Aerosol provision system

Abstract

An article for an aerosol provision device, the article comprising: an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a first article electrical connector comprising a first article contact and a first aerosol generator contact; a second article electrical connector comprising a second article contact and a second aerosol generator contact, the first and second article electrical connectors configured to provide an electrical connection between the aerosol provision device and the aerosol generator; and a connecting face. The first article contact and the second article contact are formed in the connecting face. Each article electrical connector comprises an extension portion, the extension portions extending in a direction of the connecting face. The first article contact and the second article contact are configured to contact, respectively, a first device contact and a second device contact of the aerosol provision device. The first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact are configured to contact the aerosol generator. The first article contact is offset from the second article contact in a first direction and the first aerosol generator contact is offset from the second aerosol generator contact in a second direction, the first direction being angled relative to the second direction.

Description

[0001] P2002619082750608175623

[0002] AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEM

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an article and an aerosol provision system.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] The operation of delivery systems, such as aerosol provision systems, may be controlled by a controller. A delivery system may comprise an outer housing, a memory, a controller configured to control operation of the delivery system, a control interface for receiving inputs to the delivery system and providing outputs from the delivery system, and a power source configured to supply electrical power for operation of the delivery system. The delivery system may also comprise an aerosol generator, configured to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material, which may be in the form of a liquid, solid, or gel. There is a desire for improved systems that remain interoperable with previously manufactured components.

[0007] Various approaches are described herein which seek to solve this problem in the context of delivery systems.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided an article for an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:

[0010] an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a first article electrical connector comprising a first article contact and a first aerosol generator contact;

[0011] a second article electrical connector comprising a second article contact and a second aerosol generator contact, the first and second article electrical connectors configured to provide an electrical connection between the aerosol provision device and the aerosol generator; and

[0012] a connecting face, wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are formed in the connecting face,

[0013] wherein each article electrical connector comprises an extension portion, the extension portions extending in a direction of the connecting face,

[0014] wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are configured to contact, respectively, a first device contact and a second device contact of the aerosol provision device,

[0015] wherein the first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact are configured to contact the aerosol generator; andP2002619082750608175623

[0016] wherein the first article contact is offset from the second article contact in a first direction and the first aerosol generator contact is offset from the second aerosol generator contact in a second direction, the first direction being angled relative to the second direction.

[0017] The first direction and the second direction may define a non-zero angle therebetween such as any angle between 1 and 179 degrees. For example, the first direction and the second direction may define a substantially 90-degree angle.

[0018] The extension portions may be formed in the connecting face. The extension portions may be at least partly or fully exposed at the connecting face.

[0019] The first article contact and the second article contact may be formed in the extension portion of the first article electrical connector and the second article electrical connector respectively.

[0020] Each article contact may be positioned and configured to be compatible with the device contact of a plurality of aerosol provision devices, e.g. older models of aerosol provision devices comprising different device contact arrangements. Additionally or alternatively, each extension portion may define a plurality of article contacts, the plurality of article contacts being positioned and configured to be compatible with a plurality of corresponding device contacts of a plurality of aerosol provision devices. For example, any point along the extension portion may function as an article contact.

[0021] The extension portions may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the connecting face.

[0022] The article may comprise an air inlet, wherein the extension portions extend at least partially around the air inlet.

[0023] The first article electrical connector may comprise a first elongate portion and the second article electrical connector may comprise a second elongate portion, the first and second elongate portions extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connecting face. In some embodiments, the first and second elongate portions may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the airflow caused, in use, by a user.

[0024] The article may comprise an air outlet, wherein the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion extend toward the air outlet.

[0025] The first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact may be formed at a mouth end of the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion respectively.P2002619082750608175623

[0026] The aerosol generator may be arranged vertically such that it extends in a direction substantially parallel to the airflow caused, in use, by a user.

[0027] The aerosol generator may be asymmetrically positioned along a longer transverse direction such that the aerosol generator is off-centre relative to the air inlet and / or the air outlet of the article. The first and second elongate portions of the article electrical connectors may be substantially aligned with the air inlet and / or the air outlet of the article.

[0028] The article may further comprise an article memory for storing article information.

[0029] The first and second article electrical connectors may be configured to provide data communication between a device processor of the aerosol provision device and the article memory.

[0030] The article memory may be positioned at a base of the article, i.e. proximate to the connecting face, and each article electrical connector may comprise a memory contact for providing data communication between the device processor and the article memory. More specifically, the memory contacts may be configured to contact an article processor or article circuitry connected to the article memory.

