WO2025078265A1

WO2025078265A1 - An aerosol generating article and an aerosol generating system

Info

Publication number: WO2025078265A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/077869
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ernst Hupkes; Menno Bijlsma
Original assignee: JT International SA
Current assignee: JT International SA
Priority date: 2023-10-12
Filing date: 2024-10-03
Publication date: 2025-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-12

Abstract

An aerosol generating article (10, 70) comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article (10, 70) and having an exposed surface (24) that faces inwardly towards the longitudinal axis. The plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) are individually and sequentially heatable, and each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate, for example corresponding to a single inhalation or puff. An aerosol generating system (1, 2, 3, 4) comprising the aerosol generating article (10, 70) in combination with an aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72) comprising a power source (6) and a controller (8) is also described.

Description

AN AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE AND AN AEROSOL GENERATING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating article. The aerosol generating article is for use with an aerosol generating device for heating the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to aerosol generating articles for use with a portable (hand-held) aerosol generating device, which may be self-contained and low temperature. Such devices heat, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article.

Technical Background

The popularity and use of reduced-risk or modified-risk devices (also known as vaporisers) has grown rapidly in recent years as an alternative to the use of traditional tobacco products. Various devices and systems are available that heat or warm, rather than bum, an aerosol generating substrate to generate an aerosol for inhalation by a user.

A commonly available reduced-risk or modified-risk device is the heated substrate aerosol generating device, or so-called heat-not-bum device. Devices of this type generate an aerosol or vapour by heating an aerosol generating substrate that typically comprises moist leaf tobacco or other suitable vaporisable material, for example comprised in an aerosol generating article, to a temperature typically in the range 150°C to 350°C, in a heating chamber. Heating the aerosol generating substrate to a temperature within this range, without burning or combusting the aerosol generating substrate, generates a vapour which typically cools and condenses to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the device.

Aerosol generating articles usable with aerosol generating devices can take various forms, for example an elongate cylindrical stick or a flat-shaped cuboid. The form of an aerosol generating article is often a trade-off between convenience, aesthetics, and efficiency in heating. Typically, the entirety of the aerosol generating substrate is heated during each user inhalation (or ‘puff) to generate an inhalable aerosol, but this is inefficient and may lead to the generation of an aerosol that has inconsistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content) between user inhalations (or ‘puffs’), for example as the aerosol generating substrate becomes depleted. The present disclosure seeks to address this shortcoming.

Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating article comprising: a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article and having an exposed surface that faces inwardly towards the longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments are heatable sequentially and each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate.

As used herein, the term “metered-dose” refers to an aerosol generating substrate segment which comprises a measured or predetermined amount of an aerosol generating substrate.

The aerosol generating article is for use with an aerosol generating device for sequentially and individually heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (i.e., one at a time), without burning the aerosol generating substrate segments, to volatise at least one component of each aerosol generating substrate segment and thereby generate a heated vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device is a hand-held, portable, device.

In general terms, a vapour is a substance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its critical temperature, which means that the vapour can be condensed to a liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature, whereas an aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. It should, however, be noted that the terms ‘aerosol’ and ‘vapour’ may be used interchangeably in this specification, particularly with regard to the form of the inhalable medium that is generated for inhalation by a user.

The plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments are individually and sequentially heatable. By providing a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments which are individually and sequentially heatable (i.e. , one at a time) and which comprise a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate, the aerosol that is generated when individual substrate segments are heated has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content). The time taken to generate an aerosol for inhalation is also reduced thanks to the individual and sequential heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. The ability to individually and sequentially heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments also results in improved energy efficiency because only a portion of the total amount of aerosol generating substrate (as constituted by all of the aerosol generating substrate segments) is heated at any one time.

Optional features will now be set out. These are applicable singly or in any combination with any aspect of the present disclosure.

Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may comprise a metered- dose of an aerosol generating substrate corresponding to a single inhalation or puff. Thus, the metered-dose may correspond to a dose of aerosol generating substrate to be delivered to a user during a single inhalation or puff. The metered-dose of aerosol generating substrate includes a component or components required to generate an aerosol. For example, the metered-dose may comprise a predetermined amount of tobacco or nicotine or a flavourant or a combination of these. The metered-dose may also comprise an aerosol former. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise any type of solid or semi-solid material. Example types of aerosol generating solids include powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, particles, gel, strips, loose leaves, cut filler, porous material, foam material or sheets. The aerosol generating substrate may comprise plant derived material and in particular, may comprise tobacco. It may advantageously comprise reconstituted tobacco, for example including tobacco and any one or more of cellulose fibres, tobacco stalk fibres and inorganic fillers such as CaCCti. The reconstituted tobacco may comprise tobacco sheets of any kind (paper-like sheets, cast tobacco sheets, etc.) in full sheets being crimped, folded and/or rolled or sheet fragments, and in an orientated gathered form (e.g., parallel arrangement or weaved pattern of substantially identical sheet fragments) or in randomly arranged form (e.g., sheet fragments of various sizes and shapes in bulk mixed form as tobacco cut filler).

Consequently, the aerosol generating device may be referred to as a “heated tobacco device”, a “heat-not-bum tobacco device”, a “device for vaporising tobacco products”, a “T-vapour” device and the like, with this being interpreted as a device suitable for achieving these effects.

