RU2847158C1 - Aerosol generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: smoking accessories.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system. Aerosol-generating system comprises an aerosol-generating device for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol from a second aerosol-forming substrate. Said aerosol-generating device comprises a housing. Housing of the device forms a first substrate accommodation portion for receiving an aerosol-forming first substrate, and a second substrate accommodation portion for accommodating a second aerosol-forming substrate, a main airflow path passing through the first substrate accommodation section, and an additional air flow path passing through the device in such a way that, during use, the additional air flow path is fluidly connected to the second aerosol-forming substrate disposed in the second substrate accommodation portion. Additional air flow path merges with the main air flow path in the area of the connection further downstream from the first section for placing the substrate. Aerosol-generating system further comprises an aerosol-generating article comprising a first aerosol-forming substrate and a cartridge comprising a second aerosol-forming substrate. Cartridge can be fitted in substrate second section. Aerosol-generating article is configured to be placed in a first substrate location portion of an aerosol-generating device. Aerosol-generating article forms a rod, and the outer wall of the rod comprises a fluid-permeable portion downstream of the first aerosol-forming substrate.

EFFECT: enabling selection of different combinations of the first and second aerosol-forming substrates to achieve different sensations from inhalation, for example to change the aroma of inhaled aerosols.

13 cl, 7 dwg, 52 ex

Description

The present invention relates to an aerosol generating system that comprises an aerosol generating device for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol-forming substrate and a second aerosol-forming substrate.

Aerosol-generating devices capable of generating an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco-containing substrate, are known in the art to which the present invention pertains. Such known devices can generate an aerosol from the substrate by applying heat to the substrate, rather than by burning the substrate. The aerosol-forming substrate can be provided as a component of an aerosol-generating article, wherein the article is physically separated from the aerosol-generating device. During use, the aerosol-generating device can receive the aerosol-generating article. The device can provide energy for transferring heat from a heat source to the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. During use of such known aerosol-generating devices and aerosol-generating articles, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate due to heat transfer from the heat source and are captured in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol, which is inhaled by the consumer.

Some known aerosol-generating devices are capable of generating an aerosol from two aerosol-forming substrates simultaneously. Typically, such aerosol-generating devices are configured to receive a first, solid aerosol-forming substrate and a second, liquid aerosol-forming substrate. The first aerosol-forming substrate may be contained within an aerosol-generating article that comprises a rod containing a plug of solid tobacco-containing substrate at or near the distal end of the rod, said article being configured to be received within the casing of the aerosol-generating device. The second aerosol-forming substrate may be contained in a separate container or cartridge, which is also configured to be received within the casing of the aerosol-generating device. Such aerosol-generating devices are sometimes referred to as hybrid aerosol-generating devices.

During use of known hybrid aerosol-generating devices, volatile compounds are released from both first and second aerosol-forming substrates, typically as a result of heat transfer from one or more heat sources to said first and second aerosol-forming substrates. A single airflow path through the aerosol-generating device and the aerosol-generating article is configured such that it passes the second aerosol-forming substrate and then through the first aerosol-forming substrate. Volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate are entrained in the airflow path and, therefore, must also pass through the first aerosol-forming substrate, such that volatile compounds from the first aerosol-forming substrate are also entrained in the airflow path. As the released compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates cool, they condense to form an aerosol, which is inhaled by the user.

Hybrid aerosol-generating devices offer the advantage that the user experiences not only the aroma or sensation of smoking the first heated aerosol-generating substrate or the second heated aerosol-generating substrate, but a combination of both. The user can choose different combinations of the first and second aerosol-generating substrates to achieve different inhalation sensations, such as changing the aroma of the inhaled aerosols.

There are a number of challenges with known hybrid systems that arise from the fact that during use, volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate are drawn through the first aerosol-forming substrate. It is important that the emitted first and second aerosols mix before the user inhales them. However, the airflow management in the prior art does not facilitate optimized mixing of the two aerosols. The mixture of the two aerosols may be unstable during puffs or vary from puff to puff.

Furthermore, when the volatile compounds of the second aerosol-forming substrate pass through the first aerosol-forming substrate, they pass through a region of high temperature, which can degrade the aroma of the second aerosol, for example, by thermally degrading the second aerosol. This problem is particularly acute when the aerosolization temperature of the first aerosol-forming substrate is higher than that of the second aerosol-forming substrate.

Furthermore, since the airflow path in known hybrid systems passes through the primary aerosol-forming substrate, draw resistance is highly dependent on the porosity of the primary aerosol-forming substrate. This can result in draw resistance that is unacceptably or uncomfortably high for the user.

It would be desirable to provide an aerosol generating device for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol from a second aerosol-forming substrate, in which the mixture or combination of the two aerosols is optimized and stable between uses, in which flavor degradation of the second aerosol is minimized, and which has low draw resistance.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an aerosol-generating device is proposed for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol from a second aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a device housing. The device housing may define a first substrate placement region for accommodating the first aerosol-forming substrate. The device housing may define a second substrate placement region for accommodating the second aerosol-forming substrate. The device housing may define a primary airflow path. The primary airflow path may pass through the first substrate placement region. The device housing may also define a secondary airflow path. The secondary airflow path may pass through the device such that, during use, the secondary airflow path is in fluid communication with the second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement region. The secondary airflow path may merge with the primary airflow path in a junction region (merging region) downstream from the first substrate placement region.

During use, a first aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned in a first substrate positioning region, and a second aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned in a second substrate positioning region, and the device may generate volatile compounds from both the first and second aerosol-forming substrates. The user may draw air through the primary airflow path from a region downstream of the junction between the primary and secondary airflow paths, and thus, after the airflow paths merge, such air is drawn through both the primary and secondary airflow paths. The primary airflow path may be configured such that, when the first aerosol-forming substrate is positioned in the first substrate positioning region, the primary airflow path passes through the first aerosol-forming substrate. Accordingly, volatile compounds released from the first aerosol-forming substrate may be captured in the air drawn through the primary airflow path. By preferably fluidly connecting the secondary airflow path to a second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement region, volatile compounds released from the second aerosol-forming substrate can be entrained in air drawn through the secondary airflow path. Volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate can combine with volatile compounds from the first aerosol-forming substrate at the junction between the primary and secondary airflow paths. The volatile compounds can cool to form an aerosol, which is then inhaled by the user. Volatile compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates can cool to form an aerosol before or after said combination.

Because the secondary airflow path merges with the primary airflow path at a junction downstream of the first substrate placement site, volatile compounds released from the secondary aerosol-forming substrate are not drawn through the primary aerosol-forming substrate, which is advantageous. This improves the uniformity of mixing of aerosols released from the primary and secondary aerosol-forming substrates. The mixture of the two aerosols can be stable between puffs or uses, which is advantageous. Furthermore, this arrangement can completely eliminate the breakdown of volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate, which might otherwise occur if these volatile compounds were forced to pass through the heated first substrate placement site. This reduces or eliminates the risk of thermal decomposition of volatile compounds released from the second aerosol-forming substrate and may be particularly useful when the aerosolization temperature of the first aerosol-forming substrate located in the first substrate placement site is higher than that of the second aerosol-forming substrate, which is an advantage.

By providing a primary and secondary airflow path, where only the primary airflow path passes through the first substrate placement area, the draw resistance experienced by the user inhaling through the airflow paths depends not only on the porosity of the first aerosol-forming substrate located in the first substrate placement area. Specifically, lower overall draw resistance can be achieved by providing a secondary airflow path with low resistance (i.e., low relative to the draw resistance of the primary airflow path). The balance of aerosols emitted from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates inhaled by the user can be determined by the choice of draw resistance of the secondary airflow path relative to the primary airflow path.

Preferably, the additional airflow path is separated from the main airflow path upstream of the connection. The two airflow paths can be separated by the device housing upstream of the connection. This separation of the airflow paths ensures that, during use, volatile compounds released from the second aerosol-forming substrate do not pass through the first aerosol-forming substrate.

