WO2025180759A1

WO2025180759A1 - Components and articles for use in non-combustible aerosol provision systems

Info

Publication number: WO2025180759A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/052607
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Holford; John Richardson; Andrei GRISHCHENKO; Sam WHIFFEN
Original assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-26
Filing date: 2025-01-31
Publication date: 2025-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-26
Also published as: EP4606232A1

Abstract

A component for an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system. The component comprises a tubular section and a planar barrier adjacent to the tubular section. The planar barrier comprises a formation configured to be penetrated by a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system. Also provided is an article comprising such a component and a method of manufacturing such a component.

Description

Components and Articles for Use in Non-Combustible Aerosol Provision Systems

Technical Field

The present invention relates to components and articles for use in non-combustible aerosol provision systems.

Background

Certain products produce an aerosol during use, which is inhaled by a user. For example, tobacco heating devices heat an aerosol generating substrate such as tobacco to form an aerosol by heating, but not burning, the substrate. Such products commonly include mouthpieces through which the aerosol passes to reach the user's mouth.

Summary

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a component for an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the component comprising, a tubular section, and a barrier adjacent to the tubular section, wherein the barrier comprises a formation configured to be penetrated by a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

The barrier may comprise a planar barrier.

The barrier may comprise a circular disc.

The formation may be positioned substantially centrally on the barrier. The barrier may abut the tubular section.

The barrier may lie in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the tubular section.

The formation may comprise an aperture extending through the barrier.

The aperture may have a minimum width of 0.2mm - 3mm, and may be between 0.4mm and 2mm, and may be between 0.5mm and 1mm. The formation may comprise a region of weakening in the barrier and may be a region of weakening in the material of the barrier.

The formation may comprise a cut extending at least partially through the thickness of the barrier.

The formation may be circular, a linear slit, an arcuate slit, cross-shaped or asteriskshaped.

The component may comprise one or more vent holes provided in the barrier.

The one or more vent holes may be disposed off-set from the centre of the barrier.

A plurality of vent holes may be equally spaced around the centre of the barrier.

The or each vent hole may be circular, arcuate, or polygonal in shape.

The barrier may be made of paper board. The barrier may comprise a layer of foil on at least one face thereof. The foil may be metallic and may be aluminium foil.

The formation may comprise at least one flap which is configured to pivot out of the a plane of the barrier as a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system penetrates the formation.

The at least one flap may be at least partly circular.

The component may comprise a plurality of flaps.

At least one of the flaps may tessellate with at least one other of the plurality of flaps.

At least one of the flaps may at least partially surround at least one other of the plurality of flaps.

The at least one flap may comprise an edge contour configured to contact a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system as the heating element penetrates the formation. The edge contour may be configured to at least partially surround a portion of a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system as the heating element penetrates the formation.

The edge contour may comprise a recess in the at least one flap.

The recess of the edge contour may comprise an arcuate portion.

The barrier may comprise a first barrier layer, and wherein the component may comprises a second barrier layer. The first and/or second barrier layers may be planar.

The second barrier layer may be disposed co-planar with the first barrier layer.

The second barrier layer may be disposed in abutment with the first barrier layer.

The first and second barrier layers may be connected.

The first and second barrier layers may be formed from a unitary piece of material.

The first and second barrier layers may be connected by a bridging portion or tab.

The second barrier layer may comprise an aperture which is aligned with the formation in the first barrier layer in or parallel to an axial direction of the tubular section.

The tubular section may comprise a first tubular section, and the component may comprise a second tubular section disposed in axial alignment with the first tubular section.

The or each tubular section may define a hollow bore through the component.

The first tubular section may be disposed on an opposite side of the barrier to the second tubular section.

The first tubular section may abut the second tubular section. The barrier may be disposed proximate where the first and second tubular sections abut. The first tubular section may have a first internal diameter, and the second tubular section may have a second internal diameter different to the first internal diameter such that an internal diameter step is formed where the first tubular section abuts the second tubular section. The first tubular section may have a first wall thickness, and the second tubular section may have a second wall thickness different to the first wall thickness such that an internal diameter step is formed where the first tubular section abuts the second tubular section.

The barrier may abut the internal diameter step to axially locate the barrier within the component.

The or each tubular section may have a length in an axial direction of between 2mm - 5mm, and optionally between 2.5mm - 4mm, and optionally of around 2.8mm.

The or each tubular section may have an outer diameter of between 6mm - 9mm, and optionally between 7mm - 8mm, and optionally of around 7.1mm.

The or each tubular section may have a wall thickness between an outer diameter and an inner diameter, of between 0.3mm - 0.7mm, and optionally between 0.4mm - 0.6mm, and optionally of around 0.5mm.

An inner diameter of the or at least one of the tubular sections may differ between a first end and a second end of the tubular section.

The inner diameter of the or at least one of the tubular sections may change substantially constantly between a first end and a second end of the tubular section such that the tubular section comprises a tapering internal passage. The or at least one of the tubular sections may comprise a region of constant internal diameter and/or a region of altering internal diameter.

The barrier may be disposed at a narrower region of the internal passage of the or at least one of the tubular sections.

An internal wall of the or at least one of the tubular sections may comprise one or more surface features.

The one or more surface features may comprise one or more projections extending inwardly into an internal passage of the tubular section. The projection(s) may comprise one or more ridges extending in an axial direction of the tubular section.

The one or more surface features may comprise one or more recesses.

The recess(es) may comprises one or more grooves extending in an axial direction of the respective tubular section(s).

The barrier may comprise one or more perimeter features configured to facilitate engagement of the barrier with an internal wall of the respective tubular section.

The perimeter feature(s) may comprise one or more notches formed into the perimeter edge of the barrier.

The perimeter feature(s) may comprise one or more teeth projecting outwardly from the perimeter edge of the barrier.

The component may further comprise an outer wrapper circumscribing the tubular section(s) and the barrier.

The component may comprise a plurality of ventilation holes formed in a side wall of the or at least one of the tubular sections to allow air to be drawn into the component during use.

The ventilation holes may be disposed in a downstream tubular section of the component. The ventilation holes may be provided extending substantially radially in the component.

The component may be substantially hollow with the exception of the barrier.

The or each tubular section may comprise a recess defining an air gap at a respective end of the component.

The present disclosure also provides an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising a rod of aerosol-generating material, and a component as described above attached to, and disposed coaxially with, the rod of aerosol-generating material. The component may be configured to at least reduce aerosol-generating material being removed from the rod of aerosol-generating material.

The article may comprise a tipping wrapper circumscribing the component and the rod of aerosol-generating material to connect the component to the rod of aerosolgenerating material.

The component may be disposed at an upstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

The article may further comprise a plurality of ventilation holes formed in a side wall of the rod of aerosol-generating material to allow air to be drawn into the rod of aerosol-generating material during use.

The rod of aerosol-generating material may comprise a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol-generating material.

The plurality of elongate strips may extend substantially the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

The aerosol-generating material may be configured to receive a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision device once the heating element has penetrated the formation in the or at least one of the barriers, and the aerosol-generating material may be configured to compress when the heating element is inserted.

The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a component for an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the method comprising providing a first tubular section having a first wall thickness, providing a second tubular section abutting the first tubular section and having a second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness such that a step is defined where the first and second tubular sections abut, circumscribing the first and second tubular sections with a plug wrap, and inserting a barrier into the first tubular section until the barrier abuts the step and locates in place within the component.

The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a component for an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the method comprising providing a tubular section with a wall thickness which reduces from a first thickness at a first region of the tubular section to a second thickness at a second region of the tubular section, wherein the second wall thickness is greater than the first wall thickness, circumscribing the tubular section with a plug wrap, and inserting a barrier into the tubular section until the barrier engages with an inside wall of the tubular section and is thereby located in place within the component.

The barrier may be retained within the or each tubular section by adhesive.

The barrier may be inserted into the respective tubular section by an inserter rod.

The barrier may be retained in place on the inserter rod by application of a vacuum through the inserter rod during insertion into the respective tubular section.

In some embodiments, the component may generally define a hollow bore. The barrier may at least partially occlude the bore. The barrier may be a substantially planar component. That is, may be substantially flat. The barrier may be circular.

The barrier may be disposed within the component such that the barrier lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the component, and/or an axial direction of a hollow bore defined by the or each tubular section of the component, and/or an axial direction of the component.

In some embodiments, the component is configured to at least reduce aerosolgenerating material being removed from the rod of aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the formation comprises an aperture. The aperture may be located centrally within the barrier.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is adhered to a wrapper circumscribing the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, a glue adheres the aerosol-generating material to the wrapper and the glue is applied to the wrapper in a spiral pattern.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is configured to receive an aerosol-generator of a non-combustible aerosol provision device and the aerosolgenerating material is configured to compress when the aerosol-generator is inserted. According to a further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article as described above.

In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises an aerosol generator and the aerosol generator extends into an aerosol-generating section of the article and is in direct contact with the aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a pin or blade heater.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device with an article for use with the device inserted into it;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the components of the non-combustible aerosol provision device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an article for use with a non-combustible aerosol provision device comprising a component of a first embodiment;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the component of the first embodiment shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 3 with inserted heating element;

Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative article with a component of a second embodiment, with inserted heating element;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the article of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the article of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of an article comprising a component of a third embodiment;

Figure 10 is a plan view from an upstream end of the component of the third embodiment of the article of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view from a downstream end of the component of the third embodiment shown in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional and end view of a tubular section of the components;

Figure 13 is a schematic side and end view of a barrier element of the first and third component embodiments; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a barrier element of a component of a fourth embodiment;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the barrier element of Figure 14 with a rod illustrating a heating element extending through the barrier element;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a barrier element of a component of a fifth embodiment;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the barrier element of Figure 16 with a rod illustrating a heating element extending through the barrier element;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a barrier element of a component of a sixth embodiment;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the barrier element of Figure 18 with a rod illustrating a heating element extending through the barrier element;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a barrier element of a component of a seventh embodiment;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the barrier element of Figure 20 with a rod illustrating a heating element extending through the barrier element;

Figure 22 is a plan view of a card blank for forming the barrier element shown in Figures 16 and 17 of the component of the fifth embodiment;

Figure 23 is a plan view of a card blank for forming the barrier element shown in Figures 18 and 19 of the component of the sixth embodiment;

Figure 24 is a plan view of a card blank for forming a barrier element of a component of an eighth embodiment;

Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of a component of a ninth embodiment;

Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of a component of a tenth embodiment;

Figure 27 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a downstream region of the article of Figure 3;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a tubular element of a component of an eleventh embodiment; and

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a barrier element of a component of a twelfth embodiment.

