article

Abstract

An article comprising: an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a reservoir for storing the aerosol generating material; and a passage leading from the reservoir to an aerosol generator to permit flow of aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the aerosol generator, wherein the passage is shaped to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir.

Description

[0001] P20026191 82794143 175624

[0002] ARTICLE

[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.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided an article comprising: an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a reservoir for storing the aerosol generating material; and a passage leading from the reservoir to an aerosol generator to permit flow of aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the aerosol generator, wherein the passage is shaped to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir.

[0009] The passage may comprise a width-increasing feature to increase a width of the passage to encourage the air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir.

[0010] The width-increasing feature may comprise a cut-out in a wall of the passage.

[0011] The article may further comprise a holder assembly configured to hold the aerosol generator, the holder assembly at least partially defining the passage, wherein the holder assembly comprises the cut-out.

[0012] The passage may comprise a length-reducing feature to reduce a length of the passage to encourage the air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir. The lengthreducing feature may be positioned adjacent to the aerosol generator. The holder assembly may comprise the length-reducing feature.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0013] The passage may be configured for flow of aerosol generating material in an in use downward direction.

[0014] The passage may comprise an opening leading to the aerosol generator, wherein the passage turns towards the opening.

[0015] A width of the passage may increase away from the aerosol generator.

[0016] The passage may comprise a narrowed portion adjacent the aerosol generator. The length-reducing feature may reduce the length of the narrowed portion.

[0017] The passage may comprise a wider portion adjacent the reservoir.

[0018] A width of the widened portion may be greater than 4mm.

[0019] The article may comprise an aerosol generating material transfer element for transferring aerosol generating material from the passage to the aerosol generator.

[0020] The aerosol generator may define a plane. The plane may be aligned with a shorter transverse dimension of the article.

[0021] The article may comprise an aerosol outlet tube, wherein the passage is on a side of the aerosol outlet tube.

[0022] The article may comprise a reservoir wall, the reservoir wall partially defining the passage.

[0023] The reservoir wall may define the passage at the wider portion.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article as described above.

[0025] FIGURES

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of an aerosol provision system in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0028] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an article in accordance with certain

[0029] embodiments.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an article in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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, 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 presentP20026191 82794143 175624

[0036] disclosure relates to an electronic aerosol provision system, which may (or may not) be an electronic non-combustible aerosol provision system.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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”.

[0040] 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.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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.

[0044] Embodiments are also envisaged in which the aerosol provision device is a one-piece aerosol provision device, which is not configured to receive a removable consumable, and instead the aerosol provision device itself comprises the aerosol generating material. The one-piece aerosol provision device may be configured to be refillable, such that when at least a portion of the (initial) aerosol generating material of the aerosol provision device is exhausted, it can be refilled with (new) aerosol generating material.

[0045] Alternatively, the one-piece aerosol provision device may be a disposable one-pieceP20026191 82794143 175624

[0046] aerosol provision device, which the user can dispose of once the aerosol generating material has been exhausted (for example, after a predetermined number of inhalations), and for example is not configured to be refillable by the user. A one-piece aerosol provision device such as these (either refillable or disposable) may use any of the features used in two-piece (and / or multi-consumable) aerosol provision systems, such as, but not limited to, the aerosol generating material, aerosol generator, power source, control interface, controller, and memory (as will be discussed in more detail herein). Likewise, these components may be enclosed at least partly within an outer housing which may be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastics material or a metal.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 a heating element to become heated by inductive heating, in which case a magnetic fieldP20026191 82794143 175624

[0050] 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.

[0051] Each of these heating techniques may be applied to any of the aerosol generating materials discussed above, and in the context of one-piece aerosol provision systems, two-piece aerosol provision systems, and multi-consumable aerosol provision systems, or any other form of delivery system which uses heating to generate aerosol from aerosol generating material.

[0052] 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. The reservoir may a part of the aerosol provision device, particularly in the case that the aerosol provision device is a one-piece aerosol provision device, or may a part of the consumable (when present). 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.

[0053] 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 heatingP20026191 82794143 175624

[0054] element that transfers aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the heating element. Although discussed in the context of a reservoir and heating element comprised in the consumable, these features may likewise be applied in an aerosol provision device, for example in the case the aerosol provision device is a one-piece aerosol provision device.

[0055] When present, the heating element may be a part of the aerosol provision device, such that it comes into proximity (e.g. in contact) with the consumable when the consumable is received by the aerosol provision device. Alternatively, the heating element may be a part of the consumable. This may be the case in arrangements where the aerosol generating material is liquid, solid, or gel.

