WO2025011949A1

WO2025011949A1 - Aerosol-generating article and package

Info

Publication number: WO2025011949A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/067820
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo Bologna
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2023-07-07
Filing date: 2024-06-25
Publication date: 2025-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-07

Abstract

There is provided an aerosol-generating article 100 extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends 101, 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises a perimeter wall 110. The perimeter wall 110 is lenticular in axial cross-section. Also provided is a package 5000, in which the package comprises a plurality of aerosol-generating articles 400 and a container 5100 in which the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are received. Each one of the aerosol-generating articles 400 of the package extends longitudinally between opposed first and second ends of the respective aerosol-generating article, a perimeter wall 410 of the aerosol-generating article 400 configured to define a constricted flattened shape in axial cross-section.

Description

AEROSOL-GENERATING ARTICLE AND PACKAGE

The present disclosure relates to an aerosol-generating article. The present disclosure also relates to a package having a plurality of aerosol-generating articles and a container for receiving the plurality of aerosol-generating articles.

In the field of aerosol-generating articles for delivering an aerosol to a user, it is known for such aerosol-generating articles to be circular in cross-section and/or to extend between opposed first and second open ends.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may be lenticular in axial cross-section.

A lenticular cross-section is associated with a shape having a thickness dimension that is lower than a width dimension. So, in contrast to an aerosol-generating article having a cylindrical cross-section, the aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure has a flatter cross-sectional profile, i.e., the ratio of the thickness of the aerosol-generating article to the width of the aerosol-generating article is less than one. The use of a lenticular cross-section reduces the likelihood of the article rolling along its outer surface when placed down on a flat surface. The reduced thickness associated with the use of a lenticular cross-section may also facilitate uniformly heating the aerosol-generating article across the thickness of the article compared to an aerosol-generating article having a perimeter wall of the same circumferential length but being circular in axial cross-section. It will be understood that the “thickness” of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the “height” of the aerosol-generating article.

The first end may form a distal end of the aerosol-generating article. The second end may form a proximal or mouth end of the aerosol-generating article, through which aerosol may exit the article in use to be inhaled by a user. When a user draws on the second end (the proximal or mouth end), air flow may be drawn in through the first end (the distal end) and flow downstream towards the second end; in this context, the first end may form an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article and the second end may form a downstream end of the aerosolgenerating article. The first and second ends may also be referred to as forward and rear ends respectively of the aerosol-generating article.

The perimeter wall may comprise opposed first and second convex portions. Opposed ends of the first convex portion may meet corresponding opposed ends of the second convex portion to define a pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall. The opposed first and second convex portions facilitate providing the perimeter wall with a profile resembling that of a double-convex lens.

Preferably, at the location of each of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an outer surface of the perimeter wall has a radius of curvature of less than 2 millimetres, or less than 1 millimetre, or less than 0.5 millimetres, or less than 0.25 millimetres. The use of such a small value for the radius of curvature at the laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall may ensure that the sides of the aerosol-generating article are well defined.

Advantageously, the perimeter wall may comprise a pair of fold lines, the pair of fold lines defining the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall.

At the location of each of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an acute angle between a first tangent to an outer surface of the first convex portion and a second tangent to an outer surface of the second convex portion preferably lies within a range of between 15 degrees and 110 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 90 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 65 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 55 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 25 degrees. The use of a smaller value of the acute angle provides a “sharper” and more well defined geometric profile to the outer surface of the perimeter wall at the location of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall.

At a location midway between the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, a radius of curvature of an inward surface of each of the first and second convex portions may have a radius of curvature of between 100 millimetres and 500 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may have a width of no greater than 20 millimetres. The width of the aerosol-generating article preferably lies in a range of between 14 millimetres and 20 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may have a thickness of no greater than 8 millimetres. The thickness of the aerosol-generating article preferably lies in a range of between 3 millimetres and 8 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 6 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 5 millimetres. Preferably, the thickness of the aerosol-generating article is about 4 millimetres.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise at least one flap located at one of the first end and the second end. The at least one flap may be configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

The at least one flap may be configured to be folded by a user.

The at least one flap may be configured to be folded to cover at least a portion of an opening defined at the end at which the flap is located; for example to cover the opening and/or extend within the opening.

The flap may be connected to the article at a fold line; for example, at a scoreline. The flap may be configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap overlaps at least a portion of the opening. The flap may be configured to be folded along the fold line such that an edge of the flap is located within the opening; for example, the edge of the flap may contact an internal wall of the aerosol-generating article, such as an internal wall of a chamber accessed through the opening. The internal wall of the aerosol-generating article may form part of the perimeter wall.

The flap may comprise at least one aperture and/or be formed of an air-permeable material. Where such a flap is positioned at a mouth end of the aerosol-generating article, the use of an aperture and/or the use of an air-permeable material for the flap may permit a user to inhale aerosol from the aerosol-generating article via the flap at the mouth end.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may define a constricted flattened shape in axial cross-section.

As will be understood from subsequent paragraphs of this disclosure (for example, as recited below for a third aspect of the present disclosure), the aerosol-generating articles as outlined in the first and second aspects of the present disclosure may be one and the same article, but relate to the article being in different states. Preferably, the first aspect of the present disclosure relates to the aerosol-generating article being in a dilated state and the second aspect of the present disclosure relates to the aerosol-generating article being in a constricted state. More specifically, an area enclosed by the perimeter wall is larger in the dilated state than for the constricted state. The dilated state may be associated with the aerosol-generating article being in a condition ready for use (or in use) by a user. In contrast, the flattened constricted state may be associated with the aerosol-generating article being in a condition suitable for efficient packing or storage of a plurality of the aerosol-generating articles, with the constricted cross-section of the article allowing for more efficient packing of different ones of the articles in side-by-side or end-to-end relationship with each other.

Conveniently, opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are in surface contact with each other. Having opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall in surface contact with each other facilitates minimising the thickness of the cross-section defined by the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article, thereby facilitating efficient packing of different ones of the articles.

Opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall may be parallel to each other. Opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall may be generally planar.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a thickness of no greater than 5 millimetres. The thickness of the aerosol-generating article may lie in a range of between 0.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 3 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 2 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 1 .5 millimetres. Preferably, the aerosol-generating article has a thickness of about 1 millimetre. The constricted flattened shape of the perimeter wall may result from flattening of a tubular member. By way of example, the tubular member may be an aerosol-generating article or a perimeter wall for an aerosol-generating article.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may be configured to be deformable to provide a contraction in width of the aerosol-generating article accompanied by an expansion in thickness of the aerosol-generating article to thereby transition the aerosol-generating article from a constricted first state to a dilated second state. In the dilated second state an area enclosed by the perimeter wall is increased relative to the constricted first state.

The constricted first state may be particularly suitable for efficient packing of a plurality of different ones of the aerosol-generating article (for example, in side-by-side relationship), as it may help to reduce the size of air gaps between adjacent articles compared to aerosolgenerating articles having a conventional circular cross-section. A user would be able to take an unused aerosol-generating article in the constricted first state and compress laterally opposed sides of the perimeter wall towards each other to cause the article to transition into the dilated second state. The larger area enclosed by the perimeter wall in the dilated second state provides for improved air flow through the article compared to the article being in the constricted first state, thereby making it easier to draw on the article via the second end of the article.

Preferably, in the constricted first state opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are in surface contact with each other. As described above, having opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall in surface contact with each other facilitates minimising the thickness of the cross-section defined by the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article, thereby facilitating efficient packing of different ones of the articles.

In the constricted first state opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall may be parallel to each other.

In the constricted first state opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall may be generally planar.

Advantageously, in the dilated second state the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article may be lenticular in axial cross-section. This may provide the same advantages associated with the first aspect of the present disclosure, as outlined in the preceding paragraphs. The perimeter wall may comprise opposed first and second portions. Opposed ends of the first portion may meet corresponding opposed ends of the second portion to define a pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may be adapted such that deformation of the pair of laterally opposed edges towards each other introduces or increases separation between the opposed first and second portions of the perimeter wall at a location between the pair of laterally opposed edges, to thereby transition the aerosolgenerating article between the constricted first state and the dilated second state.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, preferably forming at least part of the perimeter wall. The aerosol-forming substrate may be configured to generate an inhalable aerosol when heated. More specifically, the aerosolforming substrate may be configured to generate an aerosol when subjected to a level of heating sufficient to heat but not ignite or combust the aerosol-forming substrate. The aerosolforming substrate preferably includes an aerosol former.

For any of the aspects of the present disclosure the perimeter wall may incorporate or be formed of aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the perimeter wall may incorporate or be formed of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. The perimeter wall may be solely formed of aerosol-forming substrate, for example as one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. The perimeter wall may incorporate aerosol-forming substrate alongside other constituent elements or component parts, for example the aerosol-forming substrate being in sheet form. An outward-facing surface of the perimeter wall may comprise or consist of aerosolforming substrate, for example as a sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Advantageously, the perimeter wall may comprise both an aerosol-forming substrate and a supporting substrate. By “supporting substrate” is meant a material configured to provide the aerosol-generating article with a suitable level of flexural stiffness. Preferably, the supporting substrate has a flexural stiffness which is higher than that of the aerosol-forming substrate.

The perimeter wall may comprise at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and at least one sheet of supporting substrate. Each sheet is preferably formed of one layer, but may instead be formed of two or more layers overlaid over each other to form the respective sheet. The perimeter wall may define a laminate structure formed of both the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and the at least one sheet of supporting substrate.

The perimeter wall may comprise a band of aerosol-forming substrate. The perimeter wall may comprise a band of supporting substrate. Where the perimeter wall includes both a band of aerosol-forming substrate and a band of supporting substrate, conveniently the band of aerosol-forming substrate radially surrounds or is surrounded by the band of supporting substrate.

Advantageously, the supporting substrate may be cardboard. Cardboard is preferred because of its flexural stiffness.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosolgenerating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate. A fold line may be defined in the at least one sheet of supporting substrate to define a folded sheet of supporting substrate. A first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate may be folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

The first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate may extend over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate extend over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, free ends of the first portion and second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate may be aligned with each other in order to define the closed path. Alternatively however, the free ends of the first and second portions of the folded sheet may overlap with each other to thereby define the closed path.

Preferably, the perimeter wall further comprises at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. The at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or both of i) an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, and ii) an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. The outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate. Similarly, the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

The outer arrangement may comprise a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

Alternatively, the outer arrangement may instead comprise a first outer sheet of aerosolforming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outwardfacing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate and a second outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a first inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate and a second inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate. The at least one sheet of supporting substrate may comprise a first sheet of supporting substrate and a second sheet of supporting substrate arranged in opposition to each other. Laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of supporting substrate may be aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, with the first and second sheets of supporting substrate thereby defining a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

The first sheet of supporting substrate may extend over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of supporting substrate may extend over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the perimeter wall further comprises at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. The at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may comprise one or both of i) an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, and ii) an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. The outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate. Similarly, the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate.

The outer arrangement may comprise a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate.

Alternatively, the outer arrangement may comprise a first outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first sheet of supporting substrate and a second outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second sheet of supporting substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a first inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first sheet of supporting substrate and a second inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second sheet of supporting substrate.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosolgenerating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol- generating article may comprise a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. A fold line may be defined in the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. A first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may be folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

The first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may extend over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extend over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, free ends of the first portion and second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may be aligned with each other in order to define the closed path. Alternatively however, the free ends of the first and second portions of the folded sheet may overlap with each other to thereby define the closed path.

Preferably, the perimeter wall further comprises at least one sheet of supporting substrate. The at least one sheet of supporting substrate may comprise one or both of i) an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, and ii) an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate. The outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosolforming substrate. Similarly, the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

The outer arrangement may comprise a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Alternatively, the outer arrangement may instead comprise a first outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outwardfacing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a first inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inwardfacing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosolgenerating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosolgenerating article may comprise a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. The at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate arranged in opposition to each other. Laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate thereby define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

The first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may extend over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extend over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the perimeter wall further comprises at least one sheet of supporting substrate. The at least one sheet of supporting substrate may comprise one or both of i) an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, and ii) an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate. The outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. Similarly, the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate may be disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate.

The outer arrangement may comprise a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate. In similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosolforming substrate.

Alternatively, the outer arrangement may comprise a first outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. In a similar manner, the inner arrangement may comprise a first inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first sheet of aerosolforming substrate and a second inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably being in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

In other embodiments, the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article may lack a supporting substrate distinct from the aerosol-forming substrate. Rather, the aerosol-forming substrate may instead serve as the sole or primary source of flexural stiffness for the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article.

In one exemplary embodiment, the perimeter wall may comprise or consist of a band of aerosol-forming substrate, the band of aerosol-forming substrate configured to provide all or at least a majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall.

The band of the aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. Advantageously, a fold line may be defined in the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. A first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may be folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall. Preferably, the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosolforming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

For any of the aspects of aerosol-generating article described herein, the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article may comprise a wrapper, the wrapper defining an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article. The wrapper may comprise or consist of a cigarette paper. The wrapper may include a sheet of metal foil or be formed as a laminate of paper and metal foil; the metal foil may include aluminium.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall may comprise a supporting substrate. At least part of an axial length of the perimeter wall may be configured to be permeable to air. An arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed to radially surround the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall. The air-permeability of the supporting substrate allows vapor evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate on heating to be conveyed across the perimeter wall into the interior of the aerosolgenerating article, for example, to be inhaled by a user.

Conveniently, the arrangement of the one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate may be configured to form a sleeve radially surrounding the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall.

The arrangement of the one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate are preferably positioned to be closer to the first end of the aerosol-generating article than to the second end of the aerosol-generating article. The second end of the article may define a mouth end of the article. In this manner, part of the axial length of the aerosol-generating article at or near the mouth end may be free of aerosol-forming substrate, thereby allowing a user to hold the article close to the mouth end during heating of the arrangement of the one or more sheets of aerosolforming substrate with reduced likelihood of burning their fingers.

The air-permeability may be provided in various different ways. For example, the air- permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall may comprise a plurality of apertures. The apertures may be of any suitable shape in cross-section, such as being circular, elliptical, square, triangular, or any other suitable shape. In another example, the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall may comprise an air-permeable material, for example, being a porous material.