Detailed Description

In the figures described herein, like reference numerals are used to illustrate equivalent features, articles or components. The terms 'upstream' and 'downstream' used herein are relative terms defined in relation to the direction of mainstream aerosol drawn through a component, article or device in use. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a non-combustible aerosol provision system 1, comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device 2 (hereafter "device 2"). The device 2 includes a housing 3 having a receiving portion 4, which in the present example comprises an elongate cylindrical recess or opening 4. A non- combustible aerosol-provision article 10 (hereafter "article 10") can be removably received within the receiving portion 4. The device 2 comprises an aerosol generator which, in the present example comprises a heating element 5. The heating element 5 is elongate and extends centrally within the recess 4.

As shown in Figure 2, within the housing 3 there is an electrical energy supply 6, for example a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. A controller 7 is connected to the heating element 5, the electrical energy supply 6, and a user interface 8, for example a button or a touch-sensitive display. The controller 7 controls the power supplied to the heating element 5 to regulate its temperature. Typically the aerosol-generating material is heated to a temperature of between 250 and 450 degrees centigrade.

Referring to Figure 3, the article 10 comprises a first end 10a and a second end 10b downstream of the first end 10a. An aerosol-generating section 11 is provided between the first end 10a and the second end 10b. A downstream section 12 is located downstream of the aerosol-generating section 11. The downstream section 12, also referred to herein as a downstream portion, can be or include a mouthpiece designed to be inserted into a user's mouth in use, or alternatively it may be arranged to work with a separate mouthpiece such as one provided as a separate attachment to the downstream section 12 or as part of the device 2. The article 10 comprises a longitudinal axis, X-X.

The downstream section 12 may comprise filter material and/or other components, at least some of which are described herein but are omitted from some of the Figures for clarity. For example, in some embodiments, the article 10 comprises one or more filter segments. The one of more filter segments may be located downstream of the aerosol-generating section 11, for example in the downstream section.

In the present example, the aerosol-generating section 11 comprises a source of aerosol-generating material in the form of a cylindrical rod of aerosol-generating material. In other examples, the aerosol-generating section 11 may comprise a cavity for receiving a source of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating section comprises an end face 13. In the present example, the end face comprises a continuous flat surface comprising a generally circular perimeter. In some embodiments, including the present example, the end face 13 does not comprise any significant indentations or voids. In other words, the entire surface of the end face may be planar.

In some embodiments, including the present example, the aerosol-generating section 11 comprises or consists of a rod of aerosol-generating material that is substantially uniform in its distribution throughout the aerosol-generating section. In some embodiments, the entire volume of the aerosol-generating section 11 comprises aerosol-generating material. The rod comprises a substantially uniform distribution of aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section 11 does not comprise a cavity or void that is configured to receive an aerosol generator 5, such as a heating element, of an aerosol provision device 2.

Aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. Aerosol-generating material may, for example, be in the form of a solid, liquid or semi-solid (such as a gel) which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants.

The aerosol-generating material may comprise one or more active substances and/or flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and optionally one or more other functional material. The aerosol-generating material may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material. The aerosol-generating material can comprise a plurality of elongate strands or strips. For example, the aerosolgenerating material may comprise a plurality of strands or strips of an aerosolisable material and/or a plurality of strands or strips of an amorphous solid, as described hereinbelow. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material consists of a plurality of strands or strips of an aerosolisable material. In other embodiments, the aerosol-generating material consists of a single strand, strip or sheet of an aerosolisable material. The strands or strips of aerosol-generating material can be arranged such that their longitudinal dimension is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis X-X of the article 10. The aerosol-generating material can be in the form of reconstituted sheet botanical material, such as tobacco material or another botanical material, such as rooibos. In some embodiments, the sheet is bandcast reconstituted tobacco. In some embodiments, the sheet is bandcast reconstituted rooibos. In some embodiments, the sheet is reconstituted tobacco or rooibos and the sheet is made using a paper making process. For example, a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol-generating material can extend substantially the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

In some embodiments, the botanical material may include one or more of expanded botanical material, reconstituted botanical material or botanical substitutes. The botanical material may comprise one or more of ground botanical material, plant fibre, cut botanical material (e.g. cut leaf), extruded botanical material, botanical stem, leaf lamina, reconstituted botanical and/or botanical extract. In any embodiment, the botanical material can be rooibos or tobacco in any of these forms.

In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises cut rag tobacco.

The aerosol-generating material is configured to produce an aerosol when heated, which can be inhaled by a user. The aerosol-generating material may be configured to produce an inhalable aerosol when heated to a temperature of from about 150 °C to about 500 °C. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is configured to produce an aerosol when heated to a temperature of from about 200 °C up to about 500 °C or up to about 450 °C.

The aerosol-generating material comprises an aerosol-former material. The aerosolformer material may comprise one or more constituents capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-former material may comprise one or more of glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, meso-Erythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, a diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a diacetin mixture, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenyl acetate, tributyrin, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate. In particular, the aerosol-former material comprises glycerol.

The aerosol-generating material can include at least 5% aerosol-former material by weight of the aerosol-generating material, calculated on a dry weight basis, the aerosol-former material being, for instance, one of the aerosol-former materials described herein. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material comprises from about 5% to about 80% aerosol-former material. The aerosol-generating material may comprise from about 10% to about 30% aerosol-former material.

The aerosol-generating section 11 of the article 10 may comprise at least 5% aerosolformer material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section, calculated on a dry weight basis. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section 11 of the article 10 comprises from about 5% to about 80% aerosol-former material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section 11. In some embodiments, the aerosolgenerating section 11 of the article 10 comprises from about 10% to about 30% aerosol-former material based on the total weight of the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section 11.

As noted previously, the aerosol-generating material may comprise a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol-generating material can extend substantially the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

In the present example, the plurality of strands or strips of aerosol-generating material may be aligned within the aerosol-generating section such that their longitudinal dimension is in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis, X-X of the article 10. Alternatively, the strands or strips may generally be arranged such that their longitudinal dimension aligned is transverse and optionally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article 10.

A majority of the strands or strips may be arranged such that their longitudinal dimensions are in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the article 10. In some embodiments, about 95% to about 100% of the plurality of strands or strips are arranged such that their longitudinal dimension is in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis X-X of the article 10. In some embodiments, substantially all of the strands or strips are arranged in the aerosol-generating section 11 such that their longitudinal dimension is in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis X-X of the aerosol-generating section 11 of the article 10.

Where the majority of the strands or strips are arranged in the aerosol-generating section 11 such that their longitudinal axis is parallel with the longitudinal axis X-X of the aerosol-generating section 11 of the article 10, the force required to insert an aerosol generator, such as the heating element 5 in this case, into the aerosolgenerating material can be relatively low. This can result in an article 10 which is easier to use.

Referring to Figure 3 again, a wrapper paper 14 is wrapped around the full length of the aerosol-generating material to form the aerosol-generating section 11. A tipping paper 15 is wrapped around the downstream section 12 and at least partially overlies the aerosol-generating section 11 to connect the downstream portion 12 and rod of the aerosol-generating section 11. The tipping paper 15 has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the downstream portion 12 and rod of the aerosol-generating section 11. In an example, the downstream portion 12 may comprise at least one filter segment. The filter segment may comprise filter material and the tipping paper 15 may be wrapped around the filter material. In some examples, the tipping paper 15 can extend fully over the rod of aerosol-generating material. In other embodiments, the wrapper paper 14 may be omitted and the tipping paper 15 may extend the full length of the aerosol-generating portion 11 and the downstream portion 12.

In the present example, wrapper paper 14 comprises a moisture impermeable wrapper comprising aluminium foil. In other embodiments, the wrapper paper 14 comprises a paper wrapper, optionally comprising a barrier coating to make the material of the wrapper substantially moisture impermeable. Where the wrapper comprises paper or a paper backing, i.e. a cellulose based material, the wrapper can have a basis weight greater than about 30 gsm. For example, the wrapper can have a basis weight in the range from about 40 gsm to about 70 gsm.

In the present example, the moisture impermeable wrapper paper 14 is also substantially impermeable to air. The wrapper paper 14 preferably has a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units, more preferably less than 60 Coresta Units. It has been found that low permeability wrappers, for instance having a permeability of less than 100 Coresta Units, more preferably less than 60 Coresta Units, result in an improvement in the aerosol formation in the aerosol-generating material. The permeability of the wrapper paper 14 can be measured in accordance with ISO 2965:2009 concerning the determination of air permeability for materials used as cigarette papers, filter plug wrap and filter joining paper.

In the present example, the wrapper paper 14 can have a basis weight greater than 20 gsm, for instance greater than 25 gsm, or preferably greater than 30 gsm, for example 37 gsm. These ranges of basis weights have been found to result in wrapper papers having acceptable tensile strength while being flexible enough to wrap around the article 10 and adhere to itself along a longitudinal lap seam on the paper.

The article 10 comprises a component 20 at the upstream end 10a of the aerosolgenerating section 11 abutting the end face 13 thereof. The component or plug section 20 is substantially cylindrical and is shown in more detail in figure 4, which shows the component 20 in exploded perspective view. The component 20 comprises a first, upstream tubular section 21 and a second, downstream tubular section 22. The two tubular sections 21, 22 are coaxial about the axis X-X of the article 10, and spaced from each other. A planar barrier element 23 (hereafter "barrier 23") is disposed in the space between the two tubular sections 21, 22 and in abutment with each tubular section 21, 22 on a respective adjacent face of the barrier 23. The tubular sections 21, 22 and barrier 23 are circumscribed by a plug wrap 24 which secures the tubular sections 21, 22 and barrier 23 together as the single component 20.

An outer wrapper 25 is circumscribed around the component and overlies at least a portion of the aerosol-generating section 11 in order to connect the component 20 and rod of the aerosol-generating section 11. The outer wrapper 25 has an adhesive on its inner surface to secure the component 20 and rod of the aerosol-generating section 11 together.

The barrier 23 comprises a formation 26 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, comprises an aperture formed through the barrier 23 and centrally in the barrier 23 aligned with the axis X-X of the article 10. The aperture 26 is configured to receive an aerosol generator, such as a heating element 5 of the device 2.

The barrier 23 further comprises a plurality of vent holes 27. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, six vent holes are provided, equally spaced circumferentially around the aperture 26. However, in alternative embodiments, any number of vent holes may be provided, from one to five or more than six. Yet further, in some embodiments, the barrier 23 may be provided with no vent holes 27. The aperture 26 of the formation can take a variety of forms. For example, it can be circular, square or cross-shaped, star-shaped or any other geometric shape.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the article 10 with a heating element 5 inserted into the article 10 as it would be when the article 10 is fully received within the receiving portion 4 of a device 2 in use. It can be seen from Figure 5 that the heating element 5 extends through the central aperture of the formation 26. The central aperture may be configured slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the heating element 5 in order to create an interference fit with the heating element 5 as the heating element 5 is inserted through the formation 26. In alternative embodiments, the central aperture may be configured the same size as the outer dimensions of the heating element 5 in order to create a close contact fit with the heating element 5 as the heating element 5 is inserted through the formation 26. In yet further embodiments, the central aperture may be configured larger than the outer dimensions of the heating element 5 in order to allow a spaced or loose fit around the heating element 5 as the heating element 5 is inserted through the formation 26. In the latter two embodiments, these configurations may allows for the aerosol generator/heating element 5 of the device 2 to be inserted into the aerosolgenerating material with minimal resistance.

