CN115135179A

CN115135179A - Aerosol-generating article having bridging element with basis weight

Info

Publication number: CN115135179A
Application number: CN202180015573.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·加缪; Y·奇夫特吉奥卢; L·莱基利
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Current assignee: Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date: 2020-02-20
Filing date: 2021-02-19
Publication date: 2022-09-30
Also published as: AU2021225063A1; CA3168160A1; KR20220143697A; EP4106559A1; JP2023513963A; US20230084346A1; BR112022016255A2; WO2021165509A1; IL295665A; MX2022009960A; EP4106559B1; EP4106559C0; ZA202210153B

Abstract

An aerosol-generating article (10) comprising: a rod (20) comprising an aerosol-generating substrate (22); a filter (30) axially aligned with the rod (20); a bridging element (40) comprising a first wrapper (42) which surrounds the rod (20) and the filter and secures the filter to the rod; and a cavity (44) located between the rod and the filter, the cavity (44) being defined in part by an inner surface of the first wrapper (42) in a first portion of the bridging element (40), wherein the first portion of the bridging element (40) has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater.

Description

Aerosol-generating article having a bridging element with a basis weight

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating articles, such as cigarettes or heated aerosol-generating articles.

Background

Filter cigarettes typically comprise a rod of aerosol-generating substrate in the form of a tobacco cut filler surrounded by a wrapper and a cylindrical filter aligned in end-to-end relationship with the wrapped tobacco rod, the filter being attached to the tobacco rod with tipping paper. In a conventional filter cigarette, the filter may consist of a cellulose acetate tow filter segment wrapped in a porous filter segment wrapper. Filter cigarettes with multi-component filters comprising two or more sections of filter material for removing particulate and gaseous components of mainstream smoke are also known.

Typically, the consumer draws on the cigarette until the burning region (lit end) of the tobacco rod reaches the edge of the tipping paper. In this regard, the proximity of the combustion zone to the filter may result in burning or overheating of the filter, which may negatively impact the taste and flavor of the mainstream smoke produced by the cigarette.

Aerosol-generating articles for generating an aerosol by heating rather than combustion are known in the art. One embodiment of such an aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-generating substrate that is penetrable by a heating element of an aerosol-generating device. The aerosol-generating substrate is preferably a solid substrate and comprises tobacco. The heating element heats the aerosol-generating substrate to generate an aerosol which a user may draw through a filter at the mouth end of the aerosol-generating article. Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may be heated by a susceptor. In such a case, the aerosol-generating device may comprise an induction coil through which an alternating current generates an alternating magnetic field. This induces a voltage in the susceptor, causing the susceptor to be heated, which in turn heats the aerosol-generating substrate. The susceptor may be part of an aerosol-generating article or part of an aerosol-generating device. In each of these arrangements, the aerosol-generating substrate may be heated to a temperature of about 300 degrees celsius or higher. Thus, in such arrangements, it may also be desirable to avoid overheating of the filter.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an aerosol-generating article in which unwanted heating or combustion of elements of the aerosol-generating article downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate is avoided.

Disclosure of Invention

In the present disclosure, an aerosol-generating article is provided. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a rod. The rod may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may further comprise a filter. The filter may be axially aligned with the rod. The aerosol-generating article may also comprise a bridging element. The bridging element may comprise a first wrapper. The first wrapper may surround the rod. The first wrapper may surround the filter. The first wrapper may surround the rod and the filter. The first wrapper may secure the filter to the rod. The first wrapper may permanently secure the filter to the rod. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a cavity. The cavity may be located between the rod and the filter. The cavity may be partially bounded by an inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element. The first portion of the bridging element may have a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater.

In one embodiment, an aerosol-generating article comprises: a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; a filter axially aligned with the rod; a bridging element comprising a first wrapper circumscribing the rod and the filter and securing the filter to the rod; and a cavity between the rod and the filter, the cavity defined in part by an inner surface of the first wrapper in a first portion of the bridge element, wherein the first portion of the bridge element has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater.

Providing a cavity between the rod and the filter advantageously reduces the risk of overheating or burning of the filter as the aerosol-generating article is consumed.

The aerosol-generating article may be consumed as a result of ignition of the aerosol-generating substrate. Providing a cavity between a rod comprising the aerosol-generating substrate and the filter reduces the proximity of the combustion region of the aerosol-generating substrate to the filter, even when the combustion region reaches the end of the rod.

