WO2025056615A1

WO2025056615A1 - Article

Info

Publication number: WO2025056615A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/075384
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Richardson; Richard LEBBON; Steven Holford
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-12
Filing date: 2024-09-11
Publication date: 2025-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-12
Also published as: GB202313860D0

Abstract

An article (350) for use with an aerosol provision device comprises a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides and formed from a folded blank (300), wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material (308) is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material (310) is provided on a second side.

Description

ARTICLE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an article for forming an aerosol, a system, a blank and a method of manufacturing the article.

Background

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobacco during use to create tobacco smoke. Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles that burn tobacco by creating products that release compounds without burning. Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds by heating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for example tobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not contain nicotine.

Summary

In accordance with embodiments described herein, there is provided an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides and formed from a folded blank, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

The sides may extend in a longitudinal direction.

The blank may comprise a layered structure comprising a first layer, wherein the first layer is a structural layer and the aerosol generating material is supported by the first layer. The first layer may not heatable by penetration with a varying electromagnetic field. The first layer may be cardboard.

The blank may comprise a second layer, wherein the second layer is a heatable element for heating the aerosol generating material.

The second layer may be formed of a material configured to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat. The second layer may be a susceptor layer.

The second layer may be formed of metal or a metal alloy. The second layer may be formed of aluminium. The second layer may be between the first layer and the aerosol generating material.

The second layer may be laminated on the first layer.

The aerosol generating material may be a gel. The aerosol generating material may be laminated on the second layer. The aerosol generating material may be inside the article.

The aerosol generating material may have a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the consumable of between 0.1 millimetres and 5 millimetres.

The first portion of aerosol generating material may comprise a series of sub-portions of aerosol generating material, the sub-portions configured to be independently heated by the aerosol provision device.

The second portion of aerosol generating material may comprise a series of sub-portions of aerosol generating material, the sub-portions configured to be independently heated by the aerosol provision device.

Each sub-portion of the first portion may be aligned with a sub-portion of the second portion.

The sub-portions of aerosol generating material may be longitudinally distributed along the article.

The blank may comprise a first fold line extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein folding the blank at the first fold line forms a first overlap, wherein the first overlap is between the first and second sides, the first overlap providing a third side.

The blank may comprise a second fold line extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein folding the blank at the second fold line forms a second overlap, wherein the second overlap is between the first and second sides, the second overlap providing a fourth side.

The blank may comprise a third fold line, the third fold line dividing the blank into first and second sections, wherein the blank is folded along the third fold line such that the first section forms the first side and the second section forms the second side.

The third fold line may extend across the blank in a transverse direction, the blank comprising first and second bridges at the third fold line to connect the first section to the second section, wherein the article comprises a mouth end aperture between the first and second bridges. The third fold line extends across the blank in the longitudinal direction, wherein folding at the third fold line forms an upstanding portion, wherein in the article the upstanding portion is between the first and second sides, the upstanding portion providing a fourth side. The third fold line may be between a second fold line of the first section and a first fold line of the second section.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, there is provided a system comprising an article as described above and an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device configured to heat the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol.

The aerosol provision device may be configured to heat different subportions of the aerosol generating material independently of each other.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, there is provided a blank for forming an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides and formed from a folded blank, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, there is provided a method of manufacturing an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the method comprising folding a blank to form the article, the article comprising a noncircular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

The method may comprise forming the blank, the blank comprising a layered structure.

The system may comprise any of the features of the article. The blank may comprise any of the features described with respect to the article. The method of manufacturing the article may comprise manufacturing any of the features of the article.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of an aerosol provision device and an article;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the aerosol provision device receiving the article;

Fig. 3 shows a first blank for forming a first article;

Fig. 4 shows the first blank after a first folding stage;

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the first article;

Fig. 6 shows a mouth end view of the first article;

Fig. 7 shows a second blank for forming a second article;

Fig. 8 shows the second blank after a first folding stage;

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the second article;

Fig. 10 shows a mouth end view of the second article;

Fig. 11 shows a third blank for forming a third article;

Fig. 12 shows the third blank after a first folding stage;