[0056] 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 a 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 theP20026191 82794143 175624

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 provision 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 ofP20026191 82794143 175624

[0063] the aerosol generating material, or the remaining power of the power source, and so forth.

[0064] 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. 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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 ofP20026191 82794143 175624

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 as 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.

[0069] Various embodiments will now be described in more detail.

[0070] Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a two-piece aerosol provision system 1 in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0071] 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 an article, 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.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 180. 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 electrical 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.

[0074] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a schematic representation of a one-piece aerosol provision system 2 in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0075] The aerosol provision system 2 is a one-piece aerosol provision system, comprising an aerosol provision device 200. The aerosol provision device 200 comprises an outer housing 205, a memory 210, a controller 220 configured to control operation of the aerosol provision system 1 , a control interface 230 for receiving inputs to the aerosol provision device and providing outputs from the aerosol provision device 200, a power source 240 configured to supply electrical power for operation of the aerosol provision device 200, a reservoir containing liquid aerosol generating material 270, and a heating assembly 260 configured to heat the aerosol generating material 270. The aerosol provision device 200 also comprises a charging interface 202, for receiving power from an external power source.

[0076] The outer housing 205 may also enclose at least partly the other components of the aerosol provision device 200, namely the memory 210, the controller 220, the control interface 230, the power source 240, the reservoir containing liquid aerosol generating material 270, the heating assembly 260, and the charging interface 202. The aerosol provision device 200 also comprises a mouthpiece 290 through which the user can draw aerosol that has been generated from the aerosol generating material 270.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0077] The aerosol provision device 200 is a handheld device, meaning that the outer housing 205 enclosing the other components is dimensioned and configured to be held in the hand of a user. In other words, the device is portable. The aerosol provision device 200 is a disposable one-piece aerosol provision device, which the user can dispose of once the aerosol generating material 180 has been exhausted, and which is not configured to receive a consumable, and is not configured to be refillable by the user.

[0078] Fig.3 shows a cross-sectional view of an article 300 in accordance with certain embodiments. The article 300 may share any of the features described in relation to the article 150 described above in relation to Fig. 1 or the aerosol provision device 200 described above in relation to Fig. 2. In present example, the article 300 is usable with an aerosol provision device such as the aerosol provision device 100 described in relation to Fig. 1 , but in other examples the article 300 may form part on a one-piece aerosol provision device 200 such as that described in relation to Fig. 2.

[0079] The article 300 comprises an outer housing 302 and defines a connecting face 304, which is a surface configured to, in use, abut with a corresponding surface of an aerosol provision device. The connecting face 304 can therefore be considered to be part of the engagement interface described in relation to Fig.1. The connecting face 304 is configured to face away from the user’s mouth when a user is using the device to take a puff.

[0080] The article 300 comprises an airflow inlet 306 that is shown in Fig. 3 as covered by a seal 307, as would be the case for a new article (before the article has been fully opened for use), and an aerosol outlet tube 308 leading to a mouthpiece.

[0081] The article 300 comprises an aerosol generator 310, which comprises a heater 313 for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material. The aerosol generator 310 further comprises a wicking component 312, which transfer aerosol generating material to the heater 313 in use. The heater 313 further receives electrical power from the aerosol provision device via a pair of article electrical connectors 300A, 300B, which extend from the connecting face 304 to the aerosol generator 310.

[0082] In the present example the aerosol generator 310 comprises a heater 313 in the form of a substantially planar resistive heating trace. The heater 313 is formed on a surface of the wicking component 312. The wicking component 312 is substantially cuboidal. The heater 313 is formed on a plane which extends in a longitudinal direction (an in-use upward direction) aligned with a length of the elongate article 300 and / or associated aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol generator 310 defines the plane, which is aligned with a shorter transverse dimension of the article. More specifically, the plane ofP20026191 82794143 175624

[0083] the heater 313 is further aligned with the shorter transverse dimension of the article (i.e. extending into the page of Fig. 3).

[0084] The aerosol generator 310 is held in position by a holder assembly 314. The holder assembly 314 is held in the outer housing 302 by an interference fit. The holder assembly 314 seals the end of the outer housing 302, thereby forming a reservoir 316 for storing aerosol generating material. The reservoir 316 is further defined by the aerosol outlet tube 308, which extends through the reservoir 316, such that the reservoir 316 has an annular shape surrounding the aerosol outlet tube 308. The reservoir is defined on its outside by the outer housing 302, on its inside by the aerosol outlet tube 308 and at its distal end (i.e. away from the user’s mouth in usein use) by the holder assembly 314.