The aerosol-generating article may be consumed by heating rather than combusting the aerosol-generating substrate. Providing a cavity between the rod comprising the aerosol-generating substrate and the filter ensures that the filter is not overheated.

Providing a bridging element comprising a first wrapper which secures the filter and rod and which has an inner surface partially bounding the cavity may result in an aerosol-generating article which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Aerosol-generating articles may be subjected to forces, such as compressive or shear forces, during use or manufacture. In order to keep the cavity intact without collapsing, the bridging element preferably has a strength to withstand such forces.

Longitudinal forces applied along the length of the aerosol-generating article can be a particular problem when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into a package during manufacture. Longitudinal forces applied along the length of an aerosol-generating article may also be a particular problem for aerosol-generating articles configured to be consumed by heating rather than combustion. Such aerosol-generating articles may be inserted into an aerosol-generating device. This may result in the application of a longitudinal force along the length of the aerosol-generating article when inserted into the aerosol-generating device.

The first portion of the bridging element is a portion having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater. The bridging element may comprise a first wrapper. In some embodiments, the first wrapper may have a portion with a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater. This portion of the first wrapper may correspond to the first portion of the wrapper. In some embodiments, the bridging element may comprise more than one wrapper. For example, the bridging element may comprise a portion of the first wrapper and a portion of the second wrapper. The second wrapper may surround the first wrapper. In this case, the portion having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater may be the result of the combined basis weight of two or more layers. In any case, the cavity may be partially bounded by an inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element.

Providing the first portion of the bridging element with a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more may provide strength to the aerosol-generating article in the region of the cavity. Such basis weights may advantageously be sufficiently high to prevent the cavities from collapsing in normal use and during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may extend around some or all of the circumference of the cavity to prevent the cavity from collapsing during normal use and during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term "basis weight" is a measure of mass in grams per square meter. In other words, basis weight is a measure of areal density. Basis weight may also be referred to as grammage.

Preferably, the first portion of the bridging element has a basis weight of between 50 and 110 grams per square meter. Preferably, the first portion of the bridging element may have a basis weight of 70 grams per square meter or greater. The bridging element may have a basis weight of 80, 90 or even 100 grams per square meter or more. The bridging element may have a basis weight of between 70 and 110 grams per square meter, between 80 and 110 grams per square meter, between 90 and 110 grams per square meter, or between 100 and 110 grams per square meter.

As used herein, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used to describe the relative position of an element or portion of an element of an aerosol-generating article with respect to the direction in which a user draws on the aerosol-generating article during use thereof.

As used herein, the term "inner surface of the bridging element" is used to describe the surface of the bridging element that faces the interior of the aerosol-generating article.

The first portion of the bridging element may have a thickness of between 50 and 140 microns. The first portion of the bridging element may have a thickness of between 70 and 140 microns. Preferably, the thickness is 80 microns.

The downstream end of the cavity may be defined by a stem. The upstream end of the cavity may be defined by the filter. The cavity may have a length of at least 1 millimeter. Such a length of the cavity may reduce the transfer of heat generated upstream of the cavity to the filter, whether such heat is generated by the ignited aerosol-generating substrate or by the heater of the aerosol-generating device. The cavity may reduce heat transfer, thereby avoiding overheating of the filter. The length of the cavity may be between 1 mm and 7 mm. The cavity may have a length of at least 2 millimeters. Preferably, the cavity may have a length of between 2 and 5 millimeters. Even more preferably, the cavity may have a length of 3 mm. The cavity may have a length of at least 3 millimeters.

The bridging element may have a length of greater than 25 mm. Such bridging elements may be long enough to span the cavity and enclose at least a sufficient portion of each of the rod and filter. The bridging element may surround the filter along its entire length. The length of the bridging element may be between 25 mm and 40 mm. The length of the bridging element may be between 25 mm and 30 mm.

The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the length of the bridging element a distance of at least 1.2 times the length of the lumen. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the length of the bridging element a distance of at least 1.5 times the length of the lumen. There may be some variability in the position of the first portion of the bridging element relative to the cavity. This variability may be due to manufacturing tolerances. Having the first portion of the bridging element extend along the length of the bridging element a distance of at least 1.2 or 1.5 times the length of the lumen may help to account for this variability. The inner surface of the first wrapper partially defines the cavity regardless of the position of the first portion of the bridging element relative to the cavity.