Fig. 13 shows the third blank after a second folding stage;

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the third article; and

Fig. 15 shows a mouth end view of the third article.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating material” is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. Aerosol-generating material may include any plant based material, such as tobacco-containing material and may, for example, include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. Aerosol-generating material also may include other, non-tobacco, products, which, depending on the product, may or may not contain nicotine. Aerosolgenerating material may for example be in the form of a solid, a liquid, a gel, a wax or the like. Aerosol-generating material may for example also be a combination or a blend of materials. Aerosol-generating material may also be known as “smokable material”.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise a binder and an aerosol former. Optionally, an active and/or filler may also be present. Optionally, a solvent, such as water, is also present and one or more other components of the aerosolgenerating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free from botanical material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco free.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise or be an “amorphous solid”. The amorphous solid may be a “monolithic solid”. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dried gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material that may retain some fluid, such as liquid, within it. In some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating material may, for example, comprise from about 50wt%, 60wt% or 70wt% of amorphous solid, to about 90wt%, 95wt% or 100wt% of amorphous solid.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may comprise or be a sheet, which may optionally be shredded to form a shredded sheet. The sheet may be a crimped sheet. The aerosolgenerating sheet or shredded sheet may be substantially tobacco free.

According to the present disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol provision system is one where a constituent aerosol-generating material of the aerosol provision system (or component thereof) is not combusted or burned in order to facilitate delivery of at least one substance to a user.

In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol provision system.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), although it is noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosolgenerating material is not a requirement.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a heat-not-burn system. An example of such a system is a tobacco heating system. In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system is a hybrid system to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or a plurality of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid or gel and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system comprises a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may comprise, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and an article, typically a consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device.

In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising aerosol-generating material and configured to be used with non-combustible aerosol provision devices. These consumables are sometimes referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system, such as a non-combustible aerosol provision device thereof, may comprise a power source and a controller. The power source may, for example, be an electric power source or an exothermic power source. In some embodiments, the exothermic power source comprises a carbon substrate which may be energised so as to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or to a heat transfer material in proximity to the exothermic power source.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise an area for receiving the consumable, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

In some embodiments, the consumable for use with the non-combustible aerosol provision device may comprise aerosol-generating material, an aerosolgenerating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a filter, a mouthpiece, and/or an aerosol-modifying agent.

An aerosol generating device can receive an article comprising aerosol generating material for heating. An “article” in this context is a component that includes or contains in use the aerosol generating material, which is heated to volatilise the aerosol generating material, and optionally other components in use. A user may insert the article into the aerosol generating device before it is heated to produce an aerosol, which the user subsequently inhales. The article may be, for example, of a predetermined or specific size that is configured to be placed within a heating chamber of the device which is sized to receive the article.

With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, an aerosol provision system 10 comprises an aerosol provision device 100 for generating aerosol from an aerosol generating material. The aerosol provision system 10 further comprises a replaceable article 200 comprising the aerosol generating material. In broad outline, the aerosol provision device 100 may be used to heat the article 200 to generate an aerosol or other inhalable medium, which is inhaled by a user of the device 100. Though Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the same aerosol provision device 100 and article 200, several reference numerals are omitted from Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 for clarity.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a housing 102. The housing 102 houses various components of the aerosol provision device 102.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises an aerosol generator 104. The aerosol generator 104 comprises a heating arrangement 106. The heating arrangement 106 is configured to receive the article 200 inside it.

The external heating arrangement 106 is a hollow body 106. The heating arrangement 106 has a rectangular cross-section. The heating arrangement 106 comprises an inductive element 106a The inductive element is configured to produce a varying magnetic field. The inductive element 106a is a coil 106a.

