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WO2024245962A1 - Article for generating aerosol - Google Patents

Article for generating aerosol Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024245962A1
WO2024245962A1 PCT/EP2024/064445 EP2024064445W WO2024245962A1 WO 2024245962 A1 WO2024245962 A1 WO 2024245962A1 EP 2024064445 W EP2024064445 W EP 2024064445W WO 2024245962 A1 WO2024245962 A1 WO 2024245962A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
article
aerosol
outer casing
generating
air intake
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/064445
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jerome Uthurry
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Publication of WO2024245962A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024245962A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/40—Constructional details, e.g. connection of cartridges and battery parts
    • A24F40/48—Fluid transfer means, e.g. pumps
    • A24F40/485—Valves; Apertures
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors

Definitions

  • an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate.
  • volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source to the aerosol-generating substrate and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosolgenerating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.
  • a number of handheld aerosol-generating devices configured to heat aerosol-generating substrates of heated aerosol-generating articles are known in the art. These include electrically- operated aerosol-generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from one or more electrical heating elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosolgenerating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating article.
  • Known handheld electrically operated aerosol-generating devices typically comprise a battery or other power source, control electronics and one or more electrical heating elements for heating the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article designed specifically for use with the aerosolgenerating device.
  • the article may comprise an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end.
  • the air intake may establish a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article.
  • the article may comprise one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • Each air passageway may be defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the article comprises an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end.
  • the air intake establishes a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article.
  • the article comprises one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • Each air passageway is defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an article or aerosol-generating article as described herein and an aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosolgenerating device comprises a heating chamber.
  • the article is configured to be received within the heating chamber.
  • the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article.
  • the distal end of the article is closed.
  • the provision of a body having a closed distal end may prevent or restrict aerosol-generating material dislodged from the aerosol-generating substrate compartment from exiting the distal end of the article during handling of the article or from exiting into the heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device during use of the article.
  • an airflow into the article may be primarily supplied during use by an air intake located away from the distal end, instead of or in addition to through the distal end.
  • aerosol-generating device is used to describe a device that interacts with the aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.
  • the device may heat the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.
  • the article or aerosol-generating article has a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating article for delivery to a user.
  • the proximal end of the aerosolgenerating article may also be referred to as the downstream end or mouth end of the aerosolgenerating article.
  • a user draws directly or indirectly on the proximal end of the aerosolgenerating article in order to inhale an aerosol generated by or within the aerosol-generating article.
  • Components of the article or aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal end of the article or aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the article or aerosolgenerating article.
  • width is used to describe the maximum dimension of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article in the transverse direction. Where the article or aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the article or aerosol-generating article corresponds to a diameter of the aerosol-generating article. Where a component of the article or aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the component of the article or aerosolgenerating article corresponds to a diameter of the component of the article or aerosol-generating article.
  • nicotine is used to describe nicotine, a nicotine base or a nicotine salt.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a nicotine base or a nicotine salt
  • amounts of nicotine recited herein are the amount of free base nicotine or amount of protonated nicotine, respectively.
  • tobacco cut filler is used to describe an aerosol-generating substrate comprising a plurality of strands of tobacco lamina. Where the aerosol-generating substrate is tobacco cut filler, the average width of the plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material is the mean cut width of the tobacco cut filler.
  • homogenised plant material is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate plant material.
  • Homogenised plant material may be formed by agglomerating particles of plant material obtained by pulverising, grinding or comminuting plant material.
  • Homogenised plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making processes or other suitable processes known in the art.
  • homogenised tobacco material is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco material.
  • a hollow tubular element provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular element provides a negligible level of resistance to draw (RTD).
  • RTD resistance to draw
  • the term “negligible level of RTD” is used to describe an RTD of less than 1 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element, less than 0.4 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element, or less than 0.1 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element.
  • the flow channel should therefore be free from any components that would obstruct the flow of air in a longitudinal direction.
  • the flow channel may be substantially empty.
  • the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article is expressed with the units of pressure ‘mm WG’ or ‘mm of water gauge’ or ‘mm H2O’ and is measured in accordance with ISO 6565-2015 at a volumetric flow rate of 17.5 millilitres per second at the proximal end of the article or aerosol-generating article or the component thereof at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of 101 kPa (760 Torr) and a relative humidity of 60%.
  • the article preferably comprises a body extending between a closed distal end and an open mouth end.
  • the distal end of the article may be referred to in the present disclosure as an upstream end.
  • the mouth end of the article may be referred to in the present disclosure as a downstream end.
  • the article, or body thereof may comprise two mating parts, components, or casings.
  • the first mating part may be an outer casing and the second mating part may be an inner component or an inner casing.
  • the article, or body thereof, may comprise an outer casing extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end of the article.
  • the outer casing may comprise a closed distal end.
  • the outer casing may comprise an open mouth end.
  • the closed distal end of the outer casing may define the closed distal end of the article.
  • the open mouth end of the outer casing may define the open mouth end of the article.
  • the outer casing may comprise a wrapper, or a series of wrappers, extending longitudinally between the distal and mouth ends of the article.
  • the outer casing may comprise a tube or an outer tube.
  • the outer tube or tube may comprise a closed distal end and an open mouth end.
  • the closed distal end of the outer casing may be substantially impermeable (air or fluid impermeable, or air-impermeable).
  • the outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a polymeric material.
  • the outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a plastic material.
  • the outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a biodegradable material.
  • the outer casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable.
  • the material of the outer casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable.
  • impermeable may refer to “air-impermeable”.
  • the outer casing may be hollow.
  • the article may comprise an inner component configured to be received within the outer casing.
  • the inner component may comprise a known component of an aerosol-generating article such as a hollow tubular segment, a filter segment, a support segment, an aerosol-cooling segment or a filter segment.
  • the outer periphery of the inner component may engage with the internal surface of the outer casing, preferably along a portion of the length of an air passageway, as described in the present disclosure.
  • the internal surface of the outer casing may refer to the internal surface of the peripheral or circumferential wall of the outer casing, which is preferably cylindrical or tubular.
  • the distal end of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to abut against the closed distal end of the outer casing.
  • the distal end of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to abut against the interior of a closed distal end of the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be longitudinally moveable relative to the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be slidable relative to the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be detachable or removable from the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be repeatedly detachable or removable from the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be detachable or removable from outer casing via the mouth end of the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be rotatable relative to the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing.
  • a portion of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the interior of the outer casing. This ensures that the inner component or inner casing may be aligned within the outer casing during use. This also ensures that the inner component or inner casing does not inadvertently move or slide relative to the outer casing during use.
  • the outer periphery of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the internal surface of the outer casing may refer to the internal surface of the peripheral or circumferential wall of the outer casing, which is preferably cylindrical or tubular. A clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between a portion of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • Such a clearance fit or a sliding fit may establish a relatively airtight fit between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing such that no air or aerosol is drawing through a gap between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • An airtight fit may be established between a portion of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • the greatest width or diameter of the inner component or inner casing may substantially correspond to an internal width or diameter of the outer casing. This may ensure engagement, at least partially, or contact between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured such that a space is defined between an internal surface of the outer casing or outer tube and an external surface of the inner casing or inner tube.
  • the empty space may be annular.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise one or more sections, wherein adjacent sections of the inner component or inner casing may have one or both of different external diameters and different internal diameters.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise a distal section.
  • the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may also be referred to as the distal end section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise a mouth section.
  • the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing may also be referred to as the mouth end section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise an intermediate section between the distal and mouth sections.
  • a diameter or width of the distal section may be less than a diameter or width of the intermediate section.
  • a diameter or width of the intermediate section may be less than a diameter or width of the mouth section.
  • a diameter of the mouth section may approximately correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • a diameter of the mouth section may be greater than the internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • a diameter of the mouth section may be correspond to the external diameter of the outer casing.
  • a diameter of the intermediate section may approximately correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing. This allows the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing to center the inner component or inner casing concentrically with respect to the outer casing.
  • the mouth section may be located outside of the outer casing when the body of the article is assembled. The upstream end of the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the downstream or proximal end of the outer casing.
  • a diameter or width preferably refers to the greatest measurable diameter or width.
  • a clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • a clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • Such a clearance fit or a sliding fit may establish a relatively airtight fit between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing such that no air or aerosol is drawing through a gap between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • An airtight fit may be defined between the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. This ensures that air does not prematurely exit from the article at the mouth end between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing, bypassing any aerosol-generating substrate located within the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • both the distal and intermediate sections may be located within the outer casing. In other words, both the distal and intermediate sections may be circumscribed by the outer casing.
  • the mouth section may be located within the outer casing. In other words, at least a portion of the mouth section may be circumscribed by the outer casing.
  • the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may abut the outer casing. The mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may define the mouth end of the body or article. In other words, the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may not be circumscribed by or received within the outer casing.
  • the article may comprise a mouthpiece element.
  • the mouthpiece element may be coupleable to the inner component or inner casing.
  • the mouthpiece element may be coupleable to mouth section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the mouthpiece element may be a filter element.
  • the mouthpiece element may comprise filtration material.
  • the article comprises an aerosol-generating compartment (or aerosol-generating substrate compartment) for receiving or holding aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined by the outer casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined at or by the closed distal end of the article or body.
  • the aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined at or by the closed distal end of the outer casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined by the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined by the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an empty space or cavity for receiving or holding aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined within the outer casing.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined at and within the closed distal end of the article.
  • the aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined between the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an annular space between the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment and the cavity thereof may be defined upon receipt of the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment and the cavity thereof may be defined upon assembly of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • the outer casing may comprise an upstream portion or section and a downstream or distal portion or section.
  • the distal end of the distal section of the outer casing is a closed end.
  • the downstream section of the outer casing and the upstream section of the outer casing may be separable from each other and coupleable to each other.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise an upstream portion or section and a downstream portion or section.
  • the downstream portion or section of the inner component or inner casing may coincide with a portion of or all of the distal section.
  • the downstream section of the inner component or inner casing and the upstream section of the inner component or inner casing may be separable from each other and coupleable to each other.
  • the downstream or distal section of the outer casing may define the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define a unit.
  • the distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define a cartridge unit.
  • Such a cartridge unit may define the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define the aerosolgenerating compartment.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined between distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an annular space between distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the cartridge may comprise aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the cartridge may be replaceable.
  • the cartridge may be disposable.
  • the article, or body thereof comprises an outer casing and an inner component or inner casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be separable from each other.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be removeable from the outer casing.
  • the article may be assembled by engaging or mating the outer casing and inner component or inner casing together.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be received within the outer casing. Aerosol-generating substrate may be inserted into the outer casing.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of assembly of an article for generating aerosol or an aerosol-generating article.
  • An aerosol-generating substrate may be inserted into an outer casing.
  • An inner component or inner casing may be received within an outer casing.
  • An inner component or inner casing may be inserted into an outer casing.
  • the article, or the body thereof, comprises an air intake.
  • the outer casing may comprise an air intake located along its length.
  • the air intake may comprise one or more openings, apertures or holes extending through the outer casing.
  • the air intake may comprise one or more openings provided through a peripheral wall of the outer casing.
  • the air intake may comprise a series of apertures extending circumferentially around the outer casing.
  • the air intake may comprise a series of apertures extending entirely around the outer casing.
  • the apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the outer casing.
  • the apertures may be aligned with each other.
  • the apertures may be evenly distributed around the outer casing.
  • Such an air intake provides fluid communication between the interior of the outer casing and the exterior of the article.
  • Such an air intake provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the exterior of the article.
  • Such an air intake may be configured to provide a primary airflow intake into the article during use.
  • Such an air intake may be
  • the article may further comprise a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion.
  • the cover portion may overlie a portion of the air intake to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the air intake, and one or any openings thereof.
  • the article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the air intake to allow the ingress of air into the article.
  • the article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is removable.
  • the article may comprise a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, and the cover portion may extend to the transverse line of weakness.
  • the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be breakable along the transverse line of weakness to allow the movement of at least a part of the cover portion away from the air intake.
  • the air intake may be located at least 5 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located at least 10 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located at least 15 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located no further than 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located no further than 25 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located no further than 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 5 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 5 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 5 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 10 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 10 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 10 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 15 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 15 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located between 15 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located at least 50 mm from the distal end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located at least 60 mm from the distal end of the article.
  • the air intake may be located at least 65 mm from the distal end of the article.
  • the position of the air intake may be such that the air intake is exposed when the article is received by an aerosol-generating device, while minimising the likelihood of a user occluding the air intake during use.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise an air outlet located along its length.
  • the air outlet may be located along the distal section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may be located at the distal section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may be located at the distal end of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may be located no further than 10 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may be located no further than 5 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may be located no further than 3 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing.
  • Providing the air outlet at, around, or in close proximity to the distal end of the inner component or inner casing may ensure that air travelling from the air intake to the air outlet encounters the aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment, and minimises air bypassing it and exiting the article without mixing with aerosol.
  • the air outlet may be provided by one or more openings extending through a distal end face of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube.
  • the air outlet may be provided by an opening of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube, wherein the opening may be at the distal end of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube and may be defined by a peripheral wall of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube.
  • the air outlet may comprise one or more openings or apertures extending through the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may comprise a series of apertures extending circumferentially around the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air outlet may comprise a series of apertures extending entirely around the inner component or inner casing.
  • the apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the apertures may be aligned with each other.
  • the apertures may be evenly distributed around the outer casing.
  • the apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the inner component or inner casing.
  • Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the exterior of the inner component or inner casing and the interior of the inner component or inner casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the interior of the inner component or inner casing and the interior of the outer casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the interior of the inner component or inner casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing, which may coincide with the mouth end of the article. The air outlet may be in fluid communication with the air intake.
  • the inner component or inner casing may effectively define an outlet air channel or passageway between the air outlet and the mouth end of the article. Such an air channel may be uninterrupted or unobstructed.
  • An air channel, or an intake air channel or passageway may be defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing.
  • Such an air channel may be defined between the outer casing and the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the air channel may be in fluid communication with the air intake.
  • the air channel may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the intermediate section may have a diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • the air channel may be defined by an empty annular space or cavity defined between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. Such an air channel may be uninterrupted or unobstructed.
  • An air intake of the article may comprise a plurality of apertures or openings extending through the outer casing.
  • An air outlet of the article may comprise a plurality of apertures or openings extending through the inner component or inner casing.
  • An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least two apertures.
  • An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 5 apertures.
  • An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 10 apertures.
  • An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 20 apertures.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95.
  • Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state.
  • the measuring of the RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95.
  • Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state.
  • the measuring of the RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9.
  • the ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95.
  • Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state.
  • the measuring of the RTD of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
  • the inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article.
  • the inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article.
  • the inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article.
  • Such a resistance-to-draw relationship may improve user experience and more closely emulate the experience of existing heat-not-burn systems, while providing an article that may be reusable by having an aerosol-generating substrate compartment that may be refillable.
  • the provision of such an air intake may allow for a corresponding aerosol-generating device with less complex airflow management features and where the article may be securely received within the device in a tight fit manner.
  • air may only flow through the air intake under a high pressure draw. Therefore, the risk of air inadvertently entering the article and the aerosol-generating compartment without a user drawing on the article may be reduced and may prolong the shelf life of any aerosol-generating substrate present in the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 3.5 square millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 2 square millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 1 square millimetre.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.07 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.1 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.25 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.5 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 2 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 2 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 2 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 1 .5 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 1 millimetre.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 1 millimetre.
  • An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 1 millimetre.
  • air may be drawn through such an air intake into the space or air channel defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing, particularly, the intermediate section thereof.
  • the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing.
  • the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing.
  • the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may contact the outer casing.
  • a maximum width or diameter of the intermediate section may correspond to a minimum internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise one or more grooves.
  • the one or more grooves may be provided on the external surface of the inner component or inner casing.
  • One or more grooves may be provided in the wall of the inner component or inner casing.
  • One or more grooves may be provided on the external surface of the inner component or inner casing wall.
  • the one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the one or more grooves may extend into the wall of the inner component or inner casing by a certain depth.
  • the one or more grooves may define one or more corresponding air passageways.