Examples of aerosol formers include polyhydric alcohols and mixtures thereof such as glycerine or propylene glycol. In other possible examples, the aerosol former may include other alcohols, such as ethanol, 1,3-propanediol, or may include water. Typically, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol former content of between approximately 5% and approximately 50% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating substrate may comprise an aerosol former content of between approximately 10% and approximately 20% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate, and possibly approximately 15% on a dry weight basis of the aerosol generating substrate.

Upon being heated, each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may release volatile compounds. The volatile compounds may include nicotine or flavour compounds such as tobacco flavouring. The plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be substantially planar. The plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article. In some examples, the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be disposed around an inner surface of a frustoconical substrate support. Such an arrangement may facilitate manufacture of the aerosol generating article and/or may facilitate contact between the aerosol generating substrate segments and a heater of an aerosol generating device. Such an arrangement may permit the use of a plurality of the aerosol generating articles with an aerosol generating device, for example in a stacked or nested arrangement, thereby increasing the total number of puffs that are available to a user. Such an arrangement may also facilitate storage and/or packaging of a plurality of the aerosol generating articles, for example in a stacked or nested arrangement.

The aerosol generating article may include an independent airflow path associated with each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Upon heating of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment by a heater of an aerosol generating device, the heated aerosol is delivered directly to a user for inhalation along its own independent, dedicated, airflow path, for example via an outlet of the aerosol generating device, without passing over any of the other discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. This helps to ensure that the aerosol generated when individual discrete aerosol substrate segments are individually and sequentially heated has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content). The heated aerosol generated by heating an individual one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments does not come into contact with any of the previously heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segments thereby ensuring that the aerosol inhaled by the user is not contaminated. The heated aerosol generated by heating an individual one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments does not come into contact with any of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments that have not yet been heated, thereby avoiding thermal damage of the unheated aerosol generating substrate segments, and the potential consequent premature release of volatile compounds. The plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be heatable individually and sequentially by a heater of an aerosol generating device. Such an arrangement may allow the structure of the aerosol generating article to be simplified because the heater is a component part of the aerosol generating device. Such an arrangement may also provide improved manufacturability of the aerosol generating article. The heater may be an electrical resistive heater. The use of an electrical resistive heater may be particularly convenient for providing sequential heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.

The aerosol generating article may comprise a plurality of discrete heater elements. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may be associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may contact a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may be substantially planar.

Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may comprise a resistive heater element, for example a resistive heater track. Each one of the plurality of resistive heater elements may include a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact.

Each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements may comprise an inductively heatable susceptor. The inductively heatable susceptor may comprise a ferromagnetic material including, but not limited to, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, manganese, and any combinations thereof. In other examples, the inductively heatable susceptor may comprise other materials, including, for example, other metal materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, as well as ceramic materials such as silicon carbide, carbonaceous materials, and any combinations of any of the materials described above. In further examples, the inductively heatable susceptor may comprise other conductive materials including metals such as copper, alloys of conductive materials, or other materials with one or more conductive materials embedded therein. With the application of an electromagnetic field in its vicinity during use of the aerosol generating article with an aerosol generating device including an electromagnetic field generator (such as an induction coil), the inductively heatable susceptor may generate heat through the Joule effect due to eddy currents flowing in the susceptor and, in the case of a ferromagnetic material, by magnetic hysteresis losses.

Each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments may be heatable independently and sequentially by its associated discrete heater element.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol generating system comprising: an aerosol generating device comprising a power source and a controller; and an aerosol generating article as defined above arranged externally on the aerosol generating device.

The aerosol generating device is a hand-held, portable, device that individually and sequentially heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments of the aerosol generating article, without burning the aerosol generating substrate segments, to volatise at least one component of each aerosol generating substrate segment and thereby generate a heated vapour which may cool and condense to form an aerosol for inhalation by a user of the aerosol generating system.

The aerosol generating device may include a heater for individually and sequentially heating the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Such an arrangement may allow the structure of the aerosol generating article to be simplified because the heater is a component part of the aerosol generating device. Such an arrangement may also provide improved manufacturability of the aerosol generating article because it is not necessary to incorporate a heater into the aerosol generating article. The heater may be an electrical resistive heater. The use of an electrical resistive heater may be particularly convenient for providing independent and sequential heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.

The heater may comprise an array of discrete heater elements. The discrete heater elements may be arranged circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device. Each one of the discrete heater elements may be associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. With this arrangement, the aerosol generating article can remain static when positioned on the aerosol generating device because each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments is positioned adjacent to a dedicated heater element which is configured to heat one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments.

The controller may be configured to individually and sequentially activate each heater element in the array (e.g., by supplying electrical power from the power source to the heater element) in response to a user inhalation or puff to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. With this arrangement, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments can be individually and sequentially heated in a consistent manner to provide a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate, e.g., corresponding to a single inhalation or puff. By “consistent manner”, it is meant that the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments are heated in the same way, e.g., by supplying the same electrical power to each heater element for the same time duration. Thus, the aerosol that is generated and inhaled by a user during each puff or inhalation has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content).