The air permeable part of the axial length of the band of supporting substrate may comprise an air-permeable material. In this manner, the entirety of the air permeable part of the axial length of the band of supporting substrate is able to contribute to allowing passage of vapour evolved from the aerosol-forming substrate on heating to within the interior of the aerosol-generating article. Conveniently, the air-permeable material is a porous material.

The aerosol-generating article may have a length of no greater than 100 millimetres, or no greater than 90 millimetres. Preferably, the length of the aerosol-generating article lies in a range of between 20 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 25 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 30 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 35 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 40 millimetres and 100 millimetres.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. At least one flap may be located at one of the first end and the second end. The at least one flap may be configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located. Thus, an aspect of the invention may provide an aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, in which at least one flap is located at one of the first end and the second end, the at least one flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

The flap may be formed from any suitable material. For example, the flap may comprise or be formed from a paper or cardboard material. The flap may comprise or be formed from an aerosol-forming material, or a sheet of material incorporating an aerosol-forming material. The flap may act to close or cover an end of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the at least one flap is configured to be folded by a user. Preferably the at least one flap is configured to be folded to cover at least a portion of an opening defined at the end at which the at least one flap is located, for example to cover the opening and/or extend within the opening. When folded into a deployed position overlapping at least a portion of an end of the article, the at least one flap may provide some structural rigidity to the article. Furthermore, the flap may be configured to function as a filter element to help prevent a user inhaling particles from within the article. Furthermore, the flap may be configured to provide a predetermined resistance to draw when a user puffs on the article.

The at least one flap comprises a flap, for example a first flap or a second flap. The flap may be connected to the article at a fold line. The fold line may be a scoreline. The flap is preferably configured to fold at the fold line. The flap may extend between the fold line and a flap edge, for example the flap may extend away from the article between the fold line and a flap edge.

Advantageously, the fold line may be curved, for example concavely curved with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the article. By folding the flap along such a curved fold line, the geometry of the fold may effectively lock the flap in a deployed position and improve structural rigidity of the article after the flap has been folded. Flaps folded at such curved fold lines are known from use in boxes, for example so-called pillow boxes.

The flap edge may be curved, for example convexly curved with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the article. The curved edge may help the edge of the flap fit with a curved opening at an end of the article. For example, an opening of the article may have a curved transverse cross-section, for example a lenticular or elliptical transverse cross-section, and the edge of the flap may be shaped to conform to this curved opening when the flap is folded to overlap or obturate the opening.

It is preferable that the fold line is located adjacent to an opening defined at the end at which the flap is located. For example, the flap may be configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap overlaps or obturates at least a portion of the opening. The flap may be configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap edge is located within the opening. For example, the flap edge may contact an internal wall of the aerosol-generating article, for example an internal wall of a chamber accessed through the opening. The flap edge may contact an internal portion of a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article.

In preferred examples, the or each flap is arcuately-shaped. For example, the or each flap may be lenticular or elliptical in shape. The shape of the flap may be the shape defined by a fold line of the flap and a flap edge.

The at least one flap may be permeable to air. Although air may flow around the edges of a flap, a mor precise control of air flow may be possible by configuring the flap to be air permeable. Thus, at least one through-hole may be defined through the at least one flap. Alternatively, or in addition, the at least one flap may comprise an air permeable material, for example a porous material, for example a filter material. Air may flow through such air permeable material, for example when a user draws on the article. In some examples, at least one through-hole may be defined in the at least one flap and an air permeable material may be coupled to the flap overlapping the through-hole such that air can pass through the at least one through-hole and the air permeable flap.

Optionally a through-hole defined through a flap may have a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, for example between 0.2 mm and 0.75 mm, for example between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

Optionally, the flap may provide a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 10 mm H₂O and 50 mm H₂O to air passing through the flap. An aerosol-generating article as described may have a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 10 mm H₂O and 50 mm H₂O to air passing through the article between the first end and the second end.

The at least one flap described above may be a plurality of flaps. For example, the at least one flap may be two flaps. Two flaps may be described as an upper flap and a lower flap. Thus, the article may comprise an upper flap attached to the aerosol-generating article at an upper fold line and a lower flap attached to the aerosol-generating article at a lower fold line. The lower flap may be configured to be folded upwards and the upper flap may be configured to be folded downwards.

Both of the upper flap and the lower flap may overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flaps are located. For example both of the upper flap and the lower flap may overlap, span, or obturate an opening defined at the end at which the flaps are located. Both of the upper flap and the lower flap may overlap each other when folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flaps are located.

The upper flap and the lower flap may be configured to engage with each other when folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located. For example, a tab may be defined in one of the upper flap and lower flap. The tab may engage with a slot defined in the other of the upper flap or lower flap when the flaps are folded. Such an engagement may help secure the flaps in their folded position.

The term “at least one flap” may refer to a single or lone flap.

The at least one flap may be at least one first end flap located at the first end of the article, the at least one first end flap being configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of an opening defined at the first end. Thus, the at least one first end flap may be configured to be folded to at least partially cover an opening defined at the first end, for example to cover or obturate the opening defined at the first end, or extend within the opening defined at the first end. The at least one first end flap is preferably configured to be folded by a user to span the opening. The at least one flap may be at least one second end flap located at the second end, the at least one second end flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of an opening defined at the second end. Thus, the at least one second end flap may configured to be folded to at least partially cover an opening defined at the second end, for example to cover or obturate the opening defined at the second end, or extend within the opening defined at the second end. The at least one second end flap is preferably configured to be folded by a user to span the opening.

An aerosol-generating article may comprise at least one first end flap located at the first end and at least one second end flap located at the second end.

The first end may be termed a distal end. The second end may be termed a proximal end or mouth end, and may be opposed to the distal end. Where the flap or flaps are located at a mouth end the flaps may function to increase structural rigidity of the article, for example to resist pressure from a user’s lips applied to the mouth end. A flap or flaps at the mouth end may also be configured to function as a mouthpiece filter.

An air flow path is preferably defined into the article through an inlet or opening located at one of the first end and second end of the article. Air flow inlets may be defined through side walls of the article, for example through a perimeter wall. Inlets in a side wall may be additional or alternative to an inlet or inlets located at an end of the article. An air flow path is preferably defined out of the article through an outlet or opening located at one of the first end and second end of the article. The outlet may be located at a mouth end of the article configured to be placed in a user’s mouth. In preferred examples, an air flow path is defined leading into the article through an opening defined in the first end of the article and leading out of the article through an opening defined in the second end of the article, the air flow path extending within the article between the first end and the second end. A longitudinally extending air flow path may be defined within the article between the first end and the second end, the air flow path being defined within perimeter walls extending between the first end and the second end and circumferentially enclosing the air flow path.

The article may be any article described herein. For example, an external surface of the article may be defined by a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall configured to be deformable in axial cross section to expand between a constricted first state to a dilated second state, wherein in the dilated second state the perimeter wall encloses a hollow tubular cavity. Thus, the article may be shipped and stored in a constricted or flattened state and then dilated during use or prior to use. The presence of at least one flap as described herein may help the article retain the second dilated state by effectively locking the article in the dilated state when the flap is folded. In the constricted first state, the hollow tubular cavity is not present, but in the dilated state it is. The hollow tubular cavity may provide an air flow path through the article.

In the constricted first state, opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall may be in surface contact with each other. Thus, in this constricted state there is no air flow path defined through the article. The air flow path may be opened when the article is manipulated to its dilated second state.

A transverse cross-section of the article in its dilated state may be of any suitable crosssection, for example oval, or elliptical. Preferably, in the dilated second state the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article is lenticular in axial cross-section. The perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article may be configured to define a band, the perimeter wall being lenticular in axial cross-section.

Preferably, the at least one flap is configured to be folded to a position in which the at least one flap acts to prevent the perimeter wall contracting from its dilated state to its constricted state. Preferably, the at least one flap is permeable to air, for example in which the at least one flap defines at least one through hole, such that an air flow path is defined that passes through the at least one flap.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a package comprising a plurality of aerosol-generating articles and a container in which the plurality of aerosolgenerating articles are received; by way of example, the aerosol-generating articles may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. Each one of the aerosol-generating articles may extend longitudinally between opposed first and second ends of the respective aerosolgenerating article, a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article configured to define a constricted flattened shape in axial cross-section.

The aerosol-generating article(s) received in the container may be as described in the second aspect of the present disclosure or correspond to the constricted first state of the third aspect of the present disclosure.

Preferably, for one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article are in surface contact with each other. In this manner, the aerosol-generating article(s) may be provided with a cross-sectional profile of minimal thickness, thereby facilitating efficient packing of the articles within the container.

For one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article may be aligned parallel to each other.

For one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article may be generally planar.

Preferably, adjacent ones of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are positioned in side-by-side relationship within the container, or in end-to-end relationship within the container, or a combination thereof.

Advantageously, at least one lid is coupled to the container, the lid configured to be moved from an open position to a closed position, in which in the closed position the lid covers the plurality of aerosol-generating articles received in the container.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device comprising a cavity configured to funnel an aerosol-generating article to thereby expand the aerosolgenerating article from a flattened cross-sectional shape to a lenticular cross-sectional shape along at least part or all of a length of the aerosol-generating article. By way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device comprising a cavity and a pin. The pin may be disposed within the cavity. The pin may be configured to insert within an aerosol-generating article being funnelled along the cavity to thereby expand the aerosol-generating article from a flattened cross-sectional shape to a lenticular cross-sectional shape along at least part or all of a length of the aerosol-generating article. By way of example, the device may be as described in the preceding paragraph and/or the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising a device as described in either of the two preceding paragraphs. The system may further comprise an aerosol-generating article having a first state in which the article has a flattened cross-sectional shape and a second state in which the article has a lenticular cross-sectional shape.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an aerosol-generating article; by way of example, the aerosol-generating article may be as described in any of the preceding paragraphs. The aerosol-generating article may comprise an upper layer, a lower layer, a frame and an aerosol-forming substrate. The frame may be disposed between the upper and lower layers. The frame may at least partially define and enclose a cavity. The upper layer may be coupled to an upper surface of the frame and the lower layer coupled to a lower surface of the frame. The upper and lower surfaces of the frame may each be outwardly convex.

The outwardly convex profile of the upper and lower surfaces of the frame may facilitate increasing the flexural stiffness of the frame - and therefore of the aerosol-generating article as a whole - compared to the upper and lower surfaces of the frame being planar.

Preferably, the upper and lower layers may each be outwardly convex in correspondence with the upper and lower surfaces of the frame.

The combination of the frame, the upper layer and the lower layer may define a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article.

Conveniently, the aerosol-generating article may be defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the upper and lower surfaces of the frame opposed to and at least partially separated from each other in the z-direction, wherein the thickness is less than each of the width and the length. In this manner, the aerosol-generating article is flatter in transverse cross-section compared to conventional cylindrical-shaped aerosol-generating articles. The flatter profile of the aerosolgenerating article may also facilitate more uniform through-thickness heating of the aerosolforming substrate of the article when heat is applied to the article. Preferably, heating of the article may be undertaken by positioning a heating element adjacent to one or both of the upper and lower layers of the article. Such a heating element may form part of an aerosol-generating device, for example the heating element being located within or defining part of the cavity of an aerosol-generating device where the cavity is adapted to receive the aerosol-generating article. The flatter profile of the aerosol-generating article may also allow the article to be placed on a table surface before or during use, without rolling along and/off the surface.

Preferably, the cavity may extend through the entire height of the frame (for example in a or the z-direction) such that the cavity is defined by the frame, the upper layer and the lower layer. In this manner, the cavity may define openings through the upper and lower surfaces of the frame, with the upper and lower layers preferably arranged to cover and close these openings.

Preferably, the upper layer is separate and structurally discrete from the lower layer. Alternatively, the upper layer and the lower layer may each form part of a common sheet or band. The common sheet or band may be wrapped around the frame such that a first portion of the common sheet or band is affixed to the upper surface of the frame and a second portion of the common sheet or band is affixed to the lower surface of the frame. The first portion of the common sheet or band may comprise the upper layer and the second portion of the common sheet or band comprise the lower layer.

Preferably, the upper and lower layers may be symmetrically arranged relative to each other along a thickness direction (for example extending in a or the z-direction) of the aerosolgenerating article.

The upper and lower layers may each be of substantially uniform thickness.

The upper layer may have the same thickness as the lower layer.

The article may comprise axially opposed first and second end walls. The first and second end walls may be separated from each other along a length direction (for example extending in a or the x-direction) of the aerosol-generating article. At least one aperture may be provided in both of the first and second end walls to provide a passage for air flow through the aerosol-generating article via the cavity. The axially opposed first and second end walls may define respective distal and proximal ends of the aerosol-generating article. The separation between the distal end and the proximal end may define a length of the aerosol-generating article.

Preferably, the first and second end walls may be integrally formed as part of the frame. Alternatively, the first and second end walls may be structurally distinct from the frame, for example being bonded to the frame.

The upper and lower layers may define an exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a wrapper. The upper layer, the frame and the lower layer may be assembled within the wrapper, the wrapper defining an exterior of the aerosol-generating article. One or both of the upper layer and the lower layer may comprise or consist of aerosolforming substrate. Through heating of the upper and/or lower layers, volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate in the respective layer(s) may be vaporised. Where the aerosolgenerating article is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet to define an air flow passage through the cavity (for example, by defining the air inlet and air outlet in opposed axial ends of the frame), the vaporised volatile compounds may become entrained in air flowing through the cavity. As the entrained flow passes through the aerosol-generating article, the entrained flow condenses to form an aerosol for subsequent inhalation by a user.

The cavity may be free of aerosol-forming substrate. By way of example, the aerosolforming substrate of the aerosol-generating article may be confined to one or both of the upper and lower layers.

Preferably, at least part of the aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned within the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be confined to being located within the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be distributed between two or more of the upper layer, the lower layer and the cavity.

At least first and second portions of aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed within the cavity. Preferably, the first portion of aerosol-forming substrate may have a different composition to the second portion of aerosol-forming substrate. The use of combinations of different aerosol-forming substrates may provide an enhanced user experience to a user by allowing the user to inhale aerosol formed of combinations of different volatile compounds evolved from different aerosol-forming substrates.

