B, 22C. Other features of the device 4 have been omitted for clarity, but the device 4 may comprise the features of the device 4 described above with reference to Figure 1. As depicted, the system 2 comprises an article 6 which is the same as the article 6 described above with regard to Figure 3. The article 6 is tubular and comprises a support 34 onto which an electrically conductive element 24 (which also defines the power consuming element 12) and aerosol generating material 14 are arranged.

[0127] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the electrically conductive elements of the device 4, i.e. the first to third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C, may be arranged such that they are spaced along the length L of the article 6 when it is received by the device, as depicted in Figure 11. The electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 together with corresponding portions of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article, separated by the support 34 which may be electrically insulative and an air gap, form first, second and third capacitors 20A, 22B, 22C.

[0128] As will be appreciated, when any pair of the first, second or third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 are supplied with electrical power, a current will be caused to flow along the length L of the article 6, through the electrically conductive element 24, between the portions of the electrically conductive element 24 which provide the electrically conductive elements of the article 6. This portion of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 may act as the power consuming element 12 (or a portion of the power consuming element 12), which may be a resistive heating element. In such embodiments, it may be possible to heat different portions along the length of the article 6 by controlling which of the first to third electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C are supplied with electrical power. As will be appreciated, any number of electrically conductive elements on the device 4 may be provided and three electrically conductive elements have been shown merely for exemplary purposes.

[0129] In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, each of the electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B, 22C of the device 4 extend substantially (fully) around the article 6. This may permit the article 6 to be received by the device 4 in any angular orientation.

[0130] Figure 12 depicts an electrical circuit of an aerosol provision system 2 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Features of the system 2, such as the device 4 and article 6 are shown in dashed line to show the relative distribution of the electrical components of the circuit. As depicted, in some embodiments, a single capacitor 20A may be formed between the device 4 and the article 6. In order to complete the electrical circuit so as to supply the power consuming element 12 of the article 6 with electrical power, the article may comprise a first contact 40 and the device 4 may comprise a second contact 42. When the article 6 is received by the device 4, the first and second contacts 40, 42 may come into physical engagement with one another, thereby closing the electrical circuit as shown in this Figure. As such, when an A.C. current is supplied by the A.C. power source 32, electrical power will be transferred across a first interface 18A wirelessly using the capacitor 20A, and power may be transferred across a second interface 18B in a nonwireless manner, via the first and second contacts 40, 42. It will be appreciated that the device 4 and article 6 may have any suitable configuration in this embodiment. The power consuming element 12 may similarly be in the form of a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material 14, or indeed an aerosol generator as discussed in embodiments above.

[0131] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a body of aerosol generating material 14 which comprises an electrically conductive material 23 mixed therein. The body of aerosol generating material 14 and electrically conductive material 23 may be considered to be a composite body of material. The electrically conductive material 23 mixed within the aerosol generating material 14 may form an electrically conductive element 24 extending through the aerosol generating material 14. Similarly to other embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24 may also provide the power consuming element 12. The body of material comprising the aerosol generating material 14 with the electrically conductive material mixed therein (e.g. dispersed therein) may be considered to be monolithic.

[0132] Integrating the heating element 12 within the aerosol generating material in this manner may improve heat transfer from the heating element 12 to the aerosol generating material 14, thereby generating aerosol more quickly and / or efficiently. The body of material comprising the electrically conductive material 23 mixed within the aerosol generating material 14 may be considered to be an electrically conductive body of material. The electrically conductive material 23 may comprise any suitable material for mixing with the aerosol generating material 14. For example, the electrically conductive material 23 may comprise graphene.

[0133] Mixing the electrically conductive material 23 in with the aerosol generating material 14, so as to form the electrically conductive element 24, comprising the heating element 12, may provide a convenient means for producing an article 6 with the necessary features to facilitate capacitive power transfer and heating of the aerosol generating material of an article 6. This may speed up and / or reduce the cost of manufacture of the article 6.

[0134] The body of material shown in Figure 13 may be arranged on a support 34 as shown in previous embodiments and may be formed into any suitable shape so as to form any suitable article 6.

[0135] In the various embodiments described above, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 are schematically depicted as individual elements. In some embodiments, the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G of the device 4 may indeed be physically separate elements. However, in other embodiments, some or all of the electrically conductive elements 22A-22G may be individually addressable portions of a single electrically conductive element. The controller 26 may be configured to individually address respective portions of the single electrically conductive element of the device 4.

[0136] In any of the embodiments described above the electrically conductive elements of the device may be plate-like and be considered to capacitive plates. Similarly, the electrically conductive element of the article may be plate-like and thus be considered to provide a capacitive plate. In this regard, each of the capacitors formed between the electrically conductive elements of the device and the corresponding portions of the article may be considered to be a parallel-plate capacitor. In each of the embodiments described above, the article 6 comprises a single electrically conductive element 24 portions of which form capacitors with the electrically conductive elements of the device 4. In other embodiments, the article 6 may comprise a plurality of discrete electrically conductive elements. The power consuming element(s) 12 may be separate to and electrically connected to each of the discrete electrically conductive elements. In some embodiments, the device 4 may comprises at least three discrete electrically conductive elements, and the article may comprise at least three corresponding electrically conductive elements. The at least one electrical power consuming element may comprise a plurality of discrete electrical power consuming elements, and each of the discrete electrical power consuming elements may be electrically connected to a different pair of the at least three discrete electrically conductive elements of the article. In such embodiments, where a plurality of discrete electrically conductive elements are provided in the article, each of the plurality of capacitors may be formed between respective ones of the plurality of conductive elements of the device and the plurality of conductive elements of the article. The discrete electrically conductive elements and / or the discrete power consuming elements may, for example, be formed by printing an electrically conductive layer onto specific portions of a support, which may comprise a paper or card layer.

