WO2024245969A1

WO2024245969A1 - Article having a wrapper with a movable cover portion

Info

Publication number: WO2024245969A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/064454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Bologna
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-05-26
Filing date: 2024-05-24
Publication date: 2024-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-26

Abstract

An article (200) for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the article (200) comprising: a body having a mouth end (12) and a distal end (14), the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate (25), the aerosol-generating substrate (25) comprising at least about 5 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes (35); and a substantially air-impermeable wrapper (240) comprising a cover portion (242), the cover portion (242) overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes (35) to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article (200) through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes (35), and wherein the article (200) is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion (242) is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes (35) to allow the ingress of air into the article (200) through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes (35).

Description

ARTICLE HAVING A WRAPPER WITH A MOVABLE COVER PORTION

The present invention relates to an article for generating an aerosol. In particular, 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. The article comprises an aerosolgenerating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate.

Articles in which an aerosol-generating substrate comprising aerosol-generating material, such as a tobacco-containing material, is heated rather than combusted are known in the art. An aim of such ‘heated’ articles is to reduce known harmful smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of tobacco in conventional cigarettes.

Typically, in heated 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 article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.

One known type of heated article, commonly referred to as a heat-not-burn tobacco product or heated tobacco product, comprises a solid aerosol-generating substrate comprising tobacco material, which is heated to produce an inhalable aerosol.

A number of handheld aerosol-generating devices configured to heat aerosolgenerating substrates of heated 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 article. Known handheld electrically operated aerosolgenerating devices typically comprise a battery, control electronics and one or more electrical heating elements for heating the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated article designed specifically for use with the aerosol-generating device.

Some known electrically heated aerosol-generating devices comprise an internal heating element that is configured to be inserted into the aerosol-generating substrate of a heated article. For example, WO 2013/098410 A2 discloses an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device comprising a heating element in the form of a blade that is inserted into the aerosolgenerating substrate of the aerosol-generating article.

Other known electrically-operated aerosol-generating devices comprise one or more external heating elements. For example, WO 2020/115151 A1 discloses an aerosolgenerating system comprising an aerosol-generating article and an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device comprising an external heating element that circumscribes the periphery of the aerosol-generating article.

Electrically-operated aerosol-generating devices comprising an inductor configured to inductively heat aerosol-generating substrates of heated articles are also known. For example, WO 2015/176898 A1 discloses an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosolgenerating article comprising an elongate susceptor in thermal contact with the aerosolgenerating substrate and an electrically-operated aerosol-generating device having an inductor for heating the aerosol-generating substrate. In use, the fluctuating or alternating electromagnetic field produced by the inductor induces eddy currents in the susceptor, causing the susceptor to heat up as a result of one or both of resistive losses (Joule heating) and, where the susceptor is magnetic, hysteresis loses. Heat generated in the susceptor is transferred to the aerosol-generating substrate by conduction.

Articles having a body and air intake holes provided on an outer surface of the body are known. Prior to use of the articles, air may enter the article through the air intake holes. This may reduce the shelf life of the article and the quality of aerosol delivered to a user during subsequent use of the article.

Volatile components of aerosol-generating substrate in the article may be released from the article through the air intake holes prior to use of the article. This may result in a loss of aroma from the aerosol-generating substrate in the article prior to use of the article.

In humid environments, the aerosol-generating substate may absorb water from air prior to use of the article. This may increase the temperature of aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate during initial puffs by a user, which may be uncomfortable for the user. Aerosol delivered to the user during the initial puffs may differ from aerosol delivered to the user during subsequent puffs. For example, aerosol delivered to the user during the initial puffs may have a higher water content than aerosol delivered to a user during subsequent puffs.

Typically, the ingress of air through the air intake holes is not adjustable. As such, a user may not be able to adjust the experience provided by the article. However, different users may prefer different experiences.

It would be desirable to provide an article in which the quality and consistency of aerosol delivered to a user is improved compared to known articles. It would be desirable to provide an article that allows a user to customise the experience provided by the article.

The present disclosure relates to an article for generating an aerosol. In particular, 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 aerosol-generating device, an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating. The article comprises a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate. The article may comprise an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body. The air intake may comprise one or more air intake holes. Each of the one or more air intake holes may have an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres. The article may comprise a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion. The cover portion may overlie at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

According to the invention, there is provided an article for generating an aerosol, the article comprising: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes, each of the one or more air intake holes having an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres; and a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “article” or “article for generating an aerosol” is used to describe an article configured to hold or receive an aerosolgenerating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment of an article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. The article may be an aerosol-generating article. Unless otherwise stated, features associated with an “article” are equally applicable to an “aerosol-generating article”.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “aerosol-generating article” is used to describe an article comprising an aerosol-generating substrate that is heated to generate an inhalable aerosol for delivery to a user.

As used herein with reference to the invention, 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. The aerosol is an inhalable aerosol.

As used herein with reference to the invention, 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 with reference to the invention, the term “aerosol-generating device” is used to describe a device that interacts with the aerosol-generating substrate in an article to generate an aerosol.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention have a mouth end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the aerosol-generating article for delivery to a user. The mouth end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the downstream end or proximal end of the aerosol-generating article. In use, a user draws directly or indirectly on the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article in order to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating article.

Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention have a distal end. The distal end is opposite the mouth end. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may be the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are used to describe relative positions of components, or portions of components, of articles according to the invention with respect to the direction of airflow through the article when a user draws on the mouth end of the article. When a user draws on the mouth end of the article, air is drawn into the article, passes downstream through the article and exits the article at the mouth end.

The distal end of a component of the article may be the upstream end of the component. The mouth end of a component of the article may be the downstream end of the component.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “longitudinal” is used to describe the direction between the distal end and the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “length” is used to describe the maximum dimension of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosolgenerating article in the longitudinal direction.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “transverse” is used to describe the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Unless otherwise stated, references to the “cross-section” of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article refer to the transverse cross-section.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “width” denotes the maximum dimension of the aerosol-generating article or a component of the aerosol-generating article in a transverse direction. Where the aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the aerosol-generating article corresponds to the diameter of the aerosol-generating article. Where a component of the aerosol-generating article has a substantially circular cross-section, the width of the component of the aerosol-generating article corresponds to the diameter of the component of the aerosol-generating article.

Articles according to the invention comprise an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes; and a substantially air impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. Inclusion of such a substantially air-impermeable wrapper enables adjustment of the ingress of air into the article through at least one of the one or more air intake holes. For example, during storage of an unused article and prior to use of the article, the cover portion may overlie at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. To use the article, a user may move at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes may substantially prevent or reduce the absorption of water by the aerosol-generating substrate prior to use of the article. This may help to avoid undesirably warm aerosol being delivered to a user during the initial puffs. Substantially prevent or reducing the absorption of water by the aerosol-generating substrate prior to use of the article may help to achieve a more consistent aerosol between the initial puffs and subsequent puffs.

The cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes may substantially prevent or reduce the release of volatile components of aerosol-generating substrate in the article prior to use of the article. This may substantially prevent or reduce the loss of aroma from aerosol-generating substrate in the article prior to use of the article.

Sealing of the at least one of the one or more air intake holes until use of the article may improve the shelf life of the article and the quality of aerosol delivered to a user during use of the article.

At least a part of the cover portion being movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes may provide a user with the ability to customise the experience provided by the article. For example, a user may be able to select a desired resistance to draw of the article by moving at least a part of the cover portion away from the air intake holes as required. As described further below, the one or more air intake holes may be one or more ventilation holes. A user may be able to adjust the ventilation level of the article by moving at least a part of the cover portion away from the air intake holes. For example, in a warm environment, a user may choose to move at least a part of the cover portion away from a large number or all of the ventilation holes to increase cooling of aerosol generated by aerosolgenerating substrate in the article. In a cool environment, a user may choose not to move at least a part of the cover portion away from any of the one or more air intake holes to minimise cooling of aerosol generated by aerosol-generating substrate in the article.

Moving at least a part of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes allows the ingress of air into the article through the air intake hole. For example, moving at least a part of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes may expose the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. This may be the case where, prior to movement of the at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the cover portion immediately overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes without any other component of the article therebetween. There may be no component of the article between the substantially air-impermeable wrapper and the one or more air intake holes provided on the outer surface of the body of the article.