The first substrate-accommodating portion may be configured to accommodate a portion of an aerosol-generating article containing a first aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be in the form of a rod, with the first aerosol-forming substrate located at or near the distal end of the rod. The rod may also comprise a mouthpiece at the end of the rod opposite the distal end. A user of the device may draw through the mouthpiece. When the aerosol-generating article is positioned in the first substrate-accommodating portion, the primary airflow path may extend through the length of the rod, through the first aerosol-forming substrate, and through the mouthpiece.

The second substrate accommodating portion may be configured to accommodate a second aerosol-forming substrate, which is preferably a liquid. The second substrate accommodating portion may be configured to accommodate a removable container or cartridge, referred to herein as a cartridge. The cartridge may form or comprise a liquid storage portion containing the second aerosol-forming substrate. The removable cartridge may be configured to be replaceable when the aerosol-forming substrate is depleted, or when it is desirable to select a cartridge containing a different second aerosol-forming substrate to achieve a different inhalation sensation, which is advantageous. In an alternative embodiment, the second substrate accommodating portion may itself form a liquid storage portion that is integrally formed with the rest of the aerosol-generating device. In any case, the additional airflow path may preferably be configured to be fluidly connected to the second aerosol-forming substrate in the removable or integral liquid storage portion.

The aerosol-generating article may comprise a fluid-permeable region downstream of the first aerosol-generating substrate. An additional airflow path may be configured to pass through the fluid-permeable region of the aerosol-generating article when said article is positioned within the first substrate placement area. The additional airflow path may then merge with the primary airflow.

In this document, the term "aerosol generating device" is used to describe a device that interacts with an aerosol-forming substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.

Preferably, the aerosol generating device is a hybrid smoking device that interacts with an aerosol generating substrate of an aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol that a user can directly inhale into their lungs through their mouth, and simultaneously interacts with a second, preferably liquid, aerosol generating substrate contained or positioned in a second substrate placement area.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating product is a smoking product that generates an aerosol that is directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth. More preferably, the aerosol-generating product is a smoking product that generates a nicotine-containing aerosol that is directly inhaled into the user's lungs through the user's mouth.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming substrate" means a substrate consisting of or containing an aerosol-forming material that can release volatile compounds when heated to generate an aerosol.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming material" refers to a material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds when heated to generate an aerosol. An aerosol-forming substrate may comprise or consist of an aerosol-forming material.

In this document, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative positions of elements or parts of elements of an aerosol-generating device or an aerosol-generating article relative to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating article or device during use.

The device housing may define a cavity wall that forms the cavity. At least some portion of the cavity may form a first substrate placement region.

As used herein, "substrate placement region" refers to a region of the device's housing configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating substrate. When a first aerosol-generating substrate is positioned at or toward the distal end of an aerosol-generating article, the first substrate placement region is the region of the housing that immediately surrounds the first substrate when the article is positioned. Regions of the cavity that do not surround the first substrate when the article is positioned within the cavity, such as regions surrounding elements of the article downstream of the substrate, do not form part of the first substrate placement region.

The cavity wall may have a shape that matches the shape of the aerosol-generating article it is intended to accommodate, which offers advantages. In appropriate cases, the cavity wall may be tubular. This may be particularly advantageous when the device is intended for use with rod-shaped aerosol-generating articles, with the tubular shape matching the geometric profile of such a rod. For example, in cases where the aerosol-generating article is a smoking article, the use of a rod-shaped geometry for the article is consistent with that found in known smoking articles, such as traditional and electronic cigarettes. The cavity wall may be cylindrical.

In this document, the term "rod" is used to refer to a generally cylindrical member with a substantially circular, oval, or elliptical cross-section.

The cavity wall may comprise a fluid-permeable region. An additional airflow path may extend through said fluid-permeable region. The additional airflow path may merge with the main airflow path within the cavity. Preferably, the fluid-permeable region of the cavity wall may be downstream from the first substrate placement area. This ensures that air entering the cavity through the additional airflow path arrives downstream from the first placement area and, accordingly, downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate placed in the first placement area. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid-permeable region is located immediately downstream from the first substrate placement area. This ensures maximum mixing of the first and second emitted aerosols before they are inhaled by the user. However, the fluid-permeable region may be located at an axial distance from the first substrate placement area, provided that the gap is sufficiently small. The gap between the fluid-permeable region and the first substrate placement area may be less than 5 millimeters, preferably less than 2 millimeters.

A fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall may comprise one or more of a porous material, a plurality of slits, and a plurality of openings. By way of example and without limitation, the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall may be formed in the form of a mesh, wherein the mesh's interstices define openings in the mesh, thereby allowing air flow and volatile compounds entrained in the air to pass through the mesh. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid-permeable portion may be an opening formed in the cavity wall, without the presence of any mesh or other restrictions. In another alternative embodiment, the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall may comprise a plurality of pores, wherein said plurality of pores define voids within the wall material. The size of any pores, slits, or openings that may form part of the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall will directly affect the fluid flow permeability of the fluid-permeable portion.

Preferably, when an aerosol-generating article containing a first aerosol-forming substrate is positioned in a cavity, the fluid-permeable region of the cavity wall coincides with a corresponding fluid-permeable section of the outer wall of the aerosol-generating article. The presence of matching fluid-permeable sections of the cavity wall of the aerosol-generating device and the outer wall of the aerosol-generating article enables efficient passage of airflow from the device's secondary airflow path into the interior of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term "fluid-permeable" refers to a component that allows gases or liquids to pass through it. Specifically, "fluid-permeable" is used to refer to a component that allows air containing entrapped volatile compounds that could form an aerosol to pass through it. The term "fluid-permeable" also includes a volumetric characteristic of a suitable material, applied to either a portion or the entire volume; for example, a material that exhibits porosity throughout its entire volume or a portion of its volume.

In this document, the term "coincident" is used to mean overlapping or superimposing, either exactly or partially.

Preferably, the cavity wall is tubular. The fluid-permeable section of the cavity wall may comprise at least one annular fluid-permeable strip. Designing the fluid-permeable section of the cavity wall in the form of one or more annular strips allows air in the additional air flow path, containing captured volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate, to pass radially into the cavity around the periphery of the tubular wall of the cavity. During use, this may promote uniform mixing of the volatile compounds from the placed second aerosol-forming substrate, captured in the air from the additional air flow path, with the volatile compounds from the placed first aerosol-forming substrate, captured in the air of the main air flow path, which is advantageous. This may improve the mixing of the volatile compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates, which is advantageous. This may have the effect of improving the stability of inhaled aerosols during use of the device or between individual periods of use.

During the use of a device with an aerosol-generating article located in a cavity, wherein the outer wall of the aerosol-generating article has a corresponding fluid-permeable section made in the form of an annular strip, the alignment with the coincidence of the annular strips of the device and the article can enable uniform radial air flow into the interior of the aerosol-generating article along the periphery of the outer wall of the article.

The cavity may be provided with an open end and a closed end. The aerosol-generating device may be configured to accommodate an aerosol-generating article containing a first aerosol-forming substrate through the open end of the tubular cavity. The cavity may be configured to accommodate the first aerosol-forming substrate through the open end in the longitudinal direction.

The primary airflow path may pass through the cavity in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. When the aerosol-generating article is positioned in the first substrate placement region, the primary airflow path may pass through the aerosol-generating article in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The additional airflow path may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with the additional airflow path merging with the main airflow path. This can improve mixing of the volatile compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates during use, where the main and additional airflows merge, which is advantageous. If the additional airflow path merges with the main airflow path such that the two airflow paths are perpendicular to each other, mixing can be optimized.