The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the length of the bridging element a distance of between 4 mm and 10 mm. The rod may be surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along at least 2 mm of the length of the rod. The first portion of the bridging element may extend between 2 and 7 millimetres along the length of the rod. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the entire length of the rod.

The first wrapper may permanently secure the rod to the filter. The first wrapper of the bridging element may comprise an adhesive to permanently secure the filter to the rod. In particular, the inner surface of the first wrapper of the bridging element may comprise an adhesive to permanently secure the first wrapper to the filter. Alternatively or additionally, the inner surface of the first wrapper of the bridging element may comprise an adhesive to permanently fix the first wrapper to the rod. The first wrapper may be glued to the rod. The first wrapper may be glued to the filter.

The filter may be surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element. In other words, the first portion of the bridging element extends beyond the cavity along the length of the aerosol-generating article to surround the filter. Thus, the bridging element portion having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more extends beyond the cavity. Such an arrangement may advantageously further improve the strength of the aerosol-generating article. The first portion of the bridging element may extend at least 1 mm along the length of the filter. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the entire length of the filter.

The rod may be surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element. In other words, the first portion of the bridging element may extend beyond the cavity along the length of the aerosol-generating article to surround the rod. Thus, the bridging element portion having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more extends beyond the cavity. Such an arrangement may advantageously further improve the strength of the aerosol-generating article. The first portion of the bridging element may extend a distance of at least 2 mm along the length of the rod. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the length of the rod for a distance of between 2 mm and 7 mm. The first portion of the bridging element may extend along the entire length of the rod.

The first wrapper may comprise at least one of a cellulosic based material, paper, paperboard, reconstituted tobacco or a cellulosic based film. Such materials having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more have a suitable stiffness to prevent collapse of the cavity during normal use of the aerosol-generating article and during manufacture of the aerosol-generating article. Preferably, the first wrapper comprises paper.

The bridging element may comprise a single wrapper. In other words, the first wrapper may be the only wrapper forming the bridging element.

Alternatively, the bridging element may comprise a second wrapper surrounding the first wrapper. The basis weight of the first portion of the bridge may be a combination of the basis weights of both the first wrapper and the second wrapper. By providing two wrappers, the basis weight of the first wrapper as part of the first portion may be well below 50 grams per square meter. For example, both the first wrapper and the second wrapper may be formed from tipping paper. The tipping paper typically has a basis weight of about 30 grams per square meter. By providing two wrappers, one surrounding the other, basis weights of 50 grams per square meter or greater can be achieved using standard and readily available materials.

The second wrapper may comprise at least one of a cellulose based material, paper, paperboard, reconstituted tobacco or a cellulose based film. The second wrapper may be tipping paper.

The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may extend circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of more than 5 mm. The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may extend circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of more than 10 mm. The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may extend circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of more than 15 mm. Preferably, the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may extend circumferentially around the entire circumference of the cavity. Similarly, the first portion of the bridge element may extend circumferentially around the cavity a distance of greater than 5 mm, greater than 10 mm, or greater than 15 mm. Preferably, the first portion of the bridging element may extend around the entire circumference of the cavity.

The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may be curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 45 degrees. The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may be curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 90 degrees. The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may be curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 180 degrees. The inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element may be curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 270 degrees. Similarly, the first portion of the bridging element may be curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 45 degrees, greater than 90 degrees, greater than 180 degrees or greater than 270 degrees.

The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may have a surface area of greater than 25 square millimetres. The inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element may have a surface area of greater than 50 square millimeters. Similarly, the first portion of the bridging element may have a surface area of greater than 25 square millimetres or greater than 50 square millimetres.

The rod comprising the aerosol-generating substrate may further comprise a wrapper surrounding the aerosol-generating substrate.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-generating substrate' is used to describe a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds that can form an aerosol upon heating or combustion. The aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating substrate of the aerosol-generating article described herein may be visible or invisible, and may comprise vapour (e.g. fine particles of a substance in the gaseous state, which is typically a liquid or solid at room temperature) as well as gas and liquid droplets of condensed vapour.