The article may be configured such that the resistance to draw of the article is adjustable by moving at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. A user may move at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to adjust the resistance to draw of the article as desired. Uncovering at least one of the one or more air intake holes may decrease the resistance to draw of the article. Uncovering an increasing number of the one or more air intake holes may increase the reduction in the resistance to draw of the article.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of at least about 40 millimetres H2O, at least about 50 millimetres H2O, or at least about 60 millimetres H2O.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of less than or equal to about 100 millimetres H2O, less than or equal to about 90 millimetres H2O, or less than or equal to about 80 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the article comprises the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body and one or more additional air intakes. Air may be drawn into the article through the one or more additional air intakes. For example, air may be drawn into the article through the distal end face of the article. The one or more air intake holes of the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body may be one or more ventilation holes.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 100 millimetres H2O, between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 90 millimetres H2O, or between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 80 millimetres H2O.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 50 millimetres H2O and about 100 millimetres H2O, between about 50 millimetres H2O and about 90 millimetres H2O, or between about 50 millimetres H2O and about 80 millimetres H2O.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 60 millimetres H2O and about 100 millimetres H2O, between about 60 millimetres H2O and about 90 millimetres H2O, or between about 60 millimetres H2O and about 80 millimetres H2O.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of at least about 20 millimetres H2O, at least about 30 millimetres H2O, or at least about 40 millimetres H2O.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of less than or equal to about 80 millimetres H2O, less than or equal to about 70 millimetres H2O, or less than or equal to about 60 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the article comprises the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body and one or more additional air intakes. For example, this may be the case where the one or more air intake holes of the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body are one or more ventilation holes.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 20 millimetres H2O and about 80 millimetres H2O, between about 20 millimetres H2O and about 70 millimetres H2O, or between about 20 millimetres H2O and about 60 millimetres H2O.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 30 millimetres H2O and about 80 millimetres H2O, between about 30 millimetres H2O and about 70 millimetres H2O, or between about 30 millimetres H2O and about 60 millimetres H2O.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 40 millimetres H2O, between about 20 millimetres H2O and about 70 millimetres H2O, or between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 60 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw (RTD) of the article by at least about 5 millimetres H2O, at least about 10 millimetres H2O, or at least about 15 millimetres H2O. The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by less than or equal to about 35 millimetres H2O, less than or equal to about 30, or less than or equal to about 25 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 5 millimetres H2O and about 35 millimetres H2O, between about 5 millimetres H2O and about 30 millimetres H2O, or between about 5 millimetres H2O and about 25 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 10 millimetres H2O and about 35 millimetres H2O, between about 10 millimetres H2O and about 30 millimetres H2O, or between about 10 millimetres H2O and about 25 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 15 millimetres H2O and about 35 millimetres H2O, between about 15 millimetres H2O and about 30 millimetres H2O, or between about 15 millimetres H2O and about 25 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 10 percent, at least about 15 percent, or at least 20 percent.

Unless otherwise stated, the percentage decrease in the resistance to draw of the article when at least a part of the cover portion is moved away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes is with respect to the resistance to draw of the article when the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by less than or equal to about 50 percent, at least about 45 percent, or at least about 40 percent.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 10 percent and about 50 percent, between about 10 percent and about 45 percent, or between about 10 percent and about 40 percent.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 15 percent and about 50 percent, between about 15 percent and about 45 percent, or between about 15 percent and about 40 percent.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 20 percent and about 50 percent, between about 20 percent and about 45 percent, or between about 20 percent and about 40 percent.

When a user draws on the mouth end or proximal end of the article, substantially all of the air drawn into the article may be through the one or more air intake holes of the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body. The air intake provided on the outer surface of the body may be the only air intake of the article.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of at least about 80 millimetres H2O, at least about 90 millimetres H2O, or at least about 100 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of less than or equal to about 200 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a resistance to draw of between about 80 millimetres H2O and about 200 millimetres H2O, between about 90 millimetres H2O and about 190 millimetres H2O, or between about 100 millimetres H2O and about 200 millimetres H2O.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 40 millimetres H2O, at least about 60 millimetres H2O, or at least about 80 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by less than or equal to about 140 millimetres H2O. This may be the case where the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by between about 40 millimetres H2O and about 140 millimetres H2O, between about 60 millimetres H2O and about 140 millimetres H2O, or between about 80 millimetres H2O and about 140 millimetres H2O. Unless otherwise stated, the resistance to draw (RTD) of the article or a component of the 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 millimetres per second at the mouth end or downstream end of the article or the component thereof at a temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius, a pressure of about 101 kPa (about 760 Torr) and a relative humidity of about 60%.

The cover portion may overlie each of the one or more air intake holes. The cover portion may overlie each of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the air intake.

Features of the article having a cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes may also be applicable to an article having a cover portion overlying each of the one or more air intake holes.

The article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. For example, the article may be configured such that the at least a part of the cover portion is removable from the body of the article or from the article. That is, the article may be configured such that the at least a part of the cover portion is removable to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The article may be configured such that the entirety of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. For example, the article may be configured such that the entirety of the cover portion is removable from the article.

Features of the article having a cover portion wherein at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes may also be applicable to an article having a cover portion wherein the entirety of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The length of the cover portion may be such that the cover portion overlies each of the one or more air intake holes of the air intake. This may be such that the cover portion substantially prevents the ingress of air into the article through each of the one or more air intake holes.

The length of the cover portion may be such that the cover portion extends beyond the air intake.

The cover portion may have a length of at least about 2 millimetres, at least about 3 millimetres, or at least about 4 millimetres. Increasing the length of the cover portion may help to ensure that the cover portion substantially prevents the ingress of air into the article through at least one of the one or more air intake holes. Increasing the length of the cover portion may make it easier to move at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. For example, it may be easier for a user to grip onto a longer cover portion to move at least a part thereof relative to a shorter cover portion.

The cover portion may have a length of less than or equal to about 20 millimetres, less than or equal to about 15 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 10 millimetres. Reducing the length of the cover portion may help to maintain the integrity of the article when at least a part of the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is moved away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 2 millimetres and about 20 millimetres, between about 2 millimetres and about 15 millimetres, or between about 2 millimetres and about 10 millimetres.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 3 millimetres and about 20 millimetres, between about 3 millimetres and about 15 millimetres, or between about 3 millimetres and about 10 millimetres.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 4 millimetres and about 20 millimetres, between about 4 millimetres and about 15 millimetres, or between about 4 millimetres and about 10 millimetres.

The cover portion may extend along a part of the length of the article. The cover portion may have a length less than a length of the article.

The cover portion may have a length of at least about 4 percent of the length of the article, at least about 6 percent of the length of the article, or at least about 8 percent of the length of the article.

The cover portion may have a length of less than or equal to about 50 percent of the length of the article, less than or equal to about 35 percent of the length of the article, or less than or equal to about 20 percent of the length of the article.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 4 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the article, between about 4 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the article, or between about 4 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the article.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 6 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the article, between about 6 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the article, or between about 6 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the article.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 8 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the article, between about 8 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the article, or between about 8 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the article.

The cover portion may extend the entire length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The cover portion may have a length substantially the same as a length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The lengths of the cover portion described above may also be applicable to the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The cover portion may extend along a part of the length of the substantially air- impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may have a length of at least about 4 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, at least about 6 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, or at least about 8 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may have a length of less than or equal to about 50 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, less than or equal to about 35 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, or less than or equal to about 20 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 4 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, between about 4 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, or between about 4 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 6 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, between about 6 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, or between about 6 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may have a length of between about 8 percent and about 50 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, between about 8 percent and about 35 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, or between about 8 percent and about 20 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may extend from the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper towards the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may extend from the proximal end of the substantially air- impermeable wrapper towards the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

Where the cover portion extends the entire length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, the cover portion extends from the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper to the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper circumscribes at least a part of the body of the article.

The cover portion may be a circumferential cover portion. That is, the cover portion may circumscribe one or more underlying components of the article.

The one or more air intake holes may be provided through a tubular wall of a hollow tubular element of the body. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may circumscribe at least a part of the hollow tubular element. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may circumscribe at least a part of more than one component of the body of the article.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may circumscribe at least a part of the aerosol-generating substrate compartment. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may circumscribe at least a part of aerosol-generating substrate in the body.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may extend from the distal end of the body towards the mouth end of the body. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may extend from the mouth end of the body towards the distal end of the body. The substantially air- impermeable wrapper may extend from the distal end of the body to the mouth end of the body.

The article or body of the article may comprise a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The transverse line of weakness may define an end of the cover portion of the substantially air impermeable wrapper. That is, 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 facilitate movement of at least a part of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be breakable along the transverse line of weakness to facilitate movement of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be breakable along the transverse line of weakness to facilitate removal of at least a part of the cover portion. The substantially air- impermeable wrapper may be breakable along the transverse line of weakness to facilitate removal of the cover portion.

Suitable types of lines of weakness that may be provided in the substantially air- impermeable wrapper are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, embossed lines, debossed lines, creases, scored lines, lines of perforations, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the line of weakness is a line of perforations. The line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be formed using suitable known methods, such as laser perforation or mechanical perforation, such as pin perforation.