Advantageously, a cut-out may be defined through one or both of the upper surface and lower surface of the frame, the cut-out overlying the cavity, the cut-out covered by the respective upper or lower layer coupled to the respective upper or lower surface. Preferably, at least part of the aerosol-forming substrate may be positioned within the cavity. Where the upper and/or lower layers comprise or consist of aerosol-forming substrate and heat is applied to the substrate-containing layer, the presence of the cut-out allows vaporised volatile compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate to enter the cavity via the cut-out.

Preferably, a plurality of cut-outs may be defined through one or both of the upper surface and lower surface of the frame. Each of the plurality of cut outs may overlie the cavity. However, the frame may at least partially define a plurality of cavities, with each cavity overlaid by different one or ones of the plurality of cut-outs.

Different ones of the plurality of cut-outs may be successively arranged along a length direction (for example extending along a or the x-direction) of the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively or in addition, different ones of the plurality of cut-outs may be successively arranged along a width direction (for example extending along a or the y-direction) of the aerosol-generating article. Each one of the plurality of cavities contains a respective portion of aerosol-forming substrate. At least one of the portions of aerosol-forming substrate may be different in composition to others of the portions of aerosol-forming substrate. Where the aerosolgenerating article is heated so as to heat all of the portions of aerosol-forming substrate in each of frame cavities simultaneously, the use of different substrate compositions in different cavities may provide an enhanced user experience by allowing a user to inhale an aerosol formed of combinations of different volatile compounds from the different substrate compositions. Alternatively, where the aerosol-generating article is selectively heated to focus application of heat to a first one of the plurality of cavities over a first time period and focus application of heat to a second one of the plurality of cavities over a second time period, the use of different substrate compositions in the first and second cavities may thereby allow a user to inhale two different aerosol compositions over the two different time periods.

The frame may at least partially enclose a first cavity and a second cavity. A first one of the plurality of cut-outs may overlie the first cavity and a second one of the plurality of cut-outs overlie the second cavity.

The frame may comprise or consist of a cellulose-based material, for example, paper, paperboard or cardboard. Such materials are regarded as sustainable materials. However, glue may also be present within the frame. For example, where the frame is formed of a plurality of component parts, glue may be used to bond one component part to another.

The upper layer and the lower layer may comprise or consist of a cellulose-based material, for example, paper, paperboard or cardboard. Such materials are regarded as sustainable materials.

The frame is formed from a sheet of material (for example, a single sheet of material). A first portion of the sheet may be folded to overlie a second portion of the sheet such that the cavity is defined between the first and second sheet portions. The first portion of the sheet may define the upper surface of the frame and the second portion of the sheet define the lower surface of the frame.

Preferably, axially opposed first and second end walls of the frame may be defined by axially opposed first and second flap portions of the sheet of material, the first and second end walls separated from each other along a length direction (for example extending in a or the x- direction) of the aerosol-generating article. The axially opposed first and second end walls may define respective distal and proximal ends of the aerosol-generating article. The separation between the distal end and the proximal end may define a length of the aerosol-generating article.

Conveniently, one of the axially opposed first and second flap portions may comprise an aperture to define an air inlet through the first end wall of the frame and the other of the axially opposed first and second flap portions comprise an aperture to define an air outlet through the second end wall of the frame. The presence of such an air inlet and air outlet facilitates air flow through the interior of the article, for example through the cavity.

The frame may be formed from a plurality of layers successively overlaid over each other. One or more layers of the plurality of layers may differ in size from other one or more layers of the plurality of layers in order to define the cavity. Successive layers of the plurality of layers may be bonded to each other through use of an adhesive.

Preferably, respective opposed longitudinally-extending edges of the upper and lower surfaces of the frame may converge to meet each other to define a lenticular cross-sectional profile for the frame. Alternatively, respective opposed longitudinally-extending edges of the upper and lower surfaces of the frame may be separated from each other by opposed side walls of the frame. The opposed side walls of the frame may be planar. The side walls of the frame may extend along a or the z-direction.

Advantageously, the frame may be configured to be deformable to provide an expansion in width of the frame (for example in a or the y direction) accompanied by a contraction in thickness of the frame (for example in a or the z direction) to thereby transition the aerosolgenerating article from a dilated first state to a constricted second state. The transition from first to second states may arise from application of a force acting to urge the upper and lower layers towards each other; for example, through insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity of an aerosol-generating device where the cavity is dimensioned to compress the aerosolgenerating article in a thickness direction (for example a z-direction) of the article. For any of the aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating article may have a length (for example extending in a or the x-direction) of between 20 and 80 millimetres, or between 20 and 60 millimetres, or between 20 and 50 millimetres, or between 20 and 40 millimetres, or between 25 and 35 millimetres, or about 30 millimetres.

For any of the aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure, the aerosolgenerating article may have a width (for example extending in a or the y-direction) of between 5 and 25 millimetres, or between 5 and 20 millimetres, or between 5 and 15 millimetres, or between 7.5 and 12.5 millimetres, or about 10 millimetres.

For any of the aerosol-generating articles of the present disclosure, the aerosolgenerating article may have a height (for example extending in a or the z-direction) of between 2 and 8 millimetres, or between 2 and 6 millimetres, or between 2 and 5 millimetres, or between 2 and 4 millimetres, or about 3 millimetres.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-generating article” refers to an article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate that is capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol. An aerosol-generating article may be disposable.

As used herein, the term “aerosol-forming substrate” refers to a substrate consisting of or comprising an aerosol-forming material that is capable of releasing volatile compounds upon heating to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate. However, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise both solid and liquid components. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may be a liquid aerosol-forming substrate.

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

If the aerosol-forming substrate is a solid aerosol-forming substrate, the solid aerosolforming substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, strips or sheets containing one or more of: herb leaf, tobacco leaf, tobacco ribs, expanded tobacco and homogenised tobacco.

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

Optionally, the solid aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, strands, strips or sheets. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, foam, gel or slurry. The solid aerosol-forming substrate may be deposited on the entire surface of the carrier, or alternatively, may be deposited in a pattern in order to provide a non-uniform flavour delivery during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term “homogenised tobacco material” refers to a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material. As used herein, the term “sheet” refers to a laminar element having a width and length substantially greater than the thickness thereof. As used herein, the term “gathered” is used to describe a sheet that is convoluted, folded, or otherwise compressed or constricted substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate comprises an aerosol former. As used herein, the term “aerosol former” is used to describe any suitable known compound or mixture of compounds that, in use, facilitates formation of an aerosol and that is substantially resistant to thermal degradation at the operating temperature of the aerosol-generating article.

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

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a single aerosol former. Alternatively, the aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a combination of two or more aerosol formers.

As used herein, the term “mouthpiece” refers to a portion of an aerosol-generating article that is placed into a user’s mouth in order to directly inhale an aerosol. Preferably, the second end of the aerosol-generating article as referred to herein defines a “mouthpiece” or mouth end.

As used herein, the term “puff” means the action of a user drawing an aerosol into their body through their mouth or nose.

As used herein when referring to an aerosol-generating article, the terms “upstream” and “front”, and “downstream” and “rear”, are used to describe the relative positions of components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating article in relation to the direction in which air flows through the aerosol-generating article during use thereof. Aerosol-generating articles according to the invention may comprise a proximal end through which, in use, an aerosol exits the article. The proximal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the mouth end or the downstream end. The mouth end is downstream of the distal end of the article. The distal end of the aerosol-generating article may also be referred to as the upstream end. Components, or portions of components, of the aerosol-generating article may be described as being upstream or downstream of one another based on their relative positions between the proximal end of the aerosol-generating article and the distal end of the aerosolgenerating article. The front of a component, or portion of a component, of the aerosolgenerating article is the portion at the end closest to the upstream end of the aerosol-generating article. The rear of a component, or portion of a component, of the aerosol-generating article is the portion at the end closest to the downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.

It will be understood that the features of any one of the aspects of the present disclosure may be combined with the features of any one or more of the other aspects of the present disclosure.

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

Example Ex1 : An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being lenticular in axial cross-section.

Example Ex2: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex1 , wherein the perimeter wall comprises opposed first and second convex portions, wherein opposed ends of the first convex portion meet corresponding opposed ends of the second convex portion to define a pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall. Example Ex3: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex2, wherein at the location of each of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an outer surface of the perimeter wall has a radius of curvature of less than 2 millimetres, or less than 1 millimetre, or less than 0.5 millimetres, or less than 0.25 millimetres.

Example Ex4: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex2 or Ex3, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a pair of fold lines, the pair of fold lines defining the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex5: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex2 to Ex4, wherein at the location of each of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an acute angle between a first tangent to an outer surface of the first convex portion and a second tangent to an outer surface of the second convex portion lies within a range of between 15 degrees and 110 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 90 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 65 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 55 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.

Example Ex6: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex2 to Ex5, wherein at a location midway between the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, a radius of curvature of an inward surface of each of the first and second convex portions has a radius of curvature of between 100 millimetres and 500 millimetres.

Example Ex7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex6, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a width of no greater than 20 millimetres.

Example Ex8: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex7, wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 14 millimetres and 20 millimetres.

Example Ex9: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex8, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a thickness of no greater than 8 millimetres.

Example Ex10: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex9, wherein the thickness of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 3 millimetres and 8 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 6 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 5 millimetres.

Example Ex11 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex10, further comprising at least one flap located at one of the first end and the second end, the at least one flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

Example Ex12: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex11 , wherein the at least one flap is configured to be folded by a user.

Example Ex13: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex11 or Ex12, wherein the at least one flap is configured to be folded to cover at least a portion of an opening defined at the end at which the flap is located, for example to cover the opening and/or extend within the opening. Example Ex14: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex11 to Ex13, wherein the flap is connected to the article at a fold line, for example a scoreline.

Example Ex15: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex14, wherein the flap is configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap overlaps at least a portion of the opening.

Example Ex16: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex14 or Ex15, wherein the flap is configured to be folded along the fold line such that an edge of the flap is located within the opening, for example in which the edge of the flap contacts an internal wall of the aerosolgenerating article, for example an internal wall of a chamber accessed through the opening.

Example Ex17: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex16, wherein the internal wall of the aerosol-generating article is part of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex18: An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex17, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall defining a constricted flattened shape in axial cross-section.

Example Ex19: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex18, wherein opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are in surface contact with each other.

Example Ex20: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex18 or Ex19, wherein opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are parallel to each other.

Example Ex21 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex18 to Ex20, wherein opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are generally planar.

Example Ex22: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex18 to Ex21 , wherein the aerosol-generating article has a thickness of no greater than 5 millimetres.

Example Ex23: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex22, wherein the thickness of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 0.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 3 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 2 millimetres, or between 0.5 millimetres and 1.5 millimetres.

Example Ex24: An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex23, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall configured to be deformable to provide a contraction in width of the aerosol-generating article accompanied by an expansion in thickness of the aerosol-generating article to thereby transition the aerosolgenerating article from a constricted first state to a dilated second state, wherein in the dilated second state an area enclosed by the perimeter wall is increased relative to the constricted first state.

Example Ex25: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex24, wherein in the constricted first state opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are in surface contact with each other. Example Ex26: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex24 or Ex25, wherein in the constricted first state opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are parallel to each other.

Example Ex27: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex24 to Ex26, wherein in the constricted first state opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are generally planar.

Example Ex28: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex24 to Ex27, wherein in the dilated second state the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article is lenticular in axial cross-section.

Example Ex29: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex24 to Ex28, wherein the perimeter wall comprises opposed first and second portions, wherein opposed ends of the first portion meet corresponding opposed ends of the second portion to define a pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, the perimeter wall adapted such that deformation of the pair of laterally opposed edges towards each other introduces or increases separation between the opposed first and second portions of the perimeter wall at a location between the pair of laterally opposed edges, to thereby transition the aerosol-generating article between the constricted first state and the dilated second state.

Example Ex30: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex29, the aerosol-generating article comprising an aerosol-forming substrate, preferably forming at least part of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex31 : An aerosol-generating article according to Ex30, wherein the aerosolforming substrate is configured to generate an inhalable aerosol when heated.

Example Ex32: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex30 or Ex31 , wherein the perimeter wall comprises an aerosol-forming substrate and a supporting substrate.

Example Ex33: An aerosol-forming substrate according to Ex32, wherein the perimeter wall comprises at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and at least one sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex34: An aerosol-forming article according to Ex33, wherein the perimeter wall defines a laminate structure formed of both the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and the at least one sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex35: An aerosol-forming substrate according to any one of Ex1 to Ex34, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a band of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex36: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex35, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a band of supporting substrate.

Example Ex37: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex35 and Ex36 in combination, wherein the band of aerosol-forming substrate radially surrounds or is surrounded by the band of supporting substrate. Example Ex38: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex32 to Ex37, wherein the supporting substrate is cardboard.

Example Ex39: An aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex38, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein a fold line is defined in the at least one sheet of supporting substrate to define a folded sheet of supporting substrate, a first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

Example Ex40: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex39, wherein the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex41 : An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex39 or Ex40, the perimeter wall further comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or both of: an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate; and an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex42: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex41 , wherein the outer arrangement comprises a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex43: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex41 or Ex42, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex44: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex41 , wherein the outer arrangement comprises a first outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate and a second outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate. Example Ex45: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex41 or Ex44, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a first inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate and a second inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex46: An aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex45, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of supporting substrate comprises a first sheet of supporting substrate and a second sheet of supporting substrate arranged in opposition to each other, wherein laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of supporting substrate are aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second sheets of supporting substrate thereby define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

Example Ex47: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex46, wherein the first sheet of supporting substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of supporting substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex48: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex46 or Ex47, the perimeter wall further comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate comprises one or both of: an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the outer arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate; and an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate.

Example Ex49: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex48, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate.