[0137] Any of the features of the embodiments set out above may be applied, as appropriate, to the embodiments described below. Similarly, any of the features of the embodiments described below may be applied to the embodiments described above. Figure 14 is schematic diagram (not to scale or proportion) of another embodiment of a (e.g. non-combustible) aerosol provision system 2 (hereinafter “system 2”). The system 2 may have a generally cylindrical shape, extending along a longitudinal axis indicated by a dashed line, and comprises two main components, namely an aerosol provision device 4 (hereinafter “device 4”) and an article 6 (i.e. consumable). The article 6 may be referred to herein as a “cartridge assembly” a “consumable”, “cartomizer”, or “cartridge”) that may operate as an aerosol (e.g. vapour) generating component.

[0138] The article 6 includes a storage compartment (also referred to herein as a “reservoir”) 13 containing an aerosol-generating material 14. The aerosol generating material 14 may, for example, comprise a liquid formulation from which an aerosol is to be generated. The liquid formulation may or may not contain nicotine. As an example, the aerosol-generating material may comprise around 1 to 3% nicotine and 50% glycerol, with the remainder comprising propylene glycol, and possibly also comprising other components, such as water or flavourings. The storage compartment 13 may have the form of a storage tank, i.e. a container or receptacle in which aerosolgenerating material 14 can be stored such that the aerosol-generating material 14 is free to move and flow (if liquid) within the confines of the container or receptacle. Alternatively, the storage compartment 13 may contain a quantity of absorbent material such as cotton wadding or glass fibre which holds the aerosol-generating material within a porous structure. The storage compartment 13 may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the aerosol-generating material 14 is consumed, or may have an inlet port or other opening through which new aerosol-generating material can be added.

[0139] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 14, the article 4 also comprises at least one electrical power consuming element comprising an aerosol generator 12. Reference now in relation to this embodiment will be made to the aerosol generator 12, although it should be appreciated that the features discussed may be applied to electrical power consuming elements more generally, where appropriate. In some embodiments, as depicted, the aerosol generator 12 comprises a heating element and thus may be considered to be a heater. In such embodiments the heating element (a heater) may be a heating element which is heated by the passage of electrical current to raise the temperature of the aerosol-generating material 14 until it evaporates. An aerosol generating material transfer component (not shown in Fig. 1), e.g. a liquid conduit arrangement such as a wick or other porous element, may be provided to deliver aerosol-generating material from the storage compartment 13 to the aerosol generator 12. The aerosol generating material transfer component may have one or more parts located inside the storage compartment 13 so as to be able to absorb aerosol-generating material 14 and transfer it by wicking or capillary action to other parts of the aerosol generating material transfer component that are in contact with the aerosol generator 12. This aerosol-generating material 14 is thereby vaporised, and is to be replaced by new aerosol-generating material transferred to the aerosol generator 12 by the aerosol generating material transfer component.

[0140] A heater and wick combination, or other arrangement of parts that perform the same functions, is sometimes referred to as an atomiser or atomiser assembly. Various designs are possible, in which the parts may be differently arranged compared to the highly schematic representation of Fig. 14. For example, the wick may be an entirely separate element from the aerosol generator 12. The aerosol generator 12 may comprises one or more heating elements.

[0141] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material transfer component (e.g. a liquid conduit) for delivering liquid for vapour generation may be formed at least in part from one or more slots, tubes or channels between the storage compartment and the aerosol generator 12 which are narrow enough to support capillary action to draw source liquid out of the storage compartment 13 and deliver it for vaporisation. In general, an atomiser can be considered to be an aerosol generator 12 able to generate vapour from aerosol-generating material 14 delivered to it, and an aerosol generating material transfer component (e.g. a liquid conduit) able to deliver or transport liquid from the storage compartment 13 or similar liquid store to the aerosol generator 12 by a capillary force.

[0142] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 12 is at least partially located within an aerosol generating chamber that forms part of an airflow channel through the system 2. Vapour produced by the aerosol generator 12 is driven off into this chamber, and as air passes through the chamber, flowing over and around the aerosol generator 12, it collects the produced vapour whereby it condenses to form the demanded aerosol.

[0143] Returning to Fig. 14, the article 6 also includes a mouthpiece 16 having an opening or air outlet through which a user may inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol generator 12, and delivered through the airflow channel.