The line of weakness may be formed in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper prior to assembly of the article. The line of weakness may be formed in the substantially air- impermeable wrapper after assembly of the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be a circumferential line of weakness. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “circumferential line of weakness” is used to describe a line of weakness that circumscribes an underlying component of the article. The transverse line of weakness may be located between the air intake and the distal end of the article or body of the article. The transverse line of weakness may be located between the air intake and the mouth end of the article or body of the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be spaced apart from the air intake. Locating the transverse line of weakness away from the air intake may help to ensure that the substantially air-impermeable wrapper substantially prevents the ingress of air into the article through the one or more air intake holes of the air intake.

The transverse line of weakness may be located at least about 1 millimetre away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, at least about 1.5 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, or at least about 2 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be located less than or equal to about 10 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, less than or equal to about 7 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, or less than or equal to about 5 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article. Reducing the distance between the transverse line of weakness and the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article may reduce the length of the cover portion. This may help to maintain the integrity of the article when at least a part of the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is moved away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes, for example when at least a part of the cover portion is removed from the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be located between about 1 millimetre and about 10 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, between about 1 millimetre and about 7 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article, or between about 1 millimetre and about 5 millimetres away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be located between about 1.5 millimetres and about 10 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article, between about 1.5 millimetres and about 7 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article, or between about 1.5 millimetres and about 5 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article.

The transverse line of weakness may be located between about 2 millimetres and about 10 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article, between about 2 millimetres and about 7 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article, or between about 2 millimetres and about 5 millimetres away from the air intake provided on an outer surface of the body of the article.

The distance between the transverse line of weakness and the air intake described above may also be applicable to the distance between the transverse line of weakness and each of the one or more air intake holes of the air intake.

The article may comprise a single transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper described above may be the only transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The cover portion may extend from the transverse line of weakness to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The article may be configured such that the cover portion extending from the transverse line of weakness to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is removable.

The cover portion may extend from the transverse line of weakness to the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The article may be configured such that the cover portion extending from the transverse line of weakness to the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is removable.

The article may comprise one or more transverse lines of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The properties of the transverse line of weakness described above may also be applicable to each of the one or more transverse lines of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The article may comprise two transverse lines of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. That is, the article may comprise a first transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper and a second transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The first transverse line of weakness may be located between the air intake and the distal end of the article. The second transverse line of weakness may be located between the air intake and the mouth end of the article.

The cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be the portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper extending from the first transverse line of weakness to the second transverse line of weakness. The article may be configured such that the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper extending from the first transverse line of weakness to the second transverse line of weakness is removable.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may comprise a front portion extending from the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper towards the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The front portion may extend from a transverse line of weakness towards the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. For example, the front portion may extend from the first transverse line of weakness towards the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The front portion may extend from the cover portion to the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The front portion may extend from the first transverse line of weakness to the distal end of the article.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may comprise a rear portion extending from the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper towards the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The rear portion may extend from a transverse line of weakness towards the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. For example, the rear portion may extend from the second transverse line of weakness towards the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The rear portion may extend from the cover portion to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The rear portion may extend from a transverse line of weakness to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. For example, the rear portion may extend from the second transverse line of weakness to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

At least a portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be affixed to an underlying component of the article. For example, at least a portion of the substantially air- impermeably wrapper may be affixed to an underlying component of the article using an adhesive.

The article may be configured such that one or more of the portions of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper affixed to an underlying component of the article remains affixed to the underlying component of the article when at least a part of the cover portion is moved away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may comprise one or more additional portions, wherein at least one of one or more additional portions is affixed to an underlying component of the article. That is, at least a portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper other than the cover portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article. Affixing a portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper other than the cover portion to an underlying component of the article may advantageously facilitate movement of at least a part of the cover portion. For example, affixing a portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper other than the cover portion to an underlying component of the article may advantageously facilitate removal of at least a portion of the cover portion by breaking the substantially air-impermeable wrapper along a transverse line of weakness, where present.

A portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper located between the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper and the distal end of the cover portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article. For example, where the substantially air- impermeable wrapper comprises a front portion, the front portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article.

A portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper located between the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper and the proximal end of the cover portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article. For example, where the substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprises a rear portion, the rear portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article.

Where the substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprises both a front portion and a rear portion, both the front portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article and the rear portion may be affixed to an underlying component of the article.

At least a part of the cover portion may not adhered to an underlying component of the article. The entirety of the cover portion may not be adhered to an underlying component of the article.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may have first and second opposed edges which overlap with each other along a longitudinal overlapping region. The first and second opposed edges being longitudinal edges.

The first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be external to the second edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

An adhesive may be disposed between the first and second opposed edges of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper along at least a portion of the longitudinal overlapping region. For example, an adhesive may be disposed between the first and second edges of the substantially transparent wrapper along the portion of the longitudinal overlapping region that is a part of the cover portion. This may form a seam.

A part of the longitudinal overlapping region extending to the first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be substantially free of an adhesive. A part of the longitudinal overlapping region extending to the first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper and forming a part of the cover portion may be substantially free of an adhesive.

A part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper extending to the first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may not be adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. A part of the cover portion extending to the first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may not be adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. That is, a part of the cover portion extending to the first edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may form a flap. This may help to facilitate movement of at least a part of the cover portion. For example, a user may grip onto the part of the cover portion not adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper to help move at least a part of the cover portion. A user may grip onto the part of the cover portion not adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper to remove the cover portion.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may comprise a flap extending to a longitudinal edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The flap may be described as being a loose flap. That is, the flap is not adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper nor to any underlying component of the article. The flap may form an outer surface of the article.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may have a permeability of less than or equal to about 10 CORESTA units, less than or equal to about 5 CORESTA units, or less than or equal to about 2 CORESTA units.

The permeability of a wrapper may be determined according to the International Standard test method ISO 2965:2019 and the result may be presented as cubic centimetres per minute per square centimetre and referred to as “CORESTA units”.

As described above, the article may comprise a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. For example, the article may comprise a line of perforations provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper. The permeability of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is independent of the perforations provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be formed from one or more suitable materials. Suitable materials are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: plastic materials such as polymer films; paper-based materials, such as paper, paperboard, cardboard, and impregnated papers, such as papers impregnated with wax and papers impregnated with glycerol. Preferably the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is formed from a paper-based material.

Each of the one or more air intake holes of the air intake has an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres. Each of the one or more air intake holes may have an opening area of at least about 0.02 square millimetres, or at least about 0.04 square millimetres.

Each of the one or more air intake holes may have an opening area of less than or equal to about 1 square millimetre.

Each of the one or more air intake holes may have an opening area of between about 0.01 square millimetres and about 1 square millimetre, between about 0.02 square millimetres and about 1 square millimetre, or between about 0.04 square millimetres and about 1 square millimetre.

Each of the one or more air intake holes may have a maximum dimension of at least about 0.1 millimetres, at least about 0.15 millimetres, or at least about 0.2 millimetres. Each of the one or more air intake holes may have a maximum dimension of up to about 1 millimetre.

Each of the one or more air intake holes may have a maximum dimension of between about 0.1 millimetres and about 1 millimetre, between about 0.15 millimetres and about 1 millimetre, or between about 0.2 millimetres and about 1 millimetre.

The air intake comprises one or more air intake holes. That is, the air intake may comprise a single air intake hole or a plurality of air intake holes.

Where the air intake comprises a plurality of air intake holes, the article comprises: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising a plurality of air intake holes; and a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the plurality of air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the plurality of air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the plurality of air intake holes to facilitate the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the plurality of air intake holes

Where the air intake comprises a plurality of air intake holes, the plurality of air intake holes may be in the form of at least one circumferential row of air intake holes or perforations. That is, the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article may comprise at least one circumferential row of perforations.

The plurality of air intake holes may be in the form of two circumferential rows of perforations.

Each circumferential row of perforations may comprise at least 8 perforations. Each circumferential row of perforations may comprise less than or equal to 30 perforations. Each circumferential row of perforations may comprise from 8 to 30 holes.

The air intake may comprise a single air intake hole. The single air intake hole may circumscribe the body of the article.

The one or more air intake holes may extend through a component underlying the cover portion. The one or more air intake holes may extend through a wall of a component underlying the cover portion. For example, the one or more air intake holes may extend through a wall of a hollow tubular element of the article.

The air intake may be located between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be located between aerosol-generating substrate in the article and the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be longitudinally located between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and the mouth end of the article. The air intake may be longitudinally located between aerosol-generating substrate in the article and the mouth end of the article.

The air intake may be located towards the mouth end of the article. The cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may be located towards the mouth end of the article.

The location of the air intake may be selected such that during use of the article, a user’s lips or fingers do not occlude the air intake. The air intake may be spaced away from the mouth end of the article.

The air intake may be located at least about 15 millimetres from the distal end of the article, at least about 20 millimetres from the distal end of the article, or at least about 25 millimetres from the distal end of the article.

The air intake may be located less than or equal to about 35 millimetres from the distal end of the article.