In use, as aerosol is generated in the aerosol-generating section 11 (described in more detail below), and as a user draws the aerosol through the article 10 out of the downstream section/mouthpiece 12 of the article, ambient air may be drawn through the upstream end 10a of the article 10. The ambient air flow (shown by arrows A) may enter through the first tubular section 21, pass through the vent holes 27 in the barrier 23, pass through the second tubular section 22 and into and through the aerosol-generating section 11 and downstream/mouthpiece section 12, for delivery to a user.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an article 10 of a second embodiment, which may not include any vent holes 27. As with Figure 5, the article 10 is shown with a heating element 5 inserted into the article 10 as it would be when the article 10 is fully received within the receiving portion 4 of a device 2 in use. The heating element 5 extends through the central aperture of the formation 26 and the formation may be sized relative to the heating element 5 in any of the manners described above with reference to Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 8, the article 10 comprises circumferential ventilation apertures 28 formed in the component 20. Specifically, the ventilation apertures 28 extend from the outside surface of the article 10 radially inwardly through the outer wrapper 25 and plug wrap 24, through the wall of the second tubular section 22 and into the bore of the second tubular section 22. In use, as aerosol is generated in the aerosol-generating section 11 (described in more detail below), and as a user draws the aerosol through the article 10 out of the downstream section/mouthpiece 12 of the article, ambient air may be drawn through the ventilation apertures 28. The ambient air flow (shown by arrows A) passes through the ventilation apertures 28, into the second tubular section 22 and into and through the aerosol-generating section 11 and downstream/mouthpiece section 12, for delivery to a user. In this embodiment therefore, it can be seen that even if the formation 26 of the barrier 23 makes a tight fit against the heating element 5, ventilating ambient air may still be drawn into the article 10 during use.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), the article 10 may comprise both vent holes 27 in the barrier 23 and ventilation apertures 28 in the component 20/article 10, as described above.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an article 10 comprising a component 20 of a third embodiment. Figures 10 and 11 show the component 20 of the third embodiment separate from the article 10. In this embodiment, the formation 26 in the barrier 23 is not in the form of an aperture, but instead is a cross-shaped slit formed in the material of the barrier 23. The slit may be formed by cutting or by a laser. The cut or slit comprising the formation 26 may extend entirely through the thickness of the barrier 23, or may extend partially through the thickness of the barrier. In the former case, this would reduce the force required for a heating element 5 to pierce the barrier 23 when the article 10 is inserted into the device 2. In the latter case, the partially un-cut region of the barrier 23 would provide an effective seal between ambient air and the aerosol-generating material until the article is to be used in a device, with benefits of maintaining freshness and hygiene of the aerosolgenerating material in the article before use. Although the formation 26 is shown in the shape of a cross, various other shaped formations could be provided, such as starshaped, straight slit, or any other geometric or curvilinear shape or pattern.

Figure 10 shows the component 20 viewed from an upstream end 10a of an article 10. Figure 11 shows the component 20 viewed from a downstream end of an article 10 (although this would not be visible in the assembled article 10). The barrier 23 is made of card and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, comprises Alufoil (that is, a thin layer of aluminium foil) on one side of the barrier 23. The barrier 23 has an upstream face 23a (shown in Figures 9a and 10) and a downstream face (shown in Figure 11). The upstream face 23a comprises the card material. The downstream face is provided with the Alufoil layer, such that the Alufoil faces the aerosolgenerating material section 11 in the assembled article 10. In on embodiment, the card portion of the barrier 23 may be formed with the cut of the formation 26 and the Alufoil layer may not be cut. Accordingly, when the article 10 is inserted into the device 2, the heating element 5 pushes through the slits in the barrier 23, and only has to pierce the Alufoil layer. This means only a minimal force is needed to push the heating element 5 through the barrier 23, and yet the barrier 23 effectively seals the aerosol-generating material within the article 10 from ambient atmosphere before use. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the Alufoil layer may only partially be cut but not entirely through the thickness of the Alufoil layer. In such an embodiment, the same benefits remain, namely an even lesser force is needed to push the heating element 5 through the barrier 23 (due to the Alufoil layer being weakened by being partially cut), and yet the barrier 23 still effectively seals the aerosol-generating material within the article 10 from ambient atmosphere before use.

Yet further, in another alternative embodiment, the Alufoil layer may also be entirely cut through the thickness of the Alufoil layer. In such an embodiment, a yet further lessened force is needed to push the heating element 5 through the barrier 23 (due to the cut extending entirely through the Alufoil layer), and a sufficient level of sealing may be achieved by the barrier 23 for the aerosol-generating material within the article 10 from ambient atmosphere before use. A further advantage of providing an alufoil layer on the barrier 23 is that the metal of the alufoil is less susceptible to deterioration or other material heat effect from the heating element 5 during use. The metal layer may reflect heat from the barrier 23. The metal layer, which may be aluminium or other metal foil with the scope of the present disclosure, may advantageously be provided on the downstream side of the barrier 23, that is, the side facing/closest to the majority of the body of the heating element 5 in use.

Figure 12 shows the first and second tubular sections with various dimensions of each, and Figure 13 shows the first and third embodiments of the barrier 23, with dimensions shown.

Referring to Figure 12, the tubular section 21, 22 has a length Lt in the axial direction X-X of the article 10. The dimension Lt may be around 2 - 5mm, and may be around 2.5 - 4mm, and may be 2.8mm. The tubular section 21, 22 has a wall thickness Tt. The dimension Tt may be around 0.2 - 1mm, and may be 0.3 - 0.8mm, and may be 0.4 - 0.6mm, and may be 0.5mm. The tubular section 21, 22 has an outer diameter dimension Dt. The dimension Dt may be around 4 - 10mm, and may be around 4 - 9mm, and may be around 5 - 8mm, and may be 7mm or 7.18mm.

Referring to Figure 13, the barrier 23 has a length dimension Lb in the axial direction X-X of the article 10 (or the thickness of the material from which the barrier 23 is made). The dimension Lb may be between 0.1 - 2mm, and may be between 0.1mm - 1.5mm, and may be between 0.1 - 1mm, and may be between 0.15 - 0.8mm, and may be around 0.2 - 0.6mm, and may be around 0.3 - 0.5, and may be 0.4mm. The barrier 23 has an outer diameter dimension Db. The dimension Db may be around 3 - 9mm, and may be around 4 - 8mm, and may be around 5 - 7mm, and may be 6mm or 6.85mm.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a barrier element 23 of a component 20 of a fourth embodiment, and Figure 15 is a perspective view of the barrier element 23 showing a rod illustrating a heating element 5 extending through the barrier element 23. Figure 22 shows plan view of a card blank for forming the barrier element 23. The barrier 23 is formed of two disc-shaped layers, an upstream layer 29 and a downstream layer 30. In use, when disposed within a component 20 in an article 10, the upstream layer

29 is closest to and faces the upstream end 10a of the article 10, and the downstream layer 30 is closest to and faces the downstream end 10b of the article 10. It can be seen from Figure 22 that the barrier blank comprises the two substantially planar layers 29, 30 disposed co-planar and connected by a bridging tab 31. This enables the barrier to be cut from a single piece of card, and the two layers 29, 30 to be folded relative to one another about 180 degrees about the tab 31 until the layers 29,

30 lie stacked or co-axially aligned as shown in Figure 14. The formation 26 formed in the barrier comprises an aperture 32 in the upstream layer 29, and first and second cut-out flaps 33, 34 in the downstream layer 30. The flaps 33, 34 are formed by shaped cuts 35 formed through the material of the downstream layer 30. The shaped cuts 35 define an arcuate recess 36 in an edge of the first flap 33.

In use, when an article 10 is inserted into a device 2, the heating element 5 penetrates through the formation 26 in the barrier 23. The heating element 5 passes through the aperture 32 and the pushes the two flaps 33, 34 apart and away from the downstream layer 30, in a downstream direction of the article 10, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The heating element 5 sits within the arcuate recess 36. After use, when the article 10 is removed from the device 2, the heating element 5 with withdrawn through the formation 26. In this action, the first and second flaps 33, 34, and particularly the end of the second flap 34 and the sides of the arcuate recess 36, contact and "scrape" along the heating element 5. This helps to dislodge and remove any aerosol-generating material which may have become adhered to the heating element 5 during use of the device 2. Any dislodged and scraped off aerosolgenerating material will therefore remain trapped within the cavity in the second tubular section, and therefore prevented from, or less able to, fall out of the article 10 and into the device 2 or receiving portion 4 thereof. This removal of material from the heating element 5 and prevention or resistance to material from falling out of the article helps improve the hygiene of the system 1 and device 2, and ensure a cleaner and longer operation of the device 2 through multiple uses.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a barrier element 23 of a component 20 of a fifth embodiment, and Figure 17 is a perspective view of the barrier element 23 showing a rod illustrating a heating element 5 extending through the barrier element 23. Figure 23 shows plan view of a card blank for forming the barrier element 23. Like features with the fourth embodiment retain the same reference numerals and will not be described again. A difference with the barrier 23 of the fifth embodiment is that the aperture 32 is smaller, being circular rather than oval or slightly elongate as in the fourth embodiment. Also, the shaped cuts 35 as of a slightly different configuration such that the second flap 34 is smaller and therefore so is the arcuate recess 36. The smaller aperture 32 may make a close fit against the heating element 5 in use. This may help prevent aerosol-generating material from falling out of the article 10 during or after use. The different shaped flaps 33, 34, particularly the arcuate recess 36, means the flaps are pivoted more when the heating element 5 is inserted and so form a smaller angle against the heating element 5 than with the fourth embodiment (see Figure 15 and 17). This, and the greater angle with the heating element 5, may enable the flaps 33, 34 to push against the heating element 5 with greater force in use, which may create a greater scaping force to remove any adhered material during withdrawal of the heating element 5 after use. The larger arcuate recess 36 of the fourth embodiment would allow a greater surface area around the heating element 5 to be contacted by the first flap 33 though, and the lighter contact of the first flap 33 of the fourth embodiment may result in less heating of the material of the barrier 23 by the heating element 5 during use.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of a barrier element 23 of a component 20 of a sixth embodiment, and Figure 19 is a perspective view of the barrier element 23 showing a rod illustrating a heating element 5 extending through the barrier element 23. A difference with the barrier 23 of the sixth embodiment is that the shaped cuts 35 are again of a different configuration such that the first and second flaps 33, 34 are differently sized, such that the second flap 34 is smaller and therefore so is the arcuate recess 36. The change in flap 33, 34 and recess 36 dimensions may help further provide the advantages described above.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a barrier element 23 of a component 20 of a seventh embodiment, and Figure 21 is a perspective view of the barrier element 23 showing a rod illustrating a heating element 5 extending through the barrier element 23. A difference with the barrier 23 of the seventh embodiment is that the shaped cuts 35 are yet again of a different configuration such that the first and second flaps 33, 34 are differently sized, such that the second flap 34 is smaller and therefore so is the arcuate recess 36. The change in flap 33, 34 and recess 36 dimensions may yet further help provide the advantages described above. It can be seen from Figures 20 and 21 that in the seventh embodiment, the second flap 34 is of a size that it does not contact the heating element 5, and only the first flap 33 is contacted and pivots as the heating element 5 is inserted. This may further reduce contact and therefore heating of the barrier 23 material during use, whilst the arcuate aperture 36 and aperture 32 in the upstream layer 29 provide adequate heater element scraping during and after use for the above-described advantages to be achieved.