  • Such air passageways may be defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing. Such air passageways may also be referred to as airflow passageways.
  • the one or more grooves may be circumscribed by the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein.
  • the one or more grooves may be entirely circumscribed by the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein.
  • the one or more grooves may be entirely located within the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein.
  • one or more grooves may define one or more raised portions or ridges extending longitudinally along the inner component or inner casing.
  • a raised portion or ridge may be defined between two grooves.
  • a groove may be defined between two raised portions.
  • the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may engage or contact with the outer casing. Such engagement or contact may center the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing, even when the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing is not located within the outer casing.
  • Such engagement or contact between the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may prevent air flowing between the ends or peaks of the raised portions or ridges and an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosolgenerating compartment.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce airflow into the article via the air intake.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be configured to at least partially or totally obstruct the air intake.
  • the external surface of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to at least partially or totally obstruct the air intake.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be configured to enable airflow through the air intake by at least partially or totally overlapping the one or more grooves with the apertures or openings of the air intake.
  • the air intake may overlie the one or more grooves and the one or more raised portions of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to obstruct fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to obstruct the apertures of the air intake.
  • the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to underlie or coincide with the apertures of the air intake.
  • the inner component or inner casing may be rotated such that the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may not obstruct fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to underlie or coincide with the apertures of the air intake. This allows a user to reduce air exposure of any aerosol-generating substrate in order to increase shelf life by rotating the inner component or inner casing and effectively closing the air intake and to also adjust the degree of the obstruction of the apertures of the air intake so as to adjust the RTD of the article.
  • the article may have a first configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing do not overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the article may have a first configuration, in which the inner component or inner casing, or external surface thereof, overlaps the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing so as to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the article may have a second configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing at least partially or completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, thereby substantially enabling fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the article may have an intermediate configuration, which is defined by a partial overlap between each one of the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and each one of the holes or apertures of the air intake. In such an intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article is greater than the resistance to draw of the article in a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing.
  • One or more grooves may be provided on an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • One or more grooves may be provided in the wall of the outer casing.
  • One or more grooves may be provided on the internal surface of the outer casing wall.
  • the one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the outer casing.
  • the one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the outer casing that is arranged to overlie the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the one or more grooves may extend into the wall of the outer casing by a certain depth.
  • the one or more grooves may define one or more corresponding air passageways. Such air passageways may be uninterrupted or unobstructed. Such air passageways may be defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing.
  • the one or more grooves may be located between the air intake (in other words, the air intake of the outer casing) and the distal end of the outer casing.
  • a maximum width or diameter of the intermediate section may correspond to a minimum internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • the minimum internal diameter of the outer casing may correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing measured where the maximum wall thickness of the outer casing is located.
  • An entrance of an air passageway may be defined by the downstream end of a groove.
  • An exit of an air passageway may be defined by the upstream end of a groove.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may form part of the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet. In other words, the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may partly define the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet. In other words, air must preferably travel through such one or more air passageways in order to reach the air outlet or the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • one or more grooves may define one or more raised portions or ridges extending longitudinally along the outer casing.
  • a raised portion or ridge may be defined between two grooves.
  • a groove may be defined between two raised portions.
  • the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing may engage or contact with the inner component or inner casing. Such engagement or contact may center the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing, even when the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing is not located within the outer casing.
  • one or more grooves may define one or more raised portion or ridges extending longitudinally along the outer casing.
  • a raised portion or ridge may be defined between two successive grooves.
  • a groove may be defined between two successive raised portions or ridges.
  • the inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least two grooves.
  • the inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 4 grooves.
  • the inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 6 grooves.
  • the inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 10 grooves.
  • the inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 12 grooves.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 25 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 25 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • Both the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may comprise one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, extending longitudinally along each casing, as described above.
  • the inner component or casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface of the inner component or casing and the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component may define a grooved section of the inner component and the grooves of the outer casing may define a grooved section of the outer casing.
  • the grooved section of the inner component may be configured to be located downstream of the grooved section of the outer casing.
  • the grooved section of the inner component may be configured to abut the grooved section of the outer casing.
  • the grooved section of the inner component or casing may be configured to engage or make contact with an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the outer casing may be provided upstream (in other words, closer to the distal end of the article) of the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing may be provided on the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the outer casing may be provided in between the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing and the aerosolgenerating compartment.
  • the external diameter or width of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may vary.
  • the corresponding longitudinal sections of the inner and the outer casings having one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, may be referred to as grooved sections.
  • the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing.
  • the maximum external diameter or width of the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing.
  • the grooved section of the outer casing may engage with the inner component or inner casing, in particular the intermediate section thereof.
  • the minimum internal diameter or width of the outer casing at the grooved section may correspond to an external diameter of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the grooved section of the outer casing.
  • the upstream or distal end of the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the downstream or proximal end of the grooved section of the outer casing.
  • Engagement or contact between the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing may prevent air flowing between the ends or peaks of the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing and an outer surface of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the outer casing may comprise the same number of grooves as the inner component or inner casing.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least two grooves.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least 4 grooves.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least 6 grooves.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least 10 grooves.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least 12 grooves.
  • the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially prevent or restrict fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially prevent or restrict fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the article may have a configuration, which may be defined by a complete misalignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
  • the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the article may have a second configuration, which may be defined by a complete alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
  • the article may have an intermediate configuration, which may be defined by a partial alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
  • the resistance to draw of the article may be greater than the resistance to draw of the article in the second configuration.
  • the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may rotate with respect to each other.
  • the alignment or overlap of the air passageways defined by the grooves of the inner component or casing and the outer casing may be varied.
  • Such an alignment or overlap preferably refers to a cross-sectional alignment or overlap.
  • the alignment of each of the air passageways of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may each define another air passageway, or a combined air passageway.
  • Each combined air passageway may be defined by at least a partial or total alignment or overlap, preferably cross- sectional alignment or overlap, between a groove of the inner component or inner casing and a groove of the outer casing.
  • the article may have a configuration where air flow travelling towards the aerosolgenerating compartment may be blocked.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be rotated to be completely misaligned with the grooves of the outer casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be aligned with the ridges or raised portions of the outer casing such that the ridges or raised portions of the outer casing obstruct the exits (in other words, upstream or distal ends) of the grooves of the inner component or inner casing.
  • the article may have a configuration where the upstream or distal ends of the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be partially obstructed by the raised portions of the outer casing.
  • a user may vary the overall RTD of the article by rotating the inner component or inner casing relative to the outer casing and varying the degree of alignment or cross-sectional overlap of the air passageways defined by the internal grooves (in other words, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing) of the article.
  • combined air passageways may be defined along the alignment, either partial or complete, of the individual air passageways of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
  • an entrance of an air passageway may be defined by the downstream end of a groove.
  • An exit of an air passageway may be defined by the upstream end of a groove.
  • one or more air passageways may be defined by corresponding one or more grooves of the outer casing.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the grooved section of the outer casing and the one or more air passageways defined by the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may be arranged longitudinally sequential to each other.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may form part of the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may partly define the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may provide, in combination, fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet.
  • the total or partial alignment of the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing with the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the total or partial alignment of the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing with the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet.
  • air must preferably travel through such one or more air passageways in order to reach the air outlet or the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the inner component or inner casing may comprise at least two grooves. As a result, the inner component or inner casing may comprise at least two ridges or raised portions.
  • the outer casing may comprise at least two grooves. As a result, the outer casing may comprise at least two ridges or raised portions.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may have the same cross-sectional area and profile as the grooves of the outer casing.
  • the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may have the same cross-sectional area and profile as the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing. This allows for a configuration where the inner component or inner casing may be rotated into a position where the air passageways defined by the grooves of the inner component or inner casing can be fully obstructed by the raised portions of the outer casing to prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • the cross-sectional profile, length and depth of the grooves of the article may be contribute towards the resistance-to-draw (RTD) characteristics of the article.
  • the cross-sectional profile of the grooves may be triangular or that of an annular sector. If the cross-sectional profile of the grooves is triangular, the cross-sectional profile of the raised portions or ridges may be triangular. If the cross-sectional profile of the grooves is equivalent to that of an annular sector, the cross-sectional profile of the raised portions or ridges may also be equivalent to that of an annular sector.
  • the end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be flat. The end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be pointed. The end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be rounded.
  • the RTD of the article may be adjusted by rotating the inner component or casing and the outer casing relative to each other and adapting the amount of overlap or alignment between the grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the grooves of the outer casing.
  • the article of the present disclosure is configured to receive or hold aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an article as described herein comprising an aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate compartment of the article may hold the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more aerosol-generating materials.
  • the expressions “aerosol-generating substrate” and “aerosol-generating material” may be used interchangeably.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may be a solid aerosol-generating substrate or material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of homogenised plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of homogenised tobacco material.
  • the term “shred” denotes an element having a length substantially greater than a width and a thickness thereof.
  • Shreds of homogenised plant or tobacco material may be formed from a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, for example, by cutting or shredding.
  • Shreds of homogenised plant or tobacco material may be formed by other methods, for example, by extrusion.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of homogenised plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of homogenised tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenised plant material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenised tobacco material.
  • the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may each individually have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may have been one or more of crimped, folded, gathered, and pleated.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may be tobacco cut filler.
  • Crimping, folding, gathering, or pleating of the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may cause splitting of the one or more sheets of tobacco material to form shreds of plant or tobacco material.
  • the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may be crimped to such an extent that the integrity of the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material becomes disrupted at the plurality of parallel ridges or corrugations causing separation of the material, and results in the formation of shreds of plant or tobacco material.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may be a gel aerosol-generating substrate or material.
  • Strands of gel material may be formed by cutting or shredding a sheet of gel material. Strands of gel material may be formed by other methods. For example, strands of gel material may be formed by extrusion.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise nicotine.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise natural nicotine, or synthetic nicotine, or a combination of natural nicotine and synthetic nicotine.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least 0.5 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 .5 percent by weight of nicotine, or at least 2 percent by weight of nicotine. That is, the aerosol-generating substrate may have a nicotine content of at least 0.5 percent by weight, at least 1 percent by weight, at least 1 .5 percent by weight, or at least 2 percent by weight.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise less than or equal to 10 percent by weight of nicotine, less than or equal to 8 percent by weight of nicotine, less than or equal to 6 percent by weight of nicotine, or less than or equal to 4 percent by weight of nicotine. That is, the aerosolgenerating substrate may have a nicotine content of less than or equal to 10 percent by weight, less than or equal to 8 percent by weight, less than or equal to 6 percent by weight, or less than or equal to 4 percent by weight.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises an aerosol former.
  • the aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol.
  • the aerosol former may be substantially resistant to thermal degradation at temperatures typically applied during use of the aerosol-generating article.
  • Suitable aerosol formers are for example: polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol, propylene glycol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as, for example, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate; and combinations thereof.
  • the aerosol former comprises one or more of glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least about 5 percent, at least about 10 percent, or at least about 12 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise less than or equal to about 30 percent, less than or equal to about 25 percent, or less than or equal to about 20 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the article may comprise a susceptor.
  • the body of the article may comprise a susceptor.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate compartment may comprise a susceptor.
  • the aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the susceptor is arranged in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. Thus, when the susceptor heats up, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the susceptor to generate an aerosol.
  • the susceptor may be arranged in direct physical contact with the aerosolgenerating substrate.
  • the susceptor may be in the form of a pin, rod, strip or blade.
  • the susceptor may be in the form of particulate material or granules.
  • the susceptor may be embedded within or mixed with the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating material.
  • the susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the susceptor may comprise a metal or carbon.
  • the susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel.
  • a suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium.
  • the susceptor may be formed from 400 series stainless steels, for example grade 410, or grade 420, or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials will dissipate different amounts of energy when positioned within electromagnetic fields having similar values of frequency and field strength.
  • parameters of the susceptor such as material type, length, width, and thickness may all be altered to provide a desired power dissipation within a known electromagnetic field.
  • the susceptor may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius.
  • Suitable susceptors may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, for example metallic tracks formed on a surface of a ceramic core.
  • a susceptor may have a protective external layer, for example a protective ceramic layer or protective glass layer encapsulating the susceptor.
  • the susceptor may comprise a protective coating formed by a glass, a ceramic, or an inert metal, formed over a core of susceptor material.
  • the susceptor may be a multi-material susceptor and may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material.
  • an aerosol-generating substrate may be present in the aerosol-generating compartment. This may be done by inserting aerosol-generating substrate in the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may then be inserted into the outer casing. The aerosolgenerating substrate may be retained in the aerosol-generating compartment defined between the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The aerosolgenerating substrate located within the aerosol-generating compartment may be heated in an aerosol-generating device, which has a heating chamber configured to receive the article. The air intake defined on the outer casing may not be obstructed when the article is received in an aerosol-generating device.
  • a user may draw on the mouth end of the article in order to draw aerosol from the article.
  • air may enter into the outer casing of the article via the air intake and travel between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing towards the aerosolgenerating compartment of the article. Air may travel over the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing towards the distal section of the inner component or inner casing.
  • aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment may release volatile compounds that can generate an aerosol. Air can mix with such aerosol in the aerosol-generating compartment and travel through the air outlet provided on the inner component or inner casing towards the user’s mouth upon exiting the mouth end of the article.
  • the present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating system comprising an article or aerosol-generating article as described herein and an aerosol-generating device.
  • providing an article or an aerosol-generating article having a closed distal end may prevent inadvertent exit of aerosol-generating material into the heating chamber of the device. This may reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance of the heating chamber of the device and any potential cross-contamination between different aerosolgenerating articles received within the same heating chamber.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing.
  • the housing may extend between a first end and a second end.
  • the housing may be a rigid housing.
  • the housing may define a heating chamber for removably receiving the article.
  • the heating chamber may be defined by a closed first end and an open second end. The open second end of the heating chamber may be located at the second end of the aerosol-generating device.
  • the heating chamber may extend between its closed first end and its open second end. An article may be inserted into the heating chamber, via the open end of the heating chamber.
  • the heating chamber may be cylindrical in shape.
  • an air intake of the article When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to be exposed.
  • an air intake of the article When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to not be located within the heating chamber of the device.
  • an air intake of the article When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to be located outside of the heating chamber of the device.
  • the air intake of the article preferably refers to the air intake of the article.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater or a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate when the article is received within the heating chamber.
  • the article or aerosol-generating article may be arranged to be inductively heated by the aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment of the article may be arranged to be inductively heated by the aerosol-generating device.
  • the heater may comprise an inductive heating arrangement.
  • the inductive heating arrangement may comprise an inductor coil and a power supply configured to provide high frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil.
  • the article or aerosol-generating article may be arranged to be resistively heated by the aerosol-generating device.
  • the aerosol-generating compartment of the article may be arranged to be resistively heated by the aerosol-generating device.
  • the heater may comprise at least one resistive heating element.
  • the heater may comprise a plurality of resistive heating elements.
  • the resistive heating elements may be electrically connected in a parallel arrangement.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source for supplying power to the heater.
  • the aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater.
  • the controller may be configured to cause the heater to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article during use.
  • the controller may be configured to cause the heater to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article when the article is received within the heating chamber.
  • the aerosol-generating device may be configured so that the heater is arranged to externally heat the article.
  • the aerosol-generating device may be configured so that the heater is arranged to externally heat the aerosol-generating article.
  • An article for generating an aerosol having a mouth end and a distal end and comprising: an aerosol-generating compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; and an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosolgenerating compartment and the mouth end, the air intake establishing a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the aerosol-generating compartment; preferably, the mouth end is a closed mouth end, and preferably, the distal end is an open distal end.
  • EX6 An article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises an outer casing and an inner component or inner casing configured to be received within the outer casing.
  • EX7 An article according to example EX6, wherein the outer casing has an open mouth end and a closed distal end, wherein the closed distal end of the outer casing defines the closed distal end of the article.
  • EX8 An article according to any preceding example, further comprising one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment, each air passageway being defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • EX9 An article according to example EX8, wherein the inner component or casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface, optionally at least two grooves, optionally at least four grooves, optionally at least six grooves.
  • EX10 An article according to example EX8 or EX9, wherein the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface, optionally at least two grooves, optionally at least four grooves, optionally at least six grooves.