The aerosol-generating article may be of the type that is consumed by igniting the rod and aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article may be a smoking article. The aerosol-generating article may comprise a cigarette. In aerosol-generating articles that are consumed by ignition, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise any suitable tobacco material. For example, the tobacco material may include tobacco cut filler.

The aerosol-generating article may be of the type which generates an aerosol by heating rather than combusting the aerosol-generating substrate. During consumption, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-generating substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the aerosol-generating article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol which is inhaled by the consumer. The heat source may be provided by an aerosol-generating device having a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may be a heated aerosol-generating article.

As used herein, the term "aerosol-generating device" is used to describe a device that interacts with an aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol. Preferably, the aerosol-generating device is a smoking device that interacts with an aerosol-generating substrate of an aerosol-generating article to generate an aerosol that can be inhaled directly into the lungs of a user through the mouth of the user.

In aerosol-generating articles which are consumed by heating the aerosol-generating substrate, the aerosol-generating substrate is preferably a solid aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise both liquid and solid components. The aerosol-generating substrate may comprise tobacco material.

Alternatively or additionally, the aerosol-generating substrate may comprise a non-tobacco containing aerosol-generating material.

If the aerosol-generating substrate is a solid aerosol-generating substrate, the solid aerosol-generating substrate may comprise, for example, one or more of: a powder, granules, pellets, chips, tow, tape, or flakes comprising one or more of: herbaceous leaves, tobacco rib material, expanded tobacco and homogenized tobacco.

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

Optionally, the solid aerosol-generating substrate may be disposed on or embedded in a thermally stable carrier. The carrier may take the form of a powder, pellet, chip, strand, stick or sheet. The solid aerosol-generating substrate may be deposited on the surface of the carrier in the form of, for example, a sheet, a foam, a gel or a slurry. The solid aerosol-generating substrate may be deposited over the entire surface of the carrier or, alternatively, may be deposited in a pattern so as to provide inconsistent flavour delivery during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises homogenised tobacco material.

As used herein, the term 'homogenised tobacco material' indicates a material formed by agglomerating particulate tobacco.

Preferably, the aerosol-generating substrate comprises a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material.

As used herein, the term "sheet" means a layered element having a width and a length that is substantially greater than its thickness.

As used herein, the term 'gathered' is used to describe a sheet of material that is wound, folded or otherwise compressed or laced substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol-generating article.

The use of an aerosol-generating substrate comprising a gathered sheet of homogenised tobacco material advantageously significantly reduces the risk of "loose ends" (i.e. fragments of tobacco material being lost from the end of the rod) compared to an aerosol-generating substrate comprising fragments of tobacco material. Loose ends may disadvantageously result in the need to more frequently clean aerosol-generating devices and manufacturing equipment used with aerosol-generating articles.

The filter may define one side of the cavity. The filter may comprise a section of filter material. The filter may further comprise a filter wrapper surrounding the segment of filter material. The length of filter material may extend along the entire length of the filter. The filter material may include at least one of cellulose acetate, cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polylactic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, nylon, polyhydroxybutyrate, thermoplastic materials, starch, nonwoven materials, longitudinally oriented and randomly oriented fibers, crepe yarn, PLA fibers, and combinations thereof.

The filter of the heated aerosol-generating article may comprise other components in addition to the length of filter material. Each of these components may be assembled within a filter wrapper. Each of the components may be axially aligned.

The filter of the heated aerosol-generating article may comprise an aerosol-cooling element located upstream of the segment of filter material. The cavity of the aerosol-generating article may be located immediately upstream of the aerosol-cooling element.

As used herein, the term 'aerosol-cooling element' is used to describe an element having a large surface area and low resistance to draw. In use, an aerosol formed by volatile compounds released from the aerosol-generating substrate passes through and is cooled by the aerosol-cooling element prior to inhalation by a user.

The aerosol-cooling element may have a total surface area of between about 300 square millimeters per millimeter of length and about 1000 square millimeters per millimeter of length. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-cooling element has a total surface area of about 500 square millimetres per millimetre of length.