Where appropriate, the aerosol-generating device may be electrically powered. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a first heating means configured to heat, during use, a first aerosol-forming substrate located in a first substrate-accommodating portion. The first heating means may heat the first aerosol-forming substrate using one or both inductive and resistive heating. The device may comprise a power source for supplying electrical power to the first heating means. The power source may preferably be a battery, which provides the advantages of device portability. The battery is preferably a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the first heating means may be configured to heat the first substrate placement area such that heat is transferred to the placed first aerosol-forming substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the first heating means with resistive heating, the first heating means may comprise an inductor coil located adjacent to or surrounding the first substrate-accommodating portion. At least a portion of the first substrate-accommodating portion may comprise a current-accepting (=suspending) portion. The current-accepting portion may be configured to heat under the influence of an alternating magnetic field. During use, electrical power supplied to the inductor coil (e.g., by the aforementioned power source of the device) causes the coil to induce eddy currents in the current-accepting portion. These eddy currents, in turn, lead to the generation of heat in the current-accepting portion of the first substrate-accepting portion. Electrical power is supplied to the inductor coil in the form of an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be a high-frequency alternating current. The alternating current may have a frequency of 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 30 megahertz (MHz). When the aerosol-generating article is positioned within the first substrate placement area, heat generated by the current-receiving area may be transferred to the article to heat the first aerosol-generating substrate within the article to a temperature sufficient to cause aerosol formation from the substrate. The current-receiving area is formed from a material capable of absorbing electromagnetic energy and converting it into heat. By way of example and without limitation, the current-receiving area may be constructed of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel.

Preferably, the first substrate-accommodating portion forms at least a portion of the cavity wall, as described above, and the inductor is a helical coil that surrounds the first substrate-accommodating portion, which comprises a current-receiving portion. Preferably, the inductor may surround the current-receiving portion radially outward from the current-receiving portion. Placing the inductor radially outward from the current-receiving portion prevents damage to the inductor from contact with the aerosol-generating article during insertion of the article into the cavity.

In one embodiment of the first heating means with inductive heating described above, the first substrate-accommodating portion may not comprise any current-receiving portion. Instead, the current-receiving portion may be formed as part of the aerosol-generating article; in this case, it is completely or partially enclosed within the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. In such embodiments, the device may still comprise an inductor, which, when the first substrate-accommodating portion forms part of the cavity wall, preferably surrounds the cavity wall radially outward from the wall.

As used herein, the term "current collector" or "current collector portion" refers to a conductive element that is heated by an alternating magnetic field. This may be due to eddy currents induced in the current collector and/or hysteresis losses. Possible materials for current collectors include graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, stainless steel, niobium, aluminum, and essentially any other conductive elements. Preferably, the current collector is a ferrite element. The material and geometric shape of the current collector can be selected to provide the required electrical resistance and heat generation. The current collector may comprise, for example, a mesh, a flat spiral coil, fibers, or fabric. The current collector is in contact with the first aerosol-forming substrate, which is advantageous. The current collector may be permeable to the fluid, which is advantageous.

In one example of a version of the first heating means with resistive heating, the first heating means may comprise a resistive heating element. A power source (such as the power source described above) may be configured to supply current to the resistive heater. The resistive heating element may be arranged to surround the first substrate placement area such that the resistive heating element surrounds the first aerosol-forming substrate located in the first substrate placement area. As an example, the resistive heating element may be in the form of an annular sleeve. When the first placement area forms part of a cavity wall as described above, the annular sleeve may be located in the cavity wall or form part of it.

In an alternative embodiment, the resistive heating element may be positioned to extend into the first aerosol-generating substrate and, during use, be inserted into the interior of the aerosol-generating article so as to be in proximity to or in direct contact with the aerosol-generating substrate of the article. By way of example, the resistive heating element may be shaped like a blade. During use, the resistive heating element will be supplied with electrical power (e.g., by the aforementioned power source of the device), which will cause the resistive heating element to heat. Accordingly, heat may be transferred from the resistive heating element to the first aerosol-generating substrate located in the first substrate placement region to heat the aerosol-generating substrate to a temperature sufficient to cause the aerosol to be released from the substrate.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a second heating means configured to heat a second aerosol-forming substrate located in a second substrate-accommodating portion during use. The second heating means may heat the second aerosol-forming substrate using one or both inductive and resistive heating. The second heating means may be powered by the same power source as the first heating means.

In some embodiments, the second heating means may be configured to heat the second substrate placement area during use. The heat may then be transferred to the second aerosol-forming substrate.

In one example of a version of the second heating means with inductive heating, at least some portion of the second substrate receiving portion may comprise a current-receiving portion. The device may comprise an inductor adjacent to or surrounding the current-receiving portion. The device may further comprise a power source configured to supply alternating current to the inductor. During use, the power supplied to the inductor (e.g., by the aforementioned power source of the device) causes the coil to induce eddy currents in the current-receiving portion. These eddy currents, in turn, lead to the generation of heat in the current-receiving portion of the second substrate receiving portion. The power is supplied to the inductor in the form of an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be high-frequency alternating current. Alternating current can have a frequency from 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 30 megahertz (MHz).

In one example of a resistive heating version, the second heating means may comprise a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may be positioned to surround the second substrate placement area such that the resistive heating element surrounds a second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement area.

In an alternative embodiment, where the second aerosol-generating substrate is contained in a replaceable cartridge configured to be positioned within the second substrate-containing region, the aerosol-generating device may not include a current collector or resistive heating element. Instead, the current collector or resistive heating element may be formed as part of the cartridge.

In an example of a version with induction heating, the current collector can be implemented as part of the cartridge. In such embodiments, the device still contains an inductor coil.

In one example of a resistive heating version, the resistive heating element may be located in the cartridge. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating device and the cartridge may comprise electrical connections that enable connection between the device's power source and the cartridge's second heating means when the cartridge is positioned in the second substrate placement region.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a controller for controlling the power supplied to either or both of the first and second heating means from a power source. Accordingly, the controller may control the heating of the first and second aerosol-generating substrates. In general, the controller may be configured such that, during use of the device, current is supplied to both the first and second heating means, and the aerosol is generated simultaneously from both the first and second aerosol-generating substrates. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to supply power to the first and second heating means independently, allowing control over which of the first and second aerosol-generating substrates is generated. This may be changed during a puff or during use of the device.

The second aspect of the present invention provides an aerosol-generating system. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. The aerosol-generating system may further comprise an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a first aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be configured to be positioned in a first substrate-accommodating portion of the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating system may comprise a cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a second aerosol-forming substrate. The cartridge may be configured to be positioned in a second substrate-accommodating portion.

Preferably, the first aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, the first aerosol-forming substrate may contain both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the first aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

Preferably, the first aerosol-forming substrate comprises nicotine. More preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises tobacco. Alternatively, or additionally, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a non-tobacco aerosol-forming material.

If the first aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid first aerosol-forming substrate may be, for example, one or more of the following: powder, granules, beads, grains, thin tubes, strips or sheets containing one or more of the following: grass leaf, tobacco leaf, tobacco stem fragments, expanded tobacco or homogenized tobacco.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may contain tobacco or non-tobacco volatile flavor compounds that are released upon heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may also contain one or more capsules, which, for example, contain additional volatile flavor compounds, whether tobacco-containing or non-tobacco-containing, and such capsules may melt upon heating of the solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate can be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier can be in the form of a powder, granules, beads, particles, ropes, strips, or sheets. The solid aerosol-forming substrate can be applied to the surface of the carrier, for example, in the form of a sheet, foam, gel, or suspension. The solid aerosol-forming substrate can be applied to the entire surface of the carrier or, alternatively, can be applied in a pattern to ensure uneven delivery of the flavor additive during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "homogenized tobacco material" refers to a material formed by agglomerating loose tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises an assembled sheet of homogenized tobacco material. As used herein, the term "sheet" refers to a plate-like element having a width and length substantially greater than its thickness. As used herein, the term "assembled" is used to describe a sheet that is folded, folded, or otherwise compressed or narrowed substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol-forming agent. As used herein, the term "aerosol-forming agent" is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, when used, promotes aerosol formation and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

Suitable aerosol formers are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof such as propylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerol.