Example Ex50: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex48 or Ex49, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of supporting substrate. Example Ex51 : An aerosol-generating article according to Ex48, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a first outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first sheet of supporting substrate and a second outer sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex52: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex48 or Ex51 , wherein the inner arrangement comprises a first inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first sheet of supporting substrate and a second inner sheet of aerosol-forming substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second sheet of supporting substrate.

Example Ex53: An aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex52 , the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall and at least one sheet of aerosolforming substrate, wherein a fold line is defined in the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, a first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

Example Ex54: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex53, wherein the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex55: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex53 or Ex54, the perimeter wall further comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of supporting substrate comprises one or both of: an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, wherein the outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate; and an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, wherein the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex56: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex55, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. Example Ex57: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex55 or Ex56, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second portions of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex58: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex55, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a first outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex59: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex55 or Ex58, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a first inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex60: An aerosol-generating article extending between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex59, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate comprises a first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second sheet of aerosolforming substrate arranged in opposition to each other, wherein laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate are aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second sheets of aerosolforming substrate thereby define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

Example Ex61 : An aerosol-generating article according to Ex60, wherein the first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex62: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex60 or Ex61 , the perimeter wall further comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of supporting substrate comprises one or both of: an outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, wherein the outer arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosolforming substrate; and an inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate, wherein the inner arrangement of one or more sheets of supporting substrate is disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) an inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosolforming substrate.

Example Ex63: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex62, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex64: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex62 or Ex63, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a common sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of both the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex65: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex62, wherein the outer arrangement comprises a first outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the first sheet of aerosolforming substrate and a second outer sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the outward-facing surface of the second sheet of aerosolforming substrate.

Example Ex66: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex62 or Ex65, wherein the inner arrangement comprises a first inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the first sheet of aerosolforming substrate and a second inner sheet of supporting substrate disposed to overlie (preferably in surface contact with) the inward-facing surface of the second sheet of aerosolforming substrate.

Example Ex67: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex66, wherein the perimeter wall comprises or consists of a band of aerosol-forming substrate, the band of aerosol-forming substrate configured to provide all or at least a majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex68: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex67, wherein the band of aerosol-forming substrate comprises at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example Ex69: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex68, wherein a fold line is defined in the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, a first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall.

Example Ex70: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex69, wherein the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall. Example Ex71 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex70, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a wrapper, the wrapper defining an outer surface of the aerosol-generating article.

Example Ex72: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex71 , wherein the wrapper comprises or consists of a cigarette paper.

Example Ex73: An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex72, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a supporting substrate, at least part of an axial length of the perimeter wall configured to be permeable to air, wherein an arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosolforming substrate are disposed to radially surround the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex74: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex73, wherein the arrangement of the one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is configured to form a sleeve radially surrounding the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall.

Example Ex75: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex73 or Ex74, wherein the arrangement of the one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate is positioned to be closer to the first end of the aerosol-generating article than to the second end of the aerosolgenerating article, wherein preferably the second end of the article defines a mouth end of the article.

Example Ex76: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex75, wherein the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall comprises a plurality of apertures.

Example Ex77: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex73 to Ex76, wherein the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall comprises an air- permeable material.

Example Ex78: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex77, wherein the air- permeable material is a porous material.

Example Ex79: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex78, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length of no greater than 100 millimetres, or no greater than 90 millimetres.

Example Ex80: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex79, wherein the length of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 20 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 25 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 30 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 35 millimetres and 100 millimetres, or between 40 millimetres and 100 millimetres.

Example Ex81 : An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex80, in which at least one flap is located at one of the first end and the second end, the at least one flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

Example Ex82: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex81 , in which the at least one flap is configured to be folded by a user.

Example Ex83: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex81 or Ex82, in which at least one flap is configured to be folded to cover at least a portion of an opening defined at the end at which the at least one flap is located, for example to cover the opening and/or extend within the opening.

Example Ex84: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex83, in which the at least one flap comprises a flap, in which the flap is connected to the article at a fold line, for example a scoreline.

Example Ex85: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex84, in which the flap extends between the fold line and a flap edge.

Example Ex86: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex84 or Ex85, in which the fold line is curved, for example concavely curved with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the article.

Example Ex87: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex84 to Ex86, in which a flap edge is curved, for example convexly curved with respect to a longitudinal dimension of the article.

Example Ex88: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex85, in which the fold line is located adjacent to an opening defined at the end at which the flap is located.

Example Ex89: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex88, in which the flap is configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap overlaps at least a portion of the opening.

Example Ex90: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex88 or Ex89, in which the flap is configured to be folded along the fold line such that the flap edge is located within the opening, for example in which the flap edge contacts an internal wall of the aerosolgenerating article, for example an internal wall of a chamber accessed through the opening.

Example Ex91 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex90, in which the or each flap is arcuately-shaped.

Example Ex92: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex91 , in which the or each flap is lenticular or elliptical in shape.

Example Ex93: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex92, in which the at least one flap is permeable to air.

Example Ex94: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex93, in which at least one through hole is defined through the at least one flap. Example Ex95: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex94, in which the at least one flap comprises an air permeable material, for example a porous material, for example a filter material.

Example Ex96: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex95, in which at least one through-hole is defined in the at least one flap and an air permeable material is coupled to the flap overlapping the through-hole such that air can pass through the at least one through-hole and the air permeable flap.

Example Ex97: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex96, in which the at least one through-hole has a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, for example between 0.2 mm and 0.75 mm, for example between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.

Example Ex98: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex97, in which the flap provides a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 10 mm H2O and 50 mm H2O to air passing through the flap.

Example Ex99: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex98, in which the article has a resistance to draw (RTD) of between 10 mm H2O and 50 mm H2O to air passing through the article between the first end and the second end.

Example Ex100: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex99, in which the at least one flap is a plurality of flaps.

Example Ex101 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex100, in which the at least one flap is two flaps, for example an upper flap and a lower flap.

Example Ex102: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex101 , in which the article comprises an upper flap attached to the aerosol-generating article at an upper fold line and a lower flap attached to the aerosol-generating article at a lower fold line, for example in which the lower flap is configured to be folded upwards and the upper flap is configured to be folded downwards.

Example Ex103: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex102, in which both of the upper flap and the lower flap overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flaps are located, for example in which both of the upper flap and the lower flap overlap and/or span an opening defined at the end at which the flaps are located.

Example Ex104: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex102 or Ex103, in which both of the upper flap and the lower flap overlap when folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flaps are located, for example to span an opening defined at the end at which the flaps are located.

Example Ex105: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex102 to Ex104, in which the upper flap and the lower flap are configured to engage with each other when folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

Example Ex106: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex105, in which a tab defined in one of the upper flap and lower flap engages with a slot defined in the other of the upper flap or lower flap when folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

Example Ex107: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Ex81 to Ex96, in which the at least one flap is a single flap.

Example Ex108: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex107, in which the at least one flap is at least one first end flap located at the first end, the at least one first end flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of an opening defined at the first end.

Example Ex109: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex108, in which the at least one first end flap is configured to be folded to at least partially cover an opening defined at the first end, for example to cover the opening defined at the first end, or extend within the opening defined at the first end.

Example Ex1 10: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex108 or Ex109, in which the at least one first end flap is configured to be folded by a user to span the opening.

Example Ex1 11 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex110, in which the at least one flap is at least one second end flap located at the second end, the at least one second end flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of an opening defined at the second end.

Example Ex1 12: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex11 1 , in which the at least one second end flap is configured to be folded to at least partially cover an opening defined at the second end, for example to cover the opening defined at the second end, or extend within the opening defined at the second end.

Example Ex1 13: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex1 11 or Ex112, in which the at least one second end flap is configured to be folded by a user to span the opening.

Example Ex1 14: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex113, in which at least one first end flap is located at the first end, the at least one first end flap configured to be folded to overlap and/or span an opening defined at the first end and at least one second end flap is located at the second end, the at least one second end flap configured to be folded to overlap and/or span an opening defined at the second end.

Example Ex1 15: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex114, in which the first end is a distal end, and the second end is a proximal end or mouth end, the proximal end or mouth end opposed to the distal end.

Example Ex1 16: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex115, in which an air flow path is defined into or out of the article through an opening located at at least one of the first end and second end of the article. Example Ex117: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex116, in which an air flow path is defined leading into the article through an opening defined in the first end of the article and leading out of the article through an opening defined in the second end of the article, the air flow path extending within the article between the first end and the second end.

Example Ex118: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex117, in which a longitudinally extending air flow path is defined within the article between the first end and the second end, the air flow path being defined within perimeter walls extending between the first end and the second end and circumferentially enclosing the air flow path.

Example Ex119: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex81 to Ex118, in particular Ex118, in which an external surface of the article is defined by a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall configured to be deformable in axial cross section to expand between a constricted first state to a dilated second state, wherein in the dilated second state the perimeter wall encloses a hollow tubular cavity.

Example Ex120: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex119, wherein in the constricted first state, the hollow tubular cavity is not present.

Example Ex121 : An aerosol-generating article according to either one of Ex119 or Ex120, wherein in the constricted first state opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall are in surface contact with each other.

Example Ex122: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Ex119 to Ex121 , wherein in the dilated second state the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article is lenticular in axial cross-section.

Example Ex123: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex119 to Ex122, in which the at least one flap is configured to be folded to a position in which the at least one flap acts to prevent the perimeter wall contracting from its dilated state to its constricted state.

Example Ex124: An aerosol-generating article according to any of Ex119 to Ex123, in which the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article is configured to define a band, the perimeter wall being lenticular in axial cross-section.

Example Ex125: A package comprising: a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex124, ExA1 to ExA34; and a container in which the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are received; wherein each one of the aerosol-generating articles extends longitudinally between opposed first and second ends of the respective aerosol-generating article, a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article configured to define a constricted flattened shape in axial crosssection. Example Ex126: A package according to Ex125, wherein for one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing inward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article are in surface contact with each other.

Example Ex127: A package according to either one of Ex125 or Ex126, wherein for one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article are parallel to each other.

Example Ex128: A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex127, wherein for one or more of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles, opposing outward-facing surfaces of the perimeter wall of the respective aerosol-generating article are generally planar.

Example Ex129: A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex128, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are positioned in side-by-side relationship within the container, or in end-to-end relationship within the container, or a combination thereof.

Example Ex130: A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex129, wherein at least one lid is coupled to the container, the lid configured to be moved from an open position to a closed position, in which in the closed position the lid covers the plurality of aerosol-generating articles received in the container.

Example Ex131 : A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex130, wherein each of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are in accordance with any of the aerosol-generating articles of Ex1 to Ex124.

Example Ex132: A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex131 , wherein each of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are in accordance with any one of Ex18 to Ex23.

Example Ex133: A package according to any one of Ex125 to Ex132, wherein each of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are in accordance with any one of Ex24 to Ex29.

Example Ex134: A package according to Ex133, wherein each of the plurality of aerosolgenerating articles received in the container are in the first constricted state.

Example Ex135: A device comprising a cavity configured to funnel an aerosol-generating article, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex134, ExA1 to ExA34, to thereby expand the aerosol-generating article from a flattened cross-sectional shape to a lenticular cross-sectional shape along at least part or all of a length of the aerosolgenerating article.

Example Ex136: A device, for example a device according to Ex135, the device comprising a cavity and a pin, the pin disposed within the cavity, the pin configured to insert within an aerosol-generating article being funnelled along the cavity to thereby expand the aerosol-generating article from a flattened cross-sectional shape to a lenticular cross-sectional shape along at least part or all of a length of the aerosol-generating article.

Example Ex137: A system comprising a device according to either one of Ex135 or Ex136, the system further comprising an aerosol-generating article having a first state in which the article has a flattened cross-sectional shape and a second state in which the article has a lenticular cross-sectional shape.

Example ExA1 : An aerosol-generating article, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex124, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; a frame disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the frame at least partially defining and enclosing a cavity; an aerosol-forming substrate; wherein the upper layer is coupled to an upper surface of the frame and the lower layer is coupled to a lower surface of the frame, the upper and lower surfaces of the frame each being outwardly convex.

Example ExA2: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA1 , wherein the upper and lower layers are each outwardly convex in correspondence with the upper and lower surfaces of the frame.

Example ExA2A: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of ExA1 to ExA2, wherein the combination of the frame, the upper layer and the lower layer defines a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA3: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA2A, the aerosol-generating article defined by a length extending in an x-direction, a width extending in a y-direction, and a thickness extending in a z-direction, the upper and lower surfaces of the frame opposed to and at least partially separated from each other in the z-direction, wherein the thickness is less than each of the width and the length.

Example ExA4: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA3, wherein the cavity extends through the entire height of the frame such that the cavity is defined by the frame, the upper layer and the lower layer.

Example ExA5: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA4, wherein the upper layer is separate and structurally discrete from the lower layer.

Example ExA6: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA4, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer each form part of a common sheet or band, the common sheet or band wrapped around the frame such that a first portion of the common sheet or band is affixed to the upper surface of the frame and a second portion of the common sheet or band is affixed to the lower surface of the frame, the first portion of the common sheet or band comprising the upper layer and the second portion of the common sheet or band comprising the lower layer.

Example ExA7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA6, wherein the upper and lower layers are symmetrically arranged relative to each other along a thickness direction (for example extending in a or the z-direction) of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA8: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA7, wherein the upper and lower layers are each of substantially uniform thickness.

Example ExA9: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA8, wherein the article comprises axially opposed first and second end walls, the first and second end walls separated from each other along a length direction (for example extending in a or the x-direction) of the aerosol-generating article, at least one aperture provided in both of the first and second end walls to provide a passage for air flow through the aerosol-generating article via the cavity.

Example ExA5: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA4, wherein the first and second end walls form part of the frame.

Example ExA5A: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA4, wherein the first and second end walls are structurally distinct from the frame, for example being bonded to the frame.

Example ExA6: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA5A, wherein the upper and lower layers define an exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA7: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA5A, further comprising a wrapper, wherein the upper layer, the frame and the lower layer are assembled within the wrapper, the wrapper defining an exterior of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA8: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA7, wherein one or both of the upper layer and the lower layer comprise or consist of aerosolforming substrate.