  • EX1 1.
  • EX12 An article according to example EX11 , wherein the grooves of the inner component define a grooved section of the inner component and the grooves of the outer casing define a grooved section of the outer casing, wherein the grooved section of the inner component is configured to be located downstream of the grooved section of the outer casing.
  • EX14 An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX13, wherein the grooved section of the inner component or casing is configured to engage or make contact with an internal surface of the outer casing.
  • EX15 An article according to any one of examples EX6 to EX14, wherein the inner component and the outer casing are configured to be slidable, movable, detachable, or rotatable relative to each other.
  • EX16 An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX15, wherein each air passageway is defined by at least a partial or total alignment or overlap, preferably cross-sectional alignment or overlap, between a groove of the inner component or casing and a groove of the outer casing.
  • EX17 An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX16, wherein the article has a first configuration, which is defined by a complete misalignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
  • EX20 An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX19, wherein in the intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article is greater than the resistance to draw of the article in the second configuration.
  • EX22 An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX21 , wherein the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing are configured to cooperate with each other to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX23 An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX22, wherein the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing are configured to cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX24 An article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX23, wherein the inner casing comprises a distal section, a mouth section and an intermediate section located between the distal section and the mouth section.
  • EX26 An article according to example EX24 or EX25, wherein the diameter or width of the intermediate section is less than a diameter or width of the mouth section.
  • EX29 An article according to any one of examples EX8 to EX28, wherein the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner casing, optionally the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner casing, optionally the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner casing.
  • EX33 An article according to any preceding example, wherein the inner component is slidable with respect to the outer casing, wherein, upon sliding the inner component away from the proximal end of the outer casing, the air intake is defined between the outer casing and the inner component.
  • EX34 An article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX32, wherein the air intake is provided on an external surface of the article.
  • EX35 An article according to example EX34, wherein the air intake is defined by a plurality of apertures extending through the outer casing.
  • EX36 An article according to example EX34 or EX35, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX36 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX36, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX37 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX36, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce airflow into the article via the air intake.
  • EX39 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX38, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to enable airflow through the air intake by at least partially or totally overlapping the one or more grooves with the apertures or openings of the air intake.
  • EX40 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX39, wherein the article has a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing do not overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, optionally, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX41 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX40, wherein the article has a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing at least partially or completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, optionally, thereby substantially enabling fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX42 An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX41 , wherein the article has an intermediate configuration, which is defined by a partial overlap between each one of the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and each one of the holes or apertures of the air intake.
  • EX44 An article according to any preceding example, wherein the distal end of the inner component is configured to abut against the interior of the closed end of the outer casing.
  • EX45 An article according to any preceding example, wherein the article further comprises an air outlet located within the article, the air outlet establishing a fluid communication from the aerosol-generating compartment to the mouth end of the article.
  • each air intake aperture of the air intake has an area of at least 0.005 square millimetres, optionally at least 0.01 square millimetres, optionally at least 0.5 square millimetres.
  • each air intake aperture of the air intake has an area no greater than 3.5 square millimetres, optionally no greater than 2 square millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 square millimetre.
  • each air intake aperture of the air intake has a diameter of at least 0.07 millimetres, optionally at least 0.1 millimetres, optionally at least 0.25 millimetres, optionally at least 0.5 millimetres.
  • each air intake aperture of the air intake has a diameter no greater than 2 millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 .5 millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 millimetre.
  • EX52 An aerosol-generating article comprising the article of any preceding example and aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • EX53 An aerosol-generating article according to EX52, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises solid aerosol-generating material.
  • EX54 A system comprising an article according to any preceding example and an aerosolgenerating device comprising a heating chamber, wherein the article is configured to be received within the heating chamber and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating compartment.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of an outer casing of an article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of an inner casing of an article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of the outer and inner casing shown in Figures 1 & 2 being assembled together to form an article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic side sectional view of the outer and inner casing shown in Figures 1 & 2 being assembled together to form an article and an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article or an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure
  • Figure 7 shows a schematic side sectional view of an aerosol-generating system according to the present disclosure, comprising the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 6;
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article or an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure (taken along cutting plane line Y-Y shown in Figures 9a & 9b);
  • Figures 9a & 9b each show a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line X-X of the article shown in Figures 8 & 11 ;
  • Figure 10 shows a partial perspective side view of the article or the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 8;
  • Figures 1 1 & 12 show schematic side sectional views of another article or aerosolgenerating article according to the present disclosure in different configurations (taken along cutting plane line Y-Y shown in Figures 9a & 9b);
  • Figure 13 shows a partial perspective side view of the article or the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 shows a partial schematic side view of another article or aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure.
  • Figure 15a shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line B-B of the article shown in Figure 14;
  • Figure 15b shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line C-C of the article shown in Figure 14;
  • Figure 15c shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line A-A of the article shown in Figure 14 in a sealed configuration
  • Figure 15d shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line B-B of the article shown in Figure 14;
  • Figure 15e shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line A-A of the article shown in Figure 14 in an open configuration
  • Figure 16 shows a partial schematic side view of another article or aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure (taken along cutting plane line E-E shown in Figure 17);
  • Figure 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line D-D of the article shown in Figure 16.
  • Figure 1 shows an elongate outer casing 108 of a body 102 of an article 101 or an aerosolgenerating article 100 of the present disclosure.
  • the outer casing 108 is tubular and has a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end.
  • An air intake (or inlet) comprising intake openings 128 is provided through the outer casing 108 at a longitudinal position.
  • the air intake may comprise four openings 128.
  • the outer casing 108 has a generally cylindrical shape.
  • FIG. 2 shows an elongate inner casing 110 of a body 102 of an article or an aerosolgenerating article of the present disclosure.
  • the inner casing 1 10 is configured to be disposed within and engage with the outer casing 108.
  • the inner casing 110 is tubular and has a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end.
  • the inner casing 110 comprises a distal section 122, a mouth section 126 and an intermediate section 124 located between the distal and mouth sections 122, 126.
  • Each section 122, 124, 126 has a generally cylindrical shape.
  • An air outlet comprising outlet openings 132 is provided through the inner casing 1 10 at a longitudinal position.
  • the air outlet is provided at the distal section 122 of the inner casing 110, preferably at about 2 mm downstream from the distal end of the inner casing 210.
  • the air outlet may comprise four openings 132.
  • the sections 122, 124, 126 of the inner casing 1 10 each have different diameters relative to each other.
  • a diameter of the mouth section 126 defines the greatest diameter of the inner casing 1 10 and corresponds to the internal diameter of the outer casing 108. This allows the mouth section 126 of the inner casing 1 10 to center the inner casing 110 concentrically with respect to the outer casing 108, as shown in Figure 3.
  • a diameter of the intermediate section 124 is less than a diameter of the mouth section 126.
  • a diameter of the distal section 122 is less than a diameter of the intermediate section 124.
  • the inner casing 110 can be inserted into the outer casing 108 to define and assemble the body 102 of the article 101 .
  • Figure 4 illustrates the inner casing 110 fully inserted into or received within the outer casing 108.
  • the inner casing 110 and the outer casing 108 are slidable relative to each other.
  • the body 102 of the article 101 has an aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is defined by an annular space 116 at the closed distal end 106 of the article 100.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is a cavity that is suitable for holding a quantity of an aerosol-generating substrate, such as solid aerosolgenerating substrate.
  • aerosol-generating substrate 20 can be inserted into the article 101 by removing the inner casing 1 10 from the outer casing 108 and placing the aerosol-generating substrate 20 inside the outer casing 108, preferably at the closed distal end 106 of the outer casing 108. Then, the inner casing 1 10 can be inserted into the outer casing 108 to define an aerosol-generating article 100, where the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 holds a quantity of aerosol-generating substrate 20, preferably solid aerosol-generating substrate.
  • Figure 6 shows the article 101 or aerosol-generating article 100 in an assembled configuration.
  • the article 100,101 has the same features as are described above with reference to any previous figures. In an assembled configuration, the article 100, 101 is prepared for consumption by a user.
  • the body 102 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is identical to the body 102, and its components (such as the inner and outer casings 108, 110), of the article 101 shown in Figures 1 to 4.
  • the mouth end of the outer casing 108 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end of the outer casing 108 of the body 102 is closed.
  • the mouth end of the inner casing 1 10 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end 106 of the inner casing 1 10 of the body 102 is closed.
  • the mouth end 104 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end 106 of the body 102 is closed. Air can flow out of the body 102 at the mouth end 104, but air cannot easily flow out of the distal end 106 of the body 102.
  • the body 102 has an outer casing 108 and an inner casing 110.
  • the outer casing 108 has an internal surface 112, and the inner casing 110 has an external surface 114.
  • the inner casing 110 is disposed inside of the outer casing 108.
  • An annular space 116 is defined between an internal surface 1 12 of the outer casing 108 and an external surface 1 14 of the inner casing 1 10.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is defined by the annular space 116 at the closed distal end 106 of the article 100.
  • the mouth section 126 of the inner casing 1 10 is located at the mouth end 104 of the body 102, the distal section 122 of the inner casing 1 10 is located at the distal end 106 of the body 102, and the intermediate section 124 of the inner casing 1 10 extends between the mouth section 124 and the distal section 124 of the inner casing 110.
  • the mouth section 126 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is substantially the same as an internal diameter of the outer casing 108. Consequently, at the mouth end 104, the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 1 14 of the inner casing 110 engage or contact with one another so that air is substantially prevented from escaping from between the inner casing 1 10 and the outer casing 108 at the mouth end 104.
  • the distal section 122 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the external diameter of the mouth section 126.
  • the distal section 122 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the internal diameter of the outer casing 108. Consequently, at the distal end 106, the internal surface 1 12 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 114 of the inner casing 110 are spaced spart from one another.
  • the middle section 124 of the inner casing 1 10 has an external diameter that is in between the external diameter of the mouth end section 126 and the distal end section 126.
  • the external diameter of the middle section 124 is smaller than the internal diameter of the outer casing 108.
  • the annular space 116 is defined between the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surfaces of the distal end section 122 and the middle section 126.
  • the body 102 has an air intake 128.
  • the air intake 128 comprises a plurality of air intake openings provided in a wall of the outer casing 108. The air intake openings are arranged in a row around the circumference of the outer casing 108.
  • a first air flow passageway 130 is defined extending between the air intake 128 and the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18.
  • the first air flow passageway 130 is defined between the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 114 of the inner casing 1 10. In this way, the air intake 128 provides fluid communication between the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 18 and an exterior of the article 100.
  • the body 102 has an air outlet 132.
  • the air outlet 132 comprises a plurality of air outlet openings provided in a wall of the inner casing 110, preferably distal section 122 thereof.
  • a second air flow passageway 134 extends between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 and the open mouth end 104 of the article 100.
  • the second air flow passageway 134 passes through the air outlet 132, and through an interior space defined by the inner casing 1 10 to the open mouth end 104. In this way, the air outlet 132 provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 and the open mouth end 104 of the article 100.
  • FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating system 700.
  • the aerosolgenerating system 700 includes the article 100 and an aerosol-generating device 702.
  • the aerosol-generating system 700 may include any articles described in the present disclosure or illustrated in the present disclosure.
  • the aerosol-generating device 702 comprises a housing 704, extending between a first, distal end 706 and a second, mouth end 707.
  • the housing 704 has a peripheral wall 71 1.
  • the peripheral wall 71 1 defines a heating chamber for receiving the article 100.
  • the heating chamber is defined by a closed first end and an open second end.
  • the second end of the heating chamber is located at the second end of the aerosol-generating device 702.
  • the article 100 is received through the second end of the heating chamber and may abut the first end of the heating chamber. As shown in Figure 7, the article 100 is received in the heating chamber.
  • the air intake 128 remains outside of the heating chamber and the aerosol-generating device 702.
  • the air intake 128 being outside of the heating chamber allows for air to be readily drawn into the article 100 through the air intake 128.
  • the aerosol-generating device 702 also includes a heater 712 and a power source 714 for supplying power to the heater.
  • the aerosol-generating device 702 also includes a controller 716 to control the supply of power from the power source 714 to the heater 712.
  • the controller 716 is configured to cause the heater 712 to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment 18 of the article 100 during use, when the article 100 is received within the heating chamber.
  • the heater 712 is arranged to externally heat the article 100.
  • aerosol-generating substrate 20 is placed into the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18.
  • the article 100 is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device 702.
  • the aerosol-generating device 702 is then activated.
  • the controller 716 causes the heater to increase in temperature and externally heat the article 100. Heating of the article 100 at the aerosol-generating compartment 18 causes volatile components of the aerosol-generating substrate 20 to vaporise.
  • An aerosol generated by vaporising the aerosol-generating substrate 20 can be drawn from the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 18 and out of the article 100 through open mouth end 104.
  • Figures 8, 9a, 9b & 10 illustrate an article 200 or aerosol-generating article 201 having a body 202.
  • the article 200, 201 primarily differs from article 100,101 in that the inner casing 210 has a different configuration.
  • the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210 comprises a plurality of grooves 207 extending along its longitudinal external surface.
  • the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210 comprises a plurality of ridges or raised portions 205, 205b extending along its longitudinal external surface.
  • a groove 207 is provided between two ridges 205, 205b.
  • a ridge 205, 205b is provided between two grooves 207. As shown, the grooves 207 and raised portions 205, 205b along the entire length of the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210.
  • the raised portions 205, 205b may take any shape or size. As shown in the example of Figure 9a, the raised portions 205 can have a triangular cross-sectional profile. The end or peak of each raised portion 205 can be pointed or rounded. As shown in Figure 9a, the peak of each raised portion 205 is pointed.
  • the raised portion 205b can alternatively have a trapezoidal cross- sectional profile.
  • the end or peak of each raised portion 205b is therefore not pointed and can define a longitudinal curved surface that matches the curved circumferential internal surface of the outer casing 108, 308 such that air may not flow between the raised portions 205b and the internal surface of the outer casing 108, 308.
  • An air passageway 230 is defined by each groove 207.
  • Each air passageway 230 extends along each groove 207 and along the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210.
  • the ridges 205, 205b may contact or engage with the outer casing 1. Air may not be able to flow over the ridges 205, 205b. In other words, air may only travel through the air passageway 230 defined by each groove 207. In use, air can enter via the openings of the air intake 128, travel through the air passageways 230 defined by the grooves 207 towards the aerosol-generating compartment 18. For simplicity, a distal portion of the article 201 , 201 is not shown in Figure 10.
  • the components of the inner casing 210 illustrated in broken lines are components located within the outer casing 108 and could hypothetically be seen if the outer casing 108 were transparent. Furthermore, for ease of illustration, a longitudinal, downstream or proximal portion of the grooves 207 and raised portions 205 is not shown. However, as shown in Figure 8, the grooves and raised portions 205 do extend to the upstream end of the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210.
  • Figures 11 , 12 and 13 together with Figures 9a & 9b illustrate an article 300 or aerosolgenerating article 301 having a body 302.
  • the article 300, 301 primarily differs from article 200, 201 in that the outer casing 308 does not comprise an air intake 128 having a plurality of openings 128 and the outer casing 308 is shorter than the inner casing 210.
  • the inner casing 210 protrudes out of the outer casing 308 as a result of the length of the outer casing 308 being shorter than the inner casing 210.
  • the mouth end of the inner casing 210 defines the mouth end of the body 302 of the article 300, 301.
  • the inner casing 210 is slidable relative to the outer casing 308 between the sealed configuration described above in relation to Figure 1 1 and an open configuration. As shown in Figures 12 & 13, the inner casing 210 is slidable relative to the outer casing 308 to an open configuration. In the open configuration, the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210 does not engage with the outer casing 308. In other words, the mouth section 226 is not received within the outer casing 308 or a portion of the mouth section 226 is not circumscribed or overlaid by the outer casing 308. The distal end of the mouth section 226 is effectively distanced longitudinally from the mouth end of the outer casing 308.
  • a downstream portion of the intermediate section 224 is exposed and an air intake is defined in the open configuration.