The heater may comprise a single heater element. The aerosol generating article may be arranged externally on the aerosol generating device for rotation about its longitudinal axis to sequentially position, e.g., circumferentially align, each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments adjacent to the single heater element to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. The aerosol generating article may be manually rotatable, e.g., by a user, to sequentially position each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments adj acent to the single heater element. For example, a user may rotate the aerosol generating article, e.g., after each puff or inhalation, to position a previously unheated one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments adj acent to the single heater element. In other examples, the aerosol generating device may include a rotator, e.g., a motor, to rotate the aerosol generating article by a predetermined angular amount, e.g., after each puff or inhalation, to position a previously unheated one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments adjacent to the single heater element.

In examples in which the aerosol generating article comprises a plurality of discrete heater elements and in which each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments, the controller may be configured to individually and sequentially activate each of the discrete heater elements to individually and sequentially heat each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments by its associated discrete heater element. Since each of the discrete heater elements is activated only once to heat its associated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment, the robustness and cost of the heater elements can be reduced as compared to examples in which the one or more heater elements form part of the aerosol generating device and must, therefore, be reused with multiple aerosol generating articles. In the latter case, the heater elements must typically be sufficiently robust to operate for a period of circa. 1 to 2 years at circa. 100 to 200 puffs per day.

The aerosol generating device may include a plurality of discrete electrical contacts each of which is in contact with one of the first electrical contacts of the plurality of discrete heater elements. Each of the discrete electrical contacts may be a spring-loaded electrical contact. The aerosol generating device may include a common electrical contact which is in contact with the second electrical contacts of the plurality of discrete heater elements. The controller may be configured to individually and sequentially activate each of the discrete heater elements by supplying electrical power from the power source to the discrete heater element via the discrete electrical contact that is in contact with the first electrical contact of the discrete heater element and the common electrical contact that is in contact with the second electrical contact of the discrete heater element.

The aerosol generating device may include at least one air inlet. The aerosol generating device may include at least one air outlet. In examples in which the heater comprises a single heater element that forms part of the aerosol generating device, the aerosol generating system may comprise a single airflow path which is configured to direct an airflow through a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment positioned adjacent to, e.g., circumferentially aligned with, the single heater element. The single airflow path may extend between the air inlet and the air outlet of the aerosol generating device. The provision of a single airflow path may allow the structure of the aerosol generating device to be simplified.

In examples in which the heater comprises an array of discrete heater elements, the aerosol generating system may comprise a plurality of independent airflow paths. Each of the independent airflow paths may be configured to direct an airflow through one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. Each independent airflow path may include an air inlet. Each independent airflow path may include an air outlet.

Upon heating of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment by the heater of the aerosol generating device, the heated aerosol is delivered directly to a user for inhalation, for example via the air outlet, without passing over any of the other discrete aerosol generating substrate segments. This helps to ensure that the aerosol generated when individual discrete aerosol substrate segments are individually and sequentially heated has consistent qualities (e.g., sensory qualities, nicotine content). The heated aerosol generated by heating an individual one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments does not come into contact with any of the previously heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segments thereby ensuring that the aerosol inhaled by the user is not contaminated. The heated aerosol generated by heating an individual one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments does not come into contact with any of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments that have not yet been heated, thereby avoiding thermal damage of the unheated aerosol generating substrate segments, and the potential consequent premature release of volatile compounds.

The aerosol generating system may comprise a flow controller positioned in the airflow path for selectively controlling the flow of air through the airflow path. For example, the aerosol generating system may comprise a flow controller positioned in the single airflow path or may comprise a flow controller positioned in each independent airflow path for selectively controlling the flow of air through each independent airflow path. The flow controller may have an open configuration and a closed configuration. The open configuration of the flow controller may be a configuration in which air can flow along the airflow path, e.g., into the air inlet, through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment and out of the air outlet. The closed configuration of the flow controller may be a configuration in which air is substantially prevented or blocked from flowing along the airflow path, e.g., into the air inlet, through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment and out of the air outlet. The aerosol generating device may be configured to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment only when the flow controller is in the open configuration. The flow controller may be a valve, for example an electrically-actuated valve or an electromechanically-actuated valve or a thermally-actuated valve or a magnetically-actuated valve or a light-actuated valve or a shape memory alloy (SMA) valve comprising a SMA actuator. In some examples, the flow controller may be a one-way valve.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first example of an aerosol generating system comprising an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating article prior to assembly of the device and the article;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of the first example of the aerosol generating system of Figure 1, showing a cut-away view of the aerosol generating article;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the first example of the aerosol generating system of Figures 1 and 2 after assembly, with the aerosol generating article arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing part of a second example of an aerosol generating system including a flow controller;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a part of third example of an aerosol generating system, showing part of an aerosol generating device and a cut-away view of an aerosol generating article prior to assembly of the device and the article;

Figure 6 is a view looking towards a proximal end (mouth end) of the aerosol generating device of Figure 5 prior to assembly of the device and the article; Figure 7 is a view looking towards a proximal end (mouth end) of the aerosol generating device of Figure 5 after assembly, with the aerosol generating article arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the third example of the aerosol generating system of Figures 5 to 7, with the aerosol generating article arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view showing part of the aerosol generating system of Figures 1 to 7 prior to assembly of the device and the article;