Induction heating is a process of heating an electrically conducting heating element (such as a susceptor) by electromagnetic induction. An induction heating assembly may comprise an inductive element, for example, one or more inductor coils, and a device for passing a varying electric current, such as an alternating electric current, through the inductive element. The varying electric current in the inductive element produces a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field penetrates a susceptor (heating element) suitably positioned with respect to the inductive element, and generates eddy currents inside the susceptor. The susceptor has electrical resistance to the eddy currents, and hence the flow of the eddy currents against this resistance causes the susceptor to be heated by Joule heating. In cases where the susceptor comprises ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel or cobalt, heat may also be generated by magnetic hysteresis losses in the susceptor, i.e. by the varying orientation of magnetic dipoles in the magnetic material as a result of their alignment with the varying magnetic field. In inductive heating, as compared to heating by conduction for example, heat is generated inside the susceptor, allowing for rapid heating. Further, there need not be any physical contact between the inductive element and the susceptor, allowing for enhanced freedom in construction and application.

The heating arrangement 106 extends away from the housing 102. In the present example, the heating arrangement 106 is not surrounded by the housing 102. The heating arrangement may have a housing distinct from the housing 102. In other examples, the external heating arrangement 106 is covered by the housing 102.

An article receptacle 111 is formed between the internal heating arrangement 108 and the external heating arrangement 106.

The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a power source 114 for supplying power to the aerosol generator 104. The aerosol provision device 100 comprises a controller 116. The power source 114 is in the housing 102. The controller 116 is in the housing 102. The power source supplies electrical power to the aerosol generator, and the aerosol generator converts the supplied electrical energy into heat energy for heating the aerosol-generating material. The power source may be, for example, a battery, such as a rechargeable battery or a non- rechargeable battery. Examples of suitable batteries include, for example, a lithium battery (such as a lithium-ion battery), a nickel battery (such as a nickel-cadmium battery), and an alkaline battery.

The power source 114 is electrically coupled to the aerosol generator 104 to supply electrical power when required and under control of a controller 116 to heat the aerosol generating material. The controller 116 may be configured to activate and deactivate the aerosol generator 104 based on a user input. The controller 116 is in the housing 102.

The article 200 comprises aerosol generating material (not shown in Fig. 1). The article 200 comprises an air passage 204. The article 200 comprises a mouth end 208. The mouth end 208 is received in the user’s mouth in use. The article comprises a susceptor material (not shown in Fig. 1). In use, the article 200 is received in the article receptacle 111 , as shown in Fig. 2. The heating arrangement 106 extends around the article 200. The coil 106a surrounds the susceptor of article 200. The coil 106a induces a varying magnetic field in the susceptor, which causes heating of the susceptor. The susceptor in turn heats the aerosol generating material.

An inlet flow path 118 to the article 200 permits air to flow from outside the aerosol provision system 10 to the article 200. The inlet flow path 118 is between the heating arrangement 106 and the article 200. In other examples, air flows from an air inlet (e.g. an aperture) at the base of the article receptacle 111.

When a user inhales on the article 200, air flows between the external heating arrangement 106 and the article 200, through the inlet flow path 118. The air enters the article 200 through a device end (opposite to the mouth end 208) of the article 200. The air is drawn through the air passage 204, past the aerosol generating material, which forms an aerosol from the heated aerosol generating material. The aerosol exits the mouth end 208 to be inhaled by the user.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown a first blank 300 for forming a first article 350.

The first blank 300 is formed of a layered material (layers not shown in the figures). The layered material comprises a first layer and a second layer. A second layer face of the first blank 300 is visible in Fig. 3. The first layer is behind the second layer in Fig. 3.

The first layer is a support layer. The first layer provides rigidity to the first blank 300. The first layer is cardboard.

The second layer is a susceptor layer. The susceptor layer is formed of a material which absorbs electromagnetic energy and converts it to heat. The susceptor layer therefore acts as a heatable element. The susceptor layer is formed of a metallic foil. The metallic foil is an aluminium foil. The layered material forming the first blank 300 is formed by laminating the cardboard with aluminium foil. The aluminium foil is fixed to the cardboard using an adhesive (e.g. glue).

The first blank 300 comprises a first portion 308 of aerosol generating material 308. The first blank 300 comprises a second portion 310 of aerosol generating material. The aerosol generating material is a gel. To form the aerosol generating material on the second layer of the first blank 300, a slurry is formed comprising water, a binder, an aerosol former and filler. The slurry is applied to the surface of the second layer. The slurry is set and dried on the second layer forming a film of aerosol-generating material on the aluminium foil. In this example no further adhesive is used to fixed the aerosol generating material to the second layer.