  • the air intake is defined by a downstream portion 329 of the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210, which is exposed to the outer environment between the mouth end 314 of the outer casing 308 and an upstream or distal end of the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210. Due to the presence and exposure of the grooves 207, air can enter the body 302 via the mouth end of the outer casing 308. Air can flow between the outer casing 308 and the inner casing 210 towards the aerosol-generating compartment 18 along air passageways 330 partly defined by a corresponding groove 207.
  • Figure 14 illustrates an article 401 or an aerosol-generating article 400 having a body 402.
  • the article 400, 401 primarily differs from article 100,101 in that the outer casing 408 and inner casing 410 have a different configuration.
  • the intermediate section 424 of the inner casing 410 comprises a plurality of grooves 407 partially extending longitudinally along a longitudinal external surface.
  • the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 410 comprises a plurality of ridges or protrusions 405 extending along its longitudinal external surface.
  • a groove 407 is provided between two ridges 405.
  • a ridge 405 is provided between two grooves 407.
  • the inner casing 410 comprises two grooves 407 and two ridges 405.
  • the outer casing 408 is shorter than the inner casing 410.
  • the inner casing 410 protrudes from the mouth end of the outer casing 408. In particular, a portion of the mouth section 426 of the inner casing 410 protrudes from the outer casing 408.
  • the outer casing 408 comprises a plurality of grooves 417 partially extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing 408.
  • the outer casing 408 comprises a plurality of ridges or protrusions 415 partially extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing 408.
  • a groove 417 is provided between two ridges 415.
  • a ridge 415 is provided between two grooves 417.
  • the outer casing 408 comprises two grooves 417 and two ridges 415.
  • the upstream or distal end of the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 can abut against the mouth or downstream end of the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408.
  • the ridges 405 do not overlie the air intake openings 428 of the outer casing 408.
  • the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410 and the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408 are substantially the same.
  • the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 and the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408 are substantially the same.
  • the inner casing 408 is rotatable relative to the outer casing 408. As shown in Figures 15a to 15e, the grooves 407 and ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 can cooperate with the grooves 417 and ridges 415 of the outer casing 410 in different configurations based on the relative positioning (rotational position) of the inner casing 410 relative to the outer casing 408.
  • the ridges 405 and ridges 415 are completely aligned so that the grooves 407, 417 are completely aligned to define an air passageway 430.
  • the cross-sectional area of the air passageway 430 is the greatest as the grooves 407, 417 are completely unobstructed.
  • the air passageway 430 is not defined and fluid communication with the aerosol-generating compartment via the air intake 428 is disabled.
  • any air passageways 430 defined by the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410 are completely obstructed by the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408.
  • the air passageways defined by the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408 are completely obstructed by the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410.
  • Figure 15e shows a configuration where the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408 partially overlap or obstruct the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410.
  • the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 partially overlap or obstruct the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408.
  • an air passageway 430 of reduced cross-section area is defined by the overlapping portions (from a cross-sectional perspective) of the grooves 407, 417.
  • Such a partially open configuration may be arrived at by rotating the inner and outer casings 410, 408 relative to each other (see Figure 15d).
  • Such a configuration may be defined by a user if there is a desire to increase the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article 400, 401 in order to adjust user experience.
  • RTD resistance to draw
  • Figures 16 & 17 illustrate an article 501 or aerosol-generating article 500 similar to that shown in Figures 8, 9a, 9b & 10.
  • Article 500, 501 differs in that the outer casing 508 is shorter than the inner casing 510.
  • the inner casing 510 protrudes from the mouth end of the outer casing 508.
  • a portion of the mouth section 526 of the inner casing 510 protrudes from the outer casing 508.
  • Article 500, 501 differs primarily in that the grooves 507 and ridges 505 overlie the air intake 528 provided on the outer casing 508.
  • the number of grooves 507 and ridges 505 matches the number of openings the air intake 528 comprises. In this example, there are four grooves 507 and ridges 505 and four air intake openings 528, as shown in Figure 17.
  • the inner casing 510 can be rotated with respect to the outer casing 508. As a result, the overlap between the ridges 505 and the air intake openings 528 can be adjusted. Similarly, the amount of overlap between the grooves 507 and the air intake openings 528 can be adjusted so as to modify the RTD of the article 500, 501.
  • the inner casing 510 can be rotated between a closed configuration where each of the ridges 505 completely overlap or obstruct a corresponding air intake opening 528 and a completely open configuration where no portion of each of the ridges 505 overlaps an air intake opening 528.
  • each groove 507 completely overlies a corresponding air intake opening 528
  • airflow cannot enter the outer casing 508 via the air intake 528.
  • no fluid communication is established between the exterior of the article 500, 501 and the aerosolgenerating compartment (not shown).
  • the article 500, 501 is in a partially open configuration.
  • the inner casing 510 can be rotated into such a configuration from either a completely closed or open configuration.
  • each of the air intake openings 528 is partially obstructed by a corresponding ridge 505. Therefore, airflow through each air intake opening 528 is partially restricted.
  • the effective size of the air intake opening 528 is reduced.
  • the effective size of an air intake opening 528 is defined by the amount of overlap between a groove 507 and the air intake opening 528, as indicated by O in Figure 17. Theoretically, the reduction in effective size of the air intake openings 528 will increase the overall RTD of the article 500, 501 compared to a completely open configuration, which is described above.
  • air flow paths, aerosol flow paths, or other fluid paths into and through the aerosol-generating articles during use are depicted with discontinuous arrows.

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an article (101, 201, 301, 401, 501) for generating an aerosol, having an open mouth end (104) and a closed distal end (106). The article comprises an outer casing (108, 308, 408, 508) extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end. The article comprises an aerosol-generating compartment (18) for holding an aerosol-generating substrate (20). The article comprises an inner component (110, 210, 410, 510) received within the outer casing. The article comprises an air intake (128, 428, 528) configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end. The air intake establishes a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article. The article comprises one or more air passageways (130, 230, 330, 430, 530) longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment. Each air passageway is defined by a corresponding groove (207, 407, 417, 507) provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.

Description

ARTICLE FOR GENERATING AEROSOL
The present disclosure relates to an article for generating an aerosol. The article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate. Upon heating or being heated, the aerosol-generating substrate produces aerosol. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating article and an aerosol-generating system comprising the article and an aerosol-generating device having a heating chamber arranged to receive and heat the article.
Aerosol-generating articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate, such as a tobaccocontaining material, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. An aim of such ‘heated’ aerosol-generating articles is to reduce certain smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco in conventional cigarettes.
Typically, in heated aerosol-generating articles an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-generating substrate. In use, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source to the aerosol-generating substrate and are entrained in air drawn through the aerosolgenerating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.
A number of handheld aerosol-generating devices configured to heat aerosol-generating substrates of heated aerosol-generating articles are known in the art. These include electrically- operated aerosol-generating devices in which an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from one or more electrical heating elements of the aerosol-generating device to the aerosolgenerating substrate of the heated aerosol-generating article. Known handheld electrically operated aerosol-generating devices typically comprise a battery or other power source, control electronics and one or more electrical heating elements for heating the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article designed specifically for use with the aerosolgenerating device.
Some known electrically-operated aerosol-generating devices comprise one or more external heating elements. For example, WO 2020/115151 A1 discloses an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device comprising an external heating element that circumscribes the outer periphery of the aerosol-generating article. Other known electrically-operated aerosol-generating devices comprise an internal heating element that is configured to be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated aerosol-generating article. Electrically-operated aerosol-generating devices comprising an inductor configured to inductively heat aerosol-generating substrates of heated aerosol-generating articles are also known in the art.
Heated aerosol-generating articles designed for use with an electrically-operated aerosolgenerating device are typically inserted into a cavity of the aerosol-generating device in order to be heated. This may cause aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article to be dislodged. Heating of the aerosol-generating substrate during use of the aerosol-generating article may result in drying of aerosol-generating material in the aerosolgenerating substrate. This may also make the aerosol-generating material more prone to dislodgement. During use of the aerosol-generating article, aerosol-generating material dislodged from the aerosol-generating substrate may fall out of the aerosol-generating article. As a result, the amount and location of aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating substrate may vary during use of the aerosol-generating article. This may adversely impact the quality and consistency of aerosol delivered to a user. During use of the aerosol-generating article, aerosolgenerating material dislodged from the aerosol-generating substrate may fall into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device. Aerosol-generating material dislodged from the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article that falls into the cavity of the aerosol-generating device may prevent or inhibit optimal functioning of the aerosol-generating device.
It would be desirable to provide an article for use with an aerosol-generating device in which the quality and consistency of aerosol delivered to a user is improved compared to known heated tobacco products. It would be desirable to provide an article for use with an aerosolgenerating device that allows optimal functioning of the aerosol-generating device and minimising of maintenance. It would also be desirable to provide an article that allows for repeated use and reduces production costs.
The present disclosure relates to an article for generating an aerosol or an aerosolgenerating article, preferably an aerosol-generating article for producing an aerosol upon heating. In other words, the present disclosure relates to an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosolgenerating device, an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, or an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device. The article may have an open mouth end and a closed distal end. The article may comprise an outer casing extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end. The article may comprise an aerosol-generating compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate. The article may comprise an inner component received within the outer casing. The article may comprise an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end. The air intake may establish a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article. The article may comprise one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment. Each air passageway may be defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
The present invention relates to an article for generating an aerosol or an aerosolgenerating article, preferably an aerosol-generating article for producing an aerosol upon heating. In other words, the present invention relates to an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device, an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, or an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device. The article has an open mouth end and a closed distal end. The article comprises an outer casing extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end. The article comprises an aerosol-generating compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate. The article comprises an inner component received within the outer casing. The article comprises an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end. The air intake establishes a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article. The article comprises one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment. Each air passageway is defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an article, as described herein, comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. In other words, the present invention relates to an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, or an aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating substrate may be located in the aerosolgenerating compartment.
The present invention relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an article or aerosol-generating article as described herein and an aerosol-generating device. The aerosolgenerating device comprises a heating chamber. The article is configured to be received within the heating chamber. The aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article.
In order to eliminate the inadvertent migration of dislodged aerosol-generating substrate material away from the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and out of the article, the distal end of the article is closed. In other words, the provision of a body having a closed distal end may prevent or restrict aerosol-generating material dislodged from the aerosol-generating substrate compartment from exiting the distal end of the article during handling of the article or from exiting into the heating chamber of an aerosol-generating device during use of the article. As a result of having a closed end, an airflow into the article may be primarily supplied during use by an air intake located away from the distal end, instead of or in addition to through the distal end.
Further, having a closed end and positioning the air intake away from the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment reduces exposure of any aerosol-generating substrate located within the compartment to ambient air from the outer environment, thereby minimising any potential degradation of the substrate when not in use or in between uses. One or more air passageways are defined by one or more corresponding grooves within the article such that the resistance to draw of such an article may be more accurately predefined during manufacturing in order to improve user experience and more closely emulate the experience of existing heat-not- burn systems, while providing an article that may be reusable by having an aerosol-generating substrate compartment that may be refillable. Furthermore, the provision of such air intake may allow for a corresponding aerosol-generating device with less complex airflow management features and where the article may be securely received within the device in a tight fit manner. The provision of grooves also allows engagement or contact between the inner component and the outer casing to provide a means for centering the inner component within the outer casing, while also allowing fluid communication between the external surface of the inner component and the internal surface of the outer casing.
As used herein, the term “article” or “article for generating aerosol” is used to describe an article configured to hold or receive an aerosol-generating substrate that is arranged to be heated in order to generate an inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user. In other words, the “article” or “article for generating aerosol” of the present disclosure is an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosolgenerating device, an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, or an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device. As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” is used to describe an article comprising an aerosolgenerating substrate that is heated to generate an inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user. In other words, the “aerosol-generating article” of the present disclosure is an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an aerosol-generating article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device, an aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, or an aerosol-generating article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device. Unless otherwise specified, features associated with an “article” are equally applicable to an “aerosol-generating article”.
As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating substrate” is used to describe a substrate comprising aerosol-generating material that is capable of releasing upon heating volatile compounds that can generate an aerosol.
As used herein, the term “aerosol” is used to describe a dispersion of solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets, in a gas. The aerosol may be visible or invisible. The aerosol may include vapours of substances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature as well as solid particles, or liquid droplets, or a combination of solid particles and liquid droplets.
As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating device” is used to describe a device that interacts with the aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. The device may heat the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol.
The article or aerosol-generating article has a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating article for delivery to a user. The proximal end of the aerosolgenerating article may also be referred to as the downstream end or mouth end of the aerosolgenerating article. In use, a user draws directly or indirectly on the proximal end of the aerosolgenerating article in order to inhale an aerosol generated by or within the aerosol-generating article.
The article or aerosol-generating article has a distal end. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The distal end of the article or aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end of the article or aerosol-generating article.
Components of the article or aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal end of the article or aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the article or aerosolgenerating article.
As used herein, the term “longitudinal” is used to describe the direction between the upstream end and the downstream end of the article or aerosol-generating article. In use, air is drawn through the aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction.
As used herein, the term “length” is used to describe the maximum dimension of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article in the longitudinal direction.
As used herein, the term “transverse” is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Unless otherwise stated, references to the “cross-section” of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article refer to the transverse cross-section.
As used herein the term “width” is used to describe the maximum dimension of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article in the transverse direction. Where the article or aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the article or aerosol-generating article corresponds to a diameter of the aerosol-generating article. Where a component of the article or aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the component of the article or aerosolgenerating article corresponds to a diameter of the component of the article or aerosol-generating article.
As used herein, the term “thickness” is used to describe the maximum dimension of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.
As used herein, the term “elongate” is used to describe a component or element having a length that is greater than the width and the thickness thereof. For example, the length of an elongate component or element may be at least twice the width thereof. An elongate component or element may have a width that is substantially the same as the thickness thereof. For example, an elongate element may have a substantially square cross-section or a substantially circular cross-section. An elongate component or element may have a width that is greater than the thickness thereof. For example, an elongate element may have a substantially rectangular crosssection or a substantially elliptical or oval circular cross-section.
As used herein, the term “susceptor” or “susceptor element” is used to describe an element comprising a susceptor material that is capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat. When located within an alternating or fluctuating electromagnetic field, at least one of hysteresis losses and eddy currents induced in the susceptor or susceptor element cause heating of the susceptor or susceptor element.
As used herein, the term “nicotine” is used to describe nicotine, a nicotine base or a nicotine salt. Where the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a nicotine base or a nicotine salt, amounts of nicotine recited herein are the amount of free base nicotine or amount of protonated nicotine, respectively.
As used herein, the term “tobacco cut filler” is used to describe an aerosol-generating substrate comprising a plurality of strands of tobacco lamina. Where the aerosol-generating substrate is tobacco cut filler, the average width of the plurality of strands of aerosol-generating material is the mean cut width of the tobacco cut filler.
As used herein, the term “homogenised plant material” is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate plant material. Homogenised plant material may be formed by agglomerating particles of plant material obtained by pulverising, grinding or comminuting plant material. Homogenised plant material may be produced by casting, extrusion, paper making processes or other suitable processes known in the art.
As used herein, the term “homogenised tobacco material” is used to describe a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco material.
As used herein, the term “gel” is used to describe a substantially dilute cross-linked material, which exhibits no flow in the steady state.
As used herein, the term "hollow tubular element" or “tube” is used to describe a generally cylindrical element having a lumen along a longitudinal axis thereof. The hollow tubular element may have a substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section. The lumen may have a substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section. In particular, the term "hollow tubular element" is used to describe an element defining at least one airflow conduit establishing an uninterrupted fluid communication between an upstream end of the hollow tubular element and a downstream end of the hollow tubular element.
In the context of the present disclosure, a hollow tubular element provides an unrestricted flow channel. This means that the hollow tubular element provides a negligible level of resistance to draw (RTD). As used herein, the term “negligible level of RTD” is used to describe an RTD of less than 1 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element, less than 0.4 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element, or less than 0.1 mm H2O per 10 millimetres of length of the hollow tubular element. The flow channel should therefore be free from any components that would obstruct the flow of air in a longitudinal direction. The flow channel may be substantially empty.
As used herein, the term “ventilation level” describes a volume ratio of the airflow admitted into the article or aerosol-generating article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and the sum of the aerosol airflow and the ventilation airflow. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to a user.