Figure 24 shows a plan view of a card blank for forming a barrier element 23 of a component 20 of an eighth embodiment. Like features with the fourth to seventh embodiments retain the same reference numerals and will not be described again. A difference with the barrier 23 of the eighth embodiment is that the central aperture is surrounded by vent holes 27, as described previously, with the same function as set out above. Also, the shaped cuts 35 are configured such that two substantially semicircular flaps 33, 34 are formed, which meet at a straight line rather than forming an arcuate recess 36 in one flap. In use, the straight edges of the flaps 33, 34 would contact the heating element 5, serving to help remove material from the heating element 5 during and after use and also to prevent material from falling out of the article 10, as described above. These straight flap edges would also provide less contact area on the heating element 5 which could help reduce heating of the material of the barrier 23 during use. The straight edges may also be beneficial in use with heating elements 5 of a particular corresponding shape - for example a blade-shaped heating element with flat faces which could contact the flat flap edges to provide effective material removal.

Figure 25 shows a cross-sectional view of a component 20 of a ninth embodiment. Like features with the previously-described embodiments retain the same reference numerals and will not be described again. A difference with the component 20 of the ninth embodiment is that the first tubular section 21 has a first wall thickness Ttl and the second tubular section 22 has a second wall thickness Tt2. It can be seen that Ttl is less than Tt2 such that a step 37 is formed where the first and second tubular sections 21, 22 meet. That is, the step 37 may be defined where a first tubular section 21 of a first an internal diameter is positioned adjacent (and advantageously in axial alignment with) a second tubular section 22 of a second internal diameter different to the first internal diameter. The step may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X of the component 20/article 10. The step 37 may advantageously help location of the barrier 23 within the component 20. The barrier 23 is therefore not located in a space between the tubular sections 21, 22 but instead, the tubular sections 21, 22 abut, and the barrier 23 locates against the step 37 and its position in the component is thereby defined. This may help in manufacture of the component 20. For example, the component 30 may be made by providing a first tubular section 21 of a first wall thickness Ttl, and a second tubular component 22 of a second wall thickness Tt2, greater than the first wall thickness such that a step is defined where the first and second tubular sections abut, circumscribing the two tubular sections 21, 22 with a plug wrap 24, and then inserting the barrier 23 into the first tubular section until the barrier 23 abuts the step and is located in place within the component 20. The barrier 23 may be retained in place through frictional contact or interference fit with the first tubular section 21. Alternatively, or in addition, the barrier 23 may be provided with adhesive to adhere to the first and/or second tubular section(s) 21, 22. Such adhesive may be provided on a perimeter edge of the barrier

23, and/or may be provided on one or both of planar faces 23a, 23b of the barrier 23. Yet further, the plug wrap 24 around the component 20 may be provided with an adhesive on an inside surface thereof in order to adhere to the barrier 23 to retain the barrier 23 in place within the component 20. In some embodiments however, the barrier 23 may not be provided with any adhesive on the barrier 23 and may be held in place only by friction/interference fit, and/or by adhesive provided on the plug wrap

24. The barrier 23 may be retained in place on an inserter for insertion into the first tubular section 21, for example by being held by vacuum on an inserter rod. Any of the above-described configurations of barrier 23 may be provided in a component 20 in the above-described manner.

Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional view of a component 20 of a tenth embodiment. Like features with the previously-described embodiments retain the same reference numerals and will not be described again. A difference with the component 20 of the ninth embodiment is that the component only comprises one, first tubular section 21 which has a varying wall thickness. That is, the wall gradually increases (i.e. the inside wall surface tapers inwardly) from an upstream end to a downstream end of the component 20. The tubular section 21 has a first wall thickness Ttl at an upstream end of the component 20 and a second wall thickness Tt2 at a downstream end. It can be seen that Ttl is less than Tt2 such that the hollow bore within the tubular section gets narrower (i.e. of a smaller diameter) towards the downstream end of the component 20. This may advantageously help location of the barrier 23 within the component 20. The barrier 23 is therefore not located in a space between two separate tubular sections 21, 22 as in previous embodiments, but instead, the barrier 23 may locate within the tubular section 21 where the inner wall diameter matches or is slightly less than the outer diameter Db of the barrier. This may help in manufacture of the component 20. For example, the component 20 may be made by providing a tubular section 21 with a wall thickness which reduces from a first value Ttl at a first end of the tubular section 21 to a second wall thickness Tt2 at a second, opposite end of the tubular section 21, where the second wall thickness Tt2 is greater than the first wall thickness, circumscribing the tubular section 21 with a plug wrap 24, and then inserting the barrier 23 into the tubular section until the barrier 23 forms a friction or interference fit against the inside wall of the tubular section 21 and is thereby located in place within the component 20. This is shown in Figure 26 at point E where the barrier 23 is slightly embedded in the inside wall of the tubular section 21. The barrier 23 may be provided with adhesive to adhere to the tubular section 21. The barrier 23 may be retained in place on an inserter for insertion into the tubular section 21, for example by being held by vacuum on an inserter rod. Any of the above-described configurations of barrier 23 may be provided in a component 20 in the above-described manner.

In alternative embodiments, the formation 26 in the barrier 23 may comprise an alternative configuration of area of weakening of the barrier 23, other than a crossshaped slit, such as a region of perforations. In all embodiments having an area of weakening, the area may be configured to form an aperture when the aerosolgenerator 5 of a device 2 is inserted into the aerosol-generating section 11 through formation 26 of the barrier 23. In such embodiments, the barrier 23 forms a closed surface before being pierced with the heating element 5 and as such, may help maintain hygiene, freshness of the aerosol-generating material before use, and prevent any aerosol-generating material from falling out of the article 10 before use.

Figure 28 shows a tubular section 21, 22 of a component 20 of an eleventh embodiment. A difference with the tubular section 21, 22 shown in Figure 28 over those described previously is that an inside wall 38 of the tubular section 21, 22 is provided with surface features rendering the inside wall 38 as having an uneven surface - that is not being of a continuous smooth curvature. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the surface features comprise a series of elongate ridges 39 and grooves 40 between the ridges 39. The ridges 39 and grooves 40 extend in substantially the axial direction X-X of the component 20/article 10 when assembled into a component 20/article 10. The ridges and grooves may be formed by appropriate extrusion of a tubular section during manufacture - for example extrusion of the material of the tubular section 21, 22 through an appropriately shaped die to form a continuous tubular product which can be cut, assembled and otherwise processed in a manufacturing stage to produce the tubular section 21, 22 shown in Figure 28. Although the surface features are shown as ridges 39 and grooves 40 in the exemplary embodiment, other configurations of surface features could be provided on the inside wall 38 of the tubular section 21, 22 within the scope of the disclosure, such as discrete projections, recesses, or other formations. Such an alternative tubular section 21, 22 may be provided in any embodiment of component 20 and article 10 described herein, with the scope of the present disclosure.

An advantage of the ridges 39 and grooves 40 (or other surface features as may be provided) is that they may help the barrier 23 locate in the desired position within the tubular section 21, 22 of the component 20. Referring for example to the embodiment in Figure 26 of the component 20 of the tenth embodiment, the ridges 39 and grooves 40 may allow the material of the tubular section 21, 22 to more easily deform during insertion of the barrier 23, and allow the barrier 23 to embed into the inside wall 38 to securely locate the barrier 23 in place. However, it will be appreciated that this advantage may equally apply to use with any other configuration/embodiment of component/barrier described herein.

Figure 29 shows a barrier 23 of a component 20 of a twelfth embodiment. A difference with the barrier 23 shown in Figure 29 over those described previously is that an outer perimeter edge 41 of the barrier 23 is provided with edge features rendering the perimeter edge 41 as having an uneven surface - that is not being of a continuous smooth curvature. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the edge features comprise a series of projections 42 and recesses 43 between the projections 42. The projections 42 and recesses 43 extend substantially in a radial outward direction of the barrier 23. The projections 42 and recesses 43 may be formed by appropriate cutting of a blank of card or other material from which the barrier 23 is made during manufacture. Although the edge features are shown as projections 42 and recesses 43, in a generally wave-like pattern in the exemplary embodiment, other configurations of edge features could be provided on the perimeter edge 41 of the barrier 23 within the scope of the disclosure, such as other shaped discrete projections, angled saw-tooth configuration, square, rounded, triangular, or other shaped discrete projections, or other formations. Such an alternative barrier 23 may be provided in any embodiment of component 20 and article 10 described herein, with the scope of the present disclosure. An advantage of the projections 42 and recesses 43 (or other edge features as may be provided) is that they may help the barrier 23 locate in the desired position within the tubular section 21, 22 of the component 20. Referring for example to the embodiment in Figure 26 of the component 20 of the tenth embodiment, the projections 42 may allow the material of the barrier 23 to more easily engage/embed into the material of the tubular section 21, 22 and deform such tubular section material during insertion of the barrier 23, and thereby allow the barrier 23 to embed into the inside wall 38 to securely locate the barrier 23 in place. However, it will be appreciated that this advantage may equally apply to use with any other configuration/embodiment of component/tubular section described herein.

In the present disclosure, various embodiments of component 20 may generally define a hollow bore. The barrier 23 may at least partly occlude the bore. The barrier may be a substantially planar component. That is, may be substantially flat. The barrier 23 may be circular. The barrier may be disposed within the component such that the barrier lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the component 20 and/or hollow bore defined by the or each tubular section of the component, or of the component 20. In alternative embodiments, the barrier may be non-planar, that is, non-flat. The barrier may be curved, dome-shaped, conical or of another non-planer configuration.

In the examples described, the formation 26 is located centrally within the barrier 23. When the formation comprises an aperture, the aperture may have a shape that is identical to the cross-sectional shape of at least part of the aerosol generator/heating element 5. The aperture may be configured to receive an aerosol generator/heating element 5 such that the aerosol-generator/heating element 5 is positioned centrally within the aperture and is also aligned with the central longitudinal axis X-X of the article 10. This enables heat generated by the aerosol generator in use to be evenly distributed in a radial fashion throughout the aerosol-generating material.