The air intake may be located between about 15 millimetres and about 35 millimetres from the distal end of the article, between about 20 millimetres and about 35 millimetres from the distal end of the article, or between about 25 millimetres and about 35 millimetres from the distal end of the article.

The distance between the air intake and the distal end of the article described above may also be applicable to the distance between the distal end of the article and each of the one or more air intake holes of the air intake.

The air intake may be located at least about 5 millimetres from the mouth end of the article.

The air intake may be located less than or equal to about 30 millimetres from the mouth end of the article, less than or equal to about 25 millimetres from the mouth end of the article, or less than or equal to about 20 millimetres from the mouth end of the article.

The air intake may be located between about 5 millimetres and about 30 millimetres from the mouth end of the article, between about 5 millimetres and about 25 millimetres from the mouth end of the article, or between about 5 millimetres and about 20 millimetres from the mouth end of the article.

The distance between the air intake and the mouth end of the article described above may also be applicable to the distance between the distal end of the article and each of the one or more air intake holes of the air intake.

The one or more air intake holes may be one or more ventilation holes. The one or more ventilation holes may define a ventilation zone of the article.

Air may be admitted into the article downstream of aerosol-generating substrate in the article through the one or more ventilation holes. The provision of one or more ventilation holes may help to achieve a desired cooling of the stream of aerosol generated upon heating of the aerosol-generating substrate. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the temperature drop caused by the admission of cooler, external air into the article via the ventilation zone may have an advantageous effect on the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles.

The article may be configured such that the ventilation level of the article is adjustable by moving at least a part of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes. A user may move at least a part of the cover portion away from at least one of the one or more air intake holes to adjust the ventilation level of the article as desired. Uncovering at least one of the one or more air intake holes may increase a ventilation level of the article. Uncovering an increasing number of the one or more air intake holes may further increase the ventilation level of the article.

The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to increase a ventilation level of the article by at least about 10 percent, at least about 20 percent, or at least about 30 percent.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 10 percent, less than or equal to about 5 percent, or less than or equal to about 2 percent.

When the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a ventilation level of about 0 percent. The one or more air intake holes may be the only ventilation holes of the article.

When at least a part of the cover portion is located away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article may have a ventilation level of at least about 10 percent, at least about 20 percent, or at least about 30 percent.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “ventilation level” is used to denote a volume ratio between the airflow admitted into the article via the ventilation zone (ventilation airflow) and an airflow exiting the article via the mouth end of the article. The airflow admitted into the article via the ventilation zone may be the airflow admitted into the article via the one or more ventilation holes. The greater the ventilation level, the higher the dilution of the aerosol flow delivered to a user.

As described above, the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body may be the only air intake of the article. When a user draws on the mouth end of the article, substantially all of the air drawn into the article may be through the one or more air intake holes of the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body.

Air entering the article through the air intake may be drawn towards the distal end of the article prior to being drawn towards the mouth end of the article and exiting the article at the mouth end of the article. For example, the article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate located towards the distal end of the article, air entering the article through the air intake may be drawn towards the distal end of the article to the aerosol-generating substrate prior to being drawn towards the mouth end of the article and exiting the article at the mouth end of the article.

The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be a cavity within the body. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be defined by a wrapper of the article. For example, the article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate circumscribed by an outer wrapper. The outer wrapper circumscribing the aerosol-generating substrate may define the aerosol-generating substrate compartment. For instance, the substantially air-impermeable wrapper may define the aerosol-generating substrate compartment.

The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be located towards the distal end of the body. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be located at the distal end of the body.

The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. That is, the article may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate.

The article may be an aerosol-generating article.

The body may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. That is, the article may be an aerosol-generating article comprising: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes; and a substantially air- impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

The aerosol-generating substrate may be in the form of a rod. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “rod” is used to denote a generally cylindrical element having a substantially circular, oval or elliptical cross-section.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise aerosol-generating material circumscribed by a wrapper, such as a plug wrap. For example, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise aerosol-generating material circumscribed by a wrapper to form a rod.

The aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of at least about 8 millimetres, at least about 9 millimetres, or at least about 10 millimetres. The aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of less than or equal to about 16 millimetres, less than or equal to about 15 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 14 millimetres. For example, the aerosolgenerating substrate may have a length of about 12 millimetres.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate has a substantially circular cross-section.

The aerosol-generating substrate may have an external diameter of at least about 5 millimetres, about 6 millimetres, or about 7 millimetres. The aerosol-generating substrate may have an external diameter of less than or equal to 12 millimetres, less than or equal to about 10 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 8 millimetres.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate has an external diameter that is substantially the same as the external diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The RTD of the aerosol-generating substrate may be at least about 4 millimetres H2O, at least about 5 millimetres H2O, or at least about 6 millimetres H2O. The RTD of the aerosolgenerating substrate may be less than or equal to about 10 millimetres H2O, less than or equal to about 9 millimetres H2O, or less than or equal to about 8 millimetres H2O.

The aerosol-generating substrate may be a solid aerosol-generating substrate.

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 aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of shreds of tobacco material. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “shred” denotes an element having a length substantially greater than a width and a thickness thereof.

The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a plurality of pellets or granules of tobacco material. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise one or more sheets of tobacco material. The one or more sheets of tobacco material may have been one or more of crimped, folded, gathered, and pleated.

The tobacco material may be homogenised tobacco material. As used herein with reference to the invention, the term “homogenised tobacco material” is used to describe material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco material.

The article may comprise a susceptor. The body of the article 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.

As used herein with reference to the present invention, the term “susceptor” refers to a material that can convert electromagnetic energy into heat. When located within a fluctuating electromagnetic field, eddy currents induced in the susceptor cause heating of the susceptor.

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 aerosol-generating substrate.

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 body may comprise a mouthpiece element located downstream of the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment. The body of the article may comprise a mouthpiece element located downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The mouthpiece element may be located at the downstream end or mouth end of the body of the article. The mouthpiece element may be located at the downstream end or mouth end of the article.

The mouthpiece element may be a mouthpiece filter element. The mouthpiece element may comprises at least one filter segment for filtering aerosol generated upon heating the aerosol-generating substrate. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or more segments of a fibrous filtration material. Suitable fibrous filtration materials are known in the art. For example, the at least one mouthpiece filter segment may comprise a cellulose acetate filter segment formed of cellulose acetate tow.

The mouthpiece element may consist of a single filter segment. The mouthpiece element may include two or more filter segments axially aligned in an abutting end to end relationship with each other. The mouthpiece element may comprise a flavourant, which may be provided in any suitable form. For example, the mouthpiece element may comprise one or more capsules, beads or granules of a flavourant, or one or more flavour loaded threads or filaments.

Parameters or characteristics described herein in relation to the mouthpiece element as a whole may equally be applied to a filter segment of the mouthpiece element.

The mouthpiece element may have a low particulate filtration efficiency.

The mouthpiece element may have an RTD of less than or equal to about 25 millimetres H2O, less than or equal to about 20 millimetres H2O, or less than or equal to about 15 millimetres H2O. The mouthpiece element may have an RTD of at least about 10 millimetres H₂O.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has a substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably, the mouthpiece element has an external diameter that is substantially the same as the external diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The mouthpiece element may have a length of at least about 3 millimetres, or at least about 5 millimetres. The length of the mouthpiece element may be less than or equal to about 11 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 9 millimetres. For example, the length of the mouthpiece element may be about 7 millimetres. The length of the mouthpiece element may be selected based on a desired total length of the aerosol-generating article.

The mouthpiece element may be circumscribed by a plug wrap.

The mouthpiece element may be unventilated such that air does not enter the article along the mouthpiece element.

The mouthpiece element may be connected to one or more adjacent components of the article by means of a tipping wrapper.

The article may comprise a mouth end cavity at the downstream end of the article. The mouth end cavity may be downstream of the mouthpiece element, where present.

The body of the article may comprise a mouth end cavity at the downstream end of the body.

The mouth end cavity may be defined by a hollow tubular element provided at the downstream end of the mouthpiece. Alternatively, the mouth end cavity may be defined by an outer wrapper of the mouthpiece element, wherein the outer wrapper extends in a downstream direction from the mouthpiece element.

The body of the article may comprise one or more intermediate elements between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and the mouthpiece element. The body of the article may comprise one or more intermediate elements between the aerosol-generating substrate and the mouthpiece element

The one or more intermediate elements may be in an abutting end to end relationship with each other. One of the one or more intermediate elements may abut the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate compartment or the aerosol-generating sbustrate. One of the one or more intermediate elements may abut the upstream end or distal end of the mouthpiece element. For example, where there is a single intermediate element, the single intermediate element may abut both the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate and the upstream end of the mouthpiece element. For example, where there are a plurality of intermediate elements, one intermediate element may abut the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate and another intermediate element may abut the upstream end of the mouthpiece element.

