Solar irradiation for aerosol delivery systems

Abstract

An aerosol delivery system (1) comprising a high absorption portion (110) having an absorption grade of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

Description

[0001] SOLAR IRRADIATION FOR AEROSOL DELIVERY SYSTEMS

[0002] Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems, which may include nicotine delivery systems and subsystems such as cartridges for use with wider aerosol delivery systems.

[0004] Background

[0005] Aerosol delivery systems such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) generally contain an aerosol generating material, such as a chamber of a source solid or liquid, which may contain an active substance and / or a flavour, from which an aerosol or vapour is generated for inhalation by a user, e.g. through heat vaporisation. An aerosol delivery system typically comprises an aerosol generation area containing an aerosol generator, e.g. a heating element, arranged to vaporise or aerosolise a portion of precursor material to generate a vapour or aerosol in the aerosol generation area. As a user inhales on the system and electrical power is supplied to the vaporiser, air is drawn into the system through an inlet hole and along an inlet air channel connecting to the aerosol generation area, where the air mixes with vaporised precursor material to form a condensation aerosol. There is an outlet channel connecting the aerosol generation area to an outlet in a mouthpiece and the air drawn into the aerosol generation area as a user inhales on the mouthpiece continues along the outlet flow path to the mouthpiece outlet, carrying the aerosol with it, for inhalation by the user.

[0006] Some electronic cigarettes may include a flavour element in the air flow path to impart additional flavours. Such systems may be referred to as hybrid devices, and the flavour element may, for example, include a portion of tobacco arranged in the air flow path between the aerosol generation area and the mouthpiece such that vapour / aerosol drawn through the device passes through the portion of tobacco before exiting the mouthpiece for user inhalation.

[0007] It is of interest to develop approaches optimising the efficiency and reducing power consumption of aerosol delivery systems. Various approaches are described herein which seek to help address or mitigate at least some of the issues discussed above.

[0008] Brief summary of the invention

[0009] In one aspect, there is provided an aerosol delivery system comprising a high absorption portion having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0010] In another aspect, there is provided a cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge comprising a reservoir for retaining aerosol-generating material, wherein the reservoir comprises a high absorption portion having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0011] The claimed invention further provides corresponding functional means and additional embodiments as claimed in the dependent claims.

[0012] In some examples, the aerosol delivery system comprises a reservoir for retaining aerosol-generating material, wherein the reservoir comprises the high absorption portion.

[0013] In some examples, the system comprises a housing, wherein the housing comprises the high absorption portion.

[0014] In some examples, the system comprises a cavity adjacent to the high absorption portion, for receiving a reservoir or cartridge containing aerosol-generating material.

[0015] In some examples, the system comprises a thermally conductive element adjacent to and in contact with the high absorption portion. In some examples, the system is configured to receive a reservoir or cartridge containing aerosol-generating material adjacent to the thermally conductive element in use. In some examples, the system is or comprises a cartridge for a (wider) aerosol delivery system.

[0016] In some examples, the high absorption portion has an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2500 nm.

[0017] In some examples, the high absorption portion has an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of UV light having a wavelength within the range of 100-400 nm.

[0018] In some examples, the high absorption portion has an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of light having a wavelength within the range of: 100-400 nm, 400-700 nm, 700-2000 nm, 700-2500 nm, 400- 2000 nm, 400-2500 nm, 100-700 nm, 100-2000 nm and / or 100-2500 nm.

[0019] In some examples, the reservoir comprises one or more walls. In some examples, the walls comprise side walls and end walls. In some examples, one or more, optionally all, of the walls has / have a high absorption coefficient. In some examples, one, more than one or all side walls has / have a high absorption coefficient. In some examples, the walls comprise internal and external wall faces or internal and external walls. In some examples, one or more external reservoir wall faces or walls has / have a high absorption coefficient.

[0020] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises an aerosol generator. In some examples, the aerosol generator is configured to receive power from a power supply.

[0021] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises a mouthpiece for a user to inhale aerosol. In some examples, the mouthpiece does not have an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0022] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises an aerosol generator and the high absorption portion substantially surrounds the aerosol generator. In some examples, the high absorption portion substantially surrounds aerosol-generating material retained in the reservoir in use.

[0023] In some examples, the reservoir provides a cavity or chamber for receiving aerosol-generating material in use. In some examples, the cavity or chamber has a volume of 0.5-5 ml, typically 1 .5-3 ml or around 2 ml. In some examples, the high absorption portion surrounds the reservoir, cavity or chamber. In some examples, the high absorption portion substantially or fully encloses the reservoir, cavity or chamber.

[0024] In some examples, the high absorption portion has a surface area of 400-2000 mm2.

[0025] In some examples, the high absorption portion has an absorption coefficient of: at least 0.96, at least 0.97, at least 0.98 or at least 0.99 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0026] In some examples, the high absorption portion comprises a carbon black surface or coating.

[0027] In some examples, the surface or coating is external to the reservoir cavity.

[0028] In some examples, the high absorption portion comprises the carbon black surface or coating on multiple faces.

[0029] In some examples, the reservoir comprises the carbon black surface or coating on multiple external faces of the reservoir.

[0030] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises a translucent or transparent window for observing a level of aerosol-generating material within the reservoir.

[0031] In some examples, the reservoir comprises a translucent or transparent window for observing a level of aerosol-generating material within the reservoir.

[0032] In some examples, the window predominantly extends along a length of the reservoir. In some examples, the window extends along a full length of the reservoir.

[0033] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises a transparent housing substantially surrounding the high absorption portion.

[0034] In some examples, the transparent housing substantially surrounds the reservoir.

[0035] In some examples, the system comprises a cavity adjacent to the transparent housing, for receiving a reservoir or cartridge containing aerosol-generating material.

[0036] In some examples, the transparent housing has a transmittance of: at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0037] In some examples, the transparent housing has a transmittance of at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2500 nm.

[0038] In some examples, the transparent housing comprises a polycarbonate material.

[0039] In some examples, the transparent housing comprises an electrochromic material.

[0040] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises a controller configured to control the electrochromic material.

[0041] In some examples: a) the system or cartridge comprises an air gap or vacuum between the transparent housing and the high absorption portion; or b) the transparent housing comprises an air gap or vacuum.