In the present disclosure there is also provided a container comprising a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, wherein at least 50% of the aerosol-generating articles comprise: a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; a filter axially aligned with the rod; a bridging element comprising a first wrapper circumscribing the rod and the filter and securing the filter to the rod; and a cavity between the rod and the filter, the cavity defined in part by the inner surface of the first wrapper in a first portion of the bridge element, wherein the first portion of the bridge element has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater. The aerosol-generating article may have any of the features described above. The aerosol-generating article may comprise at least 60% of the aerosol-generating article, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90% of the plurality of aerosol-generating articles.

The container may comprise at least 5 aerosol-generating articles. The container may comprise at least 10 aerosol-generating articles.

The container may be a tank. The container may be a lidded box. The cover may be a hinged cover.

In the present disclosure, a method of making an aerosol-generating article is also provided. The method may comprise providing a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate. The method may further comprise providing a filter. The method may further comprise providing a bridging element. The bridging element may comprise a first wrapper. The method may further comprise securing the filter to the rod using a bridging element such that the first wrapper surrounds the rod and filter in a spaced relationship to form a cavity between the rod and filter. The cavity may be partially bounded by an inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element. The first portion of the bridging element may have a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more.

In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article comprises: providing a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate; providing a filter; providing a bridging element comprising a first wrapper; and securing the filter to the rod using the bridging element such that the first wrapper surrounds the rod and the filter in spaced apart relation to form a cavity between the rod and the filter, the cavity being defined in part by the inner surface of the first wrapper in a first portion of the bridging element, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more.

The step of securing the filter to the rod may comprise wrapping the bridging element around the rod. The step of securing the filter to the rod may comprise wrapping the bridging element around the filter. The step of securing the filter to the rod may comprise permanently securing the filter to the rod. The step of securing the filter to the rod may comprise gluing the inner surface of the wrapper to the rod. The step of securing the filter to the rod may comprise gluing the inner surface of the wrapper to the filter. The inner surface of the first wrapper of the bridging element may comprise an adhesive. The adhesive may permanently secure the bridging element to the rod. The adhesive may permanently secure the bridging element to the filter.

The following provides a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another embodiment, implementation, or aspect described herein.

Embodiment 1. an aerosol-generating article comprising:

a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate;

a filter axially aligned with the rod;

a bridging element comprising a first wrapper circumscribing the rod and the filter and securing the filter to the rod; and

a cavity between the rod and the filter, the cavity being defined in part by an inner surface of the first wrapper in a first portion of the bridging element,

wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater.

Embodiment 2. the aerosol-generating device of embodiment EX1, wherein the portion of the bridging element defining the cavity has a basis weight of 50 to 110 grams per square meter.

Embodiment 3. the aerosol generating article of embodiment EX1 or EX2, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a thickness of between 50 microns and 140 microns.

Embodiment 4. the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX3, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a thickness of 80 microns.

Embodiment 5. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX4, wherein the downstream end of the cavity is defined by the rod and the upstream end of the cavity is defined by the filter.

Embodiment 6. the aerosol generating article according to any one of embodiments EX1 to EX5, wherein the cavity has a length of at least 1 millimeter.

Embodiment 7. the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX6, wherein the cavity has a length of between 1 millimeter and 7 millimeters.

Embodiment 8 the aerosol generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX7, wherein the cavity has a length of between 2 millimeters and 5 millimeters.

Embodiment 9. the aerosol generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX8, wherein the cavity has a length of 3 millimeters.

Embodiment 10 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX9, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along a length of the bridging element a distance of at least 1.2 times the length of the cavity.

Embodiment 11 the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX10, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along the length of the bridging element a distance of between 4 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

Embodiment 12. the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX11, wherein the filter is surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element.

Embodiment 13. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX12, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends at least 2 mm along the length of the filter.

Embodiment 14. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX13, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along the entire length of the filter.

Embodiment 15. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX14, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the bridging element comprises an adhesive to permanently fix the first wrapper to the filter.

Embodiment 16. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX15, wherein the rod is surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element.

Embodiment 17. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX16, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends at least 2 millimeters along the length of the rod.

Embodiment 18 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX17, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along between 2 and 7 millimeters of the length of the rod.

Embodiment 19 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX18, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along the entire length of the rod.

Embodiment 20. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX19, wherein the first wrapper permanently secures the filter to the rod.

Embodiment 21. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX20, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the bridging element comprises an adhesive to permanently secure the first wrapper to the rod.