[0031] The first and second extension portions may comprise the memory contacts. The article contacts may be aligned with the memory contacts. In other words, the article contact and the memory contact of each article electrical connector may be arranged on opposing surfaces of its respective extension portion.

[0032] The article memory may comprise a cut-out, the first and second article electrical connectors extending through the cut-out. The article processor may also comprise a cut-out, the first and second article electrical connectors extending through the cut-out. More specifically, the elongate portions of the first and second article electrical connectors may extend through the cut-outs.

[0033] The extension portion of each one of the first article connector and the second article connector may be curved.

[0034] The first article contact and the second article contact may be in a first plane and the first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact may be in a second plane. The first plane may be substantially normal to the second plane.P2002619082750608175623

[0035] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article according to any one of the preceding claims, the aerosol provision device comprising:

[0036] a first device contact configured to contact the first article contact and a second device contact configured to contact the second article contact to provide the electrical connection between a power source and the aerosol generator.

[0037] The aerosol provision device may comprise the power source. The aerosol provision device may comprise a device processor. The device processor may be configured to be in data communication and receive article information stored in an article memory via the device electrical connector and the electrical connector.

[0038] FIGURES

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an article in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows an angled view of the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 2.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows an article electrical connector in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0043] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments are discussed or described herein. Some aspects and features of certain examples and embodiments may be implemented conventionally and these are not discussed / described in detail in the interests of brevity. It will thus be appreciated that aspects and features of apparatus and methods discussed herein which are not described in detail may be implemented in accordance with any conventional techniques for implementing such aspects and features.

[0045] The present application is generally directed to the field of “delivery systems”, i.e. systems that deliver at least one substance to a user. Generally, the aim of delivering that substance to a user will be to satisfy a particular “consumer moment”. To this end, the substance may comprise constituents which impart a physiological effect on the user, a sensorial effect on the user, or both. In this context, the substance will generally be present in an aerosol-generating material or another material that is not intended to be aerosolised. The material itself (whether for aerosolisation or not) will typically contain a range of constituents. These are generally broken down as active substances, flavours,P2002619082750608175623

[0046] aerosol-former materials and other functional materials like fillers. An active substance, when delivered to a user, may result in some form of psychological effect on the user.

[0047] The delivery systems take many forms. Exemplary non-combustible aerosol provision systems include heat-not-burn aerosol provision systems (such as Tobacco Heating Products (THPs) and Carbon-tipped Tobacco Heating Products (CTHPs)) in which a solid material is heated to generate aerosol without combusting the material, vapour aerosol provision systems (commonly known as “electronic cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes”) in which liquid material is heated to generate aerosol, and hybrid aerosol provision systems that are similar to vapour aerosol provision systems except that the aerosol generated from the liquid material passes through a second material (such as tobacco) to pick up additional constituents before reaching the user.

[0048] A “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is an aerosol provision system 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. The non-combustible aerosol provision system may be an aerosol generating material heating system, such as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol provision system, which may (or may not) be an electronic non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0049] An aerosol provision system is used to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating material. Aerosol generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free. Aerosol generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and / or flavourants. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material may comprise an “amorphous solid”, which may alternatively be referred to as a “monolithic solid” (i.e. non-fibrous). In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it.

[0050] In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material comprises any tobaccocontaining material, and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives including tobacco extracts, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The aerosol generating material also may include other, nontobacco, products, including for example flavourants, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine, filler materials such as chalk and / or sorbent materials, glycerol, propylene glycol or triacetin. The aerosol generating material may also include a binding material, for example, sodium alginate.P2002619082750608175623

[0051] As is common in the technical field, the terms "vapour" and "aerosol", and related terms such as "vaporise", "volatilise" and "aerosolise", may generally be used interchangeably. In use, an inhalation on the aerosol provision system occurs when a user inhales aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material. A sequence of inhalations can be considered a “session”.