[0042] In some examples, the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the high absorption portion.

[0043] In some examples, the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the reservoir. In some examples, the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the aerosol generator.

[0044] In some examples, the system comprises an air or vacuum chamber between the transparent housing and the high absorption portion.

[0045] In some examples, the reservoir comprises an external wall, an internal wall and air or a vacuum chamber between the internal and external walls.

[0046] In some examples, the transparent housing comprises an external wall, an internal wall and an air or vacuum chamber between the internal and external walls.

[0047] In some examples, the system comprises a cavity adjacent to the air or vacuum chamber, for receiving a reservoir or cartridge containing aerosol-generating material.

[0048] In some examples, the system or cartridge comprises a housing for receiving a power supply, wherein the power supply housing comprise a high reflection portion having a reflectivity of at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

[0049] In some examples: a) the reservoir comprises a carbon black surface or coating; b) the system or cartridge comprises a transparent housing configured to substantially surround the carbon black surface or coating, the transparent housing having a transmittance of least 90% of light having a wavelength within the range of 400-2000 nm; and c) the system or cartridge comprises an air gap or vacuum between an external part of the transparent housing and the carbon black surface or coating.

[0050] Brief description of the figures

[0051] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section view of an aerosol delivery system;

[0053] Figures 2-4 are side views of an aerosol delivery system comprising a high absorption portion;

[0054] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device for receiving the system of figures 2-4;

[0055] Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the aerosol delivery system of figures 2-4 in combination with the device of figure 5; and

[0056] Figures 7 and 8 are highly schematic cross-sectional and end views respectively of aerosol delivery systems comprising a reservoir for aerosol-generating material, a high absorption portion, an air or vacuum chamber and a transparent housing. Detailed description of the disclosure

[0057] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are described herein. Some aspects and features may be implemented conventionally and these are not described in detail, for brevity.

[0058] The claimed invention may generally provide a sub-assembly or sub-system suitable for use in an aerosol delivery system, or configured for use in an aerosol delivery system. The sub-system may generally form part of an aerosol delivery system and in particular may form part of the reusable device and / or the consumable cartridge of a two-part system.

[0059] Introduction

[0060] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through an example aerosol delivery system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure, providing an introduction to two-part aerosol delivery systems, the components therein and their functionality.

[0061] The aerosol delivery system 1 comprises two main parts, a reusable part 2 (sometimes referred to as a control unit) and a replaceable I disposable consumable cartridge part 4 (sometimes referred to as a consumable or an article). In normal use, the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 are releasably coupled together at an interface 6. When the cartridge part 4 is exhausted or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge part 4, the cartridge part 4 may be removed from the reusable part 2 and a replacement cartridge part 4 attached to the reusable part 2 in its place. The interface 6 may provide a structural, electrical and airflow path connection between the two parts 2, 4 and may be established in accordance with conventional techniques, e.g. based around a screw thread, magnetic or bayonet fixing with electrical contacts and openings for the electrical connection and airflow path between the two parts 2, 4 as appropriate. The specific manner by which the cartridge part 4 mounts to the reusable part 2 is not significant to the principles described herein, but for the sake of a concrete example is assumed here to comprise a magnetic coupling (not represented in figure 1). It will also be appreciated the interface 6 in some implementations may not support an electrical and I or airflow path connection between the respective parts 2, 4. For example, in some implementations an aerosol generator may be provided in the reusable part 2 rather than in the cartridge part 4, or the transfer of electrical power from the reusable part 2 to the cartridge part 4 may be wireless (e.g. based on electromagnetic induction), so that an electrical connection between the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 is not needed. Furthermore, in some implementations the airflow through the system 1 might not go through the reusable part 2, so that an airflow path connection between the reusable part 2 and the cartridge part 4 is not needed. In some instances, a portion of the airflow path may be defined at the interface between portions of the reusable part 2 and cartridge part 4 when these are coupled together for use. The cartridge / consumable part 4 may, in certain embodiments, be broadly conventional. In figure 1 , the cartridge part 4 comprises a cartridge housing 42 formed of a plastics material. The cartridge housing 42 supports other components of the cartridge part 4 and provides the mechanical interface 6 with the reusable part 2. The cartridge housing 42 is generally circularly symmetrical about a longitudinal axis along which the cartridge part 4 couples to the reusable part 2. In this example, the cartridge part 4 has a length of around 4 cm and a diameter of around 1 .5 cm. However, the specific dimensions, geometry, overall shapes and materials used may vary.

[0062] Within the cartridge housing 42 is a chamber or reservoir 44 that contains aerosol-generating material. In the example of figure 1 , the reservoir 44 stores a supply of liquid aerosol generating material and the liquid reservoir 44 has an annular shape with an outer wall defined by the cartridge housing 42 and an inner wall that defines an airflow path 52 through the cartridge part 4. The reservoir 44 is closed at each end with end walls to contain the aerosol generating material. The reservoir 44 may be formed conventionally, e.g. comprising a plastics material and / or integrally moulded with the cartridge housing 42.

[0063] The cartridge I consumable part 4 further comprises an aerosol generator 48, which in this example is located towards an end of the reservoir 44, opposite to a mouthpiece outlet 50. In a two-part system such as in figure 1 , the aerosol generator 48 may be in either of the reusable part 2 or the cartridge part 4. For example, in some embodiments, the aerosol generator 48 (e.g. a heater, which may be in the form of a wick and coil arrangement as shown, a distiller, which may be formed from a sintered metal fibre material or other porous conducting material, or any suitable alternative aerosol generator) may be comprised in the reusable part 2, and is brought into proximity with a portion of aerosol generating material in the cartridge part 4 when the cartridge part 4 is engaged with the reusable part 2. In such embodiments, the cartridge part 4 may comprise a portion of aerosol generating material, and an aerosol generator 48 is at least partially inserted into or at least partially surrounds the portion of aerosol generating material as the cartridge part 4 is engaged with the reusable part 2.

[0064] In the example of figure 1 , a wick 46 in contact with the aerosol generator 48 extends transversely across the cartridge airflow path 52 with its ends extending into the reservoir 44 of the liquid aerosol generating material through openings in the inner wall. The openings in the inner wall of the reservoir 44 are sized to broadly match the dimensions of the wick 46 to provide a reasonable seal against leakage from the reservoir 44 into the cartridge airflow path 52, without unduly compressing the wick 46, which may be detrimental to its fluid transfer performance.