Unless otherwise stated, percentages by weight of components of the aerosol-generating substrate recited herein are based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating substrate.
Unless otherwise stated, percentages by weight of components of the aerosol-generating material recited herein are based on the dry weight of the aerosol-generating material.
Unless otherwise stated, averages values recited herein are arithmetic means.
Unless otherwise stated, the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article or aerosol-generating article or a component of the article or aerosol-generating article is expressed with the units of pressure ‘mm WG’ or ‘mm of water gauge’ or ‘mm H2O’ and is measured in accordance with ISO 6565-2015 at a volumetric flow rate of 17.5 millilitres per second at the proximal end of the article or aerosol-generating article or the component thereof at a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of 101 kPa (760 Torr) and a relative humidity of 60%.
The article preferably comprises a body extending between a closed distal end and an open mouth end. The distal end of the article may be referred to in the present disclosure as an upstream end. The mouth end of the article may be referred to in the present disclosure as a downstream end. The article, or body thereof, may comprise two mating parts, components, or casings. The first mating part may be an outer casing and the second mating part may be an inner component or an inner casing.
The article, or body thereof, may comprise an outer casing extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end of the article. The outer casing may comprise a closed distal end. The outer casing may comprise an open mouth end. The closed distal end of the outer casing may define the closed distal end of the article. The open mouth end of the outer casing may define the open mouth end of the article.
The outer casing may comprise a wrapper, or a series of wrappers, extending longitudinally between the distal and mouth ends of the article.
The outer casing may comprise a tube or an outer tube. The outer tube or tube may comprise a closed distal end and an open mouth end. The closed distal end of the outer casing may be substantially impermeable (air or fluid impermeable, or air-impermeable). The outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a polymeric material. The outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a plastic material. The outer casing may comprise or may be formed from a biodegradable material. The outer casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable. The material of the outer casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable. For the avoid of doubt, throughout the present disclosure, “impermeable” may refer to “air-impermeable”.
The outer casing may be hollow. The article may comprise an inner component configured to be received within the outer casing. The inner component may comprise a known component of an aerosol-generating article such as a hollow tubular segment, a filter segment, a support segment, an aerosol-cooling segment or a filter segment. The outer periphery of the inner component may engage with the internal surface of the outer casing, preferably along a portion of the length of an air passageway, as described in the present disclosure. The internal surface of the outer casing may refer to the internal surface of the peripheral or circumferential wall of the outer casing, which is preferably cylindrical or tubular.
The inner component may be or comprise an inner tube or inner casing. The entirety of or a portion of the inner component or inner casing may be received within the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may comprise or be formed from a polymeric material. The inner component or inner casing may comprise or be formed from a plastic material. The inner component or inner casing may comprise or be formed from a biodegradable material. The inner component or inner casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable. The material of the inner component or inner casing may be substantially fluid or air impermeable.
In the present disclosure, features described in the context of the inner casing may be equally applicable to the inner component, and vice versa.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise a closed distal end. The inner component or inner casing may comprise an open mouth end. The open mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may define the open mouth end of the article. When the inner component or inner casing is received within the outer casing, the open mouth ends of the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing may be aligned with each other. When the inner component or inner casing is received within the outer casing, the inner component or inner casing may extend beyond the open mouth end of the outer casing. In other words, a mouth end portion of the inner component or inner casing may extend or protrude beyond the outer casing. This provides a mouthpiece section for a user to drawn on during use. Additionally, the portion of the inner component or inner casing protruding or extending past the outer casing facilitates extraction of the inner component or inner casing from the outer casing. The open mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may define the open mouth end of the article.
The distal end of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to abut against the closed distal end of the outer casing. The distal end of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to abut against the interior of a closed distal end of the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing may be longitudinally moveable relative to the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may be slidable relative to the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may be detachable or removable from the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may be repeatedly detachable or removable from the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may be detachable or removable from outer casing via the mouth end of the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may be rotatable relative to the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing. In other words, a portion of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the interior of the outer casing. This ensures that the inner component or inner casing may be aligned within the outer casing during use. This also ensures that the inner component or inner casing does not inadvertently move or slide relative to the outer casing during use. The outer periphery of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the internal surface of the outer casing. The internal surface of the outer casing may refer to the internal surface of the peripheral or circumferential wall of the outer casing, which is preferably cylindrical or tubular. A clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between a portion of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. Such a clearance fit or a sliding fit may establish a relatively airtight fit between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing such that no air or aerosol is drawing through a gap between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. An airtight fit may be established between a portion of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
The greatest width or diameter of the inner component or inner casing may substantially correspond to an internal width or diameter of the outer casing. This may ensure engagement, at least partially, or contact between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured such that a space is defined between an internal surface of the outer casing or outer tube and an external surface of the inner casing or inner tube. The empty space may be annular.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise one or more sections, wherein adjacent sections of the inner component or inner casing may have one or both of different external diameters and different internal diameters.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise a distal section. The distal section of the inner component or inner casing may also be referred to as the distal end section of the inner component or inner casing. The inner component or inner casing may comprise a mouth section. The mouth section of the inner component or inner casing may also be referred to as the mouth end section of the inner component or inner casing. The inner component or inner casing may comprise an intermediate section between the distal and mouth sections. A diameter or width of the distal section may be less than a diameter or width of the intermediate section. A diameter or width of the intermediate section may be less than a diameter or width of the mouth section. A diameter of the mouth section may approximately correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing. This allows the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing to center the inner component or inner casing concentrically with respect to the outer casing. A diameter of the mouth section may be greater than the internal diameter of the outer casing. A diameter of the mouth section may be correspond to the external diameter of the outer casing. A diameter of the intermediate section may approximately correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing. This allows the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing to center the inner component or inner casing concentrically with respect to the outer casing. The mouth section may be located outside of the outer casing when the body of the article is assembled. The upstream end of the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the downstream or proximal end of the outer casing.
A diameter or width preferably refers to the greatest measurable diameter or width.
A clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. A clearance fit or a sliding fit may be established between the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. Such a clearance fit or a sliding fit may establish a relatively airtight fit between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing such that no air or aerosol is drawing through a gap between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. An airtight fit may be defined between the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. This ensures that air does not prematurely exit from the article at the mouth end between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing, bypassing any aerosol-generating substrate located within the aerosol-generating compartment.
When the inner component or inner casing is received within the outer casing (or when the body of the article is assembled), both the distal and intermediate sections may be located within the outer casing. In other words, both the distal and intermediate sections may be circumscribed by the outer casing. When the inner component or inner casing is received within the outer casing (or when the body of the article is assembled), at least a portion of the mouth section may be located within the outer casing. In other words, at least a portion of the mouth section may be circumscribed by the outer casing. Alternatively, when the inner component or inner casing is received within the outer casing (or when the body of the article is assembled), the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may abut the outer casing. The mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may define the mouth end of the body or article. In other words, the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing may not be circumscribed by or received within the outer casing.
The article may comprise a mouthpiece element. The mouthpiece element may be coupleable to the inner component or inner casing. The mouthpiece element may be coupleable to mouth section of the inner component or inner casing. The mouthpiece element may be a filter element. The mouthpiece element may comprise filtration material.
The article comprises an aerosol-generating compartment (or aerosol-generating substrate compartment) for receiving or holding aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined by the outer casing. The aerosol-generating compartment may be defined at or by the closed distal end of the article or body. The aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined at or by the closed distal end of the outer casing. The aerosol-generating compartment may be defined by the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing. The aerosol-generating compartment may be defined by the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing.
The aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an empty space or cavity for receiving or holding aerosol-generating substrate. The cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined within the outer casing. The cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may be defined at and within the closed distal end of the article. The aerosolgenerating compartment may be defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing. The aerosol-generating compartment may be defined between the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing. The cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an annular space between the outer casing and the distal portion of the inner component or inner casing. The aerosol-generating compartment and the cavity thereof may be defined upon receipt of the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing. The aerosol-generating compartment and the cavity thereof may be defined upon assembly of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
The outer casing may comprise an upstream portion or section and a downstream or distal portion or section. The distal end of the distal section of the outer casing is a closed end. The downstream section of the outer casing and the upstream section of the outer casing may be separable from each other and coupleable to each other. The inner component or inner casing may comprise an upstream portion or section and a downstream portion or section. The downstream portion or section of the inner component or inner casing may coincide with a portion of or all of the distal section. The downstream section of the inner component or inner casing and the upstream section of the inner component or inner casing may be separable from each other and coupleable to each other. The downstream or distal section of the outer casing may define the aerosol-generating compartment. The distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define a unit. The distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define a cartridge unit. Such a cartridge unit may define the aerosol-generating compartment. The distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing may define the aerosolgenerating compartment. The aerosol-generating compartment may be defined between distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The cavity of the aerosol-generating compartment may comprise an annular space between distal section of the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The cartridge may comprise aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment. The cartridge may be replaceable. The cartridge may be disposable. As discussed herein, the article, or body thereof, comprises an outer casing and an inner component or inner casing. The inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be separable from each other. The inner component or inner casing may be removeable from the outer casing. The article may be assembled by engaging or mating the outer casing and inner component or inner casing together. The inner component or inner casing may be received within the outer casing. Aerosol-generating substrate may be inserted into the outer casing.
The present disclosure provides a method of assembly of an article for generating aerosol or an aerosol-generating article. An aerosol-generating substrate may be inserted into an outer casing. An inner component or inner casing may be received within an outer casing. An inner component or inner casing may be inserted into an outer casing.
The article, or the body thereof, comprises an air intake. The outer casing may comprise an air intake located along its length. The air intake may comprise one or more openings, apertures or holes extending through the outer casing. The air intake may comprise one or more openings provided through a peripheral wall of the outer casing. The air intake may comprise a series of apertures extending circumferentially around the outer casing. The air intake may comprise a series of apertures extending entirely around the outer casing. The apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the outer casing. The apertures may be aligned with each other. The apertures may be evenly distributed around the outer casing. Such an air intake provides fluid communication between the interior of the outer casing and the exterior of the article. Such an air intake provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the exterior of the article. Such an air intake may be configured to provide a primary airflow intake into the article during use. Such an air intake may be configured to provide the only airflow intake into the article during use.
The article may further comprise a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion. The cover portion may overlie a portion of the air intake to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the air intake, and one or any openings thereof. The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the air intake to allow the ingress of air into the article. The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is removable. The article may comprise a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, and the cover portion may extend to the transverse line of weakness. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be breakable along the transverse line of weakness to allow the movement of at least a part of the cover portion away from the air intake.
The air intake may be located at least 5 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located at least 10 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located at least 15 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located no further than 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located no further than 25 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located no further than 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located between 5 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located between 5 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between 5 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located between 10 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between 10 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between 10 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located between 15 mm and 30 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between 15 mm and 25 mm from the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between 15 mm and 22 mm from the mouth end of the article.
The air intake may be located at least 50 mm from the distal end of the article. The air intake may be located at least 60 mm from the distal end of the article. The air intake may be located at least 65 mm from the distal end of the article.
The position of the air intake may be such that the air intake is exposed when the article is received by an aerosol-generating device, while minimising the likelihood of a user occluding the air intake during use.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise an air outlet located along its length. The air outlet may be located along the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may be located at the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may be located at the distal end of the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may be located no further than 10 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may be located no further than 5 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may be located no further than 3 mm from the distal end of the inner component or inner casing. Providing the air outlet at, around, or in close proximity to the distal end of the inner component or inner casing may ensure that air travelling from the air intake to the air outlet encounters the aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment, and minimises air bypassing it and exiting the article without mixing with aerosol.
The air outlet may be provided by one or more openings extending through a distal end face of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube. The air outlet may be provided by an opening of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube, wherein the opening may be at the distal end of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube and may be defined by a peripheral wall of the inner component or inner casing or inner tube. The air outlet may comprise one or more openings or apertures extending through the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may comprise a series of apertures extending circumferentially around the inner component or inner casing. The air outlet may comprise a series of apertures extending entirely around the inner component or inner casing. The apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the inner component or inner casing. The apertures may be aligned with each other. The apertures may be evenly distributed around the outer casing. The apertures may be perforations extending through the wall thickness of the inner component or inner casing.
Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the exterior of the inner component or inner casing and the interior of the inner component or inner casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the interior of the inner component or inner casing and the interior of the outer casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the interior of the inner component or inner casing. Such an air outlet provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating compartment and the mouth end of the inner component or inner casing, which may coincide with the mouth end of the article. The air outlet may be in fluid communication with the air intake. The inner component or inner casing may effectively define an outlet air channel or passageway between the air outlet and the mouth end of the article. Such an air channel may be uninterrupted or unobstructed.
An air channel, or an intake air channel or passageway, may be defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing. Such an air channel may be defined between the outer casing and the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The air channel may be in fluid communication with the air intake. The air channel may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. As mentioned above, the intermediate section may have a diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the outer casing. The air channel may be defined by an empty annular space or cavity defined between the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing. Such an air channel may be uninterrupted or unobstructed.
An air intake of the article may comprise a plurality of apertures or openings extending through the outer casing. An air outlet of the article may comprise a plurality of apertures or openings extending through the inner component or inner casing. An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least two apertures. An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 5 apertures. An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 10 apertures. An air intake or air outlet may comprise at least 20 apertures.
The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95.
Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state. Preferably, the measuring of the RTD through the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95.
Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state. Preferably, the measuring of the RTD of the air intake of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article is at least 0.5. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.6. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.7. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.75. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.8. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.9. The ratio of the resistance to draw (RTD) of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw (RTD) of the article may be at least 0.95. Such ratios may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article in an assembled state (in other words, the inner component or inner casing being assembled with the outer casing), measuring an RTD of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing, and then dividing such a measured RTD of the outer casing by the measured RTD of the article in an assembled state. Preferably, the measuring of the RTD of the outer casing by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer casing is carried out on the outer casing alone, isolated from the inner component or inner casing.
The inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article. The inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article. The inventors have found that arranging the ratio of the resistance to draw of the outer casing to the overall resistance to draw of the article to be at least 0.5 may provide a satisfactory experience for a user of such a closed ended article. Such a resistance-to-draw relationship may improve user experience and more closely emulate the experience of existing heat-not-burn systems, while providing an article that may be reusable by having an aerosol-generating substrate compartment that may be refillable. The provision of such an air intake may allow for a corresponding aerosol-generating device with less complex airflow management features and where the article may be securely received within the device in a tight fit manner. Furthermore, with such a relatively high ratio or contribution to the overall RTD of the article of the air intake, air may only flow through the air intake under a high pressure draw. Therefore, the risk of air inadvertently entering the article and the aerosol-generating compartment without a user drawing on the article may be reduced and may prolong the shelf life of any aerosol-generating substrate present in the aerosol-generating compartment.
An air intake aperture (or, opening or hole) or each air intake aperture may have an area of at least 0.005 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area of at least 0.01 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area of at least 0.5 square millimetres.
An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 3.5 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 2 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area no greater than 1 square millimetre.
An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.005 and 3.5 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.005 and 2 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.005 and 1 square millimetre. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.01 and 3.5 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.01 and 2 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.01 and 1 square millimetre. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.5 and 3.5 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.5 and 2 square millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have an area between 0.5 and 1 square millimetre.
An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.07 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.1 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.25 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter of at least 0.5 millimetres.
An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter no greater than 2 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter no greater than 1.5 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter no greater than 1 millimetre.
An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 2 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 2 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 2 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 1 .5 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.07 millimetres and 1 millimetre. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.1 millimetres and 1 millimetre. An air intake aperture or each air intake aperture may have a diameter between 0.25 millimetres and 1 millimetre.