At least one of the one or more intermediate elements may be a hollow tubular element. The one or more intermediate elements may be one or more hollow tubular elements.

As used herein with reference to the invention, the term "hollow tubular element" is used to denote 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 denote 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 invention, 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 with reference to the invention, 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. Preferably, the flow channel is substantially empty.

The one or more intermediate elements may have a total length of at least about 10 millimetres, at least about 12 millimetres, or at least about 15 millimetres. The one or more intermediate elements may have a total length of less than or equal to about 30 millimetres, less than or equal to about 25 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 23 millimetres. The total length of the one or more intermediate elements may be selected based on a desired total length of the aerosol-generating article.

Where the aerosol-generating article comprises a single intermediate element, the total length of the one or more intermediate elements is the length of the single intermediate element. Where the aerosol-generating article comprises a plurality of intermediate elements, the total length of the one or more intermediate elements is the sum of the lengths of each of the plurality of intermediate elements.

Where the aerosol-generating article comprises a plurality of intermediate elements, the length of each of the plurality of intermediate elements may be substantially the same.

Preferably, each of the one or more intermediate elements has a substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably, the external diameter of each of the one or more intermediate elements is substantially the same as the external diameter of the aerosol-generating article.

The one or more intermediate elements may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, at least one of the one or more intermediate elements may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate; a paper based material such as paper or cardboard; and polymeric materials, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE). Other suitable materials include polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) fibres.

A ventilation zone may be provided at a location along the one or more intermediate elements. A satisfactory cooling of the stream of aerosol generated upon heating the aerosolgenerating substrate and drawn through the one or more intermediate elements may be achieved by providing a ventilation zone at a location along the one or more intermediate elements.

The ventilation zone may be provided at a location along at least one of the one or more intermediate elements.

Where the intermediate elements are hollow tubular elements, the ventilation zone may comprise a plurality of holes or perforations through a tubular wall of at least one of the one or more hollow tubular elements.

The ventilation zone may comprise at least one circumferential row of holes or perforations. The ventilation zone may comprise two circumferential rows of holes or perforations. For example, the holes or perforations may be formed online during manufacturing of the aerosol-generating article. Each circumferential row of holes or perforations may comprise from 8 to 30 perforations.

As discussed above, the one or more air intake holes of the invention may be one or more ventilation holes of a ventilation zone. The one or more air intake holes of the invention may be provided at a location along the one or more intermediate elements.

The article may comprise an upstream element. The body of the article may comprise an upstream element.

The upstream element may be located upstream of the aerosol-generating substrate. The upstream element may abut the aerosol-generating substrate.

The upstream element may be a plug of cellulose acetate tow. The upstream element may have a length of at least about 2 millimetres, at least about 3 millimetres, or at least about 4 millimetres. The upstream element may have a length of less than or equal to about 10 millimetres, less than or equal to about 8 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 6 millimetres. For example, the upstream element may have a length of about

5 millimetres. The length of the upstream element may be selected based on a desired total length of the article.

Preferably, the upstream element has a substantially circular cross-section.

Preferably, the upstream element has an external diameter substantially the same as the external diameter of the article.

The article may have a total length of at least about 35 millimetres, at least about 38 millimetres, at least about 40 millimetres, or at least about 42 millimetres. The article may have a total length of less than or equal to about 100 millimetres, less than or equal to about 70 millimetres, less than or equal to about 60 millimetres, or less than or equal to 50 millimetres. For example, the article may have a total length of about 45 millimetres.

The body of the article may extend from the distal end of the article towards the mouth end of the article. The body of the article may extend from the mouth end of the article towards the distal end of the article. The body of the article may extend from the mouth end of the article to the distal end of the article. The body of the article may extend the entire length of the article.

The length of the body of the article may be substantially the same as the length of the article. The lengths of the article described above may also be applicable to the length of the body of the article.

Preferably, the article has a substantially circular cross-section.

The article may have an external diameter of at least about 5 millimetres, at least about

6 millimetres, or at least about 7 millimetres. The article may have an external diameter of less than or equal to about 12 millimetres, less than or equal to about 10 millimetres, or less than or equal to about 8 millimetres. For example, the article may have an external diameter of about 7.1 millimetres.

Preferably, the body of the article has a substantially circular cross-section.

The external diameter of the body of the article may be substantially the same as an external diameter of the article.

The external diameter of the article described above may also be applicable to the external diameter of the body of the article.

The distal end of the body may be the distal end of the article. The mouth end of the body may be the mouth end of the article. The body may extend the entire length of the article. The mouth end of the body may be an open mouth end. The article may have an open mouth end. As discussed below, the body may comprise an inner tube, the inner tube may have an open mouth end defining the open mouth end of the body.

The article may comprise a cap for sealing the open mouth end of the body. The cap may be a removable cap. The cap may be removably attachable to the mouth end of the body.

The cap may be a substantially air-impermeable cap.

When the cap is attached to the mouth end of the body, air is obstructed from flowing through the mouth end of the body. For example, when the cap is attached to the mouth end of the body, air external to the article is obstructed from flowing through the mouth end of the body to the aerosol-generating substrate compartment.

When the cap is removed from the mouth end of the body, air may flow through the mouth end of the body.

The cap may comprise a tab.

The distal end of the body may be a closed distal end. The article may have a closed distal end. Air may not enter the article through the distal end of an article having a closed distal end. As discussed below, the body may comprise an outer tube, the outer tube may have a closed distal end defining the closed distal end of the body. The outer tube may comprise a distal end wall, the distal end wall forming a closed distal end of the outer tube.

The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be located towards the distal end of the body. Where the body has a closed distal end, the aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be defined by the closed distal end of the body. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment may be a chamber at the closed distal end of the body, wherein the chamber is defined as a cavity between an inner tube of the body and an outer tube of the body.

The body may comprise an outer tube. The body may comprise an inner tube. The inner tube may be disposed within the outer tube.

The inner tube may be formed from a substantially air-impermeable material. The inner tube may be formed from a plastic.

The outer tube may be formed from a substantially air-impermeable material. The outer tube may be formed from a plastic.

The outer tube may have a substantially constant external diameter. The outer tube may have a substantially constant internal diameter.

The article comprises an air intake. The article may comprise an air intake for providing fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and an exterior of the article. The air intake provided on the outer surface of the body may be provided on the outer tube. The air intake may be provided through a wall of the outer tube. The one or more air intake holes of the air intake may be provided through a wall of the outer tube.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper may circumscribe at least a part of the outer tube.

A 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 0.5, at least 0.7, or at least 0.9. Such a ratio may be calculated based on measuring an RTD of the article when the article is in an assembled state (in other words, the inner tube being assembled within the outer tube) and without the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper overlying the air intake; measuring an RTD of the outer tube (without the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper overlying the air intake) by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer tube, and then dividing such a measured RTD of the outer tube by the measured RTD of the article when the article is the assembled state and does not have the cover portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper overlying the air intake. Preferably, measuring the RTD through the air intake of the outer tube by drawing air flow through the air intake from the mouth end of the outer tube is carried out on the outer tube alone, isolated from the inner tube.

The ratio of the RTD through the air intake to the overall RTD of the article may also be referred to as the ratio of the RTD of the air intake to the overall RTD of the article, or the ratio of the RTD of the outer tube to the overall RTD of the article.

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 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.

The inner tube may comprise one or more sections. Adjacent sections of the inner tube may have one or both of different external diameters and different internal diameters. Each section of the inner tube may have one or both of a substantially constant external diameter and a substantially constant internal diameter.

The inner tube may comprise a mouth end section located towards the mouth end of the article. The inner tube may comprise a distal end section located towards the distal end of the article. The inner tube may comprise a middle section located between the mouth end section and the distal end section.

The mouth end section of the inner tube may have an external diameter that is substantially the same as an internal diameter of the outer tube.

The distal end section of the inner tube may have an external diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the outer tube. The distal end section of the inner tube may have an external diameter that is smaller than the external diameter of the mouth end section. This may advantageously increase homogenization and cooling of aerosol generated by vaporising an aerosol-generating substrate held in the aerosol-generating substrate compartment.

The middle end section of the inner tube may have an external diameter that is smaller than the internal diameter of the outer tube. The middle section of the inner tube may have an external diameter that is in between the external diameter of the mouth end section and the distal end section.

The article may comprise an air outlet. The article may comprise an air outlet for providing fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and an exterior of the article, such as between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and an open mouth end of the body. The fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and an open mouth end of the body may be through the inner tube.

The air outlet may comprise one or more air outlet holes. The air outlet may comprise a single air outlet hole, or a plurality of air outlet holes.

The air outlet may be provided towards a distal end of the inner tube. The air outlet may be provided at a distal end of the inner tube.

The air outlet may be provided on the inner tube. The air outlet may be provided through a wall of the inner tube. The one or more air outlet holes of the air outlet may be provided through a wall of the inner tube. For example, the one or more air outlet holes may be provided through a distal end section of the inner tube.