Embodiment 22. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX21, wherein the first wrapper comprises at least one of a cellulose-based material, paper, cardboard, reconstituted tobacco, or cellulose-based film.

Embodiment 23. the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX22, wherein the bridging element comprises a single wrapper.

Embodiment 24. the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX23, wherein the bridging element comprises a second wrapper surrounding the first wrapper.

Embodiment 25 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX24, wherein the second wrapper comprises at least one of a cellulose-based material, paper, cardboard, reconstituted tobacco, or cellulose-based film.

Embodiment 26 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX25, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of greater than 5 millimeters.

Embodiment 27. the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX26, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity a distance of greater than 10 millimeters.

Embodiment 28 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX27, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of greater than 15 millimeters.

Embodiment 29 the aerosol-generating article according to any one of embodiments EX1 to EX28, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element extends around the entire circumference of the cavity.

Embodiment 30. the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX29, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 45 degrees.

Embodiment 31 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX30, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Embodiment 32 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX31, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 180 degrees.

Embodiment 33. the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX32, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 270 degrees.

Embodiment 34 the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX33, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper of the first portion of the bridging element has a surface area of greater than 25 square millimeters.

Embodiment 35 the aerosol-generating article according to any of embodiments EX1 to EX34, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of greater than 5 millimeters.

Embodiment 36 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX35, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity a distance of greater than 10 millimeters.

Embodiment 37 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX36, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity a distance of greater than 15 millimeters.

Embodiment 38 the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX37, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends around the entire circumference of the cavity.

Embodiment 39. the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX38, wherein the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 45 degrees.

Embodiment 40 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX39, wherein the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Embodiment 41 the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX40, wherein the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 180 degrees.

Embodiment 42 the aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX1 to EX41, wherein the first portion of the bridging element is curved to define an arc subtending an angle greater than 270 degrees.

Embodiment 43 the aerosol-generating article of any one of embodiments EX1 to EX42, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a surface area greater than 25 square millimeters.

Embodiment 44. a container comprising a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, wherein at least 50% of the aerosol-generating articles are aerosol-generating articles according to any one of embodiments EX1 to EX 43.

Embodiment 45. the container of embodiment EX44, comprising at least 5 aerosol-generating articles.

Embodiment 46. the container of embodiment EX44 or EX45, wherein the container comprises at least 10 aerosol-generating articles.

Embodiment 47. the container of any one of embodiments EX44 to EX46, wherein at least 90% of the aerosol-generating article may be an aerosol-generating article according to embodiments EX1 to EX 43.

Embodiment 48 the vessel of any one of embodiments EX44 to EX47, wherein the vessel is a tank.

Embodiment 49. the container of any one of embodiments EX44 to EX48, wherein the container is a lidded box.

Embodiment 50. the container of embodiment EX49, wherein the lid may be a hinged lid. Embodiment 51. a method of making an aerosol-generating article, the method comprising:

providing a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate;

providing a filter;

providing a bridging element comprising a first wrapper; and

securing the filter to the rod using the bridging element such that the first wrapper surrounds the rod and the filter in spaced apart relation to form a cavity between the rod and the filter, the cavity being defined in part by an inner surface of the first wrapper in a first portion of the bridging element,

Embodiment 52. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of embodiment EX51, wherein the step of permanently securing the filter to the rod comprises wrapping the bridging element on the rod.

Embodiment 53. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of embodiment EX51 or EX52, wherein the step of permanently securing the filter to the rod comprises wrapping the bridging element around the filter.

Embodiment 54. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX51 to EX53, wherein the step of securing the filter to the rod comprises permanently securing the filter to the rod.

Embodiment 55. the method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX51 to EX54, wherein the step of securing the filter to the rod comprises gluing the inner surface of the wrapper to the rod.

Embodiment 56. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of any of embodiments EX51 to EX55, wherein the step of securing the filter to the rod comprises gluing the inner surface of the wrapper to the filter.

Embodiment 57. the method of manufacturing an aerosol-generating article according to any one of embodiments EX51 to EX56, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element comprises an adhesive.

Embodiment 58. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of embodiment EX57, wherein the adhesive permanently secures the bridging element to the rod.

Embodiment 59. the method of making an aerosol-generating article of embodiment EX57 or EX58, wherein the adhesive permanently secures the bridging element to the filter.