[0065] The wick 46 and aerosol generator 48 are arranged in the cartridge airflow path 52 such that a region of the cartridge airflow path 52 around the wick 46 and heater 48 in effect defines a vaporisation region for the cartridge part 4. Aerosol generating material in the reservoir 44 infiltrates the wick 46 through the ends of the wick extending into the reservoir 44 and is drawn along the wick by surface tension / capillary action (i.e. wicking). The aerosol generator 48 in this example comprises an electrically resistive wire coiled around the wick 46. In figure 1 , the aerosol generator 48 comprises a nickel chrome alloy (Cr20Ni80) wire and the wick 46 comprises a glass fibre bundle, but the specific aerosol generator configuration is not significant to the principles described. In use, electrical power may be supplied to the aerosol generator 48 to vaporise an amount of aerosol generating material drawn to the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 by the wick 46. Vaporised aerosol generating material may then become entrained in air drawn along the cartridge airflow path from the vaporisation region towards the mouthpiece outlet 50 for user inhalation.

[0066] As noted above, the rate at which aerosol generating material is vaporised by the aerosol generator 48 will depend on the amount (level) of power supplied to the aerosol generator 48. Thus, electrical power can be applied to the aerosol generator 48 to selectively generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material in the cartridge part 4, and furthermore, the rate of aerosol generation can be changed by changing the amount of power supplied to the aerosol generator 48, for example through pulse width and / or frequency modulation techniques.

[0067] The reusable part 2 comprises an outer housing 12 having an opening that defines an air inlet 28 for the system 1 , a power source 26 (e.g. a battery) for providing operating power for the system 1 , control circuitry I controller 22 for controlling and monitoring the operation of the system 1 , a first user input button 14, a second user input button 16, and a visual display 24. The outer housing 12 may be formed, e.g. from a plastics or metallic material and in this example has a circular cross section generally conforming to the shape and size of the cartridge part 4, to provide a smooth transition between the two parts 2, 4 at the interface 6. In this example, the reusable part 2 has a length of around 8 cm so the overall length of the system 1 when the cartridge part 4 and the reusable part 2 are coupled together is around 12 cm. However, the specific dimensions, geometry, overall shapes and materials used may vary.

[0068] In embodiments, the system 1 comprises at least a portion having a high absorption coefficient of light, as is discussed further below with reference to the subsequent figures. In particular, one or more of the reusable device part housing 12, the cartridge housing 42 and / or the reservoir 44 may comprise a high light absorption portion.

[0069] The air inlet 28 connects to an airflow path 51 through the reusable part 2. The reusable part airflow path 51 in turn connects to the cartridge airflow path 52 across the interface 6 when the reusable part 2 and cartridge part 4 are connected together. Thus, when a user inhales on the mouthpiece opening 50, air is drawn in through the air inlet 28, along the reusable part airflow path 51 , across the interface 6, through the aerosol generation area in the vicinity of the aerosol generator 48 (where vaporised aerosol generating material becomes entrained in the air flow), along the cartridge airflow path 52, and out through the mouthpiece opening 50 for user inhalation. The power source 26 in this example is rechargeable and may be a conventional type, e.g. of the kind normally used in electronic cigarettes and other applications requiring provision of relatively high currents over relatively short periods. The power source 26 may be recharged through a charging connector in the reusable part housing 12, for example a USB connector.

[0070] Optionally, first and / or second user input buttons 14, 16 may be provided, which in this example are conventional mechanical buttons, e.g. comprising a spring mounted component which may be pressed by a user to establish an electrical contact. The input buttons may be input devices for detecting user input and the manner in which the buttons are implemented is not significant. The buttons may be assigned functions such as switching the system 1 on and off, and / or adjusting user settings such as a power to be supplied from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48.

[0071] A display 24 may be provided to give a user a visual indication of various characteristics associated with the aerosol delivery system, e.g. current power setting information, remaining power source power, etc. The display may be implemented in various ways. In this example, the display 24 comprises a conventional pixilated LCD screen. In other implementations, the display may comprise one or more discrete indicators, e.g. LEDs, arranged to display information, e.g. through particular colours and / or flash sequences. More generally, the manner in which the display 24 is provided and information is displayed is not significant to the principles described herein - other embodiments may not include a visual display and / or may include other means for providing a user with information relating to operating characteristics of the system 1 , e.g. using audio signalling.

[0072] A controller 22 is suitably configured I programmed to control the aerosol delivery system 1 to provide functionality as described herein, as well as for providing conventional operating functions of the system 1 . The controller (processor circuitry) 22 may be considered to logically comprise various subunits I circuitry elements associated with different aspects of the operation of the system 1 . In this example, the controller 22 comprises power supply control circuitry for controlling the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in response to user input, user programming circuitry 20 for establishing configuration settings (e.g. user-defined power settings) in response to user input, as well as other functional units I circuitry associated functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and conventional operating aspects, such as display driving circuitry and user input detection circuitry. The functionality of the controller 22 can be provided in various different ways, e.g. using one or more programmed programmable computer(s) and I or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) I circuitry I chip(s) I chipset(s). The controller 22 may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), CPU, microprocessor or microcontroller. The operations of a controller and other electronic components are generally controlled by software / instructions running on the controller, which may be stored in non-volatile memory, (e.g. ROM), which may be integrated into the controller, or provided separately. The controller 22 may access the ROM to load and execute individual software as and when required. The reusable part 2 comprises an airflow sensor 30, which is electrically connected to the controller 22. In most embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 comprises a so-called “puff sensor”, in that the airflow sensor 30 is used to detect when a user is puffing on the system 1 . In some embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 comprises a switch in an electrical path providing electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48. In such embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 generally comprises a pressure sensor configured to close the switch when subjected to a particular range of pressures, enabling current to flow from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 once the pressure in the vicinity of the airflow sensor 30 drops below a threshold value. The threshold value can be set to a value determined by experimentation to correspond to a characteristic value associated with the initiation of a user puff. In other embodiments, the airflow sensor 30 is connected to the controller 22, and the controller 22 distributes electrical power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 in dependence of a signal received from the airflow sensor 30 by the controller 22. The specific manner in which the signal output from the airflow sensor 30 (which may comprise a measure of capacitance, resistance or other characteristic of the airflow sensor, made by the controller 22) is used by the controller 22 to control the supply of power from the power source 26 to the aerosol generator 48 can be carried out in accordance with any approach known to the skilled person.

