HEATER FOR AN AEROSOL PROVISION DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2023/080275, filed Oct. 30, 2023, which claims priority from Great Britian Application No. 2216123.6, filed Oct. 31, 2022, each of which are fully incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heater for an aerosol provision device, an aerosol provision device, an aerosol provision system and a method of generating an aerosol.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles by creating products that release compounds without combusting. Examples of such products are so-called “heat not burn” products or tobacco heating devices or products, which release compounds by heating, but not burning, material. The material may be, for example, tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Aerosol provision systems, which cover the aforementioned devices or products, are known. Common systems use heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium which is then inhaled by a user. Often the medium used needs to be replaced or changed to provide a different aerosol for inhalation. It is known to use resistive heating systems as heaters to create an aerosol from a suitable medium. Separately induction heating systems are known to be used as heaters.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect there is provided a heater for an aerosol provision device configured to heat an article containing aerosol generating material. The heater comprises: a substrate and a heating element comprising at least one track of heating material. The substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface, and the at least one track of heating material is supported on the first major surface. The substrate is elongate and configured a roll.

The roll may include a fold. The roll may be a folded roll.

The first and second major surfaces of the substrate may be the surfaces of the substrate that have the largest surface area.

The roll of the substrate may have the form of a cylinder or approximate cylinder. The roll of the substrate may have the form of a cylinder or approximate cylinder formed by winding or turning the substrate around or around and around itself without folding the substrate.

The roll of substrate including one or more folds may be similar to a roll of substrate with the difference that one or more folds are introduced into the substrate on each wind or turn with the effect that the cross-section of the roll including one or more folds is non-circular. The cross-section of the roll including one or more folds may be approximately triangular, approximately square, approximately rectangular, or approximately polygonal.

The track of heating material may comprise a continuous length of heating material which is formed or supported on the first major surface of the substrate.

The track may extend between first and second track ends. The track may comprise a single pathway of heating material between the first and second track ends.

The substrate may be sheet material.

According to an aspect there is provided a heater for an aerosol provision device configured to heat an article containing aerosol generating material, in which the heater comprises: a substrate and a heating element comprising at least one track of heater material. The substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface, and the at least one track of heating material is supported on the first major surface. At least a first portion of the substrate at least one of abuts and overlaps a second portion of the substrate.

At least a first portion of the substrate may abut a second portion of the substrate. At least a first portion of the substrate may overlap a second portion of the substrate. At least a first portion of the substrate may abut and overlap a second portion of the substrate.

The substrate may be in a rolled configuration.

The rolled configuration may include a fold.

The substrate may comprise a sheet of metal or metal alloy. The metal may be aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

The substrate may be configured to be insertable into the aerosol generating article.

The substrate may be rolled a sufficient number of times that the roll created has the structural strength to allow the substrate to be pushed into the aerosol generating article without damage to or deformation of the substrate.

The substrate may be rolled and folded a sufficient number of times that the roll created has the structural strength to allow the substrate to be pushed into the aerosol generating article without damage to or deformation of the substrate.

At least one track of resistive material may comprise a core of heater material at least partially surrounded by an electrically insulating material.

The substrate may define a hollow bore. The substrate may be rolled or folded around the hollow bore.

At least a majority of the hollow bore may be surrounded by one layer of the substrate.

At least a majority of the hollow bore may be surrounded by two or more layers of the substrate.

The heater may comprise a support element. The support element may occupy the hollow bore.

The rolling or folding of the substrate causes at least part of the first major surface of the substrate to form the outer face of the substrate.

The rolling or folding of the substrate may cause at least part of the second major surface of the substrate to form the outer face of the substrate.

The first major surface of the substrate may comprise a support portion. The at least one track of heating material may be supported on the support portion.

The perimeter of the support portion may be the shortest line on the first major surface that extends around or encompasses the whole of the track of heating material.

The first and second major surfaces of the substrate may be rectangular. The perimeter of the support portion may be bounded by a rectangle which extends around or encompasses the whole of the track of heating material and which may have sides parallel to the edges of the first and second major surfaces of the substrate.