An aerosol-forming substrate may contain a single aerosol-forming substance. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may contain a combination of two or more aerosol-forming substances.

The aerosol-generating system may comprise a first heating means configured to heat a first aerosol-forming substrate located in a first substrate-accommodating portion during use. The first heating means may heat the first aerosol-forming substrate using one or both inductive and resistive heating. The device may comprise a power source for supplying electrical power to the first heating means. The power source may preferably be a battery, which provides the advantages of device portability. The battery is preferably a rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the first heating means may be configured to heat the first substrate placement area such that heat is transferred to the placed first aerosol-forming substrate.

In an alternative embodiment, in one example of a version of the first heating means with inductive heating, the susceptor may be formed as a part of the aerosol-generating article; wherein it is completely or partially enclosed in the aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. In such embodiments, the device comprises an inductor. During use, electrical power supplied to the inductor (e.g., by the aforementioned power source of the device) may cause the coil to induce eddy currents in the susceptor. These eddy currents, in turn, may cause the susceptor to generate heat, which may be transferred to the first aerosol-forming substrate and heat it to a temperature sufficient to cause the release of an aerosol from the substrate.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article forms a rod. The rod comprises a first aerosol-generating substrate. The outer wall of the rod comprises a fluid-permeable portion. The fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod is located downstream of the first aerosol-generating substrate. The casing of the aerosol-generating device may comprise a cavity wall that forms the cavity. At least some portion of the cavity wall may form a first substrate-accommodating portion. The cavity wall may comprise a fluid-permeable region downstream of the first substrate-accommodating portion. The fluid-permeable portion of the rod may be configured to coincide with the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall when the aerosol-generating article is positioned in the cavity. Due to this, air may be drawn in through an additional airflow path when the user inhales at the mouthpiece end of the aerosol-generating article. The air flow can pass through the device's casing, through a fluid-permeable region of the cavity wall, through a permeable region of the rod's outer wall, and into the rod's interior. This air can then merge with the air drawn in through the main air flow path.

Preferably, the rod of the aerosol-generating article has a mouthpiece end and a distal end, wherein the mouthpiece end is located downstream of the distal end. The primary airflow path of the aerosol-generating device may pass through the aerosol-generating article when it is positioned within the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. The primary airflow path may pass through the aerosol-forming substrate along the interior of the rod downstream toward the mouthpiece end such that, when the user applies suction at the mouthpiece end, air is drawn into the aerosol-generating article and passes through the aerosol-forming substrate along the interior of the rod downstream toward the mouthpiece end. During use, volatile compounds may be released from the first aerosol-forming substrate and captured in the air passing through the primary airflow path. An additional airflow path may extend from the air inlet in the housing of the device and through a fluid-permeable section of the outer wall of the rod, after which it merges with the second main airflow path in a junction region downstream of the first substrate placement area. The additional airflow path may be fluidly connected to a second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement area such that volatile compounds released from the second aerosol-forming substrate are entrained in the air drawn through the additional airflow path. Air with the entrained volatile compounds is drawn through the fluid-permeable section of the outer wall into a mixing region within the rod of the aerosol-generating article. The mixing region may be located downstream of and, preferably, directly adjacent to the first aerosol-forming substrate. This ensures mixing of the volatile compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates without requiring the volatile compounds from the second aerosol-forming substrate to pass through the first aerosol-forming substrate.

Where appropriate, the aerosol-forming substrate is located at or nearer the distal end than the mouthpiece end.

Preferably, the interior of the rod is free of obstructions from the mixing section to the mouthpiece end, such that during use, the mixed flow from the mixing section to the mouthpiece end is unimpeded. For example, the aerosol-generating device may lack a mouthpiece filter or aerosol cooling elements that create obstructions in the downstream flow toward the mouthpiece end, as is often the case in known e-cigarettes. The absence of any such obstructions in the interior of the rod downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate can help reduce the draw resistance of the primary and secondary airflow paths and reduce the amount of suction required at the mouthpiece end to inhale a given amount of the mixed aerosol and cooling air flow. This can also help reduce the complexity of manufacturing the aerosol-generating device.

The fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod may comprise one or more of a porous material, a plurality of slits, and a plurality of openings. By way of example and without limitation, the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod may be formed in the form of a mesh, wherein the interstices of the mesh define openings in the mesh, thereby allowing air flow through the mesh, i.e., through the outer wall. In another alternative embodiment, the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod may comprise a plurality of pores, wherein said plurality of pores form voids within the material of the outer wall. The size of any pores, slits, or openings that may form part of the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod will directly affect the airflow permeability of the fluid-permeable portion. The size of any such pores, slits, or openings can be selected in accordance with the desired volumetric flow rate of cooling air within the interior of the aerosol-generating article.

The outer wall of the rod may be formed as a wrapper, wherein the wrapper encloses the first aerosol-forming substrate. By way of example, the wrapper may be tissue paper. The wrapper may be provided with perforations to form a fluid-permeable section of the outer wall of the rod. Preferably, the wrapper has a thickness of approximately 0.02 to 0.07 millimeters or approximately 0.03 to 0.05 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article formed by the rod preferably has a diameter of approximately 3 to 10 millimeters or approximately 4.4 to 8 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article may have an overall length of approximately 30 millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article may have an overall length of between approximately 30 millimeters and approximately 60 millimeters. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating article has an overall length of approximately 45 millimeters.

Preferably, the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod comprises at least one annular fluid-permeable strip. The use of an annular fluid-permeable strip allows for uniform radial flow of cooling air into the interior of the aerosol-generating article, along the article's periphery. This can improve the mixing of volatile compounds from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates, which is advantageous. This can improve the stability of inhaled aerosols during use of the device or between periods of use.

Preferably, the fluid-permeable section of the outer wall of the rod may have an axial length of 0.2 to 4 millimeters, or more preferably 0.2 to 2.5 millimeters, or more preferably 0.2 to 1.8 millimeters, or more preferably 0.2 to 1.5 millimeters. Limiting the axial length of the fluid-permeable section of the outer wall of the rod may facilitate focusing the mixing of volatile compounds released from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates through the fluid-permeable section.

The fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod may extend downstream of the first aerosol-forming substrate by no more than 4 millimeters, or preferably no more than 2.5 millimeters, or more preferably no more than 1.8 millimeters, or more preferably no more than 1.5 millimeters, or more preferably no more than 0.2 millimeters, which is convenient. Limiting the fluid-permeable portion so that it extends downstream of the first aerosol-forming substrate by no more than the specified distance allows for mixing of the volatile compounds released from the first and second aerosol-forming substrates immediately downstream of the first aerosol-forming substrate in the rod. This helps ensure that when the mixed stream reaches the mouthpiece end of the rod, the user receives an inhaled vapor that is thoroughly mixed, which improves the user's sensation.

The second aerosol-forming substrate contained in the cartridge is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. The volatile compounds can be released upon heating of the second aerosol-forming substrate. The second aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid, or contain both solid and liquid components. Preferably, the second aerosol-forming substrate is liquid.

The second aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a plant-based material. The second aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco. The second aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a tobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavor compounds that are released from the second aerosol-forming substrate upon heating. In an alternative embodiment, the second aerosol-forming substrate may preferably comprise a non-tobacco-containing material.

The second aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol former. The aerosol former is any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, during use, promotes the formation of a dense and stable aerosol and is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the system. Suitable aerosol formers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydric alcohols such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and glycerol; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol mono-, di-, or triacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di-, or polycarboxylic acids such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate. Preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols or mixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, and most preferably glycerol. The aerosol-forming substrate may contain other additives and ingredients such as fragrances.