In the first blank 300, the aerosol generating material has a thickness 0.03 mm and 0.3 mm. More specifically, the aerosol generating material has a thickness of substantially 0.1mm.

The first blank 300 has a substantially rectangular shape. The first blank 300 is elongate. The first blank 300 is longer (as measured in a longitudinal direction, defined with respect to the first article 350 i.e. extending from the distal end of the first article 350 to the mouth end of the first article 350) than it is wide (as measured in the transverse direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction).

The first blank comprises a first fold line 302. The first blank comprises a second fold line 304. The first fold line 302 extends along the first blank 300 in a longitudinal direction. The second fold line 304 extends along the first blank 300 in the longitudinal direction.

The first fold line 302 comprises a series of perforations. The second fold line comprises a series of perforations. The first fold line 302 extends along the entire length of the first blank 300. The second fold line 304 extends along the entire length of the second blank 300.

The first blank 300 comprises a third fold line 306. The third fold line 306 extends across the first blank in a direction perpendicular to the first fold line 302. The third fold line 306 extends across the first blank in the transverse direction. The third fold line 306 extends across the entire width of the first blank 300.

The third fold line 306 comprises three cuts extending along a common line. First and second bridges 312 314 are formed between the cuts. The first blank 300 is intact (e.g. not cut) at the first and second bridges 312 314. The first and second layers of the first blank 300 are intact at the first and second bridges 312 314.

The third fold line 306 extends across a longitudinal midline of the first blank 300. The third fold line 306 thereby divides the first blank 300 into equally sized first and second sections 316 318. The first portion 308 and second portion 310 of the aerosol forming material are on opposing sides of the third fold line. The first and second bridges 312 314 hold the first and second sections 316 318 together.

The first portion 308 and the second portion 310 of the aerosol forming material are rectangular and are longer (as measured in a longitudinal direction) than they are wide (as measured in the transverse direction). The first portion 308 and the second portion 310 of the aerosol forming material are between the first fold line 302 and the second fold line 304. Edges of the first portion 308 and the second portion 310 are substantially aligned with the first and second bridges 312 314.

The first blank 300 is symmetrical about the third fold line 306. The first blank 300 is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

Fig. 4 (from which some reference numerals are omitted for clarity) shows the first blank 300 following a first folding stage. In the first folding stage, the first blank 300 is folded along the first fold line 302, more specifically, inwardly along the first fold line 302, such that the second layer of the first blank 300 is folded towards itself.

Folding along the first fold line 302 in this way forms a first overlap 320. The first overlap 320 is formed on an inside of the first blank 300, on the second layer face of the first blank 300. The first overlap 320 is formed on the aerosol generating material face of the first blank 300. The first and second portions 308 310 are positioned such that the first overlap 320 does not overlap the aerosol generating material.

In the first folding stage, the first blank 300 is also folded along the second fold line 304. The first blank 300 is folded inwardly along the second fold line 304, such that the second layer of the first blank 300 is folded towards itself.

Folding along the second fold line 304 in this way forms a second overlap 322. The second overlap 322 is formed on an inside of the first blank 300, on the second layer face of the first blank 300. The first overlap 320 is formed on the aerosol generating material face of the first blank 300. The first and second portions 308 310 are positioned such that the second overlap 322 does not overlap the aerosol generating material.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the first article 350, which is formed from the first blank 300 after a second folding stage. In the second folding stage, the first blank 300 is folded along the third fold lane 306. The first blank 300 is folded inwardly along the third fold lane 306, such that the first and second overlaps 320 322 are each folded and brought into contact with each other. Adhesive is applied along the first and second overlaps 320 322 to hold the first article 350 together.

The second folding stage brings the first and second portions 308 310 of aerosol generating material towards each other, such that the aerosol generating material is on the inside of the first article 310. The contact between the first and second overlaps 320 322 prevents the first and second portions 308 310 from coming into contact with each other.

The first and second overlaps 320 322 are inside the first article 350. The first and second portions 308 310 of aerosol generating material are inside the first article 350.