• • The support portion may comprise at least 75% of the area of the first major surface.
  • The support portion may comprise at least 80% of the area of the first major surface.
  • The support portion may comprise at least 90% of the area of the first major surface.
  • The support portion may comprise at least 95% of the area of the first major surface.
  • The support portion may comprise of the area of the first major surface.

The first major surface of the substrate may comprise at least one clear portion; in which case no tracks of heating material are supported on any clear portion; the support portion covers a support area of the first major surface; the at least one clear portion covers a clear area of the first major surface; and the support area is equal to or larger than the clear area. In such an embodiment, the clear area is the cumulative total area of the clear portions if there are two or more clear portions.

The first major surface of the substrate may comprise at least one clear portion; in which case no tracks of heating material are supported on any clear portion; the support portion covers a support area of the first major surface; and the at least one clear portion covers a clear area of the first major surface; and the support area is smaller than the clear area. In such an embodiment, the clear area is the cumulative total area of the clear portions if there are two or more clear portions.

The clear portion may be configured such that the clear portion extends around the support portion at least once when the substrate is configured as the roll or a folded roll.

The heater may be a resistive heating heater, and the heater material may be a resistive heating material.

The heater may be an inductive heating heater.

The track of heating material may be an inductive heating element.

According to an aspect, there is provided aerosol provision device configured to heat an article comprising aerosol generating material, the device comprising a heater described above.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a heating chamber in which the heater is provided.

The aerosol provision device may comprise a power source, a controller and a heating chamber, in which the aerosol generating article is removeable received.

The power source may be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the heating chamber.

The power source may be aligned along a second longitudinal axis, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber.

The aerosol provision device may be configured for wireless charging.

According to an aspect there is provided an aerosol provision system comprising: an aerosol provision device as described above; and an article comprising aerosol generating material.

The aerosol provision system may comprise a charging unit having a cavity for removably receiving the aerosol provision device.

The charging unit may comprise a moveable lid, which covers the aerosol provision device in a closed configuration.

The charging unit may comprise a user display.

The user display may be visible to a user when the moveable lid is in a closed position and is partially or fully concealed or obscured from sight by the lid when the lid is an open position.

According to another aspect there is provided a method of generating aerosol comprising: providing an aerosol provision device comprising a heater as described above; and at least partially inserting an aerosol generating article into the receiving portion of the heating chamber.

The heater and device aspects of the present disclosure as described above can include one or more, or all, of the features or embodiments described above, or combinations of embodiments as appropriate. The method aspect of the present disclosure can include one or more, or all, of the features or embodiments as described above, as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol provision system including an aerosol provision device located within a charging unit;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the aerosol provision device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of part of the aerosol provision device of FIG. 1 and an aerosol generating article of the aerosol provision system;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another aerosol provision device;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic embodiment of a substrate that forms part of the heater of the device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the heater of the device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a first part of a second embodiment of the heater of the device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a second part of a second embodiment of the heater of the device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

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

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise an area or volume for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area or volume, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosol-generating material storage area or volume, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area or volume, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

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

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise a binder, such as a gelling agent, and an aerosol former. Optionally, a substance to be delivered and/or filler may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may be substantially free from botanical material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of about 0.015 mm to about 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of about 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm to about 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may comprise or be a continuous sheet of material. The sheet may be in the form of a wrapper, it may be gathered to form a gathered sheet or it may be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The shredded sheet may comprise one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may comprise one or more discrete portions or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes or lines, which may be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder, such as a gelling agent, with a solvent, such as water, an aerosol-former and one or more other components, such as one or more substances to be delivered, to form a slurry and then heating the slurry to volatilise at least some of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.

An aerosol provision device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into or onto the aerosol provision device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within or over a heater of the device which is sized to receive the article.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol.

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

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

Non-combustible aerosol provision systems may comprise a modular assembly including both a reusable aerosol provision device and a replaceable aerosol generating article. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise a power source and a controller (or control circuitry). The power source may, for example, comprise an electric power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the non-combustible aerosol provision device may also comprise an aerosol generating component.

However, in other implementations the aerosol generating article may comprise partially, or entirely, the aerosol generating component.

FIG. 1 shows an aerosol provision system 10 comprising an aerosol provision device 100 and a charging unit 101. The device is shown located within a cavity of a charging unit 101. The aerosol provision device 100 is arranged to generate aerosol from an aerosol generating article (refer to FIG. 3) which may be inserted, in use, into the aerosol provision device 100. In embodiments, the article forms part of the aerosol provision system 10.