Figures 10A to 10C are diagrammatic cross-sectional views along the line A-A in Figure 9 after assembly of the aerosol generating article on the aerosol generating device, showing different heater profiles;

Figure 11 is diagrammatic perspective view of an aerosol generating device that forms part of a fourth example of an aerosol generating system;

Figure 12 is diagrammatic perspective view of a fourth example of an aerosol generating system comprising the aerosol generating device of Figure 11 and an aerosol generating article during assembly of the device and the article;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fourth example of the aerosol generating system of Figure 12 after assembly, with one aerosol generating article arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fourth example of the aerosol generating system of Figure 12 after assembly, with three nested aerosol generating articles arranged externally on the aerosol generating device;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic sectional view of part of the aerosol generating system shown in Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a diagrammatic plan view of a resistive heater track and a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment that form part of an aerosol generating article of the aerosol generating system of Figures 11 to 15.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first example of an electrically operated aerosol generating system 1. The aerosol generating system 1 comprises an aerosol generating article 10 and an aerosol generating device 12.

The aerosol generating article 10 is a consumable and comprises a substantially frustoconical substrate support 14. The substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 and may comprise a plastics material. The aerosol generating article 10 further comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 which are disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10, and in the illustrated example around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14. As best seen in Figure 2, the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 22 on the inner surface 16, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 22 defines a space for accommodating a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.

Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 is substantially planar and has an exposed inner surface 24 that faces inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10. The discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10 due to the geometry of the frustoconical substrate support 14. More particularly, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed on the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 so that they slope or taper inwardly from a first end 10a (in use, distal end) of the aerosol generating article 10 towards a second end 10b (in use, proximal end) of the aerosol generating article 10.

Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate and, thus, delivers a metered-dose of aerosol generating substrate to a user when heated. In some examples, each metered-dose corresponds to a single inhalation or puff. Thus, in some examples, each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 delivers a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate to a user during a single inhalation or puff. Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 includes a component or components required to generate an aerosol. In some examples, each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 comprises a predetermined amount of tobacco or nicotine or a flavourant, or a combination of these. Each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 typically also comprises an aerosol former, for example glycerine or propylene glycol. Upon being heated, each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 releases one or more volatile compounds in a metered dose.

The aerosol generating device 12 comprises a cylindrical hollow housing 26 having a substantially circular cross section. The housing 26 is typically formed of a rigid, thermally insulating plastics material such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK). The aerosol generating device 12 comprises a proximal portion 28 and a distal portion 30, and the proximal portion 28 and distal portion 30 are separated by a shoulder 32. The aerosol generating device 12 has a distal end 12a and a proximal end 12b (or mouth end) and, in the illustrated example, the housing 26 tapers inwardly in the longitudinal direction from the shoulder 32 towards the distal end 12a. In other (non-illustrated) examples, the housing 26 could taper in the opposite longitudinal direction or could have a constant diameter in the longitudinal direction.

The proximal portion 28 comprises a heater 34 that is configured to heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. In the illustrated example, the heater 34 comprises an array of discrete electrically resistive heater elements 36 that are arranged circumferentially and uniformly around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 12, and more particularly around a substantially frustoconical heater support 35. Each of the heater elements 36 is elongate and the heater elements 36 are disposed lengthwise at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 12 on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. Thus, the heater elements 36 slope or taper inwardly away from the shoulder 32 towards a proximal end 12b (or mouth end) of the aerosol generating device 12. In preferred examples, the angle at which the heater elements 36 are disposed is substantially the same as the angle at which the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10. As best seen in Figure 2, the substantially frustoconical heater support 35 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 37, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 37 defines a space for accommodating one of the discrete heater elements 36.

The number of heater elements 36 corresponds to the number of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 of the aerosol generating article 10. In the illustrated example, the aerosol generating device 12 includes twenty heater elements 36 and the aerosol generating article 10 likewise includes twenty discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. This is merely exemplary, and it will be understood that any suitable number of heater elements 36 and discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 may be provided, as long as the same number of each is provided.

The aerosol generating device 12 further comprises a mouthpiece 38 at the proximal end 12b for engagement by a user’s lips to enable a user to inhale an aerosol generated by the aerosol generating system 1. The mouthpiece 38 includes a channel 40 through which heated vapour may flow from the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 via an outlet end 43 and into the mouth of a user drawing on the mouthpiece 38. The heated vapour may cool and condense to form an aerosol as it flows through the channel 40.

During use of the aerosol generating system 1, the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 12. More particularly, the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 12 so that the exposed inner surface 24 of each discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 contacts a corresponding one of the heater elements 36, and so that each one of the partitions 22 formed on the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 is aligned with a corresponding one of the partitions 37 formed on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. As noted above, in the illustrated first example the number of heater elements 36 corresponds to the number of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. Thus, each of the discrete heater elements 36 is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 when the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged on the aerosol generating device 12.