In the first article 350 a first side is formed by the first section 316 of the first blank 300. A second side is formed by the second section 318 of the first blank 300. A third side is formed by the first overlap 320. A fourth side is formed by the second overlap 322. Each of the sides extends in the longitudinal direction. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel to each other. The third side and the fourth side are substantially parallel to each other. The first portion 308 of aerosol generating material is provided on the first side. The second portion 310 of aerosol generating material is provided on the second side.

An air passage 356 is formed between the first to fourth sides. The air passage 356 extends along the first article 350 in longitudinal direction from the distal end 354 to the mouth end 352. A mouth end aperture 358 is formed in the first article 350 between the first and second bridges 312 314. A distal end aperture (not shown in the figures) is formed at the free end (i.e. where there are no bridges) of the first article 350 between the first and second portions 308 310 and the first and second overlaps 320 322.

The first article 350 has a non-circular cross-section. The first article 350 is hollow tube defined by the first to fourth sides. The first article 350 has a rectangular cross-section. The first to fourth sides are substantially planar.

In use, the first article 350 is received in the receptacle 111 of the aerosol provision device 100. The coil 106a forms a varying magnetic field in the susceptor layer (second layer of the first article 350), which produces heat to heat the aerosol generating material of the first and second portions 308 310. The user inhales on the mouth end 352 of the first article 350, drawing air through the air passage 356 and producing aerosol for inhalation from aerosol generating material.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown a second blank 400 for forming a second article 450. As in the first blank 300, the second blank 400 comprises first and second sections 416418. The first section 416 comprises first and second fold lines 402 404. The second section 418 comprises first and second fold lines 412 414. The first section 416 comprises a first portion 408 of aerosol generating material. The second section 418 comprises a second portion 410 of aerosol generating material. The second blank 400 is formed of the same material as the first blank 300 and manufactured in the same way as the first blank 300. Additionally, each of the first and second sections 416418 comprises the same features in the same locations as the first and second sections 316 318 of the first blank 300, apart from the differences described below.

In contrast to the first blank 300, in the second blank 400, the first and second sections 416 are joined at longitudinal edges of the first and second sections 406. The longitudinal edges define a third fold line 406. The third fold line 406 comprises a series of perforations. The third fold line 406 is positioned between the second fold line 404 of the first section 416 and the first fold line 412 of the second section 418.

Referring to Fig. 8 (from which some reference numerals are omitted for clarity), there is shown the second blank 400 after a first folding stage. As for the first blank 300, in the first folding the second blank 400 is folded along its first and second fold lines 402 404 412 414. Folding along the first fold line 402 of the first section 416 forms a first overlap 420. Folding along the second fold line 414 of the second section 418 forms a second overlap 422.

In contrast to the first blank 300, the first and second sections 416418 of the second blank 400 are connected at the third fold line 406 between the second fold line 404 of the first section 416 and the first fold line 412 of the second section 418. This means that when the second blank is folded at the second fold line 404 of the first section 416 and the first fold line 412 of the second section 418 in the first folding stage, the second blank 400 is also folded at the third fold line 406, and forms an upstanding portion 424 at the third fold line 406. The upstanding portion 424 extends upwardly from the second layer I aerosol generating material face of the second blank 400. At the upstanding portion 424, the second blank 400 is in contact with itself on a first layer face (i.e. first layer is in contact with itself).

Referring to Fig 9 and Fig. 10, there is shown the second article 450, which is formed from the second blank 400 after a second folding stage. In the second folding stage, the second blank 400 is folded further along the second fold line 404 of the first section 416 and the first fold line 412 of the second section 418, until the first overlap 420 is in contact with the second overlap 422. The second blank then comes into contact with itself again either side of the third fold line 406 (i.e. on the second layer side of the second blank 400).

This means that in the second article 450, a first side is formed by the first section 416 of the second blank 400. A second side is formed by the second section 418 of the second blank 400. The upstanding portion 424 is between the first side and the second side. The upstanding portion 424 provides a third side. The first overlap 420 and the second overlap 422 are between the first side and the second side. The first overlap 420 and the second overlap provide a fourth side. Each of the sides extends in the longitudinal direction. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel to each other. The third side and the fourth side are substantially parallel to each other. The first portion 408 of aerosol generating material is provided on the first side. The second portion 410 of aerosol generating material is provided on the second side.