The aerosol provision device 100 is an elongate structure, extending along a longitudinal axis. Additionally, the aerosol provision device has a proximal end, which will be closest to the user (e.g. the user's mouth) when in use by the user to inhale the aerosol generated by the aerosol provision device 100, as well as a distal end which will be furthest from the user when in use. The proximal end may also be referred to as the “mouth end”. The aerosol provision device 100 also accordingly defines a proximal direction, which is directed towards the user when in use. Further, the aerosol provision device 100 also likewise defines a distal direction, which is directed away from the user when in use. The terms proximal and distal as applied to features of the device 100 will be described by reference to the relative positioning of such features with respect to each other in a proximal-distal direction along a longitudinal axis. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an opening at the distal end, leading into a heating chamber.

The aerosol provision device 100 may be removably inserted into the charging unit 101 in order to be charged. The charging unit 101 comprises a cavity (refer to FIG. 2) for receiving the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 may be inserted into the cavity via an opening. The cavity may also comprise a longitudinal opening. A portion of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise a first side. One or more user-operable control elements such as buttons 106 which can be used to operate the aerosol provision device 100 may be provided on the first side of the aerosol provision device 100. The first side of the aerosol provision device 100 may be received in the longitudinal opening provided in the charging unit 101.

In embodiments the cavity of the charging unit 101 may have a cross-sectional profile which only permits that the aerosol provision device 100 be inserted into the charging unit 101 in a single orientation. According to an embodiment the outer profile of the aerosol provision device 100 may comprise an arcuate portion and a linear portion. The cross-sectional profile of the cavity provided in the charging unit 101 may also comprise a similar arcuate portion and a linear portion. The linear portion of the cross-sectional profile of the cavity may correspond with the longitudinal opening.

The charging unit 101 includes a slidable lid 103. When the aerosol provision device 100 is inserted into the charging unit 101 in order to be recharged, the slidable lid 103 may be closed so as to cover the opening into the aerosol provision device 100. In other embodiments, the charging unit 101 may have an alternative lid configuration, such as a hinged or pivoted lid, or no lid may be provided.

The charging unit 101 may include a user interface such as display 108, which can be provided at any convenient location, such as in the position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the aerosol provision device 100. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a main housing 200. The main housing 200 defines a device body of the device 100. The device 100 defines a heating chamber 201. A receptacle 205 defines the heating chamber 201. An opening 203 is provided to provide access to the heating chamber 201. The receptacle 205 comprises a wall arrangement including a receptacle side wall 205a and a receptacle base 205b. The base 205b is at the distal end of the receptacle 205. A heating zone 201a is configured to receive at least a portion of the article for heating.

A heater 301 is provided in a portion of the main housing 200 and the heater 301 extends or projects into the heating chamber 201. The heater 301 may comprise a base portion 301a which may be located in a recess provided in a portion of the body of the device 100. The base portion 301a may be of a smaller cross-sectional profile, for example smaller diameter, than the rest of the heater 301. This has the result in reducing, restricting or diminishing the effect of heat conduction from the main body of the heating member 301 through the base end of the heating member 301 which is mounted to the mount 305. As a result, the flow of heat or thermal energy from the heating member 301 into the mount 305 is reduced. The reduced cross-sectional profile can therefore be considered as having the function of acting as a thermal break which reduces heat bleed from the heating member 301 into the mount 305.

The heater 301 upstands in the heating chamber 201. The heater 301 upstands from the distal end.

The heater 301 comprises an elongate heater in the form of a roll of substrate 600 (refer to FIG. 6). The heater 301 may be inserted, in use, into a distal end of an aerosol generating article 50 (refer to FIG. 3) which is received within the heating chamber 201 in order to internally heat the aerosol generating article.

The housing comprises housing wall 200a. The housing wall 200a extends along the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100, surrounding the heating chamber 201. The housing wall 200a may, at least in part, define a receiving chamber of the aerosol provision device 100, as the volume which is enclosed within the wall 200a. A housing base 200b is at the distal end of the housing wall 200a. In the shown embodiment, the heater 301 upstands from the housing base 200b. The heater 301 protrudes through the receptacle base 205b. An aperture 206 is formed in the receptacle base 205b through which the heater 301 protrudes. In embodiments, the heater 301 is mounted to the receptacle base 205b. The heater 301 upstands from the receptacle base 205b.