The aerosol generating device 12 includes a power source 6, such as a battery, and a controller 8 comprising electric circuitry. The power source 6 and controller 8 may be located in the distal portion 30 of the aerosol generating device 12, in the hollow housing 26 as shown schematically in Figure 1. The controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater elements 36 to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. More particularly, the controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 individually and sequentially to the heater elements 36. The controller 8 is configured to detect airflow through the aerosol generating device 12. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, an airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 is indicative of a user inhalation or ‘puff. The aerosol generating device 12 may, for example, include a puff detector (not shown), such as an airflow sensor or microphone, to detect an airflow through the aerosol generating device 12 and to provide a corresponding signal to the controller 8. The controller 8 is configured to individually and sequentially activate each heater element 36 in response to a detected user inhalation or puff to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. For example, the controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 exclusively to a first one of the heater elements 36 when a first puff is detected, to subsequently supply electrical power from the power source 6 exclusively to a second one of the heater elements 36 when a second puff is detected, and to subsequently supply electrical power from the power source 6 exclusively to each of the remaining heater elements 36, in a sequential manner, for each subsequent detected puff until all of the heater elements 36 have been individually and sequentially activated. With this mode of operation, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are heated individually and sequentially and each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 delivers a metered-dose of aerosol generating substrate to the user during each puff. The shoulder 32 of the aerosol generating device 12 acts as a distal stop for the first end 10a of the aerosol generating article 10. More particularly, the first end 10a of the aerosol generating article 10 (which is in the form of a circular rim) contacts the shoulder 32 when the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 12.

The aerosol generating system 1 includes a plurality of independent airflow paths 42 associated with the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. In the illustrated example, the aerosol generating device 12 includes a plurality of air inlets 44 disposed circumferentially around the shoulder 32 at a distal end of the substantially frustoconical heater support 35 and a plurality of air outlets 46 disposed circumferentially around a proximal end of the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. Each independent airflow path 42 extends between an air inlet 44 and a corresponding air outlet 46 so that air flows along each of the independent airflow paths 42 through only one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. Thus, the independent airflow paths 42 are each associated with one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. The air outlets 46 are fluidly connected to the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38 so that air can be drawn through the independent airflow paths 42, and through a heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20, when a user draws on the mouthpiece 38.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown part of a second example of an aerosol generating system 2 which is similar to the first example of the aerosol generating system 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 and in which corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals. The aerosol generating system 2 comprises an aerosol generating device 60 including a flow controller 48 positioned in each independent airflow path 42 for selectively controlling the flow of air through each independent airflow path 42. The flow controller 48 has a closed configuration shown in Figure 4 by broken lines and an open configuration shown in Figure 4 by solid lines. In the closed configuration, the flow controller 48 substantially prevents or blocks air from flowing into the air inlet 44, through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 and out of the air outlet 46. In the open configuration, the flow controller 48 allows air to flow into the air inlet 44, along the airflow path 42 through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20, and out of the air outlet 46 into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38. In some examples, the aerosol generating device 60 is configured to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20, e.g., by enabling, via the controller 8, the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to a heater element 36, only when the flow controller 48 is in the open configuration. Thus, air flows along a selected one of the independent airflow paths 42 only when the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 in that selected airflow path 42 is being heated. This arrangement ensures that the heated aerosol is delivered directly to a user for inhalation, for example via the respective air outlet 46, without passing over any of the other discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20.

The flow controller 48 illustrated in Figure 3, which is given merely by way of an example, comprises a piezoelectric valve 49. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric valve 49 by the power source 6 and controller 8, the piezoelectric valve 49 moves under the command of the controller 8 from the closed configuration to the open configuration thereby opening the airflow path 42. When the applied voltage is removed, the piezoelectric valve 49 moves under the command of the controller 8 from the open configuration to the closed configuration thereby closing the airflow path 42. Thus, the opening and closing of the airflow path 42 can be controlled in a simple and effective manner by the piezoelectric valve 49 under the command of the controller 8. The use of a piezoelectric valve 49 is particularly advantageous as it moves rapidly when a voltage is applied or removed. In some examples, a linear movement of approximately 2 mm from the closed configuration to the open configuration may be sufficient to open the airflow path 42. In some examples, a cross-sectional area of approximately 0.3 to 0.8 mm² at the air inlet 44, and in some possibly preferred examples approximately 0.5 to 0.6 mm² at the air inlet 44, may provide an optimal airflow resistance (i. e. , draw resistance) for the user.

In order to assemble the aerosol generating system 1, 2 ready for use, a user slides an aerosol generating article 10 over the mouthpiece 38 and onto the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 12, 60. The user slides the aerosol generating article 10 onto the proximal portion 28, towards the distal portion 30, until the first end 10a (distal end) of the aerosol generating article 10 abuts the shoulder 32, with the partitions 22 on the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 circumferentially aligned with the partitions 37 on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. In this position, the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 is fully received on the proximal portion 28, and each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 is aligned with one of the heater elements 36.

The controller 8 is configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 12, 60 in response to a user input, such as a button press, to switch the aerosol generating device 12, 60 from an off mode into a standby mode. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, the controller 8 detects the user’s puff (e.g., based on the signal received from the puff detector) and supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a first one of the heater elements 36. The heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the activated heater element 36 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour.

When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42 in which the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is to be heated by activation of the corresponding heater element 36. This may require the flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, (if present) in that airflow path 42 to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, for example as described above. As the ambient air flows along the airflow path 42 from the air inlet 44 towards the air outlet 46, the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. The vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42. The entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38. As the vapour flows through the channel 40, it may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation. As explained above, the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.

A typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds. When the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36. The flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration.

When the next puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a second one of the heater elements 36. The flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above. The heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36 in the manner described above, until the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector and the supply of electrical power to the heater element 36 is terminated by the controller 8. Again, the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the open configuration to the closed configuration as described above.

This process may be repeated when further puffs are detected until the controller 8 detects that all of the heater elements 36 have been activated, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 10 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 10 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated).

Referring to Figures 5 to 8, there is shown a third example of an electrically operated aerosol generating system 3. The aerosol generating system 3 comprises an aerosol generating article 10 and an aerosol generating device 50. The aerosol generating article 10 is as described above. The aerosol generating device 50 is similar to the aerosol generating device 12 described above, and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals.

The heater 34 of the aerosol generating device 50 includes a single heater element 36 positioned on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. The single heater element 36 is elongate and is disposed lengthwise at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device 50 on the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. Thus, the heater element 36 slopes or tapers inwardly away from the shoulder 32 towards a proximal end 12b (or mouth end) of the aerosol generating device 50. In preferred examples, the angle at which the heater element 36 is disposed is substantially the same as the angle at which the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 are disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 10.

During use of the aerosol generating system 3, the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 50. More particularly, the aerosol generating article 10 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 50 as described above so that the exposed inner surface 24 of one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 contacts the heater element 36.

The controller 8 is configured to supply electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36 to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36. More particularly, the controller 8 is configured to detect airflow through the aerosol generating device 50, such airflow being indicative of a user inhalation or ‘puff as described above. The aerosol generating device 50 may, for example, include a puff detector (not shown), such as an airflow sensor or microphone, for this purpose. The controller 8 is configured to activate the heater element 36 in response to a detected user inhalation or puff to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36. In the illustrated third example of the aerosol generating system 3, the aerosol generating article 10 is rotatably mounted on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 50 for rotation about its longitudinal axis (as shown by the arrow R in Figures 7 and 8) to sequentially position each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 adjacent to the heater element 36. This allows the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 to be sequentially aligned with, and heated by, the heater element 36.

The aerosol generating system 3 includes a single airflow path 42. In the illustrated example, the aerosol generating device 50 includes an air inlet 44 at the shoulder 32 at a distal end of the substantially frustoconical heater support 35 and an air outlet 46 at a proximal end of the substantially frustoconical heater support 35. The airflow path 42 extends between the air inlet 44 and the air outlet 46 so that air flows along the airflow path 42 and through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36. The air outlet 46 is fluidly connected to the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38 so that air can be drawn through the airflow path 42, and through a heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20, when a user draws on the mouthpiece 38.

In order to assemble the aerosol generating system 3 ready for use, a user slides an aerosol generating article 10 over the mouthpiece 38 and onto the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 50. The user slides the aerosol generating article 10 onto the proximal portion 28, towards the distal portion 30, until the first end 10a (distal end) of the aerosol generating article 10 abuts the shoulder 32, and so that one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 is aligned with the heater element 36.

The controller 8 is configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 50 in response to a user input, such as a button press, to switch the aerosol generating device 50 from an off mode into a standby mode. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, the controller 8 detects the user’s puff (e.g., based on the signal received from the puff detector) and supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36. The heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adj acent to the activated heater element 36 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42. This may require the flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, (if present) in the airflow path 42 to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, for example as described above. As the ambient air flows along the airflow path 42 from the air inlet 44 towards the air outlet 46, the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. The vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42. The entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38. As the vapour flows through the channel 40, it may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation. As explained above, the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.

A typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds. When the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36. The flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration. The aerosol generating article 10 is then rotated on the proximal portion 28 (as shown by the arrow R in Figures 7 and 8) to move the heated discrete aerosol generating segment 20 away from the heater element 36 and to move a circumferentially adjacent, unheated, discrete aerosol generating segment 20 into circumferential alignment with the heater element 36. When the next puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 again supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the heater element 36. The flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above. The heater element 36 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is positioned adjacent to the heater element 36 in the manner described above, until the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector and the supply of electrical power to the heater element 36 is terminated by the controller 8. Again, the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the open configuration to the closed configuration as described above. These steps may be repeated until the controller 8 detects that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated, e.g., based on the number of activations of the heater element 36 during a session or since positioning of the aerosol generating article 10 on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 50, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 10 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 10 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated).

The rotation of the aerosol generating article 10 may be indexed by a predetermined angular amount to ensure accurate sequential alignment of each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 with the heater element 36. The rotation may be performed manually, e.g., by a user, after each puff has taken place. In other examples, the aerosol generating device 50 may include a rotator (not shown), e.g., a motor, to rotate the aerosol generating article 10 by a predetermined angular amount (i.e., to provide indexed rotation) after each puff has taken place to position a previously unheated one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 adjacent to the heater element 36.

In order to maximise the energy efficiency of the aerosol generating system 1, 2, 3, it is important to ensure that there is good contact between the heater element 36 and the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 to maximise heat transfer, by thermal conduction, from the heater element 36 to the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. Referring to Figure 9, it has been proposed that a good contact may be achieved by setting the angle of inclination a to be at least 30°, and more preferably at least 45°, and to be less than 90°. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the angle of inclination a will also affect the dimensions of the aerosol generating article 10, with an increase in the angle of inclination a resulting in a decrease in the overall diameter of the aerosol generating article 10. In a first mode illustrated in Figure 10A, the heater element 36 is substantially planar and has a substantially planar and continuous heater surface 33 which contacts the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.