[0144] The device 4 includes a power source 28 (e.g. a “battery”), which may be rechargeable, to provide power for electrical components of the system 2, in particular the aerosol generator 12. Additionally, there is a controller 26 (e.g. a PCB) and / or other electronics or circuitry for generally controlling the system 2. The control electronics / circuitry connect the aerosol generator 12 to the power source 28 when vapour is demanded, for example in response to a signal from an air pressure sensor or air flow sensor (not shown) that detects an inhalation on the system 2 during which air enters through one or more air inlets in the wall of the device 4 to flow along the airflow channel. When the aerosol generator 12 receives power from the power source 28, the aerosol generator 12 vaporises aerosol-generating material 14 delivered from the storage compartment 13 to generate the aerosol, and the aerosol is then inhaled by a user through the opening in the mouthpiece 16. The aerosol is carried to the mouthpiece 16 along the airflow channel (not shown) that connects the air inlet to the air outlet when a user inhales on the mouthpiece 16. An airflow path through the system 2 is hence defined, between the air inlet(s) (which may or may not be provided in the device 4) to the aerosol generator 12 and on to the air outlet at the mouthpiece 16. In use, the air flow direction along this airflow path is from the air inlet to the air outlet, so that the aerosol generator 12 can be described as arranged downstream of the air inlet and upstream of the air outlet.

[0145] In the depicted embodiment, the device 2 and the article 6 are separate parts detachable from one another by separation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The components 2, 6 may be joined together when in use by cooperating engagement elements 15, 17 (for example, a screw, magnetic or bayonet fitting) which provide mechanical and / or electrical connectivity between the device 4 and the article 6. This is merely an example arrangement, however, and the various components may be differently distributed between the device 2 and the article 6, and other components and elements may be included. The device 2 and article 6 may connect together end- to-end in a longitudinal configuration as in Fig. 1 , or in a different configuration such as a parallel, side-by-side arrangement. The system 2 may or may not be generally cylindrical and / or have a generally longitudinal shape. Either or both of the device 4 and article 6 may be intended to be disposed of and replaced when exhausted (the reservoir 13 is empty or the power source 28 is flat, for example), or be intended for multiple uses enabled by actions such as refilling the storage compartment 13, recharging the power source 28, or replacing the aerosol generator 12. Examples of the present disclosure are applicable to any of these configurations and other configurations of which the skilled person will be aware.

[0146] Whilst not shown in Figure 14, electrical power is transferred from the device 4 to the article 6, for consumption by the aerosol generator 12 (i.e. the electrical power consuming element) using one or more capacitors formed between the device 6 and article 4 when the device 4 and article 6 are suitably placed with respect to one another. This will be described in more detail now with respect to Figure 15 which shows a schematic view of the system 2 shown in Figure 14, focussing on the interaction between the device 4 and article 6, specifically on the presence of capacitors formed between the device 4 and the article 6.

[0147] In some embodiments, as depicted in Figure 15, the aerosol generator 12 may comprise a heating element that combines the functions of heating and liquid delivery, by being both electrically conductive (resistive) and porous. Reference to being electrically conductive (resistive) refers to components which have the capacity to generate heat in response to the flow of electrical current therein. The aerosol generator 12 may be of a sheet-like form, i.e. a planar shape with a thickness many times smaller than its length or breadth. It is possible for the planar aerosol generator 12 to define a curved plane and in these instances reference to the planar aerosol generator 12 forming a plane means an imaginary flat plane forming a plane of best fit through the component.

[0148] In the schematic view shown in Figure 15, the engagement elements 15, 17 are omitted to more clearly shown the other components of the system 2. As with previous embodiments, as depicted in Figure 15, an interface 18 is formed between the article 6 and the device 3. A first capacitor 20A and second capacitor 20B are formed at the interface 18. Specifically, the device 4 comprises a first electrically conductive element 22A and second electrically conductive element 22B. The article comprises an electrically conductive element 24 which comprises a first portion 24A and a second portion 24B (sometimes referred to herein as “first electrically conductive element 24A” and “second electrically conductive element 24B”). The first and second portions 24A, 24B align with respective ones of the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4. The first portion 24A of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the first electrically conductive element 22A of the device 6, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the first capacitor 20A. Similarly, the second portion 24B of the electrically conductive element 24 of the article 6 and the second electrically conductive element 22B of the device 4, separated by an electrically insulating medium, together form the second capacitor 20B.

[0149] As with previous embodiments, the aerosol generator 12, e.g. the heating element, may be defined by a part, i.e. portion, of the electrically conductive element 24.

[0150] In a similar manner to the embodiments described above, in use, the controller 26 may control the supply of electrical power from the power source 28 to the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 in a suitable manner. The presence of the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B of the article 6, and hence the formation of capacitors 20A, 20B results in the flow of an electrical current through the aerosol generator 12, when the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B are suitably supplied with power by the controller 26. As a result, electrical power is transferred from the device 4 to the article 6 (in a wireless manner) and is consumed by the aerosol generator 12. Specifically, in the embodiment depicted, the aerosol generator 12 being in the form of a resistive heating element consumes electrical power as it generates heat. The heat generated is used to heat and vaporise the aerosol generating material 14.

