A component for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system

Abstract

A component for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system including at least one helically-wound strip having aerosol-generating material. An article, a system, and a method for forming a component are also described.

1 . A component for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the component comprising at least one helically-wound strip comprising aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         2 . A component according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cavity extending from a first end of the component. 
     
     
         3 . A component according to  claim 2 , wherein the width of the at least one helically-wound strip is at least 1.5 times an internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 2 times the internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 3 times the internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 4 times the internal diameter of the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein the component has a longitudinal axis, and an long edge of the helically-wound strip projected onto said axis forms an angle of less than about 70 degrees with the said axis, for example less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 50 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A component for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the component comprising a plurality of braided or helically-wound strips, at least one of the plurality of braided and/or helically-wound strips comprising aerosol-generating material, the component further comprising a cavity extending from a first end of the component. 
     
     
         6 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the width of at least one of the plurality of braided or helically-wound strips is at least 1.5 times an internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 2 times the internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 3 times the internal diameter of the cavity, or at least 4 times the internal diameter of the cavity. 
     
     
         7 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the component has a longitudinal axis, and an edge of the at least one of the plurality of braided or helically-wound strips projected onto the longitudinal axis forms an angle of less than about 70 degrees with the said axis, for example less than about 60 degrees, or less than about 50 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the aerosol-generating material comprises plant-based material, such as tobacco material, and/or amorphous solid material. 
     
     
         9 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the aerosol-generating material is laminated on a support material. 
     
     
         10 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one braided and/or helically-wound strip comprises a first aerosol-generating material, and the component further comprising at least one braided and/or helically-wound strip comprising a second aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         11 . A component according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one braided and/or helically-wound strip comprising a first aerosol-generating material is arranged in greater proximity to the cavity than the at least one braided and/or helically-wound strip comprising a second aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         12 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the manufacturing tolerance in a diameter of the cavity is less than 0.5 mm, or less than 0.4 mm, or less than 0.3 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A component according to  claim 5 , wherein the cavity is circumscribed by a hollow tube, and the braided and/or helically-wound strips are arranged around the hollow tube. 
     
     
         14 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the braided and/or helically-wound strips comprises a spacer material, wherein the spacer material has a ridged and/or corrugated structure. 
     
     
         15 . A component according to  claim 14 , wherein the spacer material is arranged around at least one of the braided and/or helically-wound strips comprising aerosol-generating material, optionally wherein the arrangement of the spacer material provides for an air flow path through the component. 
     
     
         16 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the braided and/or helically-wound strips comprises a glued surface, optionally wherein the glued surface connects other braided and/or helically-wound strips in the component. 
     
     
         17 . A component according to  claim 16 , wherein the glued surface comprises an adhesive or binding agent, optionally wherein said adhesive or binding agent is selected from a starch-based adhesive or binder, a gum-based adhesive or binder, a polysaccharide-based adhesive or binder, or a carboxymethyl cellulose based adhesive or binder. 
     
     
         18 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the braided and/or helically-wound strips is arranged in a left handed helical pattern and wherein at least one of the plurality of braided strips is arranged in a right handed helical pattern. 
     
     
         19 . A component according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the braided and/or helically-wound strips comprises a tensile strength of at least 4N/15 mm or wherein each of the braided and/or helically-wound strips comprises a tensile strength of at least 4N/15 mm. 
     
     
         20 . An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising a component according to  claim 1  and a downstream portion downstream of the component. 
     
     
         21 . A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising an article according to  claim 20  and an aerosol provision device for forming an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material. 
     
     
         22 . A method of forming a component according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 providing a source of strip material comprising aerosol-generating material;   feeding said strip material towards a mandrel; and   winding the strip material around the mandrel to form a helically-wound strip comprising aerosol-generating material.   
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , further comprising a step of providing a source of spacer material, and winding the spacer material around the mandrel to provide a layer of spacer material in the component. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein a width of the strip material is at least times a diameter of the mandrel, or at least 2 times the diameter of the mandrel, or at least 3 times the diameter of the mandrel, or at least 4 times the internal diameter of the mandrel. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 22 , further comprising proving a tube on the mandrel and wherein the winding step comprises winding the strip material around the tube. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the strip material comprising aerosol-generating material is a first strip material and the method comprises providing a second source of strip material;
 feeding said second strip material towards a mandrel; and   winding the second strip material around the mandrel to form a second helically-wound strip.   
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the step of winding the first strip material is performed in a first direction and wherein the step of winding the second strip material is performed in a second direction, the winding steps forming a helical pattern of the first and second strip materials, the helical pattern including at least one left-handed helix and at least one right-handed helix.