Example ExA9: An aerosol-forming substrate according to ExA8, wherein the cavity is free of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example ExA10: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA8, wherein at least part of the aerosol-forming substrate is positioned within the cavity.

Example ExA11 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA8, wherein at least first and second portions of aerosol-forming substrate are disposed within the cavity, preferably wherein the first portion of aerosol-forming substrate has a different composition to the second portion of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example ExA12: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA11 , comprising a cut-out defined through one or both of the upper surface and lower surface of the frame, the cut-out overlying the cavity, the cut-out covered by the respective upper or lower layer coupled to the respective upper or lower surface, preferably at least part of the aerosolforming substrate positioned within the cavity. Example ExA13: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA12, wherein a plurality of cut-outs are defined through one or both of the upper surface and lower surface of the frame.

Example ExA14: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA13, wherein each of the plurality of cut outs overlie the cavity.

Example ExA15: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA13, wherein the frame at least partially defines a plurality of cavities, each cavity overlaid by different one or ones of the plurality of cut-outs.

Example ExA16: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA15, wherein different ones of the plurality of cut-outs are successively arranged along a length direction (for example extending along a or the x-direction) of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA17: An aerosol-generating article according to either one of ExA15 or ExA16, wherein different ones of the plurality of cut-outs are successively arranged along a width direction (for example extending along a or the y-direction) of the aerosol-generating article.

Example ExA18: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA15 to ExA17, wherein each one of the plurality of cavities contains a respective portion of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example ExA19: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA18, wherein at least one of the portions of aerosol-forming substrate is different in composition to others of the portions of aerosol-forming substrate.

Example ExA20: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA19, wherein the frame comprises or consists of a cellulose-based material, for example, paper, paperboard or cardboard.

Example ExA21 : An aerosol-generating material according to any one of ExA1 to ExA20, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer comprise or consist of a cellulose-based material, for example, paper, paperboard or cardboard.

Example ExA22: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA21 , wherein the frame is formed from a sheet of material, a first portion of the sheet folded to overlie a second portion of the sheet such that the cavity is defined between the first and second sheet portions, the first portion of the sheet defining the upper surface of the frame and the second portion of the sheet defining the lower surface of the frame.

Example ExA23: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA22, wherein axially opposed first and second end walls of the frame are defined by axially opposed first and second flap portions of the sheet of material, the first and second end walls separated from each other along a length direction (for example extending in a or the x-direction) of the aerosol-generating article. Example ExA24: An aerosol-generating article according to Ex23, wherein one of the axially opposed first and second flap portions comprises an aperture to define an air inlet through the first end wall of the frame and the other of the axially opposed first and second flap portions comprises an aperture to define an air outlet through the second end wall of the frame.

Example ExA25: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA21 , wherein the frame is formed from a plurality of layers successively overlaid over each other.

Example ExA26: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA25, wherein respective opposed longitudinally-extending edges of the upper and lower surfaces of the frame converge to meet each other to define a lenticular cross-sectional profile for the frame.

Example ExA27: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA25, wherein respective opposed longitudinally-extending edges of the upper and lower surfaces of the frame are separated from each other by opposed side walls of the frame.

Example ExA29: An aerosol-generating article according to ExA28, wherein the opposed side walls of the frame are planar, preferably the side walls of the frame extending along a or the z-direction.

Example ExA30: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA29, wherein the frame is configured to be deformable to provide an expansion in width of the frame (for example in a or the y direction) accompanied by a contraction in thickness of the frame (for example in a or the z direction) to thereby transition the aerosol-generating article from a dilated first state to a constricted second state, for example on application of a force acting to urge the upper and lower layers towards each other (such as through insertion of the aerosol-generating article into a cavity of an aerosol-generating device where the cavity is dimensioned to compress the aerosol-generating article in a thickness direction (for example a z-direction) of the article). Example ExA31 : An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex124, ExA1 to ExA30, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a length (for example extending in a or the x-direction) of between 20 and 80 millimetres, or between 20 and 60 millimetres, or between 20 and 50 millimetres, or between 20 and 40 millimetres, or between 25 and 35 millimetres, or about 30 millimetres.

Example ExA32: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex124, ExA1 to ExA31 , wherein the aerosol-generating article has a width (for example extending in a or the y-direction) of between 5 and 25 millimetres, or between 5 and 20 millimetres, or between 5 and 15 millimetres, or between 7.5 and 12.5 millimetres, or about 10 millimetres.

Example ExA33: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of Ex1 to Ex124, ExA1 to ExA32, wherein the aerosol-generating article has a height (for example extending in a or the z-direction) of between 2 and 8 millimetres, or between 2 and 6 millimetres, or between 2 and 5 millimetres, or between 2 and 4 millimetres, or about 3 millimetres. Example ExA34: An aerosol-generating article according to any one of ExA1 to ExA33, wherein the first and second layer each have a thickness of between 20 microns and 500 microns, for example between 20 microns and 150 microns, for example between 20 microns and 80 microns.

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

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 1 along a longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article looking downstream between opposed first and second ends of the article;

Figures 3A to 3C are schematic views of a segment of a perimeter wall for three different embodiments of the aerosol-generating article of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4A and 4B are schematic axial cross-section views of the perimeter wall of an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in two different states;

Figures 5A and 5B are schematic axial cross-section views of the perimeter wall of another embodiment of an aerosol-generating article in two different states;

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a package having a container for receiving a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, where the aerosol-generating articles are in a constricted first state generally corresponding to that shown in Figure 5A.

Figures 7A to 7C are schematic axial cross-sectional views of a perimeter wall for three different embodiments of aerosol-generating article, all three embodiments employing a single sheet of supporting substrate folded about a fold line so that a first portion of the sheet of supporting substrate overlies a second portion of the sheet of supporting substrate. The embodiments differ from each other in the configuration of sheets of aerosol-forming substrate overlying the sheet of supporting substrate.

Figures 8A to 8C are schematic axial cross-sectional views of a perimeter wall for three different embodiments of aerosol-generating article, all three embodiments employing distinct first and second sheets of supporting substrate arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of supporting substrate align to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall. The embodiments differ from each other in the configuration of sheets of aerosol-forming substrate overlying the first and second sheets of supporting substrate.

Figures 9A to 9C are schematic axial cross-sectional views of a perimeter wall for three different embodiments of aerosol-generating article, all three embodiments employing a single sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about a fold line so that a first portion of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate overlies a second portion of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. The embodiments differ from each other in the configuration of sheets of supporting substrate overlying the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate.

Figures 10A to 10C are schematic axial cross-sectional views of a perimeter wall for three different embodiments of aerosol-generating article, all three embodiments employing distinct first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate align to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall. The embodiments differ from each other in the configuration of sheets of supporting substrate overlying the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate.

Figure 11 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a perimeter wall for an embodiment of aerosol-generating article employing a single sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about a fold line so that a first portion of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate overlies a second portion of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, but without the addition of any separate sheets of supporting substrate material.

Figure 12 is a schematic axial cross-sectional view of a perimeter wall for an embodiment of aerosol-generating article employing distinct first and second sheets of aerosolforming substrate arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate align to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, but without the addition of any separate sheets of supporting substrate material.

Figures 13A and 13B are schematic perspective views of a further embodiment of aerosol-generating article, in which part of the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article is configured to be air-permeable and is surrounded by a sleeve of aerosol-forming substrate.

Figure 14 is a schematic upper plan view of an aerosol-generating article according to a specific embodiment of the invention disposed in a constricted or flattened state;

Figure 15 is a side projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its constricted state;

Figure 16 is a lower plan view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its constricted state;

Figure 17 is a mouth end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its constricted state;

Figure 18 is a distal end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its constricted state;

Figure 19 is a schematic upper plan view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14, illustrating the transition from the constricted or flattened state to a dilated or expanded state;

Figure 20 is a schematic upper plan view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 disposed in a dilated or expanded state;

Figure 21 is a side projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its dilated state; Figure 22 is a lower plan view of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its dilated state;

Figure 23 is a mouth end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its dilated state;

Figure 24 is a distal end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 14 in its dilated state;

Figure 25 is a schematic upper plan view of an aerosol-generating article according to a further specific embodiment of the invention disposed in a dilated or expanded state;

Figure 26 is a side projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 25 in its dilated state;

Figure 27 is a mouth end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 25 in its dilated state; and

Figure 28 is a distal end projection of the aerosol-generating article of Figure 25 in its dilated state.

Figure 29 is a plan view showing a sheet of material for use in forming the perimeter wall of an aerosol-generating article, such as for example an aerosol-generating article as shown in Figures 14 to 28.

Figure 30 is a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating article according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 31 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of the aerosolgenerating article of figure 30;

Figure 32 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a first variant of the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 ;

Figure 33 is a plan view showing a sheet of material for use in forming the frame of an aerosol-generating article, such as for example the frame of the aerosol-generating articles of figures 30 to 32;

Figure 34 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a second variant of the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 ;

Figure 35 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a third variant of the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 .

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an aerosol-generating article 100 of length L extending between first and second ends 101 , 102. The aerosol-generating article 100 has a perimeter wall 110 extending between the first and second ends 101 , 102. The aerosolgenerating article 100 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 as being in a dilated or expanded state, with the perimeter wall 110 enclosing a hollow cavity 103 extending along the length L of the article between the first and second ends 101 , 102. The perimeter wall 110 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 has a generally lenticular cross-section. The lenticular cross-section resembles the profile of a bi-convex lens, with upper and lower half portions 111 , 112 of the perimeter wall 110 being mirror images of each other and each having an outwardly-facing convex surface. The upper and lower halves 111 , 112 of the perimeter wall 110 meet at opposed lateral edges 113, 114 of the perimeter wall. The distance between the laterally opposed edges 113, 114 of the perimeter wall 110 defines a width W of the aerosol-generating article 100. The distance between the outermost surfaces of the upper and lower half portions 111 , 112 of the perimeter wall 110 midway between the opposed lateral edges 113, 114 corresponds to a thickness T of the aerosol-generating article 100. It will be appreciated that the thickness dimension T of the aerosol-generating article 100 can also be thought of as representing the height of the aerosolgenerating article. Although the upper and lower half portions 111 , 112 may meet at the opposed lateral edges 113, 114 to define a sharp edge, the edge typically has a small radius of curvature R1 associated with it - as shown in the detail view of region B of Figure 2. The radius of curvature R1 may, for example, be less than 2 millimetres. Further, as also shown in the detail view of region B in Figure 2, at the location of each of the opposed lateral edges 113, 114, an acute angle a is defined between a tangent to the outer surface of the upper half portion 111 and a tangent to the outer surface of the lower half portion 112. The acute angle a may, for example, be in a range of between 15 degrees and 110 degrees.

The first end 101 forms a distal end of the aerosol-generating article 100 and the second end 102 forms a proximal end of the aerosol-generating article. The distal end 101 may also be known as a mouth end of the aerosol-generating article 100. For the aerosol-generating article 100 of Figures 1 and 2, the first end 101 is an open end. Figure 2 shows a view of the aerosolgenerating article 100 when held between the thumb and fingers of a user, the view looking generally along the longitudinal axis LA of the article through the opening at the first end 101 downstream towards the second end 102.

For the embodiment of the aerosol-generating article 100 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the interior cavity 103 enclosed by the perimeter wall 110 is free of obstructions between the first and second ends 101 , 102. However, as shown in Figure 2, an optional flap is provided at the second end 102 of the aerosol-generating article 100, the flap substantially covering the opening defined at the second end 102 by the perimeter wall 100. The flap is provided with a through-hole.

Although not shown in the schematic representations of Figures 1 and 2, the perimeter wall 110 of the aerosol-generating article 100 includes an aerosol-generating substrate as a constituent element. The aerosol-forming substrate may include homogenised tobacco material and an aerosol-former, such as propylene glycol or other suitable aerosol former.

Figures 3A to 3C represent three different embodiments of perimeter wall 210, 21 O’, 210” for the aerosol-generating article 100, each figure illustrating an exemplary structure for a segment of the perimeter wall corresponding to region A of Figure 1 . For the embodiment of Figure 3A, the perimeter wall 210 has an inner layer 21 1 of a supporting substrate material such as cardboard. The inner layer 211 of supporting substrate is overlaid with a layer 212 of an aerosol-forming substrate. The layer 212 of aerosol-forming substrate is in turn overlaid with a further layer of a supporting substrate 213 such as cardboard. Finally, a wrapper 214 of cigarette paper is overlaid over the further layer of supporting substrate 213 to form an outer surface of the perimeter wall 210. So, for the embodiment of Figure 3A, the perimeter wall 210 has the layer 212 of aerosol-forming substrate sandwiched between the layers 211 , 213 of supporting substrate. The supporting substrate material of cardboard provides the majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall 210. It will be appreciated that the layers of supporting substrate 211 , 213 may be distinct from each other, or may be formed from a common sheet of supporting substrate folded about a fold line to define each of layers 21 1 , 213.

The embodiment of Figure 3B represents a converse structure to Figure 3B. Explaining further, the perimeter wall 210’ has an inner layer 211 ’ of an aerosol-forming substrate. The inner layer 211 ’ of aerosol-forming substrate is overlaid with a layer 212’ of a supporting substrate material such as cardboard. The layer 212’ of supporting substrate material is in turn overlaid with a further layer 213’ of an aerosol-forming substrate. Finally, a wrapper 214’ of cigarette paper is overlaid over the further layer 213’ of aerosol-forming substrate to form an outer surface of the perimeter wall 210’. So, for the embodiment of Figure 3B, the perimeter wall 210’ has the layer 212’ of supporting substrate of cardboard sandwiched between the layers 21 1 ’, 213’ of aerosol-forming substrate. As for the embodiment of Figure 3A, the supporting substrate material of cardboard provides the majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall 21 O’. It will be appreciated that the layers of aerosol-forming substrate 211 ’, 213’ may be distinct from each other, or may be formed from a common sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about a fold line to define each of layers 211 ’, 213’.