The second article 450 has a non-circular cross-section. The second article 450 is hollow tube defined by the first to fourth sides. The second article 450 has a rectangular cross-section.

Adhesive is applied between the first and second overlaps 420 422 and between faces of the upstanding portion 424 to hold the second article 450 together.

As in the first article 350, the first and second portions 408 410 of aerosol generating material are inside the second article 450.

The second article 450 comprises a mouth end 452 and a distal end 454. An air passage 456 extends longitudinally from the distal end 454 to the mouth end 452. The air passage 456 is formed between the first to fourth sides. In use, the second article 450 operates in the same manner as the first article 350.

Referring to Fig. 11 , there is shown a third blank 500 for forming a third article 550. As in the first blank 300, the third blank 500 comprises first and second sections 516 518. The first section 516 comprises first and second fold lines 502 504. The second section 418 comprises first and second fold lines 512 514. The third blank 500 is formed of the same material as the first blank 300 and manufactured in the same way as the first blank 300. Again, repeated description of features common to the first blank 300 and the third blank 500 is omitted.

As in the first blank 300, the first and second sections 516 518 of the third blank 500 are joined at a transversely extending third fold line 506. The third fold line 306 comprises three cuts extending along a common line. First and second bridges 511 513 are formed between the cuts. The third blank 500 is intact (e.g. not cut) at the first and second bridges 511 513. The first and second layers of the third blank 300 are intact at the first and second bridges 511 513.

As in the first blank 300, the third blank 500 is symmetrical about the third fold line 506 and is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis.

In contrast to the first blank 300, in the third blank 500, the aerosol generating material is provided in series of sub-portions 508a-d 510a-d. The first portion of aerosol generating material is provided in a series of four sub-portions 508a-d, which are distributed in a longitudinal direction across the first section 516. The second portion of aerosol generating material is provided in a series of four sub-portions 510a-d, which are distributed in a longitudinal direction across the second section 516. Each of the sub-portions 508a-d 510a-d is substantially circular. As in the first blank 300, the aerosol generating material is a gel that is laminated onto the second layer.

In contrast to the first blank 300, the third blank 500 comprises a first cut-out 515 and a second cut-out 517. The first and second cut-outs 515 517 are located at opposing transverse edges of the third blank 500 at the third fold line 506 between the first and second sections 516 518. Each of the first and second cut-outs 515 517 extends from the third fold line 506 into the first section 516 and the second section 518 parallel to the longitudinal direction. The first cut-out 515 separates the first fold line 502 of the first section 516 from the first fold line 512 of the second section 518. The second cut-out 517 separates the second fold line 504 of the first section 516 from the second fold line 514 of the second section 518.

Referring to Fig. 12 (from which some reference numerals are omitted for clarity), there is shown the third blank 500 after a first folding stage. In the first folding stage, the third blank 500 is folded along the first and second fold lines 502 504 of the first section 516, in the same direction as for the first blank 300. As before, this forms first and second overlaps 520 522.

In contrast to the first blank 300, the third blank 500 is not folded along first and second fold lines 512 514 of the second section 518 in the first folding stage.

Referring to Fig. 13 (from which some reference numerals are omitted for clarity), there is shown the third blank 500 after a second folding stage. In the second folding stage, the third blank 500 is folded along the third fold line 306, in the same direction as for the first blank 300. The third blank 500 remains unfolded along the first and second fold lines 512 514 of the second section 516 after the second folding stage.

Referring to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, there is shown the third article 550, which is formed from the third blank 500 after a third folding stage. In the third folding stage, the third blank 500 is folded along the first and second fold lines 512 514 of the second section 518. This forms third and fourth overlaps 524 526, which extend around the first section 516. Adhesive is applied along the inside of the third and fourth overlaps 524 526, thereby fixing the first section 516 to the second section 518 and holding the third article 550 together.

