Aerosol provision device

Abstract

An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material includes a heating assembly having a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article including aerosol-generating material. The heating zone defines a longitudinal axis along which at least a portion of an article including aerosol-generating material is extendable. The device includes a heating element array having at least three heating elements, wherein the at least three heating elements are distributed around the longitudinal axis to surround the heating zone. The heating element array is adjustable between a clamped condition and an unclamped condition in which at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved relative to at least one other of the at least three heating elements.

1 . An aerosol provision device for generating aerosol from an aerosol-generating material, the device comprising:
 a heating assembly comprising:
 a heating zone configured to receive at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material; 
 the heating zone defining a longitudinal axis along which at least a portion of an article comprising aerosol generating material is extendable; 
 a heating element array comprising at least three heating elements; 
 wherein the at least three heating elements are distributed around the longitudinal axis to surround the heating zone; 
 wherein the heating element array is adjustable between a clamped condition and an unclamped condition in which at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved relative to at least one other of the at least three heating elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least three heating elements are arranged to be equally spaced in the clamped condition. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least three heating elements are equally radially distributed about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein in the clamped condition, the at least one of the at least three heating elements of the heating element array which is arranged to be moved is configured to be brought into contact with the article. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the clamped condition is a compression condition in which the heating element array compresses at least part of an article. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the at least three heating elements is moved radially 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , comprising an engaging mechanism arranged to move the heating element array between the clamped and unclamped conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism is arranged to move at least two of the heating elements of the heating element array. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging mechanism is arranged to move each of the heating elements of the heating element array. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein the heating elements comprise a contact surface. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 10 , wherein the contact surface of each of the heating elements is planar. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , wherein in the unclamped condition, movement of the article is unrestricted. 
     
     
         13 . An aerosol provision system comprising:
 the aerosol provision device of  claim 1 , and   an article comprising aerosol generating material, the article configured for at least partial receipt in the heating chamber, such that in use, the article is clamped within the heating chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein the article has a circumferential exterior surface. 
     
     
         15 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein in the clamped condition, the at least one of the at least three heating elements of the heating element array which is arranged to be moved is configured to be brought into contact with the article. 
     
     
         16 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein the clamped condition is a compression condition in which the heating element array compresses the article. 
     
     
         17 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 16 , wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to each of the heating elements in the compressed condition is smaller than the radius of the circumferential exterior surface of the article in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
         18 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein in the clamped condition the heating element array is arranged to be free from compressing at least part of an article received in the heating zone. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein the radial distance from the longitudinal axis to the movable heating element in the unclamped condition is greater than the radius of the circumferential exterior surface of the article in an uncompressed state. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The aerosol provision system of  claim 13 , wherein in the unclamped condition, at least one of the at least three heating elements is radially spaced from the article.