[0052] Typically, the aerosol provision system may comprise an aerosol provision device (e.g. a reusable part) and a consumable for use with the aerosol provision device (e.g. a disposable part). In many cases, the consumable is sold separately from the device, and often in a multipack. The terms “consumable” and “article” may generally be used interchangeably. Often the consumable will comprise the aerosol generating material, and the aerosol provision device will comprise a power source, controller, control interface, and memory (each of which will be discussed in more detail herein) enclosed at least partly within an outer housing which may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material or a metal. In use, the consumable may be engaged with the aerosol provision device. For example, at least part of the consumable may be received by the aerosol provision device, for example in a consumable chamber of the aerosol provision device which is configured to receive at least part of the consumable. The aerosol provision device is configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material of the consumable. Once the aerosol generating material of consumable has been exhausted, the user can remove the consumable, e.g. by disengaging the aerosol provision device and the consumable, dispose of it, and replace it with a (new) consumable. Devices conforming to this type of two-piece modular configuration may generally be referred to as two-piece aerosol provision devices, which together with a consumable may generally be referred to as two-piece aerosol provision systems.

[0053] In such two-piece aerosol provision systems, the consumable and aerosol provision device are able to engage with one another. For example, the consumable may be mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the aerosol provision device, using an engagement interface of the aerosol provision device and a corresponding engagement interface of the consumable. The engagement interface of the aerosol provision device may comprise mechanical engagement means for mechanical coupling with the consumable, e.g. with corresponding mechanical engagement means of the consumable. The engagement interface may comprise an electrical engagement interface for electrically connecting with the consumable, e.g. with a corresponding electrical engagement interface of the consumable. The electrical engagement interface of the aerosol provision device may be configured to supply electrical power to the consumable, for example to an aerosol generator of the consumable (as will be discussed in more detail herein).P2002619082750608175623

[0054] While a consumable commonly comprises a single portion of aerosol generating material, in some cases the consumable may comprise a plurality of portions of aerosol generating material, each of which may be different. In such cases, the consumable may be received by an aerosol provision device which is configured to generate aerosol from one or more of the plurality of portions of aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol provision device may be configured to generate aerosol independently from each of the portions of aerosol generating material. Each portion of aerosol generating material may be a discrete portion, wherein the plurality of discrete potions are separate from one another such that each of the discrete portions may be energised (e.g. heated) individually, and / or may be energised (e.g. heated) independently, to generate an aerosol.

[0055] The aerosol provision system comprises a mouthpiece, through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material. As a user inhales on the mouthpiece, air is drawn through the aerosol provision system, which combines with the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material. The user can then inhale this combination of air and aerosol, such that substance of the aerosol can be delivered to the user. An aerosol provision system may comprise one or more air inlets, which can be located away from a mouthpiece of the system. When a user sucks on the mouthpiece, air is drawn in through the one or more air inlets, and past the location where the aerosol is generated. There may be a flow path connecting between this location and an opening in the mouthpiece, so that the air drawn in through the one or more air inlets continues along the flow path to the opening, carrying the aerosol with it. The aerosol then exits the aerosol provision system through the mouthpiece, e.g. the opening thereof, for inhalation by the user. The mouthpiece may be a part of the consumable, or a part of the aerosol provision device, or may be a separate component which forms a part of the aerosol provision system in addition to the aerosol provision device and the consumable.

[0056] The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) comprises an aerosol generator configured to generate aerosol from the aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator often, but not always, comprises a heating assembly configured to heat the aerosol generating material and cause it to volatise, thereby generating aerosol which can be inhaled by the user. While many features will be discussed herein with regard to an aerosol generator which comprises a heating assembly, we note that these features may likewise be applied to an aerosol generator which does not necessarily comprise a heating assembly.

[0057] In some arrangements the heating assembly is configured to cause the heating element to become heated by resistive heating, wherein a current is passed through the heating element in order to cause heating to occur as a result of the electrical resistance of the heating element. In some arrangements the heating assembly is configured to cause aP2002619082750608175623

[0058] heating element to become heated by inductive heating, in which case a magnetic field generator of the heating assembly is configured to generate a varying magnetic field that penetrates the heating element, and causes susceptor material within the heating element to become heated. In other words, the susceptor material is configured to be heated by penetration with a varying magnetic field. The magnetic field generator may comprise a coil, such as a helical coil, which may encircle at least part of the heating chamber.

[0059] In arrangements where the aerosol generating material is a liquid, the aerosol generating materials can be stored within a reservoir comprised in the aerosol provision system. In arrangements where the reservoir storing the aerosol generating material is a part of the consumable, the consumable may also comprise the heating element, which may be heated using resistive or inductive heating. In such arrangements where the consumable comprises a reservoir storing aerosol generating material, the consumable may be referred to as a cartridge.