[0085] The holder assembly 314 further defines a vaporisation chamber 317, which is formed on an inside of the holder 318. The vaporisation chamber 317 is adjacent to the aerosol generator 310, more specifically adjacent to the heater 313. The vaporisation chamber 317 is in fluid communication with the airflow inlet 306 and the aerosol outlet tube 308, such that, in use, air flowing from the airflow inlet 306 to the aerosol outlet tube 308 flows through the vaporisation chamber 317. This allows the air to pick up vapour produced from the aerosol generating material by the 313 to form an aerosol, which flows to the user’s mouth via the aerosol outlet tube 308 for inhalation.

[0086] The holder assembly 314 comprises a holder 318, which holds the aerosol generator 310 in position. The holder 318 is formed of a substantially rigid material. The holder assembly 314 further comprises a sealing element 320, which covers a mouth end (i.e. an in use upper surface) of the holder 318 adjacent the reservoir 316. The sealing element 320 seals the reservoir 316 to reduce leakage of aerosol generating material from the reservoir 316.

[0087] The article 300 comprises a passage 322 leading from the reservoir 316 to the aerosol generator 310. The passage 322 extends downwardly from an in-use upper face 324 (i.e. towards the mouth-end of the article 300) of the holder assembly 314. The passage 322 extends to an outlet 326 adjacent to the aerosol generator 310.

[0088] The passage 322 permits flow of aerosol generating material from the reservoir 316 to the aerosol generator 310 (more specifically, to the wicking component 312 via the opening 326), substantially along the direction of arrow 328 in Fig. 3. The passage 322 is configured for flow of aerosol generating material in an in use downward direction (i.e. away from the mouth-end). The opening 326 defines a plane that is aligned with the longitudinal direction. The passage 322 turns towards the opening 326 i.e. the passage 322 comprises a substantially longitudinally-extending portion before turning towards a transverse direction (in use horizontal direction) nearer the opening 326.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0089] In the present example, the passage 322 is partially defined by the holder assembly 314. More specifically, the passage 322 is partially defined by the holder 318 and the sealing element 320.

[0090] In use, an air bubble may form in the reservoir 316 due to the reservoir not being entirely full of aerosol generating material (e.g. due to some of the aerosol generating material being used up or due to the reservoir 316 not being entirely full to begin with). The air bubble may find its way into the passage 322 (e.g. due to the article 300 being stored in a particular orientation).

[0091] In conventional articles, the air bubble may remain in the passage 322 when the user attempts to use the article for aerosol delivery (e.g. when the article 300 has been returned to its orientation for use) for an extended period of time, which may be a result of the viscosity of the aerosol generating material and / or surface tension effects. The presence of the air bubble in the passage may prevent sufficient aerosol generating material reaching the aerosol generator 310, which may reduce delivery of aerosol or adversely affect sensory experience due to “dry burning”.

[0092] The applicant has found that by shaping the passage 322 to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage 322 into the reservoir 316, such problems may be mitigated. In particular, the applicant has found by experiment that, by shaping the passage 322 to encourage the air bubble to escape (as in the article 300), a time for the air bubble to escape reduces from 13s (in a comparative example in which the passage 322 is not shaped in this way and does not comprise a width-increasing feature as described below but is otherwise the same as the article 300) to 3s (as for the article 300).

[0093] In the present example, the passage 322 is shaped to encourage the air bubble to escape the passage 322 into the reservoir 316 by including a width-increasing feature 330 to increase a width of the passage 322. The width-increasing feature 330 comprises a cut-out 330 in a wall of the passage 322. More specifically, the width-increasing feature 330 comprises a cut-out 330 in the holder assembly 314, in the present example, in the holder 318 and in the sealing element 324.

[0094] At the cut-out 330 the passage 322 is partially defined by the outer housing 302. The cutout 330 is formed in first wall of the passage 322. The first wall of the passage 322 is opposite to the opening 326. The cut-out is further formed in second and third walls of the passage 322, which extend in a transverse direction from the first wall i.e. towards the aerosol generator 310 and / or the aerosol outlet tube 308. This means that at the cutout 330 the passage 322 is defined on three sides by the outer housing 302. The cut-out 330 is not formed in a fourth wall of the passage 322 (i.e. opposite to the first wall), such that the passage 322 is partially defined by the holder assembly 314 at the cut-out 330. The holder assembly 314 therefore follows a stepped shape when viewed along theP20026191 82794143 175624

[0095] shorter transverse dimension of the article as in Fig. 3. In other examples, the cut-out may follow an inclined shape to provide a more gradual increase in width towards the reservoir.

[0096] The width-increasing feature 330 increases a width of the passage 322 in a region away from the aerosol generator 310 and adjacent to the reservoir 316. As such, a width of the passage 322 may be said to generally increase towards the reservoir 316, which encourages the air bubble to escape the passage 322. In the present example, the width of the passage 322 increases from a narrowed portion nearer to the aerosol generator to a wider portion adjacent the reservoir 316.