[0151] The electrically conductive element 24, e.g. the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B of the article and the aerosol generator 12, which may form part of the electrically conductive element, may be formed from carbon, e.g. an allotrope of carbon. The aerosol generator 12 may comprise appropriately sized voids 19 and / or interstices to provide a capillary force for wicking aerosol-generating material (e.g. liquid). Thus, the aerosol generator 12 may also be considered to be porous, so as to provide for the uptake and distribution of aerosol-generating material (e.g. liquid). Moreover, the presence of voids 19 and / or interstices may mean air can permeate through said aerosol generator 12. Also, at least part of the aerosol generator 12 is electrically conductive and therefore suitable for resistive heating, whereby electrical current flowing through a material with electrical resistance generates heat.

[0152] Whilst not shown in Figure 16, in some embodiments, the electrically conductive element 24, or at least the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B thereof, may be exposed at the end of the article 6 which cooperates with the corresponding end of the device 4. In a similar manner, in some embodiments the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 may be exposed at the corresponding end of the device 4. Despite being exposed, the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B of the article 6 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 may nonetheless have an electrically insulative coating thereover to protect the respective elements and to prevent a contact-based electrical connection.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first and second electrically conductive elements 22A, 22B of the device 4 may be integrally provided with the controller 26, e.g. a PCB.

[0154] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more generally) may be planar and / or sheet-like and may be arranged within the system 2, such that the aerosol generator 12 lies within airflow channel through the system 2. The aerosol generator 12 may be oriented within the chamber such that air flow though the chamber may flow in a surface direction, i.e. substantially parallel to the plane of the aerosol generator. An example of such a configuration can be found in W02010 / 045670 and WO2010 / 045671 , the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Air can thence flow over the aerosol generator 12 (e.g. an allotrope of carbon thereof), and gather vapour. Aerosol generation is thereby made effective. In alternative examples, the aerosol generator may be oriented within the chamber such that air flow though the chamber may flow in a direction which is substantially transverse to the surface direction, i.e. substantially orthogonally to the plane of the aerosol generator. An example of such a configuration can be found in WO2018 / 211252, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0155] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more generally) may form a generally flat structure, comprising first and second surfaces. The generally flat structure may take the form of any two dimensional shape, for example, circular, semi-circular, triangular, square, rectangular and / or polygonal. The aerosol generator may have a uniform thickness.

[0156] The aerosol generator 12 (i.e. the electrical power consuming element), and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more generally, may have an electrical resistance of from 1 ohms to 1000 ohms. For example, the aerosol generator (e.g. the allotrope of carbon thereof) may have an electrical resistance of from 1 ohms to 200 ohms, e.g. from 10 ohms to 150 ohms, e.g. from 20 ohms to 100 ohms, e.g. from 30 ohms to 70 ohms, e.g. from 40 ohms to 60 ohms, e.g. from 45 ohms to 55 ohms. In this regard, a relatively lower resistance will facilitate higher power draw from the power source 28, which can be advantageous in producing a high rate of aerosolisation. On the other hand, the resistance should not be so low as to prejudice the integrity of the aerosol generator 12. For example, the resistance may not be lower than 0.5 ohms.

[0157] Sheet resistance (Rs) is measured in Ohm.sq and is typically used to describe the resistance of essentially two-dimensional (2D) surfaces. In some examples, the Rs of aerosol generator 12, and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more generally, which may be formed from carbon (e.g. an allotrope of carbon) is from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 750 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 500 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 250 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 100 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 75 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 50 Ohm.sq, e.g. from about 10 Ohm.sq to about 25 Ohm.sq. In some implementations, the sheet resistance of the allotrope of carbon is within ±10%, ±9%, ±8%, ±7%, ±6%, ±5% or ±4% of the Ohm.sq values listed above.

[0158] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally) may be formed from carbon, e.g. an allotrope of carbon. The aerosol generator 12 may be permeable, e.g. liquid and / or gas permeable. The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally), which may be formed from carbon (e.g. an allotrope of carbon) may be formed as a foam.

[0159] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally) may be a monolithic material.

[0160] The aerosol generator 12 may have a heating surface. The heating surface may be partially or completely exposed. In use, aerosol may be emitted from the heating surface.

[0161] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 12 may be in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir 13 and the outside of the reservoir 13. Advantageously, by arranging the aerosol generator 12 (e.g. formed from carbon [e.g. an allotrope thereof]) in fluid communication with the inside of the reservoir 13 and the outside of the reservoir 13, in use the aerosol generator 12 may absorb aerosol-generating material 14 inside of the reservoir 13, and release generated aerosol outside of the reservoir 13. This results in an article 6 that can effectively store aerosol-generating material 14 and generate aerosol from the aerosol-generating material.

[0162] The aerosol generator 12 may comprise an aerosol-generating portion 12A configured to reach temperatures for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material 14. Other portions of the aerosol generator 12 (e.g. a transport portion 12B, as discussed below) may not reach temperatures for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material 14. The aerosol generating portion 12A (e.g. a surface thereof) may be exposed to the outside of the reservoir 13. The aerosol generator 13 may comprise a transport portion 12B for transferring aerosol-generating material 14 (e.g. in the reservoir 101) to the aerosol-generating portion 12A. The transport portion 12B may be exposed to the inside of the reservoir 13. The transport portion 12B may extend from the inside of the reservoir 13 to the aerosol-generating portion 12A. Whilst the embodiment shown in Figure 15 comprises a transport portion 12B, in some embodiments the transport portion 12B may be omitted.