[0060] The reservoir may have the form of a storage tank, being a container or receptacle in which aerosol generating material can be stored such that the liquid is free to move and flow within the confines of the tank. In arrangements in which the reservoir is comprised in the consumable, the reservoir may be sealed after filling during manufacture so as to be disposable after the aerosol generating material is consumed, otherwise, it may have an inlet port through which new aerosol generating material can be added by the user. In such arrangements the heating element may be comprised in the consumable, and the heating element may be located externally of the reservoir tank for generating the aerosol by vaporisation of the aerosol generating material by heating. A transfer arrangement which may comprise a wick or other porous element may be provided to deliver aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. The transfer arrangement may have one or more parts located inside the reservoir, or otherwise be in fluid communication with the aerosol generating material in the reservoir, so as to be able to absorb aerosol generating material and transfer it, e.g. by wicking or capillary action, to other parts of the transfer arrangement that are adjacent or in contact with the heating element. This aerosol generating material is thereby heated and vaporised, to be replaced by new aerosol generating material from the reservoir for transfer to the heating element by the wick transfer arrangement. The transfer arrangement may be thought of as a conduit between the reservoir and the heating element that transfers aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the heating element.

[0061] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a noncombustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source. The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the power source comprises a battery, such as aP2002619082750608175623

[0062] rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery. In cases in which the power source is a rechargeable battery the aerosol provision device may comprise a charging interface. The charging interface which may be wired and / or wireless. A wired charging interface may comprise a connector configured to receive any suitable type of cable, such as a USB cable (e.g. a USB-C cable). A wireless charging interface may comprise an inductive receiver coil. The power source is connected to the heating assembly and configured to supply power to the heating assembly, such that the heating assembly is configured to use power supplied by the power source to heat aerosol generating material.

[0063] In some embodiments, the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) comprises a controller configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system. It will be appreciated the functionality of the controller can be provided in various different ways, for example using one or more suitably programmed programmable computer(s) and / or one or more suitably configured application-specific integrated circuit(s) / circuitry / chip(s) / chipset(s) configured to provide the desired functionality. It will be appreciated the controller may comprise a microcontroller (MCU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a central processing unit (CPU), and / or a microprocessor. The operations of the controller are generally controlled at least in part by software programs executed on the controller. Generally, the aerosol provision device of the aerosol provision system comprises the controller, but this need not always be the case, and in arrangements the consumable may comprise the controller.

[0064] The controller may be configured to control operation of the aerosol generator, e.g. the heating assembly thereof. While many arrangements will be discussed with regard to the controller being configured to control operation of the heating assembly of the aerosol generator, these may be more generally applied to an aerosol generator which may or may not comprise a heating assembly. The controller is connected to the power source and the aerosol generator, and is configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the aerosol generator. As such, the controller may be configured to control the heating of aerosol generating material by the heating assembly.

[0065] The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may also comprise a memory. The memory may comprise volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) or flash memory, and / or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable read only memory (EEROM), or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In embodiments, this memory comprises controller memory which is a part of the controller, and which may be integrated in the controller. The memory may additionally or alternatively comprise external memory, connected to the controller, and external to the controller. The external memory may be removable from the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provisionP2002619082750608175623

[0066] device thereof), and may comprise an SD card or a microSD card. Software programs for execution by the controller may be stored on the memory.

[0067] The aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) may also comprise a control interface for receiving inputs and / or providing outputs. For instance, the control interface may be configured to receive inputs, and provide input data to the controller corresponding to the received inputs. The control interface may be configured to receive output data from the controller, and provide outputs corresponding to the output data received from the controller.

[0068] The control interface may comprise a user interface comprising one or more input components for receiving inputs from a user, and one or more output components for providing outputs to a user. The one or more input components are configured to receive inputs from a user, and provide corresponding input data to the controller. The one or more input components may be configured to receive the inputs from a user in the form of physical manipulation by the user. The one or more input components may comprise a button, a switch, a dial, a rolling button, a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer, a touchscreen, or any plurality or combination thereof. The one or more input components may be assigned to functions such as switching the aerosol provision device on and off, and selecting an operating mode of the aerosol provision system (as will be discussed in more detail herein). The one or more output components are configured to receive output data from the controller, and provide corresponding outputs to a user. The one or more output components may comprise a light, such as an LED, a speaker, a haptic component, a display, such as a screen, or any plurality or combination thereof. The controller may be configured to cause the one or more output components to provide an output indicative of a property of the aerosol provision system, for example a property of the aerosol generating material, or the remaining power of the power source, and so forth.