Features described with respect to one embodiment or implementation may also be applicable to other embodiments and implementations. In particular, features of the rod, filter, bridging element and cavity described in relation to the aerosol-generating article may also be applicable to the rod, filter, bridging element and cavity described in relation to the method of manufacturing the aerosol-generating article.

Drawings

Several embodiments will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure comprising a bridging element comprising a single wrapper;

figure 2 shows another aerosol-generating article according to the present disclosure comprising a bridging element comprising a first wrapper material and a second wrapper material;

FIG. 3 shows the inner surface of the bridging element in an expanded state;

figure 4 shows a bridging element according to the present disclosure as part of an aerosol-generating article, but wherein the bridging element is expanded to show the inner surface of the bridging element relative to other features of the aerosol-generating article; and is provided with

Figure 5 shows an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention configured to generate an aerosol by heating rather than combusting an aerosol-generating substrate.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an aerosol-generating article 10 having an upstream end and a downstream end and comprising a tobacco rod 20 attached at its downstream end to an axially aligned filter 30. The aerosol-generating article 10 is a cigarette which is configured to be consumed by igniting the tobacco rod 30.

The tobacco rod 20 includes cut filler 22 surrounded by tobacco rod wrapper 24. The filter 30 comprises a single segment of cellulose acetate tow 32 surrounded by filter wrapper 34.

The aerosol-generating article 10 further comprises a bridging element 40 comprising a single wrapper 42. A single wrapper 42 surrounds the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30. The individual wrappers include an adhesive (not shown in figure 1) to permanently secure the filter 30 to the tobacco rod 20. The bridging element 40 has a basis weight of greater than 50 grams per square meter. The bridging element has a thickness of 80 microns.

The cavity 44 is located between the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30. The cavity 44 is defined by the ends of the tobacco rod 20 and filter 30 and the inner surface of the single wrapper 42 of the bridging element 40. The inner surface of the single wrapper extends circumferentially around the cavity 44 and extends around the entire circumference of the cavity 44. The cavities 44 partially defined by a single wrapper 42 having a bridging element 40 with a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more provide strength to the aerosol-generating articles within the area of the cavities. This may reduce the risk of the cavity 44 collapsing, particularly when the aerosol-generating article is subjected to longitudinal forces, for example when inserted into a cigarette pack.

The cavity 44 has a length of 3 mm. In other words, the spacing between the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30 is 3 mm.

Figure 2 shows an aerosol-generating article 100. The aerosol-generating article 100 comprises a bridging element 50 comprising a first wrapper 52 and a second wrapper 53. In all other respects, the aerosol-generating article 100 is the same as the aerosol-generating article 10 of fig. 1.

The first wrapper 52 of the bridging element 50 surrounds the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30. The first wrapper 52 includes an adhesive (not shown in fig. 2) to permanently secure the filter 30 to the tobacco rod 20. The second wrapper 53 surrounds the first wrapper 52.

The bridging element 50 has a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more. Both the first wrapper material 52 and the second wrapper material 53 contribute to the basis weight of the bridging element 50. For example, the first wrapper 52 may have a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter or more and the second wrapper 53 may have a basis weight of 25 grams per square meter or more. The cavity between the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30 is bounded by the ends of the tobacco rod 20 and the filter 30 and by the inner surface of the first wrapper 52.

The entire length of each bridging

element

40, 50 of the aerosol-generating article shown in figures 1 and 2 respectively need not have a basis weight of 50 grams per square metre or more. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the bridging element in which the portion of the bridging element having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more does not extend along the full length of the bridging element.

Fig. 3 shows a bridging element 60 comprising a first wrapper 62 and a second wrapper 64. The bridging element 60 is shown separately from any aerosol-generating article, from the perspective of the inner surface of the bridging element. The bridging element 60 includes a first portion 65 having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or greater. The first portion 65 is composed of both the first wrapper 62 and the second wrapper 64. Thus, the basis weight of this area or portion is higher than the basis weight of either packaging material itself.

The bridging element 60 further comprises a line of adhesive 66. The inner surface of the first wrapper 62 includes two lines of adhesive 66. One of these adhesive lines 66 is used to secure the bridging element to the filter 20 and the other 66 is used to secure the bridging element 60 to the rod 30. The inner surface of the second wrapper 64 includes a line of adhesive 66 to secure the bridging element to the filter. This is more clearly shown in figure 4.