The second aerosol-forming substrate can be loaded onto the carrier or support by adsorption, coating, impregnation, or other means. In one example, the aerosol-forming substrate is a liquid substrate held in a capillary material. The capillary material can have a fibrous or spongy structure. The capillary material preferably comprises a capillary bundle. For example, the capillary material can comprise a plurality of fibers, filaments, or other tubes with narrow channels. The fibers or filaments can be generally aligned to transport liquid to the heater. Alternatively, the capillary material can comprise a sponge-like or foam-like material. The structure of the capillary material forms a plurality of small channels or tubes through which liquid can move due to capillary action. The capillary material can comprise any suitable material or combination of materials. Examples of suitable materials include sponge or foam materials, ceramic or graphite-based materials in the form of fibers or sintered powders, foamed metal or plastic materials, fibrous material, such as those made from spun or extruded fibers such as cellulose acetate, polyester or bonded polyolefin, polyethylene, terylene or polypropylene fibers, nylon fibers, or ceramics. The capillary material may have any suitable capillarity and porosity for use with liquids having different physical properties. The liquid has physical properties, including, but not limited to, viscosity, surface tension, density, thermal conductivity, boiling point, and vapor pressure, that allow the liquid to move through the capillary material by capillary action.

The aerosol-generating system may further comprise a second heating means configured to heat, during use, a second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate-accommodating portion. The second heating means may heat the second aerosol-forming substrate using either or both inductive and resistive heating. Power to the second heating means may be supplied by the same power source as the first heating means.

In one example of a version of the second heating means with inductive heating, at least some portion of the second substrate placement portion may comprise a current-receiving portion. The device may comprise an inductor coil adjacent to or surrounding the current-receiving portion. During use, electrical power supplied to the inductor coil (e.g., by the aforementioned power source of the device) causes the coil to induce eddy currents in the current-receiving portion. These eddy currents, in turn, lead to the generation of heat in the current-receiving portion of the first substrate placement portion. Electrical power is supplied to the inductor coil in the form of an alternating magnetic field. The alternating current may have any suitable frequency. The alternating current may preferably be high-frequency alternating current. The alternating current may have a frequency from 100 kilohertz (kHz) to 30 megahertz (MHz).

In one embodiment of the second heating device with induction heating described above, the second substrate placement section may not have a current collector. Instead, the current collector may be implemented as part of the cartridge. In such embodiments, the device still contains an inductor coil.

The cartridge may comprise a housing whose outer surface surrounds an aerosol-forming substrate. At least a portion of the outer surface may be formed by a fluid-permeable current-collecting element. The current-collecting element may have a plurality of openings therein to allow fluid to pass through. In particular, the current-collecting element may allow the aerosol-forming substrate, either in the gaseous phase or in both the gaseous and liquid phases, to pass through. The current-collecting element may be in the form of a sheet extending through an opening in the cartridge housing. The current-collecting element may extend around the perimeter of the cartridge housing. The current-collecting element may be located on a wall of the cartridge housing, configured to be positioned near the inductor when the cartridge housing is engaged with the device housing. In operation, it will be advantageous to have the current-collecting element located close to the inductor coil to maximize the voltage induced in the current-collecting element.

In one example of a version of the second heating means with induction heating, the cartridge comprises a resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may be arranged to surround the second substrate placement area such that the resistive heating element surrounds the first aerosol-generating substrate located in the first substrate placement area. In an alternative embodiment, the resistive heating element may be formed as part of the cartridge. In such embodiments, the aerosol-generating device and the cartridge may comprise electrical connections that enable connection between the device's power source and the cartridge's second heating means when the cartridge is located in the second substrate placement area.

If the cartridge comprises a capillary material as described above, said capillary material may be configured to transfer a second aerosol-forming substrate to a current-receiving element or a resistive heating element of the cartridge.

The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.

Example 1. An aerosol generating device for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol generating substrate and an aerosol from a second aerosol generating substrate, wherein said aerosol generating device comprises a housing, wherein the housing forms:

a first substrate placement section for placing a first aerosol-forming substrate, and a second substrate placement section for placing a second aerosol-forming substrate;

a primary air flow path passing through the first substrate placement area; and

an additional air flow path passing through the device such that, during use, the additional air flow path is fluidly connected to a second aerosol-forming substrate located in a second substrate placement area;

wherein the additional air flow path merges with the main air flow path in the junction area further downstream from the first substrate placement area.

Example 2. An aerosol generating device according to example 1, wherein the additional air flow path is separated from the main air flow path upstream of the connection.

Example 3. An aerosol generating device according to example 1 or 2, in which the first substrate placement section is configured to accommodate a section of the aerosol generating article containing the first aerosol forming substrate.

Example 4. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 1-3, wherein the second substrate placement section is configured to accommodate a second aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 5. An aerosol generating device according to example 4, in which the second substrate placement section is configured to accommodate a removable container or cartridge containing a liquid storage section containing a second aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 6. An aerosol generating device according to example 4, in which the second substrate placement section forms a liquid storage section formed integrally with the rest of the aerosol generating device.

Example 7. An aerosol generating device according to any one of examples 1-6, wherein the housing of the device forms a cavity wall that forms a cavity, and wherein at least some portion of the cavity forms a first substrate placement portion.

Example 8. An aerosol generating device according to example 7, in which the cavity wall may preferably comprise a shape corresponding to the shape of the aerosol generating article which it is designed to accommodate.

Example 9. An aerosol generating device according to example 8, wherein the cavity wall is tubular.

Example 10. An aerosol generating device according to example 8 or 9, wherein the cavity wall is cylindrical.

Example 11. An aerosol generating device according to any one of examples 7-10, wherein the cavity wall comprises a fluid-permeable region.

Example 12. An aerosol generating device according to example 11, in which the fluid-permeable region of the cavity wall is located downstream from the first substrate placement area.

Example 13. An aerosol generating device according to example 11 or 12, wherein the fluid-permeable region is located immediately downstream from the first substrate placement area.

Example 14. An aerosol generating device according to example 11 or 12, wherein the fluid-permeable region is located at an axial distance from the first substrate placement area, and the gap between the fluid-permeable region and the first substrate placement area is less than 5 millimeters, preferably less than 2 millimeters.

Example 15. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 11-14, wherein the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall comprises one or more of: a porous material, a plurality of slits, or a plurality of openings.

Example 16. An aerosol generating device according to any one of examples 11-15, wherein the cavity wall is tubular and the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall comprises at least one annular fluid-permeable strip.

Example 17. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 7-16, wherein the cavity is provided with an open end and a closed end.

Example 18. An aerosol generating device according to example 17, in which the aerosol generating device is configured to accommodate an aerosol generating article containing a first aerosol forming substrate through the open end of the tubular cavity in the longitudinal direction.

Example 19. An aerosol generating device according to example 18, wherein the main air flow path passes through the cavity and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Example 20. An aerosol generating device according to example 18 or 19, wherein the additional air flow path is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis where the additional air flow path merges with the main air flow path.

Example 21. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 1-20, wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a first heating means configured to heat, during use, a first aerosol-forming substrate located in a first substrate placement area.

Example 22. An aerosol generating device according to example 21, wherein the first heating means heats the first aerosol-forming substrate by one or both of inductive heating and resistive heating, and the device comprises a power source for supplying electrical power to the first heating means.

Example 23. An aerosol generating device according to example 22, wherein the power source is a battery.

Example 24. An aerosol generating device according to example 23, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

Example 25. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 21-24, wherein the first heating means comprises an induction coil adjacent to or surrounding the first substrate placement portion.

Example 26. An aerosol generating device according to example 25, wherein at least some portion of the first substrate placement portion comprises a current receiving portion.

Example 27. An aerosol generating device according to example 26, wherein the first substrate placement portion forms at least a portion of the cavity wall.

Example 28. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 25-27, wherein the inductor coil is a helical coil that surrounds the first substrate placement area that contains the current receiving area.

Example 29. An aerosol generating device according to example 28, in which the induction coil surrounds the current-receiving portion radially outward from the current-receiving portion.

Example 30. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 21-24, wherein the first heating means comprises a resistive heating element.