[0069] The control interface may comprise one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties relating to the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), which may be configured to provide input data to the controller comprising sensor data relating to the detected one or more properties. The one or more sensors may comprise a puff sensor configured to detect a user inhalation on the aerosol provision system. The one or more sensor may comprise a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature relating to the aerosol provision system, e.g. the temperature of the heating assembly, the heating element, the consumable, the aerosol generating material, the environment surrounding the aerosol provision system. The one or more sensors may comprise a consumable detection sensor configured to detect when a consumable has been engaged with the aerosol provision device, e.g. at least partly received by the aerosol provision device. The one or more sensors may comprise a consumable identification sensor configured to detect a property of a consumable, e.g.P2002619082750608175623

[0070] a property of the aerosol generating material of a consumable. The one or more sensors may comprise a biometric sensor configured to detect a biometric property relating to the user, e.g. a fingerprint, a heart rate, a breathing property.

[0071] A system comprising the aerosol provision system may also comprise one or more computing devices, configured to connect to the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), and communicate with the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof) using a data connection (e.g. wired or wireless). The one or more computing devices may comprise a local computing device which may be controlled or owned by the user, which may comprise a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer (PC), a wearable device (e.g. a smartwatch), a refilling device for refilling an aerosol provision device or consumable with aerosol generating material, or a connectivity hub. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more computing devices may comprise a remote computing device, which may be not controlled or owned by the user, such as a server.

[0072] A computing device (such as a smartphone) may also be used by a user to provide inputs to the control interface of the aerosol provision system, which may be particularly advantageous where motivations exist to keep input components or output components on an aerosol provision system to a minimum, for example to reduce complexity and cost. Thus an application (“app”) running on a computing device may support what are in effect offloaded or relayed functions for an aerosol provision device which has a direct or indirect (e.g. relayed) data connection with the computing device according to the approaches described above. Hence, the aerosol provision system may, via its communication circuitry, transmit data to a computing device (e.g. data based on sensor data received by the controller of the aerosol provision system, relating to the usage of the aerosol provision system), and the computing device may provide information relating to the aerosol provision system to the user via the app. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may select a control action via the app, and data relating to the control action may be transmitted by the computing device to the aerosol provision system, whereupon the controller of the aerosol provision system performs the control action.

[0073] Herein will be described various methods of operating an aerosol provision system. While these methods may be described in the context of control of an aerosol provision system by a controller of the aerosol provision system (e.g. the aerosol provision device thereof), it is recognised that these methods may be performed by any of the controllers of a broader system comprising any combination of one or more aerosol provision devices, one or more of consumables, one or more external power source devices, and one or more computing devices, or by any of these controllers in combination. In particular, as each of these controllers may be able to communicate with some or any of the other controllers in a system comprising any of an aerosol provision device, a consumable, an external power source, and a computing device, data such asP2002619082750608175623

[0074] instructions to perform one or more control actions may be communicated between any of these, either directly or indirectly. As such, a method of operating an aerosol provision system may be performed by a “distributed” system comprising any combination of the aerosol provision device, the consumable, the external power source device, and the computing device discussed above. Accordingly, even though particular method steps may be described in the context of the controller of a particular device, it is anticipated that such control actions may be, where feasible, in alternative arrangements be performed by another of these controllers.

[0075] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0076] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a two-piece aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0077] The aerosol provision system 1 is a two-piece aerosol provision system, comprising an aerosol provision device 100 and an article 150 comprising aerosol generating material 170. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an outer housing 105, an engagement interface 101 configured to engage with the article 150, a memory 110, a controller 120 configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system 1, a control interface 130 for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device 100, and a power source 140 configured to supply electrical power for operation of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 also comprises a charging interface 102, for receiving power from an external power source.

[0078] The outer housing 105 may also enclose at least partly the other components of the aerosol provision device 100, namely the engagement interface 101, memory 110, controller 120, the control interface 130, the power source 140, and the charging interface 102. The aerosol provision device 100 is a handheld device, meaning that the outer housing 160 enclosing the other components is dimensioned and configured to be held in the hand of a user. In other words, the device is portable.

[0079] The article 150 comprises a reservoir containing liquid aerosol generating material 170, and a mouthpiece 190 through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material 170. The article 150 also comprises a heating assembly 160 configured to heat the aerosol generating material 170. In use, the engagement interface 101 of the aerosol provision device 100 is engaged with an engagement interface 151 of the article 150, each of these engagement interfaces comprising mechanical engagement means for mechanically coupling to one another. Each engagement interface 101, 151 also comprises an electrical interface, such that the aerosol provision device 100 can be electrically connected with the article 150. The electrical interface 101 of the aerosol provision device is configured to supply electricalP2002619082750608175623

[0080] power, from the power source 140, to the article 150, in particular to the heating assembly 160 of the article 150. The controller 120 is configured to control the supply of electrical power from the power source 140 to the heating assembly 160, so as to control the heating of the aerosol generating material 170 by the heating assembly 160.