[0163] Referring to the examples of Figures 14 and 15, in use, aerosol-generating material 14 inside the reservoir 13 may contact the transport portion 12B. The transport portion 12B may transport the aerosol-generating material 14 to the aerosolgenerating portion 12A at which aerosol is generated, e.g. by heating, from the aerosol-generating material 14. It will be understood that the aerosol-generating material 14 may be transferred by capillary force through the aerosol generator 12. The surface area of the aerosol-generating portion 12A exposed to the outside of the reservoir 13 may be greater than the surface area of the transport portion 12B exposed to the inside of the reservoir 13.

[0164] As discussed above, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally) may be formed from carbon, e.g. an allotrope of carbon. In such embodiments, the allotrope of carbon may be integrally formed. That is, the allotrope of carbon may be formed of a single piece (which may include multiple portions, as discussed). It has been found that when the allotrope of carbon that is integrally formed, the allotrope of carbon is robust and efficient to manufacture and assemble relative to an allotrope of carbon formed of separate pieces.

[0165] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally), which may be formed from carbon, e.g. an allotrope of carbon, may be formed as a foam. In the specific case of the aerosol generator 12 comprising an allotrope of carbon formed as a foam, it will be understood that “allotrope of carbon formed as a foam” means the allotrope of carbon 103 per se is a foam. The foam may comprise a foam structure and a plurality of cells. The foam structure may define the plurality of cells. A plurality of the cells may be interconnected. The foam may be an open-cell foam, such as a reticulated foam. It will be understood that the foam is a solid foam (e.g. at least from 20°C to 350°C and 101325 Pa). The aerosol generator 12 may comprise a capillary structure. For example, the foam may comprise a capillary structure. Where the aerosol generator 12 comprises an allotrope of carbon formed as a foam, the allotrope of carbon 103 may be referred to as a “carbon foam”. It will be understood that the carbon foam includes, for example, graphite foam, graphene foam, or any other carbon-based foam.

[0166] It will be understood that various methods may be used to make the foam, including (but not limited to) arc discharge, laser ablation, laser induction, laser- induced pyrolysis, high-pressure carbon monoxide disproportionation, and chemical vapour deposition.

[0167] In some embodiments, where the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally) is formed from an allotrope of carbon, the allotrope of carbon comprises disordered graphite and / or amorphous carbon. In some preferred embodiments, the allotrope of carbon is selected from the group comprising disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof.

[0168] Various features of the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element more generally) being formed from carbon, specifically an allotrope of carbon will now be described. Where features of the “allotrope of carbon” are described, this is intended to refer to features of the material, i.e. the allotrope of carbon, which forms the aerosol generator. A Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band, and a D band. The Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon also comprises a 2D band. In some embodiments, the allotrope of carbon comprises disordered graphite and / or amorphous carbon and / or nanocrystalline graphite. In some embodiments, the allotrope of carbon is selected from the group comprising disordered graphite, amorphous carbon, nanocrystalline graphite, or a combination thereof.

[0169] In some embodiments, the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band peak within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm-1to about 1650 cm-1. In such embodiments Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon may comprise a D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm-1to about 1400 cm-1. In such embodiments the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon may comprise a 2D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 2600 cm-1to about 2750 cm’1.

[0170] For example, in some embodiments, the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band peak within a Raman shift range of about 1550 cm-1to about 1590 cm-1. In such embodiments the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon may comprise a D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 1310 cm-1to about 1340 cm-1. In such embodiments the Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon may comprise a 2D band peak within a Raman shift range of from about 2620 cm-1to about 2680 cm-1.

[0171] A ratio ID / IG of the intensity ID of the D band peak to the intensity IG of the G band peak may be from about 0.8 to about 2. The ratio ID / IG may be from about 0.9 to about 1.9. The ratio ID / IG may be from about 1 to about 1.8.

[0172] The G band peak may have a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of at from about 30 cm-1to about 100 cm-1. The G band peak may have a FWHM of from about 30 cm-1to about 70 cm-1.

[0173] The 2D band may follow a Gaussian curve model or a Lorentzian curve model. Any of the above features relating to the Raman spectrum may be combined.

[0174] For example, in some preferred examples, a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1500 cm-1to about 1650 cm-1, and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1250 cm-1to about 1400 cm-1, wherein a ratio ID / IG of the intensity ID of the D band peak to the intensity IG of the G band peak is from about 0.8 to about 2. For example, in some embodiments, a Raman spectrum of the allotrope of carbon 103 comprises a G band, and D band, wherein a G band peak is within a Raman shift range of about 1550 cm-1to about 1590 cm-1, and a D band peak is within a Raman shift range of from about 1310 cm-1to about 1340 cm-1, wherein a ratio ID / IG of the intensity ID of the D band peak to the intensity IG of the G band peak is from about 1 to about 1.8.