Example 31. An aerosol generating device according to example 30, in which the resistive heating element is arranged to surround the first substrate placement area such that the resistive heating element surrounds the first aerosol-forming substrate placed in the first substrate placement area.

Example 32. An aerosol generating device according to example 30 or 31, wherein the resistive heating element has the form of a sleeve.

Example 33. An aerosol generating device according to example 30, in which the resistive heating element is arranged so that it protrudes into the first aerosol-forming substrate with the possibility of being inserted during use into the interior of the placed aerosol-generating article.

Example 34. An aerosol generating device according to example 33, wherein the resistive heating element may be in the form of a blade.

Example 35. An aerosol generating device according to any of examples 21-34, further comprising a second heating means configured to heat, during use, a second aerosol-forming substrate located in a second substrate placement area.

Example 36. An aerosol generating device according to example 35, wherein the second heating means is configured to heat the second aerosol-forming substrate by means of either one or both of inductive and resistive heating.

Example 37. An aerosol generating device according to example 35 or 36, wherein

at least a portion of the second substrate placement section may comprise a current-receiving portion.

Example 38. An aerosol generating device according to example 35 or 36, wherein the second heating means comprises a resistive heating element.

Example 39. An aerosol generating device according to example 38, wherein the resistive heating element is arranged to surround the second substrate placement area such that the resistive heating element surrounds the second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement area.

Example 40. An aerosol generating system comprising:

an aerosol generating device according to any one of examples 1-39;

an aerosol-generating article comprising a first aerosol-forming substrate, wherein said aerosol-generating article is configured to be placed in a first substrate placement area of an aerosol-generating device; and

a cartridge containing a second aerosol-forming substrate, wherein said cartridge is configured to be positioned in the second substrate placement area.

Example 41. An aerosol generating system according to example 40, wherein the first aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 42. An aerosol generating system according to examples 40 or 41, wherein the first aerosol forming substrate comprises nicotine.

Example 43. An aerosol generating system according to any of examples 40-42, wherein the aerosol forming substrate comprises tobacco.

Example 44. An aerosol generating system according to any of examples 40-43, wherein the aerosol generating article forms a rod.

Example 45. An aerosol generating system according to example 44, wherein the rod comprises a first aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 46. An aerosol generating system according to example 45 or 46, wherein the outer wall of the rod comprises a fluid-permeable region.

Example 47. An aerosol generating system according to example 46, in which the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod is located downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate.

Example 48. An aerosol generating system according to example 47, in which the housing of the aerosol generating device comprises a cavity wall defining a cavity, wherein at least some portion of the cavity wall defines a first substrate placement area, wherein the cavity wall comprises a fluid-permeable region downstream from the first substrate placement area, and wherein the fluid-permeable portion of the rod is configured to coincide with the fluid-permeable portion of the cavity wall when the aerosol generating article is placed in the cavity.

Example 49. An aerosol generating system according to any of examples 46-48, wherein the rod of the aerosol generating article has a mouthpiece end and a distal end, wherein the mouthpiece end is located downstream from the distal end.

Example 50. An aerosol generating system according to example 49, wherein the first aerosol forming substrate is located at or closer to the distal end than the mouthpiece end.

Example 51. An aerosol generating system according to any of examples 46-50, wherein the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod may comprise one or more of a porous material, a plurality of slits, or a plurality of openings.

Example 52. An aerosol generating system according to any of examples 46-51, wherein the fluid-permeable portion of the outer wall of the rod comprises at least one annular fluid-permeable strip.

Below we will provide further examples with reference to figures in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the aerosol generating device shown in Fig. 1; in Fig. 2, the aerosol generating article and the cartridge are placed in the aerosol generating device, wherein the device,

an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating article, and a cartridge together form an aerosol generating system;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the cavity of the aerosol generating device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, shown separately from the rest of the device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the aerosol generating article shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5a, 5b and 5c show three different vertical side views of the aerosol generating article shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention, wherein the aerosol generating article and the cartridge are housed in the aerosol generating device; and

Fig. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an aerosol generating device according to the present invention, wherein the aerosol generating article and the cartridge are housed in the aerosol generating device.

Fig. 1 shows an aerosol generating device 100. The device 100 has a housing 101. An activation button 102 is built into the housing 101.

As shown in Fig. 2, a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery 103 is located inside a housing 101. Control electronics 104 are also located inside the housing 101. Control electronics 104 are placed adjacent to the rechargeable battery 103. The housing 101 has a tubular cavity 105 extending in the interior of the device 100. The cavity 105 is defined by a tubular wall 106 of the cavity extending inside the device 100 along a longitudinal axis 107. The cavity 105 has an open end 108 and a closed end 109, wherein the open and closed ends are located at opposite ends of the cavity. The cavity 105 is configured to receive an aerosol-generating article 200 through the open end 108 along the longitudinal axis 107. In Fig. 2, an aerosol-generating article 200 containing a first aerosol-forming substrate 205 is placed in a cavity. The housing 101 is equipped with a movable lid 110 that can be moved to expose or cover the open end 108 of the cavity 105. In Fig. 1, the lid 110 is shown in a closed position, in which the open end of the cavity 105 is closed. In Fig. 2, the lid 110 is shown in an open position, in which the open end of the cavity 105 is open and, accordingly, can receive the aerosol-generating article 200.

As shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the tubular wall 106 of the cavity has a lower portion 106a and an upper portion 106b. The lower portion 106a is a first substrate receiving portion configured to receive the distal end of the aerosol-generating article 200, which contains an aerosol-generating substrate. The lower portion 106a is formed from a material different from the material of the upper portion 106b. The lower portion 106a is formed from a material that has the ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it into heat. Thus, for this embodiment, the lower portion 106a is a current-receiving portion. Accordingly, the terms "lower portion" and "current-receiving portion" are used interchangeably for the reference numeral 106a. In this example, the current-receiving portion 106a is formed from steel. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the current-receiving portion 106a may be formed from other materials capable of absorbing electromagnetic energy and converting it into heat. In other embodiments, the lower portion 106a (i.e., the first substrate placement portion) may be only partially formed from a material capable of absorbing electrostatic energy and converting it into heat. The remainder of the lower portion 106a may be formed from a heat-conducting material suitable for conducting heat away from the current-receiving portion and toward the receiving article generating the aerosol. In any case, the inductive coil 111 surrounds the lower portion 106a along the periphery.

The upper section 106b of the tubular wall 106 is formed from a polymeric material. The annular region of the upper section 106b of the tubular wall 106 of the cavity 105 is provided with uniformly distributed openings passing radially through the tubular wall to form an annular fluid-permeable strip 112. The annular fluid-permeable strip 112 and the current-collecting section 106a are shown more clearly in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 2, a single air inlet 115 is formed in the lower surface of the housing 101 immediately below the closed end 109 of the cavity 105, and the main air flow path 209 passes from the air inlet 115 to an opening formed in the closed end 109 of the cavity 105, and then through the cavity 105 and, in particular, through the aerosol-generating article 200 placed in the cavity. In Fig. 2, fluid flow lines are added showing how air entering through the air inlet 115 fluidly connects with the closed end 109 of the cavity 105.

The aerosol generating device further comprises a second substrate accommodating portion 120. As shown in Fig. 2, a cartridge 122 containing a second aerosol-forming substrate 124 is positioned in the second substrate accommodating portion. The second aerosol-forming substrate 124 is a liquid and, accordingly, the cartridge 122 can be considered as a liquid storage portion. The cartridge 122 is removable from the second substrate accommodating portion 120 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. In other embodiments, the second accommodating portion 120 may itself form a liquid storage portion that is integral with the rest of the device.