[0073] In the example shown in figure 1 , the airflow sensor 30 is mounted to an optional printed circuit board (PCB). The airflow sensor 30 may comprise any sensor configured to determine a characteristic of airflow in an airflow path 51 disposed between air inlet 28 and mouthpiece opening 50, e.g. a pressure sensor or transducer (such as a membrane or solid-state pressure sensor), a combined temperature and pressure sensor, or a microphone (e.g. an electret-type microphone), which is sensitive to changes in air pressure, including acoustical signals. The airflow sensor 30 is situated within a sensor cavity or chamber 32, which comprises the interior space defined by one or more chamber walls. The sensor cavity 32 comprises a region internal to one or more chamber walls in which an airflow sensor 30 can be fully or partially situated. In some embodiments, the PCB comprises one of the chamber walls of a sensor housing comprising the sensor chamber I cavity 32.

[0074] A deformable membrane may be disposed across an opening communicating between the sensor cavity 32 containing the sensor 30, and a portion of the airflow path disposed between air inlet 28 and mouthpiece opening 50. The deformable membrane covers the opening, and is attached to one or more of the chamber walls according to approaches described further herein.

[0075] The aerosol delivery system 1 may comprise communication circuitry configured to connect to one or more further electronic devices (e.g., a storage I charging case, or a refill I charging dock) to enable data transfer between the system 1 and further electronic device(s). The communication circuitry may be integrated into the controller 22, or implemented separately. The communication circuitry may be configured to support wired or wireless communications between the aerosol delivery system 1 and other electronic devices such as a case, a dock, a computing device such as a smartphone or PC, a base station supporting cellular communications, a relay node providing an onward connection to a base station, a wearable device, or any other portable or fixed device. The controller 22, other components within the system 1 and other devices / systems may comprise one or more processors and data processing may be performed on any of these processors or on a remote processor, the data communicated by wire or wirelessly.

[0076] Wireless communications between the aerosol delivery system 1 and a further electronic device may be configured according to data transfer protocols such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee, WiFi®, Wifi Direct, GSM, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, NFC, RFID, or generally any other wireless, and / or wired, network protocol or interface. The communication circuitry may comprise any suitable interface for wired data connection, such as USB-C, micro-USB or Thunderbolt interfaces, and may comprise pin or contact pad arrangements configured to engage cooperating pins or contact pads on a dock, case, cable, or other external device which can be connected to the aerosol delivery system 1 .

[0077] Electromagnetic radiation spectrum

[0078] It is understood that the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum1is the range of all types of EM radiation and comprises:

[0079] • Ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength of substantially 100-400 nm;2

[0080] • Visible light having a wavelength of substantially 400-700 nm;3and

[0081] • Infrared (IR) light having a wavelength of substantially 700 nm - 1 mm.4

[0082] It is also understood that, at the distance we are from the sun, the total solar irradiation is ~1360 W / m2(1000 W / m2at sea level), of which approximately:5

[0083] • 5% is UV light;

[0084] • 42% is visible light; and

[0085] • 53% is infrared.

[0086] This disclosure outlines aerosol delivery systems that utilise solar irradiation to reduce power consumption.

[0087] Absorption coefficient of light

[0088] In embodiments of the claimed invention, an aerosol delivery system 1 comprises a high absorption portion 110, the high absorption portion 110 having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm. Such embodiments provide a system 1 having a high absorption portion 110 that approaches a black body, as defined by Planck’s law of black body radiation, absorbing incident radiation highly effectively (for a true black body, absorbing all incident radiation, although such an ideal cannot be achieved perfectly in practice). Accordingly, the high absorption portion 110 is readily warmed by solar irradiation. Typically, aerosol delivery systems generate vapour by heating aerosol-generating material from ambient to temperatures in excess of 200°C. By increasing the ambient temperature of the aerosol-generating material and / or surrounding region (directly or indirectly), the power required to reach vaporisation can be reduced.

[0089] Beneficially, the system 1 may have an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 for wavelengths beyond those outlined above, particularly e.g. of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700- 2500 nm or further beyond (e.g. up to 5000 nm, 10000 nm, 0.1 mm or 1 mm) and / or of UV light having a wavelength within the range of 100-400 nm, to further improve solar energy absorption. Accordingly, in some examples, the high absorption portion 110 may have an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of light having a wavelength within the range of any one or more of: 100-400 nm, 400- 700 nm, 700-2000 nm and / or 700-2500 nm, such as 400-2000 nm, 400-2500 nm, 100-700 nm, 100- 2000 nm and / or 100-2500 nm. In some examples, the absorption coefficient is > 0.96, > 0.97, > 0.98 or > 0.99.

[0090] In some examples, the system 1 comprises a reservoir 44 for retaining aerosol-generating material, wherein the reservoir 44 itself comprises the high absorption portion 110. In some examples, the system 1 is or comprises a replaceable cartridge 4, e.g. for use in a wider system with a separate reusable device part 2 comprising a power supply 26 (as outlined above with reference to figure 1); or the system 1 may comprise a reusable device part 2 for use with a replaceable cartridge 4 comprising aerosol-generating material in a reservoir 44. In some examples, the system 1 comprises a cavity adjacent to the high absorption portion 110, for receiving a reservoir 44 (e.g. in a cartridge 4) containing aerosol-generating material, where the system 1 is configured to transfer absorbed irradiation (heat) to the aerosol-generating material in use. In one example, the system 1 comprises a thermally conductive element, e.g. comprising metal, adjacent to and in contact with the high absorption portion 110, and is configured to receive a reservoir 44 (e.g. in a cartridge 4) containing aerosol-generating material adjacent to I in contact with the thermally conductive element in use, so that incoming solar irradiation warms the high absorption portion 110, and this heat is transferred by conduction to the aerosol-generating material in the reservoir 44 by the thermally conductive element when the cartridge 4 is installed in the system 1 . In further examples, the system 1 comprises a housing, which may be an outer housing or shell, such as a device part housing 12 or a cartridge part housing 42, wherein the housing 12, 42 comprises the high absorption portion 110.