[0175] Herein, the Raman spectrum may be measured using Raman microspectroscopy. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a laser wavelength of 638 nm. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a grating having 1800 grooves / mm. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a laser power of 10.9 mW. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using an acquisition time of 5 seconds. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using 20 accumulations. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a confocal pinhole of 300 pm. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed at a wavelength range of from about 1000 cm-1to about 3000 cm-1. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed with a microscope objective of 50x LWD (long working distance) and 0.8 NA (numerical aperture). Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed using a Horiba Xplora Plus Raman Microspectrometer. Herein, the Raman microspectroscopy may be performed at 21 °C. Herein, the allotrope of carbon subjected to the Raman microspectroscopy may be unused. That is, the allotrope of carbon has not been used to generate aerosol and / or has not been heated to typical aerosolisation temperatures (post-manufacture of the allotrope of carbon).

[0176] It will be understood that the allotrope of carbon is thermally conductive. It will be understood that the allotrope of carbon is electrically conductive.

[0177] The allotrope of carbon may have a thermal conductivity of from 100 Wm'1K'1to 5500 Wm-1K’1, e.g. from 100 Wm^K’1to 4000 Wirr'K’1, e.g. from 100 Wm^K’1to 2000 Wm-1K’1, e.g. from 150 Wm^K’1to 1000 Wirr’K'1, e.g. from 180 Wm^K’1to 700 Wm-1K’1, e.g. from 200 Wm^K’1to 500 Wirr’K’1.

[0178] The allotrope of carbon may have an electrical conductivity of from 1 Snr1to 2.5x106Snr1, e.g. from 100 Snr1to 1.0X106Snr1, e.g. from 200 Snr1to 100000 Snr1, e.g. from 400 Snr1to 50000 Snr1, e.g. from 500 Snr1to 10000 Snr1, e.g. from 600 Snr1to 5000 Snr1, e.g. from 800 Snr1to 3000 Snr1, e.g. from 900 Snr1to 1300 Snr1. The allotrope of carbon may have a thermal conductivity of from 200 Wm'1K'1to 500 Wm'1K'1and an electrical conductivity of from 900 Snr1to 1300 Snr1. For example, the allotrope of carbon may have a thermal conductivity of from 200 Wm'1K'1to 500 Wm'1K'1and an electrical conductivity of from 900 Snr1to 1300 Snr1.

[0179] The allotrope of carbon (or indeed the aerosol generator 12 / electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may be resiliently deformable. The allotrope of carbon (or indeed the aerosol generator 12 / electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may have a non-linear elasticity.

[0180] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may have a thickness of from 0.345 nm to 500 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 400 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 300 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 200 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 100 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 80 pm, e.g. from 0.345 nm to 60 pm.

[0181] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may have a thickness of from 1 pm to 500 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 400 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 300 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 200 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 100 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 80 pm, e.g. from 1 pm to 60 pm.

[0182] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive 24 element more broadly) may have a thickness of from 10 pm to 500 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 400 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 300 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 200 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 100 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 80 pm, e.g. from 10 pm to 60 pm.

[0183] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may have a thickness of from 20 pm to 500 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 400 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 300 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 200 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 100 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 80 pm, e.g. from 20 pm to 60 pm.

[0184] The aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) may have a thickness of from 30 pm to 500 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 400 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 300 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 200 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 100 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 80 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 60 pm, e.g. from 30 pm to 50 pm.

[0185] In some examples, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) has a thickness of from about 50 pm to about 500 pm, e.g. from about 50 pm to about 300 pm, e.g. from about 80 pm to about 300 pm, e.g. from about 90 pm to about 200 pm, e.g. from about 100 pm to about 150 pm, e.g. from about 120 pm to about 130 pm.

[0186] In some examples, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly has a thickness of from about 20 pm to about 150 pm, e.g. from about 30 pm to about 120 pm, e.g. of from about 40 pm to about 110 pm, e.g. from about 50 pm to about 100 pm.

[0187] In some examples, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly has a thickness of from about 1 pm to about 50 pm, e.g. from about 1 pm to about 20 pm, e.g. from about 1 pm to about 10 pm, e.g. from about 1 pm to about 5 pm.

[0188] In some examples, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) has a thickness of up to about 50 pm, e.g. up to about 40 pm, e.g. up to about 30 pm, e.g. up to about 20 pm, e.g. up to about 5 pm.

[0189] The electrically conductive element 24 (which may include the aerosol generator 12 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B) may have a length of no greater than 20 mm, e.g. no greater than 18 mm, e.g. no greater than 16 mm, e.g. no greater than 14 mm, e.g. no greater than 12 mm.

[0190] The electrically conductive element 24 (which may include the aerosol generator 12 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B) may have a length of at least 6 mm, e.g. at least 8 mm, e.g. at least 10 mm.

[0191] The electrically conductive element 24 (which may include the aerosol generator 12 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B) may have a length of from 6 mm to 20 mm, e.g. from 7 mm to 18 mm, e.g. from 8 mm to 16 mm, e.g. 9 mm.

[0192] The electrically conductive element 24 (which may include the aerosol generator 12 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B) may have a width of no greater than 8 mm, e.g. no greater than 7 mm, e.g. no greater than 6 mm, e.g. no greater than 5 mm.