The component 20 defines an upstream distal end of the article 10 which will therefore be visible externally of the article 10. The component 20 and barrier 23 therefore prevent the end face 13 of the aerosol-generating section 11 from being accessible from the upstream end 10a of the article 10. As such, the component 20 and barrier 23 are configured to at least reduce aerosol-generating material being removed from the aerosol-generating section 11 via the first upstream end 10a. In other words, the aerosol-generating material may be prevented from falling out of the first upstream end 10a of the article 10. Furthermore, the close fit of the formation 26 around the heating element 5 acts for the barrier 23 to rub or scrap against the heating element 5 as the article 10 is removed from the device 2 after use. This helps remove any particles of aerosol-generating material from the heating element 5 which may have become adhered to the heating element during use of the device 2. This helps keep the heating element 5 cleaner during repeated use, and helps to prevent particles of aerosol-generating material from remaining within the receiving portion 4 or elsewhere within the device 2. This helps improve the hygiene of the device 2 and overall system 1.

The formation 26, if comprising an aperture, may have a diameter of at least about 0.5 mm and at most about 8 mm. In some embodiments, the aperture has a diameter of at least about 1 mm or 2 mm and at most 5 mm. In the present example, the aperture has a diameter of around 2 mm, which is about the same as the diameter of the aerosol generator/heating element 5 of the device 2. The diameter of the aerosol generator/heating element 5 is defined as the longest straight line between two outer edges thereof and through a cross-section through the aerosol generator. In some embodiments, the diameter of the aerosol generator 5 of the device 2 is about 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9. 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 or 3 mm and the aperture is the same diameter or slightly larger than the diameter of the aerosol generator 5. In some embodiments, the diameter of the aperture is 5% to 20% larger than the diameter of the aerosol generator 5, for example 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% larger than the diameter of the aerosol generator 5. Having a larger diameter aperture with respect to the aerosol generator 5 may be beneficial to avoid interactions between the aerosol generator 5 and the material forming the barrier 23 when the aerosol generator 5 is in use (e.g. heating of the material forming the barrier 23).

Referring to Figure 1, in the present example, the article 10 is inserted into the receiving portion 4 of a non-combustible aerosol provision device 2 by moving the article 10 in the direction marked by arrow D. The receiving portion 4 is a recess in the device 2 including an aerosol generator 4, which in the present example is a pinshaped heating element, but in alternative examples can be shaped in the form of a blade terminating in a point. That is, such a blade heater can have a length dimension that is greater than its width dimension, which is greater than its thickness dimension. The heating element 5 passes through formation 26 in the barrier 23 and the penetrates the aerosol generating section 11. The heating element 5 is resistively heated in the present example, although may alternatively be formed of a heating material as described herein which can be inductively heated, such as a susceptor. In other examples, the aerosol generating section 11 of the article 10 can include a heating material, for instance one which can be inductively heated, such as a susceptor.

In the present example, the aerosol-generating section 11 comprises relatively tightly packed strands or strips of aerosol-generating material. Insertion of the heating element 5 into the aerosol-generating section 11 disturbs the strands or strips of aerosol-generating material. In the present example, the strands or strips of aerosolgenerating material move outward as the heating element 11 is inserted into the aerosol-generating section 11. The heating element 11 then occupies space that was previously occupied by the aerosol-generating material.

In order to generate an aerosol from the aerosol-generating material, the device 2 and heating element 5 are activated and the heating element 5 supplies heat to the aerosol-generating material which, as a consequence, produces an aerosol when it reaches an aerosol-generation temperature.

The article 10 is removable from the device 2 (e.g. at the end of a session) by moving it relative to the device 2 in the opposite direction to the direction marked by arrow D in Figure 1. In order to remove the article 10 from the device 2, the article 10 is withdrawn from the receiving portion 4. As the article 10 is withdrawn from the receiving portion 4, the heating element 5 is withdrawn from the aerosol-generating section 11 through the formation 26 of the barrier 23.

Although the aerosol-generating material is relatively strong and tightly packed within the aerosol-generating section 11 (particularly when the aerosol-generating material is in the form of strands or strips), the heating of the material to aerosol-generation temperatures along with the force exerted on the aerosol-generating material by the heating element 5 can reduce the structural integrity of the aerosol-generating material and cause it to break down. For example, insertion of the heating element 5 into the aerosol-generating section 11 can damage (e.g. tear) the aerosol-generating material. When the heating element 5 is withdrawn from the aerosol-generating section 11, the aerosol-generating material is again disturbed and tends to become displaced and move relative to the wrapper paper 14.

As described above, the barrier 23 and component 20 covers the end face 13 of the aerosol-generating section 11 and so prevents the aerosol-generating material from falling out of the article 10, particularly when the heating element 5 is withdrawn from the aerosol-generating section 11. This improves the overall hygiene of the system because pieces (e.g. particles or flakes) of aerosol-generating material are prevented from leaving the article 10 and entering other components of the system, such as the aerosol provision device 2.

In some embodiments, the barrier may be formed from a non-combustible material or a material that has been treated to reduce combustion or its tendency to combust.

In order to further reduce the likelihood of unintentional withdrawal of the aerosolgenerating material from the article, a portion of the aerosol-generating material may be adhered to the wrapper paper 14 which circumscribes the aerosol-generating material in the aerosol-generating section 11. The wrapper paper 14 may comprise an adhesive on its inwardly-facing surface (the surface of the wrapper paper 14 that is closest to and faces the aerosol-generating material) that adheres the aerosolgenerating material to it. For example, the inwardly facing surface of the wrapper paper 14 may comprise a continuous coating of adhesive on its inner surface. Alternatively, in order to reduce manufacturing costs and the overall weight of the article, the wrapper paper 14 may comprise a discontinuous coating of adhesive on its inner surface. The discontinuous coating of adhesive may comprise a spiral pattern of adhesive on the inwardly facing surface of the wrapper.

In some embodiments, such as the examples described so far, the rod of aerosolgenerating material has a circumference of about 22.1 mm. In alternative embodiments, the rod of aerosol-generating material may have any suitable circumference, for example between about 15 mm and about 26 mm. In some embodiments, the rod of aerosol-generating material has a circumference of about 20 to about 24 mm.

The article 10 may be a "regular" (about 23-25 mm), "wide" (greater than 25 mm), "slim" (about 22-23 mm), "demi-slim" (about 19-22 mm), "super-slim" (about 16-19 mm), or "micro-slim" (less than about 16 mm) article.

As noted previously, in some embodiments, including the examples described herein, the downstream portion 12 or mouthpiece may comprise a number of components. For example, the downstream portion may comprise one or more chambers in the form of one or more hollow tubes. The hollow tubes may help to facilitate the formation of aerosol when the aerosol-generating material is heated. In order to further assist with the formation of an aerosol, the downstream portion 12 may comprise one or more ventilation apertures that draw fresh air into the downstream portion during use. These may be formed in a similar matter as the ventilation apertures 28 formed proximate the upstream end 10a at the component 20, as described above. The downstream portion 12 may also comprise a filter material. Thus, in some embodiments, the article 10 comprises a chamber of void configured to facilitate aerosol formation within the downstream portion of the article.

Various components of the downstream portion 12 of the article 10 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 27, which shows the downstream portion 12 or mouthpiece of an article 10 as described herein.

Referring to Figure 27, the downstream portion 12 includes a first tubular element 50 immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating material section 11, the first tubular element 50 defining a first hollow cavity. In the present example, the first tubular element 50 is in an abutting relationship with the aerosol-generating material. The first tubular element 50 has a first tubular wall. The mouthpiece or downstream portion 12 also includes a second tubular element 51 immediately downstream of the first tubular element 50. In the present example, the second tubular element 51 is in an abutting relationship with the first tubular element 50. The second tubular element 51 has a second tubular wall having a wall thickness of less than about 320 pm. The second tubular element 51 has an axial length of greater than about 15 mm, for instance between about 15 mm and about 25 mm. In the present example, a body of material 52 is provided at the downstream end 12b of the downstream section 12. The first and second tubular elements 50, 51 and the body of material 52, in the present example, each define a cylindrical outer shape and are arranged end-to-end on a common axis. The first and second tubular elements 50, 51, aerosol-generating material section 11 and body of material 52 have approximately the same outer diameter.

The first and second tubular elements 50, 51 together define a chamber into which aerosol formed in the aerosol-generating section 11 is drawn and expands and cools. The provision of discrete first and second tubular elements 50, 51 enables these components to be designed to achieve different functional effects. For instance, the first tubular element 50 can be arranged to provide functions such as helping to reduce movement of the aerosol-generating material in use, as the article 10 is inserted into the recess and the heating element 5 penetrates the aerosol-generating material section 11 (as previously described). For this purpose, the first tubular element 50 can have a wall thickness of, for instance, between 1mm and 3.5mm, or between 1.5mm and 2.5mm. Alternatively or additionally, the first tubular element 50 can be arranged to help with providing rigidity to the article 10. Alternatively or additionally, the first tubular element 50 can be arranged to encourage aerosol to flow predominantly through an axial region of the second tubular element 51, for instance to assist with aerosol formation. The second tubular element 51 can be designed to define a relatively large chamber as compared to the first tubular element 50, providing greater space into which the aerosol formed in the aerosol-generating section 11 can be drawn to expand and cool. In addition, for a given weight of the second tubular element 51, providing a relatively thin wall thickness of less than 320 pm enables material to be concentrated in the outer region of the second tubular element 51, which can provide a higher bending stiffness as compared to components with thicker walls and the same weight.

In one example, an article as described with reference to Figures 3 and 27 has the specific features set out in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Although in the present case, the body of material 52 is provided at the mouth or downstream end 10b of the article 10, in other examples a further component can be provided downstream of the body of material 52. For instance, a further body of material can be provided. In the present example, the first tubular element 50 has an axial length of about 7mm, but in other examples the first tubular element 50 can have an axial length between about 5mm and about 14mm. In the present example, the first tubular element 50 has a wall thickness of about 1.6mm and an inner radius of the hollow cavity defined by the first tubular element 50 is about 1.95 mm. This results in a ratio between the thickness of the first tubular wall to the internal radius of the first hollow cavity of about 0.82. In other examples, the ratio of the thickness of the first tubular wall to the internal radius of the first hollow cavity can be between about 0.6 and about 1.1, or between about 0.7 and about 0.9.

In the present example, the volume of the second hollow cavity defined by the second tubular element 51 is about 588 mm³. The volume of the first hollow cavity defined by the first tubular element 50 is about 84 mm³. The ratio of the volume of the second hollow cavity to the volume of the first hollow cavity is therefore about 7 times. The ratio of the volume of the second hollow cavity to the volume of the first hollow cavity can alternatively be between about 6.5 and about 8. This provides an arrangement in which aerosol can expand from a relatively small cavity within the first tubular element 50 into the much larger cavity of the second tubular element 51. The second tubular element 51 can define a second hollow cavity having a volume of at least about 520 mm³. The combined volumes of the first and second hollow cavities can, for instance, be at least about 580 mm³, or at least about 620 mm³ or at least about 650 mm³.

