Method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device including: providing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end, providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the device from the distal end of the housing and depositing or printing one or more electrically conductive tracks into the one or more channels.

1 . A method of manufacturing an aerosol provision device comprising:
 providing a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end;   providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the device from the distal end of the housing; and   depositing or printing one or more electrically conductive tracks into the one or more channels.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks are non-planar. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks follow a curved or tortuous path. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more channels have a circular, oval, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks comprise copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminium, nickel, iron, platinum or tungsten. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing one or more channels in a longitudinal direction along the distal end of the housing comprises etching. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of etching comprises laser etching, or chemical etching. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a base portion and wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductive tracks is flush with the base portion. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising locating the first housing within an outer housing. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the outer housing comprises an electrical insulator. 
     
     
         11 . An aerosol provision device comprising:
 a first housing having a proximal end and a distal end; and   one or more electrically conductive tracks provided in the distal end of the first housing, the one or more electrically conductive tracks comprising an electrically conductive material deposited or printed within one or more channels provided in the first housing.   
     
     
         12 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks are non-planar. 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks follow a curved or tortuous path. 
     
     
         14 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more channels have a circular, oval, polygonal or rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         15 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more electrically conductive tracks comprise copper, silver, gold, zinc, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum or tungsten. 
     
     
         16 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the one or more channels are provided by etching, laser etching or chemical etching. 
     
     
         17 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the aerosol provision device comprises a base portion and wherein at least a portion of the one or more conductive tracks is flush with the base portion. 
     
     
         18 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first housing is located within an outer housing. 
     
     
         19 . An aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the outer housing comprises an electrical insulator. 
     
     
         20 . An aerosol generating system comprising:
 an aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11 ;   a charging unit for charging the aerosol provision device.   
     
     
         21 . An aerosol generating system as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the charging unit comprises:
 a cavity for receiving the aerosol provision device; and   a base portion, wherein the base portion further comprises one or more electrical and/or data connections for connecting to the one or more electrically conductive tracks provided on the aerosol provision device.   
     
     
         22 . A method of electrically charging an aerosol provision device comprising connecting an aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11  to a charging unit. 
     
     
         23 . A method of transmitting data to and/or from an aerosol provision device comprising connecting an aerosol provision device as claimed in  claim 11  to a charging unit.