In a second mode illustrated in Figure 10B, the heater element 36 has a substantially convex profile and, thus, has a substantially curved and continuous heater surface 33 which contacts the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. The contact between the curved and continuous heater surface 33 and the exposed inner surface 24 of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 may cause a slight deformation and/or compression of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 (this is exaggerated in Figure 10B). A heater element 36 with this curved profile may facilitate airflow through the airflow path 42, from the air inlet 44 to the air outlet 46, and may in particular allow vapour to be more easily entrained in the air that flows through void space around the heater element 36 that is created as a result its curved profile.

In a third mode illustrated in Figure 10C, the heater element 36 has a ribbed profile and, thus, has a plurality of heater surface portions 33a, 33b, 33c which contact the exposed inner surface 24 of a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. The heater element 36 may define a plurality of airflow passages 33d which may facilitate airflow through the airflow path 42, from the air inlet 44 to the air outlet 46, and may in particular allow vapour to be more easily entrained in the air that flows through the airflow passages 33d.

Referring now to Figures 11 to 16, there is shown a fourth example of an electrically operated aerosol generating system 4. The aerosol generating system 4 comprises an aerosol generating article 70 and an aerosol generating device 72. The aerosol generating system 4 is similar to the aerosol generating system 1, 2 described above, and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals. Referring initially to Figure 15 where three aerosol generating articles 70 are shown mounted on the aerosol generating device 72 in a nested arrangement, the aerosol generating article 70 comprises a substantially frustoconical substrate support 14. The substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 has an inner surface 16 and an outer surface 18 and may comprise a plastics material. The aerosol generating article 70 comprises a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 which are disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article 70 and in the illustrated example around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 (in the same manner shown in Figure 2). Although not apparent in Figure 15, the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 can include a plurality of circumferentially spaced partitions 22 (as seen in Figure 2) on the inner surface 16, and each pair of circumferentially adjacent partitions 22 defines a space for accommodating a discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20.

The aerosol generating article 70 comprises a plurality of discrete heater elements 74. Each one of the heater elements 74 is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20. More particularly, the heater elements 74 are arranged circumferentially around the inner surface 16 of the substantially frustoconical substrate support 14 in the spaces between the partitions 22, between the inner surface 16 and the aerosol generating substrate segments 20. As best seen in Figure 16, each heater element 74 may comprise a resistive heater track 75 of any suitable shape. Each heater element 74 includes a first electrical contact 76 and a second electrical contact 78.

The aerosol generating device 72 includes a common electrical contact 82 which extends around an outer surface of the mouthpiece 38. The aerosol generating device 72 also includes a plurality of discrete electrical contacts 80 which are spaced circumferentially around an inner surface 84 of a skirt portion 86 of the hollow housing 26 of the aerosol generating device 72. Each of the discrete electrical contacts 80 is electrically isolated from all of the other discrete electrical contacts 80. In some examples, the discrete electrical contacts 80 are spring-loaded electrical contacts. In the illustrated example, three separate longitudinally-spaced rows 88a-c of discrete electrical contacts 80 are provided, but it is sufficient that at least one row of discrete electrical contacts 80 is provided to enable use of the aerosol generating device 72 with an aerosol generating article 70 as described above.

The aerosol generating article 70 is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 72 by a user during use of the aerosol generating system 4. More particularly, the aerosol generating article 70 is arranged externally on the proximal portion 28 of the aerosol generating device 72 so that the first electrical contact 76 of each heater element 74 contacts one of the discrete electrical contacts 80 of the aerosol generating device 72 and so that the second electrical contact 78 of each heater element 74 contacts the common electrical contact 82 of the aerosol generating device 72. As noted above, the discrete electrical contacts 80 may be spring-loaded to ensure that there is good contact between the discrete electrical contacts 80 and the first electrical contacts 76 of the heater elements 74. If desired, more than one aerosol generating article 70 can be arranged externally on the aerosol generating device 72 (as best seen in Figure 15) dependent upon the number of longitudinally-spaced rows 88 of discrete heater elements 80 that are provided.

The controller 8 is configured to detect the initiation of use of the aerosol generating device 72 in response to a user input, such as a button press, to switch the aerosol generating device 72 from an off mode into a standby mode. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, the controller 8 detects the user’s puff (e.g., based on the signal received from the puff detector) and supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a first one of the heater elements 74. In particular, the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the first heater element 74 via the discrete electrical contact 80 that is in contact with the first electrical contact 76 of the first heater element 74 and the common electrical contact 82 that is in contact with the second electrical contact 78 of the first heater element 74. The first heater element 74 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is in contact with the first heater element 74 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour. When a user draws on the mouthpiece 38, ambient air is also drawn into the air inlet 44 of the airflow path 42 of the heated discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. This may require a flow controller 48, e.g., piezoelectric valve 49, if present in that airflow path 42 (see Figure 4) to move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the closed configuration to the open configuration. As the ambient air flows along the airflow path 42 from the air inlet 44 towards the air outlet 46, the ambient air is drawn through the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20. The vapour generated by heating the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 is entrained in the airflow through the airflow path 42. The entrained vapour flows out of the air outlet 46 and into the channel 40 of the mouthpiece 38, towards an outlet at the proximal (or downstream) outlet end 43 of the mouthpiece 38. As the vapour flows through the channel 40, it may cool and condense to form an aerosol which is delivered to the user for inhalation. As explained above, the aerosol that is inhaled by the user during a single puff corresponds to a metered-dose of the aerosol generating substrate.