The second tubular wall can comprise at least first and second overlapping paper layers each extending around substantially the whole circumference of the second tubular element 51. The at least first and second overlapping paper layers can each have a thickness of between 30 and 150 pm. Alternatively or in addition, the at least first and second overlapping paper layers can each have a basis weight of between 25 and 130 gsm. The at least first and second overlapping paper layers can be connected to each other by a layer of adhesive. The first and second overlapping paper layers can each be non-porous.

The aerosol-generating section 11 can be in the form of a rod having an axial length which is less than or equal to the axial length of the second tubular element 51. For instance, the aerosol-generating material section 11 can be in the form of a rod having an axial length which is between 50% and 80% of the axial length of the second tubular element 51. These arrangements result in an article 10 with a relatively large cavity size defined by the second tubular element 51 as compared to the volume occupied by the aerosol-generating material. Such a cavity can allow for improved expansion of the volume of aerosol passing though the article 10 and better aerosol formation. Preferably, ventilation apertures are provided into the wall of the second tubular element 51 such that cool air enters the cavity defined by the second tubular element 51 in use, further enhancing aerosol formation via condensation of aerosol components within the cavity. The second tubular element 51 can have an axial length of greater than about 16mm or greater than about 16.5mm. For instance, in some examples, the second tubular element 51 can have an axial length which is at least 1.5 or at least 2 times greater than the axial length of the first tubular element 50.

Use of a second tubular element 51 immediately downstream of the first tubular element 50, which has a wall thickness of less than about 320 pm and an axial length of greater than about 15mm, can result in an article 10 which has an overall weight which is relatively low. In the present example, the aerosol-generating material section 11 has a weight of about 304 mg and the non-aerosol-generating material components of the article 10 have a combined weight of about 320 mg. The total weight is therefore 624 grams for an article 10 with an overall length of 48mm, resulting in an average weight of 13 mg/mm. In some examples, the average weight per mm of axial length of the article 10 can be less than about 14.5 mg/mm or less than about 14 mg/mm. The non-aerosol-generating material weight of the article 10 can be between 45% and 55% of the overall article weight, for instance between 48% and 53%.

The tubular wall of the second tubular element 51, in the present example, is formed from first and second overlapping paper sheets, resulting in an overall thickness of about 200pm. In alternative examples, the second tubular wall can have a thickness of between about 160pm and about 250 pm.

The article 10 includes one or more ventilation holes 53 extending through the second tubular element 51 at a location in the second tubular element 51 which is outside the housing 3 when the article 10 is fully inserted into the device 2. The one or more ventilation holes 53 can be provided as one or more rows of apertures, such as laser or mechanically formed perforations, circumscribing the article 10. In some examples, the level of ventilation is between about 10% and about 60%, for instance between about 20% and about 55% of the mainstream aerosol. The first tubular element 50 is formed from filamentary tow, in the present example plasticised cellulose acetate tow. Other constructions can be used, such as a tubular element 50 formed having inner and outer paper tubes sandwiching a crimped paper sheet material. The wall of the first tubular element 50 can be relatively non-porous, such that at least 80% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material passes longitudinally through the hollow channels through the tube rather than through the wall material itself. For instance, at least 92% or at least 95% of the aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material can pass longitudinally through the first hollow cavity.

The filamentary tow forming the first tubular element 50 preferably has a total denier of between 25,000 and 45,000, preferably between 35,000 and 45,000. Preferably the cross-sectional shape of the filaments of tow are 'Y' shaped, although in other embodiments other shapes such as 'X' shaped filaments can be used.

The filamentary tow forming the first tubular element 50 preferably has a denier per filament between 4 and 10, more preferably between 4 and 9. In one example, the filamentary tow forming the first tubular element 50 has an 8Y40,000 tow formed from cellulose acetate and comprising 18% plasticiser, for instance triacetin.

Preferably, the density of the material forming the first tubular element 50 is at least about 0.20 grams per cubic centimetre (g/cc), more preferably at least about 0.25 g/cc. Preferably, the density of the material forming the first tubular element 50 is less than about 0.80 grams per cubic centimetre (g/cc), more preferably less than 0.6 g/cc. In some embodiments, the density of the material forming the first tubular element 50 is between 0.20 and 0.8 g/cc, more preferably between 0.3 and 0.6 g/cc, or between 0.4 g/cc and 0.6 g/cc or about 0.5 g/cc. These densities have been found to provide a good balance between improved firmness afforded by denser material and minimising the overall weight of the article 10. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the "density" of the material forming the first tubular element 50 refers to the density of any filamentary tow or other material forming the element with any plasticiser incorporated. The density may be determined by dividing the total weight of the material forming the first tubular element 50 by the total volume of the material forming the first tubular element 50, wherein the total volume can be calculated using appropriate measurements of the material forming the first tubular element 50 taken, for example, using callipers. Where necessary, the appropriate dimensions may be measured using a microscope. The first and second tubular elements 50, 51 can be configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 40 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the first and second tubular elements 50, 51 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the first and second tubular elements 50, 51. The first and second tubular elements 50, 51 are preferably configured to provide a temperature differential of at least 60 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 80 degrees Celsius and more preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius between a heated volatilised component entering a first, upstream end of the first and second tubular elements 50, 51 and a heated volatilised component exiting a second, downstream end of the first and second tubular elements 50, 51. This temperature differential across the length of the first and second tubular elements 50, 51 protects the temperature sensitive body of material 52 from the high temperatures of the aerosol-generating material when it is heated.

The aerosol-generating section 11 may exhibit a pressure drop of from about 15 to about 40 mm H2O. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating section 11 exhibits a pressure drop across the aerosol-generating section 11 of from about 15 to about 30 mm H2O.

The aerosol-generating material may have a packing density or bulk density of between about 400 mg/cm³ and about 900 mg/cm³ within the aerosol-generating section 11. A packing density higher than this may make it difficult to insert the aerosol-generator/heating element 5 of the device 2 into the aerosol-generating material and increase the pressure drop. A packing density lower than 400 mg/cm³ may reduce the rigidity of the article 10. Furthermore, if the packing density is too low, the aerosol-generating material may not effectively grip the aerosol-generator 5 of the device 2.

At least about 70% of a volume of the aerosol-generating section 11 is filled with the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, from about 75% to about 85% of the volume of the cavity is filled with the aerosol-generating material.

In the present embodiment, the moisture impermeable wrapper paper 14 which circumscribes the rod of aerosol-generating material comprises aluminium foil. In other embodiments, the wrapper paper 14 comprises a paper wrapper, optionally comprising a barrier coating to make the material of the wrapper paper 14 substantially moisture impermeable. Where the wrapper 14 comprises paper or a paper backing, i.e. a cellulose based material, the wrapper 14 can have a basis weight greater than about 30 gsm. For example, the wrapper 14 can have a basis weight in the range from about 40 gsm to about 70 gsm.

In the present example, the body of material 52 is wrapped in a first plug wrap 54. A second plug wrap 55 is provided to connect the body of material 52, first tubular element 50 and second tubular element 51. Preferably, the first and second plug wraps 54, 55 each have a basis weight of less than 50 gsm, more preferably between about 20 gsm and 40 gsm. Preferably, the first and second plug wraps 54, 55 each have a thickness of between 30 pm and 60 pm, more preferably between 35 pm and 45 pm. Preferably, the first and second plug wraps 54, 55 are non-porous plug wraps, for instance having a permeability of less than 100 Coresta units, for instance less than 50 Coresta units. However, in other embodiments, the first and/or second plug wrap 54, 55 can be a porous plug wrap, for instance having a permeability of greater than 200 Coresta Units.

Preferably, the length of the body of material 52 is less than about 15 mm. More preferably, the length of the body of material 52 is less than about 14 mm. In addition, or as an alternative, the length of the body of material 52 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the body of material 52 is at least about 8 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the body of material 52 is from about 5 mm to about 15 mm, more preferably from about 8 mm to about 14 mm, even more preferably from about 10 mm to about 14 mm, most preferably about 10 mm, 11 mm or 12 mm. In the present example, the length of the body of material 52 is 12 mm.

In the present example, the body of material 52 is formed from filamentary tow. In the present example, the tow used in the body of material 52 has a denier per filament (d.p.f.) of 5 and a total denier of 25,000. In the present example, the tow comprises plasticised cellulose acetate tow. The plasticiser used in the tow comprises about 9% by weight of the tow. In the present example, the plasticiser is triacetin. In other examples, different materials can be used to form the body of material 52. For instance, rather than tow, the body 52 can be formed from paper, for instance in a similar way to paper filters known for use in cigarettes. For instance, the paper, or other cellulose-based material, can be provided as one or more portions of sheet material which is folded and/or crimped to form body 52. The sheet material can have a basis weight of from 15 gsm to 60 gsm, for instance between 20 and 50 gsm. The sheet material can, for instance, have a basis weight in any of the ranges between 15 and 25 gsm, between 25 and 30 gsm, between 30 and 40 gsm, between 40 and 45 gsm and between 45 and 50 gsm. Additionally or alternatively, the sheet material can have a width of between 50mm and 200mm, for instance between 60mm and 150mm, or between 80mm and 150mm. For instance, the sheet material can have a basis weight of between 20 and 50 gsm and a width between 80mm and 150mm.

This can, for instance, enable the cellulose-based bodies to have appropriate pressure drops for an article having dimensions as described herein.

Alternatively, the body 52 can be formed from tows other than cellulose acetate, for instance polylactic acid (PLA), other materials described herein for filamentary tow or similar materials. The tow is preferably formed from cellulose acetate. The tow, whether formed from cellulose acetate or other materials, preferably has a d.p.f. of at least 5. Preferably, to achieve a sufficiently uniform body of material 52, the tow has a denier per filament of no more than 12 d.p.f., preferably no more than 11 d.p.f. and still more preferably no more than 10 d.p.f.

The total denier of the tow forming the body of material 52 is preferably at most 30,000, more preferably at most 28,000 and still more preferably at most 25,000. These values of total denier provide a tow which takes up a reduced proportion of the cross-sectional area of the mouthpiece 5 which results in a lower pressure drop across the mouthpiece/downstream section 12 than tows having higher total denier values. For appropriate firmness of the body of material 52, the tow preferably has a total denier of at least 8,000 and more preferably at least 10,000. Preferably, the denier per filament is between 5 and 12 while the total denier is between 10,000 and 25,000. Preferably the cross-sectional shape of the filaments of tow are 'Y' shaped, although in other embodiments other shapes such as 'X' shaped filaments can be used, with the same d.p.f. and total denier values as provided herein. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to use a filter that has a different filtration efficiency to control the overall filtration efficiency. This may be beneficial, for example, for certain aerosolgenerating materials that may not require high filtration efficiency. For example, "O" shaped or "C" shaped filaments can be used (either alone or in combination with each other or with "X" and "Y" shaped filaments), although filaments having these shapes may generally have a lower filtration efficiency than "Y" shaped filaments, for example.