The embodiment of the perimeter wall 210” shown in Figure 3C does not include distinct layers of aerosol-forming substrate and supporting substrate material. Rather, the perimeter wall 210” for the embodiment of Figure 3C is formed of a layer 21 1 ” of aerosol-forming substrate overlaid with a wrapper 212” of cigarette paper. For the embodiment of Figure 3C, the aerosolforming substrate provides the majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall 210”. The layer 21 1 ” of aerosol-forming substrate may have a greater thickness than that of the layers of aerosol-forming substrate employed for the perimeter wall 210, 210’ of Figures 3A and 3B.

The dilated state of the aerosol-generating article 100 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 represents a state in which the article is ready to be used and consumed. A user would consume the article 100 by applying heat to the perimeter wall 1 10 of the aerosol-forming article. In a preferred embodiment, the heat would be applied to the aerosol-generating article 100 at a level sufficient to heat but not combust or ignite the aerosol-forming substrate of the perimeter wall 110. Vapours evolved from heating of the aerosol-forming substrate would evolve within the interior of the aerosol-generating article 100 and become entrained with airflow drawn in through the first end 101 by a user inhaling on the mouth end 102. The vapours would cool and condense to form an aerosol when flowing downstream towards the mouth end 102, with the user inhaling the aerosol through the mouth end. In a preferred embodiment, the heat may be applied by the use of an aerosol-generating device having an electrically powered heating arrangement, with the device configured to receive the aerosol-generating article 100. By way of example, the aerosol-generating device may include a chamber for receiving at least part of the length of the aerosol-generating article 100. In particularly preferred embodiments, a resistive heating arrangement or an inductive heating arrangement may be employed by the aerosol-generating device to apply heat to the aerosol-generating article. However, the present disclosure is concerned with the design and configuration of the aerosol-generating article and it will be understood that other means may be used to apply heat to the aerosol-generating article in order to generate an aerosol.

Figures 4A and 4B represent an embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 300 in which the article is deformable between two geometric states. Figure 4A shows the aerosolgenerating article 300 in a constricted first state. Figure 4B shows the aerosol-generating article 300 in a dilated second state corresponding generally to the state of the article 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The constricted first state is a state in which an area enclosed by perimeter wall 310 is less than the area enclosed by the perimeter wall for the dilated second state. In the constricted first state of Figure 4A, the aerosol-generating article 300 has a thickness T1 which is less than the thickness T2 of the article in the dilated second state. It will be appreciated that the thickness dimension T1 , T2 of the aerosol-generating article 300 can also be thought of as representing the height of the aerosol-generating article.

So, for the constricted first state of Figure 4A, the aerosol-generating article 300 is flatter and wider in cross-section than for the dilated second state of Figure 4B. The constricted first state of Figure 4A represents the aerosol-generating article 300 being in a state optimised for packing of multiple ones of the aerosol-generating article in side-by-side relationship, as will be described below in more detail with reference to Figure 6. For the aerosol-generating article 300 of Figure 4A, the perimeter wall 310 has upper and lower planar portions 311 , 312 joined at a pair of laterally opposed fold-lines 313, 314 defined in the perimeter wall. The upper and lower planar portions 311 , 312 of the perimeter wall 310 are aligned parallel to each other. In the example shown in Figure 4A, respective inward-facing surfaces of the upper and lower planar portions 311 , 312 are positioned to touch or nearly be touching each other, such that the aerosol-generating article 300 in the constricted first state of Figure 4A has a thickness T 1 of approximately or slightly in excess of twice the thickness t of the upper and lower portions 311 , 312. A user would transition the aerosol-generating article 300 between the constricted first state to the dilated second state by pressing on the laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall 310 defined by the fold lines 313, 314 in the perimeter wall, as shown by the arrows in Figure 4A. The force applied to the laterally opposed edges 313, 314 of the perimeter wall 310 would overcome the stiffness of the perimeter wall, resulting in a contraction in width of the aerosol-generating article 300. The contraction in width would be accompanied by the upper and lower planar portions 311 , 312 of the perimeter wall 300 separating from each other to provide an increase in thickness (or height) of the aerosol-generating article, until arriving at the dilated second state shown in Figure 4B. As can be seen by comparison of Figures 4A and 4B, the perimeter wall 310 of the aerosol-generating article 300 encloses a larger area in the dilated second state than in the constricted first state. The aerosol-generating article 300 has an increased thickness T2 (or height) and a reduced width W2 in the dilated second state compared to the thickness T1 (or height) and width W1 associated with the constricted first state.

Figures 5A and 5B represent an alternative embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 400 to that of Figures 4A and 4B. As for the embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B, the article 400 of Figures 5A and 5B is deformable between a constricted first state and a dilated second state respectively. The dilated second state of Figure 5B is essentially the same as that of the embodiment of Figure 4B. However, the axial cross-sectional shape of the aerosol-generating article in the constricted first state is different for the article 400 of Figure 5A compared to the article 300 of Figure 4A. In contrast to the planar structure of the perimeter wall 310 employed in Figure 4A, for the embodiment of Figure 5A the perimeter wall 410 has upper and lower convexly-shaped portions 411 , 412 joined at a pair of laterally opposed fold lines 413, 414 defined in the perimeter wall. So, the aerosol-generating article 400 is generally lenticular in cross section for both the constricted first state (see Figure 5A) and the dilated second state (see Figure 5B). The use of a lenticular cross-section for the article 400 in the constricted first state facilitates the transition between the constricted first state to the dilated second state. Explaining further, the outward curvature of the upper and lower convexly shaped portions 411 , 412 of the perimeter wall 410 in the constricted first state of Figure 5A means that the perimeter wall is more susceptible to transforming into the dilated second state on a user pressing on the laterally opposed edges 413, 414 of the perimeter wall.

Figure 6 shows a package 5000. The package 5000 has a container 5100 in which are contained a plurality of the aerosol-generating articles 400 in the constricted first state, as represented by Figure 5A discussed above. The shallow thickness of the aerosol-generating article 400 in the constricted first state allows multiple different ones of the aerosol generating articles to be stored inside the holder 5100 in side-by-side relationship with each other in a space-efficient manner, with minimal air gaps between adjacent ones of the aerosol-generating articles. For the package 5000 of Figure 6, a lid 5200 is coupled to the container 5100. The lid 5200 is hinged to the container 5100 to allow the lid to be opened to expose the interior of the container and allow a user to remove a given one of the aerosol-generating articles 400 from inside the container. The user may then press on the laterally opposed sides 413, 414 of the removed aerosol-generating article 400 to transition the article from the constricted first state (of Figure 5A) to the dilated second state (of Figure 5B), ready for heating and consuming.

Figures 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, 9A to 9C, 10A to 10C, 11 and 12 illustrate various different structures for the perimeter wall of an aerosol-generating article, each illustrating the perimeter wall in axial cross-section for the aerosol-generating article in the dilated second state.

Figure 7A shows an embodiment in which perimeter wall 510 has a single sheet 511 of supporting substrate (for example, the supporting substrate formed from cardboard), which is folded about a fold line 512 so that a first portion 513 of the supporting substrate overlies a second portion 514 of the supporting substrate. The first and second portions 513, 514 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall 510. A first inner sheet 515 of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the first portion 513 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate. A second inner sheet 516 of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the second portion 514 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate. A wrapper 517 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 510.

Figure 7B shows an alternative embodiment of perimeter wall 510’ to that of Figure 7A. This embodiment differs from that of Figure 7A in the perimeter wall 510’ not having the first and second inner sheets of aerosol-forming substrate, but instead having first and second outer sheets 515’, 516’ of aerosol-forming substrate. The first outer sheet 515’ of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the first portion 513 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate. The second outer sheet 516’ of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the second portion 514 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate. Wrapper 517 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 510’.

Figure 7C shows an alternative embodiment of perimeter wall 510” to that of Figures 7A and 7B. The embodiment of Figure 7C represents a combination of the embodiments of Figures 7A and 7B, with the perimeter wall 510” incorporating both the first and second inner sheets 515, 516 of aerosol-forming substrate and the first and second outer sheets 515’, 516’ of aerosol-forming substrate. So, for the embodiment of Figure 7C, opposing surfaces of the first portion 513 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate are sandwiched between the first inner and outer sheets 515, 515’ of aerosol-forming substrate; similarly, opposing surfaces of the second portion 514 of the sheet 511 of supporting substrate are sandwiched between the second inner and outer sheets 516, 516’ of aerosol-forming substrate. Wrapper 517 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 510”

Figures 8A to 8C show three different embodiments of perimeter wall 610, 61 O’, 610”. The embodiments of Figures 8A to 8C differ from those of Figures 7A to 7C in the configuration of the supporting substrate. More specifically, instead of employing a single sheet of supporting substrate folded about a fold line to define first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall, the embodiments of Figures 8A to 8C employ distinct first and second sheets 611 , 612 of supporting substrate. The first and second sheets 611 , 612 of supporting substrate are arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of supporting substrate align to define laterally opposed edges 613, 614 of the perimeter wall. The first and second sheets 61 1 , 612 of supporting substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall. Wrapper 615 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 610 of Figure 8A, first inner sheet 616 of aerosolforming substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the first sheet 611 of supporting substrate and second inner sheet 617 of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the second sheet 612 of supporting substrate.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 610’ of Figure 8B, first outer sheet 616’ of aerosolforming substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the first sheet 611 of supporting substrate and second outer sheet 617’ of aerosol-forming substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the second sheet 612 of supporting substrate.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 610” of Figure 8C, opposing surfaces of the first sheet 61 1 of supporting substrate are sandwiched between the first inner and outer sheets 616, 616’ of aerosol-forming substrate; similarly, opposing surfaces of the second sheet 612 of supporting substrate are sandwiched between the second inner and outer sheets 617, 617’ of aerosol-forming substrate.

Figures 9A to 9C and 10A to 10C represent converse embodiments of the perimeter wall to those of Figures 7A to 7C and 8A to 8C respectively. These embodiments are outlined in more detail below.

Figure 9A shows an embodiment of perimeter wall 710 in which the perimeter wall has a single sheet 711 of aerosol-forming substrate, which is folded about a fold line 712 so that a first portion 713 of the aerosol-forming substrate overlies a second portion 714 of the aerosolforming substrate. The first and second portions 713, 714 of the sheet 711 of aerosol-forming substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall 710. A first inner sheet 715 of supporting substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the first portion 713 of the sheet 71 1 of aerosol-forming substrate. A second inner sheet 716 of supporting substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the second portion 714 of the sheet 711 of aerosol-forming substrate. The supporting substrate may be formed from cardboard. A wrapper 717 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 710.

Figure 9B shows an alternative embodiment of perimeter wall 710’ to that of Figure 9A. This embodiment differs from that of Figure 9A in not having the first and second inner sheets of supporting substrate, but instead having first and second outer sheets 715’, 716’ of supporting substrate. The first outer sheet 715’ of supporting substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the first portion 713 of the sheet 711 of aerosol-forming substrate. The second outer sheet 716’ of supporting substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the second portion 714 of the sheet 71 1 of aerosol-forming substrate. A wrapper 717 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 71 O’.

Figure 9C shows an alternative embodiment of perimeter wall 710” to those of Figures 9A and 9B. The embodiment of Figure 9C represents a combination of the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B, incorporating both the first and second inner sheets 715, 716 of supporting substrate and the first and second outer sheets 715’, 716’ of supporting substrate. So, for the embodiment of Figure 9C, opposing surfaces of the first portion 713 of the sheet 711 of aerosolforming substrate are sandwiched between the first inner and outer sheets 715, 715’ of supporting substrate; similarly, opposing surfaces of the second portion 714 of the sheet 71 1 of aerosol-forming substrate are sandwiched between the second inner and outer sheets 716, 716’ of supporting substrate. A wrapper 717 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 710”.

Figures 10A to 10C show three different embodiments of perimeter wall 810, 81 O’, 810”. The embodiments of Figures 10A to 10C differ from those of Figures 9A to 9C in the configuration of the aerosol-forming substrate. More specifically, instead of employing a single sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about a fold line to define first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall, the embodiments of Figures 10A to 10C employ distinct first and second sheets 811 , 812 of aerosol-forming substrate. The first and second sheets 81 1 , 812 of aerosol-forming substrate are arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate align to define laterally opposed edges 813, 814 of the perimeter wall. The first and second sheets 811 , 812 of aerosol-forming substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall. A wrapper 815 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 810 of Figure 10A, first inner sheet 816 of supporting substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the first sheet 811 of aerosol-forming substrate and second inner sheet 817 of supporting substrate overlies an inward-facing surface of the second sheet 812 of aerosol-forming substrate.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 810’ of Figure 10B, first outer sheet 816’ of supporting substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the first sheet 811 of aerosol-forming substrate and second outer sheet 817’ of supporting substrate overlies an outward-facing surface of the second sheet 812 of aerosol-forming substrate.

For the embodiment of perimeter wall 810” of Figure 10C, opposing surfaces of the first sheet 81 1 of aerosol-forming substrate are sandwiched between the first inner and outer sheets 816, 816’ of supporting substrate; similarly, opposing surfaces of the second sheet 812 of aerosol-forming substrate are sandwiched between the second inner and outer sheets 817, 817’ of supporting substrate. In each of the embodiments of Figures 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, 9A to 9C and 10A to 10C, the perimeter wall is formed by a combination of supporting substrate material and aerosolforming substrate. The supporting substrate may serve to provide a majority of the flexural stiffness of the perimeter wall and can be thought of as supporting the aerosol-forming substrate. The supporting substrate may be formed from an air-permeable material, thereby permitting the passage across a thickness of the supporting substrate of vapours evolved from heating of the aerosol-forming substrate. So, for example, where the perimeter wall has aerosol-forming substrate positioned to overlie an outward-facing surface of a sheet of supporting substrate, employing an air-permeable material for the supporting substrate facilitates the passage of vapor from the aerosol-forming substrate (when heated) through the supporting substrate into the interior volume of the aerosol-generating article as enclosed by the perimeter wall. The air-permeability may be provided by use of one or more porous materials for the supporting substrate. Alternatively, as described in subsequent paragraphs, the airpermeability may be provided by the provision of apertures extending through the perimeter wall.