As shown in Fig. 2, the cartridge 122 further comprises a heating element 126. In this embodiment, the heating element 126 is a resistive heating element and is permeable to a fluid. The resistive heating element is configured to be connected to a battery via electrical contacts on the cartridge 122, which are configured to be connected to electrical contacts located in the second substrate placement portion 120. The electrical contacts of the cartridge are in contact with the electrical contacts of the second substrate placement portion when the cartridge 122 is positioned in the substrate placement portion 120. The electrical contacts are not shown, nor are any wires shown connecting the electrical contacts of the second substrate placement portion 120 to the battery or connecting the electrical contacts of the cartridge to the resistive heating element 126.

The second aerosol-forming substrate 124 is fed to the heating element 126 by gravity. A capillary material (not shown) may also be provided in the cartridge, which may hold the second aerosol-forming substrate 124. The capillary material may move the second aerosol-forming substrate 124 toward the heating element 126. The capillary material may fill the cartridge 122.

In some embodiments, the resistive heating element 126 may be replaced with a current-receiving element, and the device may comprise a second inductor coil configured to generate heat in said current-receiving element during use. In some embodiments, the heating element may be provided in the second housing region, rather than in the cartridge, allowing heat to be conducted from the second housing region to the cartridge.

As shown in Fig. 2, an additional air flow path is formed between an air inlet 114 located in the side wall of the housing 101. As shown by the fluid flow lines in Fig. 2, air entering the housing 101 through the air inlet 114 flows through the interior of the housing and thereby communicates fluidly with the annular fluid-permeable strip 112. The additional air flow path passes through the fluid-permeable heating element 126. Thus, the additional air flow path is in fluid communication with the second aerosol-forming substrate 124 contained in the cartridge 122 when the cartridge is positioned in the second substrate housing portion 120 (as shown in Fig. 2).

The aerosol generating article 200 is shown more clearly in the perspective view shown in Fig. 4. The aerosol generating article 200 has the shape of an elongated cylindrical rod. Accordingly, the terms "aerosol generating article" and "rod" are used interchangeably for the item number 200. The aerosol generating article 200 has a distal end 201 and a mouthpiece end 202. The aerosol generating article 200 has a wrapper 203 made of tissue paper. The wrapper 203 forms the outer wall of the rod 200. As shown in Fig. 5b and 5c, the porous front plug 204, the plug made of the aerosol-forming substrate 205, and the tubular main element 206 are assembled sequentially and coaxially inside the wrapper 203. The porous front plug 204 is located at the distal end 201. The plug made of the aerosol-forming substrate 205 is located immediately downstream of the front plug. The tubular main element 206 is located immediately downstream of the plug made of the aerosol-forming substrate 205 and extends in the direction of the mouthpiece end 202. In the embodiment shown, the hollow interior 207 of the tubular main element 206 is free of obstructions, such as the mouthpiece filter element, forming an empty space. Thus, the hollow interior 207 means that the interior of the rod 200, between the downstream end of the aerosol-forming substrate 205 and the mouthpiece end 202, forms an unobstructed flow path. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the filter element may be located inside the rod 200 adjacent to the mouthpiece end 202. For the embodiment shown and described herein, the aerosol-forming substrate 205 is a solid substrate containing tobacco. The annular region of the wrapper 203 is provided with uniformly distributed openings extending radially through the tubular wall to form an annular fluid-permeable strip 208 in the wrapper 203 (i.e., the outer wall) of the rod 200.

The aerosol-generating article 200 shown in the figures and described herein is a smoking article intended for use with an aerosol-generating device 100 to generate an aerosol from an aerosol-forming substrate 205 for inhalation by the user. The aerosol-generating device 100 is reusable, while the aerosol-generating article 200 is disposable and intended for single use only.

The main air flow path 209 mentioned above passes through the aerosol-forming substrate 205 and along the hollow interior of the tubular main element 206. The additional air flow path 210 passes through the said annular fluid-permeable strip 208 to the mixing region 211 located inside the rod 200. The mixing region 211 is located where the main and additional air flow paths 209, 210 coincide and merge, their respective fluid flows are mixed and combined with each other, which will be described in more detail below.

During use, the user will first slide the sliding cover 110, thereby exposing the open end of the cavity 108 of the cavity 105. The user will then insert a fresh, unused aerosol-generating article 200 into the cavity 105 through the open end 108 until the distal end 201 of the article touches the closed end 109 of the cavity. In this position, the aerosol-generating article 200 is said to be positioned in the cavity 105 of the aerosol-generating device 200. The user can also insert a removable cartridge into the second aerosol-containing portion 220 or replace it. However, since the removable cartridge will typically contain enough second aerosol-forming substrate for several uses, this may not be necessary. The combination of the aerosol generating device 100, the cartridge 122 and the aerosol generating article 200 forms an aerosol delivery system. When the aerosol generating article 200 is placed in the cavity 106, the annular fluid-permeable strip 112 of the tubular wall 106 of the cavity 105 coincides with the annular fluid-permeable strip 208 of the wrapper 203 of the aerosol generating article 200. Further, when the aerosol generating device 200 is placed in the cavity 106, the plug of the aerosol generating substrate 205 is located completely inside the current-receiving portion 106b (i.e., the first portion of substrate placement) and the inductance coil 111.

When the user presses the activation button 102, the control electronics 104 controls the supply of electrical power from the rechargeable battery 103 to the inductor coil 111 and the heating element 126. The resulting electrical current through the inductor coil 111 induces eddy currents in the steel current-collecting section 106a. These eddy currents, in turn, lead to heating of the current-collecting section 106a. Heat from the current-receiving section 106a is radiated to the aerosol-generating article 200 located in the cavity 105. Since the plug of the aerosol-generating substrate 205 is located entirely within the current-receiving section 106a and the induction coil 111, the heat from the current-receiving section is radiated to the wrapper 203 of the aerosol-generating article 200 and is conducted to the plug of the aerosol-generating substrate 205. Subsequent heating of the aerosol-generating substrate 205 causes the substrate to emit a first aerosol. Simultaneously, an electric current through the resistive heating element 126 causes the heating of said heating element. Heat from the heating element 126 is transferred to the second aerosol-generating substrate 124 located in contact with or near the heating element 126. Subsequent heating of the aerosol-forming substrate 120 causes the substrate to release a second aerosol.

The control electronics 104 are configured to regulate the temperature of the susceptor portion 106b and the heating element 126 in accordance with predetermined thermal profiles that are optimized for the first and second aerosol-generating substrates, respectively. After the susceptor portion 106a has reached a temperature high enough to release the aerosol from the plug of the aerosol-generating substrate 205, and the temperature of the heating element 126 has become high enough to ensure the release of the aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate contained in the cartridge 120, the user can draw on the mouthpiece end 202 of the aerosol-generating article 200 to produce suction at the mouthpiece end. Each draw that the user makes on the aerosol-generating article 200 is typically referred to as a "draw."

The suction generated by the user drawing on the mouthpiece end 202 draws air into the aerosol generating device 100 through the inlet 115 and through the main air flow path 209 so that it is carried through the closed end 109 of the cavity 105 and enters the aerosol generating article 200 through the porous front plug 204 and then through the plug made of the aerosol forming substrate 205. This air is captured by the aerosol formed from the first aerosol forming substrate 205 due to the heating of the current collecting section 106a and continues to flow along the first air flow path 209, eventually exiting from the downstream end of the plug made of the aerosol forming substrate 205 into the mixing region 211.

The suction generated by the user drawing on the mouthpiece end 202 also causes external air to be drawn into the housing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100 through the air inlet 114 and thus passes through the additional air flow path 210 and, accordingly, into the interior of the housing 101 and past the heating element 126. As the air passes the heating element 126, the air is captured by the aerosol released from the second aerosol forming substrate 124 due to heating by the heating element. This air then moves further towards and through the annular fluid-permeable strip 112 formed in the upper portion 106b of the tubular wall 106 of the cavity 105. The coincident alignment of the annular fluid-permeable strip 112 formed in the tubular wall 106 of the cavity 105 of the device 100 with the annular fluid-permeable strip 208 formed in the wrapper 203 of the aerosol-generating article 200 causes a large amount of air to flow through the fluid-permeable strip 112, then pass through the radial gap separating the tubular wall 106 and the article 200, and along the second air flow path 210 through the fluid-permeable strip 208. In this way, air entrained in the aerosol released from the second aerosol-generating substrate can be fed through the inside of the casing 101 of the aerosol generating device 100 and then fed into the inside of the aerosol generating article 200 located in the cavity 105. After passing through the annular fluid-permeable strip 208 formed in the wrapper 203 of the article 200, the air captured by the emitted aerosol from the second aerosol generating substrate enters the mixing region 211.