[0091] Figures 2-4 are side views of an aerosol delivery system 1 comprising a high absorption portion 110. More specifically, figure 2 is a side view showing a major side of the system 1 , figure 3 is a side perspective view primarily showing a minor side of the system 1 and figure 4 is a perspective view primarily showing a major side of the system 1. In figures 2-4, the system 1 comprises a cartridge 4 having a mouthpiece 49 with an aerosol outlet 50 for a user to inhale aerosol therefrom. The cartridge 4 also comprises an internal reservoir 44 for retaining aerosol-generating material, and a high absorption portion 110 having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm. In this example, the high absorption portion 110 comprises a carbon black outer surface on an external wall of the reservoir 44. The high absorption portion 110 may substantially surround aerosol-generating material retained in the reservoir 44 in use. In some examples, the surface or coating comprises carbon nanotubes, which absorb 98-99% of light in the spectral range from UV to far-infrared6 7. In another example, the high absorption portion 110 comprises a Musou black painted surface, which absorbs up to 99.4% of light in the visible light range - available at https: / / www.musoublack.com / 8. In the example of figures 2-4, the reservoir 44 does not extend into the mouthpiece 49, which might be removable and replaceable separately for hygiene, and the mouthpiece 49 is transparent, thus does not have a high absorption coefficient of light. In other examples, different configurations may be used, including a non-separable I integrated mouthpiece 49.

[0092] As best shown in figures 3-4, the reservoir 44 in this example is annular, surrounding an air flow path 52 formed by a tube through the cartridge 4. The reservoir 44 here is defined by a reservoir wall providing a cavity I chamber for receiving aerosol-generating material in use, which may be refillable and may have a volume of 0.5-5 ml, typically 1 .5-3 ml or around 2 ml. In some examples, the high absorption portion 110 surrounds the reservoir 44 or the cavity I chamber contained therein - e.g. the high absorption portion 110 may be formed (e.g. a coating) on a wall of the reservoir 44, or the high absorption portion 110 may be a wall of the reservoir 44, or a housing around the reservoir 44. In some examples, the high absorption portion 110 substantially or fully encloses the reservoir 44, cavity or chamber. The high absorption portion 110 may generally have a surface area of substantially 400- 2000 mm2.

[0093] In figure 3, the high absorption portion 110 comprises two high absorption coatings 110a, 110b on opposing major side walls of the reservoir 44, which extend around the majority, but not the entirety, of the circumference of the cartridge 4. The reservoir 44 in figure 3 additionally comprises opposing minor side walls which do not comprise a high absorption portion 110.

[0094] The reservoir 44 may generally comprise one or more walls, such as one or more side walls (e.g. the substantially vertical opposing major side walls on which the coatings 110a, 110b reside, plus the substantially vertical opposing minor side walls having no coating 110 in figure 3) and one or more end walls (e.g. top and bottom axial end walls that are perpendicular to the vertical opposing side walls in figure 3). In some examples, a wall of the reservoir 44 itself or surrounding the reservoir 44 (e.g. as part of a housing) may comprise the high absorption portion 110. In some examples:

[0095] • one or more, optionally all walls have a high absorption coefficient of light.

[0096] • at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or 100% of the surface area of all walls exposed to solar irradiation in use (e.g. when outside), such as all externally-facing walls, have a high absorption coefficient of light. one, more than one, all major or all side walls has / have a high absorption coefficient of light. In some examples, where the side walls comprise major (larger) and minor (smaller) side walls, as in figure 3, the minor side walls may not comprise a high absorption portion 110.

[0097] The end walls (perpendicular to an axial length of the system 1) may or may not have a high absorption coefficient, since these have limited direct exposure to solar irradiation. Accordingly, in some examples, the high absorption portion 110 comprises a sleeve substantially or fully around the reservoir 44. Equally, the above similarly may apply to walls of a housing around the reservoir 44.

[0098] As is best shown in figure 3, the reservoir 44 may comprise a window 120 between or not covered by the two parts 110a, 110b of the high absorption portion 110, the window 120 not having a high absorption coefficient of light - instead, the reservoir window 120 is transparent and permits a user to see a quantity or level of aerosol-generating material in the reservoir 44. In other examples, the window 120 may be translucent, rather than transparent. In this example, the reservoir window 120 predominantly extends along a length of the reservoir 44 - it is narrow in width and extends a full length of the reservoir 44, here having a width to length ratio of approximately 1 :10 (for the avoidance of doubt, the length extends parallel to the flow path 52 shown in figure 4). As such, the user may observe the quantity remaining at any level, with minimal reduction in absorption of solar irradiation. In other examples, the reservoir window 120 may extend a partial length of the reservoir 44, ideally revealing at least the lowermost portion of the reservoir 44, so the user can check if the reservoir 44 is empty, but not necessarily if the reservoir 44 is substantially full. The reservoir window 120 may be on one or multiple sides of the reservoir 44, the reservoir 44 here comprising windows 120 on both minor (narrower) sides.

[0099] Figure 4 shows the system 1 of figures 2-3 without the second high absorption portion 110b, showing more detail of the internal construction. The specifics of delivery of aerosol-generating material from the reservoir 44 to the aerosol generator 48 and of vapour generation and entrainment into air flow from an air inlet 28 and / or from an air flow path 51 through a reusable part 2 (not shown) are not core to the high absorption functionality, but are indicated by arrows in figure 4 for completeness - these features may be conventional or as described above with reference to figure 1 . The high absorption portion 110 may partially or substantially surround the aerosol generator 48, as shown here, which thus may warm the aerosol generator 48 itself and any aerosol-generating material proximal thereto. Also shown in figure 4 is an oval air or vacuum chamber 150 across the top of the reservoir 44, described later with reference to figure 6.