In further alternative embodiments of the perimeter wall 910, 910’ described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 respectively, the perimeter wall lacks a combination of separate sheets of supporting substrate and aerosol-forming substrate.

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of perimeter wall 910 in which the perimeter wall has a single sheet 911 of aerosol-forming substrate, which is folded about a fold line 912 so that a first portion 913 of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate overlies a second portion 914 of the sheet of aerosol-forming substrate. The first and second portions 913, 914 of the sheet 911 of aerosol-forming substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall 910. The single sheet 911 of aerosol-forming substrate is of greater thickness than that of any of the sheets of aerosol-forming substrate described in relation to the embodiments of Figures 7A to 7C, 8A to 8C, 9A to 9C and 10A to 10C, to allow the aerosolforming substrate to provide a desired level of flexural stiffness to the aerosol-generating article 910. A wrapper 915 of cigarette paper forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall 910.

The embodiment of perimeter wall 910’ of Figure 12 differs from that of Figure 11 in the configuration of the aerosol-forming substrate. More specifically, instead of employing a single sheet of aerosol-forming substrate folded about a fold line to define first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall, the embodiment of Figure 12 employs distinct first and second sheets 911 ’, 912’ of aerosol-forming substrate. The first and second sheets 911 ’, 912’ of aerosol-forming substrate are arranged to oppose each other so that laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets align to define laterally opposed edges 913’, 914’ of the perimeter wall. The first and second sheets 911 ’, 912’ of aerosol-forming substrate form respective first and second halves of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall 910’. The wrapper 915 of cigarette paper again forms an outer surface of the perimeter wall. Figures 13A and 13B illustrate a further embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 1000 in a dilated state, the article having a perimeter wall 1010 which is lenticular in axial crosssection. As shown in Figure 13A, an axially extending portion 1011 of the perimeter wall 1010 of the aerosol-generating article 1000 is provided with a plurality of circular apertures 1012 extending through the thickness of the perimeter wall. The apertures 1012 may be referred to as “through-holes” as they extend through the thickness of the perimeter wall 1010. The perimeter wall 1010 of the aerosol-generating article 1000 is formed of a supporting substrate material and optionally may also include a wrapper of cigarette paper located outward of the supporting substrate. Cardboard is an example of a suitable material for use in forming the supporting substrate of the perimeter wall 1010. As shown in Figure 13B, a band 1013 of aerosol-forming substrate is sleeved around the perimeter wall 1010 to cover the plurality of apertures 1012 formed in the axially extending portion 1011 of the perimeter wall. The band 1013 of aerosol-forming substrate has an axial length slightly larger than the length of the axially extending portion 1011 of the perimeter wall 1010 in which the apertures 1012 are defined. The band 1013 of aerosol-forming substrate may be formed as a single sheet of aerosol-forming substrate wrapping around the circumferential length of the perimeter wall 1010. Alternatively, a first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may be laid over the apertures 1012 defined in the upper convexly-shaped portion 1014 of the perimeter wall 1010 and a second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate may be overlaid over the apertures defined in the lower convexly-shaped portion 1015 of the perimeter wall. On sufficient heat being applied to the band 1013 of aerosol-forming substrate to cause volatile compounds to evolve from the aerosol-forming substrate and form a vapour, the apertures 1012 in the axially extending portion 1011 of the perimeter wall 1010 permit the vapor to enter the interior space of the aerosol-generating article 1000 enclosed by the perimeter wall. The band 1013 of aerosol-forming substrate and the apertures 1012 are disposed closer to the first end 1001 of the aerosol-generating article 1000 than to the second (or mouth) end 1002 of the aerosol-generating article. Although the apertures 1012 defined in the axially extending portion 1011 of the perimeter wall 1010 are shown as being circular in shape for the embodiment of Figure 13A, any other shape may be used for the apertures which permits the flow of vapor through the apertures across the thickness of the perimeter wall 1010.

Any specific embodiment of aerosol-generating article described herein may comprise one or more end flaps configured to at least partially cover an end of the aerosol-generating article. An exemplary embodiment of such an aerosol-generating article is described with reference to Figures 14 to 24. Figures 14 to 18 illustrate projections of the aerosol-generating article 1100 when configured in a constricted or flattened state. Figure 19 illustrates the article 1100 undergoing transition between the constricted state and a dilated or expanded state. Figures 20 to 24 illustrate projections of the article 1100 in its dilated or expanded state.

The article 1100 is configured to be transformed from a first state, the first state being a constricted or flattened state, to a second state, the second state being a dilated or expanded state, for use. In the first, constricted, state illustrated in Figures 14 to 18, the article 1100 is substantially two-dimensional. The aerosol-generating article 1100 extends longitudinally between first end 1101 and second end 1102. As for the other embodiments of aerosolgenerating article described above, the second end 1102 may be termed a proximal end or a mouth end.

The article 1100 comprises a substantially flat upper surface 1110 having a length L substantially extending between the first end 1101 and the second end 1102, and a width W extending between first and second laterally opposed edges 1103, 1104. In a specific embodiment, the length may be between 20 mm and 100 mm, for example about 45 mm. In a specific embodiment, the width may be between 10 mm and 20 mm, for example about 15 mm.

The article 1100 comprises a substantially flat lower surface 1111 opposing the upper surface 1110. The lower surface 1111 is identical to the upper surface 1110. Side surfaces extend between the upper surface 1110 and the lower surface 1111. In the constricted state the height (or thickness) of the article 1100 is determined by the thickness t of material forming perimeter wall 1120 of the article 1100. For example, the height (or thickness) of the article in its constricted state may be between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, for example about 1 mm.

An upper flap 1130 is located at the second (or mouth) end 1102 of the upper surface

1110 of the article 1100. The upper flap 1130 is defined by an upper flap leading edge 1131 , shaped as a convex curve extending towards the second end 1102 and an upper flap fold line

1132, defined by a concave scored line in the upper surface 1110. The shape of the upper flap fold line 1132 is a reflection of the shape of the upper flap leading edge 1131 , and the shape of the upper flap 1130 is predominantly lenticular, that is shaped like a bi-convex lens.

A plurality of upper flap through-holes 1135 are defined through a thickness of the upper flap 1130. The upper flap through holes 1135 are configured to provide an air flow path through the flap 1130 and provide a filtration effect to prevent large particles of material being inhaled by a user drawing on the article 1100. The holes 1135 may have any suitable dimension to provide an air flow path. The dimensions of each through-hole 1135 may depend on the total number of through-holes present. In specific embodiments there may be between, for example, 1 and 50 through-holes 1135, for example between 3 and 10 through-holes, for example about 7 through-holes. The diameter of these through-holes 1135 may be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, for example between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

A lower flap 1140 is located at the second (or mouth) end 1102 of the lower surface

1111 of the article 1100. The lower flap 1140 is defined by a lower flap leading edge 1141 , shaped as a convex curve extending towards the second end 1102 and a lower flap fold line

1142, defined by a concave scored line in the lower surface 1111. The lower flap 1140 is also provided with a plurality of lower flap through-holes 1145, which are substantially the same as the upper flap through-holes 1135 described above. The article 1100 of this specific embodiment is essentially in the form of a tube of material defined by perimeter wall 1120, with upper and lower flaps 1130, 1140 defined at a second end 1102 of the article. In the constricted state, the tube is a flattened tube, and upper and lower internal surfaces 1121 , 1122 of the perimeter wall 1120 are in contact with each other. The perimeter wall 1120 may be of any suitable material (for example, as described for any of the previously discussed embodiments) and may comprise an aerosol-forming material. For example, the perimeter wall 1120 may be formed from a laminated material having an outer portion formed from paper or cardboard and an inner portion formed from an aerosol-forming material such as a homogenised tobacco material. The perimeter wall 1120 may be formed by more than one component assembled within a wrapper such as a cigarette paper.

To transition the article 1100 from the constricted first state to the dilated second state, a user applies pressure to the first and second laterally opposed edges 1103, 1104, moving these edges closer to one another (as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 19). The upper surface 1110 and the lower surface 1111 bow outwards to cause the aerosol-generating article 1100 to increase in thickness or height, thereby causing a channel 1150 to open between an upper internal surface 1121 and a lower internal surface 1122 of the perimeter wall 1120. The user then folds the lower flap 1140 upwards about the lower flap fold line 1142, and the upper flap 1130 downwards about the upper flap fold line 1132. The curved fold lines 1132, 1142 associated with each flap 1130, 1140 effectively lock each flap in position when the flaps are folded and help prevent the article 1100 reverting to its constricted first state.

Figures 20 to 24 illustrate the article 1100 in its dilated second state. Channel 1150 is now defined by the perimeter wall 1120. This channel 1150 forms a longitudinally-extending air flow path through the article 1100 between the first and second ends 1101 , 1102. The upper and lower surfaces 1110, 1111 have bowed outwards and the thickness or height of the article 1100 has increased relative to the constricted first state. The height or thickness of the article 1100 may be, for example, between 4 mm and 10 mm, for example between 5 mm and 8 mm, for example about 6 mm.

The upper and lower flaps 1130, 1140 have been folded to cover an opening to the channel 1150 at the second (or mouth) end 1102. In plan view, the second end 1102 presents a concave profile following the upper flap and lower flap fold lines 1132, 1142. The end projection from the second end 1102 of Figure 23 shows the lenticular cross-section of the article 1100, with the through-channel 1150 covered by the upper and lower flaps 1130, 1140.

As explained for other embodiments of the aerosol-generating article, a user transitions the article 1100 from its constricted first state to its dilated second state. The distal end 1101 of the article 1100 may then be placed into engagement with an aerosol-forming device to heat aerosol-forming substrate of the article. The user may then draw on the second (or mouth) end 1102 of the article 1100 to inhale an aerosol generated by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The flaps 1130, 1140 help resist pressure from the user’s lips and thereby help to maintain the article 1100 in its dilated state.

Figures 25 to 28 illustrate a further embodiment of an aerosol-generating article 2100 comprising foldable end flaps. The article 2100 is similar to the article 1100 described above, with the difference that both the first end 2101 and the second (or mouth) end 2102 of the article 2100 are closed by foldable flaps 2160, 2130. The flaps 2130 at the second end 2102 comprise a plurality of through-holes 2135 dimensioned to act as filtration holes to prevent a user inhaling solid particulate matter. The flaps 2160 at the first end 2101 define a plurality of inlet holes 2165 to allow air flow into the article 2100. The inlet holes 2165 may have a larger dimension than the through-holes 2135 at the second end 2102.

The article 2100 is transitioned from a first constricted state to a second dilated state in the same manner as described above, with the difference that a user folds flaps at both ends of the article. The additional flaps 2160 at the distal or first end 2101 of the article 2100 may provide additional structural rigidity to the article when in use.

Figure 29 is a plan view showing a sheet 3000 of material which may be used as a template for forming the perimeter wall of an aerosol-generating article; for example, the perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating articles 1100, 2100 of the embodiments of Figures 14 to 24 and Figures 25 to 28 respectively. The sheet of material 3000 has a “pillow-box” shaped profile. The sheet of material 3000 may be provided in planar form having first and second portions 3100, 3200 separated by a straight score line 3300. Concave-shaped score lines 3101 , 3102 are provided proximate to opposed ends of the first portion 3100. The score lines 3101 , 3102 are complementary in shape to convex-shaped free edges 3103, 3104 of the opposed ends of the first portion 3100. Similarly, concave-shaped score lines 3201 , 3202 are provided proximate to opposed ends of the second portion 3200. The score lines 3201 , 3202 are complementary in shape to convex-shaped free edges 3203, 3204 of the opposed ends of the second portion 3200. For the first portion 3100 of the sheet 3000, a first flap 3111 is defined by concave-shaped score line 3101 and convex-shaped free edge 3103 and a second flap 3112 is defined by concave-shaped score line 3102 and convex-shaped free edge 3104. For the second portion 3200 of the sheet 3000, a first flap 3211 is defined by concave-shaped score line 3201 and convex-shaped free edge 3203 and a second flap 3212 is defined by concaveshaped score line 3202 and convex-shaped free edge 3204. A tab 3400 is defined along a side of the second portion 3200, the tab defined by a straight score line 3401 and a free side edge 3402 of the second portion. Cut-outs 3500 are defined in each of the flaps 3111 , 3112, the cut outs formed in the convex-shaped free edges 3103, 3104. The “pillow-box” shaped sheet 3000 of material may be transformed into a perimeter wall by folding the first portion 3100 over the second portion 3200 about score line 3300. The tab 3400 may be located through a corresponding slot (not shown) provided in the first portion 3100 of the sheet 3000, thereby helping to secure corresponding free side edges of the first and second portions 3100, 3200 to each other to form the perimeter wall; alternatively or in addition, an adhesive may be used to secure the tab 3400 of the second portion 3200 to the first portion 3100. The perimeter wall may initially have a constricted flattened profile in axial cross-section, similar to that shown in Figures 17 and 18. However, the perimeter wall may subsequently be deformed into a dilated or expanded state in a similar manner to that described for the embodiments of Figures 14 to 24 and Figures 25 to 28, with the flaps 3111 , 3112, 3211 , 3212 folded about their respective score lines to at least partially cover openings defined at opposite ends of the perimeter wall. The folded flaps 3111 , 3112, 3211 , 3212 may help to maintain the perimeter wall in its dilated or expanded state.

Figure 30 shows a schematic perspective view of an aerosol-generating article 4000. Figure 31 shows an exploded view of the components of the aerosol-generating article 4000 of figure 30. The aerosol-generating article 4000 has a frame 4100. The frame 4100 is formed of cardboard. In other embodiments, paperboard, cardboard or another sustainable material may be used for the frame 4100. The frame 4100 encloses a cavity 4101 . A cut-out 4102 is defined through an upper surface 4103 of the frame 4100. The cut-out 4102 defines a window overlying the cavity 4101 . A corresponding cut-out 4104 is formed through a lower surface 4105 of the frame 4100. Although only part of the outline of the cut-out 4104 is shown in figure 31 , the cutout 4104 in the lower surface 4105 is a mirror image of the cut-out 4102 in the upper surface 4103. The upper surface 4103 of the frame 4100 and the lower surface 4105 of the frame each define outwardly convex surfaces. Opposed longitudinally extending edges of the upper and lower convex surfaces 4103, 4105 converge towards each other to meet, thereby providing the aerosol-generating article 4000 with a generally lenticular cross-sectional profile. The frame 4100 also has end walls 4106, 4107 defined at axially opposed first and seconds 4108, 4109 of the frame. An air inlet 4110 is defined through end wall 4106 and an air inlet 4111 is defined through end wall 4107.