Fig. 4 shows the bridging element 60 as part of the aerosol-generating article 200, but not wrapped to show the inner surfaces of the first and

second wrapper materials

62, 64 relative to other features of the aerosol-generating article 200. Fig. 4 shows how the first portion 65 is aligned with the cavity such that when the aerosol-generating article 200 is fully assembled, the cavity 44 is bounded by the first portion 65.

The cavity 44 has a length of 3 mm. First portion 65 extends a distance of 7 millimeters along the length of the individual wrapper 62. Thus, the first portion extends along the bridge member 60 a distance that is greater than the length of the cavity 44. This ensures that the cavity 44 is defined by the first portion 65 of the bridge member 60 along the entire length of the cavity 44 even if manufacturing tolerances result in the bridge member 60 and the cavity 44 not being centrally aligned. Thus, the first portion 65 of the bridging element 60 circumscribes a portion of the tobacco rod 20 and a portion of the filter 30. The first portion 65 of the bridging element 60 extends a distance of 2 mm along the length of the filter, a distance of 2 mm along the length of the rod and is secured to both the rod and the filter by adhesive lines 68.

Fig. 5 shows an aerosol-generating article 300 configured to generate an aerosol by heating, rather than combusting, an aerosol-generating substrate. The aerosol-generating article 300 comprises a rod 70 at the upstream end. The rod 70 comprises an aerosol-generating substrate 72. The aerosol-generating article 300 further comprises a filter 80 at the downstream end. The filter 80 includes an aerosol-cooling element 76 and a segment 78 of filter material downstream of the aerosol-cooling element 76. The filter 80 and rod 70 are axially aligned with one another, and each of the components of the filter 70 are axially aligned.

The aerosol-generating article 300 further comprises a bridging element 82 comprising a single wrapper. The individual wrappers include adhesive (not shown in figure 5) to permanently secure the filter 80 to the rod 70. The bridging elements 82 have a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more.

The cavity 84 is located between the rod 70 and the filter 80. The cavity 84 is defined by the ends of the rod 70 and filter 80 and by the inner surface of the single wrapper of the bridging element 80. The inner surface of the single wrapper extends circumferentially around the cavity 84, extending around the entire circumference of the cavity 84. The cavity 84, which is partially defined by a single wrapper of bridging element 80 having a basis weight of 50 grams per square meter or more, provides strength to the aerosol-generating article in the area of the cavity, thereby preventing the cavity 84 from collapsing, particularly when the aerosol-generating article is subjected to a longitudinal force, for example when inserted into a package or when inserted into an aerosol-generating device.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the bridging

elements

40, 50 and 60 may be applied to the heated aerosol-generating article of figure 5 as described above in relation to figures 1, 2 and 4.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating article comprising:

a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate;

a filter axially aligned with the rod;

2. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a length of at least 2 mm.

3. An aerosol-generating article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a basis weight of 70 grams per square meter or more.

4. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the bridging element has a thickness of between 50 microns and 140 microns.

5. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the downstream end of the cavity is defined by the rod and the upstream end of the cavity is defined by the filter.

6. An aerosol generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along a length of the bridging element for a distance of at least 1.2 times the length of the cavity.

7. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion of the bridging element extends along the length of the bridging element a distance of between 4 millimetres and 10 millimetres.

8. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter is surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element.

9. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the rod is surrounded by the first portion of the bridging element.

10. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the bridging element comprises a single wrapper.

11. An aerosol-generating article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bridging element comprises a second wrapper surrounding the first wrapper.

12. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element extends circumferentially around the cavity by a distance of greater than 5 millimetres.

13. An aerosol-generating article according to any preceding claim, wherein the inner surface of the first wrapper in the first portion of the bridging element has a surface area of greater than 25 square millimetres.

14. A container comprising a plurality of aerosol-generating articles, wherein at least 50% of the aerosol-generating articles in the container are aerosol-generating articles according to claims 1 to 13.

15. A method of making an aerosol-generating article, the method comprising:

providing a rod comprising an aerosol-generating substrate;

providing a filter;

providing a bridging element comprising a first wrapper; and