Aerosol provision system

Abstract

An aerosol provision system including an aerosol provision device and a charging unit for charging or powering the aerosol provision device, the charging unit having a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device; wherein either: (i) the aerosol provision device includes one or more engagement members and the charging unit comprises one or more detents extending into the cavity for engaging with the one or more engagement members in order to secure the aerosol provision device within the cavity; or (ii) the aerosol provision device includes one or more detents or catches and the charging unit includes one or more engagement members for engaging with the one or more detents in order to secure the aerosol provision device within the cavity.

1 . An aerosol provision system comprising:
 an aerosol provision device; and   a charging unit for charging or powering the aerosol provision device, the charging unit having a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device;   wherein either: (i) the aerosol provision device comprises one or more engagement members and the charging unit comprises one or more detents extending into the cavity for engaging with the one or more engagement members in order to secure the aerosol provision device within the cavity; or (ii) the aerosol provision device comprises one or more detents or catches the charging unit comprises one or more engagement members for engaging with the one or more detents in order to secure the aerosol provision device within the cavity.   
     
     
         2 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more detents or catches comprise a protruding portion which protrudes in a direction towards a center of the cavity, wherein the protruding portion comprises a device-facing surface which faces the aerosol provision device when the aerosol provision device is received in the cavity, and wherein the protruding portion is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement member provided on the aerosol provision device. 
     
     
         3 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the corresponding engagement member comprises a recess having a shape which substantially conforms with the device-facing surface. 
     
     
         4 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one detent or catch further comprises a biasing portion configured to provide a biasing force to the protruding portion in a direction towards a center of the cavity when a force is exerted on the protruding portion in an opposing direction. 
     
     
         5 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more detents or catches comprise a protruding portion which protrudes in a direction away from a center of the cavity, wherein the protruding portion comprises a cavity-facing surface which faces the cavity when the aerosol provision device is received in the cavity, and wherein the protruding portion is configured to engage with a corresponding engagement member provided on the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the corresponding engagement member comprises a recess having a shape which substantially conforms with the cavity-facing surface. 
     
     
         7 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 5 or 6 , wherein the at least one detent or catch further comprises a biasing portion configured to provide a biasing force to the protruding portion in a direction away from a center of the cavity when a force is exerted on the protruding portion in an opposing direction. 
     
     
         8 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detent or catch comprises a spring loaded ball mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol provision device comprises:
 (i) a proximal end which closest to a user, such as the mouth of the user, when in use by the user to inhale aerosol generated by the aerosol provision device, and   (ii) a distal end which is furthest from the user when in use;   and wherein the charging unit comprises a base portion at a base of the cavity, wherein the distal end of the aerosol provision device is configured to engage with the base portion of the cavity when the aerosol provision device is secured within the cavity by engagement of the one or more engagement members with the one or more detents or catches.   
     
     
         10 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more first electrical connectors for connecting to the charging unit. 
     
     
         11 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more first electrical connectors are provided at the distal end of the aerosol provision device 
     
     
         12 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the charging unit further comprises one or more second electrical connectors for connecting to the aerosol provision device. 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more second electrical connectors are provided in the base portion of the charging unit. 
     
     
         14 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the aerosol provision device and the charging unit are configured such that one or more detents or catches and the one or more engagement members are spaced at least 1-2 mm, 2-3 mm, 3-4 mm, 4-5 mm, 5-6 mm, 6-7 mm, 7-8 mm, 8-9 mm or 9-10 mm from the first and second electrical connectors when the one or more detents or catches are engaged with the one or more engagement members. 
     
     
         15 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the charging unit further comprises one or more lugs extending into the cavity and the aerosol provision device comprises one or more corresponding accommodating recesses for receiving the one or more lugs when the aerosol provision device is received in the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol provision device further comprises one or more lugs and the charging unit comprises one or more corresponding accommodating recesses for receiving the one or more lugs when the aerosol provision device is received in the cavity 
     
     
         17 . An aerosol provision system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an aerosol generating article. 
     
     
         18 . A method of generating an aerosol comprising:
 providing an aerosol generating system as claimed in claim  17 ; and   energizing the aerosol generating article.