[0193] The electrically conductive element 24 (which may include the aerosol generator 12 and the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B) may have a width of at least 2 mm, e.g. a width of 2.5 mm.

[0194] The first electrically conductive element 24A and / or the second electrically conductive element 24B of the article 6 may each comprise a surface which faces a corresponding surface on the respective first electrically conductive element 22A and second electrically conductive element 22B of the device 4 when the article 6 is received by the device 4, and the surface of each of the of the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B may individually have an area of between 7 mm2and 75 mm2. Similarly, the aerosol generator 12, which may form part of the electrically conductive element 24, may have a surface with an area of between 4 mm2and 9 mm2. The surface of the aerosol generator 12 may be on the same side of the electrically conductive element 24 as the surface described above with respect to the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B. The surface may face the device 4 when the article 6 is received by the device 4.

[0195] The electrically conductive element 24, which may include the aerosol generator 12 and each of the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B (which may be portions of the electrically conductive element 24), may have a surface having an area of between 18 mm2and 160 mm2. As with the surfaces described above, the surface of the electrically conductive element may be a surface which faces the device 4 when the article 6 is received by the device.

[0196] The electrically conductive element 24 may be in a sheet-like form, e.g. substantially planar, and the surface described above with respect to the first and second electrically conductive elements 24A, 24B, the aerosol generator 12 and / or the electrically conductive element 24 as a whole may be one of the major surfaces of the sheet-like electrically conductive element 24, i.e. not a surface defining the thickness of the electrically conductive element 24.

[0197] In some embodiments, the aerosol generator 12 (and / or the electrically conductive element 24 more broadly) takes a substantially rectangular form (e.g. when viewed from above).

[0198] The aerosol generator 12 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is at least 2 mg, e.g. at least 4 mg. The aerosol generator 12 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is no greater than 20 mg, e.g. no greater than 10 mg. The aerosol generator 12 may be configured to generate aerosol such that the aerosol collected mass (ACM) is from 2 mg to 10 mg, e.g. from 4 mg to 8 mg. Herein, the aerosol collected mass (ACM) corresponds to the amount of aerosol collected per puff based on a puff regimen of 25 puffs, each puff having a puff volume of 55 mL, a puff duration of 3 seconds, and a puff interval of 30 seconds.

[0199] As with previous embodiments, the article 4 may comprise a support 34 on which the aerosol generator 12 is mounted. The support 34 may be formed from an electrically insulating material. The aerosol generator 12 (e.g. the allotrope of carbon) may be arranged on (or deposited on or supported on) support 34. It has been found that the support 34 may provide a useful structural support for the aerosol generator 12, e.g. an allotrope of carbon, and thereby improve the robustness of the aerosol generator 12.

[0200] The support 34 may be non-porous. Alternatively, the support 34 may be porous.

[0201] The support 34, when formed from an electrically insulating material, may be formed of any suitable electrically insulating material. In particular, the electrically support 34 may be formed of a thermally insulating material (in which case the substrate may be referred to as an “electrically insulating and thermally insulating support 34”). The support 34 may comprise or be formed of plastic, glass, paper, and / or ceramic. The plastic may be selected from polysulfone (PSU), poly(ethersulfone) (PES), polyimide (PI), poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyether ketone (PEK). The polyimide (PI) may be selected from polyetherimide (PEI) and polyamide-imide (PAI). In some embodiments, the polyimide is poly(4,4'-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide). Poly(4,4'-oxydiphenylene- pyromellitimide) is commercially available from DuPont under the trade name Kapton® HN (and other Kapton® products). The glass may be selected from the group consisting of silicate glass and non-silicate glass. The silicate glass may be borosilicate glass, or quartz glass (fused quartz). The glass may be flexible. The glass may be non-porous.

[0202] The support 34 may be formed as a sheet (which may be curved or substantially planar). The support 34 may be substantially planar. The support 34 may be formed as a plate, a strip. The support 34 may be elongate.

[0203] It will be understood that the length and / or the width of the support 34 may be varied. The length of the support 34 may be substantially the same as the length of the aerosol generator 12. In some embodiments, the length of the support 34 may be substantially the same as the length of the electrically conductive element 24 which may comprise the aerosol generator 12. The width of the support 34 may be substantially the same the aerosol generator 12. The width of the support 34 may be substantially the same as the electrically conductive element 24. It will be understood that the dimensions of the support 34 may be varied.

[0204] In some examples, the support 34 takes a substantially rectangular form (e.g. when viewed from above).

[0205] Figure 16 shows a schematic view focussing on the same portion of the system shown in Figure 15, except in this embodiment the transport portion 12B of the aerosol generator 12 has been omitted. Instead, at least one aperture 23 may extend through the support 34. It has been found that the at least one aperture 23 facilitates effective delivery of aerosol-generating material 14 to the aerosol generator 14. In particular, aerosol-generating material 14 can be delivered from the surface of the support 34 opposite from the surface on which the aerosol generator 12 is supported, through the at least one aperture 23, to the aerosol generator 12. In this way, the aerosolgenerating material 14 delivered through the at least one aperture 23 can spread across the aerosol generator 12, while the aerosol generator 12 is shielded from the bulk volume of aerosol-generating material 14 by the support 34. In this way, thermal losses are reduced and aerosol-generation efficiency is improved. Moreover, it has been found that the at least one aperture 23 permits controlled delivery of aerosolgenerating material 14 to the aerosol generator 12, whilst the structure of the support 34 prevents aerosol from inadvertently flowing into the reservoir 13.