The air outlet may be provided through the distal end face of the inner tube. For example, the one or more air outlet holes of the air outlet may extend through the distal end face of the inner tube. The one or more air outlet holes of the air outlet may be one or more openings or holes of the inner tube defining an open distal end of the inner tube.

The inner tube may comprise an opening at the distal end of the inner tube, wherein the opening is defined by the peripheral wall of the inner tube. The air outlet may be provided by an opening of the inner tube defined by the peripheral wall of the inner tube.

The inner tube and the outer tube may be movable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration may be referred to as a closed configuration. When the inner tube and the outer tube are in the first configuration, the article may be referred to as being in the first configuration. The second configuration may be referred to as an open configuration. When the inner tube and the outer tube are in the second configuration, the article may be referred to as being in the second configuration. The article may be in the second configuration during use of the article.

In the first configuration, the inner tube and the outer tube may cooperate with one another to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet. This may help to prevent or reduce air from the exterior of the article from contacting an aerosol-generating substrate that may be stored in the aerosol-generating substrate compartment. Preventing or reducing air from contacting the aerosol-generating substrate may help to prevent or reduce the absorption of water by the aerosol-generating substrate, for example, prior to use of the article.

In the first configuration, the outer tube may obstruct the air outlet to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet. For example, where the air outlet is provided through the distal end face of the inner tube, when the inner tube and the outer tube are in the first configuration, the distal end of the inner tube may abut an internal surface of the outer tube to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet. For example, the outer tube may comprise a distal end wall, the air outlet may be provided through an open distal end of the inner tube, and when the inner tube and the outer tube are in the first configuration, the distal end of the inner tube may abut the distal end wall of the outer tube to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet. In the first configuration, the distal end wall of the outer tube may cover the air intake such that air is substantially prevented from flowing through the air outlet.

In the second configuration, the inner tube and the outer tube may cooperate with one another to allow airflow through the air outlet.

In the second configuration, the outer tube may be spaced away from the air outlet to allow airflow through the air outlet, for example, the outer tube may be longitudinally spaced away from the air outlet to allow airflow through the air outlet.

When the inner tube and the outer tube are in the second configuration, the distal end wall of the outer tube may be spaced apart from the distal end of the inner tube, such that a space is defined between the distal end wall of the outer tube and the air intake to allow airflow through the air intake into the inner tube.

The inner tube and the outer tube may be movable longitudinally relative to one another. Longitudinal movement of the inner tube and the outer tube relative to one another may move the inner tube and the outer tube between the first configuration and the second configuration. In other words, the inner tube and the outer tube may be configured to be movable longitudinally relative to one another between the first configuration and the second configuration. The inner tube and the outer tube may be slidable relative to one another.

The body may comprise an airflow passageway.

At least a part of the airflow passageway may extend between the air intake to the air outlet. The airflow passageway may extend between the air intake and an open mouth end of the body. The airflow passageway may extend from the air intake to the open mouth end of the body. The airflow passageway may extend through the aerosol-generating substrate compartment. The airflow passageway may extend through an interior of the inner the inner tube.

When the inner tube and the outer tube are in the first configuration, the airflow passageway may be closed so as to prevent airflow between the air intake and the air outlet along the airflow passageway. This may help to further seal the aerosol-generating substrate compartment when the article is in the first configuration.

When the inner tube and the outer tube are in the second configuration, the airflow passageway may be open so as to allow airflow between the air intake and the air outlet along the airflow passageway.

The inner tube may be disposed within the outer tube to define a space between an internal surface of the outer tube and an external surface of the inner tube. The airflow passageway may extend at least partially through the space defined between the internal surface of the outer tube and an external surface of the inner tube. The airflow passageway may extend through the space from the air intake to the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and to the air outlet.

The airflow passageway may comprise a first airflow passageway and a second airflow passageway. The first air flow passageway may extend between the air intake and the aerosol-generating substrate compartment. The second airflow passageway may extend between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and an open mouth end of the inner tube. The second airflow passageway may extend through the air outlet. The second airflow passageway may extend through the interior of the inner tube.

The outer tube may comprise an outer tube sealing member. The inner tube may comprise an inner tube sealing member. In the first configuration, the inner tube and the outer tube sealing member may cooperate with one another to substantially prevent airflow through the airflow passageway, for example through one or both of the first airflow passageway and the second airflow passageway. This may help to further seal the aerosol-generating substrate compartment when the article is in the first configuration. For example, this may help to reduce or prevent external air entering the article through the air outlet from reaching the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment.

The outer tube sealing member may be an outer tube sealing ring. The outer tube sealing ring may comprise a disc having a central bore. The outer tube sealing member may comprise a segmented disc. The segmented disc may comprise one or more openings between one or more segments.

The inner tube sealing member may be an inner tube sealing ring. The inner tube sealing ring may comprise a disc having a central bore. The inner tube sealing member may comprise a segmented disc. The segmented disc may comprise one or more openings between one or more segments.

The outer tube sealing member may extend into a space defined between the inner tube and the outer tube. The outer tube sealing member may extend radially inward from the internal surface of the outer tube. In other words, the outer tube sealing member may protrude into the interior of the outer tube.

The inner tube sealing member may extend into a space defined between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube sealing member may extend radially outward from the external surface of the inner tube. In other words, the inner tube sealing member may be an outwardly extending protrusion.

The outer tube sealing member may extend below the height of the inner tube sealing member.

In the first configuration, the inner tube sealing member and the outer tube sealing member may engage or abut with one another to form a seal that substantially prevents airflow along the airflow passageway.

In the second configuration, the outer tube sealing member and the inner tube sealing member may provide at least one opening between the outer tube sealing member and the inner tube sealing member, the at least one opening permitting flow of air through the airflow passageway, for example through both the first airflow passageway and the second airflow passageway. In the second configuration, the inner tube sealing member and the outer tube sealing member may be spaced apart from one another.

The inner tube and the outer tube may be rotationally movable relative to one another. For example, rotational movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube may move the inner tube and the outer tube from the first configuration, where the inner tube sealing member and the outer tube sealing member cooperate to substantially prevent airflow through the airflow passageway, to the second configuration, where the inner tube sealing member and the outer tube sealing member provide at least one opening permitting airflow through the airflow passageway.

The inner tube may be disposed within the outer tube to define an annular space between an internal surface of the outer tube and an external surface of the inner tube.

The airflow passageway may be define at least in part by one or more grooves provided in an external surface of the inner tube. The airflow passageway may be defined by one or more grooves provided in an external surface of the inner tube.

The air passageway may be defined at least in part by one or more grooves provided in an internal surface of the outer tube. The air passageway may be defined by one or more grooves provided in an internal surface of the outer tube. The airflow passageway may be defined at least in part by one or more grooves provided in one or both of an external surface of the inner tube and an internal surface of the outer tube such that the resistance to draw of the article may be more accurately predefined during manufacturing in order to improve user experience. The provision of such an airflow passageway 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.

Along a portion of the length of the airflow passageway, the outer periphery of the inner tube may engage with the internal surface of the outer tube.

The present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating system. The aerosolgenerating system may comprise an article for generating an aerosol, as described above. In particular, the present disclosure also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, an article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating by an aerosol-generating device, or an article for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, as described above.

The aerosol-generating system may comprise an article for generating an aerosol comprising a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosolgenerating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate. The article may comprise an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body. The air intake may comprise one or more air intake holes. Each of the one or more air intake holes may have an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres. The article may comprise a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion. The cover portion may overlie at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. The article may be configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes. The aerosol-generating system may comprise an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heating element. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a power supply for supplying electrical power to the heating element. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a controller. The controller may be configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the heating element.

There is provided an aerosol-generating system comprising: an article for generating an aerosol, the article comprising: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes, each of the one or more air intake holes having an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres; and a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes; and an aerosol-generating device comprising: a heating element; a power supply for supplying electrical power to the heating element; and a controller configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the heating element.

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.

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 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 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 aerosolgenerating 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.

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 comprising: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosol-generating substrate compartment for holding an aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes; and a substantially air- impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

EX2: An article according to EX1 , wherein when the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article has a resistance to draw of at least about 40 millimetres H2O.

EX3: An article according to EX1 or EX2, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 5 millimetres H2O.

EX4: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX3, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 10 percent.

EX5: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX4, wherein the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.

EX6: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX5, wherein when the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article has a resistance to draw of at least about 80 millimetres H2O.

EX7: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX6, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 40 millimetres H2O.

EX8: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX7, wherein the over portion overlies each of the one or more air intake holes.

EX9: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX8, wherein the at least a part of the cover portion is removable from the article. EX10: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX9, wherein the article is configured such that the entirety of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

EX11 : An article according to any one of EX1 to EX10, wherein the article is configured such that the entirety of the cover portion is removable from the article.