Irrespective of the material used to form the body 52, the pressure drop across body 52, can, for instance, be between 0.3 and 5 mmWG per mm of length of the body 52, for instance between 0.5 mmWG and 2.5 mmWG per mm of length of the body 52. The pressure drop can, for instance, be between 1.5 and 2.5 mmWG/mm of length, on average. The total pressure drop across body 52 can, for instance, be between 12 mmWG and 30mWG, or between 15mmWG and 25mmWG. Where the body 52 includes an additive release component, the pressure drop refers to the average or total pressure drop prior to any rupture of that component. The body of material 52 and/or the tube 50 and/or the tube 51 may comprise or consist of paper. In some embodiments, the body of material 52 and/or the tube 50 and/or the tube 51 may comprise or a consist of a woven or non-woven material. Using paper and woven/non-woven materials may contribute to the biodegradability of the article 10. In some embodiments, the woven or non-woven material is crimped and has a grammage of between about 20 to 50 GSM, preferably 30 to 45 GSM, which may further improve the biodegradability.

A tipping paper 15 is wrapped around the full length of the downstream section 12 and over part of the rod of aerosol-generating material of the aerosol-generating section 11 and has an adhesive on its inner surface to connect the downstream section 12 and rod. In the present example, the rod of aerosol-generating material is wrapped in wrapper paper 14, which forms a first wrapping material, and the tipping paper 15 forms an outer wrapping material which extends at least partially over the rod of aerosol-generating material to connect the downstream section 12 and rod. In some examples, the tipping paper 15 can extend fully over the rod of aerosol-generating material.

In the present example, the tipping paper 15 extends 5 mm over the rod of aerosolgenerating material but it can alternatively extend between 3 mm and 10 mm over the rod, or more preferably between 4 mm and 6 mm, to provide a secure attachment. The tipping paper 15 can have a basis weight greater than 20 gsm, for instance greater than 25 gsm, or preferably greater than 30 gsm, for example 37 gsm. These ranges of basis weights have been found to result in tipping papers 15 having acceptable tensile strength while being flexible enough to wrap around the article 10 and adhere to itself along a longitudinal lap seam on the paper.

The article 10 has a ventilation level of about 25% of the aerosol drawn through the article 10. The article 10 preferably includes ventilation holes 53 provided into the second tubular element 51, as mentioned above. In alternative embodiments, the article 10 can have a ventilation level of between 10% and 60% of aerosol drawn through the article 10, for instance between 20% and 50%.

In the present example, an aerosol modifying agent is provided within the body of material 52, in the present example in the form of an additive release component, in the present case a capsule 56. However, the capsule 56 can be omitted in other embodiments. In the case that the capsule 56 is provided, the first plug wrap 54 can be an oil-resistant first plug wrap 54. In other examples, the aerosol modifying agent can be provided in other forms, such as material injected into the body of material 52 or provided on a thread, for instance the thread carrying a flavourant or other aerosol modifying agent, which may also be disposed within the body of material 52.

The capsule 56 can comprise a breakable capsule, for instance a capsule which has a solid, frangible shell surrounding a liquid payload. In the present example, a single capsule 56 is used. The capsule 56 is entirely embedded within the body of material 52. In other words, the capsule 56 is completely surrounded by the material forming the body 52. In other examples, a plurality of breakable capsules may be disposed within the body of material 52, for instance two, three or more breakable capsules.

The length of the body of material 52 can be increased to accommodate the number of capsules required. In examples where a plurality of capsules is used, the individual capsules may be the same as each other, or may differ from one another in terms of size and/or capsule payload. In other examples, multiple bodies of material 52 may be provided, with each body containing one or more capsules.

The capsule 56 has a core-shell structure. In other words, the capsule 56 comprises a shell encapsulating a liquid agent, for instance a flavourant or other agent, which can be any one of the flavourants or aerosol modifying agents described herein. The shell of the capsule can be ruptured by a user to release the flavourant or other agent into the body of material 52.

In the present example, the capsule 56 is spherical and has a diameter of about

3 mm. In other examples, other shapes and sizes of capsule can be used. For example, the capsule may have a diameter less than 4 mm, or less than 3.5 mm, or less than 3.25 mm. In alternative embodiments, the capsule may have a diameter greater than about 3.25 mm, for example greater than 3.5 mm, or greater than

4 mm. The total weight of the capsule 56 may be in the range about 10 mg to about 50 mg.

In the present example, the capsule 56 is located at a non-longitudinally central position within the body of material 52. In the present example, the capsule 56 is located closer to the upstream end of the body of material 52 than to the downstream end. That is, the capsule 56 is positioned so that its centre is 5 mm from the upstream end of the body of material 52 and 7 mm from the downstream end, which can assist with ensuring that the capsule cannot be seen from the downstream end of the article 10.

As used herein, the term "non-combustible aerosol provision system" is intended to encompass systems that deliver at least one substance to a user by releasing compounds from an aerosol-generating material without combusting the aerosolgenerating material, such as electronic cigarettes, tobacco heating products, and hybrid systems to generate aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials.

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

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

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

Typically, the non-combustible aerosol provision system may comprise a noncombustible aerosol provision device and a consumable for use with the noncombustible aerosol provision device, such as the article 10 described herein.

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

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the article comprises a substance to be delivered. The substance to be delivered may be an aerosol-generating material or a material that is not intended to be aerosolised. As appropriate, either material may comprise one or more active constituents, one or more flavours, one or more aerosol-former materials, and/or one or more other functional materials. In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises an active substance.

The active substance as used herein may be a physiologically active material, which is a material intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. The active substance may for example be selected from nutraceuticals, nootropics, psychoactives. The active substance may be naturally occurring or synthetically obtained. The active substance may comprise for example nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or constituents, derivatives, or combinations thereof. The active substance may comprise one or more constituents, derivatives or extracts of tobacco, cannabis or another botanical.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises caffeine, melatonin or vitamin B12.

As noted herein, the active substance may comprise or be derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof. As used herein, the term "botanical" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. Alternatively, the material may comprise an active compound naturally existing in a botanical, obtained synthetically. The material may be in the form of liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, shreds, strips, sheets, or the like. Example botanicals are tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Memtha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens. In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is tobacco.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp.

In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or derived from one or more botanicals or constituents, derivatives or extracts thereof and the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, including the examples described herein, the aerosolgenerating material may comprise botanical material. As used herein, the term "botanical" or "botanical material" includes any material derived from plants including, but not limited to, extracts, leaves, bark, fibres, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, husk, shells or the like. In some embodiments, the botanical material is preferably the leaf of a plant.

In some embodiments, the botanical material is derived from a tobacco plant. For example, the methods are particularly well suited to treating threshed tobacco leaves. In some embodiments, the tobacco is one or more of any tobacco type, including the common tobacco types, such as Virginia, Burley and Oriental.

In other embodiments, the botanical material is derived from plants or materials (botanicals) including: eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, licorice (liquorice), matcha, mate, orange skin, papaya, rose, sage, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, clove, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed (anise), basil, bay leaves, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lavender, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, Wintergreen, beefsteak plant, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab or any combination thereof. The mint may be chosen from the following mint varieties: Mentha Arventis, Mentha c.v., Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata c.v., Mentha piperita c.v., Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata c.v. and Mentha suaveolens In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa and hemp. In some embodiments, the botanical is selected from rooibos and fennel.

In some embodiments, the substance to be delivered comprises a flavour.

As used herein, the terms "flavour" and "flavourant" refer to materials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create a desired taste, aroma or other somatosensorial sensation in a product for adult consumers. They may include naturally occurring flavour materials, botanicals, extracts of botanicals, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice (liquorice), hydrangea, eugenol, Japanese white bark magnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed (anise), cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herb, Wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, tropical fruit, papaya, rhubarb, grape, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, khat, naswar, betel, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, wasabi, piment, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, a mint oil from any species of the genus Mentha, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazel, hibiscus, laurel, mate, orange skin, rose, tea such as green tea or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, beefsteak plant, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, cassis, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chive, carvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavour enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorial receptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine, cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals, or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or natural ingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, for example, liquid such as an oil, solid such as a powder, or gas.

In some embodiments, the flavour comprises menthol, spearmint and/or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus fruits and/or redberry. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavour comprises flavour components extracted from cannabis.

In some embodiments, the flavour may comprise a sensate, which is intended to achieve a somatosensorial sensation which are usually chemically induced and perceived by the stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve), in addition to or in place of aroma or taste nerves, and these may include agents providing heating, cooling, tingling, numbing effect. A suitable heat effect agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether and a suitable cooling agent may be, but not limited to eucolyptol, WS-3.

An aerosol-generating material is a material that is capable of generating aerosol, for example when heated, irradiated or energized in any other way. An aerosolgenerating material may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gel which may or may not contain an active substance and/or flavourants. The aerosol-generating material may be incorporated into an article for use in the aerosol-generating system.

As used herein, the term "tobacco material" refers to any material comprising tobacco or derivatives or substitutes thereof. The tobacco material may be in any suitable form. The term "tobacco material" may include one or more of tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes. The tobacco material may comprise one or more of ground tobacco, tobacco fibre, cut tobacco, extruded tobacco, tobacco stem, tobacco lamina, reconstituted tobacco and/or tobacco extract.

A consumable is an article comprising or consisting of aerosol-generating material, part or all of which is intended to be consumed during use by a user. A consumable may comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a wrapper, a mouthpiece, a filter and/or an aerosolmodifying agent. A consumable may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, that emits heat to cause the aerosol-generating material to generate aerosol in use. The heater may, for example, comprise combustible material, a material heatable by electrical conduction, or a susceptor.

A susceptor is a material that is heatable by penetration with a varying magnetic field, such as an alternating magnetic field. The susceptor may be an electrically-conductive material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes induction heating of the heating material. The heating material may be magnetic material, so that penetration thereof with a varying magnetic field causes magnetic hysteresis heating of the heating material. The susceptor may be both electrically-conductive and magnetic, so that the susceptor is heatable by both heating mechanisms. The device that is configured to generate the varying magnetic field is referred to as a magnetic field generator, herein.

An aerosol-modifying agent is a substance, typically located downstream of the aerosol generation area, that is configured to modify the aerosol generated, for example by changing the taste, flavour, acidity or another characteristic of the aerosol. The aerosol-modifying agent may be provided in an aerosol-modifying agent release component, that is operable to selectively release the aerosol-modifying agent

The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be an additive or a sorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, comprise one or more of a flavourant, a colourant, water, and a carbon adsorbent. The aerosol-modifying agent may, for example, be a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol-modifying agent may be in powder, thread or granule form. The aerosol-modifying agent may be free from filtration material.