[0100] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device 2 for receiving the system 1 I cartridge 4 of figures 2-4, where the device 2 comprises a transparent housing 130 for receiving a cartridge 4 in use. The device 2 also contains a controller 22 and a power source 26, as described above. The reusable device 2 is described further with reference to the wider system 1 of figure 6 below. Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the aerosol delivery system 1 of figures 2-4 in combination with the reusable device part 2 of figure 5. Figure 6 illustrates a number of additional, optional features that may beneficially be provided to provide a ‘greenhouse’ heat-trapping effect for the absorbed solar irradiation. In figure 6, as in figure 4, only one part / side 110a of the high absorption portion 110 is shown for clarity.

[0101] Firstly, the system 1 may comprise a transparent housing or layer 130 substantially surrounding the high absorption portion 110 (which itself may form part of a housing, e.g. of the device housing 12 or cartridge housing 42). In figure 6, the reusable part 2 comprises the transparent housing 130, which extends circumferentially and axially away from the device body, forming a cavity for receiving the cartridge 4. In use, the transparent housing 130 surrounds the high absorption portion 110 of the cartridge 4 (here spaced by an optional air or vacuum chamber 150, described further below). In this example, the transparent housing 130 is reusable for multiple cartridges 4 and provides a cavity for receiving the cartridge 4 comprising the reservoir 44 of aerosol-generating material, the reservoir 44 comprising the high absorption portion 110. In other examples, the cartridge 4 may also or instead comprise a transparent housing 130.

[0102] The transparent housing 130 itself may have a transmittance of: at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm or 700-2500 nm. In some examples, the transparent housing 130 comprises a polycarbonate material, which typically has a light transmittance of 80%9or better, particularly a typical visible light transmittance of 85-88%.10

[0103] Secondly, the system 1 may comprise an air or vacuum gap 140, e.g. between the high absorption portion 110 and the transparent housing 130, within the transparent housing 130 or within the reservoir 44. For a two-part system 1 , the device 2 and / or the cartridge 4 may comprise one or more air or vacuum gaps 140, which may be formed e.g. by an air or vacuum chamber 150 and / or as part of the transparent housing 130. In figure 6, the reusable part 2 comprises an air or vacuum chamber 150 surrounding a cavity for receiving the cartridge 4 adjacent to the chamber 150. The air or vacuum chamber 150 may comprise multiple parts which may be located in the device 2 and / or the cartridge 4. In figure 6, the chambers 150 comprise two opposing arcuate major side chambers 150a, 150c, having the same arcuate profile as the high absorption portions 110a, 110b (note that the arcuate profile is not fully shown in figure 6 for clarity); and two opposing oval end chambers 150b, 150d, extending perpendicular to a length of the system 1. In this example, the device 2 comprises the two opposing major side chambers 150a, 150c and the first oval end chamber 150d distal from the mouthpiece 49, whilst the cartridge 4 comprises the second oval end chamber 150b, proximal to the mouthpiece 49, as shown in figure 4. In figure 6, there are no chambers 150 around the minor axial sides of the system 1 , since these do not comprise a high absorption portion 110, but instead comprise a transparent window 120. Although not detailed in figure 6, the air gap(s) / vacuum(s) 140 or chamber(s) 150 may substantially or fully surround the aerosol generator 48, the reservoir 44 and / or the high absorption portion 110 to minimise heat loss. In some examples, the air gap(s) / vacuum(s) 140 or chamber(s) 150 substantially surround I enclose all side walls of the aerosol generator 48 and / or the reservoir 44, since these comprise high absorption portions 110 exposed to solar irradiation in use. A profile of the air gap(s) I vacuum(s) 140 or chamber(s) 150 may reflect that of the high absorption portions 110. In some examples, the air gap(s) / vacuum(s) 140 or chambers) 150 is / are annular.

[0104] The air or vacuum chamber 150 may be adjacent to or part of, such as integrated with or contained within, the transparent housing 130 or the reservoir 44. In other words, the reservoir 44 or the transparent housing 130 may comprise the air / vacuum gap 140 or chamber 150, e.g. by comprising an external wall, an internal wall and an air or vacuum chamber 150 between the internal and external walls. In this example, the device 2 comprising three air or vacuum chambers 150a, 150c, 150d, is reusable for multiple cartridges 4, which in this example has an air or vacuum chamber 150b. In other examples, the cartridge 4 may comprise no, one or multiple air or vacuum chambers 150, e.g. adjacent to or part of, such as integrated with or contained within, the high absorption portion 110, the cartridge housing 42 or the reservoir 44.

[0105] In these examples, the solar irradiation absorbed by the high absorption portion 110 is trapped by the system 1 limiting emittance of the absorbed energy, since as the high absorption portion 110 absorbs the EM energy and warms the high absorption portion 110, it radiates heat in the infrared band. However, the penetrability of infrared radiation is poor and so it cannot effectively pass through the transparent housing 130 or across the air / vacuum gap 140 (where such air / vacuum gaps also minimise heat loss by conduction and convention). Therefore, solar irradiation energy is absorbed to heat the high absorption portion 110 which warms the cartridge 4, whilst the transparent housing 130 and the air / vacuum gap 140 restrict loss of the absorbed energy back to the environment. As such, the energy consumed when heating e-liquid to a certain temperature is reduced. This also provides a more efficient direct system than using PV panels to convert solar irradiation into electricity.

[0106] Thirdly, the system 1 may comprise a high reflection portion 160. In particular, as shown in figure 6, the system 1 may comprise a housing 12 for receiving a power supply 26, wherein the housing comprises a high reflection portion 160 having a reflectivity of at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm. In contrast to the above, the high reflection portion 160 reflects, ratherthan absorbs, incoming solar irradiation and thus minimises heating of the power supply 26, which might otherwise shorten its lifespan.

[0107] Although not detailed in the figures, in some examples, the transparent housing 130 may comprise an electrochromic material, i.e. a material that can change colour or opacity in response to an electrical stimulus. In such examples, the transparent housing 130 may be operable to provide a suitable transmittance (as outlined above) when conditions allow, but also be adjustable e.g. depending on internal system environmental conditions and / or external environmental conditions. The system 1 may comprise a controller 22 configured to control the electrochromic material in response to the internal / external environment, which may be sensed by one or more sensors and / or communicated to the system 1 .

[0108] Figures 7 and 8 are highly schematic cross-sectional and end views respectively of systems 1 comprising a reservoir 44 for aerosol-generating material, a high absorption portion 1 10, an air or vacuum chamber 150 and a transparent housing 130.