EX12: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX11 , wherein the cover portion has a length of at least about 2 millimetres.

EX13: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX12, wherein the cover portion has a length of less than or equal to about 20 millimetres.

EX14: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX13, wherein the cover portion has a length of at least about 4 percent of the length of the article.

EX15: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX14, wherein the cover portion has a length of less than or equal to about 50 percent of the length of the article.

EX16: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX15, wherein the cover portion has a length of at least about 4 percent of the length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper EX17: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX16, wherein the cover portion has a length of less than or equal to about 50 percent of the length of the substantially air- impermeable wrapper.

EX18: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX16, wherein the cover portion extends along the entire length of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

EX19: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX18, wherein the cover portion is a circumferential cover portion.

EX20: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX19, wherein the air intake is longitudinally located between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and the mouth end of the article.

EX21 : An article according to any one of EX1 to EX20, wherein the article comprises a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, the transverse line of weakness defining an end of the cover portion.

EX22: An article according to EX21 , wherein the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is breakable along the transverse line of weakness.

EX23: An article according to EX21 or EX22, wherein the transverse line of weakness is spaced apart from the air intake.

EX24: An article according to any one of EX21 to EX23, wherein the transverse line of weakness is a first transverse line of weakness, wherein the article comprises a second transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, and wherein the cover portion extends form the first transverse line of weakness to the second transverse line of weakness. EX25: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX24, wherein at least a portion of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper other than the cover portion is affixed to an underlying component of the article.

EX26: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX25, wherein the substantially air- impermeable wrapper comprises a flap extending to a longitudinal edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

EX27: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX26, wherein the substantially air- impermeable wrapper has a permeability of less than or equal to about 10 CORESTA units.

EX28: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX27, wherein each of the one or more air intake holes have an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres.

EX29: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX28, wherein each of the one or more air intake holes have a maximum dimension of at least 0.1 millimetres.

EX30: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX29, wherein the air intake is located at least about 15 millimetres from the distal end of the article, wherein the air intake is located less than or equal to about 30 millimetres from the mouth end of the article.

EX31 : An article according to any one of EX1 to EX30, wherein the one or more air intake holes are one or more ventilation holes.

EX32: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX31 , wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to increase a ventilation level of the article by at least about 10 percent.

EX33: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX32, wherein when the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article has a ventilation level of less than or equal to about 10 percent

EX34: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX33, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate compartment comprises an aerosol-generating substrate.

EX35: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX34, wherein the body comprises a hollow tubular element, and wherein the air intake is provided through the tubular wall of the hollow tubular element.

EX36: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX35, wherein the article comprises a cap for sealing a mouth end of the body.

EX37: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX36, wherein the body has a mouth end and a distal end, wherein the aerosol-generating substrate is located towards the distal end of the body.

EX38: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX37, wherein the body has a closed distal end and an open mouth end.

EX39: An article according to any one of EX1 to EX38, wherein the body comprises an outer tube, an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, and an air outlet for providing fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and the mouth end of the body through the inner tube.

EX40: An article according to EX39, wherein the air intake is provided on the outer tube.

EX41 : An article according to EX39 or EX40, wherein a ratio of the resistance to draw through the air intake to the overall resistance to draw of the article is at least 0.5.

EX42: An article according to any one of EX39 to EX41 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are movable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the inner tube and the outer tube cooperate with one another to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet.

EX43: An article according to any one of EX39 to EX42, wherein the air outlet is provided by one or more openings provided through a distal end face of the inner tube.

EX44: An article according to any one of EX39 to EX43, wherein in the first configuration, the outer tube obstructs the air outlet to substantially prevent airflow through the air outlet.

EX45: An article according to any one of EX39 to EX44, wherein the inner tube is disposed within the outer tube to define a space between an internal surface of the outer tube and an external surface of the inner tube, and wherein the body comprises an airflow passageway extending through the space from the air intake to the aerosol-generating substrate compartment and to the air outlet.

EX46: An article according to EX45, wherein the outer tube comprises an outer tube sealing member and the inner tube comprises an inner tube sealing member, and wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are movable relative to one another between a first configuration and a second configuration, and wherein in the first configuration the inner tube sealing member and the outer tube sealing member cooperate with one another to substantially prevent flow of air through the air flow passageway.

EX47: An article according to EX45 or EX46, wherein the airflow passageway is defined at least in part by one or more grooves provided in one or both of an internal surface of the outer tube and an external surface of the inner tube.

The present invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an article in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention comprising a substantially air-impermeable wrapper, with the substantially air-impermeable wrapper unwrapped;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an article in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention comprising a substantially air-impermeable wrapper, with the substantially air-impermeable wrapper unwrapped; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an article in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention comprising a substantially air-impermeable wrapper; and

Figure 4 shows a schematic side sectional view of an article in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a substantially air-impermeable wrapper.

Figure 1 shows an article 100 comprising: a body having a mouth end or downstream end 12 and a distal end or upstream end 14. The body extends the entire length of the article 100. As such, the mouth end 12 of the body is also the mouth end of the article 100; and the distal end 14 of the body is also the distal end 14 of the article 100.

The body comprises an aerosol-generating substrate 25 held in an aerosol-generating substrate compartment of the body. The aerosol-generating substrate 25 is in the form of a rod of aerosol-generating substrate 25.

The body also comprises a hollow tubular element 30 located downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate 25 and abutting the downstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate.

The body also comprises a mouthpiece element 40 located downstream of the hollow tubular element 40 and abutting the downstream end of the hollow tubular element 40. The mouthpiece element 40 extends to the downstream end of the body 12. The mouthpiece element 40 comprises a filter segment formed of cellulose acetate tow.

The body also comprises an upstream element 50 located upstream of the aerosolgenerating substrate 25 and abutting the upstream end of the aerosol-generating substrate 25. The upstream element 40 extends to the upstream end 14 of the body. The upstream element comprises a plug of cellulose acetate tow.

The article 200 has a length of about 45 millimetres.

The upstream element 50, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate 25, the hollow tubular element 40, the plurality of air intake holes 35, and the mouthpiece element 40 each have an external diameter of about 7.1 millimetres. The article also has an external diameter of about 7.1 millimetres.

The article 100 also comprises an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body. The air intake is located towards the mouth end 12 of the body. The air intake comprises a plurality of air intake holes 35. The plurality of air intake holes 35 are provided through a wall of the hollow tubular element 30. The plurality of air intake holes 35 are a plurality of ventilation holes 35 forming a ventilation zone.

The article 100 also comprises a substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 extending the entire length of the body. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 is formed from a paper-based material. In Figure 1 , the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 is shown unwrapped in order to show the upstream element 50, the rod of aerosol-generating substrate 25, the hollow tubular element 30, the plurality of air intake holes 35, and the mouthpiece element 40.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 comprises a cover portion 142 and a front portion 144. The cover portion 142 overlies each of the plurality of air intake holes 35. This may substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the plurality of air intake holes 35.

The article 100 comprises a single transverse line of weakness 150 provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140. The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 is breakable along the transverse line of weakness 150.

The transverse line of weakness 150 is located about 2 millimetres away from the air intake.

The front portion 144 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 extends from the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 144 to the transverse line of weakness 150. The first portion 144 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 circumscribes the upstream element 50, the aerosol-generating substrate 25, and an upstream part of the hollow tubular element 30.

The cover portion 142 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 144 extends from the transverse line of weakness 150 to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 144. The cover portion 142 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper circumscribes the mouthpiece element 40 and a downstream part of the hollow tubular element 30.

At least a part of cover portion 142 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is removable from the article by breaking the substantially air-impermeable wrapper along the transverse line of weakness 150. Removing at least a part of the cover portion 142 may allow the ingress of air into the article 100 through the plurality of air intake holes 35.

A user may choose to remove the cover portion 142 from the article 100 when using the article in a hot and humid environment to increase a ventilation level of the article. This may increase cooling of aerosol and air drawn through the article.

When using the article 100 in a cool environment, a user may instead choose not to remove the cover portion 142 from the article 20.

The front portion 144 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 is affixed to each of the upstream element 50, the aerosol-generating substrate 25, and the hollow tubular element 30 by an adhesive. The cover portion 142 is not adhered to any underlying component of the article 200. When removing at least a part of the cover portion 142, the front portion 144 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 140 remains on the body of the article and affixed to each of the upstream element 50, the aerosol-generating substrate 25, and the hollow tubular element 30.

Figure 2 shows an article 200 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The article 200 shown in Figure 2 is similar to the article 100 shown in Figure 1 and like numerals are used to designate like parts.