[0206] It has been found that by varying the size of the at least one aperture 23, the rate of delivery of aerosol-generating material 14 can be adjusted. The or each aperture 23 may have a diameter of no greater than 500 pm, e.g no greater than 400 pm, e.g. no greater than 300 pm, e.g. no greater than 250 pm. The or each aperture 132 may have a diameter of at least 10 pm, e.g. at least 20 pm, e.g. at least 50 pm, e.g. at least 100 pm, e.g. at least 150 pm. The or each aperture 132 may have a diameter of from 50 pm to 400 pm, e.g. from 100 pm to 300 pm, e.g. from 150 pm to 250 pm.

[0207] In some examples, the or each aperture 23 has a diameter of from about 1 pm to about 300 pm, e.g. from about 5 pm to about 200 pm, e.g. from about 30 pm to about 100 pm. The present inventors have found that such diameters facilitated improved transport of aerosol-generating material to the outer surface of the aerosol generator 12. The present inventors have also found that such diameters do not result in significant leakage of aerosol-generating material.

[0208] As discussed, the support 34 may be substantially planar. The or each aperture 23 may extend through the plane of the support 34. The or each aperture 132 may extend through the support 34 orthogonally to the plane of the support 34.

[0209] The at least one aperture 23 may comprise a plurality of the apertures 23 extending through the support 34. The plurality of apertures 23 may each extend from a first surface the support 34 to a second (e.g. opposing) surface of the support 34. The plurality of apertures 23 may be spaced apart from each other. The plurality of apertures 23 may comprise at least three apertures. The plurality of apertures 23 may form an array, or a two-dimensional pattern. For example, the plurality of apertures 23 may form an array or a two-dimensional pattern across the first surface and / or the second surface.

[0210] 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 system comprising: an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element; and an aerosol provision device configured to receive the article; wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device: an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article; and the aerosol provision device and article together form at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

2. The aerosol provision system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical power consuming element comprises a heating element arranged to heat the aerosol generating material.

3. The aerosol provision system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aerosol provision device comprises at least one electrically conductive element, wherein the article comprises at least one electrically conductive element, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, the at least one electrically conductive element of the device and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the at least one capacitor.

4. The aerosol provision system of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the electrically conductive element of the article also forms the at least one power consuming element.

5. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one capacitor comprises a plurality of capacitors.

6. The aerosol provision system of claim 5, when dependent on claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device the plurality of electrically conductive elements of thedevice and the at least one electrically conductive element of the article together form the plurality of capacitors.

7. The aerosol provision system of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of capacitors is formed between each of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device and respective portions of a single electrically conductive element of the article.

8. The aerosol provision system of claim 7, when dependent on claim 4, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive element a current is caused to flow through by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive element of the article through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.

9. The aerosol provision system of any of claims 3 to 8, wherein the article comprises a support on which the least one electrically conductive element of the article, and / or the at least one electrical power consuming element, is arranged.

10. The aerosol provision system of claim 9, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, and / or the at least one electrical power consuming element, are provided by an electrically conductive layer arranged on the support.

11. The aerosol provision system of claim 10, wherein the electrically conductive layer is a continuous layer which forms the at least one electrically conductive element of the article, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article also forms the electrical power consuming element, wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the device comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements, and wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to control which portion of the electrically conductive layer a current is caused to flow through, when the article is received by the device, by controlling which of the plurality of electrically conductive elements of the device are connected to a power supply of the aerosol provision device, and wherein the portion of the electrically conductive layer through which current flows through forms the electrical power consuming element.

12. The aerosol provision system of any one of claims 10 to 11 , wherein the electrically conductive layer comprises an electrically conductive ink or paint.

13. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the article has a tubular form which defines an axis, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive element of the article (e.g. the electrically conductive layer) extends substantially 360 degrees around the axis.

14. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating material is in the form of a solid, liquid or gel.

15. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol generating material is in the form of a liquid and the article comprises a storage compartment configured to contain the aerosol generating material.

16. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the power consuming element is porous.

17. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the power consuming element is formed as a foam.

18. The aerosol provision system of any preceding claim, wherein the power consuming element has a substantially planar form.

19. An aerosol provision device for receiving, in use, an article comprising an aerosol generating material and at least one electrical power consuming element, wherein when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, in use, an interface is formed between the aerosol provision device and the article and the aerosol provision device, together with the article, forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

20. An article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:an aerosol generating material; and an electrical power consuming element; wherein, in use, when the article is received by the aerosol provision device, an interface is formed between the article and the aerosol provision device, and the article together with the aerosol provision device forms at least one capacitor, at the interface, configured to facilitate the transfer of electrical power from the aerosol provision device to the article for powering the at least one electrical power consuming element.

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