An aerosol generator is an apparatus configured to cause aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is a heater configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to heat energy, so as to release one or more volatiles from the aerosol-generating material to form an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol generator is configured to cause an aerosol to be generated from the aerosol-generating material without heating. For example, the aerosol generator may be configured to subject the aerosol-generating material to one or more of vibration, increased pressure, or electrostatic energy.

The filamentary tow material described herein can comprise cellulose acetate fibre tow. The filamentary tow can also be formed using other materials used to form fibres, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(l-4 butanediol succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)(PBAT), starch based materials, cotton, aliphatic polyester materials and polysaccharide polymers or a combination thereof. The filamentary tow may be plasticised with a suitable plasticiser for the tow, such as triacetin where the material is cellulose acetate tow, or the tow may be non-plasticised. The tow can have any suitable specification, such as fibres having a 'Y' shaped or other cross section such as 'X' shaped, filamentary denier values between 2.5 and 15 denier per filament, for example between 8.0 and 11.0 denier per filament and total denier values of 5,000 to 50,000, for example between 10,000 and 40,000. The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc, other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. A component for an article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the component comprising: a tubular section; and a planar barrier adjacent to the tubular section, wherein the planar barrier comprises a formation configured to be penetrated by a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

2. A component according to claim 1, wherein the planar barrier is a circular disc.

3. A component according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the formation is positioned substantially centrally on the planar barrier.

4. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar barrier lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the tubular section.

5. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation comprises an aperture extending through the planar barrier.

6. A component according to claim 5 wherein the aperture has a minimum width of 0.2mm - 3mm, and may be between 0.4mm and 2mm, and may be between 0.5mm and 1mm.

7. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation comprises a region of weakening in the planar barrier.

8. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation comprises a cut extending at least partially through the thickness of the planar barrier.

9. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation is circular, a linear slit, an arcuate slot, cross-shaped or asterisk-shaped.

10. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more vent holes are provided in the planar barrier.

11. A component according to claim 10, wherein the one or more vent holes are disposed off-set from the centre of the planar barrier.

12. A component according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a plurality of vent holes are equally spaced around the centre of the planar barrier.

13. A component according to any of claims 10 - 12, wherein the or each vent hole is circular, arcuate, or polygonal in shape.

14. A component according to any of claims 1 - 13, wherein the planar barrier is made of paper board.

15. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar barrier comprises a layer of foil on at least one face thereof.

16. A component according to claim 15, wherein the foil is metallic.

17. A component according to claim 16 wherein the foil is made of aluminium.

18. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the formation comprises at least one flap which is configured to pivot out of the plane of the planar barrier as a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system penetrates the formation.

19. A component according to claim 18, wherein the at least one flap is at least partly circular.

20. A component according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the component comprises a plurality of flaps.

21. A component according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the flaps tessellates with at least one other of the plurality of flaps.

22. A component according to claim 20 or claim 21, wherein at least one of the flaps at least partially surrounds at least one other of the plurality of flaps.

23. A component according to any of claims 18 - 22, wherein the at least one flap comprises an edge contour configured to contact a heating element of a noncombustible aerosol provision system as the heating element penetrates the formation.

24. A component according to claim 23, wherein the edge contour is configured to at least partially surround a portion of a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision system as the heating element penetrates the formation.

25. A component according to claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the edge contour comprises a recess in the at least one flap.

26. A component according to claim 25, wherein the recess of the edge contour comprises an arcuate portion.

27. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar barrier comprises a first planar barrier layer, and wherein the component comprises a second planar barrier layer.

28. A component according to claim 27, wherein the first and/or second planar barrier layers are planar.

29. A component according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the second planar barrier layer is disposed co-planar with the first planar barrier layer.

30. A component according to any of claims 27 - 29, wherein the second planar barrier layer is disposed in abutment with the first planar barrier layer.

31. A component according to any of claims 27 - 30, wherein the first and second planar barrier layers are connected.

32. A component according to any of claims 27 - 31, wherein the first and second planar barrier layers are formed from a unitary piece of material.

33. A component according to any of claims 27 - 32, wherein the first and second planar barrier layers are connected by a bridging portion or tab.

34. A component according to any of claims 27 - 33, wherein the second planar barrier layer comprises an aperture which is aligned with the formation in the first planar barrier layer in or parallel to an axial direction of the tubular section.

35. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the tubular section comprises a first tubular section, and wherein the component comprises a second tubular section disposed in axial alignment with the first tubular section.

36. A component according to claim 35, wherein the or each tubular section defines a hollow bore through the component.

37. A component according to claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the first tubular section is disposed on an opposite side of the planar barrier to the second tubular section.

38. A component according to any of claims 35 - 37, wherein the first tubular section abuts the second tubular section.

39. A component according to claim 38, wherein the planar barrier is disposed proximate to where the first and second tubular sections abut.

40. A component according to any of claims 35 - 39, wherein the first tubular section has a first internal diameter, and the second tubular section has a second internal diameter different to the first internal diameter such that an internal diameter step is formed where the first tubular section abuts the second tubular section.

41. A component according to any of claims 35 - 40, wherein the first tubular section has a first wall thickness, and the second tubular section has a second wall thickness different to the first wall thickness such that an internal diameter step is formed where the first tubular section abuts the second tubular section.

42. A component according to claim 40 or claim 41, wherein the planar barrier abuts the internal diameter step to axially locate the planar barrier within the component.

43. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tubular section has a length in an axial direction of between 2mm - 5mm, and optionally between 2.5mm - 4mm, and optionally of around 2.8mm.

44. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tubular section has an outer diameter of between 6mm - 9mm, and optionally between 7mm - 8mm, and optionally of around 7.1mm.

45. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tubular section has a wall thickness between an outer diameter and an inner diameter, of between 0.3mm - 0.7mm, and optionally between 0.4mm - 0.6mm, and optionally of around 0.5mm.

46. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner diameter of the or at least one of the tubular sections differs between a first end and a second end of the tubular section.

47. A component according to claim 46, wherein the inner diameter of the or at least one of the tubular sections changes substantially constantly between a first end and a second end of the tubular section such that the tubular section comprises a tapering internal passage.

48. A component according to claim 46 or claim 47, wherein the or at least one of the tubular sections comprises a region of constant internal diameter

49. A component according to any of claims 46 - 48, wherein the or at least one of the tubular sections comprises a region of altering internal diameter.

50. A component according to any of claims 46 - 49, wherein the planar barrier is disposed at a narrower region of the internal passage of the or at least one of the tubular sections.

51. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein an inner diameter of the or at least one of the tubular sections differs between a first region and a second region of the respective tubular section(s).

52. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein an internal wall of the or at least one of the tubular sections comprises one or more surface features.

53. A component according to claim 52, wherein the one or more surface features comprises one or more projections extending inwardly into an internal passage of the tubular section.

54. A component according to claim 53, wherein the projection(s) comprise one or more ridges extending in an axial direction of the tubular section.

55. A component according to any of claims 52 - 54, wherein the one or more surface features comprises one or more recesses.

56. A component according to claim 55, wherein the recess(es) comprise one or more grooves extending in an axial direction of the respective tubular section(s).

57. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the planar barrier comprises one or more perimeter features configured to facilitate engagement of the planar barrier with an internal wall of the respective tubular section.

58. A component according to claim 57, wherein the perimeter feature(s) comprise one or more projections formed into the perimeter edge of the planar barrier.

59. A component according to claim 57 or claim 58, wherein the perimeter feature(s) comprise one or more projections or teeth projecting outwardly from the perimeter edge of the planar barrier.

60. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the component further comprises an outer wrapper circumscribing the tubular section(s) and the or each planar barrier.

61. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the component comprises a plurality of ventilation holes formed in a side wall of the or at least one of the tubular sections to allow air to be drawn into the component during use.

62. A component according to claim 61, wherein the ventilation holes are disposed in a downstream tubular section of the component.

63. A component according to claim 61 or claim 62, wherein the ventilation holes are provided extending substantially radially in the component.

64. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the component is substantially hollow with the exception of the planar barrier.

65. A component according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tubular section comprises a recess defining an air gap at a respective end of the component.

66. An article for use in a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article comprising: a rod of aerosol-generating material; and a component according to any preceding claim attached to, and disposed coaxially with, the rod of aerosol-generating material.

67. An article according to claim 66, wherein the component is configured to at least reduce aerosol-generating material being removed from the rod of aerosolgenerating material.

68. An article according to claim 66 or claim 67, wherein the article comprises a tipping wrapper circumscribing the component and the rod of aerosol-generating material to connect the component to the rod of aerosol-generating material.

69. An article according to any of claims 66 - 68, wherein the component is disposed at an upstream end of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

70. An article according to any of claims 66 - 69, wherein the article further comprises a plurality of ventilation holes formed in a side wall of the rod of aerosolgenerating material to allow air to be drawn into the rod of aerosol-generating material during use.

71. An article according to any of claims 66 - 70, wherein the rod of aerosolgenerating material comprises a plurality of elongate strips of aerosol-generating material.

72. An article according to claim 71, wherein the plurality of elongate strips extend substantially the length of the rod of aerosol-generating material.

73. An article according to any of claims 66 - 72, wherein the aerosol-generating material is configured to receive a heating element of a non-combustible aerosol provision device once the heating element has penetrated the formation in the or at least one of the planar barriers, and the aerosol-generating material is configured to compress when the heating element is inserted.

74. A method of manufacturing a component for an article for use in a non- combustible aerosol provision system, the method comprising: providing a first tubular section having a first wall thickness; providing a second tubular section abutting the first tubular section and having a second wall thickness greater than the first wall thickness such that a step is defined where the first and second tubular sections abut; circumscribing the first and second tubular sections with a plug wrap; and inserting a planar barrier into the first tubular section until the planar barrier abuts the step and locates in place within the component.

75. A method of manufacturing a component for an article for use in a noncombustible aerosol provision system, the method comprising: providing a tubular section with a wall thickness which reduces from a first thickness at a first region of the tubular section to a second thickness at a second region of the tubular section, wherein the second wall thickness is greater than the first wall thickness; circumscribing the tubular section with a plug wrap; and inserting a planar barrier into the tubular section until the planar barrier engages with an inside wall of the tubular section and is thereby located in place within the component.

76. A method according to claim 74 or claim 75, wherein the planar barrier is inserted into the respective tubular section by an inserter rod.

77. A method according to claim 76, wherein the planar barrier is retained in place on the inserter rod by application of a vacuum through the inserter rod during insertion into the respective tubular section.

78. A non-combustible aerosol provision system comprising a non-combustible aerosol provision device and an article according to any of claims 66 - 73.

79. A non-combustible aerosol provision system according to claim 78, wherein the non-combustible aerosol provision device comprises an aerosol generator and the aerosol generator extends into an aerosol-generating section of the article and is in direct contact with the aerosol-generating material.

80. A non-combustible aerosol provision system according to claim 79, wherein the aerosol generator is a pin or blade heater.