The article 200 shown in Figure 2 differs from the aerosol-generating article 100 shown in Figure 1 in that the article 200 comprises two transverse lines of weakness 150, 252 (a first transverse line of weakness 150 and a second transverse line of weakness 252) provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 240; in that the cover portion 242 does not circumscribe the mouthpiece element 40; in that the cover portion 242 does not extend to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, but extends only to the second transverse line of weakness 252; and in that the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 240 comprises a rear portion 246 extending from the second transverse line of weakness 252 to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 240.

Each of the first transverse line of weakness 150 and the second transverse line of weakness 252 is located about 2 millimetres away from the air intake. The cover portion 242 has a length of about 4 millimetres.

The rear portion 246 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 240 is affixed to the mouthpiece element 40. The rear portion 246 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 240 remains affixed to the mouthpiece element 40 when the cover portion 242 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is removed from the body of the article 200.

Figure 3 shows an article 300 in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The article 300 shown in Figure 3 is similar to the article 200 shown in Figure 2 and like numerals are used to designate like parts.

Unlike Figures 1 and 2, the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 of the article 300 is shown wrapped around the body of the article 300 in Figure 3.

The article 300 shown in Figure 3 differs from the aerosol-generating article 200 shown in Figure 2 in that the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 does not comprise a front portion or a rear portion. The cover portion 342 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 extends from the distal end of the wrapper 340 to the proximal end of the wrapper 340.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 comprises a flap extending to a longitudinal edge of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340. The flap is not adhered to an underlying part of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 or any underlying component of the article. A user may grip the flap of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 to remove the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 340 from the article 300.

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an article 400 for generating an aerosol. The article 400 has a body 402. The body 402 has a mouth end 404 and a distal end 406. In this example, the mouth end 404 of the body 402 is open, and the distal end 406 of the body 402 is closed. In other words, air can flow out of the body 402 at the mouth end 404, but air cannot easily flow out of the distal end 406 of the body 102.

The body 402 has an outer tube 408 and an inner tube 410. The outer tube 408 has an internal surface 412, and the inner tube 410 has an external surface 414. The inner tube 110 is disposed inside of the outer tube 408. A space 416 is defined between an internal surface 412 of the outer tube 408 and an external surface 414 of the inner tube 410. In the example of Figure 4, the space is an annular space 416.

The body 402 has an aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418. The aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 418 is defined by the annular space 416 at the closed distal end 406 of the article 400. The aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418 is a cavity that is suitable for holding a quantity of an aerosol-generating substrate, such as solid aerosolgenerating substrate. In this example, the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418 is holding a quantity of a solid aerosol-generating substrate 420.

The outer tube 408 has a generally cylindrical shape. The outer tube 408 comprises a distal end wall at the distal end of the outer tube 408.

The inner tube 410 may be formed from one or more sections. In the example of Figure 4, the inner tube 410 has a mouth end section 422, a distal end section 424 and a middle section 426. The three sections 422, 424, 426 of the inner tube 408 are formed individually and connected together to form a single piece. In this example, the mouth end section 422 is located at the mouth end 404 of the body 402, the distal end section 424 is located at the distal end of the inner tube 410 and towards the distal end 406 of the body 402, and the middle section 426 extends between the mouth end section 424 and the distal end section 124.

The mouth end section 422 of the inner tube 410 has an external diameter that is substantially the same as an internal diameter of the outer tube 408. Consequently, at the mouth end section 422, the internal surface 412 of the outer tube 408 and the external surface 414 of the inner tube 410 abut with one another so that air is substantially prevented from escaping from between the inner tube 410 and outer tube 408 at the mouth end 104.

The distal end section 424 of the inner tube 410 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the external diameter of the mouth end section 424. The distal end section 424 of the inner tube 410 has an external diameter that is much smaller than the internal diameter of the outer tube 408. Consequently, at the distal end of the inner tube 410, the internal surface 412 of the outer tube 408 and the external surface 414 of the inner tube 410 are spaced spart from one another.

The middle section 426 of the inner tube 410 has an external diameter that is in between the external diameter of the mouth end section 422 and the external diameter of the distal end section 424. The external diameter of the middle section 426 is smaller than the internal diameter of the outer tube 408.

The annular space 416 is provided in the space defined between the internal surface 412 of the outer tube 408 and the external surfaces of the distal end section 424 and the middle section 426.

The body 402 has an air intake 428. In the example of Figure 4, the air intake is a plurality of air intake holes provided in a wall of the outer tube 408. The air intake holes are arranged in a row around the circumference of the outer tube 408.

When a user draws on the mouth end 404 of the article, substantially all of the air drawn into the article is through the air intake 428.

The body 402 has an air outlet 432. In the example of Figure 4, the air outlet 432 is a plurality of air outlet holes provided in a wall of the inner tube 410.

An airflow passageway is defined extending between the air intake 428 and the open mouth end 404 of the body 402. The airflow passageway extends from the air intake 428, through the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418, through the air outlet 432 and to the open mouth end 404.

In the Example of Figure 4, the airflow passageway comprises a first airflow passageway 430 and a second airflow passageway 434.

The first air flow passageway 430 extends between the air intake 428 and the aerosolgenerating substrate compartment 418. The first air flow passageway 430 passes through the annular space 416 defined between the internal surface 412 of the outer tube 408 and the external surface 414 of the inner tube 410. In this way, the air intake 428 provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418 and an exterior of the article 400.

The second air flow passageway 434 extends between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418 and the open mouth end 404 of the article 400. The second air flow passageway 434 passes through the air outlet 432, through an interior space defined by the inner tube 410, and to the open mouth end 404. In this way, the air outlet 432 provides fluid communication between the aerosol-generating substrate compartment 418 and the open mouth end 404 of the article 400.

The article 400 comprises a substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 circumscribing the entire length of the outer tube 408. As such, the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 circumscribes the air intake 428. In particular, the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 comprises a cover portion 442 overlying the air intake 428.

The article 400 comprises a first transverse line of weakness 450 and a second transverse line of weakness 452 each provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440. The cover portion 442 extends from the first transverse line of weakness 450 to the second transverse line of weakness 452. The cover portion 442 is not adhered to the outer tube 408.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 also comprises a front portion 444 extending from the distal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 to the first transverse line of weakness 450. The front portion 44 of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 is permanently affixed to the outer tube 408.

The substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 also comprises a rear portion 446 extending from the second transverse line of weakness 452 to the proximal end of the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440.

The cover portion 442 is movable away from the air intake 428 by breaking the substantially air-impermeable wrapper 440 along both of the first transverse line of weakness 450 and the second transverse line of weakness 452. The cover portion 442 may subsequently be removed from the article.

Prior to moving the cover portion 442 away from the air intake 428, air may substantially be prevented from entering the article 400 through the air intake 428. Prior to use of the article 400, a user may remove the cover 442 from the article 400 to allow air to enter the article when the user draws on the open mouth end 404 of the body.

The specific embodiments and examples described above illustrate, but do not limit, the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments of the invention may be made and the specific embodiments and examples described herein are not exhaustive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . An article for generating an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the article comprising: a body having a mouth end and a distal end, the body comprising an aerosolgenerating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate comprising at least about 5 percent by weight of aerosol former on a dry weight basis of the aerosol-generating substrate; an air intake provided on an outer surface of the body, the air intake comprising one or more air intake holes, each of the one or more air intake holes having an opening area of at least about 0.01 square millimetres; and a substantially air-impermeable wrapper comprising a cover portion, the cover portion overlying at least one of the one or more air intake holes to substantially prevent the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, and wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to allow the ingress of air into the article through the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

2. An article according to claim 1 , wherein when the cover portion overlies the at least one of the one or more air intake holes, the article has a resistance to draw of at least about 40 millimetres H2O.

3. An article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 5 millimetres H2O.

4. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is movable away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes to decrease a resistance to draw of the article by at least about 10 percent.

5. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article is configured such that at least a part of the cover portion is removable.

6. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover portion has a length of less than or equal to about 20 millimetres.

7. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cover portion has a length of less than or equal to about 50 percent of the length of the article.

8. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, and wherein the cover portion extends to the transverse line of weakness.

9. An article according to claim 8, wherein the substantially air-impermeable wrapper is breakable along the transverse line of weakness to allow the movement of at least a part of the cover portion away from the at least one of the one or more air intake holes.

10. An article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transverse line of weakness is located at least about 1 millimetre away from the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body of the article.

11. An article according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transverse line of weakness is a first transverse line of weakness, and the article further comprises a second transverse line of weakness provided in the substantially air-impermeable wrapper, and wherein the cover portion extends from the first transverse line of weakness to the second transverse line of weakness.

12. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the substantially air- impermeable wrapper comprises one or more additional portions, and wherein at least one of the one or more additional portions is affixed to an underlying component of the article.

13. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the air intake is located at least about 15 millimetres from the distal end of the article.

14. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the one or more air intake holes are one or more ventilation holes.

15. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the air intake provided on the outer surface of the body is the only air intake of the article.