[0097] The narrowed portion has a width X. The wider portion has a width Y, which is greater than X. In the present example, X is substantially 4 mm and Y > 4 mm. In examples, Y may be greater than 4.2 mm, or greater than 4.4 mm, or greater than 4.6 mm, or greater than 4.8 mm. In the present example Y is substantially 5 mm.

[0098] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an article 400 in accordance with certain embodiments. The article 400 comprises many of the features of the article 300 described in relation to Fig. 3; repeated description of those features is omitted and only the differences are described. The same reference numerals are used for features of the article 400 that are identical to the article 300, though many reference numerals are omitted from Fig. 4 for clarity.

[0099] As in the article 300 of Fig. 3, the article 400 comprises a passage 422 that is shaped to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage 422 into the reservoir 316 by the inclusion of width-increasing feature 430, which is in the form of a cut-out 430 in the passage 422 to increase a width of the passage 422 adjacent the reservoir 416.

[0100] However, in contrast to the width-increasing feature 330, the width-increasing feature 430 follows an inclined shape to provide a more gradual increase in width towards the reservoir 316. This may simplify the manufacturing of the holder assembly 414.

[0101] The article 400 is further shaped to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage 422 into the reservoir 316 by the inclusion of a length-reducing feature 450. The lengthreducing feature 450 reduces a length of the passage 422. In particular, the lengthreducing feature 450 reduces a length of a narrowed portion of the passage 422 adjacent an opening 426 to the aerosol generator 310. By shortening the passage 422 in this way, a volume of the passage 422 may be reduced, reducing the likelihood of an air bubble entering the passage 422. Additionally, the length-reducing feature 450 may reduce the distance that an air bubble needs to travel to escape the passage 422. Reducing the length of the narrowed portion of the passage 422, as in the present example, may be particularly effective in encouraging an air bubble to escape the passage 422.P20026191 82794143 175624

[0102] In the present example, the length-reducing feature 450 is formed in the holder assembly 414, more specifically in the holder 418 of the holder assembly 414. The length-reducing feature 450 comprises a protrusion 450 in the holder 418 (i.e. in the wall of the passage 422). The length-reducing feature 450 blocks a portion of the opening 426, effectively reducing a width of the opening 426. The length-reducing feature 450 is positioned at an end of the passage 422 away from the reservoir 316.

[0103] The length-reducing feature 450 may cover at least 10% of a length of the aerosol generator 310, more specifically at least 20% of the length of the aerosol generator 310, more specifically at least 30% of the length of the aerosol generator 310, more specifically substantially 40% of the length of the aerosol generator 310 (i.e. reducing the width of the opening 426 by these percentages in comparison to an opening that extends along the full length of the aerosol generator 310).

[0104] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

P20026191 82794143 175624CLAIMS1. An article comprising:an aerosol generator for generating aerosol from aerosol generating material; a reservoir for storing the aerosol generating material; anda passage leading from the reservoir to an aerosol generator to permit flow of aerosol generating material from the reservoir to the aerosol generator,wherein the passage is shaped to encourage an air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the passage comprises a width-increasing feature to increase a width of the passage to encourage the air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir, wherein the width-increasing feature comprises a cut-out in a wall of the passage.

3. An article according to claim 4, wherein the article further comprises a holder assembly configured to hold the aerosol generator, the holder assembly at least partially defining the passage, wherein the holder assembly comprises the cut-out.

4. An article according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage comprises a lengthreducing feature to reduce a length of the passage to encourage the air bubble to escape the passage into the reservoir.

5. An article according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the passage is configured for flow of aerosol generating material in an in use downward direction.

6. An article according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the passage comprises an opening leading to the aerosol generator, wherein the passage turns towards the opening.

7. An article according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein a width of the passage increases away from the aerosol generator.

8. An article according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the passage comprises a narrowed portion adjacent the aerosol generator.

9. An article according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the passage comprises a wider portion adjacent the reservoir.

10. An article according to claim 9, wherein a width of the wider portion is greater than 4 mm.P20026191 82794143 17562411. An article according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the article comprises an aerosol generating material transfer element for transferring aerosol generating material from the passage to the aerosol generator.

12. An article according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the aerosol generator defines a plane, wherein the plane is aligned with a shorter transverse dimension of the article.

13. An article according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the article comprises a reservoir wall, the reservoir wall partially defining the passage.

14. An article according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the reservoir wall defines the passage at the wider portion,15. An aerosol provision system comprising an aerosol provision device and an article according to any of claims 1 to 14.

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