A typical puff duration may be around 2-3 seconds. When the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 terminates the supply of electrical power from the power source 6 to the first heater element 74. The flow controller 48 (if present) may also move (e.g., under the command of the controller 8) from the open configuration to the closed configuration. In some examples, the flow controller 48 (if present) may remain in the open configuration.

When the next puff is detected by the puff detector, the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to a second one of the heater elements 74. In particular, the controller 8 supplies electrical power from the power source 6 to the second heater element 74 via the discrete electrical contact 80 that is in contact with the first electrical contact 76 of the second heater element 74 and the common electrical contact 82 that is in contact with the second electrical contact 78 of the second heater element 74. The second heater element 74 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is in contact with the second heater element 74 and the heating of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 releases one or more volatile compounds to form a vapour. The flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the closed configuration to the open configuration as described above. The second heater element 74 heats the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment 20 that is in contact with it until the end of the puff is detected by the puff detector and the supply of electrical power to the second heater element 74 is terminated by the controller 8. Again, the flow controller 48 (if present) in the airflow path 42 may also move from the open configuration to the closed configuration as described above.

This process may be repeated when further puffs are detected until the controller 8 detects that all of the heater elements 74 of a particular aerosol generating article 70 have been activated, thus indicating that all of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been heated and that the aerosol generating article 70 is fully depleted and needs to be replaced with an unused aerosol generating article 70 (i.e., an aerosol generating article in which none of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 have been previously heated). In examples in which the aerosol generating system 70 comprises a plurality of nested aerosol generating articles 70 as shown in Figure 15, the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments 20 of each aerosol generating article 70 can be heated before replacement of the aerosol generating articles 70 is needed. Thus, the aerosol generating system 4 may provide an improved user experience by reducing the frequency with which used aerosol generating articles 70 need to be removed and replaced.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating article (10, 70) comprising: a plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article (10, 70) and having an exposed surface (24) that faces inwardly towards the longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) are individually and sequentially heatable and each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate.

2. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1, wherein each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) comprises a metered-dose of an aerosol generating substrate corresponding to a single inhalation or puff.

3. An aerosol generating article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating article (10, 70), preferably wherein the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) are disposed around an inner surface (16) of a frustoconical substrate support (14).

4. An aerosol generating article according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the aerosol generating article (10, 70) includes an independent airflow path (42) associated with each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

5. An aerosol generating article according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) are individually and sequentially heatable by a heater (34) of an aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60).

6. An aerosol generating article according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aerosol generating article (70) comprises a plurality of discrete heater elements (74) and each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements (74) is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

7. An aerosol generating article according to claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) is individually and sequentially heatable by its associated discrete heater element (74).

8. An aerosol generating system (1, 2, 3, 4) comprising: an aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72) comprising a power source (6) and a controller (8); and an aerosol generating article (10, 70) according to any of claims 1 to 5 arranged externally on the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72).

9. An aerosol generating system according to claim 8, wherein the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60) includes a heater (34) for individually and sequentially heating the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

10. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, wherein the heater (34) comprises an array of discrete heater elements (36) arranged circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60), each one of the discrete heater elements (36) is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20), and the controller (8) is configured to individually and sequentially activate each heater element (36) in the array in response to a user inhalation or puff to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

11. An aerosol generating system according to claim 9, wherein the heater (34) comprises a single heater element (36), and the aerosol generating article (10) is arranged externally on the aerosol generating device (50) for rotation about its longitudinal axis to sequentially position each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) adjacent to the single heater element (36) to individually and sequentially heat the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

12. An aerosol generating system according to claim 8, wherein the aerosol generating article (70) comprises a plurality of discrete heater elements (74) and each one of the plurality of discrete heater elements (74) is associated with a corresponding one of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20), and wherein the controller (8) is configured to individually and sequentially activate each of the discrete heater elements (74) to individually and sequentially heat each of the plurality of discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20) by its associated discrete heater element (74).

13. An aerosol generating system according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72) includes an air inlet (44) and an air outlet (46) and defines a plurality of independent airflow paths (42) associated with each of the discrete aerosol generating substrate segments (20).

14. An aerosol generating system according to claim 13, wherein the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72) comprises a flow controller (48) positioned in each independent airflow path (42) for selectively controlling the flow of air through each independent airflow path (42).

15. An aerosol generating system according to claim 14, wherein the flow controller (48) is movable between a closed configuration which substantially prevents airflow along the independent airflow path (42) and an open configuration which permits airflow along the independent airflow path (42), and the aerosol generating device (12, 50, 60, 72) is configured to heat the discrete aerosol generating substrate segment (20) only when the flow controller (48) is in the open configuration.