[0081] The engagement interface 151 is located at a distal end of the article 150, which is at an opposite end to the mouth end located at the mouthpiece 190. The engagement interface 101 of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a device connector which may comprise one or more components configured to connect one or more of the memory 110, the controller 120 and the power source 140 to an article. The device connector may comprise at least two device contacts configured to, in use, contact corresponding article contacts of an article engagement interface.

[0082] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an article 250 in accordance with certain embodiments. The article 250 may share any of the features described in relation to the article 150 described above in relation to Fig. 1. The article 250 is therefore usable with an aerosol provision device such as the aerosol provision device 100 described in relation to Fig. 1.

[0083] The article 250 comprises an outer housing 202 and defines a connecting face 204 at its base. The connecting face 204 is a surface configured to, in use, abut with a corresponding surface of an aerosol provision device. The connecting face 204 can therefore be considered to be part of an engagement interface such as the engagement interface 151 described in relation to Fig.1.

[0084] The article 250 comprises an air inlet 205 at the connecting face 204 that is shown in Fig.

[0085] 2 as covered by a seal 206, as would be the case for an unused article, and an air outlet 208 leading to a mouthpiece (not shown).

[0086] The article 250 comprises an aerosol generator 210 comprising a heating assembly for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. In use, the aerosol generator 210 receives the aerosol generating material via a wicking component 212 and receives electricity from the aerosol provision device via a pair of article electrical connectors 300A, 300B, referred herein more briefly as the first and second article connectors, which will be described in more detail in relation to Figs. 3 and 4. The aerosol generator 210 is more specifically be imbedded in the wicking component 212 and protrudes from the wicking component 212. For example, the aerosol generator may be a carbon-based heating assembly and the wicking component 212 may comprise a ceramic material.

[0087] Turning to Fig. 4, a first article connector 300A is shown. The first article connector 300A and a second article connector 300B are substantially identical in form and function and therefore only the features relating to the first article connector 300A are described inP2002619082750608175623

[0088] detail, but any features described in relation to the first article connector 300A can be understood to apply to the second article connector 300B with the appropriate changes to terminology, i.e. “second” instead of “first” and the suffix “B” instead of “A”.

[0089] The first article connector 300A comprises an article contact 302A configured to contact a device contact of the device engagement interface 101 shown in Fig. 1. The article contact 302A is formed in the connecting face 204 of the article 250 and consequently is best shown in Fig. 2.

[0090] The first article connector 300A comprises a first extension portion 304A that extends in a direction of the connecting face 204. A bottom surface of the first extension portion 304A may therefore be coplanar with the connecting face 204 or may only be parallel with the connecting face 204. The first extension portion 304A extends non-linearly such that it has a curved shape (more specifically, in the present example substantially following an arc of an ellipse).

[0091] The first article connector 300A further comprises a first elongate portion 306A that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connecting face 204, and consequently in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first extension portion 304A. In use, i.e. when the article 250 is inserted into a device or held by a user to take an inhalation, the article would generally be said to be upright and as such the first elongate portion 306A could be said to extend in an upward direction. The first article connector 300A comprises a first aerosol generator contact 308A for contacting the aerosol generator 210 and the first aerosol generator contact 308A is formed at a mouth end of the first elongate portion 306A. The first elongate portion 306A comprises a varying width such that it comprises a middle portion 310A that is thinner than a base portion 312A proximate to the extension portion 304A and thinner than the first aerosol generator contact 308A. As a result, the aerosol generator contact 308A is formed as a “head” having a width that protrudes from the middle portion 310A of the first elongate portion 306A. The first elongate portion 306A comprising this shape ensures that only the intended surface of the first aerosol generator contact 308A will be in contact with the aerosol generator 210. The first aerosol generator contact 308A may more specifically be defined as the area of the first elongate portion 306A that is in contact with the aerosol generator 210.

[0092] The cross-sectional shape of the of the first extension portion 304A is generally rectangular and the cross-sectional shape of the of the first elongate portion 306A is generally circular. However, in other embodiments other shapes may be used.