The air intake may be configured to be provided upon sliding the inner component or inner casing out of the outer casing so as to partially expose the open mouth end of the outer casing. This may be done by sliding the inner component or inner casing out of the outer casing so that the entire mouth section of the inner component or inner casing is not circumscribed by the outer casing. In other words, this may be done by sliding the inner component or inner casing out of the outer casing so that a portion of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing is not circumscribed by the outer casing. Such portion of the intermediate section may correspond to a downstream portion of the intermediate section or a portion of the intermediate section immediately adjacent to the mouth section. As a result, air may be drawn through such an air intake into the space or air channel defined between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing, particularly, the intermediate section thereof. The inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing. Preferably, the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing. The intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may contact the outer casing. A maximum width or diameter of the intermediate section may correspond to a minimum internal diameter of the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise one or more grooves. The one or more grooves may be provided on the external surface of the inner component or inner casing. One or more grooves may be provided in the wall of the inner component or inner casing. One or more grooves may be provided on the external surface of the inner component or inner casing wall. The one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The one or more grooves may extend into the wall of the inner component or inner casing by a certain depth. The one or more grooves may define one or more corresponding air passageways. Such air passageways may be defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing. Such air passageways may also be referred to as airflow passageways. The one or more grooves may be circumscribed by the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein. The one or more grooves may be entirely circumscribed by the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein. The one or more grooves may be entirely located within the outer casing when the inner component or inner casing is received therein.
The provision of one or more grooves may define one or more raised portions or ridges extending longitudinally along the inner component or inner casing. A raised portion or ridge may be defined between two grooves. A groove may be defined between two raised portions. The raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may engage or contact with the outer casing. Such engagement or contact may center the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing, even when the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing is not located within the outer casing. Such engagement or contact between the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may prevent air flowing between the ends or peaks of the raised portions or ridges and an internal surface of the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosolgenerating compartment. The inner component or inner casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce airflow into the article via the air intake. The inner component or inner casing may be configured to at least partially or totally obstruct the air intake. The external surface of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to at least partially or totally obstruct the air intake.
The inner component or inner casing may be configured to enable airflow through the air intake by at least partially or totally overlapping the one or more grooves with the apertures or openings of the air intake.
When the inner component or inner casing is inserted in the outer casing, the air intake may overlie the one or more grooves and the one or more raised portions of the inner component or inner casing. The raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to obstruct fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. In other words, the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to obstruct the apertures of the air intake. The raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to underlie or coincide with the apertures of the air intake. The inner component or inner casing may be rotated such that the raised portions or ridges of the inner component or inner casing may not obstruct fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. In other words, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be configured to underlie or coincide with the apertures of the air intake. This allows a user to reduce air exposure of any aerosol-generating substrate in order to increase shelf life by rotating the inner component or inner casing and effectively closing the air intake and to also adjust the degree of the obstruction of the apertures of the air intake so as to adjust the RTD of the article.
The article may have a first configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing do not overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The article may have a first configuration, in which the inner component or inner casing, or external surface thereof, overlaps the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing so as to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The article may have a second configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing at least partially or completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, thereby substantially enabling fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The article may have an intermediate configuration, which is defined by a partial overlap between each one of the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and each one of the holes or apertures of the air intake. In such an intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article is greater than the resistance to draw of the article in a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing.
One or more grooves may be provided on an internal surface of the outer casing. One or more grooves may be provided in the wall of the outer casing. One or more grooves may be provided on the internal surface of the outer casing wall. The one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the outer casing. The one or more grooves may extend longitudinally along a portion of the outer casing that is arranged to overlie the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The one or more grooves may extend into the wall of the outer casing by a certain depth.
The one or more grooves may define one or more corresponding air passageways. Such air passageways may be uninterrupted or unobstructed. Such air passageways may be defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing. The one or more grooves may be located between the air intake (in other words, the air intake of the outer casing) and the distal end of the outer casing. A maximum width or diameter of the intermediate section may correspond to a minimum internal diameter of the outer casing. The minimum internal diameter of the outer casing may correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing measured where the maximum wall thickness of the outer casing is located.
An entrance of an air passageway may be defined by the downstream end of a groove. An exit of an air passageway may be defined by the upstream end of a groove. The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may form part of the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet. In other words, the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may partly define the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet.
The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet. In other words, air must preferably travel through such one or more air passageways in order to reach the air outlet or the aerosol-generating compartment.
The provision of one or more grooves may define one or more raised portions or ridges extending longitudinally along the outer casing. A raised portion or ridge may be defined between two grooves. A groove may be defined between two raised portions. The raised portions or ridges of the outer casing may engage or contact with the inner component or inner casing. Such engagement or contact may center the inner component or inner casing within the outer casing, even when the mouth section of the inner component or inner casing is not located within the outer casing.
The provision of one or more grooves may define one or more raised portion or ridges extending longitudinally along the outer casing. A raised portion or ridge may be defined between two successive grooves. A groove may be defined between two successive raised portions or ridges.
The inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least two grooves. The inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 4 grooves. The inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 6 grooves. The inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 10 grooves. The inner component or inner casing or the outer casing may comprise at least 12 grooves.
The grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 25 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the inner component or inner casing may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
The grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 25 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The grooves of the outer casing may extend longitudinally along a length corresponding to the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing.
Both the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may comprise one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, extending longitudinally along each casing, as described above. In other words, the inner component or casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface of the inner component or casing and the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing. The grooves of the inner component may define a grooved section of the inner component and the grooves of the outer casing may define a grooved section of the outer casing. The grooved section of the inner component may be configured to be located downstream of the grooved section of the outer casing. The grooved section of the inner component may be configured to abut the grooved section of the outer casing. The grooved section of the inner component or casing may be configured to engage or make contact with an internal surface of the outer casing.
The one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the outer casing may be provided upstream (in other words, closer to the distal end of the article) of the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing. The one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing may be provided on the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing. The one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the outer casing may be provided in between the one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, of the inner component or inner casing and the aerosolgenerating compartment. The external diameter or width of the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing may vary. The corresponding longitudinal sections of the inner and the outer casings having one or more grooves, or one or more raised portions, may be referred to as grooved sections. The grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may engage with the outer casing. The maximum external diameter or width of the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may correspond to the internal diameter of the outer casing. The grooved section of the outer casing may engage with the inner component or inner casing, in particular the intermediate section thereof. The minimum internal diameter or width of the outer casing at the grooved section may correspond to an external diameter of the inner component or inner casing. The grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the grooved section of the outer casing. In other words, the upstream or distal end of the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may abut the downstream or proximal end of the grooved section of the outer casing. Engagement or contact between the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing may prevent air flowing between the ends or peaks of the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing and an outer surface of the inner component or inner casing.
The outer casing may comprise the same number of grooves as the inner component or inner casing. The outer casing may comprise at least two grooves. The outer casing may comprise at least 4 grooves. The outer casing may comprise at least 6 grooves. The outer casing may comprise at least 10 grooves. The outer casing may comprise at least 12 grooves.
The inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially prevent or restrict fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially prevent or restrict fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The article may have a configuration, which may be defined by a complete misalignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
The inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing may be configured to cooperate or may cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The article may have a second configuration, which may be defined by a complete alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing. The article may have an intermediate configuration, which may be defined by a partial alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing. In the intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article may be greater than the resistance to draw of the article in the second configuration.
As discussed herein, the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may rotate with respect to each other. As a result, the alignment or overlap of the air passageways defined by the grooves of the inner component or casing and the outer casing may be varied. Such an alignment or overlap preferably refers to a cross-sectional alignment or overlap. The alignment of each of the air passageways of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing may each define another air passageway, or a combined air passageway. Each combined air passageway may be defined by at least a partial or total alignment or overlap, preferably cross- sectional alignment or overlap, between a groove of the inner component or inner casing and a groove of the outer casing.
The article may have a configuration where air flow travelling towards the aerosolgenerating compartment may be blocked. In such a configuration, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be rotated to be completely misaligned with the grooves of the outer casing. In other words, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be aligned with the ridges or raised portions of the outer casing such that the ridges or raised portions of the outer casing obstruct the exits (in other words, upstream or distal ends) of the grooves of the inner component or inner casing.
The article may have a configuration where the upstream or distal ends of the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may be partially obstructed by the raised portions of the outer casing. A user may vary the overall RTD of the article by rotating the inner component or inner casing relative to the outer casing and varying the degree of alignment or cross-sectional overlap of the air passageways defined by the internal grooves (in other words, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing) of the article. In any configuration where there is at least a partial overlap or alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing, combined air passageways may be defined along the alignment, either partial or complete, of the individual air passageways of the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing.
As discussed herein, an entrance of an air passageway may be defined by the downstream end of a groove. An exit of an air passageway may be defined by the upstream end of a groove. Similar to the inner component or inner casing, one or more air passageways may be defined by corresponding one or more grooves of the outer casing. The one or more air passageways defined by the grooved section of the outer casing and the one or more air passageways defined by the grooved section of the inner component or inner casing may be arranged longitudinally sequential to each other.
The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may form part of the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet. In other words, the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may partly define the intake air channel extending from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment or from the air intake to the air outlet.
The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may provide, in combination, fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of both the inner component or casing and the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet. The total or partial alignment of the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing with the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment. The total or partial alignment of the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the inner component or inner casing with the one or more air passageways defined by the one or more grooves of the outer casing may provide fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet. In other words, air must preferably travel through such one or more air passageways in order to reach the air outlet or the aerosol-generating compartment.
The inner component or inner casing may comprise at least two grooves. As a result, the inner component or inner casing may comprise at least two ridges or raised portions. The outer casing may comprise at least two grooves. As a result, the outer casing may comprise at least two ridges or raised portions.
Where both the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing comprise grooves, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may have the same cross-sectional area and profile as the grooves of the outer casing. Where both the inner component or inner casing and the outer casing comprise grooves, the grooves of the inner component or inner casing may have the same cross-sectional area and profile as the raised portions or ridges of the outer casing. This allows for a configuration where the inner component or inner casing may be rotated into a position where the air passageways defined by the grooves of the inner component or inner casing can be fully obstructed by the raised portions of the outer casing to prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
The cross-sectional profile, length and depth of the grooves of the article, either provided on the inner component or inner casing or on the outer casing or on both components or casings, may be contribute towards the resistance-to-draw (RTD) characteristics of the article. For example, the cross-sectional profile of the grooves may be triangular or that of an annular sector. If the cross-sectional profile of the grooves is triangular, the cross-sectional profile of the raised portions or ridges may be triangular. If the cross-sectional profile of the grooves is equivalent to that of an annular sector, the cross-sectional profile of the raised portions or ridges may also be equivalent to that of an annular sector. The end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be flat. The end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be pointed. The end or peak of a raised portion or ridge may be rounded.
Furthermore, where both casings comprise grooves, the RTD of the article may be adjusted by rotating the inner component or casing and the outer casing relative to each other and adapting the amount of overlap or alignment between the grooves of the inner component or inner casing and the grooves of the outer casing.
As discussed herein, the article of the present disclosure is configured to receive or hold aerosol-generating substrate. The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating article comprising an article as described herein comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment of the article may hold the aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more aerosol-generating materials. The expressions “aerosol-generating substrate” and “aerosol-generating material” may be used interchangeably.
The aerosol-generating substrate may be a solid aerosol-generating substrate or material.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of homogenised plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of tobacco material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of homogenised tobacco material.
As used herein with reference to the present disclosure, the term “shred” denotes an element having a length substantially greater than a width and a thickness thereof.
Shreds of homogenised plant or tobacco material may be formed from a sheet of homogenised tobacco material, for example, by cutting or shredding. Shreds of homogenised plant or tobacco material may be formed by other methods, for example, by extrusion.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of homogenised plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of tobacco material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of homogenised tobacco material.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of tobacco material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenised plant material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of homogenised tobacco material.
The one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may each individually have a length substantially the same as the length of the aerosol-generating substrate.
The one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may have been one or more of crimped, folded, gathered, and pleated.
The aerosol-generating substrate may be tobacco cut filler.
Crimping, folding, gathering, or pleating of the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may cause splitting of the one or more sheets of tobacco material to form shreds of plant or tobacco material. For example, the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material may be crimped to such an extent that the integrity of the one or more sheets of plant or tobacco material becomes disrupted at the plurality of parallel ridges or corrugations causing separation of the material, and results in the formation of shreds of plant or tobacco material.
The aerosol-generating substrate may be a gel aerosol-generating substrate or material.
Strands of gel material may be formed by cutting or shredding a sheet of gel material. Strands of gel material may be formed by other methods. For example, strands of gel material may be formed by extrusion.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise nicotine.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise natural nicotine, or synthetic nicotine, or a combination of natural nicotine and synthetic nicotine.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least 0.5 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 percent by weight of nicotine, at least 1 .5 percent by weight of nicotine, or at least 2 percent by weight of nicotine. That is, the aerosol-generating substrate may have a nicotine content of at least 0.5 percent by weight, at least 1 percent by weight, at least 1 .5 percent by weight, or at least 2 percent by weight.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise less than or equal to 10 percent by weight of nicotine, less than or equal to 8 percent by weight of nicotine, less than or equal to 6 percent by weight of nicotine, or less than or equal to 4 percent by weight of nicotine. That is, the aerosolgenerating substrate may have a nicotine content of less than or equal to 10 percent by weight, less than or equal to 8 percent by weight, less than or equal to 6 percent by weight, or less than or equal to 4 percent by weight.
The aerosol-generating substrate preferably comprises an aerosol former.
The aerosol former may be any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of a dense and stable aerosol. The aerosol former may be substantially resistant to thermal degradation at temperatures typically applied during use of the aerosol-generating article. Suitable aerosol formers are for example: polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, triethylene glycol, 1 ,3-butanediol, propylene glycol and glycerine; esters of polyhydric alcohols such as, for example, glycerol mono-, di- or triacetate; aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as, for example, dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate; and combinations thereof.
Preferably, the aerosol former comprises one or more of glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosol former may consist of glycerine or propylene glycol or of a combination of glycerine and propylene glycol.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise at least about 5 percent, at least about 10 percent, or at least about 12 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate.
The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise less than or equal to about 30 percent, less than or equal to about 25 percent, or less than or equal to about 20 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate.
The article may comprise a susceptor. The body of the article may comprise a susceptor. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may comprise a susceptor.
Where the article is an aerosol-generating article, the aerosol-generating article may comprise a susceptor arranged within the aerosol-generating substrate.
The susceptor is arranged in thermal contact with the aerosol-generating substrate. Thus, when the susceptor heats up, the aerosol-generating substrate is heated by the susceptor to generate an aerosol. The susceptor may be arranged in direct physical contact with the aerosolgenerating substrate.
The susceptor may be in the form of a pin, rod, strip or blade. The susceptor may be in the form of particulate material or granules. The susceptor may be embedded within or mixed with the aerosol-generating substrate or aerosol-generating material.
The susceptor may be formed from any material that can be inductively heated to a temperature sufficient to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the susceptor may comprise a metal or carbon.
The susceptor may comprise or consist of a ferromagnetic material, for example a ferromagnetic alloy, ferritic iron, or a ferromagnetic steel or stainless steel. A suitable susceptor may be, or comprise, aluminium. The susceptor may be formed from 400 series stainless steels, for example grade 410, or grade 420, or grade 430 stainless steel. Different materials will dissipate different amounts of energy when positioned within electromagnetic fields having similar values of frequency and field strength.
Thus, parameters of the susceptor such as material type, length, width, and thickness may all be altered to provide a desired power dissipation within a known electromagnetic field. The susceptor may be heated to a temperature in excess of 250 degrees Celsius.
Suitable susceptors may comprise a non-metallic core with a metal layer disposed on the non-metallic core, for example metallic tracks formed on a surface of a ceramic core. A susceptor may have a protective external layer, for example a protective ceramic layer or protective glass layer encapsulating the susceptor. The susceptor may comprise a protective coating formed by a glass, a ceramic, or an inert metal, formed over a core of susceptor material.
The susceptor may be a multi-material susceptor and may comprise a first susceptor material and a second susceptor material.
In use, an aerosol-generating substrate may be present in the aerosol-generating compartment. This may be done by inserting aerosol-generating substrate in the outer casing. The inner component or inner casing may then be inserted into the outer casing. The aerosolgenerating substrate may be retained in the aerosol-generating compartment defined between the outer casing and the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. The aerosolgenerating substrate located within the aerosol-generating compartment may be heated in an aerosol-generating device, which has a heating chamber configured to receive the article. The air intake defined on the outer casing may not be obstructed when the article is received in an aerosol-generating device.