The aerosol provision device 100 further comprises a removal mechanism 204 which may be removably retained to the main housing 200 of the aerosol provision device 100. The removal mechanism 204 in embodiments is omitted. In embodiments, the housing wall 200a at least in part defines the receptacle 205. The removal mechanism 204 may be retained to the main housing 200 so that at least a portion of the removal mechanism 204 extends into the heating chamber 201. The removal mechanism 204 may comprise a longitudinal portion such as a peripheral wall portion 207a, which in the present embodiment is tubular, and a base wall portion 207b. The wall 207a may be a shape other than tubular, and may be any shape which encloses (e.g. encircles) and defines the heating chamber 201 there within.

In embodiments with the removal mechanism 204, the removal mechanism 204 defines the heating chamber 201. The removal mechanism 204 forms the receptacle 205. In embodiments in which the removal mechanism 204 is omitted, other features of the device 100 define the heating chamber 201, for example the housing side wall 200a and housing base 200b.

The base portion 207b has the aperture 206 through which the heater 301 may project. In order to retain the removal mechanism 204 to the main housing 200, the removal mechanism 204 is pushed into engagement with the main housing 200 in the distal direction, i.e. towards the distal end of the main housing 200, until the removal mechanism 204 is able to move no further in the distal direction. In the following description, when the removal mechanism 204 is referred to as being “retained to” the main housing 200, this is when the removal mechanism 204 is engaged with the main housing 200, and can move no further in the distal direction.

Together, the peripheral portion 207a and the base portion 207b may define and enclose an article chamber for receiving the aerosol generating article 50, as shown in FIG. 3. The article chamber comprises an inner surface, which is configured to contact the aerosol generating article, the inner surface comprising a longitudinally extending portion which is provided by the tubular portion 207a, and an end portion which is provided by the base portion 207b. In embodiments, the article chamber and the heating chamber are the same. When the aerosol generating article 50 is received in the heating chamber, it may contact both the longitudinally extending portion of the inner surface, and the end portion of the inner surface. In particular, the article chamber (i.e. the peripheral portion 207a and the base portion 207b) may be configured to receive at least part of the aerosol generating article 50 which is in the form of a rod which is longitudinally extending and cylindrical, such that the longitudinal axis of the article is parallel to (and optionally in line with) the longitudinal axis of the aerosol provision device 100 when received in the article chamber.

The article chamber may also be referred to as a receiving portion. When the removal mechanism 204 is retained to the main housing 200, in use, the article chamber of the removal mechanism 204 is arranged, at least partially, within the heating chamber 201. The heater 301 may be arranged so as to project into the article chamber, through the aperture 206 provided in the base portion 207b of the removal mechanism 204. The removal mechanism 204 is therefore configured to receive at least a portion of the aerosol generating article in use.

In embodiments, the removal mechanism 204 may comprise a first magnet or a magnetisable material 208. The main housing 200 may comprise a second magnet or magnetisable material 209. In use, the removal mechanism 204 may be magnetically retained to the main housing 200 by the interaction of the first magnet or magnetisable material 208 and the second magnet or magnetisable material 209.

In embodiments, the removal mechanism 204 is fully detachable from the main housing 200. The removal mechanism 204 may be retained to the main housing 200 by a magnetic force of attraction between the first magnet or magnetisable material 208 and the second magnet or magnetisable material 209. The removal mechanism 204 may be detached from the main housing 200 by overcoming the magnetic force between the first magnet or magnetisable material 208 and the second magnet or magnetisable material 209. In embodiments, the removal mechanism 204 is removably retained to the main housing 200 by other means. For example, the removal mechanism 204 may be configured to be removably retained to the main housing 200 by an interference fit with the main housing.