Upper and lower layers 4201 , 4202 formed of a paper-based material of about 60 microns thickness are bonded to the respective upper and lower surfaces 4103, 4105 of the frame 4100. In other embodiments, paperboard, cardboard or another sustainable material may be used for the upper and lower layers 4201 , 4202. An adhesive may be used to bond the upper and lower layers 4201 , 4202 to the respective surfaces 4103, 4105 of the frame 4100. The upper layer 4201 covers and seals the cut-out 4102 defined in the upper surface 4103. The lower layer 4202 covers and seals the cut-out 4104 defined in the lower surface 4105. As can be seen clearly in figure 31 , the upper layer 4201 is physically and structurally distinct from the lower layer 4202.

A portion of aerosol-forming substrate 4300 is positioned within the cavity 4101 . The aerosol-forming substrate 4300 is in the form of a body of homogenised tobacco comprising an aerosol former such as glycerin. However, in other embodiments the aerosol-forming substrate 4300 may be in the form of tobacco cut filler. Arrows are shown in figures 30 and 31 to illustrate how the air inlet 4110 and the air outlet 4111 define an air flow passage into, through and out of the cavity 4101 of the aerosolgenerating article 4000.

The aerosol-generating article has an axial length (extending in the x-direction) of about 30 millimetres, a width (extending in the y-direction) of about 10 millimetres and a thickness or height (extending in the z-direction) of about 3 millimetres.

In use, heat applied to one or both of the upper and lower surfaces 4201 , 4202 of the aerosol-generating article 4000 would act to vaporise volatile compounds from the portion of aerosol-forming substrate 4300. Application of suction to the air outlet 4112 would induce an air flow through the air inlet 4110 into the cavity 4101. The vaporised volatile compounds would become entrained in the air flow, with the entrained air condensing to form an aerosol as it continues to flow through the cavity 4101 towards the air outlet 4111. The aerosol would exiting the aerosol-generating article 4000 through the air outlet 4111 for subsequent inhalation by a user.

Figure 32 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a first variant to the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 . Features in common with the aerosolgenerating article of figures 30 and 31 are referred to with like reference signs but commencing with numeral 5 instead of numeral 4. The aerosol-generating article 5000 of figure 32 differs from the aerosol-generating article 4000 of figures 30 and 31 in that the cavity 5101 is free of any aerosol-forming substrate. A further difference is that the upper layer 5201 and the lower layer 5202 are formed from aerosol-forming substrate, such as a sheet of homogenised tobacco. When heat is applied to one or both of the upper layer 5201 and lower layer 5202 of the article 5000, volatile compounds are vaporised from the aerosol-forming substrate of the upper and lower layers within the cavity by virtue of the upper and lower layer being arranged over the cut-outs 5102, 5104 in the upper and lower surfaces 5103, 5105 of the frame 5100. In a similar manner to the aerosol-generating article 4000 of figures 30 and 31 , the vaporised volatile compounds become entrained in air flow passing through the cavity between the air inlet 5110 and the air outlet 5111. The entrained air flow cools and condenses as it passes through the cavity 5101 to form an aerosol which exits the aerosol-generating article 5000 via the air outlet 5111 for subsequent inhalation by a user.

Figure 33 is a plan view showing a sheet 6000 of material which may be used as a template to form the frame of an aerosol-generating article, such as the frame 4100, 5100 of the aerosol-generating articles 4000, 5000 of figures 30-32. The sheet of material 6000 has a “pillow-box” shaped profile. The sheet of material 6000 may be provided in planar form, having first and second portions 6100, 6200 separated by a straight score line 6300. Concave-shaped score lines 6101 , 6102 are provided proximate to opposed ends of the first portion 6100. The score lines 6101 , 6102 are complementary in shape to convex-shaped free edges 6103, 6104 of the opposed ends of the first portion 6100. Similarly, concave-shaped score lines 6201 , 6202 are provided proximate to opposed ends of the second portion 6200. The score lines 6201 , 6202 are complementary in shape to convex-shaped free edges 6203, 6204 of the opposed ends of the second portion 6200.

For the first portion 6100 of the sheet 6000, a first flap 6111 is defined by concaveshaped score line 6101 and convex-shaped free edge 6103 and a second flap 6112 is defined by concave-shaped score line 6102 and convex-shaped free edge 6104. The first and second flaps 6111 , 6112 are arranged at opposed axial ends of the first portion 6100 of the sheet of material 6000. Aperture 6113 is formed through the first flap 6111 of the first portion 6100. Aperture 6114 is formed through the second flap 6112 of the first portion 6100.

For the second portion 6200 of the sheet 6000, a first flap 6211 is defined by concaveshaped score line 6201 and convex-shaped free edge 6203 and a second flap 6212 is defined by concave-shaped score line 6202 and convex-shaped free edge 6204. The first and second flaps 6211 , 6212 are arranged at opposed axial ends of the second portion 6200 of the sheet of material 6000. Aperture 6215 is formed through the first flap 6211 of the second portion 6200. Aperture 6216 is formed through the second flap 6212 of the second portion 6200.

A tab 6400 is defined along a side of the second portion 6200, the tab defined by a straight score line 6401 and a free side edge 6402 of the second portion.

The “pillow-box” shaped sheet 6000 of material may be transformed into a frame, similar to the frame 4100, 5100 of the aerosol-generating articles 4000, 5000 of figures 30 to 32 by folding the first portion 6100 of the sheet 6000 over the second portion 6200 of the sheet 6000 about score line 6300. The tab 6400 may be located through a corresponding slot (not shown) provided in the first portion 6100 of the sheet 6000, thereby helping to secure corresponding free side edges of the first and second portions 6100, 6200 to each other and thereby define upper and lower surfaces of the frame. Alternatively or in addition, an adhesive may be used to secure the tab 6400 of the second portion 6200 to the first portion 6100.

The region of the first portion 6100 between score lines 6101 , 6102 may form an upper surface of the frame, for example, upper surface 4103 of frame 4100 or upper surface 5103 of frame 5100. The region of the second portion 6200 between score lines 6201 , 6202 may form a lower surface of the frame, for example, lower surface 4105 of frame 4100 or lower surface 5105 of frame 5100.

With the first and second portions 6100, 6200 joined to each other via score line 6300 and tab 6400, opposed lateral edges of the frame are gently squeezed together to deform the frame into a dilated lenticular shape in which openings are defined at opposed axial ends of the frame. The flaps 6111 , 6112, 6211 , 6212 are then folded about their respective score lines to at least partially cover the axially openings in the frame. Apertures 6113, 6115 are centrally located in respective flaps 6111 , 6211 such that when the flaps 6111 , 6211 are folded about their score lines, the apertures align with each other to define one of an air inlet or an air outlet of the frame, for example to define one of the air inlets 4110, 5110 and the air outlets 4111 , 5111 of the aerosol-generating articles 4000, 5000 of figures 30 to 32. Similarly, apertures 6214, 6216 are centrally located in respective flaps 6112, 6212 such that when the flaps 6112, 6212 are folded about their score lines, the apertures align with each other to define the other of the air inlet or air outlet of the frame, for example to define one of the air inlets 4110, 5110 and the air outlets 4111 , 5111 of the aerosol-generating articles 4000, 5000 of figures 30 to 32. The folded flaps 6111 , 6112, 6211 , 6212 may help to maintain the frame in the dilated lenticular state. The folded flaps 6111 , 6112, 6211 , 6212 may be secured in position by use of an adhesive. Bonding the folded flaps 6111 , 6112, 6211 , 6212 in place may also facilitate avoiding or reducing unwanted air leakage around the edges of the flaps into or out from the cavity defined by the frame.

In another embodiment (not shown), the frame of an aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure may be constructed from a plurality of planar layers of sheet material successively overlaid over each other in a stack in the z-direction. Adhesive may be used to bond adjacent ones of the layers together. The layers of sheet material may be formed of paper, paperboard, cardboard or other suitable sustainable material.

In another embodiment (not shown), the frame of an aerosol-generating article of the present disclosure may be formed from a single unitary block of material. The cavity may be formed by stamping a portion of material out of the block of material. The block of material may be formed of paper, paperboard, cardboard or other suitable sustainable material.

Figure 34 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a second variant to the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 . Features in common with the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 are referred to with like reference signs but commencing with numeral 7 instead of numeral 4. The aerosol-generating article 7000 of figure 34 differs from the aerosol-generating article 4000 of figures 30 and 31 in that the frame 7100 has laterally opposed planar side walls 7113, 7114 which separate the upper surface 7103 of the frame from the lower surface 7105 of the frame.

Figure 35 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the components of a third variant to the aerosol-generating article of figures 30 and 31 . Features in common with the aerosolgenerating article of figures 30 and 31 are referred to with like reference signs but commencing with numeral 8 instead of numeral 4. The aerosol-generating article 8000 of figure 35 differs from the aerosol-generating article 4000 of figures 30 and 31 in that the frame 8100 is formed from a single block of cardboard from which a portion of the cardboard has been removed to define the cavity 8101 . A further difference is that the cavity 8101 is defined by a single cut-out which extends through the height of the frame 8100 in the z-direction. Upper and lower layers 8201 , 8202 formed of a paper-based material of about 60 microns thickness are bonded to the respective upper and lower surfaces 8103, 8105 of the frame 8100 in the same manner as for the upper and lower layers 4201 , 4202 of the article 4000 of figures 30 to 31 . For the purpose of the present description and of the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, quantities, percentages, and so forth, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein. In this context, therefore, a number “A” is understood as “A” ± 10% of “A”. Within this context, a number “A” may be considered to include numerical values that are within general standard error for the measurement of the property that the number “A” modifies. The number “A”, in some instances as used in the appended claims, may deviate by the percentages enumerated above provided that the amount by which “A” deviates does not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. Also, all ranges include the maximum and minimum points disclosed and include any intermediate ranges therein, which may or may not be specifically enumerated herein.

Claims

1 . An aerosol-generating article extending longitudinally between opposed first and second ends, the aerosol-generating article comprising a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being lenticular in axial cross-section, wherein the perimeter wall comprises opposed first and second convex portions, wherein opposed ends of the first convex portion meet corresponding opposed ends of the second convex portion to define a pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an acute angle being defined between an outer surface of the first convex portion and an outer surface of the second convex portion where the opposed ends of the first and second convex portions meet.

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 , wherein the perimeter wall is configured to be deformable in axial cross section to expand between a constricted first state to a dilated second state, wherein in the dilated second state the perimeter wall encloses a hollow tubular cavity.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to either one of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a pair of fold lines, the pair of fold lines defining the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at the location of each of the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, an acute angle between a first tangent to an outer surface of the first convex portion and a second tangent to an outer surface of the second convex portion where the opposed ends of the first and second convex portions meet lies within a range of between 15 degrees and 110 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 90 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 75 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 65 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 55 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 35 degrees, or between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at a location midway between the pair of laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, a radius of curvature of an inward surface of each of the first and second convex portions has a radius of curvature of between 100 millimetres and 500 millimetres.

6. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aerosolgenerating article has a width of no greater than 20 millimetres, preferably wherein the width of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 14 millimetres and 20 millimetres.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aerosolgenerating article has a thickness of no greater than 8 millimetres, preferably wherein the thickness of the aerosol-generating article is in a range of between 3 millimetres and 8 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 6 millimetres, or between 3 millimetres and 5 millimetres.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising at least one flap located at one of the first end and the second end, the at least one flap configured to be folded to overlap at least a portion of the end at which the flap is located.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein a fold line is defined in the at least one sheet of the supporting substrate to define a folded sheet of the supporting substrate, a first portion of the folded sheet of the supporting substrate folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of the supporting substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall; preferably wherein the first portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of supporting substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall..

10. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of supporting substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of supporting substrate comprises a first sheet of supporting substrate and a second sheet of supporting substrate arranged in opposition to each other, wherein laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of supporting substrate are aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second sheets of supporting substrate thereby define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall; preferably wherein the first sheet of supporting substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of supporting substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein a fold line is defined in the at least one sheet of the aerosol-forming substrate to define a folded sheet of the aerosolforming substrate, a first portion of the folded sheet of the aerosol-forming substrate folded about the fold line to overlie a second portion of the folded sheet of the aerosol-forming substrate to define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall; preferably wherein the first portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second portion of the folded sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , the perimeter wall comprising at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate, wherein the at least one sheet of aerosol-forming substrate comprises a first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate and a second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate arranged in opposition to each other, wherein laterally opposed edges of the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate are aligned with each other to define laterally opposed edges of the perimeter wall, wherein the first and second sheets of aerosol-forming substrate thereby define a closed path corresponding to the perimeter wall; preferably wherein the first sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a first half of a circumferential length of the perimeter wall and the second sheet of aerosol-forming substrate extends over a second half of the circumferential length of the perimeter wall.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the perimeter wall comprises a supporting substrate, at least part of an axial length of the perimeter wall configured to be permeable to air, wherein an arrangement of one or more sheets of aerosol-forming substrate are disposed to radially surround the air-permeable part of the axial length of the perimeter wall.

14. An aerosol-generating article, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the aerosol-generating article comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; a frame disposed between the upper layer and the lower layer, the frame at least partially defining and enclosing a cavity; an aerosol-forming substrate; wherein the upper layer is coupled to an upper surface of the frame and the lower layer is coupled to a lower surface of the frame, the upper and lower surfaces of the frame each being outwardly convex

15. A package comprising: a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, for example an aerosol-generating article according to any one of the preceding claims; and a container in which the plurality of aerosol-generating articles are received; wherein each one of the aerosol-generating articles extends longitudinally between opposed first and second ends of the respective aerosol-generating article, a perimeter wall of the aerosol-generating article configured to define a constricted flattened shape in axial crosssection.