In the mixing region 211, the heated aerosol emitted from the first aerosol-forming substrate flowing along the first air flow path 209 is mixed with the heated aerosol emitted from the second aerosol-forming substrate flowing along the additional air flow path 210. It is important that since the fluid-permeable strip 112 is located downstream from the first substrate placement portion 106a and the fluid-permeable strip 208 of the aerosol-generating article is located downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate 205, the aerosol emitted from the second aerosol-forming substrate does not pass through the first aerosol-forming substrate. Instead, the second aerosol enters the mixing chamber immediately downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate. This promotes optimal mixing of the first and second aerosols. The mixed stream is cooled in the mixing chamber and then flows further downstream along the hollow interior 207 of the tubular main element 206 of the aerosol generating article and towards the mouthpiece end 202 for inhalation by the user.

For the aerosol-generating article 200 shown in the figures, said annular fluid-permeable strip 208 has an axial length L ₂₀₈ of 4 millimeters, wherein the upstream end of the annular strip 208 coincides with the downstream end of the plug made of aerosol-forming substrate 205. In alternative embodiments, the axial length L ₂₀₈ may be as little as 0.2 millimeters. The aerosol-generating article 200 shown in the figures has a length from approximately 30 millimeters to approximately 100 millimeters.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the aerosol generating device 400. Many of the features of the aerosol generating device 400 shown in Fig. 6 are the same as those of the device in Fig. 2, and the same reference numbers are used for identical features. A difference in this embodiment is that the device 400 does not contain a current collector. Instead, the current collector 402 is formed inside the substrate of the aerosol generating article 404. The current collector 402 is made of steel. Since the current collector 402 is located inside the substrate of the aerosol generating article, if said article is placed in the cavity 105, it is surrounded by an induction coil 111. Thus, during use, the induction coil 111 creates eddy currents in the steel current collector 402, which leads to heating of the current collector 402 and leads to the release of the first aerosol by the substrate. The control electronics 104 are configured to regulate the temperature of the current collector 402 in accordance with a specified temperature profile.

In other respects, the aerosol generating device 400 operates similarly to the aerosol generating device 100, such that the aerosol emitted from the first aerosol-forming substrate is entrained by air passing through the main air flow path and is thereby mixed with air passing through the secondary air flow path in a mixing region downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate, so that it is then inhaled by the user.

Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of an aerosol-generating device 500. Many features of the aerosol-generating device 500 shown in Fig. 7 are the same as those of the device in Fig. 2, and the same reference numbers are used for identical features. A difference in this embodiment is that the device 500 uses a resistive heating unit to heat the first aerosol-forming substrate. The resistive heating unit comprises a heating blade 502 electrically connected to a rechargeable battery. The heating blade comprises electrical tracks 504 formed on a thermally conductive substrate 506. The electrical tracks are conductive and are formed from a material having a suitable resistance to heat up when an electric current is passed through it. The heating blade 502 protrudes from the closed end of the cavity 105 in such a way that when the aerosol-generating article 501 is placed in the cavity 105, the heating blade 502 penetrates the aerosol-generating article so that it is placed in the first aerosol-forming substrate. During use, the control electronics 104 controls the supply of electrical power from the rechargeable battery 103 to the heating blade 502. This causes the electrical tracks 504 to heat up, and the heat is transferred to the heat-conducting substrate 506 and the first aerosol-forming substrate of the aerosol-generating article. The control electronics 104 is configured to regulate the temperature of the heating blade 502 in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile.

In other respects, the aerosol generating device 500 functions similarly to the aerosol generating device 100, such that the aerosol emitted from the first aerosol-forming substrate is entrained by air passing through the main air flow path and is thereby mixed with air passing through the secondary air flow path in a mixing region downstream from the first aerosol-forming substrate, so that it is then inhaled by the user.

For the purposes of the present description and the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc., are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about." Furthermore, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Therefore, in this context, the number "A" is understood as "A" ± 10% of "A." In this context, the number "A" may be considered to include numerical values that are within the common standard error for measuring the property that the number "A" modifies. The number "A" used in the appended claims may, in some instances, deviate by the percentages indicated above, provided that the amount by which "A" deviates does not materially affect the essential and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. In addition, all ranges include disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween that may or may not be specifically listed herein.

Claims (20)

1. An aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device for simultaneously generating an aerosol from a first aerosol-forming substrate and an aerosol from a second aerosol-forming substrate, wherein said aerosol generating device comprises a device housing, wherein the device housing forms: a first substrate placement section for placing a first aerosol-forming substrate, and a second substrate placement section for placing a second aerosol-forming substrate; a primary air flow path passing through the first substrate placement area; and an additional air flow path passing through the device such that, during use, the additional air flow path is fluidly connected to a second aerosol-forming substrate located in a second substrate placement area; wherein the additional air flow path merges with the main air flow path in the junction area further downstream from the first substrate placement area; wherein the aerosol generating system further comprises an aerosol generating article comprising a first aerosol forming substrate, wherein said aerosol generating article is configured to be placed in the first substrate placement area of the aerosol generating device; and a cartridge containing a second aerosol-forming substrate, wherein said cartridge is configured to be positioned in the second substrate placement area; wherein the aerosol generating article forms a rod, and the outer wall of the rod comprises a fluid-permeable region downstream of the first aerosol generating substrate. 2. The aerosol generating system of claim 1, wherein the housing of the aerosol generating device comprises a cavity wall defining the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the cavity wall defines a first substrate receiving portion; wherein the cavity wall comprises a fluid-permeable region downstream of the first substrate receiving portion; and wherein the fluid-permeable region of said rod is configured to coincide with the fluid-permeable region of the cavity wall when the aerosol generating article is placed in the cavity. 3. An aerosol generating system according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the device comprises a cavity wall that forms a cavity, wherein at least a portion of the cavity wall forms a first substrate placement portion. 4. The aerosol generating system of claim 3, wherein the cavity wall comprises a fluid-permeable region downstream of the first substrate placement area, and wherein the second air flow path passes through said fluid-permeable region. 5. An aerosol generating system according to claim 4, characterized in that the region permeable to the fluid medium is formed by regions of the cavity wall that are made of one or more of: a porous material, a plurality of slits, and a plurality of openings. 6. An aerosol generating system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the fluid-permeable region is an annular strip formed in the wall of the cavity. 7. An aerosol generating system according to any one of paragraphs 3-6, characterized in that the cavity is provided with an open end and a closed end, and the cavity is designed with the possibility of placing the first aerosol-forming substrate through the open end in the longitudinal direction. 8. The aerosol generating system of claim 7, wherein the additional air flow path is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis where the additional air flow path merges with the main air flow path. 9. An aerosol generating system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said aerosol generating device further comprises a first heating means configured to heat, during use, a first aerosol-forming substrate located in a first substrate placement area. 10. The aerosol generating system of claim 9, wherein the first heating means comprises an induction coil adjacent to or surrounding the first substrate placement area, and the device further comprises a power source configured to supply alternating current to the induction coil. 11. An aerosol generating system according to claim 10, characterized in that the first substrate placement section contains a current-receiving material. 12. The aerosol generating system according to claim 9, characterized in that the first heating means comprises a resistive heater and a power source configured to supply current to said resistive heater. 13. An aerosol generating system according to any one of claims 9-12, further comprising a second heating means configured to heat, during use, a second aerosol-forming substrate located in the second substrate placement area.