The removal mechanism 204 may comprise an internal element (comprising the tubular portion 207a and a base portion 207b) and an outer cap portion 210, wherein when retained to the main housing 200 the outer cap portion 210 encapsulates (e.g. covers) at least a portion of the main housing 200, such as the wall 200a of the main housing. The tubular portion 207a, base portion 207b and outer cap portion 210 may comprise an integral (e.g. unitary) component (formed, for example, by moulding). Alternatively, the tubular portion 207a and base portion 207b may comprise a first component and the outer cap portion 210 may comprise a second separate component. The first and second components may then be secured together.

FIG. 4 shows another aerosol provision system 40. The system 40 comprises a one-piece aerosol provision device 400 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material, and the aerosol generating article 50 comprising the aerosol generating material. The device 400 can be used to heat the aerosol generating article 50 comprising the aerosol generating material, to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium which can be inhaled by a user of the device 400.

The device 400 comprises a housing 500 which surrounds and houses various components of the device 400. The housing 500 is elongate. The device 400 has an opening 504 in one end, through which the article 50 can be inserted for heating by the device 400. The article 50 may be fully or partially inserted into the device 400 for heating by the device 400.

The device 400 may comprise a user-operable control element 506, such as a button or switch, which operates the device 400 when operated, e.g. pressed. For example, a user may activate the device 400 by pressing the switch 406.

The device 400 defines a longitudinal axis 509 along which an article 50 may extend when inserted into the device 400. The opening 504 is aligned on the longitudinal axis 509.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of the aerosol provision system 40. Features described with reference to FIG. 5 in embodiments are applicable to embodiments described above. The aerosol provision device comprises a power source 410, a controller 420 and a heating chamber 401, in which the aerosol generating article 50 is removeable received.

The one-piece device of FIG. 5 shows the power source 410 aligned along the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber 401. In another embodiment of a one-piece aerosol generating device, the power source is aligned along a second longitudinal axis, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the heating chamber.

The heater 301 comprises an elongate heater in the form of a roll of substrate 600 (refer to FIG. 6). The heater 301 is provided in the heating chamber. The heater 301 of FIG. 5 and the heater 301 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, such that details described herein may be applied to each. The heater 301 extends or projects into the heating chamber 401.

The heater 301 may be inserted, in use, into a distal end of the aerosol generating article 50 which is received within the heating chamber 401 in order to internally heat the aerosol generating article.

The aerosol provision devices 100, 400 comprise a heating arrangement 300. The heating arrangement 300 comprises a heater. The heater 301 acts as the heater.

The heating arrangement 300 is a resistive heating arrangement. The heater is a resistive heating heater. The track of heating material, as will be described below is a resistive heating element. In such arrangements the heating assembly comprises a resistive heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating element, and the resulting flow of current in the heating element, acting as a heating component, causes the heating element to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating element comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating arrangement comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material. In embodiments, the heating element forms at least part of the resistive heater itself. In embodiments the resistive heating element transfers heat to the heater 301, for example by conduction. The provision of a resistive heating arrangement allows for a compact arrangement. Resistive heating provides an efficient configuration.

The resistive material may be, for example, a nickel/chrome alloy such as nichrome 80/20(80 % Nickel, 20% Chromium), an iron/chrome/aluminium alloy, or a copper/nickel alloy.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the substrate 600 of the heating member 301 for use in an aerosol provision device as described above. The substrate 600 comprises first and second major surfaces 604, 606 and is shown in FIG. 6 before it is formed into a roll or a folded roll.

The first major surface 604 includes a support area (also referred to as a support portion) 608 defined by boundary 610. A track 612 of resistive material is supported on the support area 608. The track 612 extends from a first connector 614 to a second connector 616 via a serpentine path. The serpentine path comprises a plurality of long track elements 612A and a plurality of short track elements 612B (for clarity, not all of the long and short track elements 612A, 612B are labelled). In some embodiments the track is surrounded by a layer of electrically insulating, for example dielectric, material. This is advantageous because it assists in ensuring that there are no short circuits between the heating material and the housing or between separate parts of the track.

Connected to the first connector 614 is an electrical connection path 352, and connected to the second connector 614 is an electrical connection path 353.