In use, a user may draw on the mouth end of the article in order to draw aerosol from the article. By drawing on the article, air may enter into the outer casing of the article via the air intake and travel between the outer casing and the inner component or inner casing towards the aerosolgenerating compartment of the article. Air may travel over the intermediate section of the inner component or inner casing towards the distal section of the inner component or inner casing. Upon heating, aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment may release volatile compounds that can generate an aerosol. Air can mix with such aerosol in the aerosol-generating compartment and travel through the air outlet provided on the inner component or inner casing towards the user’s mouth upon exiting the mouth end of the article.
As discussed above, the present disclosure provides an aerosol-generating system comprising an article or aerosol-generating article as described herein and an aerosol-generating device. In the present disclosure, providing an article or an aerosol-generating article having a closed distal end may prevent inadvertent exit of aerosol-generating material into the heating chamber of the device. This may reduce the need for cleaning and maintenance of the heating chamber of the device and any potential cross-contamination between different aerosolgenerating articles received within the same heating chamber.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a housing. The housing may extend between a first end and a second end. The housing may be a rigid housing. The housing may define a heating chamber for removably receiving the article. The heating chamber may be defined by a closed first end and an open second end. The open second end of the heating chamber may be located at the second end of the aerosol-generating device.
The heating chamber may extend between its closed first end and its open second end. An article may be inserted into the heating chamber, via the open end of the heating chamber. The heating chamber may be cylindrical in shape. When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to be exposed. When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to not be located within the heating chamber of the device. When received in the aerosol-generating device, an air intake of the article may be configured to be located outside of the heating chamber of the device. The air intake of the article preferably refers to the air intake of the article.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater or a heating element for heating the aerosol-generating substrate when the article is received within the heating chamber.
The article or aerosol-generating article may be arranged to be inductively heated by the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating compartment of the article may be arranged to be inductively heated by the aerosol-generating device. The heater may comprise an inductive heating arrangement. The inductive heating arrangement may comprise an inductor coil and a power supply configured to provide high frequency oscillating current to the inductor coil.
The article or aerosol-generating article may be arranged to be resistively heated by the aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating compartment of the article may be arranged to be resistively heated by the aerosol-generating device. The heater may comprise at least one resistive heating element. The heater may comprise a plurality of resistive heating elements. The resistive heating elements may be electrically connected in a parallel arrangement.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power source for supplying power to the heater.
The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater. The controller may be configured to cause the heater to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article during use. The controller may be configured to cause the heater to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment of the article when the article is received within the heating chamber.
The aerosol-generating device may be configured so that the heater is arranged to externally heat the article. The aerosol-generating device may be configured so that the heater is arranged to externally heat the aerosol-generating article.
One or more features of one aspect or embodiment described above may be combined with one or more features of another aspect of embodiment described above.
Below, there is provided a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more of the features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, or embodiment, or aspect described herein.
EX1 . An article for generating an aerosol, the article having a mouth end and a distal end and comprising: an aerosol-generating compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; and an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosolgenerating compartment and the mouth end, the air intake establishing a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the aerosol-generating compartment; preferably, the mouth end is a closed mouth end, and preferably, the distal end is an open distal end.
EX2. An article according to example EX1 , wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.5, or wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.5.
EX3. An article according to example EX1 , wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.75, or wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.75.
EX4. An article according to example EX1 , wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.9, or wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.9.
EX5. An article according to example EX1 , wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.95, or wherein the ratio of the resistance to draw of the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.95.
EX6. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the article comprises an outer casing and an inner component or inner casing configured to be received within the outer casing. EX7. An article according to example EX6, wherein the outer casing has an open mouth end and a closed distal end, wherein the closed distal end of the outer casing defines the closed distal end of the article.
EX8. An article according to any preceding example, further comprising one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component or casing and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment, each air passageway being defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
EX9. An article according to example EX8, wherein the inner component or casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface, optionally at least two grooves, optionally at least four grooves, optionally at least six grooves.
EX10. An article according to example EX8 or EX9, wherein the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface, optionally at least two grooves, optionally at least four grooves, optionally at least six grooves. EX1 1. An article according to example EX8, wherein the inner component or casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface of the inner component or casing and wherein the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing.
EX12. An article according to example EX11 , wherein the grooves of the inner component define a grooved section of the inner component and the grooves of the outer casing define a grooved section of the outer casing, wherein the grooved section of the inner component is configured to be located downstream of the grooved section of the outer casing.
EX13. An article according to example EX1 1 or EX12, wherein the grooved section of the inner component is configured to abut the grooved section of the outer casing.
EX14. An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX13, wherein the grooved section of the inner component or casing is configured to engage or make contact with an internal surface of the outer casing.
EX14. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX13, wherein the inner component and the outer casing each comprise the same number of grooves.
EX15. An article according to any one of examples EX6 to EX14, wherein the inner component and the outer casing are configured to be slidable, movable, detachable, or rotatable relative to each other.
EX16. An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX15, wherein each air passageway is defined by at least a partial or total alignment or overlap, preferably cross-sectional alignment or overlap, between a groove of the inner component or casing and a groove of the outer casing. EX17. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX16, wherein the article has a first configuration, which is defined by a complete misalignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
EX18. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX17, wherein the article has a second configuration, which is defined by a complete alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
EX19. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX18, wherein the article has an intermediate configuration, which is defined by a partial alignment between the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing.
EX20. An article according to any one of examples EX1 1 to EX19, wherein in the intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article is greater than the resistance to draw of the article in the second configuration.
EX21 . An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX20, wherein the inner component or casing and the outer casing are rotatable relative to each other.
EX22. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX21 , wherein the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing are configured to cooperate with each other to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX23. An article according to any one of examples EX11 to EX22, wherein the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and the one or more grooves of the outer casing are configured to cooperate with each other to substantially enable fluid communication between the air intake and an air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX24. An article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX23, wherein the inner casing comprises a distal section, a mouth section and an intermediate section located between the distal section and the mouth section.
EX25. An article according to example EX24, wherein the diameter or width of the distal section is less than a diameter or width of the intermediate section.
EX26. An article according to example EX24 or EX25, wherein the diameter or width of the intermediate section is less than a diameter or width of the mouth section.
EX27. An article according to any one of examples EX24 to EX26, wherein the diameter of the mouth section approximately corresponds to the internal diameter of the outer casing.
EX28. An article according to any one of examples EX24 to EX27, wherein the diameter of the intermediate section is less the internal diameter of the outer casing.
EX29. An article according to any one of examples EX8 to EX28, wherein the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along at least 50 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner casing, optionally the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along at least 75 percent of the length of the intermediate section of the inner casing, optionally the grooves of the inner casing extend longitudinally along the entire length of the intermediate section of the inner casing.
EX30. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating compartment is detachable from the rest of the article.
EX31. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating compartment is defined between the outer casing and the inner component.
EX32. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the aerosol-generating compartment is defined at or within the closed distal end of the article.
EX33. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the inner component is slidable with respect to the outer casing, wherein, upon sliding the inner component away from the proximal end of the outer casing, the air intake is defined between the outer casing and the inner component.
EX34. An article according to any one of examples EX1 to EX32, wherein the air intake is provided on an external surface of the article.
EX35. An article according to example EX34, wherein the air intake is defined by a plurality of apertures extending through the outer casing. EX36. An article according to example EX34 or EX35, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX36. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX36, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX37. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX36, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to cooperate with the air intake provided on the outer casing to substantially restrict or reduce airflow into the article via the air intake.
EX38. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX37, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to at least partially or totally obstruct the air intake.
EX39. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX38, wherein the inner component or casing is configured to enable airflow through the air intake by at least partially or totally overlapping the one or more grooves with the apertures or openings of the air intake.
EX40. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX39, wherein the article has a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing do not overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, optionally, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX41. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX40, wherein the article has a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing at least partially or completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing, optionally, thereby substantially enabling fluid communication between the air intake and the air outlet or between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX42. An article according to any one of examples EX34 to EX41 , wherein the article has an intermediate configuration, which is defined by a partial overlap between each one of the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing and each one of the holes or apertures of the air intake.
EX43. An article according to example EX42, wherein in the intermediate configuration, the resistance to draw of the article is greater than the resistance to draw of the article in a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component or casing completely overlap the apertures or openings of the air intake defined in the outer casing.
EX44. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the distal end of the inner component is configured to abut against the interior of the closed end of the outer casing. EX45. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the article further comprises an air outlet located within the article, the air outlet establishing a fluid communication from the aerosol-generating compartment to the mouth end of the article.
EX46. An article according to example EX45, wherein the air outlet is provided on a distal portion of the inner component.
EX47. An article according to any preceding example, wherein the closed distal end is impermeable, preferably fluid or air impermeable.
EX48. An article according to any preceding example, wherein each air intake aperture of the air intake has an area of at least 0.005 square millimetres, optionally at least 0.01 square millimetres, optionally at least 0.5 square millimetres.
EX49. An article according to any preceding example, wherein each air intake aperture of the air intake has an area no greater than 3.5 square millimetres, optionally no greater than 2 square millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 square millimetre.
EX50. An article according to any preceding example, wherein each air intake aperture of the air intake has a diameter of at least 0.07 millimetres, optionally at least 0.1 millimetres, optionally at least 0.25 millimetres, optionally at least 0.5 millimetres.
EX51 . An article according to any preceding example, wherein each air intake aperture of the air intake has a diameter no greater than 2 millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 .5 millimetres, optionally no greater than 1 millimetre.
EX52. An aerosol-generating article comprising the article of any preceding example and aerosol-generating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment.
EX53. An aerosol-generating article according to EX52, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises solid aerosol-generating material.
EX54. A system comprising an article according to any preceding example and an aerosolgenerating device comprising a heating chamber, wherein the article is configured to be received within the heating chamber and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating compartment.
The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side sectional view of an outer casing of an article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of an inner casing of an article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of the outer and inner casing shown in Figures 1 & 2 being assembled together to form an article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 4 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article according to the present disclosure; Figure 5 shows a schematic side sectional view of the outer and inner casing shown in Figures 1 & 2 being assembled together to form an article and an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 6 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article or an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 7 shows a schematic side sectional view of an aerosol-generating system according to the present disclosure, comprising the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article or an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure (taken along cutting plane line Y-Y shown in Figures 9a & 9b);
Figures 9a & 9b each show a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line X-X of the article shown in Figures 8 & 11 ;
Figure 10 shows a partial perspective side view of the article or the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 8;
Figures 1 1 & 12 show schematic side sectional views of another article or aerosolgenerating article according to the present disclosure in different configurations (taken along cutting plane line Y-Y shown in Figures 9a & 9b);
Figure 13 shows a partial perspective side view of the article or the aerosol-generating article shown in Figure 12;
Figure 14 shows a partial schematic side view of another article or aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure;
Figure 15a shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line B-B of the article shown in Figure 14;
Figure 15b shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line C-C of the article shown in Figure 14;
Figure 15c shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line A-A of the article shown in Figure 14 in a sealed configuration;
Figure 15d shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line B-B of the article shown in Figure 14;
Figure 15e shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line A-A of the article shown in Figure 14 in an open configuration;
Figure 16 shows a partial schematic side view of another article or aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure (taken along cutting plane line E-E shown in Figure 17); and
Figure 17 shows a schematic cross sectional view along cutting plane line D-D of the article shown in Figure 16.
Unless stated otherwise, like reference numerals refers to like elements or features throughout the present disclosure. Figure 1 shows an elongate outer casing 108 of a body 102 of an article 101 or an aerosolgenerating article 100 of the present disclosure. The outer casing 108 is tubular and has a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end. An air intake (or inlet) comprising intake openings 128 is provided through the outer casing 108 at a longitudinal position. The air intake may comprise four openings 128. The outer casing 108 has a generally cylindrical shape.
Figure 2 shows an elongate inner casing 110 of a body 102 of an article or an aerosolgenerating article of the present disclosure. The inner casing 1 10 is configured to be disposed within and engage with the outer casing 108. The inner casing 110 is tubular and has a closed, distal end and an open, mouth end. The inner casing 110 comprises a distal section 122, a mouth section 126 and an intermediate section 124 located between the distal and mouth sections 122, 126. Each section 122, 124, 126 has a generally cylindrical shape. An air outlet comprising outlet openings 132 is provided through the inner casing 1 10 at a longitudinal position. The air outlet is provided at the distal section 122 of the inner casing 110, preferably at about 2 mm downstream from the distal end of the inner casing 210. The air outlet may comprise four openings 132.
The sections 122, 124, 126 of the inner casing 1 10 each have different diameters relative to each other. A diameter of the mouth section 126 defines the greatest diameter of the inner casing 1 10 and corresponds to the internal diameter of the outer casing 108. This allows the mouth section 126 of the inner casing 1 10 to center the inner casing 110 concentrically with respect to the outer casing 108, as shown in Figure 3. A diameter of the intermediate section 124 is less than a diameter of the mouth section 126. A diameter of the distal section 122 is less than a diameter of the intermediate section 124.
As shown in Figures 3 & 4, the inner casing 110 can be inserted into the outer casing 108 to define and assemble the body 102 of the article 101 . Figure 4 illustrates the inner casing 110 fully inserted into or received within the outer casing 108. The distal end of the inner casing 1 10, or distal end of the distal section 122, abuts the closed, distal end of the outer casing 108. The inner casing 110 and the outer casing 108 are slidable relative to each other.
The body 102 of the article 101 has an aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is defined by an annular space 116 at the closed distal end 106 of the article 100. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is a cavity that is suitable for holding a quantity of an aerosol-generating substrate, such as solid aerosolgenerating substrate.
As shown in Figure 5, aerosol-generating substrate 20 can be inserted into the article 101 by removing the inner casing 1 10 from the outer casing 108 and placing the aerosol-generating substrate 20 inside the outer casing 108, preferably at the closed distal end 106 of the outer casing 108. Then, the inner casing 1 10 can be inserted into the outer casing 108 to define an aerosol-generating article 100, where the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 holds a quantity of aerosol-generating substrate 20, preferably solid aerosol-generating substrate. Figure 6 shows the article 101 or aerosol-generating article 100 in an assembled configuration. The article 100,101 has the same features as are described above with reference to any previous figures. In an assembled configuration, the article 100, 101 is prepared for consumption by a user. The body 102 of the aerosol-generating article 100 is identical to the body 102, and its components (such as the inner and outer casings 108, 110), of the article 101 shown in Figures 1 to 4.
As discussed above, the mouth end of the outer casing 108 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end of the outer casing 108 of the body 102 is closed. As discussed above, the mouth end of the inner casing 1 10 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end 106 of the inner casing 1 10 of the body 102 is closed. In other words, the mouth end 104 of the body 102 is open, and the distal end 106 of the body 102 is closed. Air can flow out of the body 102 at the mouth end 104, but air cannot easily flow out of the distal end 106 of the body 102.
As described above, The body 102 has an outer casing 108 and an inner casing 110. The outer casing 108 has an internal surface 112, and the inner casing 110 has an external surface 114. The inner casing 110 is disposed inside of the outer casing 108. An annular space 116 is defined between an internal surface 1 12 of the outer casing 108 and an external surface 1 14 of the inner casing 1 10. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 is defined by the annular space 116 at the closed distal end 106 of the article 100.
The mouth section 126 of the inner casing 1 10 is located at the mouth end 104 of the body 102, the distal section 122 of the inner casing 1 10 is located at the distal end 106 of the body 102, and the intermediate section 124 of the inner casing 1 10 extends between the mouth section 124 and the distal section 124 of the inner casing 110.
The mouth section 126 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is substantially the same as an internal diameter of the outer casing 108. Consequently, at the mouth end 104, the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 1 14 of the inner casing 110 engage or contact with one another so that air is substantially prevented from escaping from between the inner casing 1 10 and the outer casing 108 at the mouth end 104.
The distal section 122 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the external diameter of the mouth section 126. The distal section 122 of the inner casing 110 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the internal diameter of the outer casing 108. Consequently, at the distal end 106, the internal surface 1 12 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 114 of the inner casing 110 are spaced spart from one another.