[0109] The cross-sectional view of figure 7 schematically illustrates how the reservoir 44, the high absorption portion 110, the air or vacuum chamber 150 and the transparent housing 130 may be arranged effectively as layers in an aerosol delivery system 1 to promote warming of the aerosol-generating material by solar irradiation and minimise losses back to the environment. As outlined above, solar irradiation can pass through the transparent housing 130 and radiate across the air / vacuum gap formed by the air or vacuum chamber 150 to be absorbed by the high absorption portion 1 10 and converted into heat. This heat energy is radiated in the infrared band which cannot effectively pass back through the air / vacuum gap 140 or the transparent housing 130. In embodiments, these features may selectively be provided in an all-in-one disposable system 1 , or they may be provided in one or both of the reusable device 2 and removable / replaceable cartridge 4.

[0110] Figure 7 schematically outlines multiple two-part systems 1 , including: i. a reusable device 2a comprising a transparent housing 130, an air or vacuum chamber 150 and a high absorption portion 110 (optionally e.g. as layers of the housing), where the device 2a is configured to receive a cartridge 4a, which may be conventional, comprising a reservoir 44 of aerosol-generating material; ii. a reusable device 2b comprising a transparent housing 130 and an air or vacuum chamber 150, where the device 2b is configured to receive a cartridge 4b comprising a reservoir 44 of aerosol-generating material and a high absorption portion 1 10; and

[0111] Hi. a reusable device 2c comprising a transparent housing 130, where the device 2c is configured to receive a cartridge 4c comprising a reservoir 44 of aerosol-generating material, a high absorption portion 110 and an air or vacuum chamber 150.

[0112] Note that the above is not exhaustive and other combinations are envisaged, particularly e.g. omitting one or more of the air or vacuum chamber 150 and the transparent housing 130; or providing multiple air or vacuum chambers 150 and / or transparent housings 130, optionally in multiple parts thereof.

[0113] Figure 8 illustrates the same arrangements as figure 7, with each element having a circular crosssection, effectively forming a series of layers, where the high absorption portion 110 is annular, surrounding the reservoir 44, and both the transparent housing 130 and the air or vacuum chamber 150 are similarly annular, surrounding the high absorption portion 110 and thus also the reservoir 44. In other examples, any other shapes may be used.

[0114] 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. Any functions of a processor (e.g. controller) may be shared between processors on the various devices / systems in the wider system and / or a remote server. 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.

[0115] 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. Protection may also be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure.

[0116] Terminology

[0117] Delivery System

[0118] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user in use, and includes: combustible aerosol provision systems, such as cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own or for make-your-own cigarettes (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, tobacco substitutes or other smokable material); non-combustible aerosol provision systems that release compounds from an aerosolgenerating material without combusting the aerosol-generating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosolgenerating materials; and aerosol-free delivery systems that deliver the at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in another way without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0119] Combustible Aerosol Provision System According to the present disclosure, a “combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is combusted or burned during use in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0120] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a system selected from the group consisting of a cigarette, a cigarillo and a cigar. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a component for use in a combustible aerosol provision system, such as a filter, a filter rod, a filter segment, a tobacco rod, a spill, an aerosol-modifying agent release component such as a capsule, a thread, or a bead, or a paper such as a plug wrap, a tipping paper or a cigarette paper.

[0121] Non-Combustible Aerosol Provision System

[0122] According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

[0123] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement. 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.

[0124] 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 aerosolgenerating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0125] Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device. 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.

[0126] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

[0127] 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. 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.

[0128] Aerosol-Free Delivery System

[0129] In some embodiments, the delivery system is an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally or in anotherway without forming an aerosol, including but not limited to, lozenges, gums, patches, articles comprising inhalable powders, and oral products such as oral tobacco which includes snus or moist snuff, wherein the at least one substance may or may not comprise nicotine.

[0130] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and / or one or more other functional materials.

[0131] Active Substance

[0132] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance. The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical. In one embodiment the active substance is a legally permissible recreational drug. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

[0133] As noted herein, the active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes. The active substance may be CBD or a derivative thereof. As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like.

[0134] Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens.

[0135] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0136] Flavours

[0137] In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour. As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

[0138] In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and / or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

[0139] In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

[0140] Aerosol-generating material

[0141] 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 semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and / or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material.

[0142] The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and / or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material is substantially tobacco free. The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm. The aerosol-generating material may comprise more than one film, and the thickness described herein may refer to the aggregate thickness of those films.

[0143] The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

[0144] The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film. The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60 wt%, 70 wt%, 80 wt%, 85 wt% or 90 wt% of the solvent.

[0145] The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating materiel comprises an aerosol-generating film that is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. 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 amorphous solid may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

[0146] The amorphous solid may be substantially free from botanical material. The amorphous solid may be substantially tobacco free.

[0147] Aerosol-former material

[0148] The aerosol-former material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso- Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0149] Functional material

[0150] The one or more other functional materials may comprise one or more of pH regulators, colouring agents, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0151] Substrate

[0152] The material may be present on or in a support, to form a substrate. The support may, for example, be or comprise paper, card, paperboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, a plastics material, a ceramic material, a composite material, glass, a metal, or a metal alloy. In some embodiments, the support comprises a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or either side of the material.

[0153] Consumable

[0154] A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and / or an aerosol-modifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

[0155] Susceptor

[0156] A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

[0157] Aerosol-modifying agent

[0158] An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosolmodifying agent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

[0159] Aerosol generator

[0160] An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosolgenerating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

[0161] The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery systems (which may also be referred to as vapour delivery systems) such as nebulisers or e-cigarettes. Throughout the following description the term “e- cigarette” or “electronic cigarette” may sometimes be used, but it will be appreciated this term may be used interchangeably with aerosol delivery system I device and electronic aerosol delivery system I device. Furthermore, and as is common in the technical field, the terms "aerosol" and "vapour", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably.