The first major surface 604 also includes a clear area (also referred to as a clear portion) 618 which is the part of the first major surface 604 which is not the support area 608.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, to form a first embodiment of the heater 301 the substrate 600 is formed into a roll with the substrate 600 rolled around its edge 620 around a hollow bore 621 and the first major surface 604 facing radially inward in the roll. The relative sizes of the support area 608 and clear area 618 are such that the clear area 618 overlaps the circumference of the rolled part of the substrate 600 that includes the support area 608 once. Alternatively expressed, the edge 626 of the substrate 600 overlies the edge 628 of the support area 608.

The first major surface 604 further includes a second portion 629 which at least partially overlies a first portion 627 on the second major surface 606 when the substrate 600 is formed into a roll.

The connection paths 352, 353 extend from a first end 622 of the roll. The first end 622 of the roll is adapted to mount the heater so that it extends into the heating chamber 201, 401.

Attached to a second end 624 of the roll is a tip 602. The tip 602 is configured to ease the insertion of the heater 301 into the distal end of the aerosol generating article 50 which is received within the heating chamber 201, 401. This allows the heater 301 to internally heat the aerosol generating article.

The tip 602 is so configured that it overlies the edge of the substrate 600 that forms end 624. This avoids the insertion of the heater 301 damaging the edge of the substrate.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the substrate 600 may be rolled so that the second major surface faces radially inward in the roll of the substrate.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments the relative sizes of the support area 608 and clear area 618 are such that the clear area 618 overlaps at least part of the circumference of the rolled part of the substrate 600 that includes the support area 608 more than once.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments there is no tip 602.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, to form a second embodiment of the heater 301 the substrate 600 of FIG. 6 is formed into a roll with folds 636 around a support element 630. The substrate 600 is rolled around the stem 632 of the support element 630 with the substrate 600's edge 620 starting the roll. The folds 636 are introduced into the roll when the substrate 600 extends around the corners 634 of the stem 632.

The roll is formed so that the first major surface 604 faces radially outward in the roll.

The relative sizes of the support area 608 and clear area 618 are such that the clear area 618 overlaps the perimeter of the rolled part of the substrate 600 that includes the support area 608 approximately twice.

The connection paths 352, 353 extend from a first end 622 of the roll.

The first end 638 of the stem 632 is adapted to mount the heater so that the roll extends into the heating chamber 201, 401.

A second end 640 of the stem 632 is formed int a tip 602. The tip 602 is configured to ease the insertion of the heater 301 into the distal end of the aerosol generating article 50 which is received within the heating chamber 201, 401.

The tip 602 is so configured that it overlies the edge of the substrate 600 that forms end 624. This avoids the insertion of the heater 301 damaging the edge of the substrate.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the substrate 600 may be rolled so that the second major surface 606 facies radially outward in the roll of the substrate.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the relative sizes of the support area 608 and clear area 618 are such that the clear area 618 overlaps at least part of the circumference of the rolled part of the substrate 600 that includes the support area 608 once or more than twice.

An advantage of such an embodiment is that the clear area of the substrate will provide the support area and thus the track of heating material supported on the support area protection from damage due to external forces and general wear on the outside face of the substrate.

In some alternative non-illustrated embodiments there is no tip 602.

The support element 630 is formed from a material with a low thermal mass so that it absorbs little of the heat energy generated by the track of resistive material when electricity is flowing along the track.

With reference to the embodiments of the heater 301 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the heating arrangement 300 comprises electrical connection paths 352, 353. The electrical connection paths 352, 353 extend from connections 614, 616 at either end of the heating element 350.

In non-illustrated embodiments, the electrical connection paths are integrally formed with the track of heating material 612, for example as a single wire.

In the above described embodiments, the heating arrangement is a resistive heating arrangement. In embodiments, other types of heating arrangement are used, such as inductive heating. The configuration of the device is generally as described above and so a detailed description will be omitted.

An inductive heating arrangement comprises various components to heat the aerosol generating material of the article via an inductive heating process. Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heater (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating arrangement may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating member) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

In inductive heating heat is generated in the susceptor (heating member) whereas in resistive heating heat is generated in the track of heating material.

In embodiments, the heater of the aerosol provision system is a part of the aerosol generating article, rather than being a part of the aerosol provision device. The heating element may be a resistive heating element, for example in the form of the resistive coil described above, which is provided as part of the aerosol generating article. Electrical connections may enable electric current to flow through the resistive heating element.

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.