[0093] The first article connector 300A comprises a first memory contact 314A configured to provide data communication between a device processor, such as the controller 120,P2002619082750608175623

[0094] and an article memory. The first memory contact 314A protrudes from a top surface of the extension portion 304A.

[0095] Returning to Fig. 2, the article 250 comprises an article processor 214 and an article memory 216, which are arranged at a base of the article 250 proximate to the connecting face 204. The connecting face 204 defines an aperture such that at least part of the first and second extension portions 304A, 304B are exposed at the connecting face 204 (when no seal 206 is in place). This aperture also defines the air inlet 205. In other embodiments, the article may comprise alternative or additional air inlets, e.g. lateral air inlets.

[0096] The first and second memory contacts 314A, 314B are shown to be in contact with the article processor 214, which is in turn connected to the article memory 216. It will be appreciated that the article processor 214 refers generally to any circuitry suitable to establish data communication between a device processor of the aerosol provision device and the article memory 216.

[0097] The first elongate portion 306A of the first article connector 300A is shown in Fig. 2 to extend inside the article 250 parallel to the length of the heater 210, towards the air outlet 208. Because of its difference in width, only the first aerosol generator contact 308A is in contact with the aerosol generator 210.

[0098] Although not shown in the figures, the article 250 has a non-circular cross-sectional profile defining a first transverse direction which is longer than a second transverse direction. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 2 is taken along the first traverse direction. For example, the cross-section of the article 250 may define an oval shape such as an ellipse having the first transverse direction defining its major axis and the second transverse direction defining its minor axis.

[0099] The aerosol generator 210 is arranged vertically such that it extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction defined by the length of the article 250. Moreover, the aerosol generator 210 is, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, asymmetrically positioned relative to the first transverse direction. The aerosol generator 210 is positioned off-centre relative to the air inlet 205 and the air outlet 208 of the article 250 and shown in Fig. 2 as being positioned on the right-hand side of the article 250. On the other hand, the aerosol generator 210 is aligned with the second transverse direction, i.e. it is symmetrically positioned relative to the second transverse direction. The arrangement and position of the aerosol generator 210 provides an improved aerosolisation of the aerosol generating material, i.e. allowing more aerosol to be generated at a higher temperature, and therefore provides an improved user experience.P2002619082750608175623

[0100] The position of the aerosol generator 210 requires first and second article connectors 300A, 300B to be capable of connecting the device contacts and the aerosol generator 210 across two different planes. This is because the first article contact 302A and the second article contact 302B are in a first plane, wherein the first aerosol generator contact 308A and the second aerosol generator contact 308B are in a second plane, and wherein the first plane is substantially normal to the second plane. The first plane is parallel to the connecting face 204 while the second plane is parallel to the aerosol generator 210.

[0101] Fig. 3 shows an angled view of the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 2, i.e. such that both the first article connector 300A and the second connector 300B are visible and such that both the first article contact 302A and the second article contact 302B are also visible.

[0102] As can be appreciated in Fig. 3, the article processor 214 and an article memory 216 each comprise a cut-out though which the first and second elongate portions 306A, 306B extend.

[0103] The first article contact 302A is offset from the second article contact 302B in a first direction and the first aerosol generator contact 308A is offset from the second aerosol generator contact 308B in a second direction. The first direction is different from the second direction such that the first article contact 302A is offset from the second article contact 302B to define a first plane between them and the first aerosol generator contact 308A is offset from the second aerosol generator contact 308B to define a second plane between them.

[0104] In the embodiment of Fig. 3 the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction such that the first plane is normal to the second plane. The first direction is the aforementioned, shorter, first transverse direction and the second direction is the aforementioned, longer, second transverse direction. If the direction along which the first and second elongate portions 306A, 3036B extend is taken to be an upward direction “Z” in a cartesian coordinate system, the first direction would be a first horizontal direction “Y” and the second direction would be a second horizontal direction “X”.

[0105] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the first and second article contacts 302A, 302B are formed at the distal ends of their respective extension portions 304A, 304B. Moreover, the first extension portion 304A and the second extension portion 304B are curved to extend at least partially around the air inlet 205 defined by the aperture at the connecting face 204. The first and second extension portions 304A, 304B each extend around substantially a quarter of the air inlet 205. In other words, the angle of the arc defined by the first and second extension portions 304A, 304B is substantially 90 degrees.P2002619082750608175623

[0106] However, in other embodiments, any point along the extension portions which is exposed and formed at the connecting face could be used as an article contact. This would enable the article to be compatible with a wide array of aerosol provision devices having more than one device contact arrangement. Moreover, in other embodiments, the extension portions may be differently shaped such that they have a different thickness profile, extend in different directions and / or comprise additional portions extending in different directions. In such embodiments, the first direction may not be perpendicular to the second direction and the first and second planes may define an angle therebetween that is other than 90 degrees.