[0162] Aerosol delivery systems (e-cigarettes) often, though not always, comprise a modular assembly comprising a reusable device part and a replaceable (disposable / consumable) cartridge part. Often, the replaceable cartridge part will comprise the aerosol generating material and the vaporiser (which may collectively be called a ‘cartomizer’) and the reusable device part will comprise the power supply (e.g. rechargeable power source) and control circuitry. It will be appreciated these different parts may comprise further elements depending on functionality. For example, the reusable device part will often comprise a user interface for receiving user input and displaying operating status characteristics, and the replaceable cartridge device part in some cases comprises a temperature sensor for helping to control temperature. Cartridges are electrically and mechanically coupled to the control unit for use, for example using a screw thread, bayonet, or magnetic coupling with appropriately arranged electrical contacts. When the aerosol generating material in a cartridge is exhausted, or the user wishes to switch to a different cartridge having a different aerosol generating material, the cartridge may be removed from the reusable part and a replacement cartridge attached in its place. Systems and devices conforming to this type of two-part modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-part systems / devices.

[0163] It is common for electronic cigarettes to have a generally elongate shape. For the sake of providing a concrete example, certain embodiments of the disclosure will be taken to comprise this kind of generally elongate two-part system employing disposable cartridges. However, it will be appreciated that the underlying principles described herein may equally be adopted for different configurations, for example single-part systems or modular systems comprising more than two parts, refillable devices and single-use disposables, as well as other overall shapes, for example based on so-called box-mod high performance devices that typically have a boxier shape. More generally, it will be appreciated certain embodiments of the disclosure are based on aerosol delivery systems which are operationally configured to provide functionality in accordance with the principles described herein and the constructional aspects of systems configured to provide the functionality in accordance with certain embodiments of the disclosure is not of primary significance.

[0164] Throughout the disclosure, the terms ‘substantially’, ‘approximately’ and ‘about’ should be considered to mean within + / - 10% unless indicated otherwise.

[0165] References

[0166] 1https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Electromagnetic_radiation

[0167] 2https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Ultraviolet

[0168] 3https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Light

[0169] 4https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / lnfrared

[0170] 5https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Solar_irradiance

[0171] 6https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Black_body

[0172] 7K. Mizuno; et al. (2009). "A black body absorber from vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 106 (15): 6044-6077. Bibcode:2009PNAS..106.6044M. doi:10.1073 / pnas.0900155106. PMC 2669394. PMID 19339498.

[0173] 8https: / / modernbeton.eu / en / produktas / musou-black-paints-blackest-in-the-world-4 /

[0174] 9https: / / omnexus.specialchem.com / polymer-property / transparency?src=sg-overview-cnx

[0175] 10https: / / twpolycarbonate.com / what-is- polycarbonate / #:~:text=Not%20only%20is%20polycarbonate%20a,rated%20at%2075%25~92%25

[0176] Index to reference numerals

[0177] 1 aerosol delivery system

[0178] 2 reusable part

[0179] 4 cartridge part

[0180] 6 interface between reusable part and cartridge part

[0181] 12 reusable part housing

[0182] 14, 16 user input buttons

[0183] 20 user programming circuitry

[0184] 22 controller

[0185] 24 display

[0186] 26 power source

[0187] 28 air inlet

[0188] 30 airflow sensor sensor cavity or chamber cartridge housing reservoir wick aerosol generator mouthpiece mouthpiece outlet airflow path through reusable part airflow path through cartridge high absorption portion window transparent housing air or vacuum gap air or vacuum chamber high reflection portion

Claims

Claims1 . An aerosol delivery system comprising a high absorption portion having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the aerosol delivery system comprises a reservoir for retaining aerosol-generating material, wherein the reservoir comprises the high absorption portion.

3. A cartridge for an aerosol delivery system, the cartridge comprising a reservoir for retaining aerosol-generating material, wherein the reservoir comprises a high absorption portion having an absorption coefficient of at least 0.95 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

4. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the system or cartridge comprises an aerosol generator and the high absorption portion substantially surrounds the aerosol generator.

5. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the high absorption portion substantially surrounds aerosol-generating material retained in the reservoir in use.

6. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the high absorption portion has an absorption coefficient of: at least 0.96, at least 0.97, at least 0.98 or at least 0.99 of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

7. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the high absorption portion has a surface area of 400-2000 mm2.

8. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein the high absorption portion comprises a carbon black surface or coating.

9. The system or cartridge of claim 8, wherein the surface or coating is external to the reservoir cavity.

10. The system or cartridge of claim 8 or 9, wherein the high absorption portion comprises the carbon black surface or coating on multiple faces.11 . The system or cartridge of claim 10, wherein the reservoir comprises the carbon black surface or coating on multiple external faces of the reservoir.

12. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, comprising a translucent or transparent window for observing a level of aerosol-generating material within the reservoir.

13. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, comprising a transparent housing substantially surrounding the high absorption portion.

14. The system or cartridge of claim 13, wherein the transparent housing substantially surrounds the reservoir.

15. The system or cartridge of claim 13 or 14, wherein the transparent housing has a transmittance of: at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

16. The system or cartridge of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the transparent housing comprises a polycarbonate material.

17. The system or cartridge of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the transparent housing comprises an electrochromic material.

18. The system or cartridge of claim 17, further comprising a controller configured to control the electrochromic material.

19. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, wherein: a. the system or cartridge comprises an air gap or vacuum between the transparent housing and the high absorption portion; or b. the transparent housing comprises an air gap or vacuum.

20. The system or cartridge of claim 19, wherein the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the high absorption portion.21 . The system or cartridge of claim 19 or 20, comprising a reservoir for retaining aerosolgenerating material, wherein the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the reservoir.

22. The system or cartridge of claim 19, 20 or 21 , comprising an aerosol generator, wherein the air gap or vacuum substantially or fully surrounds the aerosol generator.

23. The system or cartridge of any preceding claim, comprising a housing for receiving a power supply, wherein the power supply housing comprise a high reflection portion having a reflectivity of at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of visible light having a wavelength within the range of 400-700 nm and / or of infrared light having a wavelength within the range of 700-2000 nm.

24. The aerosol delivery system or cartridge of claim 1 or 3, wherein: a. the reservoir comprises a carbon black surface or coating; b. the system or cartridge comprises a transparent housing configured to substantially surround the carbon black surface or coating, the transparent housing having a transmittance of least 90% of light having a wavelength within the range of 400-2000 nm; and c. the system or cartridge comprises an air gap or vacuum between an external part of the transparent housing and the carbon black surface or coating.

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