In the third article 550, a first side is formed by the first section 516 of the third blank 500. A second side is formed by the second section 518 of the third blank 500. The first and second overlaps 520 522 are between the first side and the second side. A third side is formed by the first overlap 320. A fourth side is formed by the second overlap 322. Each of the sides extends in the longitudinal direction. The first side and the second side are substantially parallel to each other. The third side and the fourth side are substantially parallel to each other. The first portion 508a-d of aerosol generating material is provided on the first side. The second portion 510a-d of aerosol generating material is provided on the second side. The third article 550 has a non-circular cross-section. The third article 550 is hollow tube defined by the first to fourth sides. The third article 550 has a rectangular cross-section.

As in the first article 350, the first and second portions 508a-d 510a-d of aerosol generating material are inside the third article 550. Each of the sub-portions 508a-d of the first portion of aerosol generating material is aligned with a corresponding sub-portion 510a-d of

The third article 550 comprises a mouth end 552 and a distal end 554. An air passage 556 extends longitudinally from the distal end 554 to the mouth end 552. The air passage 556 is formed between the first to fourth sides.

In use, the third article 550 is received in a receptacle of the aerosol provision device (not shown). In the case of the third article 550, the aerosol provision device is configured to heat the sub-portions 508a-d 510a-d in series i.e. heating a first sub-portion 508a of the first portion and a first sub-portion of the second portion, before heating a second sub-portion 508b of the second portion and a second sub-portion 510b of the second portion, and so on. In order to do this, the aerosol provision device may comprise a plurality of inductive elements longitudinal distributed along the aerosol provision device, which may be energised in turn.

In other examples, the heating arrangement may be configured for resistive heating. In resistive heating arrangements the aerosol generating assembly comprises a resistive heating generator including components to heat the heating element via a resistive heating process. In this case, an electrical current is directly applied to a resistive heating component, and the resulting flow of current in the heating component causes the heating component to be heated by Joule heating. The resistive heating component comprises resistive material configured to generate heat when a suitable electrical current passes through it, and the heating assembly comprises electrical contacts for supplying electrical current to the resistive material.

In embodiments, the heating element forms the resistive heating component itself. In embodiments the resistive heating component transfers heat to the heating element, for example by conduction. The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. An article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides and formed from a folded blank, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

2. An article according to claim 1 , wherein the blank comprises a layered structure comprising a first layer, wherein the first layer is a structural layer and the aerosol generating material is supported by the first layer.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the blank comprises a second layer, wherein the second layer is a heatable element for heating the aerosol generating material.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the second layer is formed of a material configured to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat.

5. An article according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second layer is between the first layer and the aerosol generating material.

6. An article according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosol generating material is inside the article.

7. An article according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first portion of aerosol generating material comprises a series of sub-portions of aerosol generating material, the sub-portions configured to be independently heated by the aerosol provision device.

8. An article according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the blank comprises a first fold line extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the blank is folded along the first fold line to form a first overlap, wherein in the article the first overlap is between the first and second sides, the first overlap providing a third side.

9. An article according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the blank comprises a third fold line, the third fold line dividing the blank into first and second sections, wherein the blank is folded along the third fold line, wherein the first section forms the first side and the second section forms the second side.

10. An article according to claim 9, wherein the third fold line extends across the blank in a transverse direction, the blank comprising first and second bridges at the third fold line to connect the first section to the second section, wherein the article comprises a mouth end aperture between the first and second bridges.

11. A system comprising an article according to any of claims 1 to 10 and an aerosol provision device, the aerosol provision device configured to heat the aerosol generating material to form an aerosol.

12. A system according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol provision device is configured to heat different sub-portions of the aerosol generating material independently of each other.

13. A blank for forming an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the article comprising a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides and formed from a folded blank, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

14. A method of manufacturing an article for use with an aerosol provision device, the method comprising folding a blank to form the article, the article comprising a non-circular, hollow tube defined by a plurality of sides, wherein a first portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a first side and a second portion of aerosol generating material is provided on a second side.

15. A method according to claim 14 and comprising forming the blank, the blank comprising a layered structure.