[0107] Each one of the first aerosol generator contact 308A and second aerosol generator contact 308B are in contact with the aerosol generator 210 at the same point along its length but at different points along the second direction.

[0108] In other embodiments the aerosol generator connectors may be configured to contact the aerosol generator at different points along its length and / or width, e.g. in embodiments where the first article electrical connector is shaped differently from the second article electrical connector.

[0109] As shown in Fig. 3, the first article contact 302A is aligned with the first memory contact 314A and the first article contact 302B is aligned with the first memory contact 314B. In other words, the first and second article contacts 302A, 320B are arranged on an opposing surface of their respective extension portions relative to the first and second memory contacts 314A, 314B.

[0110] In use, a user will couple the article 250 and a user device thereby bringing the device contacts in electrical contact with the first article contact 302A and the second electrical contact 302B. A device processor, such as the controller 120, will control the supply of power to the first article connector 300A and the second electrical connector 300B. Once power is received by at the first article contact 302A and the second electrical contact 302B it will be simultaneously be delivered to the article processor 214 and the aerosol generator 210. The delivery of power to the article processor 214 will enable it to carry out instructions programmed therein and, for example, retrieve data from the article memory 216. The article processor 214 will then be able establish data communication with the device processor and transmit the information retrieved from the article memory 216 to the device processor. The delivery of power to the aerosol generator 210 will enable it to generate an aerosol, if aerosol provision material is available to it. The generation of aerosol by the aerosol generator 210 will be controlled by the device processor through the variation in power supply.

[0111] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as aP2002619082750608175623

[0112] 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

P2002619082750608175623CLAIMS1. An article for an aerosol provision device, the article comprising:an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a first article electrical connector comprising a first article contact and a first aerosol generator contact;a second article electrical connector comprising a second article contact and a second aerosol generator contact, the first and second article electrical connectors configured to provide an electrical connection between the aerosol provision device and the aerosol generator; anda connecting face, wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are formed in the connecting face,wherein each article electrical connector comprises an extension portion, the extension portions extending in a direction of the connecting face,wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are configured to contact, respectively, a first device contact and a second device contact of the aerosol provision device,wherein the first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact are configured to contact the aerosol generator; andwherein the first article contact is offset from the second article contact in a first direction and the first aerosol generator contact is offset from the second aerosol generator contact in a second direction, the first direction being angled relative to the second direction.

2. An article according to claim 1 , wherein the extension portions are formed at the connecting face.

3. An article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the extension portions are exposed at the connecting face.

4. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are formed in the extension portion of the first article electrical connector and the second article electrical connector respectively.

5. An article according to claim 4, wherein each article contact is positioned and configured to be compatible with the device contact of a plurality of aerosol provision devices.

6. An article according to claim 5, wherein each extension portion defines a plurality of article contacts, the plurality of article contacts being positioned and configured to beP2002619082750608175623compatible with a plurality of corresponding device contacts of a plurality of aerosol provision devices.

7. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the article comprises an air inlet, wherein the extension portions extend at least partially around the air inlet.

8. An article according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first article electrical connector comprises a first elongate portion and the second article electrical connector comprises a second elongate portion, the first and second elongate portions extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the connecting face.

9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact are formed at a mouth end of the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion respectively.

10. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an article memory for storing article information, wherein the first and second article electrical connectors are configured to provide data communication between a device processor of the aerosol provision device and the article memory.

11. An article according to claim 10, wherein the article memory is positioned proximate to the connecting face and each article electrical connector comprises a memory contact for contacting an article processor connected to the article memory.

12. An article according to claim 11, wherein each memory contact is aligned with its respective article contact.

13. An article according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the article memory comprises a cut-out, the first and second article electrical connectors extending through the cut-out.

14. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first article contact and the second article contact are in a first plane, wherein the first aerosol generator contact and the second aerosol generator contact are in a second plane, and wherein the first plane is substantially normal to the second plane.

15. A system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article according to any one of the preceding claims, the aerosol provision device comprising:a first device contact configured to contact the first article contact and a second device contact configured to contact the second article contact to provide an electrical connection between a power source and the aerosol generator.

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