The middle section 124 of the inner casing 1 10 has an external diameter that is in between the external diameter of the mouth end section 126 and the distal end section 126. The external diameter of the middle section 124 is smaller than the internal diameter of the outer casing 108.
The annular space 116 is defined between the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surfaces of the distal end section 122 and the middle section 126. As described above, the body 102 has an air intake 128. The air intake 128 comprises a plurality of air intake openings provided in a wall of the outer casing 108. The air intake openings are arranged in a row around the circumference of the outer casing 108.
A first air flow passageway 130 is defined extending between the air intake 128 and the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18. The first air flow passageway 130 is defined between the internal surface 112 of the outer casing 108 and the external surface 114 of the inner casing 1 10. In this way, the air intake 128 provides fluid communication between the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 18 and an exterior of the article 100.
As described above, the body 102 has an air outlet 132. The air outlet 132 comprises a plurality of air outlet openings provided in a wall of the inner casing 110, preferably distal section 122 thereof.
A second air flow passageway 134 extends between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 and the open mouth end 104 of the article 100. The second air flow passageway 134 passes through the air outlet 132, and through an interior space defined by the inner casing 1 10 to the open mouth end 104. In this way, the air outlet 132 provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18 and the open mouth end 104 of the article 100.
Figure 7 shows a schematic illustration of an aerosol-generating system 700. The aerosolgenerating system 700 includes the article 100 and an aerosol-generating device 702. The aerosol-generating system 700 may include any articles described in the present disclosure or illustrated in the present disclosure.
The aerosol-generating device 702 comprises a housing 704, extending between a first, distal end 706 and a second, mouth end 707. The housing 704 has a peripheral wall 71 1. The peripheral wall 71 1 defines a heating chamber for receiving the article 100. The heating chamber is defined by a closed first end and an open second end. The second end of the heating chamber is located at the second end of the aerosol-generating device 702. In use, the article 100 is received through the second end of the heating chamber and may abut the first end of the heating chamber. As shown in Figure 7, the article 100 is received in the heating chamber.
When the article 100 is received in the heating chamber, the air intake 128 remains outside of the heating chamber and the aerosol-generating device 702. The air intake 128 being outside of the heating chamber allows for air to be readily drawn into the article 100 through the air intake 128.
The aerosol-generating device 702 also includes a heater 712 and a power source 714 for supplying power to the heater. The aerosol-generating device 702 also includes a controller 716 to control the supply of power from the power source 714 to the heater 712. The controller 716 is configured to cause the heater 712 to controllably heat the aerosol-generating compartment 18 of the article 100 during use, when the article 100 is received within the heating chamber. In the example shown in Figure 7, the heater 712 is arranged to externally heat the article 100.
In use, aerosol-generating substrate 20 is placed into the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 18. The article 100 is inserted into the heating chamber of the aerosol-generating device 702. The aerosol-generating device 702 is then activated. On activation of the aerosolgenerating device 702, the controller 716 causes the heater to increase in temperature and externally heat the article 100. Heating of the article 100 at the aerosol-generating compartment 18 causes volatile components of the aerosol-generating substrate 20 to vaporise. An aerosol generated by vaporising the aerosol-generating substrate 20 can be drawn from the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 18 and out of the article 100 through open mouth end 104.
Figures 8, 9a, 9b & 10 illustrate an article 200 or aerosol-generating article 201 having a body 202. The article 200, 201 primarily differs from article 100,101 in that the inner casing 210 has a different configuration. The intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210 comprises a plurality of grooves 207 extending along its longitudinal external surface. The intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210 comprises a plurality of ridges or raised portions 205, 205b extending along its longitudinal external surface. A groove 207 is provided between two ridges 205, 205b. A ridge 205, 205b is provided between two grooves 207. As shown, the grooves 207 and raised portions 205, 205b along the entire length of the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210.
The raised portions 205, 205b may take any shape or size. As shown in the example of Figure 9a, the raised portions 205 can have a triangular cross-sectional profile. The end or peak of each raised portion 205 can be pointed or rounded. As shown in Figure 9a, the peak of each raised portion 205 is pointed.
As shown in Figure 9b, the raised portion 205b can alternatively have a trapezoidal cross- sectional profile. The end or peak of each raised portion 205b is therefore not pointed and can define a longitudinal curved surface that matches the curved circumferential internal surface of the outer casing 108, 308 such that air may not flow between the raised portions 205b and the internal surface of the outer casing 108, 308.
An air passageway 230 is defined by each groove 207. Each air passageway 230 extends along each groove 207 and along the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210. The ridges 205, 205b may contact or engage with the outer casing 1. Air may not be able to flow over the ridges 205, 205b. In other words, air may only travel through the air passageway 230 defined by each groove 207. In use, air can enter via the openings of the air intake 128, travel through the air passageways 230 defined by the grooves 207 towards the aerosol-generating compartment 18. For simplicity, a distal portion of the article 201 , 201 is not shown in Figure 10. The components of the inner casing 210 illustrated in broken lines are components located within the outer casing 108 and could hypothetically be seen if the outer casing 108 were transparent. Furthermore, for ease of illustration, a longitudinal, downstream or proximal portion of the grooves 207 and raised portions 205 is not shown. However, as shown in Figure 8, the grooves and raised portions 205 do extend to the upstream end of the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210.
Figures 11 , 12 and 13 together with Figures 9a & 9b illustrate an article 300 or aerosolgenerating article 301 having a body 302. The article 300, 301 primarily differs from article 200, 201 in that the outer casing 308 does not comprise an air intake 128 having a plurality of openings 128 and the outer casing 308 is shorter than the inner casing 210.
As shown in Figure 11 , when the distal end of the inner casing 210 substantially abuts the closed end of the outer casing 308, a portion of the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210 engages with the internal surface of the outer casing 308 so that air may not enter into the body 302 at the mouth end. In other words, a portion of the external surface of the inner casing 210 at its mouth section 226 engages with the internal surface of the outer casing 308 at the mouth end 314 of the outer casing to substantially prevent air from entering into the body 302. The external diameter of the mouth section 226 corresponds to the internal diameter of the outer casing 302. In such a sealed configuration, no air can be drawn into the article 300, 301 and into the aerosolgenerating compartment 18 when drawing on the mouth end. The inner casing 210 protrudes out of the outer casing 308 as a result of the length of the outer casing 308 being shorter than the inner casing 210. The mouth end of the inner casing 210 defines the mouth end of the body 302 of the article 300, 301.
The inner casing 210 is slidable relative to the outer casing 308 between the sealed configuration described above in relation to Figure 1 1 and an open configuration. As shown in Figures 12 & 13, the inner casing 210 is slidable relative to the outer casing 308 to an open configuration. In the open configuration, the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210 does not engage with the outer casing 308. In other words, the mouth section 226 is not received within the outer casing 308 or a portion of the mouth section 226 is not circumscribed or overlaid by the outer casing 308. The distal end of the mouth section 226 is effectively distanced longitudinally from the mouth end of the outer casing 308. As such, a downstream portion of the intermediate section 224 is exposed and an air intake is defined in the open configuration. The air intake is defined by a downstream portion 329 of the intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 210, which is exposed to the outer environment between the mouth end 314 of the outer casing 308 and an upstream or distal end of the mouth section 226 of the inner casing 210. Due to the presence and exposure of the grooves 207, air can enter the body 302 via the mouth end of the outer casing 308. Air can flow between the outer casing 308 and the inner casing 210 towards the aerosol-generating compartment 18 along air passageways 330 partly defined by a corresponding groove 207.
Figure 14 illustrates an article 401 or an aerosol-generating article 400 having a body 402. The article 400, 401 primarily differs from article 100,101 in that the outer casing 408 and inner casing 410 have a different configuration. The intermediate section 424 of the inner casing 410 comprises a plurality of grooves 407 partially extending longitudinally along a longitudinal external surface. The intermediate section 224 of the inner casing 410 comprises a plurality of ridges or protrusions 405 extending along its longitudinal external surface. A groove 407 is provided between two ridges 405. A ridge 405 is provided between two grooves 407. As shown in Figures 15a to 15e, the inner casing 410 comprises two grooves 407 and two ridges 405.
The outer casing 408 is shorter than the inner casing 410. The inner casing 410 protrudes from the mouth end of the outer casing 408. In particular, a portion of the mouth section 426 of the inner casing 410 protrudes from the outer casing 408.
The outer casing 408 comprises a plurality of grooves 417 partially extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing 408. The outer casing 408 comprises a plurality of ridges or protrusions 415 partially extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing 408. A groove 417 is provided between two ridges 415. A ridge 415 is provided between two grooves 417. As shown in Figures 15a to 15e, the outer casing 408 comprises two grooves 417 and two ridges 415.
When the body 402 and article 400, 401 is assembled and the inner casing 410 is fully inserted into the outer casing 408, the upstream or distal end of the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 can abut against the mouth or downstream end of the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408. The ridges 405 do not overlie the air intake openings 428 of the outer casing 408. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410 and the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408 are substantially the same. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shapes and sizes of the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 and the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408 are substantially the same.
The inner casing 408 is rotatable relative to the outer casing 408. As shown in Figures 15a to 15e, the grooves 407 and ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 can cooperate with the grooves 417 and ridges 415 of the outer casing 410 in different configurations based on the relative positioning (rotational position) of the inner casing 410 relative to the outer casing 408.
As shown in Figures 15a & 15b, the ridges 405 and ridges 415 are completely aligned so that the grooves 407, 417 are completely aligned to define an air passageway 430. This defines a completely open configuration, where an air passageway 430 partly defined by the grooves 405, 415 enables fluid communication between the air intake 428 and the aerosol-generating compartment (not shown, but is located upstream of the grooves 417 and ridges 415) upstream. In this open configuration, the cross-sectional area of the air passageway 430 is the greatest as the grooves 407, 417 are completely unobstructed.
As shown in Figure 15c, the air passageway 430 is not defined and fluid communication with the aerosol-generating compartment via the air intake 428 is disabled. In this closed or sealing configuration, any air passageways 430 defined by the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410 are completely obstructed by the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408. The air passageways defined by the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408 are completely obstructed by the ridges 405 of the inner casing 410. Figure 15e shows a configuration where the ridges 415 of the outer casing 408 partially overlap or obstruct the grooves 407 of the inner casing 410. The ridges 405 of the inner casing 410 partially overlap or obstruct the grooves 417 of the outer casing 408. In such a partially open configuration, an air passageway 430 of reduced cross-section area is defined by the overlapping portions (from a cross-sectional perspective) of the grooves 407, 417. Such a partially open configuration may be arrived at by rotating the inner and outer casings 410, 408 relative to each other (see Figure 15d). Such a configuration may be defined by a user if there is a desire to increase the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article 400, 401 in order to adjust user experience.
Figures 16 & 17 illustrate an article 501 or aerosol-generating article 500 similar to that shown in Figures 8, 9a, 9b & 10. Article 500, 501 differs in that the outer casing 508 is shorter than the inner casing 510. The inner casing 510 protrudes from the mouth end of the outer casing 508. In particular, a portion of the mouth section 526 of the inner casing 510 protrudes from the outer casing 508. Article 500, 501 differs primarily in that the grooves 507 and ridges 505 overlie the air intake 528 provided on the outer casing 508. The number of grooves 507 and ridges 505 matches the number of openings the air intake 528 comprises. In this example, there are four grooves 507 and ridges 505 and four air intake openings 528, as shown in Figure 17.
The inner casing 510 can be rotated with respect to the outer casing 508. As a result, the overlap between the ridges 505 and the air intake openings 528 can be adjusted. Similarly, the amount of overlap between the grooves 507 and the air intake openings 528 can be adjusted so as to modify the RTD of the article 500, 501. The inner casing 510 can be rotated between a closed configuration where each of the ridges 505 completely overlap or obstruct a corresponding air intake opening 528 and a completely open configuration where no portion of each of the ridges 505 overlaps an air intake opening 528. In the completely open configuration, each groove 507 completely overlies a corresponding air intake opening 528 In the completely closed configuration, airflow cannot enter the outer casing 508 via the air intake 528. As such, no fluid communication is established between the exterior of the article 500, 501 and the aerosolgenerating compartment (not shown).
As shown in Figure 17, the article 500, 501 is in a partially open configuration. The inner casing 510 can be rotated into such a configuration from either a completely closed or open configuration. In such a configuration, each of the air intake openings 528 is partially obstructed by a corresponding ridge 505. Therefore, airflow through each air intake opening 528 is partially restricted. As a result, the effective size of the air intake opening 528 is reduced. The effective size of an air intake opening 528 is defined by the amount of overlap between a groove 507 and the air intake opening 528, as indicated by O in Figure 17. Theoretically, the reduction in effective size of the air intake openings 528 will increase the overall RTD of the article 500, 501 compared to a completely open configuration, which is described above. In all figures of the present disclosure, air flow paths, aerosol flow paths, or other fluid paths into and through the aerosol-generating articles during use are depicted with discontinuous arrows.
For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". In this context, therefore, a number A is understood as A ± 10 percent of A. Within this context, a number A may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies. The number A, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which A deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.
The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate but do not limit the present invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may be made, and the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.

Claims

1 . An article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the article having an open mouth end and a closed distal end and comprising: an outer casing extending between the open mouth end and the closed distal end; an aerosol-generating compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; an inner component received within the outer casing; an air intake configured to be provided at a longitudinal position between the aerosolgenerating compartment and the mouth end, the air intake establishing a fluid communication from the exterior of the article to the interior of the article; and one or more air passageways longitudinally defined between the inner component and the outer casing and establishing fluid communication from the air intake to the aerosol-generating compartment, each air passageway being defined by a corresponding groove provided on an external surface of the inner component or an internal surface of the outer casing.
2. An article according to claim 1 , wherein, along a portion of the length of the air passageway, the outer periphery of the inner component engages with the internal surface of the outer casing.
3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, along a portion of the length of the air passageway, the greatest width or diameter of the inner component corresponds to an internal width or diameter of the outer casing.
4. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner component comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an external surface of the inner component and wherein the outer casing comprises one or more grooves extending longitudinally along an internal surface of the outer casing, wherein the inner component and the outer casing are configured to cooperate with each other to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
5. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the aerosol-generating compartment is defined between the outer casing and the inner component.
6. An article according to claim 5, wherein the aerosol-generating compartment is defined at the closed distal end of the article.
7. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner component is slidable with respect to the outer casing, preferably, wherein, upon sliding the inner component away from the proximal end of the outer casing, the air intake is defined between the outer casing and the inner component.
8. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air intake is defined by a plurality of apertures extending through the outer casing.
9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the inner component is configured to cooperate with the air intake to substantially prevent fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
10. An article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the article has a configuration, in which the one or more grooves of the inner component do not overlap the apertures of the air intake, thereby substantially preventing fluid communication between the air intake and the aerosol-generating compartment.
11. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the distal end of the inner component is configured to abut against the interior of a closed distal end of the outer casing.
12. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the article further comprises an air outlet located within the article, the air outlet establishing a fluid communication from the aerosolgenerating compartment to the mouth end of the article, preferably wherein the air outlet is provided on a distal portion of the inner component.
13. An article according to any preceding claim, wherein the closed distal end is impermeable.
14. An aerosol-generating article comprising the article of any preceding claim and aerosolgenerating substrate located in the aerosol-generating compartment, preferably wherein the aerosol-generating substrate comprises solid aerosol-generating material.
15. A system comprising an article according to any preceding claim and an aerosolgenerating device comprising a heating chamber, wherein the article is configured to be received within the heating chamber and wherein the aerosol-generating device comprises a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating compartment.
PCT/EP2024/064445 2023-05-26 2024-05-24 Article for generating aerosol Pending WO2024245962A1 (en)

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020115151A1 (en) 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating article with high aerosol former content
US20220046979A1 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-02-17 Philip Morris Products S.A. Tubular element with threads for use with an aerosol generating article
US20220183348A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2022-06-16 Ryan Daniel Selby Improved smoking article

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020115151A1 (en) 2018-12-06 2020-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Aerosol-generating article with high aerosol former content
US20220046979A1 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-02-17 Philip Morris Products S.A. Tubular element with threads for use with an aerosol generating article
US20220183348A1 (en) * 2019-03-11 2022-06-16 Ryan Daniel Selby Improved smoking article

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